Celtic boss Ange shuts down line of questioning in another classic press conference moment

By Euan Davidson

January 28, 2022

You can’t give Celtic boss Ange Postecoglou the chance to deliver a one-liner. You just can’t.

Although he was a right-back during his playing career, he has all the predatory instincts of a striker. That’s proven to be the case when he’s taken down reporters in the past. Not least when he was asked about ticket allocations before a game against Bayer Leverkusen.

Today, asked for the second time about transfer dealings, Ange delivered his latest stinging put-down. Having already answered a query about incomings and outgoings, the Celtic manager was asked again if he was happy with his squad, even if players depart.

While it’s a valid question, especially during a transfer window, Postecoglou is very obviously tired of answering transfer questions. Since his arrival, Celtic have been efficient in completing and announcing transfers, and long-running sagas have been at a premium.

So, asked if anything else was going to happen in the window, he simply said [Celtic FC]: “I thought I was pretty clear.”

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

“I thought I was pretty clear”, he repeated.

It’s unlikely there’ll be anyone else asking him about transfers before the deadline on Tuesday morning, then. Previously, Ange repeated his message about players potentially heading out on loan, while stating he won’t add to the first-team squad as is.

It’s a fair question, but it’s one that Celtic boss Ange Postecoglou has answered repeatedly

Again, in fairness; the question itself wasn’t a bad one. It’s just that it’s one he’s had to answer over, and over, and over.

So, my sympathies are with both parties here. You can tell Celtic manager Ange Postecoglou finds a lot of things strange about being Celtic manager; some of the questions he’s asked are legitimately out of left-field. This one wasn’t, but it’s repetition that’s done him in.

Being a football manager comes with certain responsibilities, speaking to the press is chief amongst them. And while Ange Postecoglou speaks articulately and eruditely as Celtic manager, it’s clearly not his favourite part of the job.

He hasn’t ever left it to any of his staff to address the media, preferring to do it himself. Even then though, it feels like a bit of a grin-and-bear-it exercise for the Celtic boss.

What have we gleaned from this, then? Don’t expect any major first-team business (although he has said this before, then signed Matt O’Riley).

And don’t ask him a question he’s clearly very tired of answering. Otherwise, Celtic manager Ange Postecoglou has no qualms about delivering a very public dunking.

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