We’ve just had a look at the contrasting questions and the responses from Ange Postecoglou at yesterday’s media conference which included mainstream media’s radio and television journalists followed by the Celtic Fan Media and you can compare and contrast how that went as well as consider some of the ideas we’ve mentioned for changing the way these media conferences can be staged going forward.
Ange also speaks to the written press and a fair representation on a better approach to this comes from Andrew Smith, writing in The Scotsman today. Smith has focused on the high crowds that the two Scottish Cup matches at Celtic Park have attracted with the games against Morton and St Mirren having a combined attendance of over 80,000. These games are NOT on the Celtic season ticket and when Morton played at Celtic Park in the Scottish Cup back in March 2018 the crowd was under 20,000.
The backing of the Celtic support who absolutely love this Celtic team means a lot to the Celti manager.
“For me that’s the most important thing. Ultimately that’s our biggest measure. Of course trophies are what this football club is about and that’s my role – to bring success. But the biggest encouragement or rewards we can get is people wanting to come and watch their football club. I don’t take that for granted. No one in the club does. Even cup games, it’s a choice sometimes whether they come or not but they are coming in record numbers.
“They are not just appreciating the fact that we are winning games of football. I think they are appreciating how the boys are playing and they are excited by that. For me, that’s the greatest reward. It’s always been my barometer during my whole career. Fans will tell me how I’m going, more than the table or anything else.
“We can be winning games of football but if our supporters don’t like what they see then I’ll get that feedback for sure. For me, it’s very rewarding that they are not just appreciating the fact that we’re winning games of football but they are enjoying the way we are doing it.”
On the offers from the likes of Barry Ferguson and Ally McCoist to drive the Australian down to Leeds and David Martindale also joking that he’s submitted Ange’s CV to the Ellen Road side, the Celtic manager had this to say to the written press.
“I wouldn’t struggle for a lift, mate. I’ve got plenty of people who’d take me, or I could drive myself. Listen, again it’s all stuff that’s not on my radar. My measure is the people who love this football club. That’s the only feedback I’m looking for. They’ll tell me how I’m going more than anyone else. That’s always going to be my barometer.”
And on Mick Beale all but surrendering the title, Ange gave is own percentage estimate on where the league flag will be flying if Celtic keep on winning.
“We’ve got to win tomorrow, mate,” Ange said. “That’s all. I’ve said before that my role in all of that is that we want to finish the season strong – stronger than how we started.
“If we win all of our games, we don’t have to worry about anything else or anyone else or what anyone else is saying, or forecasting in terms of percentages. If we win every game between now and the end of the year, here’s a percentage for you … 100 per cent we will win the league.
“So why would we think beyond that?”
Why indeed.
GLASGOW DERBY UNDER THE LIGHTS ON FRIDAY 24 FEBRUARY, KICK-OFF 7PM….CELTIC V theRangers
Don’t forget there’s some Friday Night Football under the lights this coming Friday when Fran Alonso’s title challenging Celtic side take on theRangers at the Excelsior Stadium in Airdrie with the match only open to Celtic supporters. Celtic are a point ahead of theRangers at the moment and three behind Glasgow City who we play a week on Sunday, also over at Airdrie. A win against theRangers takes Celtic to the top of the league and a win the following Sunday will really put Celtic in the driving seat for our first ever SWPL1 Title. Get along and support the team, for full ticket details click below…COYGIG!
