HIGH HOOPS FOR EUROPE
ANGE Postecoglou is sure there are unforgettable encounters on the horizon as the Champions League group stage draw arrives this week.
Celtic boss Postecoglou was satisfied with his side’s stress-free win over a much-changed Hearts side on Sunday that preserved the club’s unbeaten start to their Premiership title defence.
But the Aussie believes it’s the promise of more to come that has fans’ anticipation levels rising ahead of Thursday’s 5pm draw in Istanbul.
Feast
It will be must-see TV for Hoops fans. Postecoglou feels the same.
Celtic have been starved of a place at the top table for five years – but the manager is ready to feast now.
He said: “We’re looking forward to it. It’s exciting.
“I know we are going to have all our supporters glued to the TV set in anticipation.
“It’s where we should be. It’s where this club needs to be.
“I have a responsibility to make sure we are there – and we are there to make an impact.
“No doubt there are going to be some exciting ties and memorable occasions.
“Celtic Park Champions League nights are unforgettable, so I’m looking forward to it.”
Postecoglou can’t wait to join the party, but some fans might be hiding behind the couch come the draw.
A peek at the possibles and there’s Real Madrid, PSG, Bayern Munich and Manchester City in pot one.
The second group doesn’t look much easier, and includes Liverpool, Chelsea, Spurs, Juventus, Barcelona and Atletico Madrid, while pot three is a minefield of Borussia Dortmund, Inter Milan, Bayer Leverkusen, Napoli and Marseille.
Porto, RB Leipzig and Red Bull Salzburg looks the best of it, although it could as easily be Real Madrid, Liverpool and Inter Milan.
It’s just as well Postecoglou fancies a crack at any of them. The bigger the name, the more memorable the victory – if they can pull it off.
He added: “They’ll be good teams.
“It’s fair to say they’ll be decent sides.”