There might be a guilt thing- Chris Sutton’s hunch over Ange Postecoglou
Soccer Football - Scottish Premiership - Celtic v Aberdeen - Celtic Park, Glasgow, Scotland, Britain - May 27, 2023 Celtic manager Ange Postecoglou and Kyogo Furuhashi pose with the trophy after winning the Scottish Premiership REUTERS/Russell Cheyne
Chris Sutton believes that Ange Postecoglou won’t raid the Celtic squad as he attempts to revive Spurs.
Approaches have already been made to take John Kennedy and Gavin Strachan to London but moving for any players would be a very different matter.
Postecoglou had complete faith in half a dozen players that carried out his instructions on the park with three J-League imports essential to the success that he brought to the hoops.
With 35 goals in one season, including three of Celtic’s five cup final goals Kyogo Furuhashi would be the biggest loss with the former Vissel Kobe striker taking on the responsibility that Odsonne Edouard left behind.
Reviewing the situation in the Daily Record Sutton writes:
I’m of the opinion, and I might be wrong here, that there might be a guilt thing within Postecoglou as regards going back to Celtic for Kyogo. Like I said, I might be miles out. Despite leaving, I do believe he’ll have a great respect for the club.
Mind you, football is selfish. Loyalty doesn’t matter. And it was, after all, Postecoglou who was responsible for Celtic even seeing Kyogo in the first place. But it’s just a hunch. And if I am indeed wrong and he does make a proper offer, I do think that, if Postecoglou manages to build the right side at Spurs, Kyogo would be good enough to fit into it.
Put it this way, he couldn’t go down the road and play for West Ham. Their style would not suit and nor would plenty others. But he has remarkably quick feet and great movement, so a fast and attacking Spurs line-up are making chances for him, he’d stick them away.
Most of these main Celtic stars were signed by Postecoglou. Jota, for example, has expressed his gratitude at being given the chance. Hatate and Matt O’Riley got their breaks through him. Carter-Vickers and Starfelt.
Players are used to change. At least they would have the familiar faces of John Kennedy and Gavin Strachan to return to in pre-season, but if Postecoglou gets his hands on that pair as well, it adds another layer of upheaval.
Who do you want as the next Celtic manger?
Brendan- He is the best available
Kjetil Knutsen- Fresh, ambitious, exciting
Enzo Maresca- if Pep rates him highly...
None of them for me- other options out there
Postecoglou left Yokohama F Marinos in mid-season to join Celtic exactly two years ago, once their campaign was finished he signed Daizen Maeda from his former club. A year later he returned to sign Tomoki Iwata.
All of Celtic’s significant players are on long term contracts but the arguments used to justify Postecoglou’s move to Spurs such as playing in a top league and a massive pay rise would also apply to Kyogo, Jota, Reo Hatate and others.