Ange Postecoglou says he’s loving the savage scrutiny and doubts over his work.
The Celtic boss insists it will only make it sweeter when he is proven right.
But Postecoglou is adamant that can only happen if his troops find inner toughness, accept responsibility and everyone gets fully on board his plans with nowhere to hide.
The Aussie isn’t shying away from his current situation.
Nor is he shielding his squad from demands and has told them they need to stand up and show they are all with him in the project.
Postecoglou said: “I love this. This is what I’m passionate about and I’ll make sure that we get to where we want to get to.
“This part of the process is not new to me. You know it’s going to be a hell of a challenge because we have changed 50 per cent of the squad, we’ve had significant injuries to key players, we are trying to change the way we play, all of those things.
“I felt we could have been further along but that doesn’t mean I’m going to shy away from it or that I have lost any resolve in what I’m doing.
“My history, wherever I’ve been, the starts were always difficult, always challenging.
“There were always people who were going to be sceptical about it in and outside the dressing room.
“I enjoy the bit where it’s up to me to make people believe in what we’re doing and it starts with the players. I’ve got to get them to believe in the journey we’re on.
“Instead of just dragging people along, I need them to join in on where we’re heading and lead from the front. But I love that bit. I enjoy that bit. I don’t want to shield the players from the expectations.
“They’ve got to want this as much as I do and as much as the fans do and they’ve got to want to turn it around.
“There is nothing wrong with adversity. I grew up understanding it’s what makes you strong and you’ve got to go through it.
“I can’t shield the whole group from the adversity we are going through because if you can push through it you’ll become stronger out of it.
“Over time, I am happy to be judged. But this has been consistent through-out my whole career. Wherever I’ve gone it has taken a certain amount of time for things to kick in.
“It’s up to me to show the way forward. That’s why I’m here and I will. All I need is a few to keep us moving forward and the rest will buy in.
“I’m really passionate about this and I’m not going to shy away from the fight.
“It’s all-consuming for me but that doesn’t mean that it gets me in a space where I’m not positive, not thinking clearly or not enjoying it.
“Bizarrely I love this part of it, which people won’t understand. But I’m hoping that in six months’ time, when they look back, they will know why I have been so resolute and persistent about what we are doing.”
Postecoglou says players have to respond and has called on the likes of David Turnbull – who made a glaring error against Bayer Leverkusen in midweek – to learn as they go.
He added: “Somebody out there has got to take it upon themselves.
“Individual errors are easily avoidable if people are disciplined and understand the consequences of their actions rather than just going through games and accepting mistakes.
“You can actually be stronger mentally to avoid that happening. It is a test and there is no place to hide on a football field.
“Leverkusen are an outstanding team. If we had lost 2-0 or 2-1 you would have said, ‘OK, there is a gap there’.
“But when you let it go to 4-0, I don’t think that’s a good reflection on us.”
