Gordon Strachan has drawn a brilliant analogy to describe the daunting task Brendan Rodgers faces in succeeding Ange Postecoglou at Celtic.
Strachan likened the challenge to having the Rolling Stones for a warm-up act at a gig, highlighting the high expectations set during Postecoglou’s tenure.
Postecoglou left a lasting impression at Celtic when he left for Spurs. Rodgers, returning to Celtic last summer, has found himself in the spotlight, trying to build on the foundation laid by his predecessor who had such a unique style of football.
Despite Celtic’s current position at the top of the league, Strachan noted that some fans are seeking more than just positive results; they yearn for the style and dominance that characterised Postecoglou’s era.
As quoted by SunSport, the former Celtic gaffer said:
“Following in the footsteps of Ange Postecoglou isn’t an easy task for any manager.
“It’s like headlining a concert with The Rolling Stones as your support act.
“All the best trying to follow that, and that’s what it’s like at Celtic at the moment.
“Taking over from a successful manager is always really difficult.
“How do you put your own spin on the job without plagiarising or just copying the man that was in the seat before you arrived?
“It’s a horrible prospect for managers to deal with.
“Did people think Brendan Rodgers was going to come to Celtic, grow a beard, put on some weight and start talking with an Australian accent? That was never going to work.
“It can be hard to make tactical changes to winning teams.
“Brendan would have known that going into the job. But he’s only halfway through the season into his second spell at the club. He’s just getting started.
“It’s been difficult for him to find that balance. If you try to change too much, the players get a bit spooked.
“We’ve seen glimpses from his Celtic side. They’ve played some nice stuff in parts.
“But the issue is the fans have been in a position where their team has completely dominated for two years.
“That’s what the supporters are missing at the moment. It’s not been easy for Brendan or the fans.”
Celtic are top of the league and have pulled off some big derby wins and impressive performances in Europe. The performance level may not be as high a tempo as last season, but the results are, on the whole, still there.
