Rangers legend Barry Ferguson has said that the change in styles from Ange Postecoglou to Brendan Rodgers is a factor behind the club’s stuttering form this year. The Scottish Champions have lost ground to the Ibrox side and now a fierce title race awaits and Ferguson believes it is down to the change of style suiting their opponents.
Speaking to Go Radio Football Show, Ferguson said that the non-stop Celts under Ange have been replaced by a more pedestrian team that opposition players are able to stifle.
“It’s a different style and it’s a different manager. Postecoglou had a gung-ho approach, really pressing high up the pitch with people with real energy.
“It was an energetic team and they were probably horrible to play against because they were non-stop. They did tire towards the end of some games, but it’s totally different. Celtic are more pedestrian. It’s more passing, it’s slower in the tempo and that sometimes plays into the hands of the opposition.”
Celtic’s Greek Australian head coach Ange Postecoglou celebrate after the Scottish Premiership football match between Celtic and Rangers at Celtic Park stadium in Glasgow, Scotland on February 2, 2022. – Celtic won the match 3-0. (Photo by ANDY BUCHANAN / AFP) (Photo by ANDY BUCHANAN/AFP via Getty Images)
There is probably something in what Ferguson is saying. Celtic are ponderous on the ball and whilst wingers under Ange would look to make things happen, the wide players this season have been slow and often without the requisite quality.
This is something that the manager sought to address in the January window but the number of reinforcements were not forthcoming and just Nicolas Kuhn and Adam Idah arrived after the Irishman sought to take the club to the next level after replacing the Aussie.
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