Ange Postecoglou hits out at Rangers claim as ‘curious’ SPFL comparison made
Ange Postecoglou has been left confused by opposition managers failing to differentiate between Celtic and Rangers ahead of facing the Old Firm in the Scottish Premiership.
The Australian has suggested facing Celtic is a completely different challenge from going up against the Light Blues after his side beat Aberdeen 1-0 on Saturday (17 December).
However, Postecoglou believes it works to his advantage with comments from opposition managers making the task of beating his team seem “insurmountable”.
“The curious thing I find is that I hear opposition coaches and players before we play them. They can’t seem to differentiate between us and Rangers at all,” said the Australian (The Daily Record, 20 December).
“It’s almost like when you play the top two, this is what happens. Some of them even talk about it like it’s an excursion, you go through Glasgow and this is what you expect.
“That is the bit I find curious. We are totally different teams. From my perspective, it kind of works in our favour if opposition coaches talk that way. I don’t think they think that way but when they talk that way, it makes the task seem insurmountable.”
Doesn’t quite add up
These comments from the Celtic boss don’t quite make sense, with their latest victory agaisnt Aberdeen proving to be a perfect example of a side taking a completely different approach. Against the Gers, Jim Goodwin’s men looked to be expansive in their play and were ultimately punished. Goodwin took a completely different approach against Celtic, with Aberdeen looking to be ultra defensive, which nearly paid off.
Celtic are still comfortably clear at the top of the Scottish Premiership but the match at Pittodrie demonstrated that The Hoops are certainly there to be caught. Rangers still need to face Postecoglou’s side again this season and there’s a good chance they will drop points elsewhere.
The Hoops travel to Ibrox on 2 January in what is shaping up a pivital fixture for Michael Beale’s side. Failure to win will make life extremely difficult. However, a full Ibrox coupled with a new-found positivity could see the Gers in with a shout off getting a vital three points.
In other Rangers news, an out-of-court agreement could be reached for the Gers as documents have been submitted.