ANGE POSTECOGLOU clocked up his 50th league win as Celtic boss in the champions’ 2-0 triumph over Dundee United at Tannadice 11 days ago.
The 57-year-old Greek-Australian gaffer has wasted no time in gate-crashing the second half-century with back-to-back victories over Livingston (3-0) and St Johnstone (4-1) as he continues to guide the Hoops towards a second successive title.
With his team nine points ahead in the pursuit of the crown, Postecoglou can put the league on the back-burner as he concentrates in preparing for the Scottish Cup fifth round encounter against St Mirren at Parkhead on Saturday night.
FIFTY UP…Ange Postecoglou celebrates hitting the half-century with the Celtic fans after the 2-0 win over Dundee United at Tannadice last month.
The manager took 61 games to reach 50 league wins which is a remarkable achievement when you consider he lost three and drew one of his first seven games in charge.
His race to reach the landmark figure has been beaten only by Martin O’Neill who achieved the feat after 59 outings.
Postecoglou is equal with Brendan Rodgers who also hit the half-century of success following 61 matches.
Neil Lennon, in his first stint, managed the 50 after 64 games while it took Gordon Strachan two more to hit the figure.
HERE’S HOW I DID IT…Martin O’Neill and Ange Postecoglou talk Celtic.
THAT’S MY BHOY…Jock Stein and skipper Billy McNeill celebrate another Celtic success at Hampden.
Ronny Deila shares the honours with the legendary Jock Stein with both having to wait until the 68th match to reach 50 wins.
To be fair to the iconic Hoops manager, he inherited a shambles when he took over from another club great Jimmy McGrory as gaffer in March 1965.
Stein’s main hope of bringing in Celtic’s first silverware in eight years lay in the Scottish Cup which was achieved when Billy McNeill headed in the winner in the thrilling 3-2 triumph over Dunfermline on an unforgettable afternoon at Hampden on April 24.
Amazingly, though, Big Jock saw his team win only three of his first nine league games in charge, losing five and drawing one.
It must be admitted, Ange also had to sift through the wreckage when he took over from Lennon in June 2021. All things considered, his feat of getting to 50 after only 61 encounters is fairly breathtaking.
So, it’s now 52 down and 48 to go as Postecoglou sets his sights on becoming a Century Bhoy.
