Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
A GREAT MAN KNOWN WORLD OVER
Hibernian v Celtic
Tonight, 7.45pm
ANGE POSTECOGLOU says he admired Walter Smith from afar after hearing the former Rangers manager had passed away.
The Australian may have been working on the other side of the world when Smith was leading Rangers to their nine-ina-row title triumph but Celtic boss Postecoglou says the former Scotland manager’s reputation went before him.
“Condolences to his family and all those close to him,” the Greekborn Australian said.
“I just heard the news and I can’t recollect actually coming across him during my travels but I am well aware of his standing as a manager and his record at club and international level.
“More importantly you see the measure of the man with the people giving their tributes today.
“I just heard Ally Mccoist who eloquently put it that he was just a great man.
“I am well aware of his record at Rangers, with Scotland and with Everton. His standing in the game worldwide.
“Trust me I know him very, very well. The era I grew up he was one of those who you knew had a great standing in the game even from the other side of the world.”
Postecoglou, meanwhile, is delighted with Celtic’s attacking options as his team look to capitalise on a recent return to form. With Giorgos Giakoumakis netting his first Celtic goal against St Mirren at the weekend, Postecoglou knows he has options.
Ahead of Celtic’s trip to Easter Road to face Hibs tonight, he said: “It’s an important part of all the teams I have managed because playing football the way we do, late in games being able to put on attacking players reinforces the principles I want in the team.
“Because if you can add attacking players when opponents were tiring a little bit, it can maintain our intensity, our tempo and ability to take it to teams.
“When I put my team together I like to have multiple threats.”