Ange Postecoglou in emotional tribute to Celtic fans after ‘ridiculousness’
Postecoglou’s side, who have already won the Viaplay Cup and Premiership this season, defeated Inverness Caledonian Thistle 3-1 in the Scottish Cup final in Hampden yesterday.
Supporters of the Glasgow giants are desperate to see the Greek-Australian manager, who has been linked with the Spurs vacancy in recent days, staying in the East End.
The 58-year-old, who has won five out of six trophies since replacing Neil Lennon in 2021, refused to cede his future to Celtic when asked about his intentions after the triumph.
But he highlighted the supporters who shouted his name after his captain Callum McGregor lifted the trophy for believing in him when he arrived in this country.
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“I really appreciated the support I received from day one because of the way I got into the football club,” he said. “Frankly, I was ‘a joke.’ A lot of people made fun of me.
“But the fans together, for their own reasons, put their arms around me and said, ‘No, he’s one of us.’ It was up to me to repay that belief.
“The reason they felt so close to this team and I was because they stood by me while others might have made fun of it. I think they have a lot of credit for what happened.
“Given the reaction to my appointment, it would have been easy for our supporters to be just as skeptical. That would have made my work much more difficult, especially in the early stages when there were no results yet.
“I think they felt part of my journey here and they deserve a good feeling about that, despite a lot of people poking fun at it, they stood by the person who represented their football club and that’s what they do special as a fan.”
“I’ve tried to repay that in my own way by hopefully producing a team that has achieved success and that they will be proud of. But that was always the most important thing for me.”
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Postecoglou admitted he is proud to join an elite group of Celtic managers that includes Jock Stein, Martin O’Neill, Brendan Rodgers and Neil Lennon, who all cleaned-shooting for the domestic title in the same season.
“I’m very proud of the group and it’s a bit surreal when you think about what we’ve achieved,” he said.
“After last season where we had unexpected success with a double, there was a gap there – the Scottish Cup.
“The challenge this year was to come back bigger and better like I told them on the last day.
“I wanted us to improve but I can easily say that. Players just took on any challenge, and in order for us to do that, we had to close the gap. Winning the Scottish Cup does that.
“This club has an incredible track record and for this group they now have their part in it that will last forever.
“I’m very proud to get my own little piece of history. When you join this club, you understand that it is a great opportunity, but it also comes with a great responsibility.
“There are certain levels of performance and success that you have to achieve. With that in mind, there is something very special about doing something that few people have done.
“Everything I’ve achieved in my career is special in its own way, but I’m very proud of that.”
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When asked what the future holds for him and his team, Postecoglou said: “Before you look ahead, you have to enjoy it.”
“Everyone worked hard for it, it was a long season. Some of our guys have been to a World Cup and are still doing their best.
“It was a monumental achievement. Kyogo (Furuhashi) was barely fit today and now has to play for his national team. But his thoughts only revolved around performing for this club.
“They all deserve to enjoy this, it’s not about what comes next for any of them.
“I told them that in the dressing room. They can celebrate this a little more intensely because tomorrow is a holiday for them. So I told them to enjoy it and everything that comes next will fall into place.”
