Analysis

Rangers vs Tottenham: Ex-Celtic boss Ange Postecoglou expects 'intense' Ibrox return in Europa League clash

Spurs head coach Ange Postecoglou returns to Ibrox for Thursday's Europa League clash at Rangers; ex-Celtic boss visits former Old Firm rivals under pressure at Tottenham after a poor run of results; Ange tells Sky Sports: "Ibrox can be fairly intense and I'm sure we'll feel that"

Friday 13 December 2024 08:54, UK

Under-pressure Tottenham boss Ange Postecoglou returns to Glasgow on Thursday to face his former Old Firm rivals Rangers, who will be desperate to pile more misery on the ex-Celtic boss.

Postecoglou enjoyed two trophy-laden years at Celtic as he tormented Rangers by lifting five out of the six domestic trophies available during his tenure, including a Treble triumph in his second season.

But 18 months on from his Celtic exit, the Australian is finding life a lot tougher at Spurs.

Sunday's 4-3 home defeat to Chelsea means it is just one win in their last seven games in all competitions, and the love he enjoyed at Celtic is not being replicated in north London right now after he received abuse from fans in the 1-0 defeat at Bournemouth last Thursday.

His old foes Rangers will sense a chance to heap more pain on the 59-year-old, who won only once at Ibrox (D1 L2) while in charge of Celtic.

There is a wider significance too for Postecoglou's Ibrox reunion. Rangers and Tottenham are separated by just goal difference in the Europa League table, with Philippe Clement's side sitting eighth.

A victory for ninth-placed Spurs would not only ease the pressure on Postecoglou but move his side into the top eight, which would avoid a two-legged knockout play-off round in February.

But Rangers will feel they are playing Spurs at a good time following their resurgence in form that has seen them win their last four games, including a 4-1 Europa League win at Nice.

They will also have a fervent Ibrox behind them - and Postecoglou knows an "intense" atmosphere awaits on his Ibrox return...

Ange: We'll feel 'intense' Ibrox atmosphere

Tottenham boss Ange Postecoglou speaking exclusively to Sky Sports about his Ibrox return:

"I'm looking forward to it. I had a great time up there in the two years I was there [at Celtic]. Fair to say, Ibrox can be fairly intense and I'm sure we'll feel that.

"But it's a great stadium to play football in. The atmosphere, European nights. Even when I was there, they did awfully well in Europe - the first year I was there they got to the Europa League final.

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"So you know how European nights, irrespective of their league form, they really rise for, so it's a good challenge for us.

"I'm also looking forward to being back in Glasgow and feeling the cold again and hopefully see some friendly faces among the others."

On his time at Celtic: "I loved being part of Celtic as an institution, as a football club. If you've got a bucket list of clubs you want to manage for a period, that's certainly one that would have been in mine.

"I feel pretty blessed to have spent those two years there. Not just for me, my family. I enjoyed my whole time there. I enjoyed Scotland. People were really, really welcoming to me. Even whether they supported Celtic or not, I always knew where their allegiances lied by the way they approached me.

"Everyone really made me feel like it was an experience that I would keep close to me for the rest of my life."

On whether he still follows Celtic: "Absolutely. I'm right on board. Brendan's (Rodgers) done a brilliant job, as I knew he would. He's got great staff there, great players. He's taken the group to another level. They're doing really well in Europe as well, which is brilliant.

"If they're on the TV, I'm watching it and loving the way they're going."

'A must-not-lose match for Ange'

Sky Sports News reporter Michael Bridge:

This Rangers match is not must-win for Postecoglou, but it is certainly a must-not-lose. Rangers fans would love nothing more than to consign the ex-Celtic boss to another defeat - and a loss also means Spurs could face the prospect of two more games in an unwanted play-off round.

Rangers in Europe are a different animal and Postecoglou will know more than anyone the atmosphere that awaits them on Thursday night.

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As it stands, there is no pressure on Postecoglou from those above him at N17. He enjoys a good working relationship with chairman Daniel Levy but many will point out that could change if the crowd gets restless. It could also change if Postecoglou himself gets restless over a challenging summer window, or is hit with another injury crisis.

However, unlike his predecessor Antonio Conte, Postecoglou is expected to battle on with the squad he has, hope key players return and perhaps add a January signing or two.

January is an incredibly tough market but Sky Sports News understands transfer discussions have taken place and will continue to do so. The board also recognise Spurs are in a decent position in Europe, have a Carabao Cup quarter-final against Manchester United at home next Thursday, live on Sky Sports, and are not a million miles away from the European places.

Postecoglou enjoyed a pretty stress-free first few months in his tenure and such a strong start perhaps exaggerated expectations on a side losing one of the best strikers, if not the best, in the world in Harry Kane.

It's now year two - the year Ange says he "always wins a trophy". Perhaps even the quote has been twisted to suggest he's promising one for Spurs in his second season. That's the scrutiny he now finds himself under on top of the daily debate over his supposed stubbornness to adapt and attacking style of play.

As Postecoglou says himself - he's at the club because the previous regime, one way or another, didn't deliver. Some fans will point to the board. Levy is not going to sack himself, so it is either a resurgence under Postecoglou or the supporters face the prospect of yet another rebuild.

Can Rangers shock Spurs?

Sky Sports' Scotland Editor Sahil Jaidka:

Over the past few years at Rangers there have been four different managers, countless transfers and mixed domestic fortunes. However, there has been one constant - Europa League success.

While many fans will dream of the Champions League riches, this is a competition that has brought out the best in the Gers - with the club reaching the last-16 in four successive campaigns. Now they're eyeing an upset of Premier League Tottenham.

It is a big week for the Ibrox club, with a League Cup final against rivals Celtic to follow on Sunday. However, positive results in both those matches would blow away any scars from a poor start to this season.

At one stage Rangers found themselves trailing Celtic and Aberdeen by nine points after just 10 games in the Premiership. While Celtic continue to pull clear, Rangers are now just two points behind the Dons, with a game in hand.

Three straight league wins, 10 goals scored and none conceded have boosted confidence and eased pressure on Philippe Clement. It's too early to suggest all the issues that blighted the start of this season no longer exist but the Belgian boss seems to have found a more consistent starting XI - albeit Ianis Hagi and Danilo will need to drop out of Thursday after being left out of the European squad - and the fans will get behind the team if a similar results continue.

There was a note of caution from Clement who - when asked about facing Tottenham and Celtic - told Sky Sports: "They are totally different kind of games, maybe we need to say financially out of our league, the two games.

"We're going to compete and it's a really nice challenge for our squad to show themselves in these games and what we can do against those teams."

Whoever the opponent, whatever their budget - Rangers fans expect results at Ibrox. The return of Postecoglou adds extra spice, with a Rangers win heaping more pressure on the ex-Celtic boss while the scrutiny on Clement would ease.

Clement: Gers can bridge gap to write history

Clement was criticised by some fans for pointing to the superior spending power of the London giants and Sunday's League Cup final opponents Celtic.

However, when asked if his side can bridge the gap to Spurs and produce a performance of a lifetime, he said: "I'm convinced that's possible, yes.

"Everything can be bridged in one night. I had the luck, and it's not only luck, it's also a lot of hard work, as a player and as a manager, to have several nights where the gap was amazingly big.

"And those are also the best nights. If you then perform and you get the results, those are also the nights that you remember all of your life.

"Those are also the moments that, as a player, you remember your team-mates really well.

"The moments of success, the moment of doing something special. So in that way, I hope the players can give themselves and as a team a special night tomorrow.

"So I had a few of those. Rangers have also several of those in the history and those are the special evenings. So it's a really nice stage for my players."

Boyd: Bigger game for Spurs than Gers | 'Sacking Ange would be ridiculous'

Former Rangers striker Kris Boyd speaking to Sky Sports News:

"Ange Postecoglou, coming back to Glasgow, will want to put on a show. He obviously wants to beat Rangers because of the form Tottenham have been in, and you get the feeling that pressure's starting to mount on him.

"Tottenham are struggling domestically, but you've seen some of their performances this season and the levels they can reach.

"With all the negativity that's been flying around and the speculation regarding Postecoglou's future - I think it would be absolutely ridiculous if he's to lose his job. You can see the players he's had out in terms of injuries, he deserves time, he's shown that he is a good manager and he will get it right.

"I think it's a bigger game for Tottenham than what it is for Rangers. Yes, Rangers are at home but I don't think they are expected to go and win the game.

"If the Tottenham Hotspur that went to the Etihad turn up, then it's going to be a long evening for Rangers.

"In Europe, Rangers have been good and they'll be looking to frustrate Tottenham, but it's going to be a very, very difficult game for Rangers. You kind of get the feeling that for Rangers, everything's going to have to be spot on and Tottenham need to be a little bit off it - if Rangers are to get anything."

'Perfect timing for visit of Spurs'

Ex-Rangers captain Lee McCulloch speaking to Sky Sports News on Thursday's match:

"Probably for Rangers the timing is perfect.

"The way the team has played, the way they've defended in the past few games, the goals they've scored, the players being brought in to get game time like Danilo and Hamza Igamane - I think it'll be tight.

"Spurs are under pressure, you saw it when they threw away a two-goal lead [against Chelsea on Sunday]. Defensively they are giving up goals and I think that's the strong point of our team just now, so hopefully it will be a positive result."

On whether Clement's team selection will be impacted by Sunday's League Cup final against Celtic: "With the manager, it might be in his thoughts team selection-wise.

"Sunday is more important, especially with the points total we have in Europe.

"It still doesn't change coming to Ibrox, a full house and the demand you need to get a positive result."