NEW Celtic signing Aaron Mooy is no stranger to Ange Postecoglou’s managerial methods. The central midfielder was in and out of the Australia squad coached by the Parkhead boss between 2013 and 2017 and has accompanied the Greek-Australian on many a long-distance flight.
Speaking last year, Postecoglou revealed that he isn’t exactly the most entertaining person to be stuck next to on a plane. He would sit in abject silence for seven or eight hours, unsettling those unfortunate enough to be sat beside him, in what the Celtic manager dubbed the ‘death seat’.
“No, I haven’t!” Mooy laughs when asked if he’s ever sat in the ‘death seat’. “The way Ange coached with the national team, back then it was a case of speaking mainly about the football and other little bits here and there. It wasn’t like a best mates sort of thing.
“I understand that’s his way and wherever he’s been, he’s been successful pretty much.”
Mooy certainly knows what he is signing up for at Parkhead. The high-intensity style employed by Postecoglou isn’t for everyone but the 31-year-old believes it plays to his strengths – even if the Celtic manager can cut a menacing figure at times.
“Yeah, definitely. He’s intimidating for sure,” Mooy said. “There is that kind of automatic respect. You never know where you stand so you always have to be pushing yourself.
“He likes to play football – not always long balls and fighting for second balls and things like that.
“He likes to play through teams. When I was in the national team I enjoyed it a lot.
“There is no time to take your foot off the gas. The demands are high.
“The fans expect to win and you look forward to the challenge.”
