Postecoglou, Puskas and the football gods: Celtic's Champions League destiny awaits

Postecoglou will take charge of his first-ever game in the group stages of Europe's premier competition with a mouth-watering clash against the La Liga giants in Paradise on Tuesday night (8pm).

It will be an emotional moment for the Aussie, who was mentored by Los Blancos legend Ferenc Puskas while at South Melbourne.

The 57-year-old grew up liking Liverpool however the other major influence in his life was his father Jim - a self-confessed Real fan.

The poignancy of the occasion was certainly not lost on former Aston Villa, Manchester United and Chelsea goalkeeper Bosnich, who shared a television studio with Postecoglou for several years in their homeland.

The shot-stopper - who was capped 17 times by the Socceroos - told The Celtic Way: "I have always got a saying about the football gods. It is amazing how much they play a part in football and you have a look at these little situations.

"Postecoglou's first game as a manager with Celtic in the Champions League will be at home against Real Madrid. There is the whole Ferenc Puskas back story attached to this. Ange had that wonderful experience of playing under him when he was a player at South Melbourne. He used to always mention little stories about him as well and that had more of an effect on him than he made out over here.

"Ange picked up so much from him so the fact that Celtic are playing Real Madrid at home in the first game, well, we already know those nights are special because of the fans but it is going to hit a different level on Tuesday.

"It really is something we would dream about as kids in Australia growing up. The European Cup games were for the true believers - we would get up religiously and watch them at 4am.

"Ange would have been one of those people who did that and he would have been steeped in that tradition. This is the best club competition in the world and for him to have that opportunity to play Real Madrid and then to go to the Bernabeu is a dream come true.

"The Puskas effect has lingered with Ange definitely - it is very rare that we get someone of that stature over here. He is one of the true greats of world football full stop. Ange never mentioned it much over here but it is heartening to think that he has mentioned it now that he is the manager of Celtic. It had a lasting effect on him.

"Ange was a Liverpool fan growing up and his father was a Real Madrid supporter. He will have a moment in the Bernabeu and I know how close he was to his father. I remember ringing him when his father sadly passed away and he told me they don't make them like that anymore. That rings true for a lot of our parents.

READ MORE: Ange Postecoglou, Jock Stein and Ferenc Puskas - The Celtic through-line that binds football royalty

"There was a huge story done over here about Ange's relationship with his father and you could see how much an influence he had on his career. He will be looking down on him from heaven come Tuesday night. He will be very proud of his son and where he is."

Bosnich is well aware that it will be a chance for the former Socceroos coach to test his brand of football at the highest level when his team encounters the European champions.

The 50-year-old insists that Real's reputation will count for nothing, especially in the Champions League arena.

He firmly believes that Celtic have a chance of upsetting the odds and qualifying for the knockout stages from a group that also contains Ukrainians Shakhtar Donetsk and German outfit RB Leipzig.

Bosnich said: "Knowing Ange it is one thing being there but the next thing will be to make his mark in it. I think I can safely see he will be relishing this challenge.

"He will want this to be a season-in, season-out thing for Celtic and himself. I think they have a chance on Tuesday night. I want Ange to succeed as I am close to him and I think he is a great guy but if I take that away and put my pundit head on then teams from pot four traditionally have had little success in the Champions League for some time.

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"But looking at that group, Real Madrid are the European champions so they will be the favourites to go through. Shakhtar Donetsk won't be easy and a lot of their players will be motivated to play for other reasons. We saw that when Ukraine played Scotland in the World Cup qualifiers. They will be playing their games in a different country so that will be difficult for them.

"RB Leipzig we know from their Europa League semi-final against Rangers - they are beatable and they haven't set the Bundesliga alight this season. I think Celtic have a real opportunity to reach the knockout stages and if you get there then you have always got a chance.

"People say it is impossible but if it happens then you take your chances. One thing is for certain they won't lack belief not under Ange. They also have a Champions League winner in Harry Kewell on the staff and that carries a lot of weight. He knows what he is talking about."

Bosnich is convinced that scratching the itch of managing a team in European football's premier club tournament simply won't be enough for Postecoglou. In fact, he reckons their underdog status in the group means they have nothing to lose and everything to gain.

He said: "It won't be enough for Ange just to be there. I get that there is the Ferenc Puskas scenario and the fact that Real Madrid is the greatest club side in the world but Ange will want to leave his mark on this competition.

"Celtic have nothing to lose when they play Real Madrid as not a lot of people are expecting them to win or do well against them.

The Real games will take care of themselves but remember: anyone with nothing to lose can be a dangerous opponent."