Ange Postecoglou is earning rave reviews in his role as Celtic manager ahead of the Hoops’ top-of-the-table Scottish Premiership clash against Rangers.
Celtic legend Kenny Dalglish has heaped praise on Hoops manager Ange Postecoglou, whose side will move to the top of the Scottish Premiership ladder with a win over arch-rivals Rangers at Parkhead.
Second-placed Celtic is just two points adrift of Rangers heading into the latest Old Firm derby on Thursday morning (AEDT).
And so impressed has Dalglish been with Celtic’s performances under former Socceroos coach Postecoglou, that he’s tipping a Hoops win.
“I would have Celtic down as slight favourites to win this match,” Dalglish wrote in his Sunday Post column.
“It’s never wise to choose a winner, but I think home advantage gives Celtic the edge as we head into the game.”
The teams last met in August, with Rangers winning 1-0 at home.
However, Celtic has continued to improve under Postecoglou, who took over the Hoops in the off-season after a poor 2020-21 campaign in which they failed to lift any silverware and finished 25 points adrift of champions Rangers.
Postecoglou has already guided his team to Scottish League Cup glory, beating Hibernian 2-1 in December’s final.
“Credit to Ange for his coaching and managerial skills,” Dalglish wrote.
“He took over Celtic when they were in the depths of despair but he turned it around very quickly.
“There is a real organisation about the Celtic team and a recognisable pattern of play. It’s clear to see they work on things during the week in training.
“He has also been brilliant at recruitment.”
Dalglish also praised Rangers manager Giovanni van Bronckhorst, who is preparing for his first Old Firm clash as a manager after taking over from Steven Gerrard in November.
“Giovanni will be delighted his team will go to the other side of Glasgow on top of the league,” Dalglish said.
“He will be looking forward to the tactical battle against Ange.
“All in all, it is a game of mouth-watering proportions.
“Managers, coaches, players, supporters and pundits will all be desperate for (Thursday morning) to come around.”
Celtic will be almost certain to have to win without in-form Australian playmaker Tom Rogic, who isn’t set to arrive back in Glasgow from Socceroos duty in Oman until just a few hours before the match.
They are also expected to be without recent signing Daizen Maeda, who also will get back to Glasgow on match day after representing Japan.
Not that Postecoglou has totally given up hope on either Rogic or Maeda playing some part in the derby.
“I think they get back on the day of the game irrespective of my desire to find a supersonic vehicle that will get them here in record time,” Postecoglou told BBC Sportsound.
“A lot of that will actually depend on whether they actually play or not (for their countries). If they play the day before, then it is impossible for them to play on the night.
“If they are not involved, then there is an opportunity to get them back, but we will look at that.”
Originally published as Kenny Dalglish lauds Celtic manager Ange Postecoglou ahead of Old Firm clash
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