The Celtic Star

Paul Merson reckons Ange Postecoglou’s swashbuckling approach at Celtic doesn’t work in the English Premier League…

The Sky Sports pundit lamented the former Celtic manager’s tactical decision-making as Tottenham who despite being 2-0 up against London rivals Chelsea, collapsed and lost 4-3 to Enzo Maresca’s high-flying Blues.

Ange is back at Ibrox on Thursday night

Under huge pressure heading into Spurs’ Europa League clash with theRangers at Ibrox on Thursday night, Postecoglou is receiving criticism from all quarters having lost 19 of his last 40 matches in charge.

As usual, the 59 year-old experienced manager’s gung-ho, all out attack approach has been lambasted in the media with fans rapidly running out of patience.

Prominent Sky Sports pundit Paul Merson used the Hoops as a comparison of why Postecoglou’s current Tottenham players cannot play the same way as his Celtic team so often performed to perfection in the Scottish Premiership.

The ex-Treble winning Celtic manager

Since day one at Tottenham, Ange has been consistently questioned about his tactical outlook, and with results not going his way just now, it remains to be seen whether impatient owner Daniel Levy will keep the ex-Treble winning Celtic manager in the dugout for the foreseeable future in North London.

“Like they’re playing against Kilmarnock or St Mirren”

Speaking to Sky Sports post-match, Paul Merson alongside a panel of Jamie Carragher and Jamie Redknapp said, “I don’t want to have a go because I like Ange and I like watching Tottenham play. But I’m watching the game and it’s like: ‘We’re 2-0 up against Chelsea, let’s just keep on going.’ It’s like they’re playing against Kilmarnock or St Mirren and ‘I’m the Celtic manager and I’ve got the best players.”

“I haven’t got the best players at Tottenham. I haven’t got the best players, so I have to change. I’m not Man City when I can go: ‘You have a shot, we have a shot and we will destroy you,’ like they have over the years.”

“You’ve got to be cute. you’ve got to say: ‘Right, we’re 2-0 up here. Sit back and let’s counterattack.’ Solanke was ruining the centre halves, holding it up and bringing people in. They couldn’t live with him.”

“I don’t want to have a go at Ange because I do like him”

Merson added, “but then they were charging all over the place and all of a sudden Lavia, the ball comes in and he just put it round the corner to Enzo Fernandez or Palmer and then they’re running the defenders. It’s so naive.”

“I don’t want to have a go at Ange because I do like him. But it was too easy for Chelsea and that’s why I said at half-time that there was no doubt that Chelsea with this football match becauseI just know what Tottenham are going to do.”

Hopefully the Tottenham players can turn things around for Ange in their next game by hitting thei opponents hard with a thumping Spurs victory.

Conor Spence

Ange Postecoglou was on the receiving end of some toxic abuse from the Tottenham Hotspur support. The North London side fell to a 1-0 defeat to Bournemouth, which sparked some abuse from the away end.

Spurs, who have been through top managers such as Conte and Mourinho, appear to have turned on yet another manager, who would set them up for success. Weeks after beating Man City, Ange was taking abuse from the away fans and he appeared to be aggrieved at the comments.

The End 👋🏼 pic.twitter.com/mIGmvNOnUI

— Matt (@the_jobber) December 5, 2024

Ange was a huge success in his two seasons at Celtic, rebuilding and developing a successful, attractive style of play. The opportunity to go to Spurs after winning five trophies appeared to be the next step in the Aussie’s managerial career; although, it appeared that Spurs was a poisoned chalice.

Meanwhile, back at Celtic, Brendan Rodgers is living life as his side compete on all fronts. The Scottish Champions had a difficult start to life post-Ange; however, the Irishman quietly went about doing his work and Celtic completed the season with a Double. In the next couple of weeks, Celtic can secure the League Cup while taking a big step towards the UCL next phase as well as continuing their fine form in the league.

New Tottenham Hotspur signing Archie Gray has revealed the Celtic factor behind moving to Spurs. The 18-year-old completed a signing from Leeds Utd in a deal worth between £25m-30m, which will also see Joe Rondon go the other way.

Now, Gray has revealed that he is a huge fan of Celtic and that is how he knows Ange Postecoglou.

“It’s a massive project under Ange, and it’s something that I want to be part of. I’m not going to lie to you; I’m a massive Celtic fan, so I love him, and my whole family loves him. I haven’t really said this, to be fair. He’s also a massive factor (in joining Tottenham) because playing under a good manager important for me and I’ve still got loads to learn because I’m only 18.”

Brentford had launched an ambitious bid to take the player on a permanent basis but were pipped to a deal by Ange’s Spurs.

Leeds were left heartbroken by the deal which took their breakthrough talent from them. Their loss is certainly Spurs’ gain as they look to kick on after an impressive debut season from Ange.

🗣️ “I’m not going to lie to you, I’m a massive Celtic fan so I love him!”

📹 Tottenham Hotspur’s newest signing Archie Gray name-drops his boyhood club when talking about his new boss Ange Postecoglou… pic.twitter.com/SO9ORIDk3C

— The Celtic Way (@celticway1888) July 2, 2024

Gray is eligible for Scotland and could be tempted north of the border but his trajectory seems to be towards the English National Team.

🚨⚪️ Official, confirmed. Tottenham sign Archie Gray on six year deal, Joe Rodon will go other way to Leeds Utd.

Spurs pay £40m fee for one of the best talents in England, born in 2006 — and Leeds Utd pay £10m for Rodon.

Gray will wear number 14 at Spurs. ⚡️ pic.twitter.com/v1QwM5Bqja

— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) July 2, 2024

Former Celtic manager Ange Postecoglou has added a recently sacked SPFL Premiership manager to his coaching staff at Spurs. The Australian is entering his second season in charge of the Premier League side and has opted to bring in ex-Hibs manager Nick Montgomery to his backroom staff.

In an announcement on Tuesday evening, Spurs confirmed that they would add Montgomery along with his Assistant at Easter Rd, Sergio Raimundo. Ange was forced to reorganise his staff after former Celtic Assistant Manager Chris Davies left to take up the Birmingham City vacancy.

We can confirm the following changes to the Club’s coaching staff, ahead of the 2024/25 season ⤵️

— Tottenham Hotspur (@SpursOfficial) June 25, 2024

Montgomery was sacked in the split after Hibs failed to make Top Six. The announcement felt inevitable with fans turning on Montgomery and the team, resulting in Hibs appointing David Gray. However, it is clear that Postecoglou is sticking to his principles not to look down on the league that a coach has come from – with Montgomery coaching in Australia and Scotland.

Montgomery arrived with fanfare after Hibs paid compensation to Central Coast Mariners for his services. Things didn’t pan out for the ex-Sheffield Utd player and he was the latest victim of what appears to be a managerial poisoned chalice.

Ange Postecoglou set for Scotland return with Tottenham Hotspur, could a Celtic farewell be worked in by the Australian manager

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