CHRIS SUTTON has reflected on the brilliant scenes in the stadium after Celtic was defeated 3-0 by Real Madrid, reasoning that alone will make Postecoglou want to stay in Glasgow.
After going toe to toe with the European champions and arguably being the better side for the first hour or so of the game, fans ensured their approval was received by the manager.
As he followed his team around the pitch, fans chanted his name with the thousands that stayed behind roaring their team off.
Celtic’s Callum McGregor with teammates look dejected after the match Action Images via Reuters/Lee Smith
After Graham Potter took up the Chelsea job, Postecoglou has been a candidate to take over down south. It was already hard to see the manager jumping ship with Celtic in such a good position just a year into his reign, but Tuesday night’s scenes will reinforce Ange’s belief, Sutton claims.
In his Daily Record column, the former Celtic striker wrote;
“Ange Postecoglou was in the midst of something quite extraordinary. In the final stages of the Champions League defeat by Real Madrid, there were almost 60,000 fans on their feet chanting his name.
“Singing at the top of their voices with the team 3-0 down. After the whistle had sounded, they continued to chant and sing for the Aussie and his players as they walked around the pitch to say thanks for the backing. It was a gesture of support and recognition of where Postecoglou has taken the club in 15 short months and a message that everyone is on board with him.
“In the cut-throat culture of modern-day football, that’s a rare thing for a manager and something to be cherished and held onto. And his message afterwards was powerful about repaying that support and building the club up to be in with the elite and properly competing on a regular basis. It’s among the many reasons why I cannot see Postecoglou being interested in a move from Glasgow’s east end right now.
“You are surely not going to go from that to leaving in the blink of an eye, especially not to, with the greatest of respect, Brighton and Hove Albion. Postecoglou backs himself and so he should. His CV is stellar. He has taken his country to World Cup Finals, he has won trophies wherever he has been.”
It was a significant moment. At the time, standing in the stands, I knew it was special. It’s rare you watch your team get beat 3-0 and then proceed to clap and cheer them off the park. I think it sums up where we are as a club. We’re not scared of any opponent, and the manager will continue the attacking play, which is pleasing for the fans. We’re behind the manager and are excited to see where he can take us.
Postecoglou won’t leave Celtic to go to a mid-table English side, especially when he’s got Champions League football to play and a league title to defend. He’ll be thinking of his young family too, who are settling down in Glasgow. There are so many factors that would discourage a move away from Celtic. I wouldn’t be surprised if he stayed at Celtic for a good few years and made it the last club he managed.
All that’s left for Celtic to do is to hand out a long-term deal!
