‘Gone by Christmas’ was a familiar refrain in the early days of Ange Postecoglou’s reign as Celtic manager, mostly from rival supporters and even a pundit or two who should have known a lot better.
A lot of detractors didn’t expect the Australian to last long in Scotland at all. So that makes today’s developments in the top-flight a little more interesting when reflecting on a superb two years under Postecoglou at the Bhoys.
Callum Davidson’s exit from St Johnstone on Sunday means Postecoglou is now in fact the third-longest serving manager in the Scottish Premiership, behind David Martindale at Livingston and Malky Mackay at Ross County.
Mackay only beats Postecoglou by a matter of weeks too, appointed in the Highlands at the end of May 2021, with Ange officially taking charge of Celtic in June of that year. Martindale has been in charge of Livi since November 2020.
It says a lot about the high-pressure environment that coaches find themselves in modern football and the Premiership, but thankfully Postecoglou has outlasted many, including two managers at Rangers.
The Celtic boss has never shied away from the initial perception of him. In fact, when picking up a manager of the year award last May even quipped [The Scotsman]: “I take great pride in it. I didn’t get the one I was favourite for – sacked by Christmas – but I got everything else so it’s okay.”
It seems a remarkable fact he is now one of the longest-serving mostly because it still feels like the Bhoys are just getting started under Postecoglou. We’ve now won three trophies on his watch, with another title assuredly on the way and a Scottish Cup to play for.
Yet, the path of constant progress means there has always been something new to look forward to or work towards. Not far away from heading into his third season at the Bhoys, we still have an incredibly exciting journey ahead.
Long may he be with the Bhoys!
In other news, Celtic’s Kilmarnock blitz edges Ange’s Bhoys closer to incredible 100-year club record
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