Ange Postecoglou was earlier today named as the SPFL Premiership Manager of the Season after guiding Celtic to a second consecutive league title. His Celtic side has been in dominant form throughout the campaign, having also picked up the League Cup and booked a place in next month’s Scottish Cup final against Inverness Caley Thistle.
Ange Postecoglou led Celtic to a 2-1 League Cup Final win over Mick Beale’s side before knocking theRangers out of the Scottish Cup at Hampden, effectively leaving them with the Summer Bragging Rights trophy after winning the Dead Rubber just over a week ago.
Celtic secured the title with a 2-0 win over Hearts at Tynecastle earlier this month after being out in front throughout the season. Ahead of Wednesday night’s game against Hibernian at Easter Road, Celtic have won 31 of their 36 league games, drawing three and losing just two, with one of those draws plus the Dead Rubber defeat coming after the Scottish Premiership title had been retained.
In the past twelve seasons Celtic have won the league on eleven occasions with Ange Postecoglou so far delivering two titles, matching both Ronny Deila and Brendan Rodgers with Neil Lennon winning the league as Celtic manager on five occasions, perhaps a statistic that is sometime overlooked.
Photo Kenny Ramsay
In the process of securing the title this season Ange Postecoglou’s side has so far scored 107 goals and conceded 30, which is testament to the work the team has put in both offensively and defensively.
And the manager accepted his award at Lennoxtown today, along with his coaching staff – John Kennedy, Gavin Strachan, Stevie Woods and Harry Kewell.
“It’s great recognition for everyone involved. The players are obviously the first ones but they get recognised in their own way. But I think Manager of the Year is recognition for all the work the staff have done off the field, preparing the players for the challenges ahead.
Ange spoke about winning the SPFL Premiership Manager of the Season award at the end of today’s media conference ahead of tomorrow evening’s trip to Easter Road to take on Hibs.
“I couldn’t be prouder or happier with the whole group. It’s been an outstanding season coming on the back of last season’s success, in many ways unexpected success in winning the Double, the challenge was can we could back better, be more dominant in the league, try and win both (cup) competitions and the way that everyone has tackled that task has been outstanding.
“I couldn’t be happier for the whole group and whilst it is my name on that trophy it’s more recognition of the great work everyone’s done to get us to this point and we’ve still got a cup final to make it a truly special year. Irrespective of that just outstanding work from everyone involved.”