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No sympathy from Ange in the loneliest job

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From personal experience Ange Postecoglou knows that the last thing a manager wants is sympathy.

A year ago the new Celtic boss was looking at a 50% record in the SPFL, first round elimination from the Champions League and the departure of two regular starters to Crystal Palace and Bournemouth.

It looked like the Australian that had been imported from Japan had taken on a job that was overwhelming him, turning around a 25 point deficit would have been asking a lot from a manager familiar with the Scottish game never mind someone on their own, without the comfort of a long term assistant to bounce ideas off.

On transfer deadline day Postecoglou brought in two loan signings and a striker from the Dutch Second Division. Those moves seemed unlikely to galvanise a struggling side about to take on Spanish and German opponents in the Europa League.

In contrast to that Jack Ross doesn’t have it too bad at Dundee United. A 7-0 Europa Conference exit and three SPFL defeats aren’t the end of the world, a top six finish a cup run and perhaps a European place are about the level of expectations at Tannadice.

Ross and Postecoglou meet at lunchtime today, speaking to The Sun the Celtic boss delivered a matter of fact opinion on the situation his opposite number is in:

I don’t think Jack Ross needs sympathy. I don’t need sympathy if I’m going through a tough time. It’s more a respect for every manager and the challenges they face.

It’s the nature of the game. A few weeks ago when they beat AZ the mood was a lot different for Jack, and he knows that.

United face Celtic on the back of a 3-0 home defeat from St Mirren with the hoops on a four match winning run to start the season.

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