There’s a reason the likes of Dermot Desmond and Frank Trimboli have been seen around Celtic Park, and it isn’t because Ange is going to Spurs
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Perception is a strange thing.
Many people will use certain circumstances to perceive something totally different to what’s actually going on.
For example, Keith Jackson believes Frank Trimboli was seen at Celtic Park on Saturday because he may be involved in negotiating a move for Ange Postecoglou to Spurs.
Well, that’s the seed he’s trying to plant in your mind anyway.
The perception he’s trying to make you have.
I have a totally different perception.
The first thing to point out here, is that nobody knows what’s going on behind the scenes when it comes to Ange Postecoglou’s future.
That’s not to say anybody with a brain can’t take a stab at working it out.
Keith Jackson took his stab at it yesterday.
His stab was geared totally towards his readership.
We all know who that readership is.
So, his perception of events at Celtic Park over the last couple of weeks will be skewed in favour of his readership and the team he himself loves.
Being a Celtic blogger, my perception of these events is totally different.
Which I’ll explain over the course of this article.
For me, Spurs interest in Ange is a positive thing.
Because it will create several positive scenarios for the club as a whole.
Firstly, Dermot Desmond did not become a billionaire by chance.
He is a smart business man and he recognises an extremely valuable asset when he sees one.
Ange Postecoglou is an extremely valuable asset to both Dermot Desmond and Celtic.
To let him walk out the door without tying him down on a long term deal would be grossly negligent of our board.
Desmond was most likely at Celtic recently to start negotiations on this front.
Now that Spurs are showing interest in Ange, the stakes have just risen dramatically in these negotiations.
But they have risen in favour of Celtic.
By that, I mean in favour of the team and the playing squad.
Because when Ange sits down at the negotiating table, mostly likely with Frank Trimboli at his side, he can lay out his vision for Celtic and what he expects to happen to fulfil his vision for the team.
His negotiating power has just increased exponentially as a result of him becoming the bookies favourite for the Spurs job.
There is a distinct chance an agreement was put in place when Ange and Dermot Desmond spoke recently, with a view to it being finalised after the treble was delivered.
However, this was before the Spurs job came into the equation.
That development definitely alters the landscape in Ange’s favour.
Ange spoke briefly of his vision for the future on Saturday when he was speaking to Sky Sports.
He stated that there was much more to come from the team.
Do I think his head has been turned by the Spurs job?
I don’t and there are plenty of reasons why I think he won’t head for North London.
That’s not to say he isn’t flattered by the interest, why wouldn’t he be?
Ange knows his stock is rising.
But he also knows it can rise much further with Celtic.
Celtic are in the Champions League next season, Tottenham Hotspur did not even qualify for Europe’s third tier competition.
Why would he pass up the opportunity to partake in Europe’s premier competition, in favour of taking on the current mess that is the Spurs job?
If he achieves special things with Celtic in Europe in the near future, then big clubs will start to sit up and take notice anyway.
Ange Postecoglou is a smart man, he knows this.
But right here, right now, he is in a very strong position when it comes to his future.
He will cement this with a win over Inverness Caledonian Thistle next Saturday at Hampden Park.
5 out of 6 trophies on offer will have been delivered in just two seasons, after inheriting a team that was in complete disarray in 2021.
After that, he will most likely sit down at the negotiating table once the treble has been delivered and finalise his future at Celtic with the board.
Whether this is a continuation of his one year rolling contract, which he seems quite happy with, or a long term deal, remains to be seen.
But as I’ve stated before, there could already be a deal in place in light of Desmond’s visit, and the club are holding off on an announcement until the Cup final is over.
This could also be the reason why Ange will not discuss the subject beyond that point.
We might just be getting the announcement in the Hampden showers that we really want!
Although I get the feeling Ange is far too professional for that kind of thing.
I believe it will be done in a structured way.
As I alluded to earlier, the Tottenham interest is a positive thing for Celtic.
If Ange is to stay at Celtic Park, he’ll want certain guarantees to be given when it comes to strengthening his squad for Europe.
In other words, the board will need to match his ambition if they wish to keep him.
If they don’t, it’s already becoming evident that there will be plenty of clubs, soon enough, who will be willing to match that ambition.
Celtic messed up before at this point.
In 2018, when they didn’t back Brendan Rodgers in the transfer market and sold our top asset just before the transfer window closed.
We missed out on the Champions League as a result of that.
This kind of lack of ambition will not be accepted by someone like Ange Postecoglou.
The big difference here is that Brendan Rodgers did not have a top club sniffing around for his services like Ange does.
As soon as Rodgers did, he was gone.
Ange is holding all the Aces at the moment.
It’s up to the board to give him what he wants.
I believe they will, and I believe we’ll be safe in the knowledge that Ange has pledged his future to Celtic after the Cup final.
Once that’s confirmed, what comes after that is uncharted territory.
Every time this century that we’d had the opportunity to take the step to the next level, we’ve frozen in the headlights.
Ange Postecoglou is the man who will change all of that.
When he delivers the treble, he will be up there with the greats.
What he does after that might just be beyond our wildest dreams.
He wants to do it.
The fans want him to do it.
The board must want him to do it too.
Then and only then, can we realise our true potential under this man.
Make it happen Celtic.
Very good article Eric.That mob on the Southside plus their supporters in the SMSM are desperate for Ange to leave because they know Celtic will always be winners under this guy’s management.Getting out of the group stages in the CL is an even worse scenario for the serial losers and Ange could do it with 3 good battle hardened signings and a wee bit of luck because he is a lucky mhan.
I only hope what you say is correct, but as we know spurs play in one of the biggest leagues in Europe (if not the biggest) – with the right budget he could take spurs to Europe next year – I hope I am wrong and he stays as long as he wants – but the spurs job, the premier league- to job
Brilliant mate everything you say is true I have a feeling that Europe is going to be great weather it’s the champions league or the Europa league and the big man will lead us no matter what the rags say hail hail
Don’t you find it hysterical that the same press guys who tie their horses up at night ,who were all giving it the old attaboy high fives to each other when Ange was offered the manager’s job initially , are the same posse desperate for the big fella to leave Celtic at the first time if asking ? I find it an absolute riot watching how every week these cowboy scoops are going the extra mile in trying to aid Ange’s departure tout suite …. As Ralph Kramden always said ,har , har ,har ,de , har, har !
Good article, though it was Dembele who forced his move.
I have a feeling Ange would find Daniel Levy difficult to deal with on a day to day basis and as a result may pass on the Spurs interest.
I believe Ange is an intelligent man and at the moment happy and his family look happy, would he jeopardise happiness for the stress of the EPL?
He could be immortal if he stayed at Celtic, I think Ange knows that and he loves the club, all this has to come into the equation.
I think if the spurs job is offered to him he’ll take it he’s a very ambitious man also I think he’s informed Desmond of his decision allowing the club to look for his successor… I do hope that I’m wrong but got a feeling
One thing that has barely been mentioned but will be a huge factor in Ange’s eventual decision is his family. Ange is clearly a devoted family man and the views of his wife and the well being and education of his young boys must be an important factor. I have no idea what school the boys attend but they are at an age where continuity in their schooling will be important. If they are happy and doing well at school, Ange and his wife may be reluctant to up sticks again and start afresh in London. It appears the family are happy and settled and maybe, just maybe there will be more to his decision to stay than just footballing matters. Fingers crossed.
Great article well written and very true Celtic in the past have always been reluctant to spend in order to take the club to the next level that was partly the reason Brendan Rodgers left, if Ange were to leave at the end of the season after winning the treble he will still be adored by the Celtic supporters unlike Rodgers who shot himself in the foot by leaving when he did. Reading between the lines I personally believe Ange will stay to have another crack at the Champions league let’s hope it’s good news after the Cup final.
Good article. Though I always get the impression Rodgers wasn’t backed in 2018 because it was obvious he was waiting on a better offer to come his way from England. If Ange says he’s all in for the next few years I am confident he will be backed both with a bumper new contract and a big transfer kitty.
I remember when we won the league cup at ibrox the year we stopped the ten and keith jackson just a young reporter wrote an article saying craig burley was the most important mid fielder celtic had since bobby murdoch . Unbelievably duscounting tommy burns and paul mcstay there is a reason he is called keith unionjackson everything he writes gives him away
While I agree with most of your article the board have shown themselves to be money oriented. To me Ange has delivered good assets to be cashed in later and that’s why they are not like us supporter.
I enjoyed your article. Ange is a clever man and isn’t motivated by money, he is the man to ask how much is enough? He’s clearly getting more than most hard working people earn in a lifetime before tax. He consistently and constantly tells us all how massive Celtic are and how he dreams of returning our club to it’s once former European glory. His dream has always been to manage a top European club. He has that now, a top European club that has lost it’s way. He never ever mentioned that one day he’d prefer one league over another, simply a top European club. Celtic have supporters like no other. Ange is revered and we all belive he is the man to restore our European credentials. Ange is a man for glory and honour over finance. What greater glory is there than winning a European trophy with a club that’s NOT one of the favourites? It certainly requires more ambition to win one with Celtic than it does to do it with a club that can buy ANY player. The immigrant is the underdog, Celtic are the underdogs. Ange and Celtic share in this immigrant underdog story. It is a blending that seems tailor made and destined for glory. It won’t happen overnight, but in Ange we can build and build until one day he leads us into the promised land as European champions, just as Moses led God’s people into Israel. Milk and honey awaits us under Ange, let us enjoy the journey, our 40 years will soon come to an end. HH
enjoyed all of the above comments
Ziggy
The bottom line is none of us know if Ange will stay or go.I can see reasons to go and reasons to stay.But as I don’t know the guy personally i would be trying to second guess him.We will soon know,one way or another.
Ange tells you in every interview that if he is successful , big moves will take care of themselves, Celtic fans don’t seem to listen, the guy has done fantastic, but we’ve all seen these badge patters before, he’ll be off soon enough, money talks.
It’s amazing how a lot of journalists just lean whichever way the wind is blowing as one of the guy’s said it was Ange who? And the Japanese backwater for football where he came from but it has totally changed now it’s unbelievable could you ever hear Jamie caraghar or ex Liverpool saying we need to see pep leave I would think you would want to write about the best in the job that you do. Just saying
Club not stupid enough to give a massive budget chasing dreams of Champions League success more important enough of a budget to stay ahead in our own league CELTIC bigger than any individual if Ange is going thanks bye if staying continue with the job in hand and don’t ever play us for mugs
I just want celtic to let us know it was meant to be different that we are would not be kept in the dark about what we going on off the pitch but we don’t know what ange is doing I honestly don’t think he will leave he said some time ago that he’s not like other managers that’s stay on short term contract and he was happy to stay ate celtic longer than most we are going to japan Korea preseason tour so can’t see him leaving us
We all know the take Keith Jackass would take on the subject but your own take might be wishful thinking too. The lure of earning nearly seven times his current wages at Celtic by joining Tottenham might be too great! £2.2m compared to £15m might be an offer he can’t refuse if we’re being realistic. Yes, he’ll want to have another go at the Champions League and if he was to make the last sixteen there, then that would be deemed hugely successful (Strachan did that twice) but it’s more likely we’ll finish third or fourth and at best end up in the Europa. He’d then find himself in the Brendan Rodgers position of wondering if the chance to join a decent English Premiership Club will ever come around again and from where? Rodgers had a mixed reputation in England. Some thought he’d done great at Liverpool, Reading and Swansea but others were glad to see him go and felt he’d spent fortunes on deadwood. Ange has no record there and the English media will lap up his smooth interview style and the way he conducts himself and his refreshing honesty. Where I think your article is overly optimistic is regarding our boards ambition and your high opinion of Dermott D. He should have had Ange tied up when he was over the other week or long before now if he was that clever, instead, there’s been no announcement. Any investment in Ange’s vision for the future will be moderate as usual and matched by other clubs in our position with better resources but I could be wrong because unlike the Brendan Rodgers years, we are already qualified, so the income is guaranteed. No need to sell our best assets on the back of failure in the qualifier. Something the Cream Buns will need to ponder. At this point with BR, the board were always considering the possibility of failure to qualify and their smartness comes from not being gamblers. From a football perspective. The chance of another crack at the Champions League will be huge and I can only hope that Ange does a Henrik Larsson and by that I mean bides his time because success at Celtic and keeping our fans on side, can eventually lead to even better opportunities with even bigger clubs than Spurs. We as fans always expect three years at least from a manager. BR made the mistake of jumping ship ahead of a tough match at Tynecastle and a precarious lead at the top. Nobody would begrudge Ange a move to a bigger club with more money etc as long as he’s done three full years here and leaves at the end of a season giving the next guy time to adjust etc. I can’t help but feel Martin O’Neill is waiting in the wings and will be returning if Ange is off! I think the best way to keep Ange might be to offer him a Directorship earning package! Shares or some kind of special funding package!
Ange is a clever guy.look at the past couple of managers spurs have had,conte and pochitino yet Daniel levy would not listen to these outstanding managers ,ange knows that the spurs job is poisoned chalice ,ange stays on at celtic does what he’s currently doing with better results in Europe he knows his stock will be higher than spurs.one day ange will leave us but I believe not this coming season ..but I’m just going to enjoy him and our football till such time he moves on .God bless ange
Celtic fans of which I am def one don’t get it when it comes to a new signings. It won’t matter how big the transfer kitty Ange or any other manager has to play with! The bottom line no player of CL ilk is going to be knocking on the gates of Celtic Park to sign up and play in SPhell! That is an absolute fact! And anyway such players cost 20m and counting. That won’t be happening on the Celtic Boards watch! You have to go back to MON’s era the last time we splashed the cash – Sutton, Hartson etc and of course that took us to a European final. Times have drastically changed since then! I can see a European Journeyman arriving or even two – to get us outta the group stages but anything other than that will be your 5m circa “potential stars” who seek a stepping stone to the EPL. It’s not rocket science – it’s actually the way it has been for years and not even the bold and talented Ange can change that – no matter how they butter him up!
Should Ange and his agents meet with Spurs, the one thing I believe which will make or break the deal is whether he will have total autonomy of the running of the football side of the club! If that is not on the table, I don’t believe he would be interested!
We know he is gonna leave sooner rather than later, let’s just hope that he will hang around for another crack at the group stage!
Sadly Ange will be leaving this summer as he knows Rangers will be too strong for Celtic next season , Rangers will invest money Celtic can only dream about and take the treble next season! Its just reality that his stock is high but will be destroyed next season by Rangers resurgence! I also heard Brendan Rodgers has had talks about returning to Celtic.
Funny Guy,
sevco win a treble HAHA HAHA
I presume the last comment is just pure sarcasm. The International have laid down their marker by trawling the Championship for freebies early. Good luck to them but this is not going to make a challenge. You get what you pay for, if you are paying nothing, expect nothing. No idea whether he will stay or go but Spurs is a mistake. On a down ward spiral that will worsen with the departure of Kane and a few others. He will only last 6 months at Spurs. That is where they are at the moment. Big club? But a bit of a failure for generations
Great article.
Everything you said is very true but everyone including yourself must have that wee feeling of anxiety about the whole situation, you’re not human of you don’t (yes there’s medical exceptions).
Ange is a massive asset and the wolves will be howling as the vulchers circle Celtic Park.
Spurs will fancy their chances too that’s to be expected.
However, Ange seems more the twice the man that Rodgers is and I expect that to help at the negotiation table.
Bring on the cup, a quality summer and more success next season HH.
I sincerely hope he doesn’t leave, however my gut tells me he would love a challenge like the Spurs job where everyone would write him off. I honestly don’t think he can achieve much more in Scotland. I really do hope I’m totally wrong.
I have said on this site months ago ange might go because of corrupt referees and the sfa the board should be sacked when this comes out in the wash
I think Ange will stay…. guy I know knows the guy who drives his kids to the Greek School in Glasgow and they are very happy there….he talks about how his family have been embraced by everybody at Celtic and he’s got the Celtic fans eating out of his hands….think he will get a new contract after the final…Dermott Desmond is not stupid….this is Ange’s team…he would not take players halfway round the world from Japan…South Korea…Canada…USA and leave them in the lurch….he’s a Liverpool fan and if Jurgen Klopp walks in the next 2-3 years that might be an option he might consider…but right now I think he’s staying put….and another final thing…where would have Tottenham finished in the league without HK’s 30 goals….and he’s leaving with one year left on his contract….even Mourhino waded into Spurs and Daniel Levy it was the worst managerial job he’s ever had….contentment is important in life and I think Ange js more than happy with his life,job and family in Glasgow
In Ange we trust
Having a good laugh at all these comments. As it turned out Jackson’s article was geared towards the truth.