"No doubt"; Celtic legend Kenny Dalglish nails the Ange to England nonsense better than anyone

By John McGinley

February 12, 2023

Celtic icon Kenny Dalglish has penned a superb column in today’s Sunday Post heavily praising manager Ange Postecoglou and summing up the absurdity of constant links to England.

Almost every time a manager has left their post at an English Premier League club this season, Postecoglou’s name has popped up in the media. From Everton late last year to Leeds United over the last week, it’s been relentless.

Dalglish clearly thinks the world of the Australian and reckons if he does end up leaving, he’ll do it with full honesty and integrity – rather than head off in the middle of the season as his team pushes for a treble.

“A man totally committed to Celtic”

He told The Sunday Post [12/02 print edition, Post Match supplement page 20]: “Ange has an almighty job on his hands, and he is very close to retaining the Premiership title. He also has a league cup final at Hampden against Rangers in a couple of weeks. I have no doubt that will be his focus, not any vacancy in England. Right now, in Ange I see a man totally committed to Celtic.

“I’m not sure how he deals with the speculation in Scotland. In my view, the big Australian doesn’t need to say anything. He doesn’t need to give any of these stories credibility. If and when he does decide to go, I’m sure Ange will be fully open and honest about it, as he always is.

“He may well fancy a change, and a crack at English football some time in the future. If he does leave Celtic for another club this summer – or any summer – then I’m sure he will go with the best wishes of everyone. He will walk out the front door with his head held high.

“Then again, he may not leave in the next year or two. He might be the type of guy that is extremely happy being at Celtic, and the joy that comes with that privileged position when things are going well. Being the gaffer at Parkhead is a brilliant job, and only a few ever get the pleasure of being in the managerial chair.”

This is about the best summation of Postecoglou’s ongoing situation at the Bhoys you’ll get. Nothing is certain in the future, but there’s certainly no reason for constant speculation.

The Celtic boss has given consistent reassurance he is enjoying life in Glasgow and loves his current challenge. Until there are signs of that changing, we can file most managerial links away with the rest of the unfounded rumours you often get in football media.

We’ll know deep down when Postecoglou is itching for a fresh start – if that day ever comes. As Dalglish notes, Celtic remain a huge pull.

In other news, Celtic loanee praised by new manager after dramatic and thrilling debut.