Ange Postecoglou will have had more normal press conferences as Celtic manager than he did today. Especially since he’s being asked for his take on the ticket allocation given to Hibernian fans at next month’s League Cup final.
Ahead of the match against Bayer Leverkusen, Ange Postecoglou would’ve expected to field questions about Celtic in Europe, rather than the seating arrangements at Hampden. And for what it’s worth, the game was discussed.
However, there were bound to be a couple of cheeky posers. It’s been a fun sort of week for the club. The manager has been doing interviews with Australian media, as well as a more informal chat with Open Goal. Not only that, the Celtic Christmas Advert came out to much fanfare.
Of course he was going to be asked about the latter. But via Jo Hendry of Go Radio, one of the less beloved members of the backroom team was singled out for praise today:
Gavin Strachan’s laptop.
Not Gavin Strachan himself, you understand.
The first-team coach has remained in place under Ange Postecoglou. Criticised for a lot of Celtic’s failures last season, Strachan derision has gone quiet in recent months. His use of technology was – for some reason – a real bugbear for a lot of fans.
But asked about the laptop itself, Postecoglou offered a cheeky, wry response. He joked [Celtic FC]:
“I’m not surprised he’s taken star billing. It’s a very important part of our set-up here, and that’s all I’ll say about it!”
Ange Postecoglou making sure everyone and everything helping Celtic is being recognised
Now, this is how you ask a funny question and get a funny response. No doubt, Ange Postecoglou will have been baffled by some of the patter when he came to Celtic. Not least the bemusement offered Gavin Strachan’s way, vis a vis his iPad, laptop or whatever he’s using to offer tactical analysis.
It’s something that’s always confused me, personally. His job is to provide insights on how the team are playing, what they could do better. The tools for that are obvious; if he had an easel or a chalkboard on the touchline it’d be bizarre.
Thankfully, the laptop in question is being given its dues. At long last, too. Its owner, presumably, is a key part of things, too.
Spare a moment to think of poor old Ange, though. Who sat him down and explained all the references in the Celtic Christmas Advert to him? How long a conversation was it, and how many times did he have to say “…right”?
Imagine having to explain to someone that one of their staff was ridiculed for using a laptop or an iPad to show data. What a job that must’ve been.
Ange Postecoglou had to field strange questions today; he often does, as the Celtic boss. But this was one asked well, that got a typically enthusiastic response from the manager.
Read more: Ange delivers hopeful Rogic return date; fresh Celtic injury to be investigated
Receive a digest of our best Celtic content each week direct to your mailbox
