The Scot who helped resurrect Ange Postecoglou ’s career in Australia reckons the title-winning Celtic boss will settle in Glasgow to create a dynasty at Parkhead.
Former A-League chief Archie Fraser recommended the out-of-work Postecoglou to Brisbane Roar back in 2009 and after the Aussie’s career had taken a nosedive following his spell in charge of the Socceroos U20 side.
Postecoglou went on to win the A-League with Roar before being appointed Australia manager and leading his nation at the 2014 World Cup as well as winning the Asian Cup and moving on to lift the J-League title with Yokohama Marinos.
But it’s his work in just 11 months as Celtic boss which has blown Fraser away as he watched on from his home in Sydney.
And he reckons Postecoglou - who said himself last month he was only at stage one of his Hoops rebuild - is just getting started.
Fraser told Record Sport : “I’ve kept in touch with Ange throughout the season and could tell how invested he was in the challenge.
“This is without doubt his greatest achievement. Winning the J-League was outstanding, lifting the Asian Cup with Australia with an average squad was great.
“But to do it every week, home and away, with Celtic and overturn the deficit from last season after being written off by so many, it’s just remarkable.
“Ange has always backed himself. Most people over here knew he was capable of doing the job at Celtic too.
“But the question was always about would he get the time? The egg-timer was on but would he get the chance to properly implement Angeball?
“Everyone can see Ange’s philosophy now. He will play the same way against St Johnstone as he would against Real Madrid.
“I’m not sure Scottish football has seen that type of game plan for a while and one thing about Ange is, if you don’t play his football or match his standards then he will change the personnel.
“His recruitment during the season has been unbelievable. But he has also revived some careers including Tom Rogic who looked like he was gone, Daizen Maeda who was on the edge.
“With not a lot of money he has performed an incredible turnaround.
“Ange’s aspirations will now extend to the Champions League. He will build a squad capable of competing in the group stages but he will believe they can go deeper into the competition.
“It wouldn’t surprise me if Ange settled in and created a dynasty there.
“He is in no rush to jump to a bigger league. Would he take a mid-table EPL team against what he can achieve with Celtic? I don’t think so.
“He has a good feel for the club, he is getting treated well and is clearly being backed with what he wants.
“He has credibility now because of what he’s delivered.”
Fraser, who left Scotland aged 21 in 1980, has been transfixed on the Premiership title scrap from the other side of the world.
And he reckons he’s not the only one with interest in the Scottish game enjoying a boom since Postecoglou’s move to Glasgow.
He said: “The interest in Scottish football has definitely boomed around here as a result of Ange’s move.
"I can see the number of Celtic shirts going around the streets of Sydney, has increased but it has boosted the TV numbers too.
“It’s hard because you have to get Scottish games through beIN Sport and that’s through Foxtel here. It’s behind a paywall but I’ve no doubt the figures have gone up.
“And they should continue to do so because Scottish football next season should be superb - Rangers will have to strengthen to try and win their title back and it’s going to be fascinating.”
