Kenny Dalglish has been writing in his Sunday Post column this week about the speculation surrounding Celtic boss, Ange Postecoglou. The former Celtic striker always has his say on the current issues which engulf the club and this week is no different, with the ex-caretaker manager labelling the reports a nuisance.
Postecoglou will no doubt be garnering attention from elsewhere and it will only get worse the more successful he is in the Parkhead hot seat as Chris Sutton remarked in his Daily Record column this week, which was reported by Niall J of The Celtic Star. For sure, Ange will beocme more and more sought after the more he wins playing this wonderful, swashbuckling brand of football.
Dalglish must be aware though that every time a vacancy in English football comes up, the media in Scotland are desperate to see Ange out the door to pastures new. Writing in his latest piece, the club legend, said: “Ange Postecoglou has dominated the sporting headlines all week. The Celtic boss has been strongly linked with the Leeds United job since they sacked Jesse Marsch last Monday. It seems like Ange is now linked with every job that becomes available in the English Premier League.
“A few weeks ago it was Everton. Before that it was Southampton. And I think he was also tipped for the Wolves job a few months ago. In some ways, it’s a compliment that the excellent work he is doing at Celtic is getting noticed. But in other ways, it must be an absolute nuisance for him and his football club. It’s an intrusion, a pain. You do not want to be pestered every time a job in the English top flight comes up.
“However, I wouldn’t be in a panic about it if I was part of the Celtic hierarchy, or a supporter. I can’t see him leaving in mid-season. Ange has an almighty job on his hands, and he is very close to retaining the Premiership title. He also has a League Cup Final at Hampden against Rangers in a couple of weeks. I have no doubt that will be his focus, not any vacancy in England. Right now, in Ange I see a man totally committed to Celtic. I’m not sure how he deals with the speculation in Scotland.”
He said: “In my view, the big Australian doesn’t need to say anything. He doesn’t need to give any of these stories credibility. If and when he does decide to go, I’m sure Ange will be fully open and honest about it, as he always is. He may well fancy a change, and a crack at English football some time in the future. If he does leave Celtic for another club this summer – or any summer – then I’m sure he will go with the best wishes of everyone. He will walk out the front door with his head held high.
“Then again, he may not leave in the next year or two. He might be the type of guy that is extremely happy being at Celtic, and the joy that comes with that privileged position when things are going well. Being the gaffer at Parkhead is a brilliant job, and only a few ever get the pleasure of being in the managerial chair. Bringing happiness to tens and tens of thousands of Celtic fans is a very special feeling. And I get the feeling Ange loves doing that. Since arriving at Celtic Park 20 months ago, he has restored the club as league champions again, and has really elevated his own status.
“His attacking style of football – and the relentlessness in their game for 90 minutes – has been noticed elsewhere. Big Ange clearly knows his stuff about how to win games of football, and do it with a certain style. He has also been exceptional in the transfer market, and tapped into some fairly unknown territory to land some gems at bargain prices. That kind of thing will also make him desirable elsewhere.
He added: “So, in one respect, you take the good while it’s going because if you weren’t winning games on a regular basis, you’d be staring at your P45. I don’t see Celtic asking him to leave any time soon. The directors want to keep their man, and rightly so. He has been a breath of fresh air, and has really got Parkhead going as well as it has been for many a year. There is a chance to beat Rangers in two weeks’ time, and that will be an interesting contest between him and Michael Beale. Celtic are the current holders of the trophy, and Callum McGregor will not want to let go of it.
“So, for me, there is no doubt that Ange will be in the technical area at Hampden on February 26. Leeds United may well have him in their sights, but I think they will be left disappointed if they hope to have him in place any time soon.”
Paul Gillespie
