Ange Postecoglou insists he’s only at stage one of his Celtic masterplan and vowed to stick around in Scotland “until they tap me on the shoulder”.
The Hoops boss is on the brink of returning the title to Parkhead in his debut season and could well land the treble.
But Postecoglou – who majority shareholder Dermot Desmond described as chairman of the board of Celtic due to his outright control of footballing matters – and he says his work has only just begun.
Having joined the Hoops on a 12-month rolling contract last June, Postecoglou has won over the Celtic support by leading his new-look side to a six-point lead at the top of the Premiership with six games to go.
Supporters have called for the 56-year-old Australian to be rewarded with a new contract.
But Postecoglou was playing it cool as he reiterated only the League Cup has been won so far.
He said: “The last thing I want to do is talk to chairmen or to Dermot or anyone about my position.
“As managers we just get on with it. Usually when you have to talk to people involved it’s because you’re worried about your position.
“I’m quite comfortable with the way things are going, I’m really happy and enjoying the role.
“I still have a helluva lot to accomplish as we are at the first stage of the rebuild.
“Until they tap me on the shoulder and tell me the road’s going elsewhere then I will keep doing what I’m doing and be happy about it.”
Postecoglou was speaking after majority shareholder Desmond sang the praises of the Aussie who he described as a “leader and a general”.
But the manager says he couldn’t achieve anything without the support of the Parkhead board - including former chief executive Peter Lawwell.
He said: “I’ve said consistently that the one thing I’ve felt since I got this position is a real strong backing and support.
“The fans, players, staff have been unbelievable and that includes the management. Michael Nicholson, Chris McKay, Dermot and the board, even Peter Lawwell who is no longer involved but has been very supportive of me.
“I couldn’t start to achieve in terms of building a team and trying to get to this point without that sort of support.
“When it comes to football matters then I’m the person responsible and will carry the can if things don’t go well.
“They appointed me because they believe in my vision and what I want to create.
“They support me, I can’t do it by myself whether that’s recruiting players or having resources. They have put me in this position, I’m responsible for it and they are backing me in my vision.”
Not that Postecoglou would ever put himself in a position where he didn’t have the final say on footballing matter.
The former Yokohama Marinos, Brisbane Roar and Melbourne Victory boss said: “I wouldn’t accept that. That’s my responsibility.
“I will not stand and say if something hasn’t gone right under my brief then someone else has made that decision.
“I could never accept that. If I’m the one sitting here answering questions then it’s only right I’m the one making the decisions.
“That doesn’t mean I’m doing everything on my own. I rely on a hell of a lot of good people to give me information, provide resources and allow me to make the best decisions.
“Yeah the recruitment has been great, yeah they were my choices. But I’m doing that on the back of people’s support and information and the good resources we have at this football club.”
