SUPER GLOU
Aussie is my manager of the year after putting shattered Celts back together for title charge says Bonner
PAT BONNER reckons sealing the title will make Ange Postecoglou manager of the year.
And the ex-Celtic keeper says it would be the icing on the cake for the Aussie’s squad if they can beat Rangers to just about get it done.
Postecoglou has engineered a sublime start to his time in Scotland. Within a year of his arrival from Japan, the 56-yearold has rebuilt a squad now on course to be crowned kings.
With four games to go, Celtic are six points clear at the summit and on the brink of glory.
Postecoglou has already won a Premier Sports Cup but the flag – and, with it, entry straight into the lucrative Champions League group stage – is the ultimate prize.
Bonner knows there are a number of candidates who have done well this season.
The 61-year-old nominated Dick Campbell as one who has done tremendous work with Arbroath, the Gayfield side going into the play-offs to reach the Premiership.
National coach Steve Clarke, Ross County boss Malky Mackay and Hearts gaffer Robbie Neilson are all nominees on the Scottish Football Writers’ Association list.
But Bonner says that if Postecoglou gets over the finishing line for the country’s top honour, that will make him the best.
“Oh, I think so,” he said. “From where he and the team started from. If they win it.
“From where that position was at the start to where they are now is night and day.
“And playing a really good brand of football as well when they get to top form with the group he has assembled.
“When you put all of those things together, you would have to say he’s done a marvellous job.
“I know there are other managers out there who have done really well.
“Just look at the job Dick has done with Arbroath, for example.
“But this is a different level in the Premiership and when you look at where they were to where they are now, you have to give him great credit.
“To win a double, in that respect after the season before, turnaround of players and whole new squad, it’d be a remarkable job if he does it.” Sunday’s 2-0 win away to Ross County means Celtic now need two more from four games to be sure, perhaps even just the one if they can defeat Rangers on their own patch in four days’ time. Given the gulf between the sides in terms of goal difference, a victory in the east end of Glasgow would make it almost impossible for them to be overhauled. Bonner admits it doesn’t really matter where a title is won given the significance of the success. However, he concedes that putting one foot over the finishing line against Gio van Bronckhorst’s team would be extra sweet for everyone connected with the club. Bonner added: “You want to win the league, first and foremost.
“That would be a remarkable achievement in itself with the League Cup in the bag.
“To win it against Rangers would be the icing on the cake.
“But, to be honest, at this stage every game is important.
“Look at Dingwall, that was so important. If they had lost up there or dropped points, the nerves may have kicked in a little bit.
“To go there and do the business, I felt that was the one. They can afford to get a draw against Rangers, even a defeat, and they would still be in a great position to win the league.
“If they had dropped any points against Ross County, it may have made Sunday’s match a slightly different ball game. But they will be released mentally. They have another full week to prepare, whereas Rangers have their big game against Leipzig in midweek.
“They are at home in front of their own fans and their tempo against Ross County was good, certainly up until 75 minutes. The changes they made were much more effective than they were at Hampden against Rangers, so they are in a great position.
“You couldn’t really ask for any more but, of course, the fans would love them to beat Rangers.”
Bonner was at the Global Energy Stadium three days ago to see Celtic take their latest step towards the title with victory over Mackay’s Staggies.
The former goalie was full of praise for the way Postecoglou’s team responded to their semi-final setback by getting into the groove again in the flag fight, re-establishing their six-point cushion.
Bonner said: “The response in Dingwall was fantastic compared to the Scottish Cup semi-final when they looked a little bit jaded and not quite at it.
“Against Ross County the tempo was high. They played good football against a good team at home.
“They got it right physically and mentally during the week ahead of the game. And that is a big step because, going up there, nerves can take over.
“They had looked a little leggy against Rangers but they clearly worked hard. Credit to Ange and the staff to get it right and for the players to handle the situation.”
You couldn’t ask for any more but, of course, fans would love to beat Rangers