Alex Jones 
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Celtic has confirmed the appointment of Greek-Australian manager Ange Postecoglou as the club’s new manager, shared via Twitter just before 9am on Thursday morning.
Following a breakdown in talks with top target Eddie Howe after months of talks, the Bhoys turned their attention to the Yokohama F. Marinos manager, whose career has spanned Asia and Oceania.
The Athenian – a one-time manager of the Australia men’s national team – famously lifted the 2015 Asia Cup with the Socceroos but lacks European experience on his CV.
He garnered a reputation in Australia for transitioning Brisbane Roar to a progressive attacking side with his style of play once being hailed by former Barcelona and current Manchester City tactician Pep Guardiola.
Earning the nickname ‘Roarcelona’, Brisbane Roar achieved a 36-game unbeaten run whilst executing an entertaining attacking brand of football.
Having won the J-League title in Japan with Yokohama, Postecoglou will link up with the squad at Lennoxtown as soon as protocols allow, with work set to begin immediately.
Signing a 12-month rolling deal, Postecoglou expressed his delight at the news:
“The opportunity that has been given to me is one of the greatest honours in football and the responsibility to lead our magnificent football club into the future is one that I will cherish dearly.
“Celtic is one of THE names in world football, of that there is no doubt – a giant of a club, a proper footballing institution and so much more – real history, real substance, real authenticity and real soul. I know Celtic is a true way of life for so many people and I know the demands which come with this position – I am ready to do all I can to meet those demands.
“I will be doing everything I can to get our great Club back on top and, at the same time, deliver the kind of football which our fans appreciate. We want to entertain our fans and we want to win, these are the objectives which I always set myself and which I now begin work on.
“When you think of Celtic, you think of supporters and my dream is to see our fans back at Celtic Park with us as soon as possible. We all hope things are changing for the better and can see our fans soon as they are vital to everything I want to do. We need our supporters back by our side and I can’t wait to be with them back in a packed Paradise.
“I have already had great discussions with Peter, Dom and the Board about their ideas and strategy for the future of the club. I know the Club’s new modern vision aligns very much with mine and we now look to go and deliver on this. In everything we do we aim to give our fans a successful team of real quality, which they are excited about and can be proud of.
“We have already begun work on our plans for adding to the squad – we aim to bring players of quality to Celtic to enhance the existing core of great talent.
“I very much look forward to meeting with the players on their return from the close season break and I can’t wait to get started as Celtic Manager.”
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Having been tipped for some time as a likely appointment, Celtic fans will be left nervously awaiting the Hoops’ first few games.
Implementing his exciting offensive philosophy is likely to be a key task as the Bhoys seek to wrangle the Scottish Premiership title back from arch-rivals Rangers next season.
Only time will tell if Postecoglou is up to the task, though there is plenty of pre-season work to do before Celtic’s trajectory is elucidated.
