Tony Rallis is one of Australia’s leading football agents so when he comments on the Ange Postecoglou move to Celtic then what he has to say is worthy of note.
“My understanding is that Celtic have told Ange that he has to develop and inherit his coaching staff from within. He wasn’t allowed to take any of his staff,” Rallis told TripleM Real Football Show.
While there may be something in this and it is easy to contrast this with what Postecoglou and Celtic CEO Dom McKay said at Celtic Park on 25 June there is still plenty of scope for believing that there’s truth in both positions. It’s clear that Ange has arrived alone and at this stage his not brought in anyone with him to help with his backroom requirements.
Photo: NigelxFrench
But with Celtic playing FC Midtjylland on 20 July in the Champions League, with Postecoglou having to self-isolate on arrival in the UK and with John Kennedy, Gavin Strachan and Stephen McManus already in situ doing the groundwork for the pre-season training it surely is the case that Ange agreed to work with what Celtic have in place, assess and make chances as and when required.
Everyone starts with a blank canvas under Postecoglou – that includes the players who had a bad experience last year (Barkas, Ajeti etc) and also the backroom staff. Impress and you’re in. Fail to impress and you’re out. And if Ange reckons he can add to his backroom staff – and probably he will – then to do so in a month or two after international travel becomes easier makes plenty of sense.
For the moment he’s trying to put together a team to beat the Danes in 12 days time.
