Under pressure, Tottenham boss Ange Postecoglou returned to Glasgow on Thursday to face his former Old Firm rivals Rangers, who will be desperate to cause further misery for the ex-Celtic boss.
Postecoglou enjoyed two trophy-laden years at Celtic while tormenting Rangers by lifting five of the six available domestic trophies during his tenure, including a Treble triumph in his second season.
But eighteen months after leaving Celtic, the Australian is having a much more difficult time at Spurs.
Sunday's 4-3 home defeat to Chelsea means it is just one win in their last seven games in all competitions, and the love he enjoyed at Celtic is currently not being replicated in North London after he was abused by fans in the 1 -0 defeat at Bournemouth last Thursday.
His old foes Rangers will sense an opportunity to inflict further pain on the 59-year-old, who won just once at Ibrox (D1 L2) while in charge of Celtic.
There is also a wider significance to Postecoglou's Ibrox reunion. Rangers and Tottenham are only separated by goal difference in the Europa League, while Philippe Clement's side are in eighth place.
A win for ninth-placed Spurs would not only ease the pressure on Postecoglou but also move his side into the top eight, avoiding a two-legged knockout play-off round in February.
But Rangers will feel they are playing Spurs at a good time following their resurgence in form which has seen them win their last four games, including a 4-1 Europa League victory in Nice.
They'll also have a fervent Ibrox behind them – and Postecoglou knows there's an “intense” atmosphere awaiting his return to Ibrox…
Ange: We will feel the 'intense' Ibrox atmosphere
Tottenham boss Ange Postecoglou speaks exclusively to Sky Sports about his return to Ibrox:
“I'm looking forward to it. I had a great time there in the two years I was there [at Celtic]. To be honest, Ibrox can be quite intense and I'm sure we'll feel it.
“But it's a great stadium to play football in. The atmosphere, European nights. Even when I was there they were doing really well in Europe – the first year I was there they got to the Europa League final.
“So you know what they face on European nights regardless of their league form, so it's a good challenge for us.
“I'm also looking forward to being back in Glasgow and feeling the cold again and hopefully seeing some friendly faces among the others.”
On his time at Celtic: “I loved being part of Celtic as an institution, as a football club. If you have a bucket list of clubs you want to manage for a while, it would definitely have been on mine.
“I feel quite blessed to have spent those two years there. Not just for me, my family. I enjoyed the whole time there. I enjoyed Scotland. The people were very welcoming to me. Even if they were Celtic Whether supportive or not, I always knew where their loyalties lay by the way they approached me.
“Everyone really made me feel like it was an experience I would keep with me for the rest of my life.”
On whether he still follows Celtic: “Absolutely. I'm totally behind it. Brendan's (Rodgers) has done a fantastic job, as I knew he would. He's got a great staff there, great players. He's taken the group to taken to another level. She 'Things are also going very well in Europe, and that is brilliant.
“When they're on TV, I watch them and enjoy the way they go.”
'A match you can't lose for Ange'
Sky Sports News reporter Michael Bridge:
This Rangers match is not a must-win for Postecoglou, but it is certainly a must-not-lose. Rangers fans would love nothing more than to hand the ex-Celtic boss another defeat – and a loss also means Spurs could face the prospect of two more games in an unwanted play-off round.
Rangers in Europe are a different animal and Postecoglou knows better than anyone the atmosphere that awaits them on Thursday evening.
As it stands, there is no pressure on Postecoglou from those above him on the N17. He has a good working relationship with chairman Daniel Levy, but many will point out that this could change if the public becomes restless. Things could also change if Postecoglou himself becomes unsettled during a challenging summer period, or is hit by another injury crisis.
However, unlike his predecessor Antonio Conte, Postecoglou is expected to fight on with the squad he has, hoping that key players return and perhaps add one or two signings in January.
January is an incredibly tough market, but Sky Sports News understands transfer talks have taken place and will continue to do so. The board also recognizes that Spurs are in a decent position in Europe, having a Carabao Cup quarter-final at home to Manchester United next Thursday, being live on Sky Sports and being less than a million miles from the European venues.
Postecoglou enjoyed a pretty stress-free first few months in his tenure and such a strong start perhaps overstated expectations for a side set to lose one of the best strikers, if not the best, in the world in Harry Kane.
It's now year two – the year Ange says he “always wins a trophy”. Perhaps even the quote has been twisted to suggest he promises one for Spurs in his second season. That's the criticism he now faces, on top of the daily debate about his perceived stubbornness to adapt and his attacking style of play.
As Postecoglou himself says: he is at the club because the previous regime somehow failed to deliver. Some fans will point to the sign. Levy has no intention of firing himself, so it's either a resurgence under Postecoglou or the supporters are faced with the prospect of another rebuild.
Can Rangers shock Spurs?
Sky Sports' Scotland editor Sahil Jaidka:
In recent years, Rangers have seen four different managers, numerous transfers and mixed domestic fortunes. However, there is one constant: success in the Europa League.
While many fans will dream of the riches of the Champions League, this is a competition that has brought out the best in Gers – with the club reaching the last 16 in four consecutive campaigns. Now they are looking at an upset of Premier League Tottenham.
It's a big week for the Ibrox club, with a League Cup final against rivals Celtic on Sunday. However, positive results in both matches would blow away any scars of a poor start to this season.
At one point Rangers were nine points behind Celtic and Aberdeen after just ten games in the Premier League. While Celtic remain clear, Rangers are now just two points behind the Dons, with a game in hand.
Three league wins in a row, ten goals and not a single goal conceded have increased confidence and relieved the pressure on Philippe Clement. It's too early to suggest that all the issues that blighted the start of this season no longer exist, but the Belgian boss appears to have found a more consistent starting XI – even if Ianis Hagi and Danilo will be forced to drop out on Thursday after being left out of the squad were left. European squad – and the fans will be behind the team if similar results continue.
There was a warning from Clement who – when asked about the clash with Tottenham and Celtic – told Sky Sports: “They are completely different types of matches, perhaps we should say that the two matches are financially outside our competition.
“We are going to compete and it is a very nice challenge for our team to show ourselves in these matches and what we can do against those teams.”
Whoever the opponent, whatever the budget, Rangers fans expect results at Ibrox. Postecoglou's return adds extra spice, with a Rangers win putting more pressure on the ex-Celtic boss while reducing scrutiny on Clement.
'Perfect timing for a visit to Spurs'
Ex-Rangers captain Lee McCulloch speaks to Sky Sports News on Thursday:
“Probably the timing is perfect for Rangers.
“The way the team has played, the way they have defended in recent games, the goals they have scored, the players they have brought in to get game time, like Danilo and Hamza Igamane, I think it is going to be tight.
“Spurs are under pressure, you saw that when they threw away a two-goal lead [against Chelsea on Sunday]. Defensively they are giving away goals and I think that is our team's strength at the moment, so hopefully it will be a positive result.”
On whether Clement's team selection will be affected by Sunday's League Cup final against Celtic: “As far as the manager is concerned, in his mind it could be team selection.
“Sunday is more important, especially with the points total we have in Europe.
“It still doesn't change that you come to Ibrox, a full house and the demand you need to get a positive result.”
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