Former Celtic striker Frank McAvennie has claimed that manager Ange Postecoglou was furious with his squad after a winless mid-season trip to Australia.
A loss to Sydney FC and a goalless draw with Everton meant that the Hoops failed to impress during their trip, and despite missing a few players who are competing in the World Cup, it was not a promising affair.
According to McAvennie, the head coach was furious with his players, and reiterated that even ‘friendly’ matches need a high level of commitment.
“Ange wasn’t happy, by all accounts, you could see that,” McAvennie told Football insider.
“That’s great. I got told when I went to Celtic that we don’t play friendlies, that’s what I was brought up with.
“They went all the way to Australia and they went to win. They didn’t do that and apparently, he let the players know about it.
“That’s Ange, he never stops and he doesn’t want his players to stop either. Friendly or not, you have to win if you play for Celtic so he will have been disappointed.
“People were saying it was a long trip home for them, give over. They were all in business class or first class, that flight is a lot easier when you aren’t in cattle class.
“I did that flight when I was with Scotland, let me tell you half of us were nearly injured when we landed. I’m telling you, those boys will be fine.”
TIF thoughts on Celtic in Australia…
Given that Postecoglou’s side currently sit nine points clear of a managerless Rangers at the top of the league, a mid-season trip for fitness purposes isn’t exactly going to dampen the mood of the players or fans.
The manager being unhappy is a positive sign, as emphasises how he is trying to raise the level of quality and expectations at the club, and he will now challenge his squad to return to winning ways once the league season resumes.