Ange admits Ibrox is 'unique' as under-fire boss battles Rangers with something he never had at Celtic
Impressed Ange Postecoglou once saluted Ibrox as a "pretty unique atmosphere" – in the tribalistic world of Glasgow that was a heady compliment for a Celtic boss in office to blurt out.
And, whisper it, but the wildly-successful Parkhead gaffer always appeared keen to talk up Scottish football's standout fixture as a collective achievement and how it was perceived across the globe. He name checked the value of the fixture, an encounter he insisted was long on his radar before he screamed yes after Eddie Howe said no in the summer of 2021.
But any past niceties about Rangers won't spare him when he walks into an Ibrox cauldron next week for a Europa League cracker as the leader of Tottenham. And this truly be a gauntlet, pantomime jeers from the home fans and an away support who will be on the verge of combustion if Postecoglou comes up short in a Battle of Britain he daren't lose. The man himself teasingly stated it would be a "warm welcome" when the draw was made – but there might not be much a glow for those in lilywhite perched in the corner of Ibrox between the Broomloan and Govan Stands
It would be remiss to state Angeball is burst but a vocal element of Spurs fans are making their voices heard. Boos followed the error-strewn draw with Fulham and the 59-year-old admitted he didn't like the "direct feedback" he was served up from irate diehards in Dorset following a disastrous 1-0 defeat to Bournemouth.
Postecoglou then insisted he didn't necessarily need Spurs fans to have his back and insisted punters support clubs and not managers. But, that theory could prove flimsy, if Tottenham backers head to Glasgow and are shown up by Philippe Clement's men. The beloved former Celtic boss managed four times at Ibrox in the fiercest of derbies and was without travelling supporters twice – calling on 708 the last time away fans were allowed in the pulsating 2-2 draw in January 2023.
But Spurs will be backed by three times that amount as 2,672 head north hoping their team doesn't come unstuck. And the desire to win, due to his Celtic history and a need to soothe Tottenham fears, will mean he likely loves nothing more than to be serenaded by the away fans.
And the stakes are high due to the delicate nature of the maiden Europa League voyage in the new 36-team league format. Rangers are in the top eight and Spurs are one place behind in ninth. A win for Clement's men gives them a real shot of going straight into the last 16 with a final night clash with Union Saint Gilloise following a trip to Old Trafford to face Manchester United.
For Spurs, a win at Ibrox would ease the pressure before taking on Hoffenheim and Elfsborg. This contest contains all the ingredients, a rowdy atmosphere, genuine peril for both teams and a manager at risk of losing it all in the city he once called his own.
