Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Daily Record
Daily Record
Sport
Graeme Young

What Ange's Celtic backers Down Under are saying now amid sticky run of results

Some may argue there is no such thing as quiet time when it comes to life in the Glasgow goldfish bowl.

But Celtic fans will freely admit that Friday, May 28, was a head-spinning day for the ages as Eddie Howe walked away and Ange Postecoglou emerged as the leading next manager candidate.

The Australian was an unknown quantity to many despite his solid track record with many Parkhead punters looking Down Under for insight into their boss in waiting.

And those who know him best extolled the virtues of an uncompromising manager who had a clear vision of how he wanted football to be played.

Postecoglou has held up that end of the bargain but some Celtic fans are starting to blink after a 4-0 cuffing at the hands of Bayer Leverkusen - a seventh defeat in all competitions before entering October.

A record of three wins from seven in the league is a cause for concern but his backers in Australia remain steadfast in their belief of Angeball.

Here's what they have been saying.

Tim Cahill (Former Australia international)

The former Socceroos star played under Postecoglou at international and was a key contributor to the side that lifted the Asian Cup in 2015.

And he understands why some Parkhead supporters might be worried but believes good things will come if they persist with the 56-year-old.

Speaking to The Age, he said: “That’s football.

“I don’t know a fan that doesn’t get jumpy when they lose or question their manager, it doesn’t matter if it’s Barcelona, PSG or Man United – all the biggest clubs. You can sign the biggest players, it doesn’t guarantee wins or trophies.

“But the one thing about Ange is his heart is in it, and they see it and love it. That is all the Celtic fans want. They are passionate and they see someone who is fighting for the badge.

“That’s something that has always brought me very close to Ange, he really cared for Australia and he gave it everything. In the end, he didn’t come to the [2018] World Cup and that was a massive loss for us.”

Simon Hill (Australian journalist)

The well-respected broadcaster is certain Celtic must remain patient before they start to see results.

Posting on Twitter, he said: "Interesting reading Celtic fans comments on Ange after their latest loss.

"Almost déjà vu from his first year with the ‘Roos. Tough it out Hoops - the initial bit is confronting, but as we all know here, the rewards will come."

Vince Rugari (Syndney Morning Herald)

That led to Rugari replying to Simon Hill's original after fellow journalist Ray Gatt also weighed on how things were going under Postecoglou.

And he believes Celtic must stay the course rather than making any moves with only the short term in mind.

He said: "To be honest mate given the state of them on and off the field at the moment, I wouldn't do what Real or Barca do! In my opinion, the reality is sometimes this 'big club mentality', this demand for instant results, is actually the worst thing for a club trying to get out of a deep mess."

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
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.