ANGE POSTECOGLOU was delighted with the 3-1 triumph over Hearts at an emotional Parkhead last night as he celebrated his 100th game in charge.
The Celtic boss applauded the efforts from Daizen Maeda, Kyogo Furuhashi and Sead Haksabanovic that maintained the champions’ nine-point advantage as they zero in on their second successive title.
But the Hoops can STILL do better, according to the 57-year-old Greek-Australian gaffer who now turns his attention to the Scottish Cup quarter-final against the same opponents at Tynecastle in Saturday’s early afternoon kick-off.
Reflecting on his team’s comeback after the loss of a sixth-minute goal to Josh Ginnelly, Postecoglou said: “We had to work hard for it, we didn’t seem to get into our groove in terms of our football.
“Some of that is because I made a few changes and that disrupted things and the two full-backs haven’t played in a while, so I have to make allowances for that.
“Ultimately, the players still showed a really strong mentality and it’s highlighted again with the quality of our three great goals.
“They’re a good side and we’re getting into the period of the season where everyone has something to play for and they came at us, but we could have handled it a bit better.
“We got caught up in the excitement of the game and just needed to settle down a bit and get control of it.”
Postecoglou, speaking to Celtic TV, continued: “The quality of our goals was great. Kyogo was brilliant and there were so many opportunities to play him in and we just have to be a bit smarter in the way we play our football.
“He never stops running and he broke through with the perfect timing for the equaliser and it was a great ball for Daizen, as well.
“It was important the guys coming on stabilised us and getting the goals helped that. It’s a big part of who we are and with three games this week, we knew we had to call on people and the guys coming on did well.”
The Hoops chief added: “Sead was brilliant and it was a great goal and we know he has that quality.
“He hasn’t had a real extended run in the team for a number of reasons and every time he’s been called upon he’s been excellent.
“He’s got a great attitude and it’s great for him to get a reward and he’s another player who can give us more and he will.”
THREE CHEERS FOR ANGE’S 100th CELEBRATIONS
