Kenny Dalglish this morning heaped praise on Ange Postecoglou for the unbelievable job that the Australian has done at Celtic since arriving in June 2021 to take over the shambles that had been left by former manager Neil Lennon. Writing in his newspaper column in Sunday Post the Celtic, Liverpool and Scotland legend knows that the title race is heating up and agrees with Ange who has already pointed out that there are no prizes handed out for going top in February.
“Ange Postecoglou has done a remarkable job at Celtic,” King Kenny stated. “His side’s 3-0 destruction of (the)Rangers in midweek was the icing on the cake of what has been a very positive eight months with the Greek-born Australian in charge.
“When he was appointed last summer, I wrote in this column that he had to be given time to succeed. He had inherited a tough gig.
There was how the club’s chances of 10-in-a-row had been blown last season. A massive upheaval was taking place, and was clearly needed. Just about everybody had (the)Rangers as clear favourites to retain their title,” Dalglish noted.
Worst Uber driver I’ve ever had. Gonna be a long journey. pic.twitter.com/aUg2vMQCbu
— Paul Dalglish (@DalglishPaul) February 2, 2022
When I lived in the UK I took atmospheres like this for granted. After living abroad for many years I now realize this atmosphere is a result of over 100 years of euphoric highs, devastating lows, passion filled rivalries and tradition poured into 90 min that can’t be replicated. pic.twitter.com/PphV3C17Fp
— Paul Dalglish (@DalglishPaul) February 3, 2022
Alongside his son Paul, Dalglish drove North to attend the game on Wednesday night and clearly was impressed at the work that’s been done by Postecoglou over these past seven months. “I was at Celtic Park on Wednesday night and the hosts fully deserved their victory to go top of the table. However, it’s still very, very close, and I wouldn’t necessarily say the Hoops have the edge just now. They are just a single point ahead of (the)Rangers, and there are still 14 games to go and 42 points up for grabs.
“What I would say is that I’d rather be in Celtic’s position than anybody else’s. And big Ange deserves enormous credit for the current situation. He came in from Japanese football to a new club, in a new country and a football environment he would have had very little knowledge of. Ange has fulfilled his role quite superbly.
“His signings have been first-class. He took his time to assess the squad, and what was required to improve the team and mould it into a style he wanted and felt would succeed. There was no panic buying from him, and he ignored the screams for him to add bodies in his first few days in charge.
Celtic Park did not disappoint. pic.twitter.com/Ff2qJL8dkg
— Paul Dalglish (@DalglishPaul) February 2, 2022
“It was clear he wanted to tap into the Japanese market that he knew, and soon signed Kyogo Furuhashi. He has been brilliant. Daizen Maeda, Yosuke Ideguchi and Reo Hatate arrived from the same source last month, and the latter has made as big an impact as Kyogo.
“His contribution against (the)Rangers last Wednesday night – with two of the goals and setting up the third for Liel Abada – was quite staggering. The Japanese midfielder grabbed the headlines and rightly so. But I have to single out Callum McGregor. He took over the armband from Scott Brown, so had massive boots to fill. Scott is a club legend and led them to that quadruple Treble,” Dalglish observed and we should state yet again that this was an absolutely astonishing achievement that has been under celebrated by the Celtic support.
“But Callum has taken to the role very effectively, and constantly sets a fantastic example. He showed his commitment to the cause by playing through the pain barrier in midweek, and wearing a mask to protect his facial injury. He has skill in abundance – and also that good habit of always passing the ball to a jersey of the same colour he is wearing!
“Callum never complains and just carries out the instructions given to him by Ange and the coaching staff. If Celtic do go on to win the title, I think Callum will have made as significant a contribution as anyone.” High praise indeed for both Ange Postecoglou and Callum McGregor from King Kenny.
Here’s Callum McGregor’s interview with Celtic TV which was posted last night…
