On the latest episode of A Celtic State of Mind podcast, writer and commentator Anthony Haggerty has been sharing his concerns on Ange Postecoglou’s game management following their latest result in the Scottish Premiership.
Celtic went their second consecutive top-flight game without a win on Sunday after drawing 1-1 against Dundee United at Parkhead.
Are you satisfied with Postecoglou's start?
Yes
No
The point left Postecoglou’s side slumped down in sixth spot in the league table, with their bitter rivals Rangers leading at the top of the table, six points clear of the Bhoys.
Albian Ajeti started the game on the weekend and played the full 90 minutes, and was unable to direct any of his four shots on target (WhoScored).
Discussing his frustrations with the Swiss forward playing for the entirety of the game at Celtic Park, Haggerty had the following to say on Postecoglou’s in-game management.
“We’re supposed to be brilliant and we’ve not been able to turn that draw into a win. These things worry me, and they worry me about the manager. I’m not being wise after the event, you’ve been signposting it along the way and saying we won’t get carried away, we’ll see what happens where we are.
“And people are saying once ‘we got all these players back’, and I get all that, but it might be too late by then. You have to adapt to the here and now.
“At the top of the programme, we said on the seventh game in the campaign it was a must-win. Nothing changed, and Celtic didn’t win it. So, as you say, when do you start turning around and saying there’s cause for concern? Because I’m concerned, very concerned, and we’ve cut the manager every bit of slack going.”
TIF Thoughts on Celtic’s start to the season…
It has certainly been a tricky start to the new campaign for the Bhoys under Postecoglou, with the Bhoys registering three defeats in their opening seven league games.
Celtic have already tasted defeat against their city rivals in a narrow 1-0 defeat at Ibrox back in August. Although there is more than points on the line in an Old Firm derby, it is the defeats against ‘lesser’ opposition that will be just as frustrating.
Postecoglou’s side have also tasted defeat against Hearts and Livingston, which is six points dropped which would’ve had them on level points with Steven Gerrard’s side had they won those games.
It is still early days in the Australian’s tenure, but it seems there is a lot of room for improvement to be made as the Hoops look to reclaim the title off Rangers.
In other news: ‘Celtic fans would take to him’ – Presenter claims Celtic should move for 29 y/o free agent