A look back at Ange Postecoglou’s best Celtic quotes ahead of the Sydney Super Cup

Ange Postecoglou is certainly leaving his mark on Scottish football, not just for winning the Scottish Premiership title last season against all odds, but for his memorable quotes.

The Greek-Australian manager now has a reputation among Scots for being an outspoken speaker with a quick tongue, but also honest and open to joking.

As Celtic prepare to take on Sydney FC at the Allianz Stadium for the Sydney Super Cup on Thursday, Keep Up looks back at some of Postecoglou’s most iconic quotes in Glasgow’s East End so far.

ANGEL RETURNS

Celtic caused a stir in the UK when they took Postecoglou from J1 League side Yokohama F.Marinos ahead of the 2021-22 season.

The former Socceroos boss wasted no time in putting down the gauntlet in his first press conference as Celtic manager. When asked how he would fare working at a higher level, Postecoglou replied.

“I guess you’re saying I worked at a lower level, or something like that,” said Postecoglou, who won the 2015 AFC Asian Cup after coaching Australia at the World Cup. FIFA Men’s World Cup 2014, while guiding the Socceroos to Russia 2018.

“I guess it’s a matter of opinion. I coached at a World Cup.

Go Mate!

Postecoglou is not an alien! Ahead of his Scottish Premiership arc with Celtic last season, he joked that he wasn’t ready to face Hearts at Tynecastle.

“I’m still on the same planet, I’m not from outer space,” Postecoglou said. “You’d be surprised how much I know about Hearts.”

“I’m still on the same planet, mate. I’m not from outer space.” 😂

Australian Celtic boss Ange Postecoglou has fun with the Scottish press ahead of the Bhoys’ season opener with Hearts… 😜🍀#OptusSport pic.twitter.com/hHhCI6G42P

— Optus Sport (@OptusSport) July 31, 2021

I AM NOT AN ACCOUNTING MATE

Postecoglou was at his classic best with this comeback.

Asked about the financial boost that European football brings, the former Brisbane Roar and Melbourne Victory manager replied: “I’m not an accountant friend. I am a soccer coach.

“When people start talking to me about finances, they miss the essence of who I am.”

Ange Postecoglou, when asked what exiting the Champions League would mean for Celtic finances: “I’m not an accountant friend. I’m a football manager.”

— John McGinley (@jhnmcgnly) July 21, 2021

ANGEL ACCENT

Postecoglou used his knowledge of the J1 League by signing Japanese trio Reo Hatate, Daizen Maeda and Yosuku Ideguchi in the January transfer window.

With all three players on board in Glasgow, Postecoglou was quick to be asked if he could understand the locals in Scotland.

“Not really,” he said.

“I’m fine. I’m sorry for the Japanese boys. They worked very hard to learn English before coming here and found it didn’t help them at all.

ARE YOU NOT AMUSED?

Postecoglou and BBC journalist Kenny McIntyre are usually box office entertainment.

The pair enjoyed some great clashes, not least when McIntyre told Postecoglou that Celtic’s 2-0 win over St Mirren was a “tough watch” last season.

“It depends on what you’re looking for,” he replied. “Maybe you’re disappointed with how it turned out, mate. I’m not really sure.

ONLY YOU CAN MAKE IT FEEL LIKE A DOWNER

Yes, it’s Postecoglou and McIntyre again… this time after Hearts’ 4-1 rout of Celtic before the Bhoys won the title last season.

McIntyre asked if Postecoglou had a preference as to when Celtic would win the title to dethrone bitter rivals Rangers.

Postecoglou joked, “Only you can make winning a championship feel like a failure.

“No, mate, anyway, thanks.”

This guy has been a fantastic addition to Scottish football.

Keeps you on your toes, but pleasant to manage. https://t.co/VIFHls66ln

— Kenny Macintyre (@kennymacsport) May 7, 2022

SACKED BY CHRISTMAS: ANGE’S AWARD BARB

With the two trophies won in his first season, Postecoglou was voted PFA and SWFA manager of the year.

Postecoglou was quick to poke fun at a certain chant after some fans were quick to tip him during his spell at Celtic in 2021-22.

“At the start, there weren’t a lot of expectations in terms of success,” he said.

“Whether it was because of me and my own background or because of the ground we had to make up for.

“People just recognize the challenge we had and how we overcame that challenge.

“I’m very proud of it, but as I said that night, I didn’t get the one I was favorite for – sacked at Christmas.”

THE BEST OF THE REST

And here are other nuggets from Postecoglou.

“If you want proof of what Scottish clubs can do in Europe, there’s a trophy I can show you just down the road, mate,” Postecoglou replied last season when asked. if Rangers’ run in the UEFA Europa League had demonstrated just how well Scottish teams could do in Europe.

🗣️ “If you want proof of what Scottish clubs can do in Europe, there’s a trophy I can show you just down the road, mate…”

Celtic manager Ange Postecoglou says Rangers have “done very well” in Europe but stresses it’s not a new phenomenon… ⤵️

— BBC Sport Scotland (@BBCSportScot) April 29, 2022

Ahead of Celtic’s blockbuster showdown with UEFA Champions League holders Real Madrid in September, Postecoglou bristled as he spoke of an apparent lack of ‘plan B’: “Maybe if I was German, Dutch or Spanish, people might see me differently as a manager in terms of tactics. Apparently I have a simple approach, a plan A. But we’ll stick to that.

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