ANGE POSTECOGLOU has made it clear he won’t be at Celtic ‘forever’ amid continuing strong links with manager-less Leeds United.
But the Hoops boss also stressed after reaching the Scottish Cup quarter-finals that his only focus is on maintaining their push for a Treble, with a nine point lead in the Premiership and the Viaplay Cup final against Rangers in a fortnight.
Leeds – who sacked Jesse Marsch last Monday – have been snubbed by West Brom’s Carlos Corberan and Feyenoord’s Arne Slot while an approach for Rayo Val lecano’s Andoni Iraola has also been blocked.
It’s believed Postecoglou, operating on a 12-month rolling contract, remains very much on a list of options for Elland Road chiefs.
But the 57-year-old is adamant that nothing is distracting from his Parkhead role.
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Quizzed if he saw his long term future at Celtic, he said: “I don’t know what that means.
“Every decision I make for this football club is for the best of this football club – it’s not about me, it’s not about me trying to achieve something.
“Every job I’ve done, I’ve done as if I’m going to be there forever.
“Every decision I ever make I’m making as if I’m going to be here forever – but I won’t be.
“That decision, mate, might be taken out of my hands.
“We lose today, we lose next week, it’s a whole different discussion.
“My role in this is to keep doing what I’ve been doing, really focused on trying to create a football team that our supporters are going to be proud of – and hopefully give them some memories that are going to last forever.
“If I do that then that’s all I need in terms of any credit in my bank.”
On his message to the fans, Postecoglou said: “I don’t think I need to say anything to them.
“I think what the supporters want is to make sure I’m focused on preparing the team every week to win games of football and to play football that’s going to excite them and make them proud.
Celtic legend Frank McGarvey passes away aged 66 with family by his side
“If anyone thinks for the last seven days I’ve thought about anything but preparing the team to play today then obviously they haven’t got a clear idea of what I’m about.”
A double from Reo Hatate plus strikes from Daizen Maeda, Matt O’Riley and a first for Celtic from Hyeongyu Oh put the Hoops through to the last eight, with St Mirren netting late on through a Mark O’Hara spot-kick and having Richard Taylor sent off.
But Celtic lost talisman Kyogo Furuhashi with a shoulder injury after just 12 minutes.
And Postecoglou said: “It is a shoulder injury, he had a similar problem last year and talking to the medical team, we will scan it on Monday.”
Postecoglou was pleased with the display and Oh’s goal.
He added: “I thought we held our discipline really well and once we broke them open towards the end the boys were good and there was good contributions
from guys coming on as well which made the tie comfortable for us.
“Og getting his first here at Celtic Park, I'm sure is a massive motivator for him.”
Postecoglou smiled when asked how he keeps a strong squad happy.
He added: “It’s not my role to keep anyone happy.
“Am I supposed to go around making them cups of tea or buy their wife some flowers?
“They should be happy with a smile on their face every day because they're doing what they love and representing a fantastic football club.”
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