67 Hail Hail

Ange Postecoglou makes his Premier League return today.

The former Celtic boss left Parkhead for Tottenham Hotspur in 2023, paving the way for Brendan Rodgers to make his return.

Registering a fifth-placed finish in his first season in North London, Postecoglou promised that his second season at the club would deliver silverware.

That promise was sensationally delivered with a Europa League final win in May – though it didn’t stop Spurs from sacking him amid a desperately poor 17th-placed league finish.

Now back in a job with Nottingham Forest, he makes his return in their fixture against Arsenal – and still found the time for a joke with one Rangers legend prior to the match.

Ange Postecoglou enjoys a laugh at Ally McCoist

Ally McCoist and TalkSPORT colleague Alan Brazil were two of Postecoglou’s biggest nay-sayers when his move to Celtic was confirmed.

But after it emerged that the Australian was a very capable appointment, McCoist was sure to apologise and show him the respect he deserved.

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They met again before the beginning of the match at the Emirates Stadium, speaking for TNT Sports’ live broadcast.

Speaking to McCoist and Peter Crouch, Postecoglou said: “Yeah, it’s good to be back. What a couple of strikers here, eh?

“What a partnership. Crouchy nodding them down for Coisty, scoring goals. I don’t know which one would run, but…

McCoist interjected: “Let me answer that – neither of us.”

One thing for sure is that neither of the pair would start for an Ange team, if they aren’t prepared to do any running…

Ange Postecoglou could face Celtic in this season’s Europa League

In taking over at Forest, Postecoglou has the opportunity to win the Europa League for the second year running, with a different club.

Should Celtic make it through, Forest are a possible opponent – but the Hoops have plenty to sort out before thinking about European knockout football.

An impending Celtic fan protest is likely to have an impact on attendances in the competition, in the league phase at least.

But should Rodgers guide his side through to the knockouts, the opportunity to win a European tie after Christmas for the first time since 2004 could change that.

Ange Postecoglou is back in management.

The former Celtic manager has assumed the top job at Nottingham Forest, just months after leaving Tottenham Hotspur in the wake of a conflicted second season.

Postecoglou won the Europa League in his sophomore campaign in North London, delivering silverware just as he promised, in the club’s first tournament triumph since 2008.

Brendan Rodgers, who replaced Postecoglou in 2023, is currently in a troublesome position with the Celtic board after a controversial summer transfer window.

But for one former Celtic hero, his predecessor’s move back into the Premier League is exciting – but he still has his doubts.

Chris Sutton says it won’t be ‘total Angeball’ at Nottingham Forest

Unlike his stints at Celtic Park and at Spurs, the Australian’s crack at Forest starts mid-season.

This poses a different challenge for the 60-year-old – and in the eyes of Chris Sutton, may lead to a different tactical approach.

Speaking on the appointment for BBC 5 Live, he said: “It’s very exciting. It’s great to see Ange Postecoglou back in the Premier League. I don’t think it’s a case of unfinished business for him.

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“I think it’s a good appointment. I think Nottingham Forest will see a different style of football under Ange Postecoglou – I’m not so sure it will be total Angeball or to the extreme, as he has done previously.

“But I do think there will be tweaks. It’s very exciting for the Premier League – I can’t wait to see his first game against Arsenal.”

Postecoglou adapted for knockout football at the back end of his Tottenham spell, but what will his Nottingham Forest team look like?

Is Ange Postecoglou more adaptable than some say?

A criticism often launched at Ange Postecoglou is that he is hindered by his lack of adaptability.

Some pundits question Postecoglou’s credentials at Premier League level, but the final win is solid evidence against that.

At Celtic, there was barely a moment when the ‘Angeball’ product wasn’t instantly recognisable. The Australian’s single-mindedness is certainly unique.

But so are the circumstances in which he is heading to Nottingham – and for Sutton, things may look different at the City Ground.

Celtic supporters would have kept a keen eye on Tottenham Hotspur in recent times.

That’s because Ange Postecoglou left Celtic for Tottenham in 2023, proceeded to win the Europa League last season, but was then sacked by Daniel Levy in the summer.

Spurs finished above the Premier League’s relegation zone, and their supporters, for quite a while now, have been expressing their dissatisfaction at how the club has been run.

Sound familiar, Celtic supporters? But whilst those in Glasgow pray that there is change at the top, those in north London have now got their long-awaited wish.

Daniel Levy leaves Tottenham Hotspur after 25 years

Levy was appointed by Tottenham in 2001, and his tenure is overshadowed by fans feeling there has been a lack of success at the club.

Before the Englishman’s arrival, Spurs weren’t regulars in the Champions League, but that is now the case, added to the fact that they have a £1bn stadium.

But with only two trophies in a quarter of a century, a seeming lack of drive and push in the transfer market, fans have wanted him out for a long time, including numerous protests against the board.

And then, on Thursday, the world of football was left shocked when Tottenham announced the ‘departure’ of Levy by stating he has ‘stepped down from his role.’

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The Celtic board need to follow suit

Celtic fans want the board out, and news coming out of Tottenham should be music to the ears of those in green and white.

Levy was in charge for nearly three decades; there are members inside the Celtic boardroom who have been in charge for just as long.

Whilst some fans might feel that their voices and protests might be falling on deaf ears, perhaps there will be a surprise around the corner, and some significant change will happen after that abject 2025 summer transfer window.

Tottenham fans have had their pleas answered, and hopefully, the same will follow suit for Celtic.

Celtic have lost yet another young talent.

The Hoops are making a name for themselves when it comes to selling teenage academy prospects for next to nothing.

Of course, some of the exits can’t be helped, especially when the players are moving from Lennoxtown to a Premier League academy down south – Ben Doak being a prime example in 2022.

Daniel Cummings decided to sign for West Ham United in early summer, but Celtic perhaps are at fault for seeing Matthew Anderson exit for KV Kortrijk.

Now, a 16-year-old has left the Bhoys for Tottenham Hotspur.

Conall Glancy exits Celtic for Spurs

Conall Glancy was an exciting prospect making his way through the ranks at Celtic for 10 years, having joined the club when he was just six years old.

The forward – who can play on the right wing and centrally – has now decided to venture south and continue his development with Spurs.

Glancy will go straight into their U18 squad after scoring 15 goals in total for Celtic U16s last season.

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Tottenham released a statement confirming: “We are delighted to announce that Conall Glancy has joined our Academy from Celtic.

“The 16-year-old forward arrives as a first-year scholar in the Under-18s, joining the 11 players previously announced in that age category this summer.

“Born in Glasgow, he was with the Hoops since the age of six and can operate off the right wing or in the central areas. He scored 15 goals for Celtic’s Under-16s in 2024/25.”

Celtic are also selling Mitchel Frame

In the meantime, left-back Mitchel Frame will join Glancy as a Celtic youngster leaving the Glasgow giants this summer.

Frame is on his way to Aberdeen having agreed a four-year contract with Jimmy Thelin’s side and completing his medical, according to Sky Sports.

The Scotland U19 starlet had been on the books at Celtic since he was nine years old and had a professional contract that would have expired in 2026.

Frame featured in pre-season friendlies for the Hoops in the summer, but clearly, he is seeking more regular first-team football.

One thing you can’t deny and that’s the fact that Ange Postecoglou provides entertainment wherever he goes.

The Celtic hero brought that in bucketloads during his time in Glasgow, and also in the colours of Tottenham Hotspur.

Even though Spurs won the Europa League last season, their first major trophy in nearly 20 years, Postecoglou was still sacked after a very poor Premier League campaign.

It’s fair to say, that call from Spurs chairman Daniel Levy, divided opinion across the board, as Neil Warnock shared his interesting views on it all.

Neil Warnock on what Ange Postecoglou ‘got away’ with at Celtic after Tottenham sacking

Postecoglou won the Treble in his final season at Celtic, including five trophies in total, as he joined the season after Rangers had stopped the ten.

But, in the famous green and white colours, Warnock thinks Postecoglou ‘got away’ with not having a ‘plan B’, as he told talkSPORT.

Despite the Greek-born Australian putting the defensive brakes on for the most important period of the season, when Spurs were trying to win a trophy, he was still criticised by Warnock for not changing.

“I would have, for six months to a year,” stated Warnock on whether he would have stuck with Ange at Tottenham.

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“I enjoy watching his teams play. I just think the problem with Ange is that, similar to the guy at Man United (Ruben Amorim), they don’t have a plan B. You can’t go into any club, whether it’s non-league or Premier League. You can’t go in and say, ‘I am going to play this way. I am going to play that way.’

“I think, where he has been in the past, he has been able to get away with that. I am not being disrespectful.”

Simon Jordan interrupted: “What at Celtic?”

Before Warnock continued: “Here (in England), you have to have a plan B. I don’t think he had a plan B. You would be winning 2-0, or what have you, and he will still be flying out.

“The top teams, you don’t lose a game when you are winning 2-0, you come out on top, whatever it is, and he never seemed to have that. He didn’t have a look at the other side of the game, and tactically, how he could shut up shop. I thought he did that for the final. I hope he does get another job because he is a character.”

Warnock told Nick Montgomery ‘I hope you get sacked’

As Celtic fans would have seen when Postecoglou arrived in Glasgow, he doesn’t stick with the same coaching staff, and he does chop and change.

At Parkhead, he had the likes of Harry Kewell working beside him, but in London, he brought in former Hibernian coach Nick Montgomery.

Warnock shared what he texted Montgomery, as a joke, as soon as Spurs won the Europa League, which ended up becoming a reality for him and Postecoglou.

“I text Nick Montgomery after they won the Europa League, ‘I hope you get the sack now.’”, said Warnock.

“I said, ‘next season, you lose the first two or three games. You will hell on.’ I said, ‘you will get a good club now. He will get a good club. Give Ange my regards, will you? Well done.’ It just shows you, doesn’t it?! Because that’s what it’s like.”

Ange Postecoglou’s exit from Tottenham Hotspur has been a major talking point.

The Celtic hero was very successful in Glasgow before leaving and joining the London club during the summer of 2023.

The 59-year-old finished fifth in his debut campaign, despite losing star man Harry Kane, and then Tottenham won the Europa League last season.

Despite that success, Daniel Levy sacked Postecoglou, as Spurs finished 17th in the Premier League overall, and it has caused a huge debate.

Martin O’Neill has been in the same shoes as Postecoglou, in regard to being in the Celtic Park dugout, as well as testing himself in the English Premier League, and he wasn’t too fond of what Simon Jordan has been saying.

Martin O’Neill and Simon Jordan clash over Celtic hero Ange Postecoglou’s sacking

Levy is the man making the calls at the top of Spurs house, and in recent years, he has sacked trophy-laden coaches Jose Mourinho and Antonio Conte.

O’Neill wanted to make the point that ‘the game is about winning’, but Jordan wanted to highlight Ange’s Premier League form rather than what he won, as they told talkSPORT.

Added to that, the former Crystal Palace owner played down the Europa League success and who Spurs had to face during the knockout stages.

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Remember, this is a man who is good friends with Levy, so it’s no wonder he is defending him so much and becoming a Levy apologist.

The man has sacked more trophy-winning coaches (Ange, Conte and Mourinho) to name a few, than Spurs have won trophies (2) since he sat in the boardroom at the start of the century.

“But here, in terms of Daniel Levy speaking about this,” said O’Neill. “This idea about winning. You have to win. The game is about winning. It’s about winning.

As an owner of a football club, what do you want to do? I expect that losing 22 league games is unacceptable absolutely.

“But you have won a trophy that gets you into the Champions League in your second year, so what you are really saying is, you are setting down the lines, the only thing that counts really is the Premier League. It’s the only thing that counts.”

Jordan: “No. You are being a bit binary, and you are beyond that. When somebody shows you themselves believe it. The reality of it is, if you are two years into your job, you have got a Europa competition which you want to win, and it gets a monkey off your back.

“You look forward, like we do know with Rory McIlroy (after winning the Masters). Forget what he has done, look at what he is going to do next. What am I going to do next with Ange? Can this guy continue to evolve this football club? If I have more questions than I have answers, then the answer has to be likely not.”

O’Neill: “Okay, so it’s not about winning.”

Jordan: “Of course it’s about winning. It’s about what you do next after you have won. It’s about winning consistently.”

O’Neill: “Well, let’s see. Let’s go and try and build on this. Now you have done something.”

Jordan: “You got me the win in a competition that had all the advantages. Look at who I played. Look at who the opportunities I had.”

O’Neill: “I don’t think you can look at it like that. When you set off in a competition. You don’t turn around and say, ‘well, I get myself into’. No, sorry. It’s the most important thing. You win the competition.”

Postecoglou’s lucky escape

The Celtic legend should see this as a blessing in disguise, and he should now move to a club that appreciates him more.

With Brendan Rodgers’ contract running down in 2026, the Greek-born Australian is always welcome back at Celtic Park.

But you just know that Postecoglou will continue to win trophies, wherever he goes next, you can’t say the same about Spurs.

Celtic fans would have been keeping an eye on the goings-on at Tottenham Hotspur recently.

That’s because Celtic hero Ange Postecoglou was sacked by Spurs, despite winning the Europa League last month in Bilbao.

Postecoglou is welcome back at Celtic any time of the day, as the London club have now appointed Thomas Frank as their new coach.

The 51-year-old goes to Tottenham from Brentford, and there is a chance he could meet Celtic in the Champions League next season.

But Frank leaves behind a big void at Brentford, and could certain players now follow suit during the 2025 summer transfer window?

Could Kristoffer Ajer return to Celtic after Thomas Frank leaves Brentford and joins Tottenham?

When Kristoffer Ajer left Celtic in 2021 for £13.5 million, he joined Frank’s Brentford after they had just earned promotion to the Premier League.

Ajer has been told to leave Brentford by his international manager, Stale Solbakken, on top of the fact that now the man who brought him in has gone to Spurs.

So, you wonder if that increases Ajer’s chances of leaving even further, and returning to Celtic this summer, especially with the club looking for added quality at the back.

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The Celtic Park faithful would certainly welcome the 27-year-old back, especially after his success when he was at the club.

Ajer’s record at Celtic under Brendan Rodgers

Celtic love a reunion, and there have been plenty of them of late, including the popular return of Kieran Tierney.

Added to that, Rodgers knows Ajer’s game inside out, as well as the Norway star understanding what the Celtic manager wants.

The other thing with Ajer is that if you sign a man of that calibre, then he walks straight back into Celtic’s backline.

Cameron Carter-Vickers is still the main guy, but Auston Trusty and Liam Scales aren’t exactly cementing their place in the team.

For those Celtic fans who tune into talkSPORT, sometimes you hear or listen to a lot of nonsense being spouted.

Not many people have a louder mouth than Jason Cundy, as he appears alongside Jamie O’Hara in his regular evening time slot.

In recent weeks, Celtic fans would have seen the unfortunate sacking of Ange Postecoglou from Tottenham Hotspur.

Despite Postecoglou winning the Europa League, Spurs’ first major trophy in 17 years, and first European honour since 1984, the powers that be at Hotspur Way saw it fit to sack the Celtic hero – the London club finished 17th during the recently concluded Premier League campaign.

Since then, there have been some interesting reactions to Postecoglou being booted out, but in some cases, it has come along with the utter disrespect and disregard of Scotland’s most successful club.

Celtic hero Ange Postecoglou questioned at the ‘top level’ after Tottenham sacking

There aren’t many clubs across the world where the pressure is greater than at Celtic, because you might as well finish bottom than second.

That pressure isn’t easy to deal with, yet Cundy saw it fit to suggest on talkSPORT that Postecoglou is a ‘stupid’ and ‘gullible’ coach who ‘isn’t built for top-level management’, despite proving himself in Glasgow.

Even after winning the Europa League in Bilbao, Cundy dismissed it all as pure ‘luck’ to the dismay of his fellow pundit, O’Hara.

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“No, he’s not,” stated Cundy on Postecoglou not being a good manager. “Thomas Frank (Spurs’ new coach) is not naive. He’s not gullible, and he’s not as stupid (as Postecoglou).

“Another thing that Ange has to look back at himself on is the way he dealt with the media. He’s prickly. Moany. Grumpy. He was terrible in front of the media. Terrible. It was a ridiculous tenure.

“I am going to come onto that (Tottenham still won a trophy). You can win a trophy by playing like that. You can. You aren’t going to do anything in the league. You are going to win a trophy, because you might get lucky one day. Spurs got lucky to win that trophy. They aren’t the second-best side in Europe; that’s what it’s supposed to be.

“Ange isn’t built for top-level management. He’s not. He’s not built.”

O’Hara responded: “Why do you mean ‘top-level management’? He has won the Europa League?! Oh, come on! You can’t say, ‘he’s not built for top-level management.'”

Cundy added: “Roberto Di Matteo won the Champions League. What are you going to tell me now? I am talking top level. Elite. Every single game. Season in, and season out.”

Postecoglou’s record at Celtic

From Australia to England’s capital, Postecoglou hasn’t managed a team with greater expectations than at Celtic.

There is no doubt that the huge amounts of money in England make it a bigger platform, but time and time again, the Treble-winner at Celtic has proven his worth.

And remember, he told the whole world before Christmas, when Spurs were struggling, ‘I always win a trophy in my second season’, and he delivered on one of the coldest quotes in football history.

Ange Postecoglou is a free agent after his Tottenham Hotspur sacking.

The Aussie-Greek manager was brutally dismissed by the Spurs hierarchy last week after the club’s worst ever Premier League finish.

However, Ange won the Europa League final for the club having beaten Manchester United 1-0 in Bilbao to secure the UEFA trophy.

It was Tottenham’s first piece of major silverware since 2008, but that wasn’t enough for chairman Daniel Levy and company.

So what next for Celtic’s Treble-winning manager Postecoglou? Well, could he be on his way to the Saudi Pro League?

Al-Ahli have shortlisted ex-Celtic boss Postecoglou

The Telegraph are sensationally reporting that Postecoglou is being targeted by Saudi Pro League outfit Al-Ahli.

But they will only pursue the 59-year-old if Al-Ahli’s current highly-rated manager Matthias Jaissle leaves to return to Europe.

Al-Ahli are the current Asian Champions League holders and boast high-profile stars such as Ivan Toney, Roberto Firmino, Riyad Mahrez and Edouard Mendy.

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The report adds that Postecoglou will be a man in demand this summer with several offers set to be tabled for the ex-Celtic gaffer.

Ange has managed in Asia before, of course, with Yokohama F. Marinos where he guided them to the J. League title before a switch to Paradise in 2021.

Postecoglou’s record at Celtic and Tottenham

Postecoglou was dominant as Celtic manager as he won five out of the six major trophies he competed for between 2021 and 2023.

He won the Treble in 2022/23 and that led him to Tottenham and the Premier League. He finished 5th with Spurs in his first season and thus qualified for the Europa League.

However, his second campaign in North London was rather strange. Despite winning the Europa League, Spurs finished 17th in England’s top-flight as they lost a mammoth 22 games.

Thomas Frank has been appointed Ange’s successor at Tottenham having left Brentford.

Ange Postecoglou was a tremendous success at Celtic.

The former Tottenham boss won five out of six trophies during his time at Celtic and as the fans celebrated, Postecoglou was making his way to Spurs.

But now that Postecoglou’s time at Tottenham is over, it appears that the former Celtic boss’ Premier League return could be close.

However, former Hoops defender Ramon Vega believes that the Aussie has some unfinished business to attend to at Celtic as Postecoglou’s next career move looms.

Ramon Vega believes Ange Postecoglou would bring ‘massive added value’ to Celtic

Postecoglou wiped the floor with Scottish football during his time at Celtic but Vega reckons there is still some work in Europe the Australian would like to finish off.

When asked if he thinks Postecoglou has unfinished business in management, Vega told the Daily Record, “With Celtic, yes. But don’t forget, Celtic is a different ball game from Spurs.

“He went into the Champions League – that’s a completely different tournament. But at the same time, he’s put down a marker now.

“He did a good job for Celtic, and he’s done a really remarkable job winning a trophy with Spurs. If he goes back, he’ll return with serious Premier League experience. That would bring massive added value to Celtic in Europe.

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“Celtic and Champions League nights – they’re among the best in the world. Just Celtic is Celtic.”

Ange Postecoglou’s results with Celtic in Europe

Postecoglou struggled in Europe with Celtic due to a variety of factors. At the beginning of his tenure, much like at Spurs, injury curtailed his progress at Parkhead.

However, Postecoglou’s gung-ho attacking style also caused Celtic problems as the step up in class of player punished the Parkhead club.

Here is how Ange fared in Europe with Celtic:

All fixtures include qualifying rounds but even so, Postecoglou’s record does not make great reading. Fortunately for Celtic, Rodgers has helped restore the club’s reputation on the competition and the fans will be hoping he continues that this season in the Champions League.