Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Glasgow Live
Glasgow Live
Sport
Ben Banks

Ange Postecoglou's hidden Celtic role as he takes 'massive say' in key Parkhead department

Ange Postecoglou takes on a 'director of football' style role within the Celtic academy, according to Darren O'Dea.

The former centre-back takes the club's Lowland League 'B' team alongside fellow ex-defender Stephen McManus and he has been buoyed by the input of their senior boss. Postecoglou wants their playing style in the youth ranks aligned with his high-tempo style, so that they are ready for when a senior Celtic call beckons.

O'Dea says it's been a Parkhead learning experience he will benefit massively from in years to come. Speaking to Off the Ball, he said: "It’s a joint role; the two of us lead the B team (with McManus). "Essentially it’s the reserve team, that’s the easiest way to explain it. But the difference is now that this year there’s been a restructuring it’s directly under the manager. He takes a massive say in it. It’s essentially trying to align our team into the first team in terms of style of play, culture, profile of player, recruitment – everything aligns into the first-team.

READ MORE: Tom Rogic's Celtic exit reasons explained by Ange Postecoglou as playmaker labelled Hoops 'legend'

Sign up to Glasgow Live newsletter for more headlines straight to your inbox

"Hopefully this alignment gives us a better chance to get more players through. He believes in what he does. Clearly everyone in the club takes strength from that, and I am learning a lot from it.

"I think the way he would describe it is myself and Stephen (McManus) would be kind of head coaches and he is the director of football. Ultimately everything will go through him, but he gives us a lot of autonomy to make decisions.

"That's a fantastic learning experience for me. He is someone you look at and think in 30 years time I will probably be repeating things he has said. That is gold dust. You know you are in the right place. I am very fortunate."

READ NEXT

- The staggering Celtic transfer fees confirmed as Hoops go all out for Carter-Vickers and Jota

- Ian Bankier's Celtic financial address in full including player sales, transfers and pre-tax profit

- Celtic Park and Ibrox facing Euro 2028 omission as Scotland set for one stadium in joint UK bid

- Aaron Mooy to give Celtic Guus Hiddink tips as midfielder spotted with legendary manager Down Under

- Ange Postecoglou 'living the dream' at Celtic as he quashes English Premier League exit talk

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.