'That might be all he wants': Reason why Ange Postecoglou won't jump Celtic ship at first opportunity

The carrot of automatic entry into the Champions League is likely to be dangled for Scotland’s champions over the coming seasons.

And Kenny Dalglish considers that could profoundly alter the top-flight terrain in this country, and prove a game-changer for the longevity of Ange Postecoglou’s tenure at Celtic. The footballing great is mildly amused the chat around the Australian has flipped entirely over the course of his 10 months in post. Initially it centred on suitability for the role. Now, following the 56-year-old’s transformation of Celtic’s squad and on-field fortunes that sees them homing in on the championship, the potential for Postecoglou being enticed by an English Premier League club before long has become a talking point. The previous two winners of the Scottish top flight – Steven Gerrard and Brendan Rodgers – left their positions in Glasgow while their teams were champions.

However, neither had the luxury of these successes banking Champions League group stages for them. Not since 2010-11 has that been the prize for the top flight victors in this country. Assuming this year’s Champions League winners qualify for the tournament through their domestic league – and of the eight current quarter-finalists, only Villarreal and Benfica do not – that will change for the 2022-23 campaign. Next season’s cinch Premiership winners will definitely go straight into the group phase of the blue riband tournament come 2023-24, and the prospect of regularly mixing it with the elite has Dalglish believing Postecoglou’s head will not be turned easily.

“It’s not a given, but Celtic are obviously favourites to win the league,” said the Liverpool icon, with six points separating Glasgow’s big two with only five games remaining.