With or without Ange Postecoglou, the future's bright - it's green and white

Celtic must make sure the achievements under Ange are the foundation of an enduring legacy

As we brace ourselves for the seemingly inevitable departure of Ange Postecoglou from Celtic, what matter next is not about the clichéd passing of the baton, but rather the enduring legacy he leaves in his wake. The squad's vitality and youthfulness, the equilibrium of power with our noisy neighbours, these are the true measures of his impact.

Unlike the aftermath of Tony Mowbray's reign, where we were left picking up the pieces of a

WALKING AWAY? What happens next is vital

disheartened, subpar squad, or the tumultuous times following Ronny Deila's departure, where a fractious, undisciplined dressing room overshadowed our championship status, Ange's exit paints a different picture. (And let's not even get started on the calamitous situation Neil Lennon left us in, with a squad of talented players we couldn't retain and others we couldn't shift even with a power washer.)

If, as seems almost certain, Ange's departure is confirmed, his successor will be stepping into a club that's in a robust position by every metric that counts. This isn't a case of a team simply resting on the laurels of a treble win. Even champion teams can age together or reach the end of a cycle. But this Celtic squad? It doesn't feel like that. None of our key players are nearing the end of their contracts this summer. 

Players like Kyogo, Greg Taylor, and Carl Starfelt all have two years remaining on their contracts, while others like Callum McGregor, Cameron Carter-Vickers, Reo Hatate, Matt O’Riley, Daizen Maeda, and Liel Abada have three, and Jota and Alistair Johnston have four. It's also a youthful group. Among the first eleven's outfield players, the “ridiculously successful” McGregor is the oldest at 29.

That said, Ange would surely be eyeing a few of those players for his next project and one challenge will be to retain players and keep them happy and motivated for next season's endeavours. (Memories of Olivier Ntcham's lengthy dummy-spitting exercise after being denied a move to Porto have not yet faded.)

McGregor has emerged as a pivotal figure – the captain we all hoped and believed he could be after replacing Scott Brown and any new manager will have a captain they can rely on to keep driving the team forward. 

CalMac resisted the lure of the English Premier League before, after the departure of Brendan Rodgers, and we can only hope he would do so again.

Under Ange, our players have improved technically, tactically and in terms of the amazing resilience that seemed to take even the manager by surprise.

For me, it was telling to hear so many players refer to “hard work” at the end of our treble-winning cup victory. Yes, it's normal to refer to graft and sacrifices at such times but the fact it came to so many players minds – with Greg Taylor referring to his predominant feeling being one of tiredness – says something about the professionalism and application that has marked the past two season.

Equally significant was Callum's reference to enjoying the treble for a short time but immediately emphasising that the team starts next season with “zero credit in the bank”. This is the sort of elite mentality that should give us real confidence that we can push on next season, with the right boss at the helm.

For Celtic, it is vitally important that the next manager has modern ideas and methods, has a support structure in place to enable him to achieve success on his own terms and, preferably, favours the style of play that the squad and coaches have been working on for the past two season.

That means more of the approach that Michael Nicholson has been able to adopt since he took over as Chief Executive and steering the club away from the instincts that guided Peter Lawwell in the role, now that he has returned as Chairman. 

There are still issues, all the same. Last week Ange warned that this may be the most challenging window they have faced for two years because of the prospect of attractive bids which could tempt some of their key men. How many of these offers may come from Spurs, we'll have to see.

But we will also need either increased investment in the squad or a specialist in unearthing diamonds, as Ange has been, if we are to move forward, not backwards, next season.

If this is it, the end of the road for the man from Down Under, he has been an outstanding Celtic manager who leaves us riding high.

But, until we actually reach the top, we must - as a wise man said - never stop!

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