Gordon Strachan makes Ange Postecoglou prediction that will excite Celtic fans

By Will Butcher

Gordon Strachan has told TalkSPORT that he is excited by the appointment of Ange Postecoglou at Celtic. The immediate reaction to the Australian gaffer arriving at Parkhead has been mixed. But Celtic icon Strachan delivered an exciting prediction, that Postecoglou will be a success.

Postecoglou, 55, has joined the club on a 12-month rolling contract. He moves from Japan to Scotland, having guided Yokohama F. Marinos to the J-League title in 2019 in only his second season at the club. When he took over, Marinos were miles off the title and his success has been clocked.

Indeed, Celtic moved swiftly on to Postecoglou – a man that took control of his country for four years between 2013 and 2017 – after failing to get Eddie Howe. But the reaction is not good regarding Postecoglou, and the fact he has been given a year’s deal. Strachan, though, gave an exciting prediction.

“Celtic people are excited about this,” Strachan told TalkSPORT. “I’m sure he’ll be a success. I’m excited to get somebody who’s outside the box, not just a name that we regularly see. I want to see new people in front of a camera, new training methods – and I think that’s what we’re going to get.”

Postecoglou not a household name, but delve a little deeper and Celtic fans have reason to be excited

He has never managed in Europe. He has only signed a short contract. He is not the calibre of manager required. Those are the thoughts of Celtic fans following the arrival of Postecoglou. But if you do some digging into the forward-thinking manager, then there is reason to be optimistic.

League titles with Brisbane Roar in the Australian A-League and as aforementioned, A J-League title with Marinos. He also boasts the longest unbeaten run in Australian history with the Roar. But it is his style, and attacking approach that should excite Celtic fans.

A style that has left its mark on Australian football as an entity. Yes, Postecoglou is stepping into the biggest job of his career and yes, it remains to be seen how he will cope with that. But if he has the same success he has had in Australia and Japan – he will shine as Celtic gaffer.