Prayers answered

I was watching the Australia game in Japan with many lit candles, saying the Postecoglou relief at clean bill of health after break

odd prayer now

ANGE POSTECOGLOU admits he was praying for his players to return from the international break in one piece, with the Celtic manager joking he held a candlelit vigil as he watched his men in action for their countries.

Postecoglou’s squad was severely weakened after the last international break with notable injuries suffered by captain Callum McGregor and striker Kyogo Furuhashi.

He was relieved yesterday though to report that there are no further casualties to add to the injury list following the latest international matches.

“We managed to get some work done and the most important thing was to get through it and get all the players back in one piece,” Postecoglou said.

“It’s a relief, absolutely, because the last international window wasn’t kind to us to say the least.

“I was watching the Australia game in Japan with many lit candles, saying the odd prayer now and again! Australia lost the game but I was glad those guys came out of it unscathed.

“I’m still a fan and watch it with a vested interest in the country doing well and qualifying for the World Cup.

“But you’re also a manager and have other concerns. There’s no doubt I was delighted when Kyogo wasn’t in the starting line-up.

“I was quite happy seeing Tommy [Rogic] jog off with no issues, so that was probably my biggest delight.

“They are okay. Tommy has been doing it for many years now and he knows his own body and how to deal with things.

“The players are professional in how they recover. Kyogo came back on Wednesday, had a lighter session and then a more intense one today.”