Ange Postecoglou’s Celtic set to please supporters in Sydney Super Cup

Ange Postecoglou wants his Celtic team to reward the club’s Australian supporters with two strong Sydney Super Cup performances.

Celtic manager Ange Postecoglou wants a strong showing from the Hoops at the Sydney Super Cup. Picture: Brett Hemmings/Getty Images for Bursty

“Proud” Celtic manager Ange Postecoglou has promised two imposing performances from his side during the Sydney Super Cup, believing anything less would be an insult to the Hoops’ thousands of Australian fans,

Postecoglou’s champions of Scotland kick off the Cup on Thursday night at Allianz Stadium against Sydney FC before meeting struggling English Premier League outfit Everton on Sunday at Allianz Stadium.

Ironically, Celtic’s meeting with Everton comes at time when former Socceroos coach Postecoglou has been linked to the Toffees’ manager’s job, currently belonging to the besieged Frank Lampard.

A Celtic win over Everton would push Postecoglou even higher up the Toffees’ wish list.

However, Postecoglou still has plenty to achieve with the Hoops, including Cup success in Sydney.

Harry Kewell (left) and Ange Postecoglou are confident of a strong Celtic showing at the Sydney Super Cup. Picture: Brett Hemmings/Getty Images for Bursty

“We had a game on the weekend and the boys have gone through a tough schedule ... (but) the boys will have a break after this week, so (there are) two more games for us to keep working, and hopefully we put on some good performances,” Postecoglou said.

“Growing up here, I always looked forward to clubs from overseas coming over here, and if I wasn’t bringing the team over, I’d be going to the game (on Thursday night).

“I’m pretty proud to bring (Celtic) back (to Australia) and it’s pretty important to me that we give a good account of ourselves because I know we’ve had tremendous support, not just the last couple of years that I’ve been there, but the club’s always had great support here.

“(Since) I’ve been in Scotland, the amount of people that have reached out to me from ‘Oz’ has been brilliant.

“I’m not surprised at all because even growing up on this side of the world, I was well aware of the size of the football club, and the support it had not just here, but around the world.

“I know how important it is for our supporters and the Australian football public and sporting public to see the guys up close and personal.”

Postecoglou’s not the only Australian influence at Celtic, with Socceroos legend Harry Kewell on the Hoops’ coaching staff and midfielder Aaron Mooy a member of the squad.

While Mooy can’t be in Sydney because he’s on World Cup duty with the Socceroos, Kewell is thrilled to be back home.

“The (Allianz Stadium) pitch looks fantastic, a little bit sturdier than when we used to play on it,” the former Leeds, Liverpool, Melbourne Victory and Melbourne Heart star said.

“I’m looking forward to seeing Celtic play here.”

Following Sunday’s Celtic-Everton battle, the Cup concludes next Wednesday night when Western Sydney Wanderers meet the Toffees at CommBank Stadium.

Originally published as Ange Postecoglou’s Celtic set to please supporters in Sydney Super Cup