Reports linking Ange Postecoglou with the Celtic job continue to receive a mixed reaction from the Hoops support.
There’s no getting around that. Spend long enough on social media and you’ll find yourself tripping over lots of negative opinion on the Greek-Australian’s potential appointment.
Frankly, I’m growing a bit weary of the constant negativity. It’s all well and good not being enthused about this guy getting the job – I’m far from ecstatic myself. The kindest thing you can really say about this appointment, without knowing much about him, is that it’s a massive risk.
But a lot of the chatter right now is also coming across as pretty counter-productive. As I wrote yesterday, we really have no choice but to get behind this guy if he comes in.
It should also be possible to separate your feelings on the shambles of the Eddie Howe pursuit, which we’ve criticised greatly on 67 Hail Hail, and Postecoglou.
Celtic have badly let us down and we shouldn’t let them forget it, but that doesn’t and shouldn’t involve rounding on the guy coming into an incredibly difficult situation without seeing what he’s all about.
And so, we continue to look for small signs of positivity.
Postecoglou’s brush with Brendan Rodgers
The benchmark for what it is to be a Celtic manager from a pure success standpoint in recent seasons was set by Brendan Rodgers. Yes, we can debate the circumstances of his departure all we like, but the fact is he was incredibly good at his job.
Interesting then to take a look at comments made by the former Bhoys and Liverpool boss back when he was touring Australia with the Reds back in 2013.
His Liverpool side spent four days in Melbourne and beat Postecoglou’s Victory side 2-0 in front of 95,000 supporters.
After the match, Rodgers couldn’t have been kinder to his managerial counterpart, telling The Australian: “Melbourne Victory is a very good side, I’ve got to say that their coach is outstanding.
“I’ve had a couple of chats with him and to see his team play, he’s very similar to myself and he believes the game should be played in a certain way.
“You can see the team is very well coached. They should be very, very proud, and you can see why they are an outstanding team.”
In a classic Brendan move, he also somewhat patronisingly paid tribute to the potential new Celtic boss in private, writing on a Liverpool strip for him: “A great effort from a top coach destined for big things. Stay strong to your philosophy.” [The Australian]
Staying strong is exactly what Ange is going to have to do now if he ends up in the Celtic dugout.
With unhappy supporters already circling and the media glare only going to get worse, what he is about to step into will be nothing like what has gone before.
In other news, how events over the last 48 hours may have affected Celtic’s transfer work.
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