Celtic boss refuses to get superstitious as he aims to break Hoops' bad streak

By Euan Davidson

March 5, 2022

Earlier this season, Celtic manager Ange Postecoglou hinted at a superstitious side when he said he must’ve “walked under a ladder” during the Hoops injury crisis [Herald].

An injury to Giorgos Giakoumakis – in the warm-up of a game against Raith Rovers – prompted that particular remark. The Hoops were navigating through an spate of injuries, and it was a particularly tricky time for Ange Postecoglou.

However, as Celtic aim to break a long and hard to explain streak against Livingston, the manager is refusing to rely on luck, or fate, or even particular clothing. Yep; the manager may be looking out for black cats and open umbrellas in his Lennoxtown office, but he won’t let on.

Taking a more humorous look at the spell Livingston have had Celtic under for so long, Postecoglou decided to try to keep it in perspective.

He said [Herald]: “I do understand it’s a challenging place to go and they are tough to beat there.

“To be fair to them, their away form has also been good this season. I think it’s all more indicative of the fact that they are a good side.

“There is no doubt it will be a challenge for us but I don’t go there wearing my lucky socks or anything!

“We will go there and prepare the best way we can for the game.”

Livingston have Celtic under a spell, but hard work and preparation will break the streak for Ange Postecoglou

Folk in football tend to have rituals and superstitions. Some players like to be last out the tunnel. Others wear certain pairs of boots until they lose. Some grow their hair out until their team has won. Jamie Vardy has a rule about drinking port [Sun].

For Celtic manager Ange Postecoglou though, in the words of Stevie Wonder, superstition ain’t the way. Although it’s tempting to wonder whether something otherworldly has happened at Livingston that prevents us from winning there.

The Hoops just haven’t been able to dent the unfortunate streak that’s plagued us for years. We haven’t been Livingston at the Tony Macaroni, or Almondvale, since they came up in 2018. That record goes back to 2007, when Celtic last won away against Livi, with Derek Riordan scoring twice.

Ending this particular jinx would be quite something for Ange Postecoglou. Even if he isn’t superstitious. It’d overturn every negative result we had from early this season, having overcome Hearts, Rangers, Dundee United and St Mirren after losing points.

If we do win, we have to imagine the Celtic Park tour will feature the lucky jumper Ange will wear tomorrow.

Probably not his socks, though, right enough.

Read more: Ange’s best Celtic quotes so far as he approaches 50 games as Hoops boss