After watching and listening to Ange Postecoglou for 18 months it seems that some football reporters are completely in the dark about how the Celtic boss operates.
The Celtic boss tries his best to accommodate most questions that he faces but almost every time that he faces the media there seems to be at least one question from someone who at best doesn’t seem to be paying attention.
At worst they could be conjuring up mischief without any substance.
In every game Postecoglou makes four or five substitutions. An injury to Tony Ralston forced an earlier than usual change against Livingston but virtually every match the Celtic boss concentrates his changes on the forward and midfield areas.
Last night Liel Abada was the only forward to play the full 90 plus minutes, at Aberdeen on Saturday he came on as a substitute after 45 minutes.
It is quite a stretch to suggest that Abada has been underused but that is exactly what Martin Dowden of BBC Scotland asked Postecoglou last night:
We talked about Liel Abada before the game tonight. His numbers are very, very impressive, is he, does he have a case to come to you and say ‘Can I have some more minutes please boss?’
The pause, look and reaction from Postecoglou said it all.
Listening in to that exchange, The National reports:
After the match, Postecoglou was quizzed on whether Abada has done enough to warrant asking the manager for more game time at the club.
But, Postecoglou wasted little time as he gave short shrift to the hypothetical, stating: “No, that’s not the way it works, mate.”
“You don’t put in requests for game time, it’s all earned,” he told BBC Sportsound.
“He’s done very well, the most important thing with Liel is that he is constantly improving and wants to improve – every day he is looking to be a better player.
“I thought he was great today and really took the game to them. But even him a couple of times in the first half I thought he should have been in areas where we know he is really dangerous and can get goals.
“It’s just a re-affirmation for him on his role in the team and why it is important.”
No question was asked about the Abada goal that was disallowed. Postecoglou will have to suffer another media conference tomorrow to preview Saturday’s match against St Johnstone.
“The performance wasn’t one of our best”
Ange Postecoglou assesses Celtic’s 2-1 victory over Livingston ????#BBCFootball
— BBC Sport Scotland (@BBCSportScot) December 21, 2022
1 minute 35 seconds
We’ve also got stupitheeds in the establishment press,we’ve got enough of them in the VAR club