CELTIC boss Ange Postecoglou has once again rejected Michael Beale’s “lucky” claim and affirmed that his success is based solely on 25 years of hard work.
Postecoglou emphasises that he would never use such language if the shoe was on the other foot, as he knows how difficult it is to succeed as a manager. He said that Beale’s comments didn’t irritate him, instead it motivated him.
Beale had previously suggested that Postecoglou was lucky because he was able to spend big on players like Jota and Cameron Carter-Vickers while building his Celtic squad, while adding many others for smaller fees. However, after beating his Glasgow rival for the third time in four games, Postecoglou has fired back with a fresh swipe.
Postecoglou told The Guardian:
“It didn’t annoy me, it doesn’t motivate me. But I think people use that kind of language deliberately, and I would never use it about somebody in my position.
“I’m not sure which bit is ‘lucky’. Michael at the time was referring to the fact I had money to spend. But you know what, I didn’t get to this position out of luck. I’ve worked 25 years of coaching to be entrusted at a club like this.
“This isn’t my first job. If it was my first job maybe I’d be lucky, but it’s not — it’s 25 years of hard work. I have to spend that money, and I can get it wrong. Many have, with bigger clubs than ours.
“So I’m not sure which bit is luck. Everything you do in life, and particularly in our game, is hard-earned. That doesn’t mean luck doesn’t come into it at different times.
“But to describe any aspect of my role as fortunate or lucky, I just don’t think it’s a fair reflection of anybody in my position. I don’t think Michael is in a lucky position just because he’s at a club which has resources that other clubs in Scotland don’t have.
“I know he has to work hard if he is going to be successful, the same way I have.”
Celtic is now on track for a fifth treble in eight years, and Postecoglou argues that his hard work over a quarter-century is not luck, but rather the reason for the current success at Celtic Park.
It’s a fifth treble in seven years not eight years. I’m not trying to be smart arse it’s just a fact.