Former Rangers star Bob Malcolm almost stopped playing football while playing for Brisbane Roar after coach Ange Postecoglou barred the players from SMILING.

The Greek-born Australian became a favorite for the Celtic job after SunSport announced that talks with Eddie Howe fell dramatically yesterday.

2

Celtic leader Ange Postecoglou

After the Hoops confirmed the news, they announced that they were working on appointing their new manager “soon.”

Postecoglou has emerged as the front runner and is now expected to take the reins in an attempt to overtake a dominant Rangers squad last season.

But Malcolm was working under the 55-year-old in Oz and almost walked away from the game because of Postecoglou’s way of working.

Postecoglou worked as a television expert before taking the job in Brisbane and had selected some of the Roar players for criticism prior to their job.

2

Malcolm with ex-Gers teammate Barry Ferguson

He then led the Roar to the Premier League and Championship before setting an Australian record of 36 undefeated games.

And Malcolm, who teamed up alongside former Gers players Craig Moore and Charlie Miller, says the manager has put all the seasoned professionals together.

Malcolm said in 2010: “Australia started well for me, we did well in the A League but within a week everything was turned upside down.

“During that time, the players were suddenly looking for new clubs and trying to escape. That was the result of the new manager planning some of the boys on TV before getting the job.

“He was an expert on a weekly highlights program. He commented on some of them and selected certain players to give them a stick.

WIN £ 50,000 with Dream Team Euros

Dream Team Euro is HERE!

The best fantasy football game for Euro 2020 is here.

And you can play absolutely FREE to win the £ 50,000 jackpot.

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER FOR FREE!

Dream Team Euro

  • £ 50,000 jackpot
  • The best fantasy football game this summer
  • Play in mini-leagues against your friends, colleagues, family members – and some hand-picked celebrities
  • Play for free

“Danny Tiatto, one of our most experienced players, hadn’t done anything wrong but once Postecoglou joined the club, he wasn’t interested in playing for him.

“In his first week the new boss had a meeting with the players. He told us he didn’t like to laugh in the locker room.

“He actually said he didn’t like to smile – he told us it would be rare to see him with a smile on his face. The boys just looked at each other and wondered when you should have some fun as a group.

“Football training should sometimes be fun and serious. But it wasn’t for that. During training, he always had a piece of paper in hand.

“When he heard one of the players laugh, you saw him write it down. We got marks against our names because we laughed at training, which I couldn’t believe.

“He never criticized me personally on the TV show. What annoyed me was the cops he told me about.

RESULT Celtic dodged a bullet by failing to land Eddie Howe, says Alan Stubbs

“In his first game as Oberbeleuchter we lost and I broke my nose. After that I spoke to him and he assured me that when I am fit I will be in his plans.

“But they were all cops ** t – he just wanted me out of his office. He found it easier than explaining to me why I wouldn’t play.

“It wasn’t just me, he did it with a couple of guys.”

By the end of Postecoglou’s second campaign, Malcolm, Miller, and Moore had moved on with a few other high-profile professionals.

And Malcolm said no one could have foreseen how the manager would work.

He continued, “The general feeling in the locker room was incredulous. I didn’t know the man, I considered it a fresh start under a new manager. I tried to impress him.

“But as soon as we heard the stuff about no laughing or joking, we’d all be like, ‘What’s wrong?’ “People like Charlie, Craig and Danny couldn’t believe what was going on either.

“All experienced players have now left the club. He has only hired one player, the rest of the squad is made up of boys.

“It was disappointing that the move didn’t work out and I would go back if I had the chance, but not under him.

“During the last month in Oz I trained hard but didn’t take anything the gaffer said on board.

“He was giving me cops all along and I had no respect for him. At that point, I was thinking about quitting the game. I just couldn’t take care of it anymore.”

Stay up to date with ALL the latest news and transfers on the Scottish Sun football page

Eden Mill publishes a special whiskey in homage to the Celtic hero Scott Brown

RELATED ARTICLESMORE FROM AUTHOR