Ange Postecoglou was as sharp as ever as he prepared for the new season in a media conference that seemed to mostly consist of questions from fan media sites.
To take on the shambles that he inherited from the departing double act of Neil Lennon and Peter Lawwell required someone very sure of themselves and their ways- even more so when you drop into a new continent where many of the natives are uncomfortable with outsiders coming into ‘the global game’.
It took a while for the parochial media pack to realise that Postecoglou was the real deal. A manager of substance, with beliefs and a plan that wouldn’t be blown off course by scare stories because he didn’t know the local traditions.
By the time Celtic finished the season on a 32 match unbeaten run to lift the title most of the media had reluctantly come round to believing that the Australian guy knew his onions, how to win matches and deliver trophies by doing things his way .
10 minutes 16 seconds
Question: From a personal point of view as Celtic manager how much do you think it will benefit you that you’ve already had that first season under your belt, immersed in Scottish football, getting to know all of the opponents, the landscape here, things like that?
Ange Postecoglou: Yeah, considering everybody didn’t think I knew anything at the start of last year, I think I’m in a better place mate. I’m as well prepared as I always am.
In other countries there might have been intrigue about the arrival of a manager with no known connections, prepared to trust himself and the staff he inherited to get on with the job.
Those hurdles have all been cleared but it is obvious that Postecoglou hasn’t forgotten the ‘quality’ of questioning that he was subjected to from the Scottish media when he arrived 14 months ago.
“I’m still on the same planet, mate. I haven’t come from outer space.” ?
Celtic’s Australian boss Ange Postecoglou is having fun with the Scottish press ahead of the Bhoys’ season opener with Hearts… ??#OptusSport pic.twitter.com/hHhCI6G42P
— Optus Sport (@OptusSport) July 31, 2021