SIR Kenny Dalglish has backed Ange Postecoglou’s decision to go on the offensive in the Champions League this season ahead of Celtic’s third Group F game against RB Leipzig in Germany on Wednesday night.
Sir Kenny has been impressed with the football the Scottish champions have produced in Europe’s premier club competition even though they have lost to holders Real Madrid at home and failed to beat Shakhtar Donetsk away.
Postecoglou has persevered with the “Angeball” tactics which helped the Glasgow giants to land the cinch Premiership title and Premier Sports Cup during his debut season in the dugout in Scotland last term.
Some fans and pundits believe the Greek-Australian coach should adopt a more defensive approach against the cream of the continent to reach the knockout rounds – but former Liverpool, Blackburn Rovers and Newcastle United manager Dalglish disagrees.
“Celtic went in against the holders in their first game and I feel they adapted themselves very well in the first-half,” he said at the Scottish FA grassroots awards presented by McDonald’s at Hampden.
“They did particularly well. They aren’t the first team that Real Madrid are going to beat. They are undefeated in the Spanish league.
"Celtic were firing on all cylinders in the first 45 minutes against Real Madrid. It would have been interesting if the wee man (Callum McGregor), who hit the bar, had scored. If that shot had gone in during the first-half it may have been different.
"In the second half Real showed they are not the European champions for any reason other than they are a great team. You don't know what the results are going to be, but you just have to keep persevering."
Sir Kenny added: "If you are the manager you can only play the way you know best and that's what he wants to do. It has been so successful for him. That's what got him there in the first place. So why change it?
“Go with what you are happy with and what your players are happy with. Unless you can get the players to turnround and change the style of play, you are not going to be able to do that. They are set in their ways, they are in control for most games.”
Now in its 20th year the annual Scottish FA grassroots awards presented by McDonald’s aim to recognise and reward people across the country that make a difference to grassroots football in their local community.
