Ange Postecoglou will insist to his Celtic players they can’t let the experience of tonight’s derby pass them by.
Celtic face Rangers in the Scottish Premiership, with the chance to go top of the table in front of 60,000 home supporters.
It’s a massive occasion and could easily be an overwhelming experience. However, the Celtic boss will tell his players to savour every moment.
Speaking to The Times, Postecoglou said: “I’m experienced enough to know you don’t want to let these experiences pass you by. It’s something I’ll say to the players. As a manager, you want your team to take in every moment of the atmosphere and the build-up. Experience it to the fullest, because one day it won’t be there and the last thing you want to do is not live it to the fullest.
“These kinds of narratives [around leapfrogging Rangers] work well, but the reality is when you represent this football club, even if you’ve won the last nine [matches], you’re expected to win the tenth. It doesn’t matter if you’ve won or lost in previous encounters. What’s important is what you do in the next one.
“We have to go out there and play our football. We have been in good form and consistent for quite a while. We’ll bring that and hopefully get the job done. They [some players] might not have experienced it, but they will come out of it much better.”
Oh to be a fly on the wall of the dressing room as Postecoglou gives his team talk tonight.
We’ve seen jaw-dropping clips of him before World Cups and the such, but imagine him at Celtic Park as the pre-derby atmosphere ramps up in the stands?
Sometimes I feel like I’d go to war for him just from his press conferences, so we can only guess how the players will feel walking out of the tunnel as the roar goes up and the lights flash.
Not long now everyone, not long now.
In other news, “Tactically and technically”; Manager of English promotion hopefuls in awe of Ange Postecoglou at Celtic.
Receive a digest of our best Celtic content each week direct to your mailbox
