After months of opening their mouths and simply inserting their foot – or saying nigh on nothing at all in between – it was a refreshing change to witness Celtic employees represent the club well yesterday and without the undertones of barely hidden disdain their predecessors had exhibited.
Since being pictured with the backdrops of Brentford Lock and Wembley Stadium last Friday, Celtic had since given access to Ange Postecoglou’s emergence from quarantine all the way from London to Lennoxtown, accompanied it appeared on a regular basis by new CEO Dominic McKay.
Yesterday there was a break from the stage-managed gentle introductions to both parties and an examination by the MSM and of course Celtic Fans media too. Despite questions totalling some two hours both men escaped unscathed, if anything enhanced their reputations, while at the same time giving the Celtic support cause for genuine optimism for the future of the club.
Ange Postecoglou handled Broadcast Media digs about not being first choice with a response that indicated he may have been fifth for all he cared and batted away questions about the jump to managing Celtic with a retort of coping well enough at a World Cup.
He also calmly and diplomatically handled questions around the future of Leigh Griffiths with a consistent message for the Celtic squad watching on, that they’ll be working hard, some will fit in an some won’t and Ange Postecoglou is comfortable he’ll know who will fit his philosophy and will play their part as well as those who won’t and will hit the road in short order. That also appeared to include staff.
The manager also communicated a philosophy of attacking football he believed would fit the club and one based on watching football as a kid with his Dad, a man who appeared not to appreciate the tactical of Italian Catenaccio, with phrases like no backward step and fearing no opponent at any level.
There was no bravado however in Ange’s carefully chosen words. Instead, there was an honesty as well as a calmness and assuredness in his own methods, allied to a confidence that not only have they worked until now, however long it took they will work at Celtic and all without saying he needed a lot of time to implement it, but hinting as a support we may have to exhibit patience.
The man knew his audience as much as the job at hand and with the aid of Fans media he was also made acutely aware of what to expect in the footballing environment that is Scotland, his response to that one of defending the club at all times also made for uplifting viewing.
Dominic McKay also exhibited no nerves, handled questions well and answered only what he wanted to, yet offered enough for us all to have hope the future is not a sticking plaster and a rush to grab back a league title at the expense of genuine and sustainable modernisation. Instead there was talk of long-term plan for football, business and engagement with the support.
He talked of taking the time to implement a vision, having already studied other football clubs’ best practice and was keen to communicate the club was thinking of a decade long sustainable plan. McKay talked of benchmarking against modern successful clubs including Brentford, as well as learning lessons from other sports. This was clearly someone who intended to ensure, as he said, that no stone was left unturned in modernising this club. This was communicated without ostracising those already at the club, as he was at pains to point out there are many good people already in situ at Celtic.
As a first test for both men in front of assembled media it was refreshing to see Celtic will have a philosophy of hard working and high intensity football on the pitch whilst off it the plan is to find out who is doing what well and ensure we can develop some of those successful ideas into our own vision from the Academy to Analysis, and whilst there may be a clamour for all of that to be done at speed none of it will be done in haste.
Of course, for now all of this is simply words and Ange Postecoglou admitted just that himself. Yesterday was about communicating their plans and presenting a united front, that they did so as well as they did was a credit to both and a welcome change from the public relations howlers we’ve become accustomed to in recent times. Both men exuded a certain confidence, one that transferred to those watching on.
There is a lot of work to do. Modernising Celtic on and off the park will take time and patience but now at least we are hearing those plans are beginning to take shape. It is of course disappointing that much of this is taking place after a period of wasted time and opportunity yet we are in no position to turn back time, we can only look forward.
When it came to first impressions with the men entrusted to put Celtic back into working order on and off the field it must be said they have initially roused some hope that Celtic may have appointed two who not only know what they are doing but can also communicate it well. Both have given us hope, let’s now see how they handle the expectation.
Niall J
So I scripted Tv session offers hope? Jesus, you are ‘on message’. What does it take to buy your compliance? A few press cards? A million players mentioned, none really approached. Leading prospects leaving without ever having been given a chance, our reputation tarnished as we appear not to give young players a decent opportunity. Big players desperate to get out. 5 weeks until the start of the season, 4 until Europe. Hope? It appears that is all there is. Blind Hope, which may be extinguished by the beginning of September. Scratch that, has a good chance of being snuffed out by September. Desperate times.
One thing I’ve learned since I started writing about Celtic is you cannot please all of the people all of the time. Criticise and you are harangued as a saboteur, compliment and you are Pravda. As such I write my opinion and nothing more John, but I’ll give you an honest assurance and you can do with it what you will – when it comes to Celtic I appreciate such views in the public domain can influence opinion. As such and out of respect to the support I write my honest opinion, it is never influenced by anyone at the club.
Ange and Dom have only been here 5 mlns let’s see what happens in the next few weeks when they have to deal with our incompetent board over transfers/money etc.
That will undoubtedly be a huge big test for both.