ANGE Postecoglou, the Greek-Australian coach who has been in talks with Celtic about taking over as manager at Parkhead, has turned to Craig Moore, the former Rangers captain, for advice as he has weighed up a potential move to Scotland.
The 55-year-old, who has been in charge at Yokohama F Marinos in Japan since 2017, spoke to representatives of the Glasgow club last week after their attempts to bring in Eddie Howe, the former Bournemouth manager, unexpectedly fell through.
Moore, the ex-Ibrox centre half, played under Postecoglou at Brisbane Roar and was a member of his Australia backroom team at the World Cup in 2014 and the Asian Cup in 2015, which the Socceroos won for the first time in their history, and thinks he would be an inspired appointment.
The 45-year-old, who spent two spells as a player at Rangers and helped them to win five Scottish titles, revealed how his old colleague had been in contact with him on several occasions since being approached to quiz him about Celtic and football in this country.
“We have had some conversations over the last couple of days,” he said. “Ange isn’t a silly man. There is a lot that I have been able to help him with. I know Ange and I am sure if he gets the job we will have regular conversations to make sure there is no stone left unturned and no surprises.”
Moore, who also played for Crystal Palace, Borussia Moenchengladbach and Newcastle United, has worked in a variety of different roles in the game since retiring from playing back in 2010. However, he does not expect to be offered a position at Celtic if Postecoglou is named as the successor to Neil Lennon in the coming days.
“I was a player liaison mentor for the national team when Ange was Australia manager,” he said. “It was nothing to do with the coaching. I was basically the go-between between the players and the head coach
“I am sure there will be an opportunity for him to bring in a coach or two if he is made Celtic manager. He has a network and has some trusted coaches who he has worked with.”
Many Celtic fans are unimpressed the Parkhead club, who failed to complete 10-In-A-Row in the 2020/21 season and parted company with Lennon in February, have targeted Postecoglou after their pursuit of Howe ended for “unforeseen reasons”.
But Moore expects the former South Melbourne, Brisbane Roar and Melbourne Victory coach to flourish if he is brought on board.
“For me, there are a lot of pluses, a lot of ticks,” he said. “I think there has been a bit of ignorance about his potential appointment.
“Tactically, he is very, very good. He likes to dominate the ball. Hs teams have always liked to have the lion’s share of possession and create a lot of chances. He is very clever. His teams play a very entertaining brand of football. He set an all-time Australian record by going 36 games unbeaten with Brisbane Roar.
“He is a very positive person. He creates a very challenging culture. What I mean by that is that everyone is on their toes. Not only players, staff too. He is a big believer in everybody contributing. If anyone doesn’t contribute they won’t be at the club.”
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