Celtic’s title bid is still being strongly influenced by Ange Postecoglou according to Parkhead assistant boss Shaun Maloney.
Postecoglou left Celtic to join Tottenham over three years ago now, but even now, Maloney reckons the Australian’s presence at Parkhead is still helping to drive the bid for a league and Scottish Cup double.
Speaking in Nyon where Maloney is currently completing his UEFA pro license, the Celtic assistant manager names seven people Postecoglou brought to the Paradise who are driving the club’s title defence right now.
Do you think Big Ange will ever come back to Celtic?
Maloney names seven Ange Postecoglou signings still driving Celtic success
Postecoglou had amazing success at Celtic and it was down to his player and coach recruitment in the two years he spent at the club.
And Maloney told The National how those same people still have the same hunger for success, “I managed against him twice when I was with Hibs, at Celtic Park and at Easter Road.
“It was always really tough. But I always enjoyed facing his teams because they played some really good stuff.
“He definitely made a big impression on our club. Some of the players he signed are still there, Daizen, Reo, Alistair, Jota and Cam.
“Some members of the coaching staff he worked with, Gavin [Strachan] and Greg [Wallace], remain quite important guys on our backroom team.
“But I think certain parts of his style of play are definitely still there as well. Yeah, I think he has had a strong influence on the club.
“I think we have brought aspects of what he did when he was at Celtic back in the last couple of months. It has definitely helped us.”
Ange Postecoglou’s unprecedented Celtic success
Postecoglou’s two years at Celtic were fraught with a rollercoaster of emotions as the Australian rebuilt the first-team to instantaneously put Rangers back in their place.
The Hoops legend had a tremendous record at Celtic:
- Managed games: 113
- Won: 83
- Drew: 12
- Lost: 18
- Average points per game: 2.31
- Goals scored: 284
- Goals conceded: 108
- Scottish Premiership titles: 2
- Scottish Cups: 1
- Scottish League Cups: 2
- Trebles: 1
It was an incredible 24 months Ange had at Celtic and many fans will still look back and say the big Aussie didn’t stay in Paradise long enough.
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