Ange Postecoglou insists he hasn’t paid any attention to “noise” that he’s on the radar of Premier League strugglers Leeds United, who last week parted company with coach Jesse Marsch.
The former Socceroos coach spoke after watching his treble-chasing Celtic team beat St Mirren 5-1 in the fifth round of the Scottish Cup at Parkhead on Saturday night.
Celtic eventually overcame a spirited Saints side with goals from Daizen Maeda, a Reo Hatate double – one from the penalty spot after St Mirren defender Richard Taylor was sent off for handball – a first Hoops goal for Oh Hyeon-gyu and a Matt O’Riley strike.
When asked what he would say to any Celtic fans who might be concerned about the Leeds talk, the Hoops boss referred to his usual way of dealing with speculation.
“I don’t think I need to say anything to them,” said Postecoglou.
“I think what the supporters want is to make sure I’m focused on preparing the team every week to win games of football and to play football that’s going to excite them and make them proud. That’s my responsibility.
“I get the excitement round things like that. If I had a player in a similar boat I’d just tell him, ‘keep playing your football and don’t worry about anything else, all those kinds of things are just noise’.
“I take my own advice on stuff like that. I’ve been around the game long enough to know how quickly it changes.
“If anyone thinks for the last seven days I’ve thought about anything but preparing the team to play today then obviously they haven’t got a clear idea of what I’m about.”
Leeds are in a a battle to avoid relegation as they sit 17th, four points ahead of bottom-placed Southampton.
They sacked American coach Marsch after just under a year in charge.
Source: AAP
