By Peter Oglos.
Ange Postecoglou has become the Greek Australian hero in Scotland as he celebrates his first trophy as Celtic manager, winning the Scottish League Cup.
The Scottish side came from behind to defeat Hibernian 2-1 at Hampden Park in a nail-biting victory.
Things were looking shaky for Posetcoglou’s team in the first half as Hibernian’s Paul Hanlon struck one past English goalkeeper Joe Hart.
Postecoglou and Celtic fans owe thanks to Kyogo Furuhashi, who scored a double to earn Celtic a 20th League Cup triumph.
Furuhashi’s magic touch has been evident since he was spotted by the formerly Japan-based Postecoglou, who brought him to Parkhead in the summer.
“A fantastic player – but what a person,” Postecoglou said.
“He just had it in his mind he was going to play. We were thinking it won’t happen, but he just made himself available even though he’s not 100 per cent.
“To be honest, I don’t know how he did it today.
“This football club and him are a match made in heaven.”
The former Socceroos manager took the reins at Parkhead five months ago, and a Scottish Cup victory is all he could have asked for.
“We’ve had a hell of a ride from the moment I arrived, we’ve had some real challenges, up and down results and I’m so proud of this group of players, they’re just so resilient,” Postecoglou told the BBC.
Postecoglou gave thanks to the fans for having trust in the manager from down under.
“These fans are everything, mate,” he said.
“My first task when I took the role was I wanted to give them hope.
“I couldn’t guarantee them success, I couldn’t guarantee anything but I wanted to give them hope – and I think they saw that from the first day.”
Celtic FC currently sit second in the Scottish Premiership with a game in hand, seven points behind leaders Rangers.
