The job that Ange Postecoglou has done since arriving at Celtic in the summer of 2021 has been nothing short of remarkable. The Australian guided the Hoops to a Premiership and League Cup double last season, when most people had expected them to go trophyless. And this time around, the club are on the verge of winning a treble.
It is hard to think of many, if any, managers who could have done a better job than what Postecoglou has over the past couple of years at Celtic. He deserves the world of credit for that.
Of course, his record when up against Michael Beale speaks for itself. Celtic have won three of those four games, while drawing the other one, 2-2 away at Ibrox.
Beale’s past comments about Postecoglou being ‘lucky’ had created a lot of controversy in Scottish football circles. And now, it looks like the Celtic manager has sent a clear message regarding the matter. As reported by The Guardian, he said:
"“It didn’t annoy me, it doesn’t motivate me, but I think people use that kind of language deliberately.“I would never use that language about somebody in my position. I’m not sure which bit is ‘lucky’. I think Michael at the time was referring to the fact I had money to spend but 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.”"
Celtic boss sends clear message to Beale
It is safe to say that Postecoglou has been anything but lucky. He was handed the unenviable task of steadying the Celtic ship after the terrible 2020/21 campaign, in which they had finished 25 points behind the Rangers in the league and trophyless overall.
It was a risky job to take. Things could have easily gone wrong and hurt his reputation as a winning manager.
Postecoglou did a remarkable job with what he was given though and quickly turned Celtic back into a winning team. We see the results today on the pitch. They have only lost one domestic game this season till now and could very well be on their way to a treble.
And this is when the Australian is in his 50s, having carved his path in management for more than two decades before being handed the Parkhead job.