The Celtic Star had an interesting conversation with Celtic manager Ange Postecoglou today, attending the Media Conference (via Zoom) alongside Celts Are Here and the Mainstream Media, one of whom actually had a giant Union Jack in the background as he put his questions to the gaffer!
We started by asking Ange about his thoughts on the Ajax model he has been speaking about in recent weeks, and also chipping away in the Champions League to make an impact. That is going to take time so will be be here to see out the project? Here’s how Ange handled that question from The Celtic Star earlier today….
The Celtic Star: You spoke about the Ajax model of developing our club and chipping away in the Champions League. That obviously is going to take time so is that a project you plan to see through?
Ange Postecoglou: “I guess sometimes when I say things people sometimes mis-interpret, the Ajax one was just an example. What I have consistently said is that this club doesn’t have to follow any other club model, it’s got its own model. I think if we stick to, and make sure we maintain our discipline, we can create our own model. Ajax was only an example.
“I don’t think that this football club needs to follow any other club’s lead. It can establish itself as a Champions League club, it has had the financial prudency over years that allows it to be in a position now where it can compete in the Champions League.
“Now our role is, once we get to the Champions League, how do we establish ourselves as a Champions League football club and as I said at the beginning of this campaign, by consistently being at that level, competing at that level and chipping away every year.
“So it’s not about me seeing it out, it’s about the football club itself, continuing to stay disciplined in its approach and trying every year to make inroads with the clubs that we want to compete with at that level.
“As I said, with the Ajax model, they didn’t win the title for two or three years I thnk. Do you think our football club would stand for that? I don’t think so and I definitely wouldn’t be in charge.
“It’s not about following other club’s models it’s about understanding that other clubs have done it their own way and I believe that this club has all the basic fundamentals you need to also be a club that competes at that level but it does take time.
“It’s not going to happen in a year or two years so whether that’s me in charge or somebody else down the line, there are some really strong foundations now and if we stay disciplned and continue to want to make an impact at Champions League level rather than just be a part of it then I think we can chip away at it.”
Next we’ll cover Ange’s brilliant answer to The Celtic Star relating to Dermot Desmond…listen to Ange’s Media Conference below…
There were also some words from Ange today at the end of the Media Conference on Jock Stein’s legacy as the club gets ready to pay tribute to our legendary manager tomorrow on the 100th anniversary of his birth. The Celtic Star’s tribute comes in the form of David Potter’s new book which is titled The Celtic Rising ~ 1965: The Year Jock Stein Changed Everything and this is available to pre-order now (link below) with the book coming out on Friday 4 November.