When it came to doubters Ange Postecoglou had more than a few when he was announced as Celtic manager. Within a few short months and with a League and League Cup Double behind him – won playing ‘Pure, beautiful, inventive football’ as a great man once proclaimed – it’s fair to say most who questioned were soon converted, such was the speed of the squad rebuild undertaken and the relentless pace of Celtic’s football.
Perhaps the most disrespectful of all those who had written Ange off before his feet had even touched UK tarmac was TalkSport presenter Alan Brazil.
😩 𝗕𝗿𝗮𝘇𝗶𝗹: “Is this a wind up? Where do they come up with these guys from?”
🤣 𝗠𝗰𝗖𝗼𝗶𝘀𝘁: “I shouldn’t wallow in your despair but I’m loving every minute.”
Alan Brazil isn’t feeling overly positive about #CelticFC looking to appoint Ange Postecoglou… 🍀 pic.twitter.com/Ws2lP5KIU6
— talkSPORT (@talkSPORT) June 3, 2021
Brazil’s ‘is this a wind-up’ comment, followed by a deliberate butchering of pronouncing the Celtic manager’s name, was something Brazil no doubt lived to regret, and going by his comments on his Breakfast show this morning, he’s certainly gone full circle.
Live on air, Brazil was discussing the unlikely possibility that Ange Postecoglou may be tempted by the Leeds United post vacated following the sacking of former Celtic target Jesse Marsch, when he told his listeners “I’ve just had a text and I’ll not say who from but Ange Postecoglou is going to sign a new contract at Celtic, he’s going nowhere.”
Now I’m not sure if Alan Brazil has anyone in his contacts list who would have any real insight on Celtic offering Postecoglou a new contract, but his delight is certainly at odds with how he reacted some 18 months ago and just shows how Ange Postecoglou has won over even his fiercest critics.
Indeed his co-presenter Ally McCoist’s comments at the time of Brazil’s initial disrespect when he said “I shouldn’t wallow in your despair but I’m loving every minute.” is something Brazil may now consider reminding Ally of and ask who is despairing now.
But it does raise the question of a new contract for Ange Postecoglou to replace the 12-month rolling contract he is currently on.
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Ange has never appeared to court such an offer, but given the Celtic boss is linked with every EPL vacancy within moments of another sacking being announced, it may well be prudent for Celtic to consider such a deal and quickly. It will send out a message form both parties that Ange is here to stay, meanwhile it would allow Celtic to add a compensation clause should the big fella ever decide the EPL would be a challenge worth taking up.
Now Alan Brazil may or may not have the inside scoop on Ange Postecoglou signing a long-term deal with Celtic, but such a move is arguably already overdue. It would make for a delighted Celtic support and it would result in a great amount of fear across the city, something that can only help as the Celts head into the business end of the season looking to once again lift a treble of domestic trophies.
Niall J
