No excuses for Ange after defeat

ANGE POSTECOGLOU has warned his Celtic players there are no excuses for their lacklustre display in their defeat to Sydney FC in the opening game of the Sydney Super Cup, and that they were a mile away from where they need to be.

The Scottish champions were deservedly beaten 2- 1 by the A- League side yesterday morning, just a couple of days after two long- haul flights to Australia, but the Celtic manager wasn’t accepting the lengthy journey and the time difference as explanations for their poor showing.

And he says they will have to sharpen up for their next game against Everton on Sunday before returning home, reminding them they are not on holiday.

“It was a very good game and there was a lot of goalmouth action but we were nowhere near it,” Postecoglou said. “We were well off it.

“We didn’t start the game well and credit to Sydney, I thought they were good and they were sharp and started the game better.

“In the second half we improved a little bit but we were nowhere near the levels we needed to be and Sydney deserved to win.

“It is always a disappointment irrespective of any loss. We set a standard and expectations and levels and if we fall below that then it is disappointing irrespective of the circumstances or what the environment is or what the competition is.

“I am not a violin player. We get on with it. They probably are tired. So what? The game was today it is not tomorrow. That’s the way it is and we were not anywhere near the levels we needed to be at but that is part of the learning process for everyone.

“I understand it is not easy and it is a long trip, and in any game of football there is always excuses if you want them. We have chosen not to do that in the past and that is what we’ll do today.

“I’m not here on a holiday. I am here representing our football club and that’s where my focus is. I am not going to be getting a boat round the harbour tomorrow.

“I enjoy it when things go well. I don’t enjoy it when they don’t.”