ANGE POSTECOGLOU had mixed emotions of disappointment and delight after Celtic’s goalless draw against Everton at the Accor Stadium as the curtain came down on the Sydney Super Cup this morning.
The champions went down 2-1 to the local A-League outfit on Thursday and even lost 4-2 on penalty-kicks against Frank Lampard’s side when Giorgos Giakoumakis ballooned his effort over the bar and Reo Hatate smacked his attempt off the inside of the post.
So, as far as events on the pitch in front of 41,121 fans were concerned, there was not a lot for the Greek-Australian to get excited about.
YOU’LL NEVER WALK ALONE…Ange Postecoglou with the Celtic fans in the Accor Stadium.
Postecoglou admitted his dismay at not performing to the expected standard in the two games Down Under, the first time he has been back in charge of a team in his adopted country since he quit for Japan in 2017.
However, the 57-year-old gaffer was delighted for the club to connect with their fans again, despite the lack of goals during three hours of football.
The Parkhead boss said: “I thought in terms of our performance it was a lot more like us and I thought we played well and dominated the game.
“We didn’t get goals which is disappointing because you want to give some entertainment to the crowd.
“The lads have adjusted a bit more now, you could see in training yesterday they looked more like themselves and I thought we had the better opportunities, but just lacked the goal. Overall, though, a much better effort.”
MISS…Kyogo Furuhashi hits the ground after missing a glorious opportunity right in front of Asmir Begovic.
MISS…Liel Abada can’t bear to look after his astonishing squandered effort late in the game.
There were more than 40,000 spectators in the giant bowl of the Accor ground this morning with a huge percentage of them adorned in green and white.
Postecoglou, speaking to the Celtic website, continued: “It’s brilliant to see and that’s been the highlight for us. It didn’t surprise me, but for the lads and everyone associated with the club, it’s great to see how much support our supporters have for the football club on this side of the world.
“The distance doesn’t diminish the passion at all and it was great to see them all week, not just in the stadium but all around town with Celtic shirts everywhere.
“They’ve made their impression and it’s great. I knew what to expect but it was just great to share it with everyone and for everyone else to see what I already know.
OOPS…Reo Hatate rues his penalty-kick miss.
“It’s been a great week for our club, we’re a massive football club and a global brand and the more we grow in these kinds of regions and give back then we will get it back in spade-loads.”
The manager added: “It was just good for the boys to get away. Whenever you’re in camp you get more chances to spend more time with each other.
“Just being in a different place, for a lot of the boys it was their first time in Australia and we had a great spot where they could wander around without too many people coming up to them, so they could relax which is good.
“They get a bit of a break now which I think they need and then we need to go again.
WHOOPS…Joe Hart makes a superb penalty-kick save from Stanley Mills.
“I think the players are well aware of why we are giving them a break, it’s not to have a rest it’s to have a mental break from the schedule we’ve had.
“I know in the back of their minds they will be waiting to come back, we will train in Portugal and I’m sure they will come back really ready to go.”
Celtic, currently nine points ahead at the Premiership pinnacle, restart their title quest with a match against Aberdeen at Pittodrie on Saturday December 17.
ABADA BLUNDER IN BLANKETY BLANK STALEMATE
