Ange Postecoglou spoke to Celtic TV this morning ahead of the training session as his squad prepares for Sunday’s visit to Tannadice to play Dundee United.
“The first thing is I’m excited that we’re in it. I think that’s what the general anticipation was about, that we were in the draw and potentially going to be in a special group. I’m really pleased with a tough but exciting group.”
On his Celtic side taking on Real Madrid, the current European Champions Ange reckons that it’s great for our football club.
“Guys of my generation in particular remember those great Real Madrid sides – they’re still a great side, they’re the reigning holders of the Champions League so it’s an exciting fixture.
“But so are all the games, when you are talking about the Champions League it’s the whole experience of playing and testing yourself against the best and we’ll certainly be doing that,” the Celtic manager said.
On his special relationship with Real Madrid legend Ferenc Puskás, Ange reckoned that he’d be proud if he was still around. “He’d be awfully proud for sure. He told me all the great stories and because I had him as a manager for three years, you try to get as many You Tube clips and old footage to see just how great a side they were and that’s where hot all started for them as a football club.
“And around the same time this football club was also doing some great things in Europe as well so it’s an exciting fixture and I am sure our fans, home and away, will be looking forward to it.
On Paradise being rocking for the Champions league nights Ange had this to say about the very special atmosphere – the best in Europe – inspiring the players. “I’m sure it will. As I said, we’re back there. That’s where we want to be consistently and we want to be playing our football at this level, testing ourselves against the best.
“And irrespective of the magnitude of the clubs we play, every single one we play will leave Celtic Park knowing they’ve been in for a unique experience.
“I am sure that the clubs in our group will be looking forward to visiting our ground and for our players what a great opportunity to feel the energy and the passion that our supporters have,” Ange Postecoglou
🏆 Ange Postecoglou gives his thoughts on our Champions League Group F opposition🤔
🇪🇸 Real Madrid
🇩🇪 RB Leipzig
🇺🇦 Shakhtar DonetskEuropean Nights are back at Paradise!⭐️#UCL | @ChampionsLeague | #COYBIG🍀 pic.twitter.com/zWl9JivrEs
— Celtic Football Club (@CelticFC) August 26, 2022
Behind his dad, Puskas had a huge impact on Postecoglou.
"From the moment he wandered through @smfc he was just humble. We were constantly pestering him to tell us stories about Real Madrid…"
Now Celtic will welcome Madrid to Parkhead & visit the Bernabeu. It was meant to be. https://t.co/Qbc6Y1TICz pic.twitter.com/2VTekElN3n
— Sacha Pisani (@Sachk0) August 26, 2022
