Ange Postecoglou has little time to reflect on his first 500 days managing Celtic. Plotting the next 500 days and beyond is occupying him alongside the seven fixtures ahead of the World Cup break.
Managing Celtic is a fairly new concept with the Australian in charge of all footballing matters with the CEO happy on the sidelines co-ordinating matters with the football guy wholly responsible for what happens on the pitch.
There have been numerous landmarks during Postecoglou’s first 500 days with the club preparing to face Shakhtar Donestsk and Real Madrid barely recognisable from the shambles he inherited from Peter Lawwell.
Callum McGregor, Greg Taylor, John Kennedy and a few others have lived through the changeover but as his roots go deeper into the club Postecoglou is putting in place the sort of modern structure that is essential to stand a fighting chance in the modern game.
Looking at his broader role inside the club and projecting things forward the Celtic boss told the Daily Record:
I’ve been really pleased with the progress, not just on the field but off it with what we’re trying to create here. I think we’re building some really good foundations for what we want to do for the next phase.
Again, I enjoy that part of the role – the initial stages, the building. I’m pleased we were able to deliver in our first year and the plan is that hopefully we can deliver more.
I’ve said before I kind of take on every role as if I’m going to be here forever knowing full well that I won’t be because some of that is taken out of your hands. But I always try to make decisions that puts the club in the best position not just for short-term success but also long-term success.
That’s what I mean about not just on the field but off it. I’m really proud of the foundations that have been put down in all the departments in terms of resources and people that we have brought in. I think the club is in a really good place.
With full buy-in from the support Postecoglou’s plans are eagerly awaited- delivered with an exciting brand of football that hasn’t been seen since the early seventies with only Tommy Burns’ second season coming close in terms of excitement and anticipation.
