Ange Postecoglou

Celtic's youngsters were visited by first team manager Ange Postecoglou in the dressing room at full-time, a show of support O'Dea admits is "invaluable".

“He let us get on with it but came into the dressing room afterwards to see the players," he revealed. "I can’t tell you how much that means to everyone. Stephen and I were put in charge of this with the manager above us and the support he has given us has been incredible.

“The huge benefit we get is the access we have into the manager, getting to hear his ideas. That’s fantastic and I think we can take this on a lot more and I know the manager will want us to do that.

“His support and John Kennedy’s support today is invaluable. The players will feel that and certainly Stephen and I do, and hopefully we can repay that faith and trust by producing players for him.”

 

I wish all these new guys we're chasing would come with ready made nicknames I'm struggling to remember them all Thank * he has an eye for a player though I love Ange more than you @rhydo1888

 

Celtic manager Ange Postecoglou confirmed he had already secured his January transfer priorities ahead of Monday’s derby with Rangers.

Postecoglou stated there was “no great urgency” about any other business after the club announced the signing of Tomoki Iwata from the manager’s former club, Yokohama F. Marinos, on Friday.

The versatile defensive midfielder will not arrive in time to feature at Ibrox but Canada right-back Alistair Johnston and Japanese defender Yuki Kobayashi could potentially make their debuts.

Celtic may be forced back into the market if players depart, but Johnston’s arrival means they already have a replacement should Josip Juranovic leave after his impressive World Cup performances for Croatia attracted admirers.

Postecoglou said: “I’m really pleased with the three boys we have brought in. That was probably our priority at this stage.

“But the transfer window hasn’t even opened yet so, what we have got to obviously be aware of is, there might be departures as well.

“So I guess the pleasing thing from my perspective is that we are in a good position now with three incomings, so whatever happens we can make decisions that are best for the football club.






We will see what January brings. My view on these things is that if a good opportunity comes up that will make us stronger, and it makes sense for us, then we will move on it.

“There is no great urgency now because of the business we have already done.”

With Anthony Ralston still missing with a back problem and Juranovic yet to feature since the World Cup, Johnston could be handed a derby debut.

“Tomoki is in Japan so there is zero chance he will play,” Postecoglou said. “With Alistair and Kobayashi, they are available like everyone else.

“I will make those decisions. We still have a couple of days of training and have got two or three injuries, but the rest of the squad is in good condition and has been playing well. So it will just depend on the decisions I make.

“We also still have to wait until international clearance comes through. Although they are registered with us, clearance doesn’t come through until after January 1. If their clearances come through, they are available and will be in consideration.”



Otherwise, Celtic will have the same squad that beat Hibernian 4-0 at Easter Road on Wednesday night.

Left-back Greg Taylor has already recovered from the tight muscle that forced him off and Sead Haksabanovic will miss out again with a foot injury.

“In terms of the other night, everyone has pulled through that okay,” Postecoglou said.

“Sead Haksabanovic will probably miss Monday. He had a scan and it’s nothing serious and he has been training, but not at 100 per cent. So we are going to give him a chance to get up and running and just miss this game.

“Tony Ralston is still a bit sore so he will miss Monday as well. Josip’s fine, he has trained and was on the bench.”

David Turnbull completes a two-match suspension and Stephen Welsh and James McCarthy remain out.

 

It's the most wonderful time of the year, isn't it? Well, it is if you are a Celtic supporter... and Ange Postecoglou.

The Aussie has enjoyed the most thrilling magic carpet ride in Scottish football since he checked in at Parkhead in the summer of 2021.

A Scottish Premiership and League Cup double-winner in his maiden campaign afforded him cult hero status with the faithful. He also guided Celtic into the lucrative Champions League group stages automatically for the first time in five years.

Celtic currently lead the league over closest rivals Rangers. However, it is not just his managerial exploits that have made headlines news; the 57-year-old has a way with words as well as people. His press conferences are usually box office and not to be missed.

In a festive treat, we dug into the Ange archive to sum up Postecoglou's year in quotes.

Here are the best of the Ange-isms from the year that was 2022...


January
On playing football matches inside empty stadiums and the importance of football fans...

"For me, it’s beyond talking about how important it is. It’s all-encompassing. It’s the one thing, football and supporters are not two separate entities as far as I’m concerned. As I said after the St Johnstone game, we won, but I didn’t really enjoy the game, and I don’t think anyone does. I don’t think there would be a football club around the world or a football player who wants to play in empty stadiums."

February
On the 3-0 midweek demolition of Rangers at Celtic Park...

"We’re upholding the values of this football club, not just in terms of winning but the way we play our football. I want them to be proud of us. I hope they are proud on the journey home tonight. I am sure they will enjoy tonight, I don’t know how work will go tomorrow for most of them. As I said to the players, we had 60,000 in tonight and I’m sure a lot of them walked in with some problems in their life. For this 95 minutes we made them forget that and feel good and that’s something special.”

On being quizzed by BBC reporter Kenny Macintyre after a 2-0 Scottish Premiership home win over St Mirren...

Kenny Macintyre: “That was a hard watch at times, is that fair?”

Ange Postecoglou: “It depends on what you’re looking for – maybe you’re disappointed with the way it went, mate.”

On being told that Celtic trailed for just one minute in 1,350 minutes of football and that was against Hibs in the League Cup final at Hampden...

“I don’t know how sad your life is to be looking up stats like that, mate."

March
On the Celtic support...

“The fans have been unbelievable. To be fair, they’ve been unbelievable from pretty much day one. They obviously didn’t know who I was either for the most part but it’s funny, at the same time they are fiercely loyal to their own people so once I was announced I think they just figured ‘look, he’s one of ours now so we are going to back him, lay off him'. Even at the start when things were a bit rocky with results, from the moment I arrived they have been right behind me. They want me to succeed."




April
On being asked if Rangers' run to the Europa League final demonstrates how well Scottish teams can do in Europe...

“If you want evidence of how well Scottish clubs can do in Europe, there’s a trophy I can show you just down the road here, mate.”

On beating Rangers 2-1 at Ibrox as Celtic moved six points clear at the top of the table...

"I'm really proud. I'm proud of the players. It was an enormous effort. They had everything going in their favour, the opposition. They scored early, the crowd was up and in those kinds of situations to turn it around like we did and show real character throughout the whole game was outstanding.

On losing the Scottish Cup sem-final to Rangers at Hampden...

"We are disappointed. There was an opportunity for us that we didn't take. It was a typical semi-final and both teams had their moments. It could have swung either way but they took their chance in extra time and unfortunately that decided the game."

On being appointed Celtic manager and on the brink of lifting the title in an interview with ABC Sport Australia...

“People were questioning my appointment… I love that stuff. The jury was out on me. There was no great recognition of what I had done.”

May
On clinching the league as BBC reporter Macintyre asks if Postecoglou would prefer to get the title wrapped up at the weekend by virtue of Rangers dropping points, or alternatively winning it at Tannadice in midweek...

"Only you could make winning a championship feel like a downer. No, any way it comes I'll take it."

On trophy presentation day and being handed the microphone after a 6-0 win over Motherwell at Celtic Park...

"Champions...that's what we are! And for you, the best fans on the planet, unbelievable. You’ve embraced me, embraced my family, embraced this jumper… I want everyone to enjoy today, enjoy the summer and we’ll come back bigger and better because we never stop!”

On winning the league in his first season during an interview with Opus Sport...

“Nothing is greater than seeing the joy you bring to people – whether it’s your own family or supporters of this football club. It’s a cliche but it is priceless. It gives you the best feeling. That’s the biggest motivator. The stuff that remains in people’s memories, things you had an impact on, it is precious.”

On scooping both the PFA and Scottish Football Writers' Association manager of the year awards...

"Going into it, there wasn’t a huge deal of expectation in terms of success. Whether that was because of me and my own background or because of the ground we needed to make up. People just recognise the challenge we had and how we have embraced that challenge. I take great pride in it but, like I said, I didn’t get the one I was favourite for – sacked by Christmas.”

On his schoolboy error of declaring that he loved whisky...

“I made the mistake of declaring my love of Scotch whisky and now, seriously, I get about a case a day delivered to my place. I don’t think I’ll ever drink it!"





June
On signing Cameron Carter-Vickers on a permanent deal...

"I am absolutely delighted that the club has completed the signing of Cameron on a permanent basis. This is a major acquisition for Celtic, really positive news for us and everyone at the club has worked so hard to make this happen. When we identify a player, we always hope that they can settle into things as quickly and as easily as possible. Like so many other players during the season, Cameron slotted into life at Celtic brilliantly from very early on. He is a great guy, hugely popular and we are delighted that he sees his future with us."

July
On signing Jota on a permanent deal...

“Re-signing Jota on a permanent deal was an important part of what we were trying to build here."

August
On the prospect of playing Real Madrid in the Bernabeu in the Champions League...

"I keep saying to the players that you can experience these things but usually you only remember it if it is a positive experience. So there’s no point, I’m not one to say that ‘I have done this’ or ‘I have done that’... for me it is more important that we go there and have a positive experience, to do that we’ve got to play some good football against the best. That’s when it becomes meaningful because, to be fair, you could pay for a tour of the Bernabeu, anyone can do that. I’ve often said to players, it is better to swap shirts with a player you admire after you’ve knocked them off and beaten them rather than just grab another shirt for your collection."

September
On Celtic 4-0 Rangers...

"We were brilliant. We knew it would be a good challenge for us today as they are a good side and they have proven that. We have been really good since the season started, we have been getting stronger every week. I thought it was a really dominant performance. It's a big occasion and we kind of know what's at stake. I guess people were suggesting that we had an easy run of games so far but I don't see that way. If this was going to be our first test and how we handled it then we did that really well and our defensive work and our press were just outstanding today. We really got on top of them."




On the showdown with Real Madrid in the Champions League and accusations that he had no plan B...

“Maybe if I was German, Dutch or Spanish, people might look at me differently as a manager in terms of tactics. Apparently, I’ve got one simple approach: plan A. But we’ll just stick to that.”

On facing the might of holders Real Madrid in the Champions League...

"We get 60,000 in here every game and have 60,000 ticket holders. It is hard-earned money they are putting in. And what they want with that hard-earned money is not the satisfaction of them paying a bill. It gives them something in their life that money can’t give them anywhere else. Tuesday night is a night for that. That’s the reward of them coming in here. Whatever struggles they may be going through, this gives them a little bit of joy, irrespective of their background or what their current situation is. They are as one in here, experiencing the same thing.”

October
On squad rotation and avoiding disgruntled players...

“I don’t tell them, I just avoid them mate. Easy discussion, I just put the team up and walk away.”

November
On competing regularly at the Champions League level and being successful...

"In Scotland, a club like ours has to have its sights set on being a top Champions League club. If that means we dominate local competition then it challenges everyone else to be better. That has to be our goal. My responsibility is to this club. We have 60,000 fans here every week and millions around the world. Why shouldn’t they have success at Champions League level? That has to be my goal. If not then I am doing this job a disservice.”

December
On the being conflated with Rangers during opposition interviews...

"The curious thing I find - and it is more to do with language in general and is driven somewhat by you guys in the media but I also hear opposition coaches saying it. - is that before we play teams, some opposition players can't seem to differentiate between us and Rangers at all. It is almost like when you play the top two this is what happens. Some of them even talk about it like it is an excursion, like 'you go through Glasgow and this is what you expect'. I just find it very curious and if people are assuming because something does or doesn't work against Rangers that it is then going to be a reflection [against us]. We have different types of players and we play in different ways and that is where the discussion should be."

 

ANGE Postecoglou believes that strengthening his Celtic squad early will enable his new signings to make an impact during a vital run of January fixtures - but refused to rule out doing more transfer business this month.

Postecoglou has brought in Alistair Johnston, Tomoki Iwata and Yuki Kobayashi and could hand defenders Johnston and Kobayashi their debuts against Rangers in the cinch Premiership match at Ibrox tomorrow afternoon if their international clearance comes through from FIFA in time.

The Parkhead club were transformed by the arrival of Reo Hatate, Daizen Maeda and Matt O’Riley this time last year – they went on a 17 game unbeaten run in the league and reclaimed the Scottish title in May




They have to be the right players for us and with the three we have signed we could get them over early. Tomoki is not in the country yet. We’re hoping he’ll be here early next week and then he will probably need a couple of weeks of work.

“Alistair and Kobayashi have already had a couple of weeks but Tomoki will need a couple of weeks with us. But him coming in early January means that hopefully by the end of the month he will be ready.”

Postecoglou is satisfied with the options that he has in every position and is not anticipating a particularly stressful January transfer window – but he admitted that Celtic could strengthen further if a player he likes becomes available.




There is no great urgency now,” he said. “I’m really pleased with what we have done so far. That relieved us of any urgent stuff we needed to do. I just felt we needed to bring two or three more in because of what is ahead and what we are trying to build. But the window isn’t even open yet.

“We’ll wait and see. If there is an opportunity to bring somebody in who we think can make us better then we will definitely explore it, but without the sense of urgency we’d have if we hadn’t already got some business done.”

 

Got it very wrong today

 

A point at ibrox when you’re already 9 ahead is a decent result, but we got away with it today, and I think his selection was way, way off.

 

I think I could understand him starting Forrest. Forrest, on paper, would provide more defensive cover for Johnston, but Johnston didn't need it, so Forrest didn't do much for the entire game.

My gripe with the big man is not making changes at half time. If he brings on Abada amd Giakoumakis at half time, we win that 100%.

 

Very lucky to get away from there with a point today.

Baffling team selection, terrible game management.

All the talk of the league being over, keep playing like that and that gap will be reduced before you know it.

 

Happy with the point but got away with it big time.

Got so many calls wrong 2day

 

I'm hoping there were illness concerns regarding the squad today.

Got it wrong by putting Forrest on. Barisic is there to be ran at. Forrest was never gonna do that.

JJ looked like he'd been on the * since hogmanay. Worried for Bernabei if he can't make it ahead of a half fit, unfocused and weaker footed player in his place.

Although he scored. Kyogo only touched the ball 8 times prior to his goal. Could've been hooked far earlier.

Slow to react to make changes.

As much I love him, and he gets praised rightly so, he deserves criticism when he gets it wrong.

I hope its illness and we can chalk it off to needs must in terms of selection.

 

Aye mate he said pre match theres an illness going round the team the now.

Still got it completely wrong today. Can't stand when managers keep a player on hoping that their performance gets better. If there's an issue and we have backup, make the changes

 

He can’t account for Starfelt making a stupid tackle like that, which put us up against it, but aye his tactics and team selection were wrong today.

 

Got away with one today.

Starting Forrest was madness. Bringing on a right back who wants away, over a left back, was madness - and then keeping him on was even crazier.

Took too long to bring on Jota as well.

 

Ange stop.embarassing yourself, great game of football, lol

Honest with the passing.

 

Lucky today, don't think he got a single decision right.

• Forrest starting
• Bringing Juranovic on, then not taking him off
• Not bringing Giakoumakis, Abada/Jota on sooner
• Taking Hatate and Maeda off

Frustrating from him and everyone involved today. That would have given them "hope", which I think is pretty unacceptable in all honesty.

 

Starting line up was wrong and thought the subs should've been on earlier, can't fault the mentality though didn't think we were getting a point from those last 20 mins.