Ange Postecoglou opens up on Celtic trip Down Under and how they've 'caught the imagination' back home

Ange Postecoglou had a fair idea his success at Celtic was making waves Down Under - but it wasn’t until he used the international break to return home that he realised just how big a deal his work in Scotland had become in Australia.

The Parkhead boss spent some time in New South Wales last week promoting Celtic’s participation in next month’s Sydney Super Cup and was interviewed on a host of TV and radio programmes as the Aussies lined up to ask him to reflect on his 16-month adventure in Glasgow’s East End.

It’s obvious Postecoglou has come back refreshed and ready to write another chapter or two in what has been a remarkable success story so far. “Yeah it was good, mate,” he answered when asked if the trip had been worthwhile. “It was great to talk to people about the tour and about the club. Everyone has a great interest in how I’m going over here and it was great to spread the message over there. There’s a real excitement about the club’s visit which is great to see. It’s fair to say Celtic caught the imagination of people back home.

“Celtic have always had a really strong supporter base and a really strong connection with Australia but obviously, with my involvement, that’s been strengthened. They are following the progress of the club really strongly now and they are really excited to see the team in person. It will be at a time when there is a real focus on football in Australia. All the other codes are finished, so at that time of the year the World Cup will be about to start and the A-League will be going, so there will be a real football focus. Everyone is really excited about seeing the team.”

Closer to home, 60,000 will be excited about seeing their team face Motherwell today as Celtic try to get