VIGOUR & BETTER
Ange and his team have had gruelling schedule but boss insists he has bags of energy and can’t wait for the challenges ahead
ANGE POSTECOGLOU admits his Celtic players were running on fumes in the final stages against AZ Alkmaar in midweek.
But the Hoops boss insists he’s still got plenty left in the tank.
It’s been a hectic spell for Celtic with five games – and five wins – in the space of 13 days and the players have spent more time in ice baths than on the training ground.
Postecoglou could be forgiven for wanting time for a long relaxing soak himself as his feet have barely hit the floor since he got out of quarantine at the beginning of last month.
The Greek Aussie might not be doing the hard yard on the pitch but he’s been running around trying to put a squad together while also sending out sides to get wins on the board.
There’s been plenty of talk about the high-intensity playing style being tough on the men across the white line.
I’m all I right don’t run mate, at around all. I down just sit and enjoy what I do ANGE POSTECOGLOU FINDING THE IS NOT GOING TOUGH AT CELTIC
But the man in the dugout could also be at the matchsticks holding up the eyelids stage as well given his whirlwind start to life in Scotland.
Not that Postcoglou’s having any it when it was suggested he might be craving a dark room and a cup of cocoa.
He said: “I’m all right mate, I don’t run around at all. I just sit down and do what I do.
“I’m enjoying it. I’ve been through these periods before when as a manager you feel like you’re not doing a lot of training, so you can’t get out there and work with the players.
“You have to find other ways to get information across, and rely on other people to get the players back up in terms of recovery.
“I’ve still got bags of energy – so there are no problems there. I’m looking forward to what’s ahead.”
It’s just as well
Postecoglou’s energy levels are still soaring as there won’t be any let-up. St Mirren today can’t be skipped over but there’s the return leg against AZ Alkmaar to deal with in Holland on Thursday and apparently there’s the derby just three days later. Postecoglou might be new to these shores but he doesn’t need to circle the date of the Old Firm showdown on the calendar. There has been far too much going on for him to even think about it but the manager knows the supporters of both sides are already counting down the minutes.
But the showdown can wait for now. Celtic are back at Parkhead for the fifth game in a row today and Postecgolou has made the place his own.
He’s turned around a ropey start to have punters buzzing again after seeing 14 goals in four games, plus another four over in Jablonec before then.
Postecogou said: “Any club will tell you having home games is an advantage.
“For us it’s coincided with our fans being back in the stadium and it’s worked out really well for us.
“It’s easy to say that now but
with having fans back in, if we didn’t start well it maybe wouldn’t have been as pleasant to play in games at the moment.
“But because the players have really started well and the team is playing well the fans are enjoying the football. It’s great to have this run of home games where we can just build some momentum.
“We’re going to hit the road after this game and that will provide a different kind of challenge.
“But it’s certainly been helpful to have this run of home games and helpful for us to have our supporters behind us.”
It’s also helped the new Bhoys settle in as well, with Kyogo Furuhashi, Liel Abada, Joe Hart, Carl Starfelt and James McCarthy all slotting in to life in Scotland.
Last season Celtic’s new arrivals suffered with the solitude of lockdown but a year on they have been able to adapt quickly to their new surroundings.
Former Yokahama F Marinos boss Postecoglou said: “In Japan we had 11 foreigners we brought in last year.
“They couldn’t bring their families across and they were living on their own. It was tough for them. So I’m sure it had an impact, most definitely.
“It’s been helpful this year that the new guys coming in are all a bit more relaxed in terms of being able to get out and not having to be cooped up in their places after training.
“But it’s also a credit to the players we have brought in.
“They’ve bought into a culture here, they’ve bought into life here. Whether that’s Kyogo or Liel who have come from the other side of the world, even guys like Carl and Joe. James, well, he’s only been a couple of kilometres away, but they have all come in and embraced what we are trying to do.
“They’ve had positive starts on the field which also helps. All those factors are relevant.”
Postecoglou might be fresh but some of his stars will need a rest. But Ryan Christie is back and McCarthy is pushing hard for his first start. The manager added: “It was a pretty punishing game against AZ but everyone has come through okay.
“I’m sure there are a few who are still a bit sore so I’ll leave my starting line-up until today.”