Aussie agent makes strange Ange Postecoglou claim regarding Celtic backroom staff

By David Walton

July 8, 2021

Australian agent Tony Rallis has bizarrely claimed that Ange Postecoglou has been told to inherit his Celtic backroom team from within the club.

Postecoglou has yet to firm up his staff at Parkhead as the Hoops continue their pre-season preparations. The likes of John Kennedy and Gavin Strachan remain at the club for now.

Speaking on the Celtic YouTube channel two weeks ago when asked about his authority on coaching changes, Postecoglou said: “I’ll make those decisions as we go along. My view on these things is I’ll always trust my judgement above anyone else’s. I’m going to be the one working with people every day.

“If we need to bring people in to fill gaps or to add to expertise we will do that. The club has given me the freedom to do that. I’ll make my decisions once I’ve seen what’s in place first.”

Yet, oddly, that’s been contradicted by one of Australia’s biggest agents in Rallis. He was asked on the Triple M’s Real Football Show who Potecoglou’s new assistant would be. He gave the following answer:

“My understanding is that Celtic Football Club have told Ange that he has to develop and inherit from within. He wasn’t allowed to take any of his staff (from Yokohama F.Marinos).

“Whether that changes in time I’m not sure, but that was the initial program, that we want you to come in and educate and implement within our own environment. Including the promotion from youth players within the academy.”

Ange Postecoglou will need to make a decision on Celtic backroom staff soon

It would’ve been extremely easy for Postecoglou to come out and explain that he was keeping the current regime in place. If that was what he was told needed to happen by the football club, there were other ways around it that he would’ve taken.

If he’s telling Celtic supporters that he has total authority over his backroom staff then we have to believe him. He hasn’t proven to be a success throughout his career by not being his own man.

Postecoglou clearly has a system in his mind that he wants his staff to be able to take in and contribute to. If he doesn’t see that in the likes of Kennedy and Strachan, he’ll no doubt be the first to inform the hierarchy that replacements are needed.

The manager has pretty much said that himself. So far, he’s proven to be a straight-shooter when it comes to media questioning. And until proven otherwise, we have to put our faith and trust in the new boss.

Postecoglou and CEO Dom McKay have impressed so far. Regardless of what external figures are saying, there’s no reason we should allow it to rock our boat.

In other news: PORTUGUESE Report: Celtic one of four clubs who could move for Alberth Elis in coming days