Ange Postecoglou has been on quite the media run over the last week.
The ex-Celtic manager’s scheduled appearance on leading football show Stick to Football was brought forward a week for his reaction to Thomas Frank being sacked by Tottenham.
This week, Postecoglou appeared on a full-length episode, after which he was asked to name his all-time five-a-side team of players he has managed.
Given the level of talent available to him during his two years in Glasgow, he was spoilt for choice – but it was his two main leaders, Callum McGregor and Joe Hart, who got the nod.
Alongside them were Spurs trio Micky Van de Ven, Heung-Min Son and Harry Kane.
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Explaining his selections, Postecoglou simply said: “In goal, I’ll go with Joe Hart, because I love the man.
“I’ll go with Callum McGregor [in midfield]. Great guy, great captain.”
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Harshly, McGregor was overlooked as captain, with Heung Min-Son being handed the armband out of respect for their Europa League triumph.
Hart was, ironically, brought to Glasgow from Tottenham in Postecoglou’s first summer transfer window.
He had been considering retiring from the sport, having fallen out of love with the game as Nuno Espirito Santo told him that he wasn’t needed.
McGregor was one of many Celtic fans who had just had a major struggle in Celtic’s 2020-21 season under Neil Lennon.
Upon Postecoglou’s arrival, he was named as successor to Scott Brown for the club’s captaincy, and moved into his position at the base of midfield, where he has been a mainstay in the five seasons since.
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Ange Postecoglou’s spell at Celtic
Postecoglou came to Celtic from Yokohama F. Marinos as a complete unknown in Europe.
After months of talks, Eddie Howe rejected the Hoops’ offer, triggering a last-minute scramble which ended in the appointment of the Australian.
Taking over a Celtic team which had just finished 25 points behind Rangers, he instantly reclaimed the title against the odds, turning heads with his bold football and signings from Japan.
His second season saw a domestic treble, but just as abruptly as things got underway, they ended. An offer to join Tottenham proved too good to turn down, and paved the way for Brendan Rodgers’ return.
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