Aaron Mooy out to swerve Celtic 'death seat' beside Ange Postecoglou as family tie heaps pressure on Parkhead move

Aaron Mooy knew all about the dreaded death seat next to Ange Postecoglou on the Australia team flights. But he might not even be safe at the family dinner table after sealing his dream move to Celtic.

At work he’ll be reunited with a manager he admits still has the fear factor. And at home he now has a Hoops daft father-in-law who’ll be ever bit as demanding. Mooy laughs off the potential pressure of having to keep the pair of them sweet as signing for Celtic is just about the perfect move for him.

The 31-year-old had a home in Glasgow with his Scottish wife Nicola and his new club has a familiar face at the helm after their time with the Socceroos. Back then the squad used to joke about avoiding the seat next to Postecoglou on the plane as the famously quiet gaffer could quite easily sit in awkward silence on a 15 hour long haul trek.

On the home front it might the opposite kind of problem as his wife’s dad Ian can be an arm chair fan. Mooy is ready for anything as it’s a match made in heaven for the midfielder – even if he might need to be careful where he sits these days. But has the former St Mirren, Huddersfield and Brighton ace experienced the death seat?

“No, I haven’t!” Mooy grinned. “The way Ange coached with the national team, back then it was a case of speaking mainly about the football and other little bits here and there. It wasn’t like a best mates sort of thing. I understand that’s his way and wherever he’s been, he’s been successful pretty much.

“Is he intimidating? Yeah, definitely. He’s intimidating for sure. There is that kind of automatic respect.

“You never know where you stand so you always have to be pushing yourself. He likes to play football – not always long balls and fighting for second