67 Hail Hail

Celtic hero Ange Postecoglou does things very differently to others on the touchline and the training pitch.

The Europa League-winning manager at Tottenham Hotspur doesn’t like working with the same faces from one job to another.

Postecoglou did that when he left Celtic for Spurs during the summer of 2023 – changing his coaching staff – and now his magic seems to be paying off following that major trophy win.

A lot of clubs in the modern day like to go down the road of appointing young coaches, and English Championship side, West Bromwich Albion, have done just that, and there is a Celtic connection.

Ex-Celtic star Mikey Johnston to be managed by new West Bromwich Albion coach Ryan Mason

Mikey Johnston left Celtic 18 months ago, initially on a loan deal to West Brom, before securing a permanent transfer in the summer.

After West Brom lost their manager – Carlos Corberan to Valencia midway through the last campaign – it derailed their promotion push, and they missed out on a play-off spot.

Johnston was part of that side, and now the former Celtic player is going to be managed by 33-year-old Ryan Mason, one of the youngest coaches in English football.

But not younger than Brighton’s 32-year-old coach Fabian Hürzeler, who is working with Celtic hero Matt O’Riley at the Amex Stadium.

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How did Johnston fare in his debut season at West Brom?

One thing Johnston can’t argue with is the fact that he was given a lot of opportunities at Celtic, but he couldn’t find the suit that would fit.

That’s why it was the right call for Johnston to leave, and he will be hoping to be playing in England’s top-flight sooner rather than later.

The noise around Celtic hero Ange Postecoglou continues to rumble on at Tottenham Hotspur.

This is despite Postecoglou guiding Tottenham to trophy success when they beat Manchester United in the Europa League final in Bilbao last month.

When Postecoglou left Celtic for Tottenham during the summer of 2023, his task was pretty clear: to help the London club win a major trophy because they had been waiting for nearly two decades.

Everywhere the 59-year-old has gone, including winning the Treble at Celtic, he has proven that he can push his teams over the trophy line.

Bearing that in mind, you would think that Spurs would be lauding Postecoglou and looking forward to next season, but think again.

The man making the big calls at the top of Tottenham’s tree is Daniel Levy, and he is friends with talkSPORT pundit, Simon Jordan, who shared an insight into the situation.

Simon Jordan on Celtic hero Ange Postecoglou’s Tottenham future

If Ange isn’t wanted at Spurs, then he is more than welcome back at Celtic, a place where he would be appreciated because he isn’t getting it at his current club.

Sacking Postecoglou would be disrespectful enough, given that he has just lifted a major trophy, but making him wait when teams are already planning for next season is pretty poor from the powers that be at Hotspur Way.

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Jordan explained that he hasn’t asked Levy about Postecoglou’s future for two reasons, including how the Spurs chairman is ‘basking in the reflective glory of his team winning something for a change’.

Before taking shots at Ange, including how ‘winning one trophy doesn’t change the culture of a football club’ –

But, of course, continually sacking trophy-winning managers does, right?

“I purposely haven’t asked him,” responded Jordan on if he has asked his friend Levy about Postecoglou’s future.

“A), I don’t think he would tell me. B), I think he should be allowed to bask in the reflective glory of his team winning something for a change, before he gets put behind the eight ball of who replaces the manager.

“The thing about this is that nobody knows the conversations that have been had between Ange Postecoglou and Daniel Levy.

“People will look at the fact that the team has finished 17th in the league, and say ‘it’s appalling. It can’t be tolerated. If somebody shows you what they are, you should believe them’.

“But other people will say, ‘we have got this monkey off our back’. If you believe what Ange is saying, then it changes the culture. I am not sure that’s right. Winning one trophy doesn’t change the culture of a football club.

“It just gives them an opportunity to reflect on the fact that maybe they could have done things better, and maybe they can do things better going forward.”

Would Celtic fans take Postecoglou back?

Celtic fans understood Postecoglou’s call to leave and try to make a name for himself on the billion-pound stage of the Premier League.

One thing you can’t argue is that he has done that, and some more!

But Postecoglou is better off walking away here, with the Europa League trophy in hand, and letting Tottenham continue in their ways next season.

Ange Postecoglou delivered on his promise, and what a promise it was!

The Celtic hero guided Tottenham to Europa League glory by beating Manchester United in Bilbao last month, and it’s a game the Spurs supporters will remember for a very long time.

Postecoglou managed to end the London club’s near two-decade wait for a trophy, as well as waiting over three decades to lift a European crown.

Yet, the man who won the Treble at Celtic, including winning over many fans with witty ways in the media, as well as his all-action style of play, doesn’t know if he will be in a job next season with the English Premier League side.

The 2024/25 domestic season has come to a close, Postecoglou is on his holidays, and rumours are flying around left, right and centre about his future.

And the latest bit of news isn’t going down well with either the Celtic or Tottenham supporters.

Celtic and Tottenham fans react to Ange Postecoglou’s future

The Celtic Park faithful have made it clear on social media that they would take Postecoglou back in a heartbeat – Brendan Rodgers’ current contract expires next season.

But, amid the news that Postecoglou will be sacked, the Spurs fans aren’t happy with how their former manager is being treated.

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Daniel Levy is the man calling the shots from Spurs’ boardroom, and it now looks like Postecoglou’s time could be up, despite winning a major trophy.

@DogOnDefense warned what will happen if Postecoglou goes: ‘Sack Ange and Cuti is off to Madrid. Bentancur won’t sign a new contract either. Likely sell Son on top of that which would just be depressing. Frank is a good manager but Levy is getting him because he will do things on the cheap first and foremost. The circus continues’.

This Celtic fan, @GuyIncognito21, would take Ange back if he goes: ‘I don’t care. Sack Rodgers and bring Ange back’.

@EL_padrino_78 was another one who raised the question about bringing Ange back: ‘hypothetical question. If you had too choose between Rodgers or Ange who would you want in the dugout for the season ahead’.

@aaryan123456782 used two words: ‘Massive mistake’.

@thfc_zoro thinks Spurs will become a ‘laughing stock’ again if Ange goes: ‘Back to another 20 years of being laughing stocks’.

Another Celtic fan who would welcome Ange back, as @joshxoii added: ‘you’re always welcome back at Glasgow goat 💚’.

@GlynnBusson wants Daniel Levy gone, if Ange is booted out: ‘Levy should be ousted if this is true’.

@TheBhoysPage can’t understand why Spurs are going to sack the Treble-winner at Celtic: ‘Yeah I agree, Ange had a tough run with injuries this season. Really unlucky. He just won a European trophy as well and that kind of thing lifts the whole dressing room. Sacking him now makes no sense at all’.

@Bhoy84Ok expected Ange to be given another chance: ‘I know the Europa is a small tournament for big teams but after winning the first cup in so many years I thought they would give ange another season or atleast let him start it’.

@THFC_fan7 is another unhappy Spurs fan: ‘I’m genuinely so done with this club if we sack ange’.

Postecoglou’s stats at Celtic and Tottenham

Yes, many will point towards Tottenham’s 17th-placed finish in the Premier League, and how that is unacceptable, but this isn’t a team used to winning a trophy or winning titles.

Spurs haven’t been champions of England since 1960, so whilst it isn’t great what happened in the league, you are surely willing to take such a hit because you have won such a trophy.

Either way, this is how Postecoglou’s record at Spurs and Celtic looks on paper.

Ange Postecoglou was a huge success in the colours of Celtic.

When he left Glasgow and joined Tottenham Hotspur in 2023, he was keen to remove this cloud over the club’s head and win them a major trophy for the first time since 2008.

For years and years, Spurs would get verbally battered and mocked by all, especially their inability to get over the line and secure any type of silverware.

Postecoglou won the Treble at Celtic, including being a success at every other team he managed, so he had the history and winner medals to back it up.

That’s why, after a troubling league campaign in north London, when Spurs won the Europa League final by beating Manchester United in Bilbao last month, there were many of the Celtic Park faithful delighted for their old boss.

Yet, talk of Postecoglou’s future wouldn’t go away, despite lifting some silverware.

Will Celtic hero Ange Postecoglou get sacked by Tottenham Hotspur?

It’s crazy to think that Spurs are even still considering sacking Postecoglou, especially given that he has achieved what no other modern-day manager has done at their club, and that’s win a European trophy.

But amid all this talk that the 59-year-old could be booted out, there are different noises now emerging from Italy, and from a very strong source.

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Italian journalist Gianluca Di Marzio has suggested that the chances of Postecoglou staying have now increased.

You wonder how the Tottenham fans will react to this, but the Celtic supporters will be delighted for their former manager, that’s for sure.

Talking about the future of Fulham boss Marco Silva, who has been linked with Spurs, as well as clubs in Italy.

Di Marzio says Tottenham ‘made moves’ for Silva, but the chances of Postecoglou staying have now ‘increased’.

One of the great things Celtic fans loved about Postecoglou was, not just his all-action style of play, but how he handled himself in the media.

He would say things to lift you off your seat, and proved to be so quotable during his days in Scotland.

But Postecoglou took it to another level in the Premier League because, amid Spurs’ struggles at the start of the season, he reminded everyone that he ‘always wins’ a trophy in his second season.

Tottenham Hotspur fans weren’t the only ones with a big smile on their faces when they won the Europa League in Bilbao.

Given the hero status Ange Postecoglou has at Celtic, he was always going to get the backing and love from his old club during his difficult periods this season.

Yes, Spurs finished 17th in the Premier League table and produced a very poor league campaign, but Postecoglou lifted a trophy in his second season as manager, just as he promised, and now he has hero status at Hotspur Way, just like he does at Celtic Park.

Amid all the talk around Postecoglou’s future, yes, even after he has won a trophy, you still have to plan ahead, especially with the summer transfer market set to re-open.

One former Celtic player, who has worked with Postecoglou in north London, will now depart, and he is set to become available on the transfer market.

Celtic hero Fraser Forster to leave Ange Postecoglou’s Tottenham Hotspur

Fraser Forster is leaving Spurs at the end of June, and he is set to become a free agent.

On Thursday, Celtic announced that third-choice goalkeeper Scott Bain will leave the club, so it will be interesting to see who the club brings in to fill that void.

If Brendan Rodgers wants to sign someone the fans know very well, then look no further than Forster, especially given that he will cost nothing.

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Forster’s Celtic career in numbers

At the age of 37, there is no doubt that Forster can do a job in the background, and certainly help the next crop of talent come through.

Viljami Sinisalo has some great experience around him at Celtic Park, in the form of Kasper Schmeichel, so adding someone like Forster would just make things better.

And, at the end of the day, there aren’t many players out there who know Celtic better than the Englishman.

Ange Postecoglou has been under some serious pressure at Tottenham despite the Celtic hero’s recent trophy success.

Postecoglou won the Europa League last week and it appeared that the former Celtic boss had bought himself some time with the Spurs fans.

However, after Matt O’Riley helped to sink Spurs 4-1 at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, the former Celtic boss appears to be under even more pressure after Postecoglou ended the season in 17th place in the English Premier League.

And that has led to Roy Keane delivering a blistering defence of the ex-Celtic boss as Jamie Redknapp shares what he is ‘hearing’ about Postecoglou’s Tottenham future.

Roy Keane blasts ‘unfair’ media treatment of Celtic hero Ange Postecoglou at Spurs

Keane was perplexed at the lines of questioning Postecoglou faces every week, whether Tottenham’s results are favourable or not.

The former Man United legend has launched a furious defence of the former Celtic man after he was questioned once again about his Tottenham future.

Keane told Sky Sports, “I think it’s unfair to keep asking about the situation, because he’s under contract. I haven’t heard other managers getting asked constantly about whether they are going to be in the job next year.

“Why should he have to answer that? I understand he’ll be under pressure, yeah, but he’s under contract, so I’m fully expecting him to come back, unless, obviously he gets sacked.

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“But he’s obviously on the back of a big success during the week. But their league form, of course, has been shocking. You’d think the fact he’s won a trophy and they’ve got the Champions League to look forward to, he would probably get some sort of backing.

“Again, if he’s under contract why does he have to constantly answer questions on it? I don’t get it really.”

Many would argue that Tottenham’s league form is justification for the continued speculation over the Australian’s Spurs future but surely a European trophy should buy him some time?

Jamie Redknapp has ‘heard lots’ about Postecoglou’s Spurs future

Responding to Keane’s rant, Redknapp has shared what he has been hearing about Postecoglou’s Tottenham future and it doesn’t bode well for the former Celtic man.

Redknapp replied, “I’ve heard lots. I mean, I have said before, if he wins this week in Europe, I think he should keep his job. Forget what’s happened, because it has been such a disappointing campaign.

“It’s almost the most bizarre season, how you can finish so low but still win a European cup. So you have to credit him for that. And that was his brief.

“What he said in mid season was one of the great quotes of all time. You know, I always win something in my second season. It’s almost, you know, alongside, ‘I’d love it if we beat them’, you know, it’s up there, you know, ‘I’m the Special One’.

“To have the audacity to say it and then deliver it was almost blew my mind. But I’m not getting that vibe.

“When I hear him talking yesterday, he said sometimes they kill off the main character in season three. I’m getting that feeling, I’m hearing a few things, not necessarily going in his favour.

“I think he deserves another season.”

Whether Ange gets the time he requires to turn around Spurs’ fortunes is now in the hands of Daniel Levy.

With nothing official coming from the Premier League club yet, it looks like this could be a long summer for the former Celtic man.

Matt O’Riley was back in action once again as the former Celtic treble-winner made another cameo for Brighton against Ange Postecoglou’s Tottenham.

O’Riley looks on his way back to full fitness after the former Celtic midfielder was injured in his Brighton debut at the beginning of the season.

The Denmark international has made 23 appearances this season for Brighton albeit mostly from the bench but he has still managed to score two goals and create three assists as the former Celtic midfielder proves he can mix it with the Premier League big boys.

And after having a big hand in Fabian Hurzeler’s side beating Liverpool last week, O’Riley has just made sure Ange Postecoglou’s season fizzles out after Brighton battered Spurs 4-1 at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium yesterday.

Brighton fans tell their board they cannot sell Celtic icon Matt O’Riley

Rumours surrounding O’Riley’s future at Brighton have been doing the rounds towards the end of this season after Roma have been linked with the former Celtic ace.

But it seems that his 14-minute cameo and his goal have urged the Brighton supporters to tell their club to rethink their plans for O’Riley.

@LemmyG10 said, “Really hope that goal can maybe quieten down the noise around Matt O’Riley.

He is a real, real player and no doubt he could be a top tier no.10.

“I don’t know why the club would be (maybe) considering selling him.”

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@MwepuMagic posted on X, “Refreshing to see Brighton are already prepared for the departure of Joao Pedro in the summer. Matt O’Riley’s penalty today suggest he’s the man to replace 75% of Pedro’s goals!”

@sportsponge03 labelled O’Riley as ‘world-class’ and said, “Another member of a deep midfield – will be interested to see how Matt will continue to enhance his creativity in the middle.

“Showed numerous signs, but with the injury and inconsistent form, hoping he can make a jump next season. Know he can be world class.”

O’Riley will look forward to next season where he will be hoping that he stays and helps Brighton kick on in Europe as well as the Premier League.

Matt O’Riley’s first season at Celtic vs Brighton

O’Riley joined Celtic in January 2022 for £1.5m from MK Dons and almost immediately set the heather on fire in his debut against Hearts.

The Danish midfielder made 20 appearances for Celtic for the remainder of that season and with 26 under his belt for Brighton, how do O’Riley’s stats at both clubs match up?

With plenty still to come from O’Riley it’s clear the Brighton supporters want him to hang around the club for a little bit longer.

Jason Cundy and Jamie O’Hara are renowned for a wind-up or two, but even Cundy couldn’t sit back and listen to O’Hara’s latest claim.

The TalkSport duo were reflecting on Tottenham Hotspur’s Europa League final victory to end their 17-year wait for a trophy.

Celtic hero Ange Postecoglou silenced his critics as he delivered on his theory that he always wins trophies in his second season and has been championed by the Bhoys, who sent a classy message to Postecoglou.

A momentous day in Tottenham history, the Europa League is the continent’s second-tier European competition, with the Champions League the golden prize.

That hasn’t stopped Spurs supporters, including O’Hara, claiming that they’re champions of Europe and Cundy firmly put his co-host back in his place.

Jason Cundy tells Jamie O’Hara to ‘show respect’ to Celtic

Filling in for Alan Brazil on his breakfast show, the two discussed Tottenham’s triumph.

O’Hara retaliated after Cundy claimed Arsenal had still had the better season, despite no silverware, saying: “Champions of Europe”.

Cundy then silenced him, referencing Celtic’s 1967 European Cup-winning side, saying: “You won the Europa League, no you’re not. Show respect to Celtic.

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“They can say they’ve been champions of Europe. Chelsea can. Arsenal can’t, Spurs can’t. Man City, Man Utd, Liverpool can. Aston Villa, Nottingham Forest, show some respect to those teams. You can’t come on here saying you are champions of Europe.”

Celtic’s trophy haul compared to Tottenham’s is like night and day

People can argue all they want about Scotland having less competition but the fact of the matter is that Celtic have trumped Tottenham when it comes to the number of trophies won.

The Bhoys are one of seven teams around the world to win 100 or more major honours and currently have 120 to their name.

As for Spurs, they only have 18 and may have won more trophies in Europe – but never the big one.

In case you’ve been living under a rock, Ange Postecoglou led Tottenham Hotspur to Europa League glory on Wednesday night.

The former Celtic manager outwitted Ruben Amorim’s Manchester United in Bilbao as Spurs won their first major trophy since 2008.

Of course, many sent their congratulations towards Ange and Tottenham. Celtic did so on social media, as did the SPFL with their brilliant tribute post.

Brendan Rodgers congratulated his Celtic predecessor on Thursday in what was a classy message from the Northern Irishman.

But you can’t exactly use the word ‘classy’ to describe how Celtic legend Scott Brown hilariously responded to Spurs winning the trophy!

In typical Broony fashion, the Ayr United boss was on the wind-up as he replied to Tottenham goalkeeper Fraser Forster’s Instagram post.

Former teammates at Celtic, Forster published a photo of him wearing his winner’s medal and captioned it with: “Another one for the collection 😉😍”.

Brown appeared in the comments section and posted a hilarious seven-word reply that dissed Forster’s resemblance to Home Alone film character Marv Murchins.

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Broony wrote: “Marv from home alone won a medal 🔥”.

Brown and Forster’s Celtic days together

Of course, Brown’s comment will be taken in good jest by Forster given the pair were Celtic teammates across two spells in the 2010s.

Brown signed for Celtic in 2007 and went on to become one of the most decorated Hoops captains in the club’s long and storied history.

Forster first joined the Hoops on a season-long loan from Newcastle United in August 2010, keeping an incredible 24 clean sheets in his first campaign.

The 6’7″ tall stopper rejoined Celtic on loan for the following season before signing permanently in the summer of 2012.

Forster, after a time with Premier League club Southampton, came back to Celtic during 2019/20 for a third loan stint before moving on to Spurs two years later.

Brown and Forster won seven major honours together at Celtic, with the goalkeeper now adding a European title to his personal trophy cabinet.

There will be a lot of Celtic eyes on the Europa League final between Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester United on Wednesday night.

The simple reason is that Ange Postecoglou will be in the Spurs dugout, looking to end their near two-decade wait for a trophy, and their first European title in over 40 years.

Postecoglou won trophies for fun at Celtic, but that’s because Scotland’s most successful club is used to lifting silverware again and again and again.

But what Postecoglou faces in Bilbao is perhaps one of his biggest tests yet, because of Tottenham’s long-wait for a trophy, and the position they find themselves in on the Premier League stage.

There is a lot of talk around his future, and how he could be booted out if the London club aren’t victorious against an equally abject Manchester United side.

There are even suggestions that the powers that be at Tottenham will part ways with Postecoglou, even if they lift the trophy at the end of it all, but the Celtic hero had a brilliant response to it all.

Ange Postecoglou mentions Celtic as Tottenham prepare for the Europa League final against Manchester United

It would be crazy for Spurs to, win the Europa League, but then still part ways with Postecoglou.

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This isn’t a club used to winning trophies, and it does also get them into the Champions League, but crazier things have happened in football.

Either way, Postecoglou mentioned winning the Treble at Celtic, before heading for the exit door and taking the gig at Spurs, as he told his pre-match press conference.

“No (I haven’t discussed my future with the Tottenham players before the Europa League final) because that wouldn’t be really helpful in what is before us right now,” said Postecoglou.

“I have said to the lads from day one, ‘nothing is guaranteed in life. Nothing is guaranteed in sport. So, you just got to try and make sure you take every opportunity before you. That’s what I have done in my whole career’.

“I have been in this position before, where the big game was the last game I managed. It’s not unusual terrority for me, and I have always navigated that pretty well. For me, nothing is more important than my responsibility to this football club and its fans.

“I qualified for the World Cup. I left. Won the Treble with Celtic and left. Won at Brisbane and left. It’s actually more common than you think.”

The last time Postecoglou faced Manchester United…and then left

It’s slightly eerie that Postecoglou has faced Manchester United before, and then headed for the exit door straight after.

This wasn’t exactly the Europa League final, and he was a much smaller fish back then with less talk around him, but it did happen.

Back in 2000, as the manager of South Melbourne and facing the great Sir Alex Ferguson, who had recently won the Treble, Postecoglou’s side lost 2-0, and then he left.