Celtic’s manager, Ange Postecoglou, believes his experience was unfairly undermined by his counterpart at Rangers, Michael Beale, after the latter claimed the Australian was a “lucky man” in relation to the transfer funds at his disposal.
Celtic’s win against Rangers in the Scottish Cup semi-final on Sunday means Beale’s team are destined for a trophyless season while Celtic are in line for a domestic treble. Postecoglou made a veiled reference to “luck” during post-match media duties and later expanded on his thoughts towards Beale.
“It didn’t annoy me, it doesn’t motivate me, but I think people use that kind of language deliberately,” Postecoglou said. “I would never use that language about somebody in my position. I’m not sure which bit is ‘lucky’. I think Michael at the time was referring to the fact I had money to spend but I didn’t get to this position out of luck. I’ve worked 25 years of coaching to be entrusted at a club like this. This isn’t my first job. If it was my first job maybe I’d be lucky but it’s not, it’s 25 years of hard work.”
Celtic’s key signings of last summer, Jota and Cameron Carter-Vickers, cost a combined £12.5m. “I have to spend that money and I can get it wrong,” Postecoglou said. “And many have, with bigger clubs than ours. So I’m not sure which bit is luck. I think everything you do in life, and particularly in our game, is hard-earned. That doesn’t mean that luck doesn’t come into it at different times but to describe any aspect of my role as fortunate or lucky I just don’t think it’s a fair reflection.
“I don’t think Michael is in a lucky position just because he’s at a club which has resources that other clubs in Scotland don’t. I know he has to work hard if he is going to be successful, the same way I have.”
Postecoglou is aware of broader comment that, in a domestic sense, his job is blissfully straightforward. A Celtic clean sweep of trophies would be their fifth in seven seasons. “I don’t think any part of my job is easy, I don’t think any part of my job is lucky,” he said. “I don’t think any part of any manager’s job in whatever sort of environment they are working in is one where you can use those terms. Any manager in any position knows, irrespective of the circumstances, that it’s hard work. You’ve got to be totally dedicated.
“You’ve got to always try to make the best decisions that you are asked to make every day. To dismiss this as something that should just happen naturally, because of who we are as a club, disregards so many factors that come into what it takes to be successful.”
