Ange owes Eddie Howe a Celtic thank you as sliding doors moment still makes him ponder alternative Tottenham path

Howe was the Parkhead board's first choice as boss in 2021 but declined, paving the way for Postecoglou's reign.

Ange Postecoglou has joked he should thank Eddie Howe for turning down Celtic.

Howe was the Hoops' No 1 target to replace Neil Lennon after he resigned when the wheels came off the quest for Ten-In-A-Row as Rangers secured a 55th Scottish Premiership title to prevent their rivals from making history. A protracted summer pursuit of Howe ultimately ended after the Englishman was unable to bring in his own coaching staff.

Peter Lawwell and co were then forced to move on and Postecoglou was the surprise choice. The Aussie's appointment was met with scepticism, having never managed in Europe before. But it turned out to be a masterstroke as he guided Celtic to a League and League Cup double in his first season before scooping a Treble in his second. Postecoglou made the move to Tottenham Hotspur in the summer and now goes up against Howe's Newcastle.

The former Bournemouth boss has overseen a transformation on Tyneside since being appointed by Saudi owners PIF in November 2021. He steered them to Premier League safety before achieving a top four finish in his first full season and Champions League qualification along with it.

The increased schedule is taking a toll this term though. The injury-hit Mags have won just once away from home this season ands their hopes of reaching the knockout stage of the Champions League are hanging by a thread.

Spurs themselves are on a losing streak so neither side is heading into the London clash with a great deal of confidence. But Ange was in a jovial mood in his pre-match press conference. And he joked that he owed Howe a debt of gratitude for turning down a move to Glasgow.

Asked if he thought about the alternative path he could have taken had Howe said yes, Postecoglou said: "Oh absolutely.

"It's a sliding doors moment and there's probably been no bigger decision leading to me being here today than Eddie knocking back the Celtic job. I haven't thanked him. I probably should!"

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