ANGE READY FOR REAL THING IN EUROPE

NOTTINGHAM FOREST boss Ange Postecoglou is plotting how to repeat past success as the Reds return to the European stage.

Postecoglou knows how to win the Europa League, having lifted the trophy with Tottenham last season. The challenge is to do the same with Forest.

Owner Evangelos Marinakis was explicit about his desire to win trophies when Postecoglou’s appointment was announced.

It has been three decades since Forest enjoyed a continental adventure, so their manager’s experience will be vital.

If Postecoglou can match Spurs’ achievement of last term, he would become the first boss to win the Europa League in consecutive years with different clubs. “I thoroughly enjoyed last year,” Postecoglou (right) said ahead of tomorrow’s clash at Real Betis. “I had two years at Celtic, where we were in Europe as well.

“It’s a great experience. Playing away from home, you experience different environments, different cultures and different styles of football. It’s very challenging. It can test you in many ways – physically and mentally.

“You have got to use every minute to make sure you are recovering mentally and physically for the next challenge. Just being part of it is genuinely exciting, even for me as a manager.

“You go from the Premier League, where most of the things are known, to a bit of the unknown. You can be playing an opponent you haven’t played before, or someone who plays totally different to anyone else.”