In a previous article, I mentioned how Ange Postecoglou is a manager who doesn’t just focus on the next game ahead of him but factors in the whole season. This was again evidenced in his interview with Celtic TV, reported by the Daily Record.
In this, Ange discussed the importance of ensuring the whole squad is up to speed before the Champions League Group Stages begin in September.
To do this Ange has scheduled the time available during this ‘one game a week’ time to schedule bounce games for the fringe players to ensure their match sharpness should they be called into action.
“It’s like anything, it’s beneficial if we use it right, otherwise it’s a waste for us we have been planning this for quite a while.
“It gives an opportunity, once the games start we know are not going to get a lot of time to do it, now is the time to bed it down.
“We have a couple of bounce games organised for the guys who haven’t played, so when we need to throw them in they’re match ready. You’ve seen in the first two games, we have had injuries and illnesses, I want to put them in knowing they are ready.”
Ange clearly knows how to get the maximum out of his squad and get them to peak at the right time.
His success in Asia and Australia, whose leagues depend on winning Grand Finals at the end have ensured Ange knows how to finish strong, but here he is showing he can push on from the get-go in the SPFL with two wins out of two so far.
Celtic next play Kilmarnock at Rugby Park on Sunday.
With the transfer window almost close to an end take our quiz and test your knowledge of Celtic’s most expensive transfers.