ANGE POSTECOGLOU is only “about 25 per cent through his job at Celtic”.
And the Hoops manager will inevitably attract bigger clubs than Leeds United who were linked with the Greek-Australian in the immediate aftermath of Jesse Marsch’s sacking on Monday.
That’s the verdict of veteran gaffer Steve Evans who had a seven-month stint in charge at Elland Road in season 2015/16.
The 60-year-old Glaswegian, an admitted fan of the Parkhead club, is currently boss at League Two title-chasers Stevenage, but has been keeping tabs on Postecoglou’s astounding progress since being named Neil Lennon’s long-term successor in June 2021.
WINNER…Ange Postecoglou celebrates his debut Premiership success after Celtic’s 1-1 draw with Dundee United at Tannadice on May 11 2022.
Evans observed: “He’s doing a fantastic job, but I also feel he’s only about 25 per cent through his job at Celtic.
“He’s got a proper rebuilding opportunity there and the players he’s brought in have progressed things dramatically.
“If he keeps doing the job he is, there’s every chance there will be bigger clubs in the Premier League coming for him than where Leeds are just now.
“I’d imagine deep down Ange will aspire to manage in the Premier League. It’s where the elite work.
“Why not Liverpool? Jurgen Klopp’s a long way from leaving Anfield, but if he did, why wouldn’t they want Ange?”
Evans, speaking to the Scottish Sun, said: “From a Leeds United point of view, you must be considering Ange.
“If you’re the main man at Elland Road and you’ve a list of four names, he surely has to be one of them. He’s got vast experience, his management style is impressive.
FANFARE…Ange Postecoglou salutes the visiting Celtic support.
“He does it his way and he’s getting results consistently under pressure and scrutiny.
“As a professional working in the game down here, I can tell you for a fact Ange is being talked about all over.
“I speak to Premier League sporting directors regularly and they all refer to how good his recruitment is.
“I’ve no doubt the people at Leeds will be looking at him.
“Speaking from a Celtic point of view, as a fan since childhood, they MUST keep Ange. It’s as simple as that.
“They saw Brendan Rodgers walk away and he came under fierce fire from the fans. I think the attraction of the Premier League swept him away. Ange also going mid-season would be a real heartbreaker for the Celtic fans.”
Evans, a veteran of 25 years on the English football management circuit, continued: “Yes, I think he’ll eventually work in the Premier League although I don’t see it being now and I don’t see it being for Leeds United.
ON THE CREST OF SUCCESS…Ange Postecoglou in his usual spot on the Celtic Park touchline.
“But I regard them as one of the top six to eight clubs in British football. Without a shadow of a doubt. Celtic are one of them.
“I was very proud to be manager of Leeds United, but I’m also a hugely proud Celtic supporter. Do I want Ange to go? No.
“I’m hoping not. But Leeds would be very foolish not to be considering him. Who’s bigger, Celtic or Leeds United? Wow, there’s a question!
“I think Celtic’s worldwide. You can go to deepest Africa, South America or anywhere — if you’ve got a hooped shirt on, then they know you’re a Celtic supporter.
“In terms of size worldwide, Celtic for sure. But, Leeds are a huge club. It’s two massive oil tankers in the ocean.
“A lot of Celtic fans reacted to Ange’s appointment by asking: ‘Who is he?’. I knew of him through football circles and what he’d achieved with Australia.
SMILES BETTER…Celtic supremos Dermot Desmond and Peter Lawwell did great work bringing Ange Postecoglou to Celtic, according to veteran boss Steve Evans.
“But, to be fair, no-one was certain how he would approach the job and how he would have Celtic playing. What the identity would be, the style.
“We all know for sure now — and, boy, has it been an outstanding period. Credit to the board, to Dermot Desmond, to Peter Lawwell for getting him — Ange has proved to be an inspired appointment.”
Evans, a former striker at Clyde, Albion Rovers, Ayr United and St Johnstone, added: “Listen, if the day comes for Ange to leave Celtic, my CV will be on the chairman’s desk at Parkhead within an hour!
“He might only use it as a paper aeroplane across the office – but it’s still my dream job.”
Evans will be saved the task of firing off his credentials – there won’t be any paper aeroplanes flying around offices at Celtic Park any time soon.
Postecoglou, 57, is now concentrating on the Scottish Cup fifth round tie against St Mirren in the east end of Glasgow on Saturday night as he zeros in on the piece of silverware that escaped him in his debut campaign.
‘STILL WORK TO BE DONE AT CELTIC,’ WHY ANGE WON’T STAGE RODGERS REPEAT
