I live for this kind of tough
Postecoglou insists he thrives on problem solving and says of Celtic’s injury crisis..
ANGE POSTECOGLOU hates watching films when he knows the ending.
It’s why the plot twists and dramatic storylines at Celtic right now are gripping him.
Postecoglou loves troublesome scenarios. Getting stuck into problems.
The Aussie doesn’t know exactly what that says about his character but admits he’s actually at his most irritable when things are going smoothly.
As far as he’s concerned, that’s why he’s at the club.
If there weren’t big issues to solve, there would be no point in Celtic having a manager.
Postecoglou doesn’t have to look far for those issues within his squad at the moment.
Going into tonight’s crucial Premiership encounter against Ross County, he doesn’t have a single fit striker.
Kyogo Furuhashi, Giorgos
Giakoumakis and Albian Ajeti all out. James Forrest and Jota also missing. Doubts over Mikey Johnston.
The situation may not have improved any or at all by the time Sunday’s Premier Sports Cup Final and the chance to win a first piece of silverware as Hoops boss comes around.
Some managers would be hiding under the bed at the thought of it and tossing excuses out. But Postecoglou just sees something to get stuck into as he said: “That’s why I am here.
“If there were no problems, you could probably have an empty chair doing this job and you’d be talking to nobody.
“When things are running smoothly and success comes, that’s maybe even when I get most irritated because I am itching for what the next challenge is. That’s what keeps me going.
“If I knew how it all ended, I probably wouldn’t be as passionate about it.
“It’s like already knowing the ending to a movie.
“I love the fact I have been doing this for 25 or 26 years and there is always something that challenges you on a daily or weekly basis.
“These are the periods I enjoy the most.
“I don’t know what it says about me or my personality but I love this aspect of the role.
“People talk about pressure and dealing with things but I love the fact football always throws up problems that you have to find a way to work out.”
It dominates his every moment, even sometimes in the middle of the night. He laughed and said: “I like my sleep. It’s maybe time to write a couple of things down but I’m not overly-obsessive on it.
“I love what I do, so my mind is constantly enjoying what I am doing.”
In terms of the title race, a win in Dingwall is imperative.
However, there is no doubting the importance of Hampden on Sunday and the Celtic boss has to make sure of squad recovery.
Postecoglou said: “We know the players and the most important thing is they get their recovery.
“My experience of these things with working on away games and in international matches which have long trips, the advice is always that players get their best rest when they are in their own beds.
“So as often as you can you try to get back home and give them the right kind of rest and not force things upon them. I know for the general public, hotels are a luxury. For us, they become a bit of a chore after a while and home comforts is what you seek.”
Mercifully, due to JRG confirmation of Covid rules, the squad will be able to return as one. He said: “We are still taking an extra bus and making sure we are doing the right things. It’s important to have clarity on what we can and can’t do but we have from day one since I have been here erred on the side of caution.”
Arguments over whether Celtic or Hibs should be playing in the midweek before Hampden don’t matter now and Postecoglou said: “It is what it is.
“We knew this is the schedule we were going to have. We are in a final and in Europe, so you are going to have congestion.”