Think bigger- legendary Celt dismayed by Postecoglou move
Soccer Football - AFC Champions League - Group H - Yokohama F Marinos v Shanghai SIPG - Al Janoub Stadium, Al Wakrah, Qatar - November 28, 2020 Yokohama F Marinos coach Ange Postecoglou REUTERS/Ibraheem Al Omari
John Hartson is underwhelmed by Celtic’s interest in Ange Postecoglou.
Within the course of a day the club had switched their attention from someone with five years’ experience of managing in the EPL to a 55-year-old Australian with just a couple of games in the Greek Third Division as European experience on his CV.
Almost 100 days on from Neil Lennon’s resignation Celtic appear not to have moved forward with a variety of hurdles needing to be overcome before they get around to trying to sell Postecoglou to suspicious fans and potential Season Ticket holders.
Hartson dates back to a time when Celtic could largely compete with most clubs in the EPL but even allowing for the 15 years since he left for West Brom there appears to be an alarming downscaling of expectations.
Picking up on the Welshman on Go Radio, The Sun reports Hartson saying:
No disrespect to Ange Postecoglou, he comes with some raving reports, he’s a disciplinarian and plays on the front foot and attacking football, which sounds great if you’re going to manage Celtic.
I look at the situation and think he’s managed the Australia youth side, he’s managed the national side, he’s currently managing in Japan. I just think Celtic need to be thinking bigger, in terms of their next manager.
I was in disbelief when I heard about Eddie Howe. I couldn’t believe that the talks broke down. However, as I said, Celtic should still be looking bigger. Celtic is a global job. They are the team doing the chasing at the minute.
They have to respond better than what they are, as a football club I can understand the fans frustrations.
Should Peter Lawwell leave with immediate effect?
Yes, utterly toxic, the rebuild starts when he leaves
No, we need his experience for the handover
With Celtic starting pre-season training on June 17 and Postecoglou needing to self-isolate things are getting very close if the hoops are to agree a deal to bring in the current Yokohama Marinos coach as Neil Lennon’s replacement.