Ange Postecoglou rages at media downplaying Europa League success

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The Celtic Star

·1 May 2025

Ange Postecoglou rages at media downplaying Europa League success

Ange Postecoglou pushed back hard against the idea that the Europa League is small fry, insisting it’s exactly the kind of competition fans live for…

Ange Postecoglou, Manager of Tottenham Hotspur, during a training session ahead of their UEFA Europe League 2024/25 semi final first/second leg match at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on April 30, 2025. (Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images)

The Tottenham manager evoked memories of Celtic Park to fire up his squad ahead of their crucial semi-final clash with Bodo/Glimt.

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A dismal season domestically for Ange Postecoglou

Postecoglou’s second season in North London has been fairly dismal, with their charge to the European semi-finals standing out as the lone highlight.

But it’s a chance the former Hoops gaffer is determined to seize, aiming to settle unfinished business from his Celtic days and knock out the Norwegian champions on the road to the beautiful Basque city of Bilbao.

He believes Spurs’ European achievements have been downplayed and firmly rejected the notion that lifting the trophy would be as routine as Manchester United winning the FA Cup.

Bodo/Glimt celebrate their win at Celtic Park as Ange Postecoglou looks on. Photo Getty Images

Speaking ahead of the Bodo/Glimt encounter, Postecoglou said: “People almost try and diminish it in some respects. I’ve heard people say it’s the equivalent of Manchester United winning the FA Cup. No it ain’t. Not on any planet.”

“They’ve suggested that maybe we’re not worthy of the Champions League”

“They’ve suggested that maybe we’re not worthy of the Champions League. Things that are designed to diminish what’s ahead of us, which is an unbelievable opportunity. Irrespective of how the season’s gone, we have generations of fans who want this more than anything else, to share a special moment supporting their club with the people that they love,” the former Celtic manager said.

“The season could have gone a lot differently. We could be flying in the league, but it wouldn’t make this opportunity any different. This opportunity is the same and I’ve made that clear to the players.”

Ange Postecoglou, Manager of Tottenham Hotspur, speaks to the media during a press conference ahead of their UEFA Europe League 2024/25 semi final first/second leg match at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on April 30, 2025. (Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images)

Bad memories of Celtic’s home and away defeats in 2022

Postecoglou has also warned his players not to take Bodo lightly, reminding them that the Norwegian side thrashed his Celtic side 5-1 on aggregate in the 2022 Conference League, including a 3-1 victory at Celtic Park.

Kjetil Knutsen, the man who got the better of Ange Postecoglou three years ago, is still in charge, and with his players still fully behind him, Postecoglou said: “They have the same manager, similar style of play. When we played them with Celtic, our season had got off to a slow start, but by then we were playing good football.”

“The atmosphere at Celtic Park is incredible, and they just beat Roma, they won’t be fazed by anything that comes tomorrow.”

Watch Ange Postecoglou’s pre-match media conference below…

Best of luck to Ange Postecoglou this evening and also to Athletic Club in the other semi-final.

Conor Spence

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