Ange Postecoglou hasn’t even put the photos of his wife on his desk yet, but the Daily Record have found someone who says he’ll be away soon.

Erik Paartalu gave Postecoglou his finest moment as Brisbane Roar manager and he believes the Australian will be heading to a bigger league in a few seasons.  

The badly spelt Erik, who used to play for Morton and Gretna, said;

“The biggest trouble with Celtic is trying to keep hold of Ange.

“In three or four years, you’re going to have the same situation.

“He has won multiple titles and he will be trying to get a move to England or one of the big leagues. That is his pathway.

“He will be absolutely buzzing. He isn’t the type to take a job on lightly. He would’ve researched beforehand.

“I’m sure he’s probably been offered jobs of this calibre before but wasn’t ready. 

“Ange has always been ambitious. This guy just doesn’t stop.

“Any other Australian coach that would’ve won the J-League would’ve just stopped there and chilled out in Asia.

“The guy is in his mid-50s. He would’ve researched this whole situation at Celtic, who is leaving and who is coming, who can I get in? I know he’s already thought about his next step from here.” 

Maybe he should have just got off the plane at Heathrow….

The overwhelming narrative now that one of footballs up and coming managers has arrived at Celtic seems to be that we won’t have him for long. Maybe not, but then again, that applies these days to players, coaches and even some supporters.

It’s just a shame it doesn’t apply to board members, who appear to have grown so fat off the club they will need to be surgically removed from their seats.

Meanwhile, back at the ranch, Stephen Welsh has been wheeled out to talk to the press about next season, largely because he’s about the only one the club can be fairly sure will be here next season.

In a Celtic TV interview, the young defender said;

“I’m very excited that he is coming, I’m looking forward to meeting & working with him. It’s a fresh start, he plays good, attacking football & we’re all looking forward to it. We can’t wait to get started.” 

Then again, Welsh was put in front of the microphone to talk about Eddie Howe as well….

Obviously, Eddie Howe was a fantastic manager for Bournemouth over the last few years. He fits the criteria. He plays good football from what I saw so it’s exciting more than anything,”   

What we can deduce from his words is that he..and probably the rest of them….have decided that anyone will do as long as he isn’t Neil Lennon, which pretty much echoes the voices of the support.

Celtic will face Midtyjlland of Denmark in their European opener, a side who have improved over the last couple of years, which may not be the most glamorous start we could have wished for, and is certainly not an easy one.

Their last five years in Europe look like this….

In comparison, here is Celtic’s five year record….

Stephen Welsh spoke about the prospect of a reunion with Erik Sviatchenko, the man released by Brendan Rodgers becuase he didnt like him….

Erik was a regular when I started training with the first team and he was someone I looked up to,”

“He was great player for us and he’s done well for Midtjylland since going there.

“We know he’s a great defender and he’s a big personality. He helped me a lot. He talked me through training sessions, spoke to me afterwards and just helped me with the basics. I was only 16 or 17 and he was a great help bringing me on.

“He’s also a bit trendy for a centre half but he didn’t give me any fashion advice! Maybe I should have asked him. Centre halves don’t really tend to be trendy but he was.

“He’s just a lovely big guy and an even better player.”  

The likeable Sviatchenko has been linked with a return to Celtic.  Which isn’t that likeable.

Meanwhile, the Euros rumble on and anyone who is interested in how football should be played could do worse than watch Italy.

They beat Switzerland last night with an impressive display of passion, skill and discipline that was both exciting and frightening to watch.

Then again, Lee Dixon, the ITV summariser, doubts they will be able to do that against the big boys.

Italians worldwide will be wondering what they have to do to be one of the big boys, with four world cups and a European Championship already under their belts.

Having analysed their performance, I felt brave enough to lump a tenner on them at 7/1.

You see, gambling, we are led to believe is about analysing data, about watching for those little details, and that has carried on into the way football clubs are run, how scouting departments are operating and how managerial tactics are viewed by the media.

In contrast, my wife won a free bet with during the Wales game, and put it on a player to score anytime who had the first name of one of our kids and the maiden name of her mother.

Conor Roberts won her £50.

Although her running around the room shouting obscenites to me may have upset the dogs, it’s another step down the slippery slope for football analytics.

Speaking of Wales, they have improved immensely over the last few years, and are now unbeaten since Ryan Giggs left.

As, indeed, is his ex partner.

The last caption competition was quite some time ago, featuring two first team players of the era…

today….