Postecoglou keen for fans to respect minute’s silence
ANGE POSTECOGLOU has asked the Celtic supporters who disturbed a minute’s silence at Dens Park to show the “respect and dignity” worthy of the football club.
A section of the Celtic support whistled and sang throughout the silence for Remembrance Day, with referee Alan Muir ultimately forced to blow his whistle early.
The Celtic manager praised the majority of fans who respected the silence, but while he was understanding of differing views within the support, he urged the rest to represent the football club in a similarly dignified manner.
“You would have to ask the individuals why they felt the need to do that,” Postecoglou said. “My view again is pretty simple, that we treat these things with respect and dignity and that’s what we try to do. We certainly did and I think the majority of the fans did because that’s the kind of football club we are.”
The Celtic support also disrupted the opening to the 4-2 win by raining tennis balls on to the field in protest at the potential appointment of former police chief Bernard Higgins to a senior role at the club.
Postecoglou had no issue with the fans making their feelings known, but has said that he would prefer they kept such protests outwith the match itself.
“My view on all those kind of things is that we live in a society where people are allowed to express themselves,” he said. “I don’t necessarily think it’s a bad thing.
“My preference is that it doesn’t affect the 90 minutes of football. The 90 minutes of football is the time when I want us all united, the whole football club. Ultimately that is what we are all here for, those 90 minutes.
“That would be my preference but ultimately there are avenues for these kind of things for people to express themselves if they are not happy about something. It’s not necessarily a bad thing but as I said I’d rather protect the sanctity of that 90 minutes because I know how precious it is and if we want to be a successful team, we need everyone united for that.
“You need to understand when people aren’t happy about issues they have every right to
express themselves, it’s just the manner in which they do it.
“It’s a special football club and we want to have success here and I think we all live and breathe for those 90 minutes and I’d like in those 90 minutes for us to be a united club.”
As for the match itself, Postecoglou was delighted with the attacking performance of his side after their Europa League exertions against Ferencvaros on Thursday evening, but warned his men they can’t afford to “take liberties” in their defending after conceding twice.
“It was a good performance, a strong performance,” he said. “We played some excellent football at times and controlled the game and played it on our terms.
“We scored four great goals and we could have been a little bit more ruthless in front of goal.
“We were disappointed to concede two goals. We just got a bit sloppy for both goals and part of our progress is to understand that we can’t lose focus or take liberties with our game.
“But overall [I was pleased] considering Thursday night and the fact we didn’t get back until the early hours of Friday.”
Dundee manager James McPake was disappointed with the third goal his side lost that killed the contest, but praised their character after going two down early on.
“In terms of effort, I can’t ask any more of the group,” McPake said. “The ones that go on and the ones that start.
“Celtic came out of the blocks really well and punished us. That’s what is going to happen against really good players who, if you give them a sniff, are going to punish you in both halves.
“Ultimately, the third goal kills the contest to a degree and it’s a poor goal by our standards. The players are annoyed at that.”