“I do not like playing in empty stadiums mate,” Ange rattles Sky Sports man

Ange Postecoglou, well warned about the Scottish media from the beginning, was ready for the inevitable question about the earlier than planned winter break and didn’t miss the chap from Sky Sports chap today after the 3-1 win over St Johnstone. Here’s what happened…

Sky Sports started by asking the Celtic manager for his assessment of today’s 3-1 win against St Johnstone: “It was difficult conditions with the pitch the way it was and they were pretty desperate for points but I thought in the first half we really good. We took control of the game and scored a couple of good goals and we could have had two or three more. The second half got a bit scrappy but we still had our chances to get further ahead. Overall I thought it was a great attitude shown by the players,” Ange replied.

Did the fast start give you something to build on in the game? Sky Sports wanted to know. “I thought we needed to start well. I thought we started well on Wednesday night but we just didn’t get the goals to show for our efforts. Today we got the goals that are always important for us because of the way we play. I thought the players showed great attitude and commitment.

Next, the broadcaster asked ‘Is it frustrating that you are not scoring more goals or positive that you are creating plenty of chances?’ Ange’s Answer: It is what it is. We are creating chances and we are dominating games and we could convert more and that is something we will keep working on.

Next question: ‘There was a lot of young players in the side – how pleased were you with their performances?’ Ange said: “They were good but it was the experienced ones that really stood up today – Bitton, Rogic, McCarthy, Josip. We needed some experienced guys like Cameron at the back to stand up to a challenging game and they did.”

Sky Sports then asked: ‘Does that sum up the character in the squad?’ and Ange’s answer: “I don’t think that does. The first half of the year does. We have not had one bit that has been smooth at all and we have had quite a few challenges thrown at us in the first six months and right from the first game and we have stuck at it and that is a credit to the players. I don’t think there is any doubt we have great character in that team.”

‘How is Kyogo?’ after the Celtic talisman was forced off in the early stages with a recurring hamstring problem. Ange answered: “He is okay and he wanted to give it a go today. We knew he wasn’t 100 per cent and we said to him not to risk it as he felt it a little bit and that is why we took him off and he’ll be fine.”

Then it got tasty. The Sky Sports man asked this question: ‘Given recent injuries and illness is the break coming at the right time?’ and Ange’s reply: “The break is coming at the right time because I do not like playing in empty stadiums mate. I don’t know why people confuse the two. We didn’t want to keep playing not for any other reason than if anybody enjoyed today’s game then I’m sorry they are understanding a different football game than I do.

“I like supporters here, I don’t care if they are all away supporters, I think that is what the game is all about. I’m glad we have stopped it and there is no guarantee that they’ll be back in when the game resumes but I hope they are. At least we are giving them a chance, |I don’t know people want to dismiss the effect that supporters have on our game. Everyone wants to play in packed houses or we may as well play in our back yards.”

Watch this exchange for yourselves below…

TWICE AS GOOD

Thanks to everyone who ordered Harry Hood – Twice as Good for Christmas presents. If you got an Ange jumper instead then why not order this brilliant book by Matt Corr, or indeed David Potter’s biography of another Celtic legend Alec McNair – born on this day incidentally – from Celtic Star Books or from the official Celtic stores?