Outgoing Celtic CEO Peter Lawwell has claimed that the club has been tracking new manager Ange Postecoglou for ‘years’.
As quoted by the Herald speaking to the club’s website, Lawwell spoke about the appointment of the Australian, stating that the Hoops have been keeping track of the 55-year old for several years.
“Ange is a manager we have known about for a number of years and someone who has been prominent in our thoughts for some time.
“He is a great coach who has attractive, winning football in his DNA. He has an excellent record, he is a very strong personality and someone with a real desire and passion to take Celtic forward.
“I wish Ange and Dominic all the very best for the future, and I am sure they will work towards delivering great success to the club and our supporters.”
It has been reported a couple of times now in recent weeks that the club has been keeping an eye on Postecoglou for longer than some expected.
For fans, though, I am not sure how many will buy that line with the period it took to get a new permanent manager over the line, which took over 100 days.
If that was the case, we should have been in discussions whilst we weren’t sure about the progress of Eddie Howe. Instead, it has taken another few weeks to appoint a new man to lead the side.
Some also remain sceptical due to Ange’s links to the City Group through his former side in Japan, Yokohama F Marinos, and the Hoops links to the groups in recent years.
However, what matters at this stage is that we have our man who will be the manager going into next season. Now, it is about backing him and the team to the best of our abilities to try and win back the league title next season.
Backing from the board is absolutely key for this to succeed.
I said it weeks ago they would come out with this cr*p after the howe deal fell through, “he was always our first choice”. Typical arrogance and lies from CELTIC board again, treating supporters like the mugs they think we are.