Ange Postecoglou is celebrating his first trophy as Celtic manager after the Australian’s side came from behind to win the Scottish League Cup at Hampden Park, beating Hibernian 2-1.
The former Socceroos manager, who took the reins at Parkhead five months ago charged with restoring their Scottish domination, ended up hoisting match-winner Kyogo Furuhashi aloft on Sunday after the Japanese scored twice to earn Celtic a 20th League Cup triumph.
It meant contrasting fortunes for two Socceroos stars with Celtic’s Tom Rogic playing an immense part in Celtic’s victory as he set up the winning goal, while winger Martin Boyle, probably Hibs’ best on the day, found himself on the losing side.
Boyle had sent over the corner from which Paul Hanlon headed the Edinburgh side into the lead in the 51st minute only for Furuhashi to respond just a minute later.
The Japan international then latched on to Rogic’s clever, quickly taken free-kick in the 72nd minute to clip the ball past the advancing ‘keeper Matt Macey for his 16th goal of the season.
Postecoglou, who’d been under pressure to deliver after Celtic’s trophy-free season and the resurgence of rivals Rangers under Steven Gerrard, was uncharacteristically emotional as he told BBC on the pitch at Hampden: “It’s all a bit surreal.
“We’ve had a hell of a ride from the moment I arrived, we’ve had some real challenges, up and down results and I’m so proud of this group of players, they’re just so resilient.”
Celtic Manager Ange Postecoglou celebrates with the Premier Sports Cup Trophy.(Photo by Craig Williamson/SNS Group via Getty Images)
Particularly Celtic’s hero Furuhashi, who has proved Postecoglou’s finest signing but had been in doubt for the final with a hamstring injury.
“A fantastic player – but what a person,” Postecoglou said.
“He just had it in his mind he was going to play. We were thinking it won’t happen, but he just made himself available even though he’s not 100 per cent.
“To be honest, I don’t know how he did it today.
“This football club and him are a match made in heaven.”
Furuhashi’s magic touch has been evident since he was spotted by the formerly Japan-based Postecoglou, who brought him to Parkhead in the summer.
He was the man to make the difference after a pretty dismal first half when, straight after Hanlon’s goal, Furuhashi slotted home a left-foot finish.
Then Rogic, who’s been in scintillating form since returning from injury and was second only to Furuhashi as Celtic’s stand-out player, was quick to take a free-kick after Hanlon had fouled Liel Abada and picked out the Japanese striker expertly.
The goal sparked more lusty renditions of Celtic fans’ new favourite festive song, their own version of the Wham hit ‘Last Christmas’, which offers the classic line: “Last Christmas, I gave you my heart, and the very next day you gave it away. This year, to save me from tears, I’ll give it to Postecoglou…”
It left the Aussie smiling.
“These fans are everything, mate,” he said.
“My first task when I took the role was I wanted to give them hope.
“I couldn’t guarantee them success, I couldn’t guarantee anything but I wanted to give them hope – and I think they saw that from the first day.”
Ben of Phnom Penh
Roar Guru
Recruitment patterns tell a different story, Stu.
stu
Guest
To be fare Ben, the 'rest' would be soccer people from Aust and Japan on the whole. The irony in all this is that the narrative from most on these pages in regards to the SPL laments Oz talent sitting on the subs bench because they cant make the first team and that they must transfer to other league to get a game and be recognition for their great talent elsewhere. With only 6 comments on this thread suggests.....hmm will leave that conclusion up to the reader.
Ben of Phnom Penh
Roar Guru
I was following the Celtic fans' chatter and it is interesting how the vast majority had no idea as to the quality of Japanese football. That players would come directly from J-League clubs to command starting positions in the Bundesliga, Serie A and, La Liga, Ligue 1 and the EPL was completely lost on them as none were playing in Scotland. Whilst Ange's exploits with Celtic may be a bolt from the blue for the Scots, it's an expected achievement from the rest.
Tiger_MBK
Roar Rookie
The fact that Ange, a generational coaching talent, was hounded from the national role highlights everything wrong with Australian Football.
Football is Life
Roar Rookie
What Ange is doing will go down in Australian football history. Decades from now people globally will know the names Postecoglou, Cahill, Schwartzer etc. Following in those foot steps are the like of Montemurro and I believe Papas. Personally, I believe the name Arnold will fade in anonymity. Ange has done everything in his power to make it, from living on the poverty line to spend time at Arsenal, to developing his own philosophy and sticking to it, regardless of ridicule from those not brave enough to do what Ange has done. Australian football is immeasurably in debt to Ange. Go forward and conquer Ange.
Lionheart
Roar Rookie
we need to break the mould more often - that's the ex Socceroo mould, the club as Ange called it. In fact, we need to break it permanently.
NUFCMVFC
Roar Guru
Well done to Ange, that will give him further confidence going forward. Great to see him leading the way, and just as we have Muscat coaching effectively in Asia following his footsteps hopefully we can have people follow in Anges footsteps
Stevo
Roar Rookie
Ange is having a heroic season. An Aussie guy that get’s the keys to Celtic on a one year contract and asked to make it happen. Has Celtic supporters doubting a no-name coach from the ass end of the world will do much at all and he and the team lift silverware this morning. Unreal in my books.
Statler and Waldorf
Roar Guru
Ang & Rogic are both having good seasons