The Scottish Sun

ANGE POSTECOGLOU promised Spurs fans he would deliver them a trophy after arriving from Celtic.

He is now on the cusp of doing just that - but it hasn't stopped him losing patience in his press conferences.

The Tottenham boss has guided the Lilywhites to the Europa League final, in which they will play Premier League rivals Manchester United.

And despite their European run, their poor form in the Prem has put Postecoglou in a position where he could lose his job.

Spurs are currently 16th in the league and could finish 17th (one spot above relegation) if West Ham earn more points over the course of the final three games.

Spurs beat Bodo/Glimt 2-0 in Norway last night - the same outit his Celtic side lost to in 2022 - to earn a 5-1 win on aggregate and book their place in the final.

The all-England affair is now being billed as something of a winners-takes-all for the two coaches involved - whoever lifts the trophy will keep their job.

Postecoglou was quizzed by the media after his team clinched their final berth and took several questions on how this tie could factor into both his and Ruben Amorim's future in their respective dugouts.

He even quipped that neither of them would be allowed to hold the trophy because they are "not worthy" of it due to their subpar domestic form.

And he certainly didn't take kindly to questions comparing their seasons.

Postecoglou said: "It's going to upset a lot of people isn't it?

"The debate's now raging. The latest one is that neither of us will be able to get a trophy if we win, they're just going to take a team photo because we're not worthy.

"I mean, who cares if we're struggling in the league? It's a separate thing. It's got nothing to do with league form.

"I couldn't care less who's struggling and who's not. I think both us and Manchester United have earned the right to be there."

But things ramped up a notch when it was pointed out that over at Old Trafford, there is a belief that winning the Europa League wouldn't make up for an otherwise dreadful season.

Postecoglou was furious and interrupted the reporter before he could finish his question, and said: "I don't care. Why would I care what Man United think?

"Why is that relevant to me? Ask the Manchester United manager why he says that. I've said all along that this is important."

Postecoglou then explained that Spurs and United cannot be compared, given the disparity in the two clubs' trophy cabinet,

He said that United, over the last 20 years, have regularly won trophies (even if of late they have dried up) while Spurs have little to boast about save for a League Cup win in the 2007-08 season and a Champions League finals appearance in 2019.

Postecoglou blasted: "What's happening now is people are fearing that it actually might happen, and let's see how we can tear it down somehow and diminish it somehow by saying it's been a poor season and we don't deserve this or we don't deserve that, or somehow comparing us to Man United.

"Maybe if we had Man United's success then maybe I'd have a different view. So, of course it's massive.

"You have to frame it against what this club has been through over the last 15 or 20 years and what the supporters have been through.

"We've given them some real hope and something to dream about that we can do something special this year."

ALLY McCOIST has branded the situation at one of English football's top clubs 'laughable.'

And the Rangers and Scotland legend reckons they're creating a perception of 'profit rather than product.'

It's been a dismal season for Tottenham Hotspur.

The North London giants are sitting 14th in the Premier League table and are out of contention for domestic silverware.

Spurs are, however, still in the Europa League with the continental competition presenting their only hope of ending a long wait for a trophy.

Ex-Celtic boss Ange Postecoglou finds himself under plenty of pressure as manager, while plenty of fingers have been pointed at long-serving chairman Daniel Levy.

Many Spurs fans have vented their frustration at the club's transfer business and want to see more money invested into the playing squad.

This week, however, Levy hit back.

The businessman, who's been at the Spurs helm since 2001, warned fans that transfer activity would have to be done in a "sustainable" manner.

His comments came after Tottenham's annual earnings saw a drop in revenue.

Defending his record in the transfer market, Levy said: "Since opening our new stadium in April 2019, we have invested over £700million net in player acquisitions.

"Recruitment remains a key focus, and we must ensure that we make smart purchases within our financial means.

"A closer examination of today’s financial figures reveals that such spending must be sustainable in the long term and within our operating revenues.

"Our capacity to generate recurring revenues determines our spending power. We cannot spend what we do not have, and we will not compromise the financial stability of this club."

The situation at Spurs was discussed at length on talkSPORT Breakfast, where Gers legend McCoist was joined by regular co-host Jeff Stelling.

McCoist admitted he could see Levy's point from a business sense.

However, looking from a fans' point of view, he branded it LAUGHABLE and put that down to the supporters' key desire - to win a trophy.

He also pointed to the fact that this season's FA Cup has been so open - with Spurs nowhere to be seen after being eliminated in the fourth round.

After reading Levy's words, Stelling said: "That's not what Spurs fans want to be hearing, is it?"

McCoist replied: "Something's got to give somewhere. I mean, you've got to run a tight ship in an organised business and that's exactly what's happening.

"However, it's quite simple. Spurs fans want to win something!

"Do you know what I mean? They've got to win something.

"I mean, it's actually becoming laughable at this moment in time.

"They've now fallen behind - you think about it, this has been one of the FA Cups, right, in a long, long time. Wide open and Spurs aren't even in it."

McCoist continued and stated why he believes the club is putting too much emphasis on 'profit rather than product.'

And he reckons that'll be the Spurs fans' central complaint.

He added: "I think where a lot of the Spurs fans, yes, we want to run like a business, yes we want it to be a profitable business.

"But the amount of profit shouldn't deter from what we're getting on the pitch.

"The club has to be run prudently and successfully, which it will be under Levy, there's no doubt about that.

"But I think the Spurs fans' complaints would be there's too much emphasis on profit rather than product."

AN unlikely figure has been spotted rubbing shoulders with the Tartan Army fans in Athens .. former Celtic boss Ange Postecoglou.

In an image shared by Tartan Army stalwart John Nicol, the Spurs gaffer was all smiles ahead of Thursday night's crunch Nations League play-off clash against Steve Clarke's men as he enjoyed a break with his family.

With Callum McGregor having made the decision to retire from international duty after the Euros, the only Celtic star in Clarke's squad who Postecoglou has worked with is Tony Ralston.

But he retains a good relationship with SFA bosses, having generously given his time to Pro Licence candidates in London recently.

Postecoglou is currently under major pressure at the Tottenham, where Spurs languish in 14th spot.

He was confronted by one of his own fans after last week's defeat at Fulham but is making good use of his international down time to recharge the batteries is essential with Spurs currently languishing in 14th spot in the English Premier League.

Spurs aren't back in action until April 3 against Chelsea - although the Aussie also has the chance to ease those second season blues by lifting the Europa League trophy.

He was born in the outskirts of Greece, before migrating to Melbourne with his family at the age of 5.

A popular figure during his time in Scotland, Postecoglou was greeted warmly by the Tartan Army and has been speaking warmly of the passion of the Scotland fans.

He's previously spoken of the upheaval of leaving Greece for Australia at such a tender age.

He said: "I was five years old when we got on a boat for a month and headed over to Australia.

"I don’t have great recollections of it. At the time, there was a bit of upheaval in Greece and, unfortunately, we got caught up with that.

"My father made the decision that we needed to move abroad.

"You are talking about going half way around the world to a place where you literally don't know a soul, you don't know the language, you have no guarantee of any housing, any employment.

"All they have really given you is a ticket."

THE January transfer window looks like it'll shake things up a little at Celtic on the park.

And now according to a report, the Hoops have surprisingly drafted in a former English Premier League manager to help unearth new players - at the grand age of EIGHTY.

SunSport were first to reveal that Kieran Tierney could seal a stunning return to Celtic this month.

The Hoops are also eyeing a move for £8.5million-rated Spanish winger Raul Moro, while there are question marks over Kyogo's future.

Now as the Celts attempt to unearth new talent, they've turned to a veteran of the English game.

The Daily Mail are reporting that Celtic have appointed David Pleat to a scouting role at the club.

The development comes just a day after Pleat celebrated turning EIGHTY.

A Tottenham Hotspur icon, Pleat performed a number of roles at the club before leaving at the end of last season.

Having managed Nuneaton and Luton, Pleat became Spurs boss in 1986 but departed the following year.

He went on to manage Leicester, Luton again and Sheffield Wednesday before going back to White Hart Lane.

Pleat became Spurs' first director of football in 1998 and once again became manager in 2003 after Glenn Hoddle's sacking on an interim basis.

He saw out the 2003/04 campaign in charge.

Pleat then undertook advisory roles at various clubs before returning to Tottenham again in 2010 in a scouting role, a position he held until last year.

Known for his ability to spot young talent, Pleat plucked several players from obscurity who would go on to become key first team players at the North London club.

He was also boss when Spurs made some big signings, including Jermain Defoe.

In more recent years, Pleat was credited with playing a key role in Spurs signing top stars such as Dele Alli and Jan Vertonghen.

He was also well known as a commentator, working for the BBC and ITV at several World Cups and European Championships.

But now, it appears he's back in football at Celtic.

The report claims that Pleat has been offered the scouting role by the head of recruitment Paul Tisdale.

It's said to be a 12-month deal and will see Pleat watching games and keeping an eye on players in England for the Hoops.

WHEN Ange Postecoglou left Celtic for Tottenham Hotspur in the summer of 2023, many believed he would take a few of his former Hoops charges with him.

So far that hasn't happened - though he did lure ex-Celtic coach Chris Davies to London with him.

However that could change next month when the January transfer window opens, with reports suggesting the Spurs boss is considering a move for the Hoops' man of the moment at present.

Nicolas Kuhn has been in fine form for Brendan Rodgers' side this season with 25 goal contributions from 25 appearances.

The winger's return of 11 assists across all competitions would be impressive alone but when you add in his 14 goals, it's no surprise up to FIVE Premier League teams are sniffing around him.

Indeed, even La Liga giants Barcelona were linked with him.

It was reported back in November that Brentford were interested in the 24-year-old but now, according to TBR Football, Tottenham have joined the race for his services.

They claim Aston Villa, Brighton, Crystal Palace and Newcastle are also tracking the German, with some of them having been scouting him since the summer.

Kuhn joined Celtic from Rapid Vienna last January for £3m but he endured an indifferent start to life in Scottish football.

He had previously been on the books at Ajax and Bayern Munich, though primarily played for their reserve teams.

Kuhn featured at every youth level for Germany from under-15 through to under-20.

He has now been touted for a call-up to the full senior squad, particularly in the wake of his man of the match display against Bundesliga side RB Leipzig in the Champions League last month.

Germany head coach Julian Nagelsmann was even quoted as saying: "Kuhn is also a good player with a lot of desire. He’s someone we’re keeping an eye on."

Meanwhile, Celtic could let two other players walk in January.

Odin Holm is poised to move to MLS and Greg Taylor has emerged as a target for Dinamo Zagreb.

Taylor is understood to be viewed by Dinamo boss Fabio Cannavaro as a player they would welcome on a free in the summer when his contract expires.

But the clubs could end up agreeing a deal that would see the Scotland left-back move this window - depending on what happens with Alex Valle and Kieran Tierney.

RANGERS made it eight games unbeaten with a 3-0 win at Ross County on Sunday.

But manager Philippe Clement was quick to temper expectations for the coming week which will see Rangers take on Tottenham and Celtic.

The Gers boss claimed his side will need to approach the matches differently due to the financial disparity between the Ibrox club and their two opponents.

He said: "They are totally different kind of games, maybe we need to say financially out of our league, the two games.

"We're going to compete and it's a really nice challenge for our squad to show themselves in these games and what we can do against those teams."

The Belgian was bashed by former Scotland international James McFadden for the defeatist nature of his comments.

And now former Rangers star Andy Halliday has joined the criticism coming Clement's way.

Speaking on Clyde 1 Superscoreboard, Motherwell ace Halliday explained his issue with the message that Clement's attitude was sending to his players.

Halliday said: "I don't go along with it, especially when, five days previously at the AGM, you're talking about building this winning mentality and you're expecting to win trophies and win every single week.

"Then in the post-match against Ross County you're talking about a financial gulf.

"One thing I've learned is, if you give footballers any excuse, believe me they'll take it.

"I think you've already planted a little seed of doubt, 'we're coming up against teams on Thursday and Sunday that have got a lot more money than us', so it wasn't a comment that I particularly liked."

Host Gordon Duncan speculated that supporters could be angered by the Belgian grouping Celtic alongside Tottenham in terms of the financial distance between them and Rangers.

He said: "Is the bit that's sticking in some throats that, even though you're being accurate in saying Celtic have more money, they aren't in a different stratosphere?

"We're not talking English Premier League vs Rangers or Rangers vs Ross County, we're talking about a team that's just financially in better health."

Halliday replied: "Well, the different stratospheres that you're talking about is against Hearts who Rangers have drawn 0-0 with and Aberdeen who Rangers lost to.

"Managers will sometimes come out with this when it suits them, but when you come up against Celtic at the weekend, I don't think they're worlds apart."

ANGE POSTECOGLOU'S return to Scottish football to take on Rangers at Ibrox with Spurs is one of the most eagerly awaited fixtures on the schedule.

And it turns out that no-one is looking forward to it more than Spurs teenager Archie Gray.

The talented midfielder/full back, of course, is part of one of Britain's most illustrious footballing families.

Sadly he has opted thus far to play his international football for England rather than Scotland, like his dad Andy and Grandad Frank.

His younger brother Harry has also been turning heads with his goalscoring exploits in the Leeds United academy.

But the youngster who left Leeds United with a big transfer fee for Spurs in the summer grew up with an affection for Celtic - and he told Football London how he's determined to get involved in the trip to Govan.

The two teams meet in the Europa League in December in a Battle of Britain and it should be a cracker.

He has already attended Old Firm games as a fan - but never at Ibrox.

He said: "Especially watching Celtic and supporting them a little bit you always look for the Rangers game.

"The chance to play at Ibrox is a special thing and I can't wait for it.

"I have been to one (Old Firm) and it wasn't at Ibrox.

"They're brilliant games and I love them every single time.

"Even on TV they're just as good to watch."

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EX-CELTIC boss Ange Postecoglou reckons there's an ARROGANCE about people in the English Premier League.

To the Tottenham boss, it's still just football.

It's been almost two-and-a-half years since Postecoglou, 59, shocked Celtic fans by leaving for England.

The Aussie boss made himself a Hoops hero by leading the Parkhead club to back-to-back Scottish Premiership titles, including a treble in his second season in charge.

But just weeks after a Scottish Cup Final win secured that triumph, Postecoglou stunned Celtic by quitting for Spurs.

In a new interview with Australian outlet Optus Sports, Postecoglou was been opening up on some of the differences - and similarities - between his time in Scotland and England.

And of those is that he believes there's an air of ARROGANCE surrounding people in English football's top tier.

Postecoglou also insisted it's just football to him and he sees little difference in the type of demands he faces at Tottenham compared to Celtic.

Asked if the level of scrutiny at Spurs is more difficult than his previous jobs, Postecoglou said: "No and I'll tell you why.

"There's a little bit of pretentiousness and arrogance about people in the Premier League - thinking that they're in a special place, right?

"But it's still football.

"And whether it's a thousand South Melbourne supporters who weren't happy with me after a game and gave me direct feedback or hundreds of thousands around the world, it's still the same to me.

"I care about what I do. And if I've upset one person, that's enough for me.

"So the scrutiny - it's not the challenge for me.

"The challenge is, yes, the competition is more challenging for sure because you're playing against and competing against the best in the world.

"The demands of that are pretty dramatic in terms of where I've come from in terms of starting my journey. But at the same time, I've kind of moved up the levels.

"The club has its own unique challenges for sure. Are they more difficult than others?"

Postecoglou then went on to compare his current role with the demands at Celtic.

And when explaining the demands of the Parkhead role, he highlighted the 'major problem' you have as Hoops boss if you fail to win just a single game.

Postecoglou continued: "When I was at Celtic, people say, Celtic are expected to win.

"That's right. They're expected to win. You lose one game at Celtic, that's a major problem for you.

"Not many can cope in that so it's just a different challenge for sure.

"But I get why people would say it's because of the level you're at now and the scrutiny that you're not having success. I don't believe that.

"I still believe we're going to have success but there's nothing that I'm facing here that I think is insurmountable."

GRAEME SOUNESS has branded Ange Postecoglou's 'Angeball' tactical approach "naive" rather than brave.

The former Celtic boss is feeling the heat after his Tottenham Hotspur side threw away a two-goal lead at Brighton last week to sit back in ninth in the table during the international break.

Where it had once been hoped that Postecoglou front-foot tactics could make Spurs into title contenders, there's little sign of that right now.

And Rangers hero Souness went back to the example of last November and a clash with rivals Chelsea which saw Tottenham still sticking with a high line despite having two men sent off.

Speaking on Three Up Front, William Hill’s podcast which also features Simon Jordan and Troy Deeney, Souness said: “When I think of Ange Postecoglou, I go back to that game against Chelsea where they got two players sent off and he still had them playing right up to the halfway line.

"The only time you can do that is when you’ve got 11 players on the pitch and the ball is constantly under pressure.

“The minute someone can get their head up, you’re in trouble.

"They could have conceded four or five more goals that game – I thought that was naïve.

"It’s naïve to talk like that and say that the more open the game is, the better it is.

"If they’d lost that game seven or eight goals to two, you’ve lost the players as a manager. He wasn’t brave that day, they got lucky.

“He’s walked into Tottenham without bringing any of his own staff, is he so naïve as to think he can trust any of the coaching staff he’s inherited not to go to the chairman with their tittle-tattle?

"I would not take a job and think I can just walk into it – it’s madness – you need to go in with people you trust because being a manager is lonely."

Souness reckons Postecoglou also had to hammer home the importance of scoring a killer third goal at Brighton last week.

Instead, they conceded a goal to Brighton just minutes after the re-start, with Danny Welbeck eventually completing a remarkable resurgence.

Souness said: “The Tottenham players should have known better.

"You learn it at school – when you’re 2-0 up the next goal is vital.

"If you concede, the momentum is suddenly with the opposition but if you go to 3-0 up, the game is over.

“I don’t know if Spurs have any leaders.

"When they go into the dressing room at half-time, the chat should be, ‘we can’t concede the next goal, this game is far from over’ – that’s what Ange Postecoglou should be telling them.

"He needed to remind them that if they were to concede, everyone’s going to be all over you.

“I think the issues at Spurs boil down to the manager and the coaching staff.

"The only message they needed to give the players in that game when the half-time whistle blew was to play more of the same.

"Spurs just ended up capitulating which is why Postecoglou was so deflated after the game, he thought he had some warriors in that team and was proven otherwise.”

BOOKMAKERS reckon Ange Postecoglou's hostile welcome back to Ibrox could be SILENCED.

His Tottenham side were drawn to meet Rangers in the League phase of the new-look Europa League in December.

And the former Celtic boss laughed he was "sure to get a warm reception at Ibrox and they'll look forward to seeing me."

But betting markets say the Aussie rival's return could be OFF - with another shocking twist for Celtic too.

The Spurs gaffer has come under scrutiny since the start of the season, and was interrogated over a quip about delivering a trophy this term.

After losing Sunday's north London derby to Arsenal he'd said : "I always win things in my second year. Nothing's changed."

And he defended himself midweek, adding: "I just stated a fact. Am I supposed to just lie or just say it never happened? Do you really think it's me sort of boasting?

"It's just confusing to me. I've just said something that's true, and it seems like it's upset a lot of people for some reason."

Postecoglou landed the treble in his second season at Celtic - but bookies don't reckon he'll be given the campaign to get things right.

Infact they reckon he's odds-on to be axed by Christmas and ever shorter to go before the end of the current campaign.

And that's a worry for Celtic fans currently flying high after seeing Slovan Bratislava put to the sword so convincingly on Wednesday.

Gambling site sportscasting.com/uk reckon he's 8/11 likely to go before Christmas - placing his Ibrox trip on December 12 in serious doubt.

They price Postecoglou at just 2/5 to be sacked before the summer.

The worry for Celtic is however, that the man tipped to replace him and make a similar move south that Postecoglou did last year - is current boss Brendan Rodgers.

The Hoops support were left reeling when he upped sticks and joined Leicester in 2019 and the bookies think he could do it again.

He's 5/1 favourite to take over and spokesman Andy Newton said: “The new Premier League season is only a handful of games in but already there is mounting pressure on Spurs boss Ange Postecoglou after a very average start.

“Postecoglou had promised big things over his second season at the North London club, but he’s already on the back foot with just one league win so far and with Spurs chairman Daniel Levy no stranger to culling his managers.

"I’m not surprised to see Ange odds-on to be gone by Christmas.

"If so, there has been a lot of talk about Brendan Rodgers joining Spurs in the past and they could finally get their man - if, of course, the compensation to Celtic is enough to let their highest ever paid manager leave the Scottish giants.”