Celtic boss Ange Postecoglou's year in quotes

The Aussie has enjoyed the most thrilling magic carpet ride in Scottish football since he checked in at Parkhead in the summer of 2021.

A Scottish Premiership and League Cup double-winner in his maiden campaign afforded him cult hero status with the faithful. He also guided Celtic into the lucrative Champions League group stages automatically for the first time in five years.

Celtic currently lead the league over closest rivals Rangers. However, it is not just his managerial exploits that have made headlines news; the 57-year-old has a way with words as well as people. His press conferences are usually box office and not to be missed.

In a festive treat, we dug into the Ange archive to sum up Postecoglou's year in quotes.

Here are the best of the Ange-isms from the year that was 2022...

January

On playing football matches inside empty stadiums and the importance of football fans...

"For me, it’s beyond talking about how important it is. It’s all-encompassing. It’s the one thing, football and supporters are not two separate entities as far as I’m concerned. As I said after the St Johnstone game, we won, but I didn’t really enjoy the game, and I don’t think anyone does. I don’t think there would be a football club around the world or a football player who wants to play in empty stadiums."

February

On the 3-0 midweek demolition of Rangers at Celtic Park...

"We’re upholding the values of this football club, not just in terms of winning but the way we play our football. I want them to be proud of us. I hope they are proud on the journey home tonight. I am sure they will enjoy tonight, I don’t know how work will go tomorrow for most of them. As I said to the players, we had 60,000 in tonight and I’m sure a lot of them walked in with some problems in their life. For this 95 minutes we made them forget that and feel good and that’s something special.”

On being quizzed by BBC reporter Kenny Macintyre after a 2-0 Scottish Premiership home win over St Mirren...

Kenny Macintyre: “That was a hard watch at times, is that fair?”

Ange Postecoglou: “It depends on what you’re looking for – maybe you’re disappointed with the way it went, mate.”

On being told that Celtic trailed for just one minute in 1,350 minutes of football and that was against Hibs in the League Cup final at Hampden...

“I don’t know how sad your life is to be looking up stats like that, mate."

March

On the Celtic support...

“The fans have been unbelievable. To be fair, they’ve been unbelievable from pretty much day one. They obviously didn’t know who I was either for the most part but it’s funny, at the same time they are fiercely loyal to their own people so once I was announced I think they just figured ‘look, he’s one of ours now so we are going to back him, lay off him'. Even at the start when things were a bit rocky with results, from the moment I arrived they have been right behind me. They want me to succeed."

READ MORE: Moment Celtic boss Ange Postecoglou helps drivers stuck in snow

April

On being asked if Rangers' run to the Europa League final demonstrates how well Scottish teams can do in Europe...

“If you want evidence of how well Scottish clubs can do in Europe, there’s a trophy I can show you just down the road here, mate.”

On beating Rangers 2-1 at Ibrox as Celtic moved six points clear at the top of the table...

"I'm really proud. I'm proud of the players. It was an enormous effort. They had everything going in their favour, the opposition. They scored early, the crowd was up and in those kinds of situations to turn it around like we did and show real character throughout the whole game was outstanding.

On losing the Scottish Cup sem-final to Rangers at Hampden...

"We are disappointed. There was an opportunity for us that we didn't take. It was a typical semi-final and both teams had their moments. It could have swung either way but they took their chance in extra time and unfortunately that decided the game."

On being appointed Celtic manager and on the brink of lifting the title in an interview with ABC Sport Australia...

“People were questioning my appointment… I love that stuff. The jury was out on me. There was no great recognition of what I had done.”

May

On clinching the league as BBC reporter Macintyre asks if Postecoglou would prefer to get the title wrapped up at the weekend by virtue of Rangers dropping points, or alternatively winning it at Tannadice in midweek...

"Only you could make winning a championship feel like a downer. No, any way it comes I'll take it."

On trophy presentation day and being handed the microphone after a 6-0 win over Motherwell at Celtic Park...

"Champions...that's what we are! And for you, the best fans on the planet, unbelievable. You’ve embraced me, embraced my family, embraced this jumper… I want everyone to enjoy today, enjoy the summer and we’ll come back bigger and better because we never stop!”

On winning the league in his first season during an interview with Opus Sport...

“Nothing is greater than seeing the joy you bring to people – whether it’s your own family or supporters of this football club. It’s a cliche but it is priceless. It gives you the best feeling. That’s the biggest motivator. The stuff that remains in people’s memories, things you had an impact on, it is precious.”

On scooping both the PFA and Scottish Football Writers' Association manager of the year awards...

"Going into it, there wasn’t a huge deal of expectation in terms of success. Whether that was because of me and my own background or because of the ground we needed to make up. People just recognise the challenge we had and how we have embraced that challenge. I take great pride in it but, like I said, I didn’t get the one I was favourite for – sacked by Christmas.”

On his schoolboy error of declaring that he loved whisky...

“I made the mistake of declaring my love of Scotch whisky and now, seriously, I get about a case a day delivered to my place. I don’t think I’ll ever drink it!"

June

On signing Cameron Carter-Vickers on a permanent deal...

"I am absolutely delighted that the club has completed the signing of Cameron on a permanent basis. This is a major acquisition for Celtic, really positive news for us and everyone at the club has worked so hard to make this happen. When we identify a player, we always hope that they can settle into things as quickly and as easily as possible. Like so many other players during the season, Cameron slotted into life at Celtic brilliantly from very early on. He is a great guy, hugely popular and we are delighted that he sees his future with us."

July

On signing Jota on a permanent deal...

“Re-signing Jota on a permanent deal was an important part of what we were trying to build here."

August

On the prospect of playing Real Madrid in the Bernabeu in the Champions League...

"I keep saying to the players that you can experience these things but usually you only remember it if it is a positive experience. So there’s no point, I’m not one to say that ‘I have done this’ or ‘I have done that’... for me it is more important that we go there and have a positive experience, to do that we’ve got to play some good football against the best. That’s when it becomes meaningful because, to be fair, you could pay for a tour of the Bernabeu, anyone can do that. I’ve often said to players, it is better to swap shirts with a player you admire after you’ve knocked them off and beaten them rather than just grab another shirt for your collection."

September

On Celtic 4-0 Rangers...

"We were brilliant. We knew it would be a good challenge for us today as they are a good side and they have proven that. We have been really good since the season started, we have been getting stronger every week. I thought it was a really dominant performance. It's a big occasion and we kind of know what's at stake. I guess people were suggesting that we had an easy run of games so far but I don't see that way. If this was going to be our first test and how we handled it then we did that really well and our defensive work and our press were just outstanding today. We really got on top of them."

READ MORE: Celtic boss Ange Postecoglou's relationship with the media - Catastrophes, outer space, McDonald's and mates

On the showdown with Real Madrid in the Champions League and accusations that he had no plan B...

“Maybe if I was German, Dutch or Spanish, people might look at me differently as a manager in terms of tactics. Apparently, I’ve got one simple approach: plan A. But we’ll just stick to that.”

On facing the might of holders Real Madrid in the Champions League...

"We get 60,000 in here every game and have 60,000 ticket holders. It is hard-earned money they are putting in. And what they want with that hard-earned money is not the satisfaction of them paying a bill. It gives them something in their life that money can’t give them anywhere else. Tuesday night is a night for that. That’s the reward of them coming in here. Whatever struggles they may be going through, this gives them a little bit of joy, irrespective of their background or what their current situation is. They are as one in here, experiencing the same thing.”

October

On squad rotation and avoiding disgruntled players...

“I don’t tell them, I just avoid them mate. Easy discussion, I just put the team up and walk away.”

November

On competing regularly at the Champions League level and being successful...

"In Scotland, a club like ours has to have its sights set on being a top Champions League club. If that means we dominate local competition then it challenges everyone else to be better. That has to be our goal. My responsibility is to this club. We have 60,000 fans here every week and millions around the world. Why shouldn’t they have success at Champions League level? That has to be my goal. If not then I am doing this job a disservice.”

December

On the being conflated with Rangers during opposition interviews...

"The curious thing I find - and it is more to do with language in general and is driven somewhat by you guys in the media but I also hear opposition coaches saying it. - is that before we play teams, some opposition players can't seem to differentiate between us and Rangers at all. It is almost like when you play the top two this is what happens. Some of them even talk about it like it is an excursion, like 'you go through Glasgow and this is what you expect'. I just find it very curious and if people are assuming because something does or doesn't work against Rangers that it is then going to be a reflection [against us]. We have different types of players and we play in different ways and that is where the discussion should be."