ANGE POSTECOGLOU has delivered a thrilling promise to Celtic fans – and a chilling warning to opponents.
The 56-year-old Greek-Australian gaffer is just one point from sealing the Premiership title in his debut campaign in Scotland.
The club’s tenth championship in 11 years is virtually assured after goals from Daizen Maeda, Kyogo Furuhashi, Matt O’Riley and Giorgos Giakoumakis – four players recruited by Postecoglou – delivered a 4-1 triumph over Hearts at Parkhead on Saturday.
It was the Hoops’ THIRTIETH successive league outing without defeat and a point against Dundee United at Tannadice on Wednesday evening will make it mathematically certain the flag will once again be flying in the east end of Glasgow.
GAME FOR A LAUGH…Ange Postecoglou is all amiles as he is interviewed after the 4-1 win over Hearts.
Celtic are leading by six points with two games to go and have a superior goal difference of twenty over their nearest challengers. The script has already been written for a title party in Paradise when Motherwell visit on Saturday as the campaign reaches a dramatic and ultimately enjoyable crescendo.
The Premier Sports League Cup arrived in December and only an extra-time own goal extinguished any hopes of adding the Scottish Cup to the silverware haul.
Two out of three in the manager’s maiden voyage in this part of the universe isn’t too bad, but the hard-to-please boss has vowed he will strive to make the team even BETTER during his second term in office.
It’s a fair boast when you consider the phenomenal turnaround in fortunes at a club that limped in an inexplicable 25 points off the pace last time around with any hopes of a historic tenth successive championship torpedoed shortly after the turn of the year.
SEEING DOUBLE…Ange Postecoglou with the PFA Manager of the Year award…
…and Ange Postecoglou with the SFWA Player of the Year honour.
Postecoglou said: “Look, we have to be better next year, irrespective of how we’ve been this year.
“But the way I want teams to play and the whole training process, it takes a while for people to gel to.
“I’m really hopeful that next year we will be a stronger team. We have to be – and I look forward to what that brings.”
Postecoglou, who won the Manager of the Year accolade from his fellow-professionals, also picked up the Scottish Football Writers’ Association honour last night and, speaking to the Daily Record, added: “I’m very proud and humbled to receive the award, there have been a number of outstanding performances by our managers this year.
“I’m pleased and humbled to receive it, but I also acknowledge I’ve had tremendous support, particularly from the staff and everyone at the football club.
“And, obviously, the players have been outstanding.”
