Ex-Celtic boss Ange Postecoglou responds to accusation he doesn’t engage with players after Matt O’Riley ‘dig’
ANGE POSTECOGLOU has dismissed claims he doesn’t engage with his players – while directing a thinly veiled jab at Celtic star Matt O’Riley.
Shortly after Postecoglou left Celtic for Tottenham, midfielder O’Riley spoke about how refreshing Brendan Rodgers’ personality was compared to his former boss.
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O’Riley said of Rodgers’ approach, “Everyone seems pretty optimistic and I think the manager shows that just by the way he’s going about things.”
“He’s not afraid to just come over and chat with us over lunch, which I think is totally fine.” Pretty.
“It is a PrettyIn a way it’s a refreshing change to have this openness to the place. That’s why I’m looking forward to it.
The fans took it as a dig at Postecoglou, who openly admitted that he wouldn’t necessarily get close to his players.
But the Australian says while he doesn’t expect players to be attracted to him, he insists he would always sit down and strike up a conversation with a player if they had an issue he wanted to talk to him about.
He said that while he takes care of his players, that doesn’t mean he has to have lunch with them – citing O’Riley’s comments.
Postecoglou said: “Other managers really listen to the players, I understand that. If you look at it, that’s probably her personality. You walk into a room and everyone is attracted to you. That’s not me.”
“I’m just trying to be myself, but in this context that doesn’t mean I don’t talk to players. If a player has a problem, I sit down and get involved. It’s really important for the players that they know that I have their back and that I care about them.
“But it doesn’t always have to come from me sitting down with them over lunch and talking to them about how their day was. I’m just not who I am.”
Postecoglou’s not-so-subtle allusion to the canteen antics was quick to catch the eye of fans.
“Shots were fired from Matt O’Riley,” said a supporter.
Another said, “Ange takes a dig at Matt here,” with a sideways emoji and a laughing face.
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