‘Complete transformation’: World is in awe of Ange Postecoglou

Ange Postecoglou is enjoying a landmark moment in his career after he gambled everything to leave the Socceroos — and he’s still not happy.

GLASGOW, SCOTLAND - DECEMBER 19: Celtic manager Ange Postecoglou celebrates with the Premier Sports Cup after victory in the Premier Sports Cup Final between Celtic and Hibernian at Hampden Park on December 19, 2021 in Glasgow, Scotland. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

Ange Postecoglou’s Celtic has moved to the top of the Scottish Premiership ladder with a classy 3-0 win over Rangers in the Old Firm derby.

The victory has left the world in awe of the Australian and his managerial masterclass.

At a packed Parkhead, Celtic was in total control, with a Reo Hatate brace and a Liel Abada goal securing the Hoops their first win over Rangers since September 2019.

The Hoops’ 18th win of the Scottish Premiership season also lifted them to the top of the table for the first time under the guidance of former Socceroos coach Postecoglou, who was hired in the off-season after Celtic finished 25 points adrift of Rangers last season.

After his first derby match, Postecoglou said: “I’ve had some special moments in football but that was one I’ll definitely remember.

“We’re not the finished article, we keep saying the same things but we’ve changed the whole team.

“Guys have come back or come in at different times without having a real bedding-in process and we’ve got some quality players who are unavailable at the moment who we’ll get back.

“So we’re going to be stronger. We have to be stronger, we want to be stronger.

“That’s the key, we’re not happy with where we are. We want to be better.”

Celtic midfielder Reo Hatate (right) celebrates with his teammates after scoring against Rangers. Picture: Andy Buchanan / AFP

NCA NewsWire reports Japanese midfielder Hatate continued his fine form since joining Celtic last month, giving the hosts the lead after just five minutes.

Hatate then doubled Celtic’s advantage in the 42nd minute.

The game was as good as over just two minutes later when a Hatate cross found Abada, who netted from close range.

The win is the landmark moment that demonstrates the way Postecoglou has transformed the club.

Rangers had been unbeaten in the previous seven meetings between the teams but were blown away in the first Old Firm derby in front of a full crowd at Celtic Park for over two years.

It was the Scottish champion’s second defeat in 63 games.

Postecoglou was the mastermind.

Ange Postecoglou congratulates Reo Hatate as he leaves the pitch. Photo by Mark Runnacles/Getty Images.

Sky Sports pundit Michael Bridge posted on Twitter: “It looked like it was going to be Eddie Howe for a while but I’m sure the Celtic fans are delighted they’ve got Ange Postecoglou.

“He’s made some excellent signings. Completely turned them around since Neil Lennon left.”

Aussie legend Mark Bosnich suggested Australian football can still learn from the legacy Postecoglou left behind before his shock decision to quit before the World Cup.

He posted on Twitter: “Wow, what a turn around. He was always going to go onto bigger thing, but the spirit and blueprint of his remains. It’s up to the people who are here to implement it as best and as soon as they can”.

Socceroos legend Tim Cahill was among those to praise his former mentor.

Congratulations Boss pic.twitter.com/AnmrUjS5OE

— Tim Cahill AO (@Tim_Cahill) February 2, 2022

Former football reporter Sebastian Hassett wrote: “An exceptional performance by Celtic in the #oldfirm derby. This is the style of play everyone dreams their team would play. Dominant in possession, moving to all the right places and loving the ball. That’s Ange Postecoglou. A coaching revolution, made in Australia”.

Football journalist Daniel Garb described Postecoglou’s work as “brilliant”.

Nine sports reporter Mark Gottlieb predicts Postecoglou will manage one of the “biggest clubs in the world” within five years.

“The turnaround at Celtic this season has been extraordinary,” he wrote.

“Not even his biggest supporters would’ve thought it could/would come this quickly.”

Scottish journalist Ben McNicol wrote on Twitter: “The transformation under Ange Postecoglou is remarkable and he deserves so much credit. His recruitment isn’t bad either.”

The man himself says he isn’t done.

He said his team has plenty of improvement left in it — and he is demanding that from his players.

Postecoglou said on Sky Sports: “I’m very proud of the lads, I thought our first half was outstanding.

“We scored our three goals but the football we played was just brilliant and we could have had a few more.

“Full credit to the players, it’s a big game and we knew the consequences. There was pressure on us, there’s been pressure on us all along, but I just thought they handled it superbly.

“I think the key is just to set the momentum in a game, set the tempo, and we want to be a team who, irrespective of who we’re playing, we want to have the initiative.

“Whether that’s getting a goal early or just putting them under pressure that’s the kind of football team we want to be.

“That’s good in theory, but you’ve got to do that in the big games and I thought we did today.”