MAKE THIS A SPECIAL TIME
to convert a 2-0 first-leg lead into progression to the main tournament.
Financially Celtic will make millions off the park if they can successfully negotiate the contest in the AFAS Stadion.
On the pitch, their boss knows qualification will also offer a massive shot in the arm to the squad in their development with him at the helm.
Postecoglou said: “It’s important for the club. It’s something that helps us in terms of building something for this year.
“We missed out on the Champions League, which was disappointing, so this is a chance to set ourselves up to get to a group stage in the Europa League.
“And we know there are going to be some big games in there. It gives us an opportunity to try to build something special for this year and beyond.
“It can set up big nights for both the players and the supporters. That’s why you want to be in Europe.
“You want to play against some of the other big clubs on the continent and the Europa League group stage opens more possibilities to do something special.”
It’s a huge four days for Postecoglou with tonight’s tie followed by a first derby of the season against Rangers. The Aussie says every week has seemed huge since he’s been here.
But the 55-year-old does accept the games in Alkmaar and at Ibrox are high profile as he said: “To be fair, they’ve all felt like big weeks since it started.
“The first week was a Champions League game.
“I understood when I took on this role that is the club I’m at, where every game is a big one. I love that. That’s why I’m here.
“But yeah they are two massive games, two highprofile games and I’m aware I’m exactly where I want to be – and that is right in the middle of it.
“I’m looking forward to it immensely.”
Postecoglou won’t have James Forrest or James McCarthy available for the second leg but hopes the duo may be back for Ibrox on Sunday.
He added: “Josip Juranovic can’t play in this game but he’ll be available for the weekend as well, which is good because we’ll probably need some fresh legs for that game.”
Postecoglou believes Rangers acted correctly in swiftly banning fans who were caught racially abusing Kyogo Furuhashi.
He said: “It’s just wrong. Rangers did the right thing in dealing with it.
“Whoever else does it, or wants to transgress, whatever organisation they belong to, I expect they’ll be dealt with the same way.
“It’s simple. Deal with it. When the consequences come that quickly and without too much debate, then I think people start to realise, ‘OK, maybe a line has been drawn and we shouldn’t conduct ourselves in this way any more’.”
Furuhashi is ready for Alkmaar and his manager added: “He’s good to go. He’s a really positive character and he’s really enjoying his time here, not just the football but living here.
“He’s a very happynatured guy. The club are supporting him, people are asking him if he’s OK and the players are certainly around him.
“He’s been good. He understands that this is not reflective of his experience here.”
Postecoglou also provided an update on the signing front.
Irish defender Liam Scales and Greek striker Georgios Giakoumakis are among those on the radar as he said: “We’ll get one or two in for sure in the next few days.”