Ange Postecoglou Brands Himself ‘Childish’ for Semi-Final Snub

ANGE POSTECOGLOU has said that last April’s 2-1 extra time defeat hurt him that much he didn’t attend a dinner that had been booked at a restaurant.

His wife had booked a table of 8, with three of the Celtic boss’ best friends and their partners flying in from Australia, but she was left to entertain them herself when Postecoglou didn’t turn up.

The manager is motivated by winning; it’s what gets him up in the morning and encourages him to get into Lennoxtown bright and early.

Speaking ahead of the League Cup final, Ange Postecoglou opened up on the story, saying: [The Daily Record]

“I love winning. It’s just the way I am as a person.

“So, obviously, I’m not a fan of losing. I don’t take defeats well. But it’s the winning that drives me more than a fear of losing. I just enjoy winning. I enjoy what it does to people or groups, to achieve it.

“I enjoy building teams, that process. But it’s got to be building to an end goal. And that’s to win things. The reason I’m passionate about my team playing a certain way is that I love success. It’s why I continue to coach the way I do and play the way I do. Because I want to keep winning.

“When I lost the semi-final at Hampden, my three best friends and their wives were over here from Australia. My wife had dinner booked that night and I didn’t turn up. They’d come halfway round the world and my wife had to entertain them.

“It was pretty childish from me. But they understood and it was fine. I don’t take losing well.

“Everyone wants to win. But for me, it’s important that it’s not JUST about winning. Whilst others are just chasing the victory, I’m chasing more than that.

“I’m chasing a win, playing a certain way. We’re getting Celtic Park packed out every week not just because we’re winning. The fans enjoy watching this team play and that’s important.

“I love that. It motivates me to get up in the morning. It’s not just about struggling your way through, winning 1-0 and being satisfied with that.

“It’s about winning and scoring goals. That’s the bit I really love. When that’s your driver you’re never going to stand still or bask in the glory of a victory.

“You’ll always go for the next one, with a better performance. If you want to stay in this game for a long time, I think that’s the point of difference.

“There isn’t a manager out there who doesn’t want to win. But to last, it has to be something more that drives you.”

Saturday is a chance for the manager to get his first win over the rivals at Hampden and retain the first trophy he won as Celtic boss.

Confidence is high in the Celtic camp; why shouldn’t it be? After all, they lead the league by a great distance. But, Postecoglou will be keeping his players humble and grounded, with anything possible in a final.