There is no time yet to reflect.. I’ve far too much to do

ANGE WON’T REST ON HIS LAURELS

THERE’S a golden rule to being a respected leader of men – don’t set standards for others that you’re not prepared to meet yourself.

Ange Postecoglou wouldn’t have it any other way. If they can’t stop then he can’t stop.

Which is why even though he is within touching distance of celebrating a title triumph and has the manager of the year awards to prove it, the big Aussie hasn’t paused for a second to reflect on this monumentally successful first season as Celtic’s boss.

They never stop. He never stops. No one stops until the job is done.

When asked if he has taken so much as a moment to quantify the enormity of what he is about to achieve, he shrugged his shoulders and said: “No mate, because you guys keep hounding me!

“A million people want a piece of me so I haven’t had a chance to do anything.

“But that’s part of my job so it’s fine. There will be a time for reflection and enjoyment once it’s done.

“The reality is I enjoy every day of this job. I enjoy coming in here every day and working with the players and being manager of this club. It’s not like I feel as if it’s a grind at any stage.

“In terms of the success I’m very proud of the individual honours that I’ve won for this club so far but the real sort of joy I guess – and satisfaction – comes after it’s all done and dusted.”

Postecoglou was perhaps the only man outside of Peter Lawwell’s office who didn’t believe he was on a hiding to nothing. No backroom staff ? No problem. A dressing room in open revolt and a mutinous support already running riot outside the stadium? Bring it on.

Postecoglou barged into the middle of this mayhem like a bull entering a china shop and immediately began piecing together the seemingly impossible.

That he had built a track record for doing precisely this seemed lost on many.

Asked where this imminent achievement ranks on his list of previous managerial successes, Postecoglou stuck to the mantra.

Ahead of tonight’s crunch match with Dundee Uinted at Tannadice, he said: “I haven’t thought about it.

“Again it’s probably a question I can best answer after it’s done because the way I think about things is that my role at the moment is to prepare the team and make sure we play well tomorrow night.

“How will I feel after? Well I know it’s been an enormous challenge this year, it’s one I’ve enjoyed.

“It’s probably only when it’s done and you reflect that I’ll be able to give a more honest answer on what it means for me.

“The game at Tannadice is an opportunity to create a special moment at this club. We’re looking forward to it.

“I guess the key thing for us is to make sure we go there tomorrow night, play our football and continue on the form we’ve had over the past few months, make sure we deliver.”

The reality is that I enjoy every day of this job. It has never felt like being a grind since I got here