You would think by now the press would have knowledge of Ange Postecoglou. By knowledge I’m not only speaking about his coaching history and achievements but the fact that he won’t stand for daft questions in a press conference.
During today’s presser in preparation for the Europa League qualifier against Alkmaar, a reporter was asking Ange about the importance of playing in Europe but then followed it up with this one liner that made the Celtic gaffer give that ‘not again look’, “How important is that experience of playing further into Europe in your eyes and also I guess your evolution as coach?”
And Postecoglou’s response was class, “Yeah, you know, again, I’ve coached at the World Cup have faced some pretty big games. It’s not like I need more experience to understand what’s at stake.”
Short and simple. It’s as if some members of the press still don’t know a thing about the Celtic gaffer. It’s as if the journalist didn’t know Ange has over 20 years experience as a top level coach.
But Postecoglou carried on professionally and spoke about the game and it’s the players that need to understand the importance of Europe, “But I think it is important for the players and new players that when you’re involved in this football club, that’s part of it.
“You’re going to be in big games all the time there’s constant pressure every week to win every game.
“But that is the responsibility, but also the beauty of playing for this football club.
“Every game is an opportunity to do something special and certainly tomorrow night when we get that sort of platform to play in a big game for the players to showcase their talent, and for us as a team to to keep progressing and evolving into the team we want to be.
“But you know it’s one step but it’s not a defining step. Not in my eyes anyway.”
Celtic face AZ Alkmaar at the AZ Stadion with kick off at 7.15pm. The Hoops lead the tie 2-0 and hope to put the Dutch to the sword to progress to the group stages.