ANGE POSTECOGLOU applauded his Celtic players for maintaining “an almost impossible standard” as they overcame Hearts 2-0 at Tynecastle this afternoon.
Second-half strikes from Kyogo Furuhashi and his replacement Oh Hyeon-gyu fired the champions to a second successive title with four games still to play.
It was the Parkhead club’s eleventh title in 12 years and they are now aiming for a treble when they face Inverness Caley Thistle at Hampden on Saturday June 3.
Postecoglou, who will take the Hoops to Ibrox on Saturday for the sixth derby encounter of the campaign, said: “I’m super proud. It feels like it’s been a long year.
WE ARE THE CHAMPIONS…Ange Postecoglou acknowledges the Celtic fans at Tynecastle.
“This group of players and the staff have been outstanding in maintaining an almost impossible standard week in, week out. It’s a credit to every one of them.
“We won the title last year and there’s always the danger that maybe guys will get ahead of themselves and become complacent, but from the first moment we got back in pre-season they had the target of being stronger this year and a better side, and they’ve done it every day.
“They’ve been relentless in their approach.
“I’ve had the easy job of watching these guys maintain a ridiculous standard of football and give fantastic commitment to this club.”
The Hoops are now focusing on a record points total of 107, which they will achieve if they win their remaining matches.
Postecoglou, speaking to Sky Sports, added: “The year we’ve had has been remarkable from the football we’ve played, the consistency and the goals we’ve scored.
NUMBER ONE…Kyogo Furuhashi turns the ball past sprawling Hearts keeper Zander Clark with defender James Hill to late to intervene.
NUMBER TWO…Oh Hyeon-gyu diverts a close-range effort past Zander Clark as defender Kye Rowles looks on.
“I did have a moment after that first game [against Hearts in July 2021]where we had a mountain to climb. But I really had belief that I could do something here in terms of, firstly, building a team that this football club and these fans deserve, and, secondly, being successful.
“It’s a credit to everyone that they’ve jumped on board and we’ve got the job done.
“We’ve got a great opportunity of making this season really special by winning another trophy. We’ve worked hard to get to this point. It’s great to win the two trophies, but we want to win a third.
“I want it for the players, the staff and for this football club because it’s a reflection of the team they’ve been this year.
“The whole football club have embraced me from day one and I’m really grateful to give something back.
“You get emotional because you understand what’s gone into it.”
The extent of the injury to talisman Kyogo, who has hit five goals in four games against Michael Beale’s side this year, won’t be determined until tomorrow at the earliest.
OH, YES: TWO IN A ROW AS KYOGO HITS 50
