Ange Postecoglou has challenged is players to produce the type of football that they played over the last three home matches against a higher quality opposition in the shape of Dutch side AZ Alkmaar in the first leg of the Europa League Play-off round at Celtic Park on Wednesday evening.
Twelve goals were scored in those three games with only two lost – both to Hearts at the weekend and those kind of defensive mistakes in European matches tend to be calamitous. Yet it was in that game against Hearts, that Postecoglou reckons was when his style of football really began to take shape, for around 30 minutes in the first half this was Postecoglou’s Celtic side and he wants to see much more of that, starting with the game against AZ Alkmaar.
“I know people say it’s a step up but I have never looked at football that way,” the Australian Stein told Celtic TV. “One thing football teaches you, if you take anything for granted it will slap you right in the face.
“Every game is important, every game is a challenge. What is paramount for us is, what we have done in the last four or five games, we are increasing and improving our football and the tempo we want to play, especially at home. So, irrespective of the opponent, we go into Wednesday night and take that approach.
“Part of it is for them to enjoy their football as well,” the Celtic manager said. “For me, that’s the best sort of encouragement I can give them. If they can get the rewards out there and see it come to fruition and they get that feeling that they want more if it, and they understand that to get more of it, you have got to keep buying into what we are doing.”
While Celtic’s prospects in this tie have improved over the past few weeks the same cannot be said of the Dutch visitors who at the weekend lost away to Waalwijk to get their Eredivisie campaign off to a terrible start, much the same as Celtic’s defeat at Hearts. Postecoglou remains convinced that this is a high quality opponent his side will play for a place in the Group stages of the Europa League.
“They are a good side, a young team, they will be full of energy as well. Their season has just kicked off so they will be pretty fresh. They will be excited about playing at Celtic in front of a capacity crowd. It will be a typical European night, there will be plenty of high-tempo, quality football and we will play our part in it.”
🗣️ Full exclusive interview with the Manager available now to subscribers on https://t.co/yBgDKx9r33 🍀 pic.twitter.com/rddu5DZFJf
— Celtic TV (@CelticTV) August 16, 2021
The Australian Stein?
Lets actually WIN a European trophy before we wander down that Rabbit Hole please.
Better still lets concentrate on winning this years league campaign, achieving direct entry to the CL group stages and pocketing the millions to help Ange Postecoglou attempt a realistic tilt at Jock Steins achievements?
That implies a clamp down on share dividends and various other director emoluments but I dont any of it will happen.
Jock steins reputation will remain unsurpassed methinks……..