Callum McGregor yesterday spoke about the influence manager Ange Postecoglou has had on this current Celtic team, and when asked about that footage released by the club earlier this week of the Australian giving a inspirational speech before the League Cup final against Hibs, the Celtic captain maintained that it is just a snippet of the type of motivational words his manager constantly delivers.
Ange Postecoglou joined Celtic in the summer and almost instantly set about clearing the decks at Parkhead of players not good enough to play for the club as well as the want-away players who would rather be playing their football elsewhere. He then set about recruiting players not only with the ability required to be a Celtic player, but also men with the mentality to be a success at the club. Bringing in twelve new players he set about integrating them with the remainder of the squad he inherited, players who had the talent but had lost their confidence after a horrendous season under Neil Lennon.
Many predicted quite rightly that this would probably take a while and saw this season as one of transition, hoping the Australian could develop a base for these players to get to know each other and get up to speed ready to challenge on all fronts once again next season. Incredibly however Ange Postecoglou has managed to build squad unity while managing to maintain a challenge on all fronts domestically, leading us to this point where we are in with a fantastic opportunity to finish the season as treble winners.
Discussing his manager and the togetherness within this current Celtic squad, Callum said at yesterday’s Media Conference ahead of tomorrow’s trip across the city to face theRangers at Ibrox.
“He speaks really well. He’s been doing that constantly throughout the season. He comes in and he’s really motivational when he speaks. He makes the players feel ten feet tall.
“When you back that up with good structure, good organisation and everyone knowing their job, then it can make you feel really good when you go out on that pitch.
“You feel really safe and secure and you know you’ve got your mates around you to help you.
Goalscorer Kyogo Furuhashi, Celtic Manager Angelos Postecoglou and captain Callum McGregor celebrate with the League Cup.
“He’s been doing that all season for us. He’s given us huge amounts of confidence and belief within the squad that we can go out on the pitch and look after each other and play our football.
“We’ve built a really good togetherness, and that comes from having good people down to your core who want to do well for the football club.
Callum McGregor of Celtic with the trophy
“He’s managed to harness that, and along with the senior players he’s managed to get the best out of everyone, and that’s what we strive to do every day. We’re all good guys and we want success, so that sort of naturally comes out within the group.
“We just keep pushing and keep demanding from each other every day to make it a positive environment.”
This is one of the most enjoyable things I have read this season. It is incredible to hear our captain speak about the unity that exists in this current Celtic set up The manager, the senior players and the new and younger stars all playing their role in creating a culture that empowers each one of them to give everything to get Celtic back where they belong, dominating Scottish football.
When you think of the pantomime that played out last season as the club fell apart in their quest for ten in a row, Ange Postecoglou really has been a breath of fresh air at Parkhead. Callum’s words paint a picture of total togetherness amogst this current group and that all comes from the manager and the mindset he has instilled in them.
Anyone who has watched the team this season can bear witness to how positive the atmosphere and camaraderie within this group has looked, but to hear our captain explain it in detail is wonderfully reassuring as we head in to an absolutely crucial month where our road towards that unimaginable treble could become so much clearer.
Lets go to Ibrox tomorrow with that positive mindset and leave 6 points clear in the title race.
Conall McGinty
