ANGE POSTECOGLOU admits he feels “pretty blessed” to be inducted into the Australian FA’s Hall of Fame.
The Celtic boss will be honoured by his adopted nation during the Hoops’ two-game visit, as CQN reported at the weekend.
Fifty-seven-year-old Postecoglou will join many of the country’s greatest sporting stars when he is immortalised among the Aussie greats later this week
BIG HAND…Ange Postecoglou applauds the Celtic fans after the weekend win over Ross County.
The tribute marks his achievements as a manager in guiding the Socceroos to the World Cup Finals in Brazil in 2014, his years in Japan and now his outstanding success in Scotland at Celtic with a title triumph in his debut campaign after the Parkhead men had limped in a bewildering 25 points off the pace the previous term.
The League Cup was also won following a thrilling 2-1 comeback performance against Hibs in December last year while he is now with the squad Down Under for the inaugral Sydney Super Cup where they will meet he local side tomorrow morning and Everton three days later.
Postecoglou said: “I feel old. Usually, when you get these things you’ve got a body of work behind you, but I’m truly humbled.
“I guess from my perspective, the majority of my football journey was in Australia and, for me, it was always about how can I achieve things that I always watched and dreamt about when I was a kid.
SILVERWARE SUCCESS…Ange Postecoglou with the spoils of war, the Premiership title and the League Cup.
“When I think about everything that’s happened to me in my professional life, football has been the one constant through that.
“To be recognised in this way for me and my family, my father, in particular, he was the one who set me off on this path.
“I feel pretty blessed that everything I’ve achieved so far has been recognised in this way.”
Postecoglou, speaking to Celtic TV, continued: “Hopefully, there’s more to come. I think along the way what’s been important to me is the people it’s brought into my life – my best mates are guys I met at my football club when I was eight years old – in South Melbourne.
“The people I’ve met along the way some of my best friends, some who are not friends, but people who have helped me along the journey have all come from football.
WORLD CUP ADVENTURE…Ange Postecoglou in Brazil with Australia in 2014.
“I think when you reflect, I’ve had a lot of success, but it’s been about the people I’ve shared it with – the players, the coaches, the people involved at the football clubs.
“For me, that’s always been the No.1 thing to highlight, the people it’s brought into my life.”
Asked about what awards like this can demonstrate to others, the Hoops gaffer added: “Hopefully, that dreams are not put into boxes wherever you’re born or where you grew up limits it.
“We’ve had players who have gone overseas and shown that growing up or being born in Australia isn’t an impediment to having the best career possible at the highest possible level.”