SPFL boss doubles down on his lavish praise for Celtic boss Ange Postecoglou

By Euan Davidson

March 4, 2022

David Martindale has continued his charm offensive ahead of facing Ange Postecoglou and Celtic at the Tony Macaroni Arena.

Yesterday, we shared Martindale’s comments on the manager, and the recruitment he’s done since arriving at Celtic. Now, with just two days to go until the crucial game against Livingston, the Lions’ boss has gone further in his compliments for Ange.

Martindale has had the beating of the Greek-Aussie manager already this season. Andrew Shinnie’s goal saw off Celtic, despite the Bhoys having 79% possession away to Livingston [BBC]. Martindale, though, is expecting a different test this time around.

With Celtic far more settled, and into an excellent groove in 2022, he’s probably right. Martindale said [Times]: “Ange Postecoglou is a terrific manager, I think they’ve got a fantastic football club and fantastic players.

“They’re going to come here with a point to prove. You don’t get to where Ange is and where he has been if you are not a good manager.

“He is a top, top manager and he will be looking at ways to rectify [the form against Livingston]. Those players at Celtic will be looking at ways to rectify that as well.

“It’s up to me to come up with a plan to take something from the game. Historically we’ve always done well against all of the top teams here. It brings the best out in the players, every player is probably going out on that park with a point to prove. Ultimately they would love to be playing that level of football at that level of club.”

Celtic boss Ange Postecoglou won’t be moved by praise as he readies his team for Livingston test

It’s taken no time for Celtic manager Ange Postecoglou to earn the respect of his fellow Scottish Premiership managers. In truth, though, that respect should’ve been there from the off.

We’re talking about a manager who has competed at a World Cup with Australia. A man who has changed the footballing landscape in his home country, won A-League titles and J-League titles. Nobody else in a Scottish Premiership dugout can really compete with his CV.

It might be cynical, but perhaps Martindale’s charm offensive is a kind of mind game, at this point. With his initial comments, the praise was fulsome and respectful. The more he lays it on, though, the more you could wonder if he’s trying to make Postecoglou complacent.

Well, that’s not really a word in his vocabulary.

Ange knows the bitter sting of defeat against Livingston. With so much on the line just now, another result like that just isn’t acceptable. Not to him, the players or the supporters.

There is a lot at stake here. Praise is nice, whether there’s an ulterior motive or not, but for Ange and the Bhoys it’s all about focus.

Read more: Matt O’Riley’s Dad opens up on the Ange chat that convinced star to move to Celtic