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I’m not thinking about Celtic exit, says Ange

By STEPHEN McGOWAN

ANGE POSTECOGLOU insists he won’t put a timeline on when his tenure as Celtic manager comes to an end. The Australian is a leading candidate to succeed Antonio Conte at Tottenham after Julian Nagelsmann and Feyenoord coach Arne Slot turned the job down. While acknowledging the speculation, the Parkhead boss refused to be drawn on his future in Glasgow. Celtic will lift the SPFL Premiership trophy following their final league game against Aberdeen today. Beyond that lies next weekend’s Scottish Cup final against Inverness Caley Thistle and a chance to complete a clean sweep of domestic trophies. Claiming his thoughts currently stretch no further than the next two games, Postecoglou

expects to leave Celtic in good shape whenever he goes. ‘I don’t put timelines on things,’ he said. ‘If other people are trying to then it’s guesswork. ‘I start every year and every job I do as if I’m going to be here for ever. The reality is that I’m not going to be. But every decision I make is a decision I think will be good for this football club or any football club I work for. ‘I’m pretty proud of the fact that every club I’ve worked with, even after I’ve gone, has had success. No one has fallen off a cliff just because I’ve left. Every football club I left had success directly after I’ve gone and I’d like to think that what I’ve put in place is long-lasting. ‘From my perspective, I don’t put timelines on how long I am at a football club. I treat every year as a separate year and a chance to build.’ Voted the William Hill Scottish Football Writers’ Association Manager of the Year, Postecoglou adds the prize to the PFA Scotland award he claimed last week. Insisting individual awards matter less than a chance to make it five trophies in two seasons at Hampden next weekend, he continued: ‘I’m not going to think about anything else other than the two big games we have this week. ‘Celtic fans want their manager concentrating on what is important to them now. I’d hate to think our supporters think I am thinking about something else other than having a good game on Saturday, and then winning the final. ‘People hopefully know me well enough now and I have never thought about anything other than being present in where I am. That’s the only way I know to work.’ Linked with a raft of jobs, including West Ham and Leeds, there’s an acceptance amongst supporters that a move to the English Premier League is likely at some point. Acknowledging the unsettling impact talk of a quick exit has on fans desperate for him to stay put, he replied: ‘I understand that. It’s only natural and I guess it’s the same with players. ‘As a manager, I love to think that we will keep all our players for the start of next year, but the reality is that it probably won’t happen. ‘It’s the nature of football and we understand that. But whatever the future holds for me or anyone else, this club continues to exist, it continues to be successful. That doesn’t change.’ Canada right-back Alistair Johnston will return to the starting XI today. However, Postecoglou admits midfielder Aaron Mooy is now a major doubt for the Scottish Cup final. ‘Aaron is still struggling with his back and he’s missed a fair deal,’ he said. ‘He’s not for tomorrow and will be doubtful for the final. ‘Alistair is fine, he’ll play tomorrow. Sead (Haksabanovic) isn’t as bad as we thought so he has a chance for the final, which is pleasing for him and us. Everyone else is normal.’

Football

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2023-05-27T07:00:00.0000000Z

2023-05-27T07:00:00.0000000Z

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