Ange Postecoglou relishing opportunity with Celtic in Champions League

Ange Postecoglou admits he will have to pinch himself when he takes Celtic into their first Champions League game next season.

The former Australia boss made an instant impact at Parkhead after arriving last summer by winning the Premier Sports Cup and wrenching the cinch Premiership title back from Old Firm rivals Rangers.

The Hoops go straight into the September group stages of the Champions Legaue with the draw taking place in August and Postecoglou is certain about how he will feel on matchday one.

He told Sky Sports: “Again, it’s brilliant. I remember when I was at the World Cup in Brazil.

“I’m sitting on the touchline and we played against Chile in the first game and I remember thinking, ‘what the hell am I doing here? I should be sitting in the stand watching.’

“I felt like someone was going to tap me on the shoulder and say the game is starting, get off the pitch.

“It’s going to be the same with the Champions League.

“I know there will be a moment when the whistle goes and I think ‘what am I doing here?’

“It doesn’t feel like this should be happening but again that’s the beauty of it.

“I’ve never doubted my ability or my belief that I could perform at that level, but how can you chart that course?

“You can have that dream of winning Wimbledon or the Open and you can do that with performances and working hard – it is not easy mind you – but as a manager you need other people to take a chance on you to make those steps.

“Obviously you’ve got to take every opportunity that’s given to you, but there isn’t a manager who can say ‘in five years’ time I’m going to be coaching in the Champions League.’

“That doesn’t happen, certain things have got to happen.

“The fact that I’ll get that opportunity is a great weight of