Postecoglou backed to make his mark in the Champions League

STILIYAN Petrov believes Ange Postecoglou will be driven by a desire to get “everybody talking about Celtic” as he prepares for his first taste of the Champions League.

The Hoops manager’s stock is high after he overtook Rangers in his first season in charge to reclaim the Scottish Premiership title.

Former Parkhead midfielder Petrov is adamant Postecoglou will now be fully focused on making sure the Hoops are equipped to turn on the style when they compete in the group stage of Europe’s elite competition for the first time since 2017.

“Ange Postecoglou came with a different style of play and different demands for the players,” Petrov said.

“It’s going to be important for him to do well in the Champions League, that’s where he needs to stamp his authority and show everybody how good he is as a manager because that’s where everybody’s watching and globally everybody wants to see Celtic doing well.”

Celtic have been quiet in the transfer market so far this summer, with Cameron Carter-Vickers signed on a permanent deal from Tottenham and goalkeeper Benjamin Siegrist joining from Dundee United.

Petrov is confident Postecoglou will soon land further new recruits to elevate the quality of the squad ahead of their Champions League tilt.

“I think he recruited very well last season and at the moment it is really important to get the right players for the right positions because the Champions League is just around the corner,” said Petrov.

“He has to be ready. He knows that if he wants to play well and preach the football he did last season, he has to have the right quality of players this season.”