Aaron Mooy knew all about the dreaded death seat next to Ange Postecoglou on the Australia team flights. But he might not even be safe at the family dinner table after sealing his dream move to Celtic.
At work he’ll be reunited with a manager he admits still has the fear factor. And at home he now has a Hoops daft father-in-law who’ll be ever bit as demanding. Mooy laughs off the potential pressure of having to keep the pair of them sweet as signing for Celtic is just about the perfect move for him.
The 31-year-old had a home in Glasgow with his Scottish wife Nicola and his new club has a familiar face at the helm after their time with the Socceroos. Back then the squad used to joke about avoiding the seat next to Postecoglou on the plane as the famously quiet gaffer could quite easily sit in awkward silence on a 15 hour long haul trek.
On the home front it might the opposite kind of problem as his wife’s dad Ian can be an arm chair fan. Mooy is ready for anything as it’s a match made in heaven for the midfielder – even if he might need to be careful where he sits these days. But has the former St Mirren, Huddersfield and Brighton ace experienced the death seat?
“No, I haven’t!” Mooy grinned. “The way Ange coached with the national team, back then it was a case of speaking mainly about the football and other little bits here and there. It wasn’t like a best mates sort of thing. I understand that’s his way and wherever he’s been, he’s been successful pretty much.
“Is he intimidating? Yeah, definitely. He’s intimidating for sure. There is that kind of automatic respect.
“You never know where you stand so you always have to be pushing yourself. He likes to play football – not always long balls and fighting for second balls and things like that. He likes to play through teams. When I was in the national team I enjoyed it a lot.”
Mooy is hoping to enjoy similar success with Celts – and keep the in-laws happy in the process. The playmaker met his Mrs when he was a kid at St Mirren more than a decade ago an they’ve been together ever since.
Mooy’s career has taken him around the globe and back a few times. The Saints switch – after joining Bolton at just 15 – came a little too soon and he headed back to Australia to star for Melbourne City.
A big money move to Manchester City suggested the big time beckoned, but it was his loan spell and subsequent permanent deal with Huddersfield Town that made him as he helped make his name. His time at Brighton only enhanced his reputation but when the chance to head to China on a mega bucks deal at Shanghai Port, it was too good an opportunity to turn down.
The pandemic put paid to any chance of settling alongside Brazil stars such as Hulk and Oscar though as his family remained in Scotland. Celtic seemed the natural fit and Postecoglou jumped at the chance to land his former charge – and thrill the in-laws.
Even if his father-in-law might be just as demanding as his gaffer.
Mooy said: “I’ve seen him watch the games before and when Celtic score he screams the roof off. He will be on my back making sure I am doing everything I can.
“I’m quite close with him so I can trust him. When I mentioned to him he was a bit worried with what it’s like in Glasgow. But I couldn’t, once I had the chance, say no. Now he’s happy.
“He’s not a season ticket holder but he might get a ticket now! I’m sure he’ll be here a lot more.”
“On paper it is perfect for me. The opportunity to play in this amazing stadium, the fans, it is a proper football club. I have family here. Hopefully I can enjoy my football and my life.”
Mooy is looking to get back up and running after a weird few months. He played his last game for Shanghai back in January and had to stay fit for the Australia World Cup play-offs by doing laps around Glasgow’s parks while dodging dog walkers.
He said: “There is a local park near my house. Then we went to Dubai and it was more professional. A bunch of the team were there so it was good. I was really motivated because they were important games. I didn’t really need that much motivation because I was hungry to be there. There were people walking their dogs and I’m legging it.
“A few young kids and kids kicking the ball around but it wasn’t too bad. It won’t be like that now!”
Mooy admitted he may need some time to get up to speed but those Aussie play-offs games against the UAE and Peru have given him some edge. He said: “It was obviously an amazing time for me and for Australia to qualify for the World Cup.
“I haven’t touched the ball for a while. I’ve only just started training two days now. I did some fitness testing the other day and today was just doing some football with the reserve team. It was nice to touch the ball again but you need some time to get up to speed and try to be in the best shape possible.”
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