ANGE POSTECOGLOU looked on the money side as the manager planned for Celtic’s future.
The Greek-Australian gaffer acknowledges the worldwide appeal of the club and how that special bond with supporters dotted around the globe can be maximised in a financial manner to boost the team.
Postecoglou wants to build a side on a rock-solid commercial foundation in an effort to compete with clubs who are fortunate enough to have fiscal clout courtesy of lucrative TV deals plus the cash-rich spin-offs.
The Hoops boss said: “We know the financial disparity that exists between us and the teams we want to compete with, particularly in Europe.
PARADISE DOWN UNDER…Ange Postecoglou watches Celtic versus Everton in Sydney with the Hoops fans supplying the colourful backdrop.
“Everything we can do commercially to make this club stronger, the more revenue we generate. The club doesn’t put the money in the bank, it’s about making the club stronger.
“I’m all for these kinds of things that make our club stronger – because that’s how we bridge the gap. There are plenty of clubs who have a stronger financial base than us, but don’t have the worldwide support that we do.
“Why not tap into it? That’s how big clubs operate and that’s what we have to want to be. That’s what we are, we just need to be disciplined about what we do and not get sidetracked by other things if we are to be the club we know we can be.”
Postecoglou’s main focus, of course, is on the team he can put out on match day as he relentlessly pursues the silverware he believes the club and the supporters deserve.
At the recent AGM, he spoke of the possibility of established players moving out to free up cash to bring in newcomers.
GURN AND BEAR IT…Ange Postecoglou pulls a face as he watches the Hoops in the Accor Stadium.
Josip Juranovic has stalled on signing a contract extension and the 27-year-old £2.5million bargain buy from Legia Warsaw in August 2021 could be on his way in the January transfer window.
Atletico Madrid, Manchester United and Chelsea have been linked with the defender who will be performing for Croatia in the World Cup Finals over the coming weeks.
Matt O’Riley, a cut-price £1.5million arrival from MK Dons in January, has been a revelation since joining the champions and envious eyes are being cast in his direction from across the border.
Premier League leaders Arsenal are already reported to be aware of the London-born former Fulham prospect’s meteoric rise at Parkhead.
O’Riley put in a solid performance against Everton in the scoreless stalemate in Sydney yesterday as he and a few of his team-mates emphasised their qualities that would hardly be out of place in England’s top flight.
WALKABOUT…Ange Postecoglou in Oz with the famous Sydney Harbour Bridge in the background.
Postecoglou, speaking to the Daily Record, continued: “That’s not for me to judge. I certainly don’t want them to go at the moment.
“Again, that’s part of who we want to be as a football club. I said it a few weeks ago, all these things need to be designed to be stronger every year.
“We can’t plateau. We can’t just be a dominant team in our own backyard. We want to be more than that.
“To do that all these other things are important because that’s how we bridge the gaps and have an advantage over other clubs who don’t have this access to worldwide exposure.”
There has been speculation that Celtic, following their seven-figure financial gain after the two-game visit to Australia, could now be tempted to tour Japan where the manager had a successful title-winning three-and-a-half seasons with Yokohama F Marinos before his move to the Hoops in June last year.
Postecoglou, 57, added: “I know how big a market that is, as well. That’s not me driving it, that’s Michael Nicholson, Chris McKay and the commercial and management team.
FAR EASTERN PROMISE…Ange Postecoglou celebrates winning the title with his Yokohama F Marinos players.
“They understand it, but we have to buy into it as a football department. We have to acknowledge it helps us in the long run. Sure, it puts some extra demands and it would have been easier to give the boys an extra week off.
“But this has been an important week for the football club. This is the third time now that the club has been here in the near or distant past.
“The club realises that its reach is global and in every part of the world there are Celtic supporters. You have got to share the love around and we may go to other areas first.
”It’s been great. Obviously, there’s been stuff about this being a kind of homecoming, but that was a little bit of a sidebar to what’s really important. The passion the supporters have for this football club from the other side of the world is just brilliant to see.
“I am well aware of it, but for the players to see it then if they didn’t get it before they would now. They’ve gone halfway around the world and the passion exists everywhere. That gives the players even more of a feeling they are part of something really special.
“It’s good for our club. There are not many clubs who can travel and get this kind of support.
“It’s an important part of who we are and we need to keep growing the club. The more we visit these places and give a little back, we’ll get more in return in spades.”
