ANGE POSTECOGLOU was in high spirits after watching Celtic overcome Ross County 4-1 in Dingwall to secure a Premier Sports League Cup quarter-final tie against Motherwell at Fir Park.
The Hoops boss was obviously delighted to see his team maintain their high standards against Malky Mackay’s Highlanders who were downed by strikes from captain Callum McGregor, Giorgos Giakoumakis, Daizen Maeda and James Forrest.
There were also first-time starts for Swiss keeper Benji Siegrist, Argentinian left-back Benji Siegrist and Australian World Cup midfielder Aaron Mooy while there was a first appearance of new Bhoy Sead Haksabanovic in the second-half along with James McCarthy.
CELTIC VIEWS…Ange Postecoglou talks to the sports satellite broadcaster after the 4-1 win in Dingwall.
Postecoglou said: “Good to be in it and another away tie for us. It’ll be a good challenge at Motherwell.
“I’m really pleased with the boys’ effort and, yeah, we’re in the draw which is good.
“A lot of the boys were playing their first game, they’ve been training well and deserved their opportunity.
“We haven’t let our performance levels drop at all. I made nine changes which is going to be destructive to the team a little, but I still felt the boys played some really good football at a difficult venue.
“To come away with a 4-1 win is great.”
After watching the champions romp to a 9-0 triumph over Dundee United at Tannadice on Sunday, Postecoglou, speaking to Premier Sports, continued: “After the weekend, it would have been very easy for us to, not drop our levels, but to lose focus a little bit.
“But the boys who came in did super jobs.
“It’s not an easy place, but every time we’ve come here we’ve gradually got stronger and controlled games better. To win 4-1 away is really pleasing.”
WELCOME TO CELTIC…new Bhoy Sead Haksabanovic celebrates with James Forrest after the fourth goal against Ross County in Dingwall.
Asked about the upcoming Premiership clash with Giovanni van Bronckhorst’s Ibrox side at the weekend, Postecoglou answered: “We put everything into this game. and that’s the way we have been all along.
“That’s been our focus and we weren’t looking beyond today.
“Now that’s done, we’ll have our recovery, get back late to Glasgow, but we’ll still train tomorrow, do our normal processes and look forward to Saturday.”
Quizzed on any late transfer activity before tomorrow’s midnight deadline, the Hoops gaffer smiled and added: “Something’s happening, but I’ll be on a bus for the next few hours and find out when I get off.
“I’m sure other people will be working on it.”
FULL DRAW:
Kilmarnock v Dundee United
Rangers v Dundee
Aberdeen v Partick Thistle
Motherwell v CELTIC
Ties due October 18-20.
