How Ange Postecoglou makes Celtic players 'feel 10 feet tall' as motivational mastery explained

If pre-match managerial addresses alone were capable of tippig the balance in favour of teams on a derby day then, by the sounds of it, Celtic captain Callum McGregor would back Ange Postecoglou to be a matchwinner this weekend.

The Parkhead club this week released video of their manager’s team talk before he led his side to Premier Sports Cup success in December that included a demand that his players feel “Invincible”. Celtic have certainly proved unbeatable domestically in establishing a three-point lead over Rangers in the cinch Premiership underpinned by a 31-game run without loss in national competitions as they head into Sunday’s pivotal confrontation at Ibrox. And McGregor suggests it can be taken as read that the visitors will take to the pitch at the Govan ground with more inspiring words from the Australian ringing in their ears.

“He speaks really well. He’s been doing that constantly throughout the season,” said the 28-year-old midfielder. “He comes in and he’s really motivational when he speaks. He makes the players feel ten feet tall. When you back that up with good structure, good organisation and everyone knowing their job, then it can make you feel really good when you go out on that pitch. You feel really safe and secure and you know you’ve got your mates around you to help you.

“He’s been doing that all season for us. He’s given us huge amounts of confidence and belief within the squad that we can go out on the pitch and look after each other and play our football. We’ve built a really good togetherness, and that comes from having good people down to your core who want to do well for the football club. He’s managed to harness that, and along with the senior players he’s managed to get the best out of everyone, and that’s what we strive to do every day. We’re all good guys and we want success, so that sort of naturally comes out within the group. We just keep pushing and keep demanding from each other every day to make it a positive environment.”

Celtic's Callum McGregor says his manager Ange Postecoglou's team talks make players feel "safe" on the pith in what he is asking of them. (Photo by Craig Williamson / SNS Group)

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