Ange hails trusted Celtic lieutenants as Kennedy and Co banish demons of The Season Hoops Fans Don’t Like to Talk About

Celtic boss Ange Postecoglou’s mantelpiece must be feeling the strain after picking up another award at the weekend.

The Hoops gaffer collected his second successive PFA Scotland manager of the year gong to go with his Football Writers’ one from last term and there could be more on the way by the time the dust settles on this season. Don’t get him wrong, Postecoglou is grateful to get the plaudits and the recognition for his work. But he insists it’s not just that mantelpiece that has to share the load. Postecoglou admits he leans heavily on his coaching staff and they deserve to share the accolades with any shiny trinket that comes his way.

He also knows how important the last couple of seasons of success have been to guys like John Kennedy and Gavin Strachan. The pair of them were caught in the crossfire in The Season Celtic Fans Don’t Like to Talk About. Kennedy was in the dugout for seven Scottish Premiership titles on the bounce but took some flak after the failed 10-in-a-row bid, while new boy Strachan was scapegoated as the guy with the iPad who had a part in the Parkhead malfunction that campaign.

Postecoglou sees the last two seasons of a redemption of sorts for the pair – even it he didn’t think they needed it. Kennedy is now one of Celtic’s most decorated coaches of all time and Strachan is a key member of the managers trusted inner circle, along with newcomer Harry Kewell and long-serving keeper coach Stevie Woods.

Postecoglou is determined to share the love. He said: “They have been outstanding. I know I’m the frontman and the manager is the one who gets the recognition. But these things are really recognition for the whole group. I have an outstanding staff here.

“The football department is led by John