Ange Postecoglou will succeed or fail on his own philosophy – that much we know .
The Celtic boss was asked if there could be any sort of pragmatism when it comes to Europe after shipping eight goals in the first two games of the Europa League.
To be fair to Ange, he’s never backed down from trying to play football and he’s sticking with what has brought him to the dance.
For the Celtic fans who have been over the course year after year while Ange was coming up in the game, you could forgive them for being more pragmatic than the manager.
Brendan Rodgers had the same philosophy and paid a heavy price in Europe. We did get some great results but there was also tough nights at the office.
Asked if he could change his ways and become a team that’s harder to beat rather than one that plays free flow football, the manager was unequivocal.
“My view on that is: if you are a strict vegetarian, you don’t drop into Macca’s [McDonald’s] just because you are hungry mate, you know?” Ange said as cited by Fox Sports.
“This is what I believe in. I don’t believe in it because I am trying to prove something, I just believe it is truly the way to create a special team. It’s not easy, sure, and there are pitfalls along the way, and you have to get the balance right.
“But I’ve had so much success doing it this way, I’m a believer in it, and it’s how I think we will become a special team and have success. You have to be prepared for the fact – and I certainly am, and have had it throughout my whole career – that people are going to question it if the success isn’t there. I understand that and I love the debate around it, but it’s not going to change me mate.
“This is what I believe in. I don’t waver in it. I believe it because I believe it will get us to where we want to get to. And by the way, I’m nowhere near being a vegetarian either…that was just an analogy on my part.
“But that’s what I think will bring us success, and that’s the approach. Mate, I did it at a World Cup [as Australia manager] facing up to [Arjen] Robben, [Robin] Van Persie, [Andres] Iniesta, [David] Villa. I took that approach, we paid a price – or a high tariff – then as well, but I still think it’s the way forward, mate.”
Some will see Ange’s stance as stubbornness but if it works he will be hailed for sticking to his principles.
The manager would rather fail doing what he thinks is right than failing playing football he doesn’t believe in.
Celtic can be a great attacking force in the SPFL. In fact, even in the early stages of Ange’s rebuild we’re the top team for chance creation and we’ve our scored the rest of the league.
Ferencvaros offers a real chance to get points on the board. A loss playing attacking football will bring the snipers back out.
