Ange Postecoglou has a deep love for Celtic.
The Australian built an affinity with the supporters not seen since the days of Celtic icon Martin O’Neill.
Postecoglou took over at Celtic during one of the most turbulent periods of the club’s most recent history and picked up five out of six trophies, including a world-record eighth domestic treble.
And in his first sit-down interview with Sky Sports since Postecoglou took the Nottingham Forest job, the former Tottenham gaffer reiterated why managing Celtic is so different from taking over a Premier League club.
- READ MORE: Celtic told they could sign €7m midfielder for free after controversial summer contract wrangle
What Ange Postecoglou loved at Celtic inspired decision to take Tottenham job
Postecoglou left Celtic for Spurs shortly after he delivered a domestic treble in the summer of 2023.
Since then he won the Europa League but was still let go by the London club. Now at Forest, Postecoglou has reiterated what was so special at Celtic that inspired him to take the job at Spurs.
Postecoglou told Sky Sports, “I think everywhere I’ve been, it’s been a similar challenge. Apart from sort of Celtic, where they had a year where they didn’t win anything, but anyone up there…”
Sky Sports interviewer [laughing]: “That might as well be 50 years, you know.”
Postecoglou: “You took the words right out of my mouth. And I love that, it was the biggest enticement for me doing the Tottenham job.
“I know people think it’s because it’s a Premier League, but the fact they hadn’t won anything, I just thought, you know, what? If I do win something, it’ll be, you know, it’ll be something historically memorable. That’s why I’m here.
“They’ve done a great job with this football club to get it back to its kind of rightful place, of back in the Premier League, back in Europe, but I know what real success looks like, and that is if you can bring something tangible at the back end of that to the supporters of this football club.”
Celtic hero Ange Postecoglou’s start at Nottingham Forest
Postecoglou had an incredible win record at Celtic but it wasn’t always plain sailing for the Australian.
Losing three out of his first six games, the Scottish media piled pressure on the Aussie to change his style as it appeared to cost Celtic points.
However, he stuck to his guns and Postecoglou delivered huge success to the Parkhead club. So how has his start at Forest fared?
- Played:5
- Won: 0
- Drew: 2
- Lost: 3
- Goals scored: 5
- Goals conceded: 10
Draws at Burnley and Real Betis have been compounded by defeats at Arsenal, Swansea and Sunderland as Postecoglou gets off to a difficult start at The Trees.
But if Ange has proven anything over the years, he won’t let this poor start deflect his determination to bring success at Forest, just like he didn’t let it affect his start at Celtic.
Receive a digest of our best Celtic content each week direct to your mailbox
