ANGE POSTECOGLOU is determined to gatecrash the Champions League and make Celtic a success again in Europe’s elite.
That’s the verdict of former Hoops skipper Jackie McNamara who believes that is why the impressive Greek-Australian gaffer is not interested in quitting Parkhead, despite the lure on the English top-flight.
With monotonous regularity, Postecoglou’s name has been linked with a number of vacancies in the Premier League as heads have rolled with TWELVE bosses sacked in ruthless fashion.
EURO HEADACHE…Ange Postecoglou shows his frustration in a Champions League encounter.
The Parkhead chief’s name has been reported in association with clubs such as Spurs, Everton, Leeds United, Wolves, Southampton, Crystal Palace and Brighton.
Postecoglou was on the bookies’ list of frontrunners for the Leicester City job just moments after Brendan Rodgers departed the Midlands outfit on Sunday, as CQN reported.
Ex-Celtic defender McNamara is convinced there has been genuine interest and not just speculation from some of those named – but he is confident the former Australia World Cup Finals head coach has his focus set on making a massive impact in Europe’s most prestigious competition next season.
Scotland’s title kings can push themselves 12 points ahead at the Premiership pinnacle with a win over Ibrox opposition at Parkhead on Sunday on their way to an automatic group stage return in the forthcoming crusade.
However, Europe proved to be a banana skin in this campaign with only two points won from a possible 18, both coming in 1-1 draws with Shakhtar Donetsk. However, there were home and away defeats against Real Madrid (0-3 and 1-5) and RB Leipzig (1-3 and 2-0).
McNamara said: “I think Ange will want to be better in Europe. He’ll want to go into the Champions League and make an impact and do well on that stage.
HOME SWEET HOME…Ange Postecoglou and the Celtic players take a lap of honour after last season’s title success following a 6-0 romp against Motherwell on May 14.
“I thought they were excellent in some of the games this year for 60 minutes. When you get chances at that level you need to take them.
“Ange’s been linked with a lot of jobs. His stock is very high and people have looked at how he’s turned it around at Celtic. There’s been a huge turnaround at the club in terms of players, but the style and identity is there.
“You can only see them getting better and stronger. Ange has been mentioned with a lot of jobs and I’m sure the interest has been a lot stronger in some of them than we know about.
“He hasn’t gone and Celtic fans will be hoping that stays the case for a long time because he’s been excellent.”
Looking at the domestic challenges on the league and Scottish front to come before the curtain comes down on the season on June 3, McNamara, speaking to the Daily Record, added: “You need everyone to be on it every week.
“There’s always the odd game, You saw the one Celtic lost at St Mirren earlier in the season. But Celtic are in good form. Even the players who having been starting have stepped in and others haven’t been missed.
ROARING SUCCESS…Ange Postecoglou yells instructions from the touchline.
“It’s really healthy having such a strong squad. I think the biggest thing is he’s changed the mentality. It’s obviously strong.
“He’s getting the most out of his players. With Celtic, there are no surprises in terms of how they go about it. They are not going to change to play them.
“Looking at it, you’d think Rangers will try to stop Celtic in the match. The only uncertain bits are the midfield area in terms of who might come back in for Celtic.”
The influential double-act of Reo Hatate and Aaron Mooy weren’t in the squad that won 2-0 over Ross County in Dingwall at the weekend when Tomoki Iwata made his first start alongside Matt O’Riley.
Postecoglou will continue to asses the fitness levels of the Japanese and Australian stars before the 12.30pm kick-off at a sell-out Parkhead on Saturday.
