One of the best posts I have read here for quite a while! Thank you. Good insights as a Celtic supporter and also fair comments on Ange. Anyway, i watched last night’s match because it was a rare Celtic match that Kayo has aired and it was a typical early in tenure Ange match. Not enough of these players match Ange’s philosophy but I agree Ange needs to adapt quickly or he will be sacked for the reasons you cite. It’s Celtic not YFM in Japan. Kyogo, Jota, Calmac and the young lad Montgomery suit Ange’s football. That’s just four from the starting XI. But I did see two signs last night that Ange was willing to compromise. First, he started Biton instead of Rogic, playing him as a holding mid and I think he played well there and they looked a little better defensively. They had more height defending corners too with Biton. Secondly, Hart sent a few long kicks up the ground and while some were targeted passes to wingers a couple were old fashioned hoofs under pressure. These two things make me think Ange has realised he needs to adapt. But the winning goal was a very Ange goal, with Rogic creating in the middle after fast movement to him, the young Montgomery busting a lung out wide to receive the ball and then deliver an excellent cross to Jota. Interesting times. Chris Sutton has said several times he would give Ange the whole season and he is worth the investment, which is interesting. Anyway, will be fun to keep watching. Even if Amge is sacked, I still rate him highly and could see him getting a contract somewhere else in Europe. But if they keep Ange until next season, I’ll be putting a couple of hundred on them winning the League next season, with whatever cattle. 

damn they need a strong player in the middle of the park. 

Thanks for your great reply.

In depends what you determine a plan B.. if you mean changing the philosophy in which his teams play then Celtic didn't hire that guy. If you mean in terms of shape, Ange tends to follow trends because his teams have all played with different shapes from when I started watching at Brisbane, to Australia, to Yokohama and now Celtic.

If Celtic don't have a better replacement, there is no point in talking about sacking him this early or even during this season. 

Celtic created a lot of chances in Europe when Lennon was in charge last season, scoring 5 goals in 2 games against the Champions of France and 3 v Milan- the problem in Europe has always been the midfield shape being cut open so easily due to Scott Brown running about like a headless chicken and lunging into tackles while McGregor is usually already out of position, and lets not get started on the defence- Ange hasn't fixed any of those problems, only now we have a St Johnstone-level 22 year old right back playing centre mid when going forward and same on the otherside. I agree with you that the way Celtic being run isn't helping him, but then again if Celtic were being run properly I don't think Ange would've been anywhere near the job imo

A couple of lower end 10 man teams were beaten before injuries.

The difference is Celtic is creating a huge number of chances even in Europe, but calibre of the players is just not up to taking them.

Celtic is a big club in terms of fan support and expectation ( and history). Its a small club in terms of having the sports science, the recruiting network, the playing list, the player budget, the assistant coaches, director of football, the infrastructure needed to compete at the big club level. .

Its pretty easy to see what happened: Postecoglou jumped at the chance to coach in Europe, at a famous club and either didn't due his duel diligence or overlooked what he found.  Eddie Howe was chased for months but did his due diligence and decided he'd rather take the risk of being unemployed than manage Celtic.

Alas you are still right.  I think he needs to turn it around or he'll be gone.  With Postecoglou, you never quite know if he''ll walk rather than wait to be sacked.

The same could have been said/argued for Lennon last season.

First off, regarding the quality between Scottish and German football. I honestly don't believe that any Celtic supporter would argue your point with regards to the difference in quality – not seriously. But the Europa League result isn't what the complaint was over. It was just the latest of the current poor form/results currently taking place.

Secondly, he has agreed to a job where unrealistic time frames are not a given (by fans, which in turn by the board). He doesn't have the luxury of "time". The goldfish bowl that is football is Glasgow doesn't allow it. You either swim and be successful, or fail and drown. There has been plenty  of world class players and managers who fail in Glasgow because they cannae handle the pressure that goes with being at one of the big two.

As to the question as to "what would sacking Ange do?" I guess it all depends on who comes in as a replacement.  Now first let me be clear, I'm not calling for Ange to be replaced (yet). That said, while his style of football when working properly is a joy to watch, it is results that matters. 

Ange has shown that he is a stubborn bastard when it comes to his way of playing football. There is playing sytle/plan [A] or there is playing style/plan [A]. There is no plan [B], [C], etc, etc. In football sometimes you need to be adaptable, and change things according to how the game is unfolding in front of you. Now I cannae comment on what he and his tactics were like in Japan as I never watched any of the matches, but what I have seen when he was at Brisbane and the little I saw when he was in charge of Australia he has no plan [B], let alone a plan [C], [D] etc etc.

You cannae have the mindset of it doesn't matter how many the opposition score, we will outscored them. We (Celtic) have history with that mentally, and it's results/outcome – it doesn't work. There is a reason why there is the saying that defense wins championships, while attack wins games.

Our (Celtic) issue the past two or three seasons has been our defense. Attack has never really been that much of an issue. So the manager should first be addressing what issues are the biggest worries, which in our case it is our defense.

Yes Ange walked into a complete and utterly mess when first taking the job, and has done rather well alongside whoever it is in charge of scouting and recruitment. But we are now close to 20 competitive games in, and our main issue hasn't improved. One could argue that in [FACT] it has gone backwards. 

While it is true the manager can only do so much, and that the players on the field should take most of the blame for their schoolboy errors etc, the buck stops with the manager (unfairly in a lot/most cases).

If Ange cannae come up with a back-up plan, and stubbornly continues with his way, and his way only than he will show that he isn't up to the job. I really hope he can prove he has matured as a manager, and that he isn't a one trick pony, that he does have a plan [B] and [C] when needed, but so far to date he hasn't shown that he can adapt to the game in front of him when some form of adaption is needed. 

I know there are those on these boards who don't class Celtic (or Rangers) as being "Big" teams anymore, that the truth of the matter is quite the opposite. While it is true we cannae compete with other clubs from bigger leagues due to the financial gap, both teams are still big teams, with huge expectations and pressure put on all those who play and/or work for them. If you cannae prove you can handle those expectations and pressure then you won't last long before someone else comes in and replaces you. 

As I have said numerous times, I really do hope Ange can be a success at Celtic, but unfortunately, on current form he is close to running on borrowed time.

The players are shit- when your 5 mill striker somehow manages to kick it over the cross bar from literally 2 yards and open goal that/s not the managers fault.

And last night the defender gets his studs stuck in the pitch and trips over his feet for the first goal.  WTF. 

Not Postecoglou's biggest fan- too inflexible-but by golly by jingo  do Celtic have some absolute coach killer players in that squad.

Some of the misses and defensive mistakes have been diabolical, primary school ,not even club level.  They should be ashamed of themselves.Absolute garbage strikers and defenders.

He's always protected the players but not anymore, not after the last interview and too right.

Still, cheaper to sack the manager than the squad.

Do Barca even have the cash to replace Koeman? lol I'd say that's half the reason he's still there.

They due for luck as well, the injuries don't help.

Which makes the game against Aberdeen even more important now, only have won 2 of their last 8 games too.

I've watched every competitive game this season. Kyogo was a big loss and that impacted performances and results. There are clearly some defensive issues but I do believe Ange will turn it around.

A question I have for Celtic fans is what would sacking Ange actually do? The state of the club and the squad he inherited isn't his fault. He will turn things around. Also, be realistic that Scottish football has dropped off a lot.. they can't compete in Europe against top German clubs. The player quality between Celtic and Leverkusen was clear to see today. 

Didn't they hit the post or crossbar 4 times playing Dundee. Hard to blame Ange but you need results and he isn't getting them.

the ladder standing - gaffa is always the sacrificial lamb as quoted and the lesser in $$$$ to suck up.
No matter the thin squad, injuries etcetc....
Its where they are on the ladder and the loss/win ratio.
How long do you think Koeman will last at Barca if they lose 2/3 more games, he'll be gone with less injury worries and the % of cattle are not up to the standard but he'll be cut.
He's under more pump than Ange.
CL loss's incl last season and will struggle getting out of group < a first in years.
League - won 3 drawn 3 in P6 and this is not acceptable there.

Obviously I’m no expert or fan but Isn’t the squad a bit thin atm though? No Forrest, Kyogo, Christie gone, Elyounousi gone. Been hitting posts and crossbars and a missed few open goals too? How can Ange really be blamed for missed scoring opportunities. Maybe fair to blame Ange for poor defending though

Sadly I agree. Next 2 or 3 rounds will be make or break, such is cut throat European football....

C'mon Angie you can turn this around.

Absolutely true. He'd be on the knife's edge right now. 

Anything but a win in their next league match and he's gone imo.

Get ready for Muscat 🎉🎉🎉

Feel the hurt BB, I don't see much hope tbh but never say never as they say.
One thing is for sure imo its not the gaffa its the cattle - its either gonna click soon otherwise he'll be the sacraficial lamb sooner or later.
https://www.foxsports.com.au/football/football-news-2021-scottish-premiership-celtic-vs-bayer-leverkusen-ange-postecoglou-reaction/news-story/798d9193c88470e99bd66a1b120208da

The board better be in the process at looking for a "possible" replacement. As things currently stand, and the directional trend of results are far from being close to anything that resembles anything acceptable.

After the amount of matches already played (just under 20 – not including friendlies) and having a winning percentage of less than 50% isn't good enough. NOWHERE close at being at an acceptable level, or anything close to getting a 'pass' grade. It is one of the worst starts in the clubs history.😡😢😡

If Ange isn’t sacked beforehand and gets even just two or three quality signings in the next window, the last few months of the season will be pretty to watch. It’s a big ‘if’ though, whether the Board and fans have the patience for anything but winning the League this season, so my guess is that if Celtic are any more than 7 or 8 points behind Rangers by Christmas, it’s 50/50 for a sacking. I’d personally give Ange a blank cheque this season, but that won’t happen at this club.

i reckon ange rates montgomery.  has given him a few runs on the park when a lot of squadies aren't even getting on the bench now.  i dont think it's going to take a huge step up to displace taylor.  when he subbed in the the europa match he looked solid in defence and a threat moving forward.

it's quite possible that ange will be ok with inverted fullbacks as well for cover. he has them coming in to shoot already.  i was hearing the liam shaw might be left back cover - but from what i see he's right footed anyway.

ange has also mentioned numerous times now that they are looking at recruits from the j league but couldnt get anyone across the line in the j league midseason - so i think there will be incoming first team talent in the scottish winter break.

I loved Lustig's Instagram comment/joke about the EPL being an easier league than the SPFL with regards to Edouard's quick-fire double 😄

Oh look I agree when a player wants to leave always better to shift him but at the sametime IF he stayed and on the pitch its not like you see players intentionally thrwo games away or a forward purposely miss goal attempts.
All I said would be missed when you've played 116 games banging 66 in always hard to replicate unless you've bought even better or sunone steps up, Kyogo settled in pretty quick mind you.

He didn't want to be there,  he wasn't going to try so good riddance.

This greek striker needs to get fit quick and hit the ground running. They looked very flat on the weekend. 

So long as Ange can keep the team ticking over I think juanary will be more important than the last transfer period. They needed to just get anything in then, now they need a quality LB and to create some depth on the bench and I definitely think there needs to be more support for turnbull, rogic, McGregor.

Looking forward to the next few months. 

yer 2 goals in 6mins, what a debut.
Big loss for the Hoops.

I pretty much agree with most of this. The only frustrating thing was how long/late it took to get the transfers finalised 😡 But that is nothing new, it has been the clubs/boards modus operandi for several years now. Every transfer window the club/board always seems to wait until deadline day to act, rather than get business sorted earlier during the transfer windows.

LB is a definitely a concern for us, as we seriously lack depth and quality. Taylor looks like he will be out injured a wee while, so there will either be a makeshift backline, or one of the young lads step up. I too like the look of Montgomery with what I have seen so far. You could be right and we may see him as our first pick LB in the not to distant future. There is also Bolingoli who could be considered and selected. Even though he screwed up (and us) last season with his shenanigans, he is still at the club.

If we can fix up our defensive issues, and get rid of the amateur/rookie mistakes/defensive brain explosions we seem to have, then things look promising.

As for Dom McKay, I'll wait until I hear the full story/reason for his departure before commenting too much on the issue. That said, it looks like another thing to add to the questions of the board that needs asking and answered. 

i have to say, that after a very slow start celtic's transfer window has been about the best ive ever seen at a club.  they really recruited well. 

there are some questions hanging over a couple transfers - hart's suitability to angeball, how long starfelt is taking to settle, mcarthy's injury issues.  but they've really secured a lot of promise all over the park.  everywhere except lb is looking solid - but i really rate montgomery, i think he will overtake taylor as the first team choice.

all the departures have kind of sped the ange process up a lot. normally the first season would be him sorting through the squad but a lot of that has been done.  

it's a shame dom mckay has left because i feel like he has worked with ange to make this happen.