Ange Postecoglou and Joe Hart enjoyed some memorable moments together in Celtic colours.
The former goalkeeper was struggling at Tottenham as he was coming towards the end of his career and then Postecoglou brought him to Glasgow in 2021.
It’s a move that resulted in Hart ending his career with trophy after trophy because Postecoglou won the Treble at Celtic and the man between the sticks played a huge part.
But fast forward to the present and the Englishman was at Villa Park on Sunday to witness Tottenham lose again under their under-fire boss.
Spurs were knocked out of the FA Cup by Villa, including conceding after the first minute, just days after losing their League Cup semi-final clash against Liverpool.
It has been an even bigger struggle in the Premier League for the London club, as those bright and trophy-winning days in Celtic colours seem a long time ago now for Postecoglou.
Joe Hart’s message to Ange Postecoglou after Tottenham suffer FA Cup exit
Hart knows Postecoglou’s game and methods inside and out, so during these difficult times, he will be aware of how he is trying to handle them.
Spurs have been hit with injury after injury. It has resulted in several teenagers and youngsters playing over a two-month period.
During that time, Tottenham have fallen further down the Premier League table – 14th in the league – and out of two competitions.
Hart was classy when sending a message to his former manager, how he should ‘stay strong’ because he is being ‘really tested’, as he told BBC Sport.
“Stay strong, it’s a tough moment, a real tough moment,” said Hart. “You can see that he feels it. He wears it, with his heart on his sleeve and, at this moment in time, he is being tested. He is really being tested. He is being tested in his beliefs. He is asking questions of himself. We all do in difficult moments. That’s where you need the support. The club behind you and the team behind you. That’s what they really need.
On where Ange comes into his own in trying to pick Tottenham up: “It’s a complete collective,” added Hart. “All of them working together. By now, he isn’t a new manager. He has been there for over 18 months. He is well-established at Tottenham. That’s his coaching staff. That’s the personal relationship with the teams. That’s the debrief. The debriefs are so key.
“They might have some midweeks free. But it’s time to rediscover who they are because they aren’t playing the same football they are practising. Trust me, in training, they will be bopping it through the lines. Receiving it on the half-turn. That is not happening out there, at the moment.”
Celtic fans will love Postecoglou’s fighting talk
It wasn’t just Postecoglou winning at Celtic or the style in which he did that impressed the fans at Parkhead, but how he also presented himself to the media.
It was a joy to watch and listen to Postecoglou speak his mind, as well as just say the most perfect thing at the right time.
That mindset and way of thinking hasn’t changed now that he is in the Premier League, and amid this barren run, Celtic fans will love the fighting talk from their former manager.
“There has to be a level of appreciation for a very small group of players have been doing for the last two-and-a-half months,” said Postecoglou, regarding Tottenham’s injury situation.
“It just can’t be that people think that’s an excuse. That’s just not anywhere near close to objective analysis. That’s just agenda-driven stuff. If it’s to get rid of me, then that’s fine. Good on you. Go for it.”
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