Ange's best Celtic quotes so far as he approaches 50 games as Hoops boss

By Euan Davidson

March 5, 2022

Ange Postecoglou reaches 50 games at Celtic boss tomorrow, when the Bhoys take on Livingston. And we’ve seen such an exponential improvement in the style of football, the culture and ethos at the club, incredible recruitment and the feel-good factor back at Paradise.

One of the things we love best about the Celtic boss though? His propensity to shut down reporters, and big up the Hoops faithful. That’s right, we’re talking quotes.

Nobody has come in and repeatedly bodied the press like Ange has. But it’s not for nothing; when he does it, it’s not out of Mourinho-style snark, or Brian Clough-style antagonism. There’s a purpose there.

But that’s not to say he doesn’t enjoy it, either. There was particular relish in his first press conference, when he got to slap down the idea that he was coming to work at a much higher standard [Celtic FC]: “I’m assuming you’re saying I worked at a lower level, or something.

“I guess that’s a matter of opinion. I’ve coached at a World Cup.”

Then, before his first league game against Hearts, he offered this brilliant riposte when asked what he knew about Hearts [BBC]: “I’m still on the same planet mate, I haven’t come from outer space. You’d be surprised how much I know about Hearts.”

Another early-season highlight: when he was asked for his take on the financial implications on European football [Glasgow Times]: “I’m not an accountant mate. I’m a football manager.

“When people start talking to me about finances they miss the essence of what I’m about.”

Ange Postecoglou at 50 games: Some priceless Celtic quotes

What do you do if your Celtic side are about to face Bayer Leverkusen in a crucial Europa League qualifier, and you get asked about ticket allocations at Hampden?

You deliver this exasperated response, obviously [Clyde 1 Superscoreboard]: “Nah you’re not going to ask me about ticket allocation? We’re playing Leverkusen in a big game tomorrow night!

“Don’t waste the opportunity! I have no desire, or any inkling to get involved in ticket allocation, that’s not my brief. I’ll give you a freebie. Give me another question.”

Another favourite has to be when Ange Postecoglou approached the end of the January transfer window. Every day, Celtic were being linked to someone, or someone else was going to leave the club. Yet, Postecoglou had asserted that he didn’t have any more business planned.

Despite that, he was asked about sales. His stern, icy response was incredible [Celtic FC]: “I thought I was pretty clear.”

The reporter tried again: “So, no more business at all, even if a few go out the door, then?”

“I thought I was pretty clear.”

Postecoglou’s best Celtic quote? It has to be this one

The best, though? It’s probably not an icy one-liner, or a quick quip to a startled journalist. Instead, we’re going to give the top spot to this earnest, and righteous quote after the win over Rangers.

He said BBC Radio Scotland: “We’re upholding the values of this football club, not just in terms of winning but the way we play our football. I want them to be proud of us, I hope they are proud on the journey home tonight. I am sure they will enjoy tonight, I don’t know how work will go tomorrow for most of them.

“As I said to the players, we had 60,000 in tonight and I’m sure a lot of them walked in with some problems in their life. For this 95 minutes we made them forget that and feel good and that’s something special.”

Here’s to plenty more milestones at Celtic for Ange Postecoglou.

Read more: “Don’t care what anyone says”; Chris Sutton emphasises the reality of Celtic title race