Celtic boss, Ange Postecoglou, has admitted in the past to having posters of Kenny Dalglish all over his wall while growing up. So it would be safe to assume that his childhood hero’s word will carry quite a bit of weight for the Australian. And he has decided to give his take on all the rumours linking the manager away from Parkhead in recent times.
Postecoglou has been linked with one Premier League club after another this season. It feels like every time there is a managerial change down south, the Australian’s name is near the top of the shortlist, or so the rumours suggest.
Earlier on in the season, he had been linked with the likes of Everton, Wolves, Southampton and Brighton & Hove Albion. And the latest club to be rumoured to hold an interest in Postecoglou are Leeds United, with the Elland Road team showing Jesse Marsch the exit door recently.
Dalglish does not see Postecoglou leaving Celtic in the middle of the season though. He wrote in his column in The Sunday Post:
"I can’t see him leaving in mid-season.Ange has an almighty job on his hands, and he is very close to retaining the Premiership title.He also has a League Cup Final at Hampden against Rangers in a couple of weeks.I have no doubt that will be his focus, not any vacancy in England.Right now, in Ange I see a man totally committed to Celtic.I’m not sure how he deals with the speculation in Scotland.In my view, the big Australian doesn’t need to say anything. He doesn’t need to give any of these stories credibility.If and when he does decide to go, I’m sure Ange will be fully open and honest about it, as he always is.He may well fancy a change, and a crack at English football some time in the future.If he does leave Celtic for another club this summer – or any summer – then I’m sure he will go with the best wishes of everyone.He will walk out the front door with his head held high."
Dalglish makes superb claim about Postecoglou’s eventual Celtic exit
That is exactly what most Celtic fans would want from Postecoglou. To leave in an off-season with his head held high.
Postecoglou has become a fan favourite and built up a brilliant relationship with the supporters in such a short span of time in Glasgow. Him leaving in the middle of the season would only hurt the legacy and the bond that he has created at Parkhead over the past 18 months.
Postecoglou is in his late 50s and most fans will understand if he wants to take on the challenge of the Premier League some day. Every manager does. But when he leaves, one can only hope that it is a beautiful farewell and not a sudden exit.