Brendan Rodgers stands on the brink of another Treble at Celtic, but the backbone of this season’s push owes much to the man who went before him according to Chris Sutton. Ange Postecoglou may have departed for Spurs nearly two years ago, but the fingerprints of his work remain all over this current Celtic side.
From Cameron Carter-Vickers to Reo Hatate, Greg Taylor to Daizen Maeda, the spine of the team powering Celtic’s trophy charge this term was assembled and moulded by Postecoglou. Alistair Johnston the club’s clear first choice right back also.
Callum McGregor is the obvious exception. A stalwart of the Rodgers era first time round, he bridged both regimes and now captains a side that blends the best of both worlds. You could also argue with great success that Rodgers has helped coach and improve Daizen who has become Celtic’s best player this season.
“You could argue it’s still the core of his team that are doing the business for Celtic now,” Chris Sutton wrote this week in his Record Sport column, reflecting on the enduring impact of Ange’s tenure. “No one should underestimate the job he did at Celtic… winning the title back in his first year and then completing the Treble was a superb achievement.”
Postecoglou’s overhaul of the squad laid the foundation for Celtic’s current dominance. Players like Hatate and Maeda, recruited from Japan, and defenders such as Carter-Vickers, were central to that rebuild – and they’ve continued to thrive under Rodgers.
But Rodgers hasn’t just inherited a good thing – he’s strengthened it. The addition of experienced figures like Kasper Schmeichel in goal and Adam Idah up top has added steel and quality. Arne Engels has brought fresh energy to the midfield even if some people like to take shots at the youngster.
Rodgers’ tweaks have been smart and effective, but they’ve been built on the sturdy platform Postecoglou left behind.
Sutton added: “It’s almost like his trophies in Scotland don’t count for anything,” referring to the dismissive attitude south of the border. But in Glasgow, the evidence of Ange’s success is still there every week – in the performances of the very players he trusted most.
Ange is currently basking in success and vindication after delivering Spurs first trophy in just under two decades and their first European trophy in over 40 years. Not bad for a man who started making a name on these shores rebuilding a beleaguered Celtic side.
As the Hoops prepare for another Hampden final, it’s clear this is a team with the best of both worlds: Ange’s blueprint and Brendan’s refinement.
