ANGE POSTECOGLOU delivered an emotional speech to thank the Celtic support for backing him from his opening day.
The 57-year-old Greek-Australian gaffer was a virtual unknown when he arrived at Parkhead as Neil Lennon’s successor in June 2021.
As he celebrated the 3-1 Scottish Cup Final triumph over Inverness Caley Thistle at Hampden yesterday – his fifth silverware success in his two years in charge – Postecoglou admitted he was aware he was viewed as “a joke” when he was given the high-profile post.
He had been managing Yokohama F Marinos in Japan’s J-League when the call came from the fallen champions after their two-month pursuit of Eddie Howe, now at Newcastle, had hit a brick wall.
The former Australia World Cup manager’s name was flagged up and the deal was done in haste.
Postecoglou said: “I have appreciated the support I’ve had from day one because of the way I came into the football club.
“Without beating about the bush I was ‘a joke’. A lot of people made fun of me.
“But the supporters, for their own reasons, put their collective arm around me and said: ‘No, he’s one of ours’. It was up to me to repay that faith.
“The reason they felt so close to this team and so close to me was because, while others may have mocked, they stood behind me. I think they deserve a lot of credit for what has happened.
“It would have been easy for our supporters to have been just as sceptical given the reaction to my appointment. That would have made my job a lot tougher, especially in that early period when results weren’t there.
“I think they felt part of my journey here and they deserve to feel good about the fact that while a lot of people ridiculed it, they stood by the person who was representing their football club and that’s what makes them special as supporters.
“For me, I have tried to repay that in my own way by hopefully producing a team that has brought success and that they are going to be proud of. But that for me has always been the most important thing.”
Postecoglou is now a member of the management elite at Parkhead – Jock Stein, Martin O’Neill, Brendan Rodgers and Neil Lennon – who have completed trebles.
The Hoops chief continued: “I’m very proud of the group and it’s a little bit surreal when you think about what we’ve achieved.
“Coming off the back of last season when we had unexpected success with a double, there was a gap there – the Scottish Cup.
“The challenge this year was to come back bigger and better like I said to them on the last day.
“I wanted us to improve but that’s easy for me to say. The players have just embraced every challenge and for us to do that, we had to fill the gap. Winning the Scottish Cup does that.
“This club has such an unbelievable history of success and for this group, they’ve got their bit in there now which will be there forever.
“I take enormous pride to get my own little piece of history. When you join this club you understand that it’s a great opportunity, but there’s also great responsibility.
“There are certain levels of performance and success you have to deliver. You take that on board so to do something few people have done is pretty special.
“Everything I’ve achieved in my career is special in its own way, but this is one I’m extremely proud of.”
Asked what the future held for him and his team, Postecoglou, speaking to Sky Sports, answered: “Before you look ahead, you have to enjoy it.
“Everyone has worked hard for this, it’s been a long season. Some of our boys have been to a World Cup and they’re still out there putting it in.
“It’s been a monumental effort. Kyogo Furuhashi was barely fit and he’s now got to go and play for his national team. But his thoughts were just about performing for this club.
“They all deserve to enjoy this, it’s not about what’s next for any of them.
“I said that to them in the dressing room. They can celebrate this one a little bit harder because tomorrow there’s a holiday for them.
“So, I’ve told them to enjoy it and whatever is next will take care of itself.”
Kyogo got the ball rolling at Hampden when he fired in the breakthrough goal seven minutes from the interval and substitute Liel Abada doubled the advantage when he turned in a left-wing cross from Callum McGregor in the 65th minute.
There was a scare for the champions when Daniel Mackay scored with a flying header, but the victory was sealed in the fading moments when Filipe Jota forced home No.3 after some good work on the right from Abada.
Then it was time for Postecoglou to celebrate – and have the last laugh on the critics who were far too quick to write him off.
🗣️ “For me the most important thing is to be in the moment of creating something special.”
Ange Postecoglou when asked about his future after Celtic’s 3-1 win this evening 👀 pic.twitter.com/ERHTd7QajD
— Sky Sports Scotland (@ScotlandSky) June 3, 2023