Ange welcomes five-sub rule but still has concerns
Ange Postecoglou fears football is reaching a tipping point on player welfare.
The Celtic manager revealed his concerns as he welcomed news that Premiership clubs can use five substitutes in league games from tomorrow.
“I don’t think there would be a manager in the world who wouldn’t want the opportunity to be able to ease the load on their players,” he said.
“Having five substitutes helps the cause, so I am supportive of the change.
“We’re getting to the point now, with Covid still around, that the players are really going to start asking questions of authorities and football clubs if they’re not getting looked after.
“With the demands put on players and the players’ general welfare, it’s quite evident most leagues around the world want to make sure their integrity is not tarnished by playing less games.
“We’re trying to jam through seasons that are just not fair on players – and not just here in Scotland. You see leagues around the world where injury tolls have gone up due to the amount of games for the players, and less recovery time.
“When the five-sub rule was first brought in 18 months ago – we had a season of it in Japan – I wasn’t initially a fan because I thought it would change games. But now I see it helps protect your players a bit more, and that’s important.”
A potential beneficiary of the rule change is Giorgos Giakoumakis, the £2.5-million summer signing from Dutch side, VVV Venlo, who is now set to be eased into the side after fighting his way back from a knee injury.
“Giorgos has done the rehab and is all good to go,” said Postecoglou.
“He is one of three or four who probably didn’t have an ideal start with us. He came in late and had several challenges, not doing pre-season and the season already up and running when he arrived.
“He had a couple of injury setbacks, so we had to be a bit patient.
“They weren’t all going to hit the ground running. Two or three signings were quick out the blocks, but others needed a bit of time.
“Hopefully, Giorgos is now ready to go again. He’s trained really well, and he’ll get an opportunity to show what he’s all about.”
Postecoglou could lose all four of his Japanese players later this month to World Cup qualifiers, but argues it is a mistake to view them as a single case.
“We have to be careful about just saying ‘four Japanese players’. These are four individuals, and totally different people,” he said.
“They all have different personalities, have had different careers and offer something different to the club, and to their country.
“Right now, we don’t know who’s going to be away on international duty. We’ll deal with that if and when it happens.”