4 days ago
The chuckling Celtic curtain twitchers should beware the lessons from Ange before writing off Rangers new boss
Glasgow has always been a city of curtain twitchers and when it comes to the football teams, punters can't resist taking a peak.
Celtic fans in recent years have given up even trying to hide behind the drapes – they've unfolded the deckchairs and plonked themselves down in the front lawn to watch the show over the road.
In fairness, in the past decade or so they've been able to spark a carry out and have a chuckle at a lot that's gone on.
And plenty will be sniggering again right now, mainly given the wild reaction from a sizeable section from their city chums to the appointment of Russell Martin as new head coach.
They way they are going on you'd think Rangers had signed up Steven Martin rather than Russell.
But Hoops punters might be advised to hold fire on the lols and take this seriously.
Some of them might have short memories. It wasn't so long ago Celtic brought in an unknown manager from the other side of the world, a guy who had a 'philosophy' – a word that can sound like nails being dragged down a blackboard to some.
Ange Postecoglou was a figure of fun to Rangers fans when he arrived and a source of anger to a lot of Celtic supporters, who spent months waiting to welcome Premier League gaffer Eddie Howe.
The Aussie spoke of an attacking style and to hell with anyone who questioned it.
Rangers supporters chortled, yet it was big Ange who had the last laugh. That's why Celts should hang fire with penning the latest chapter of the bumper Banter Years book.
Martin will have a tough job repeating that kind of success, but he will use the Postecoglou blueprint.
It's no secret the new Gers gaffer is an admirer. Martin has based his aggressive possession approach on the likes of Pep, Klopp and the usual high priests of the modern game.
But it's Postecoglou who provided the clearer path – and the one he's likely to try to follow in Glasgow.
Last season when the ex-Celt was getting it tight at Spurs, it was Martin who was one of his big defenders.
He also spoke in admiration about the job the man from Oz did in Glasgow.
Martin said: 'I watched a lot of his Celtic team. They were brilliant.
"There was so much praise for being so aggressive, so brave, relentless restarts, energy, he did a great job, won lots of trophies, played in the Champions League.
'He started so well at Spurs, when results are good no one questions the style or his conviction or belief system and the minute it starts faltering it's always down to that.
'I get criticised for the same thing, about being stubborn and all that stuff, but if you believe in something and it's taken you a certain way in life, then to deviate too far from that is crazy.'
Martin is clearly a Postecoglou disciple, but replicating the achievements in Scotland is another matter.
Brendan Rodgers knows it as well. The Celtic boss has got a collection of Gers managerial scalps on his mantelpiece to go along with his silverware, and he won't be suffering any sleepless nights about the next one off the rank.
The Irishman has his own brand of attacking football that works a treat in these parts.
You can't help but think it's the Rodgers and Ange approach that has convinced Rangers to go in this direction as well. Imitation and flattery and all that.
Rangers have been more than decent in the big games against teams who come at them, whether it's Celtic or in Europe.
It's the domestic games where they've had to break down teams where they've come unstuck.
Ibrox chiefs will be hoping Martin's high-pressing, high intensity possession game will be the key to unlocking packed backlines, just as it has been for the last couple of Celtic managers.
And that's why Celtic fans should maybe resist the giggles for now.
Yes, there are big questions around the new man in charge across town. Martin has never experienced a pressurised environment like this before and it will be interesting to see how he handles it.
There were some signs of unravelling when the heat was on at Southampton last term but that will be a tickle factory compared to the chaos up here after a few defeats.
He's never managed in Europe or being involved in a scrap for silverware either – things that Rodgers does in his sleep.
The Parkhead gaffer will let others look over the fence and will be concentrating on making his own side stronger, injecting a few new faces that will energise the place and make sure the relentless hunger that's fuelled the club over the years is maintained.
Rodgers is also a master at piling on the pressure – even indirectly – and a fast start to the season could turn the vice right from the off.
What he won't do is take anything for granted or expect another breeze.
Celtic fans would be well advised to take a similar approach but whether it's from the front garden or behind the curtains, the clash of the gaffers is going to be compelling viewing.
