Celtic boss Ange Postecoglou gives hilarious response to title question

By Euan Davidson

October 29, 2021

Say what you like about Celtic manager Ange Postecoglou; the guy has patter.

The Greek-Australian manager, certainly, has a sense a humour about particular things. When he was asked about mounting injury concerns last month, he joked that he must’ve walked under a ladder. When asked about the title race after the Motherwell victory, his response was typically cutting.

So, journalists should really know what to expect when they ask Big Ange about these kinds of things. Dutifully, the BBC asked Postecoglou about the opportunity to top the Scottish Premiership table on Saturday.

Ange replied [Celtic FC YouTube]:

“Yeah? Do you get something for that? In October?

“Yeah, I mean, it’s a good opportunity for us to continue our good form. Our performances have been pretty consistent. That’s been backed up by the results, which obviously means we’ve moved up the table, which is great.

“Ultimately, the focus tomorrow is more about just continuing on that progress we’ve been making. Back at home, we want to make sure our football is again [at the] levels we need to be. When it is, we know we’re a good combination of players who can take it to any opposition.

“So that’s our aim for tomorrow.”

Ange Postecoglou surely baffled by the constant title talk at Celtic

Sometimes, you have to wonder if managers get this kind of thing elsewhere. Perhaps the Spanish media calls the title race this early, such is the scrutiny on Barcelona and Real Madrid. In France, it’s probably a decent bet most years.

In Scotland, though, our media are very keen to write off or build up title contenders from the outset. Given that the chief export of Scottish football is drama, it’s more than a little strange.

We’ve seen big leads squandered, titles decided on the last day, and all sorts. The league sells itself on the unexpected. Yet, judging by the questions Ange is fielding, it’s as if we collectively pack up and take the ball home at the end of September.

Naturally, then, the Celtic manager is resistant to do anything but laugh at this kind of rhetoric.

Logic dictates we ought to top the table on Saturday, even if only for a day. But nothing will be awarded. We’re only 11 games in.

Even if we are at the summit of the table on Saturday, there’s a hell of a lot of work left to do. Thank goodness the manager sees it that way.

Read more: Ange reveals Josip Juranovic hospital trip but he’ll be ready for Celtic vs Livingston