Ange Postecoglou says he wants to repay the passion for Celtic from supporters he can't compare with - as players' loved ones vie for golden Hampden tickets.
The Australian is looking to retain the Viaplay Cup final this Sunday when his holders meet rivals Rangers at the national stadium. Half the stadium will be a wall of green and white noise while thousands more will cheer them on up and down the country, with Postecoglou well aware what's riding on it.
He has poured passion into Celtic since his arrival in summer 2021 but admits it's hard for him to get near what a punter gives towards the club on a regular basis. It's why he is so keen to deliver a third trophy under his tenure, telling Viaplay: "My passion for this football club can't match the passion and investment of our supporters. I am very invested in this sport and it's been my one obsession. It's given me everything I have good in my life, so I understand what it is to love something that much and I understand how supporters feel about this football club, so it's easy to relate to. In many senses I was craving that as a lot of my early journey particularly in Australia, it was the one thing that was missing.
"I had a lot of success but wasn't sharing that with like-minded folk. It wasn't the same level of passion for the game I had.
"I am really passionate about this football club but I am not as invested in the same way as our supporters, I can't be, they have generations.
"It would be insulting for me to say it means the same to me as them but I bear the burden of that responsiblity. I know what it means to our people that we are successful in these big games."
Postecoglou says he will keep his players laser-focused on the task despite mounting talk as cup final day nears. That said, it's hard for Celtic stars to block out the appeals for tickets within their own camps.
The Hoops boss added: "I'm not one who tells the players to treat it like any other week because it's not. That is the reality, you need to embrace that side of it, inevitably there's going to be more attention even within their more circles.
"Players will feel more attention, whether that is around cup final tickets or the people who love them feeling more anxious in the lead-up and they need to understand it's part of the week's journey.
"That's the same for me as a manager. What you try to do it you make sure it doesn't hamper your preparation to be in the best possible condition come gameday."
