Ange Postecoglou talks up excitement of next season's Champions League with Celtic

By John McGinley

May 26, 2023

Celtic will lift the Scottish Premiership trophy on Saturday for the second time under Ange Postecoglou and it’ll be a special afternoon inside Paradise. While that’s a reward in and of itself, let’s not forget, with it comes automatic entry into next season’s UEFA Champions League.

For all the talk in recent days surrounding Postecoglou’s potential future away from Celtic, the Australian was more than comfortable fielding a question on next season’s push into the group stages.

Postecoglou was asked if there’s any particular team he fancies facing in the draw and, far from wanting to repeat his Real Madrid shout last year, insisted whoever Celtic face will ensure exciting occasions.

Speaking at a media conference today, the manager said [Celtic FC]: “I remember last year I was going, ‘Give us Real Madrid!’ Well, we got Real Madrid, so I hope everyone’s happy. Look, the reality of it is, whoever it’s going to be, they are going to be fantastic games, fantastic opposition and great spectacles.

“Our job is to try and make it a special experience for us as a football club. I’ve said before, we need to be a Champions League football club and the only way you can do that is to be there every year and every year chip away to try and put yourself in a position where one year everything aligns and you can make some sort of impact in it.

“It’s not going to be easy, irrespective of who we get. But equally, it is just as exciting. I don’t think there’s anyone you could possibly get in the draw that you wouldn’t be excited about facing or playing, whether it’s at their stadium or here at Celtic Park.”

Right now, there’s no indication that Postecoglou won’t be in the dugout for another six-match gauntlet against Europe’s elite.

He’s taken this squad on quite the journey over the last two years and the smart money is on him further improving his player pool over the summer for another go at the tournament.

As the manager notes, this consistent participation will only make Celtic’s chances of positive results more likely. That’s why it’s so important we keep this boss and the key members of his squad in place for as long as possible.

In other news, Unexpected Sead Haksabanovic bonus for Celtic as Ange confirms Johnston and Mooy status.