As Tottenham Hotspur gear up to face Arsenal in a pivotal North London Derby, manager Ange Postecoglou draws on his fiery experiences in Glasgow to set the tone. Speaking in a recent press conference, Postecoglou, who previously steered Celtic to a historic treble, shared his philosophy on the significance of local derbies, especially in the context of his new challenge in the English Premier League.
Postecoglou is no stranger to the electric atmosphere of derby matches, having been deeply involved in the Celtic vs. Rangers rivalry—one of the most intense football rivalries worldwide. His time at Celtic was marked by significant success, characterised by a relentless pursuit of victory and improvement, famously encapsulated in his ‘We Never Stop’ mantra.
When questioned about the upcoming North London Derby against Arsenal, Postecoglou emphasised the importance of winning for its own sake, rather than as a means to foil Arsenal’s title hopes. “I want to win and I understand the importance of winning against your rival. I’ve just come down from Glasgow. I’ve got a fair idea about what derbies mean to supporters,” he stated, according to Football London.
His philosophy underscores a focus on self-improvement and ambition rather than rivalry spite. “I never believe your motivation should revolve around the demise of somebody else. Your motivation should be about yourself. I want to win because I want us to achieve something,” Postecoglou elaborated.
This perspective is not new for Postecoglou, who applied a similar mindset while managing Celtic. “I never wanted to win those games because it meant Rangers would lose. I wanted to win as I wanted us to win the title,” he reflected on his approach to the Glasgow Derby.
The Australian’s first season with Tottenham has been a mixed bag of thrilling football and near misses, placing Spurs in a challenging but hopeful position for a top-four finish. His transition from the Scottish Premiership to the Premier League has been watched closely, and his adaptation to the new league is continuously evolving.
As Tottenham prepares to face Arsenal at 2 pm today, their fans hope that Postecoglou’s driven and focused mindset could lead to a significant victory in the North London Derby, echoing his past successes in Glasgow. Meanwhile, Celtic, now under Brendan Rodgers’ watch, continues their own battle for the SPFL title against Dundee at Dens Park.
Let’s hope it’s a good day for all!
