Under-pressure Celtic manager Ange Postecoglou has said he’s still confident his side can secure a top-half finish in the Scottish Premiership this season.
Despite a turbulent start to the season, the Australian remains convinced the European giant can rise above St Johnstone, St Mirren and Ross County and secure a spot outside the bottom six before March’s split.
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“I believe in setting the highest standards for this team,” he said as he discussed the team’s inconsistent form this campaign.
“This is a massive club and there’s no reason we can’t be pushing Dundee United and Motherwell all the way for sixth spot.”
However, Celtic’s run of results – with no win in their last nine league games away from Celtic Park – gives plenty of reason to doubt the new manager’s ambitions, and the exodus of talent over the summer has done little to breed confidence among the fans, and the club’s announcement of an £11.5m loss this year will do little to lift the mood, but Postecoglou is confident the side can thrive despite any financial cutbacks.
“Obviously we’ve lost Scott Brown, Kristofer Ajer, Odsonne Edouard, Olivier Ntcham, Leigh Griffiths, Ryan Christie, Nora the tealady, the Olivetti FRS-4351 Print-&-Copy Combi from the office, as well as heating and lighting between the hours of 10am and 3pm on weekdays, avocados from the player canteen and free pies and Bovril for club staff on matchdays, but that’ll all be worth it for the team we’re building,” he explained.
GLASGOW, SCOTLAND – AUGUST 26: Celtic captain Scott Brown in action during the UEFA Champions League second qualifying round match between Celtic and Ferencvaros at Celtic Park on August 26, 2020 in Glasgow, Scotland. (Photo by Mark Runnacles/Getty Images)
“And if it comes to it, I can always teach the lads how to trap, skin and cook a dingo from my time living Goolagongawozza in the Outback.”
“If eating stewed wild dog testicles under a cloudless midnight sky doesn’t focus your mind I don’t know what will,” he explained.
His team will need to be so resourceful this season, given it currently seems to consist of Kyogo Furahashi and 10 random blokes they brought in off the street, with the Japanese forward responsible for seven goals so far and Celtic struggling to pick up results without him.
“Kyogo’s been great since he arrived,” the manager said.
“Celtic fans can look forward to years of him banging in goals as he’s linked with Premier League strugglers before it becomes obvious his contract’s going to run down and his transfer value halves overnight.”
Though there are others at the club who may appreciate in value in the coming months.
“Joe Hart’s Head’n’Shoulders contract is up for renewal, so maybe we tap him up for a few quid,” he said.
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