BACK on October 16 last year, Celtic boss Ange Postecoglou had a clever quickfire response after being quizzed on his thoughts following news Steven Gerrard’s side had dropped two points in the 1-1 home draw with Hearts.
The Greek-Australian gaffer had just witnessed his team turn in a professional performance to overcome Motherwell 2-0 at Fir Park with goals in each half from Filipe Jota and David Turnbull.
Postecoglou was especially pleased as it was the Hoops’ second consecutive away domestic victory after almost EIGHT months without success on the road.
ON THE BALL…Ange Postecoglou demonstrates some of his old skills as a wayward pass goes out of play in Celtic’s 2-0 win at Fir Park in October.
The Parkhead chief had also seen his players beat Aberdeen 2-1 at Pittodrie a fortnight beforehand when Kyogo Furuhashi and Jota claimed the crucial strikes.
Coupled with the Edinburgh side’s late leveller in Govan in mid-October, it cut the gap between the Glasgow rivals to four points.
Asked if the league leaders dropping two points was “icing on the cake”, Postecoglou, as reported in CQN, grinned: “Well, I thought the Premiership race was over, mate, so I’m not looking at the table any more.
“We are just kind of doing our own thing and it’s of zero significance for us.”
ON THE CREST OF A WAVE…Ange Postecoglou acknowledges the fans after the win at Motherwell.
Six months on, it must be said Postecoglou has been as good as his word. He has not wavered from his focus on his priority target for the club, the Premiership and its gateway to the riches of the Champions League.
And at noon today in the east end of Glasgow, the manager will turn his attention once again to achieving three points that will edge Celtic to the brink of their tenth crown in 11 years.
A victory will propel the team nine points ahead with a mere three games to play – with two at home to Hearts on Saturday and Motherwell a week after that with a trip to Tannadice to take on Dundee United sandwiched in between.
Postecoglou is deservedly poised to take his place in Celtic history.
* DON’T miss the unbeatable match report from Celtic v Rangers this afternoon – only in your champion CQN.
