Post Match
All the action and reaction inside
It was tongues out for Edinburgh’s Premiership pacesetters yesterday. Armand Gnanduillet was on the mark for Hearts in their win over Dundee United, while Martin Boyle hit the net against Livingston to help put Hibernian top of the table on goal difference from their capital rivals.
Losing his first big derby game as a manager hurt Ange Postecoglou so badly, he was unable to look fellow club officials in the eye afterwards.
The Celtic boss believes the pain he felt from Melbourne Victory’s defeat to rivals, Melbourne Heart, in 2012 helped shape him into the coach he is today.
And as he prepares for today’s Old Firm clash, he insisted that whatever happens at Ibrox, he will be better for the experience.
“I’ve been lucky enough to be involved in a number of games that hold that kind of significance, and you take something away from all of them,” said the Greekborn Australian.
“The experience, the build-up to it, it’s all part of it. And you come out of the other side, usually, with the knowledge that you have added to the person you are.
“As human beings, these experiences shape us. These games were all unique, and have different things attached to them.
“Does it prepare you for this particular derby? Probably not. Each derby is unique – and this one is definitely unique.
“It’s one of the biggest fixtures in global football, so I am looking forward to that experience, and I am sure I will come out the other side enhanced as a person.”
Not that the Celtic boss, who wrote about his experience of the Melbourne derby for a local newspaper, is underplaying the importance of today’s result.
“As coaches, we can say it’s only one game of football, it’s only three points, you don’t get extra,” he said.
“That is true as a coach or manager. But it’s not lost on me that this means more than three points to our supporters.
“I know what this will mean if we can get a victory – particularly away from home.
“I know what it will mean to our supporters, but even for our players it is a big game, and there is extra significance.
“As much as managers want to take a calculated view – and say that we won’t get carried away if we are successful, and not get too down if we lose – it’s a fixture that means a lot to the people at this football club.
“You carry that responsibility into the game.”
The Hoops boss has received widespread praise for the impact he has had on the team, with Celtic quickly adopting his brand of fluid, high-tempo, attacking play.
The formula, which has yielded 25
goals from the last seven games, should, Postecoglou believes, also prove effective in the frenzy of the Old Firm derby.
“I set up my teams to play that way because you know that in the big games, there is inevitably an extra energy,” he said.
“Whether that is generated by the significance of the fixture or the crowd, the pace tends to be pretty frenetic at the start. If you get used to that on a daily basis, then you are more likely to be able to perform in these matches. It’s not a major adjustment.
“We talked about that on Thursday, that in the first 20 minutes, AZ were going to come at us and we needed to start well. We did. We started brilliantly. We played our football, scored our goal and created chances.
“Unfortunately, we made a couple of mistakes, and we saw how quickly momentum shifts in that scenario.
“We expect the pace, tempo and intensity to be high on Sunday, but that’s the football we want to play.
“If we go into that environment and do that, we will come out stronger, for sure.”
Whether the same will hold true for the end of the transfer window remains to be seen. Ryan Christie (Southampton) and Odsonne Edouard (Bordeaux) have both been linked with moves away.
“I will be happy if they are all still with us on Wednesday,” said Postecoglou. “I’ve said before that I am not going to convince anyone to stay, but they are quality players.
“Ryan and Odsonne are the ones people are speaking about most, and they have both been fantastic since I have come in, both in terms of their attitude and the way they train.
“I also know that these are decisions for them. They know what is best for their careers and their lives.
“If it so happens that they leave in this window, then they do so on the best possible terms. They have given everything for the shirt.
“If they stay, then brilliant.”
The passing of Jock Stein’s son, George, was announced by Celtic yesterday.
A statement read: “Everyone at Celtic is deeply saddened to learn of the death of George Stein, son of legendary Celtic manager, Jock Stein.
“George passed away last night after a long illness.
“The thoughts and prayers of everyone at the club are with George’s family at this difficult time.”