PUSKAS AND ME
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admits must be won if his side is to have any chance of making the knockout stages?
The very suggestion that his openly aggressive, cavalier tactical approach might carry too high a tariff at this level almost comes as an insult to his principles.
He said: “High tariff ? I like that! I haven’t heard that one before, but it’s pretty accurate.
“I enjoy that part of it, the fact that people debate the merits or otherwise, and whether I should take a pragmatic approach.
“But for me, that’s what I believe in, that’s what I think will bring us success, and that’s the approach. Mate, I did it at a World
Cup facing up to Arjen Robben, Robin van Persie, Andres Iniesta, and David Villa. I took that approach, we paid a price – or a high tariff – then as well, but I still think it’s the way forward mate.
“As for the game itself, I expect it to be pretty open. I expect both teams to go for it. I wouldn’t be at all surprised if there are goals in it tomorrow.
“From our perspective, don’t be mistaken that I disregard the opposition or what they bring to the table when setting up the Celtic team.
“We do a lot of analysis, we understand where their strengths lie and we have to make sure we are vigilant in minimising whatever strengths they have. But at the same time, we have to back ourselves.
“We are at home, we want to be a team that dominates games, scores goals, so you’ve got to be prepared to do that against the best opposition.”
It’s a fascinating – if dangerously stubborn – mindset. Not only does Postecoglou believe firmly in risk and reward but, like Puskas, he refuses to believe that results should ever be considered as the be-all-and-end-all.
Asked if he feels there is an onus on both Celtic and Rangers this week to land some blows for the reputation of the Scottish game he answered: “For me, it’s not just about getting a result.
“It’s also about playing football that maybe other nations and other clubs will notice.
“If we can do that then we will raise the profile of the local game as well.
“Scottish clubs have always managed to pick up results against much bigger opposition in Europe. That’s part of the history and traditions of the game here.
“But part of it for me is to hopefully get the rest of Europe talking about the football we are playing as well as the results we get.”