Like Martin O’Neill before him, Ange Postecoglou had a heck of a job rebuilding Celtic when he came through the doors at Paradise.
Unlike O’Neill, though, Postecoglou didn’t have the likes of Jackie McNamara, Henrik Larsson, Johann Mjallby and Paul Lambert to rely upon. While O’Neill made some fantastic signings and won a historic treble for the Hoops, the scope of Postecoglou’s work was very different.
What they both have in common, though, was at least one cornerstone piece to build around. For Ange, according to O’Neill, Callum McGregor is that foundational stone.
McGregor was appointed captain early on by Ange Postecoglou, and the Scotland midfielder has paid him back and then some. Playing in a deeper role as a no.6, McGregor has dictated the the tempo under the Greek-Aussie manager, and the thrilling football owes much to that tactical change.
For O’Neill, having McGregor there has been vitally important for Ange Postecoglou at Celtic. As has sticking to his attacking principles. O’Neill said [via Daily Record]: “Looking in from a distance, it seemed a big rebuild was required.
“It was important that some of the good players stayed on, like Callum McGregor, and some of the players he has brought in have done wonderfully well.
“Sticking to your beliefs as a manager is important. That’s where Ange gains a great deal of respect for me because he stuck with it and believed in it.”
Like Martin O’Neill, Celtic boss Ange Postecoglou is working on that perfect blend
Again, like Martin O’Neill before him, it was all about striking a balance for the current incumbent in the Celtic Park dugout.
Yes, there were plenty who wouldn’t have blinked if Celtic had completely gutted the first-team squad and built from scratch. Such was the impatience and frustration borne from last season. Callum McGregor was far from immune from criticism himself.
However, it was about adding to what was there, in some respects. There were plenty of decent players in the 20-21 squad, including McGregor. Guys who needed some impetus and a fresh perspective to get back to the top of their games. Tom Rogic, Greg Taylor, James Forrest, even last year’s POTY David Turnbull, all have benefitted from new management.
That’s before we get to the likes of Anthony Ralston, completely renewed under Postecoglou.
So yes, Martin O’Neill has this right. It was important to strike a balance. There were plenty of raw materials for Ange Postecoglou to mine when he came to Celtic, despite the discontent around the club prior to his joining.
O’Neill had some incredible talents to rely upon when he took up residence in Glasgow’s East End, but still had plenty to do. He did it, and with some incredible style and success, too.
Clearly, he sees similar squad-building abilities in Postecoglou. If Martin O’Neill is praising you, then you’re clearly doing something right.
Read more: What Celtic squad brilliantly did after Giorgos Giakoumakis’ Livingston penalty miss
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