Former Celtic defender Charlie Mulgrew has admitted he believes Ange Postecoglou would be the first name the club’s board turn to if Brendan Rodgers leaves the Hoops at the end of the season.
Mulgrew praised Postecoglou’s impact on Celtic, describing him as the “perfect fit” for the club and a manager who transformed the team’s identity during his time in Glasgow.
The ex-defender said that while he still rates Rodgers highly, the situation around his future looks increasingly uncertain. Mulgrew hinted that if results don’t improve soon, and with no progress on a new deal, a change in the dugout feels inevitable by the summer.
He also pointed to recruitment failings as a major factor in the club’s current struggles, arguing that better planning earlier in the year might have prevented the ongoing pressure now surrounding both Rodgers and the board.
He said: (Go Radio Football Show), “I don’t know if he (Postecoglou) would (come back).
“Only he knows the answer to that question.
“But there is no doubt about it, he would probably be the first name the Celtic board would try and speak to, I would imagine.
“What a manager he was. Actually, when you look at what he has done for Celtic, he was like the perfect fit. An amazing manager. Forward-thinking playing manager.
“Listen, Brendan Rodgers is a great manager for Celtic. Things just aren’t great, at the moment. To answer your question, if Brendan Rodgers moves on, of course, he (Ange) will be the first.
“I think it looks like it. I just think if it’s not before then, it will definitely be by the end of the season. There are no talks about a contract. It has totally died down. It looks like, to me, he is away at the end of the season.
“That’s what it all boils down to. If the recruitment had been done earlier and better, I don’t think we would be having this conversation.”
Mulgrew’s comments reflect the growing feeling within Scottish football that Rodgers’ time at Celtic could be drawing to a close. His acknowledgment that Postecoglou remains deeply admired at the club will resonate with supporters who still miss the Australian’s attacking, high-energy brand of football.
The former defender’s comments also show how critical recruitment has become in shaping Celtic’s direction. The lack of key signings in the summer has been a recurring theme throughout the team’s struggles this season.
Brendan Rodgers
For now, Rodgers remains focused on turning results around, but Mulgrew’s suggestion that a managerial change could be on the horizon only adds to the intrigue around Parkhead’s future plans.
If that moment does come, Postecoglou’s name, as Mulgrew suggests, would almost certainly be at the top of the Celtic board’s list.
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