Celtic boss Ange Postecoglou has insisted he doesn’t need to prove himself to anyone, and his main goal is keeping the club at the top level of European football, where they deserve to be.
This season has very much been a learning curve for Postecoglou and the majority of his squad after their involvement in the Champions League.
Not only is it the Hoops first involvement in five years, but for most of the players and our manager, it is also their first experience at the top level of European football.
Although the Bhoys have suffered disappointment against Real Madrid, RB Leipzig and Shakhtar Donetsk, there have been positive aspects of the performances.
And they will be looking to end their group stage campaign on a high as they take on the current champions of this competition at the iconic Santiago Bernabeu.
Whilst it is going to be a difficult evening for Ange Postecoglou’s squad, it is also bound to be a fantastic occasion to be involved in.
Speaking ahead of tonight’s match, the Celtic boss was asked if his first experience of the competition has him hungry for more and looking to come back to prove himself.
The 57-year-old delivered the perfect response, insisting he doesn’t have to prove himself to anyone. It is all about taking this club to the top level once again, where it deserves to be.
He said [Celtic FC]: “I don’t have to prove myself as a manager. I do this because I think this football club deserves to be at this level.
“And this year’s given me the motivation and appetite to make sure that we’re here every year and making an impact because I think that’s where the football club deserves to be.
“You know yourself; we get 60,000 at every game; we’ve got an unbelievable stadium that creates the most unique of atmospheres, and a club of this size deserves to be playing at this level. So that’s where the motivation lies, and I want our football club, this football club, to make an impact. It’s not about me.
“I don’t need to prove myself to anybody or anyone. I’m quite comfortable in the kinda of manager I am, but also know that I have a responsibility with this football club to make sure it takes its rightful place amongst the best football clubs in the world.”
Defiant Postecoglou already hungry to see squad return to the competition
As mentioned, although there has been plenty of disappointment in Europe this campaign, Ange Postecoglou has seen enough from his squad and is hungry to make his side Champions League regulars.
Of course, coaching at the top level of club football is bound to attract attention. However, the former Socceroos boss isn’t interested in that at this point in time.
Instead, his main focus is taking this club back to where it belongs, competing with some of the world’s biggest and best sides.
Ultimately, that is all the motivation Postecoglou needs, and you would imagine the Celtic manager is keen to send out a message tonight by producing a surprise result in Madrid.
That is going to be an extremely difficult task against a top side. However, the Celtic support already knows that Ange will have his squad right up for this one.
Tonight’s match might be a dead rubber, but it will still be important to the Parkhead boss, who wants to see continued improvement, and is already eyeing up the Bhoys’ return next season.
In other news, Ange Postecoglou reveals extent of CCV injury as Celtic absence opens up opportunity
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