By George Overhill

11th Feb, 2023 | 8:40pm

Celtic boss Ange Postecoglou finally addresses links to Leeds United job

Ange Postecoglou insists he has taken no notice of the links to the Leeds United job and has been fully focused on his responsibilities at Celtic.

The Australian has been on the shortlist for the Elland Road role since Jesse Marsch was sacked [Scottish Sun, 7 February], and after Arne Slot joined Andoni Iraola and Carlos Corberan as top options the Whites appear to have missed out on the Daily Record suggested on 9 February that the possibility of an approach is “alive again”.

Despite being taken off media duties this week ahead of his side’s 5-1 Scottish Cup win over St Mirren on Saturday, he was asked directly about the situation at the match, but played the matter down.

The SPFL league leader was asked if the Elland Road links were a compliment on BBC Sportsound on Saturday (11 February) but replied, via the Glasgow Evening Times: “It is if I take any notice of it.

“We’ve had a good week of training despite it being unusual due to no midweek games. It’s been really good, positive week on the training field with the guys. We’re performing well and are ready to go. That’s where the focus has been.”

He was then asked if the media were underestimating his satisfaction in his current job and replied: “I don’t know how you feel about anything. As I said I’m focused on doing the job well here and making sure I uphold the responsibilities I have within the football club. To keep trying to produce teams to bring success and smiles to supporters’ faces.”

Distanced

That is clearly an answer which doesn’t suggest the Scottish Premiership winner is likely to imminently announced as Leeds United boss.

The indications are that he would be as hard, if not harder, to extract from his current situation than the three men the Whites have already attempted to appoint.

Postecoglou gave a diplomatic answer that focused on his current job, and likely would have done either way since it does little positive for him in Glasgow for anything to be played out in public.

Any time a manager responds to a mooted move without coming out and declaring that it will not happen there is room to read between the lines and feel that the door is ajar in private.

That is probably true of all but a few managers in world football, whether they are actively interested in another job or not, with all but those in charge of the very biggest clubs on the planet probably willing to listen to an offer they can’t refused.

So if Andrea Radrizzani and Victor Orta felt like the former Australian national coach was the final candidate they simply couldn’t miss out on they could offer him a huge deal.

But while there is precedent in Brendan Rodgers leaving his league-leading side for Leicester City, Postecoglou certainly seems like another man who is likely off limits until at least the summer, as with Iraola and Slot.

In other Leeds United news, click here to see breaking, around-the-clock updates on Leeds’ search for a new manager in our interactive live blog.