Postecoglou to ‘sit down and chat’ with McGregor
ANGE Postecoglou will appoint a new Celtic captain from within the current ranks as he looks for Scott Brown’s successor.
Callum McGregor would appear to be the most likely option with the midfielder’s contribution to Scotland’s cause at the European Championships eagerly watched by his new manager.
“I watched him live and I thought he had a tremendous tournament, irrespective of his goal,” said the former Australia coach. “I thought he grew into the tournament. Even in the last game he was in the middle of everything, he really wanted to be involved and take a leadership role.
“He is certainly one that I will sit down and chat to. He has a great history around the club and I kind of think he will come back really motivated, really wanting to take this club up. He is definitely one of the people I will be looking to for leadership, irrespective of whether he is captain or not. I see him as a very influential figure for sure.
“I haven’t met Scott Brown, I’ve just watched from afar and being at the club the way people talk about him he was an unbelievable leader.
“So with him gone there is a vacuum. It’s about seeing now whether there is somebody within the club who wants to step up. Because it’s often difficult when you have such a powerful figure there. Others maybe don’t feel comfortable expressing themselves, as much – out of respect more than anything else. Now that that person has gone I’m going to be looking within the club to see if there is a person there.”
Postecoglou’s immediate task is to overhaul the playing squad but there was a word of warning for those who appear eager to head for pastures new. Some of the discord of last season appeared to be sown in the summer months when players were unhappy at the club preventing them from moving on with Postecoglou inheriting the same issues.
“It’s not just me and what I desire,” he said. “Whether it’s Odsonne Edouard or whoever it is, what they decide could be at cross purposes. My feeling is that whatever dreams and aspirations the players may have I think they can accomplish them here.”