CELTIC manager Ange Postecoglou says he will never hit the heights that the legendary Jock Stein did at the club, and that he places himself behind the likes of Martin O’Neill, Brendan Rodgers and Neil Lennon in the pantheon of great Celtic bosses.
Singer and Celtic fanatic Rod Stewart sparked a debate this week about Postecoglou’s standing in the club’s history when he proclaimed that the Australian was ‘up there with Stein’ after securing the third trophy of his managerial reign with Sunday’s League Cup Final win over Rangers.
But while Postecoglou was humbled by Stewart’s remarks, he has dismissed any notion he has earned the right to be mentioned in the same breath as European Cup winner Stein just yet.
“That is very kind of Rod and I know he is a passionate Celtic man, but I will give you the brief here; I will never reach the levels of Jock Stein or Martin,” Postecoglou said.
“Brendan Rodgers and Neil Lennon, these guys, they have had unbelievable success at this football club. It is almost impossible to replicate.
“I won a trophy at the weekend and after it I was interviewed by Gordon Strachan, so I know my place and I am more than happy with that.
“My role here is to contribute and hopefully continue to bring success to this club. Hopefully when I am gone, I have left my own mark, and I will be more than comfortable with that.”
Postecoglou told Strachan after Sunday’s win that he felt as much relief as joy when the final whistle went at Hampden, given the responsibility he feels to the club and its fans.
“It is a combination of both,” he said.
“There is always an element of relief for any manager because you carry a weight of responsibility not just for the players and the staff but also the people who represent the football club - the supporters.
“There is relief as well as enjoyment and it is important you try to enjoy your success, because what you do know is that when the celebrating stops you have to go again, and there has to be a reason to go again.
“I enjoyed the day, I enjoyed the night after, and I enjoyed the way it made our supporters feel and how the players enjoyed the success. Beyond that, you move on.”
