A delighted Ange Postecoglou spoke to BBC Sportsound after this afternoon’s 3-2 win over theRangers at Celtic Park that effectively ended the title challenge from Mick Beale’s side who have yet again failed to beat Celtic this season. The latest Celtic victory doesn’t deliver the league title but no-one can deny that it goes a very long way to determining the destination of the 2022/23 cinch Premiership title.
“Look it was a derby game that had a bit of everything. It was very, very competitive at times. You can’t understand the significance of the game not just in terms of the derby but for the season and it’s only natural players are going to be on edge a little bit.
“I think that shaded our game but we still controlled aspects of it. We were always a threat – they were a threat from set-pieces and causing some problems there but, overall, you just walk away. I’m a sort of an onlooker as much as anyone else on game day and I just can’t help but admire the character this group of players shows that finds a way every time to get the job done.
“This group of players has come together and formed a really strong unity and bond and an unshakable belief in each other and what we’re trying to do. As a manager, you obviously analyse the performance and you want to help the team but that quality they bring to it is just outstanding.
Today was, for once, all about the result rather than the performance for the Celtic manager who recognises the significance of picking up the three points to increase his side’s lead to twelve points with just seven games remaining.
“It is the result, absolutely. We knew the consequences today of winning this game of football and what it does in terms of our league position.
“Aside from the fact that it’s a game our supporters want us to win all the time, is that it’s significant in getting the job done, The players embrace that part of it. They embrace that expectation that you have at this football club – they want to win. They are a group of winners and they find a way every time.
Kyogo scored another two goals against theRangers this afternoon, making that five in 2023 for the Japanese striker against the latest Ibrox club. His manager was as you would expect full of praise for our loveable wee-skelper.
“It’s easy for me to say but from the moment he arrived he’s been outstanding. Every time he plays he looks like he’s going to score goals, the way he works for his team… he’s just brilliant.
“I never have to gee him up, I never have to get him motivated he just goes out there. And you see the size of him – most of the time up against guys who are a lot bigger than him and a lot more physical but although he’s got this kind nature don’t underestimate his competitiveness. He wants to win as much as anyone and again in a big game he’s delivered.”
Jota is turning into a skelper too and that’s Larssoneque winner – just like Henrik’s 50th goal of the season against the old Rangers at Ibrox – turned out to be today’s winner. “That’s a part of our game which we pride ourselves on – even if we’re not playing free-flowing and attacking football you’ve still got to work hard, you’ve still got to keep going and still got to do the side of the game that others don’t.
“That is continually closing down and putting in the effort and I thought we did that. We force mistakes and I think when you’ve got that combination, it gives you almost self-belief that you’ll find a way to win a game of football.
On the imminent title win, which will be Celtic’s eleventh in twelve seasons, the Celtic manager wasn’t ready to start ing counting chickens. “Have you got a trophy with you? No? Probably suggests it’s not done.
“But look, I get it, we’re in a great position. I keep saying it but why waste a game of football?
“We’ve still got seven games seven to go in the league and a cup semi-final so some opportunities to produce some magic and win some games of football. I’m not going to let anyone dismiss any of these games.
“We recover and we enjoy this. I said to the players after the game that if you can make one person’s life better you don’t understand how enriching and rewarding that is – but they’ve made countless of thousands of lives better for the next few days at least. They need to enjoy that because they’ve done something special.”
On the disallowed Morelos goal for a push in the back of Alistair Johnston, Ange Postecoglou didn’t want to get involved in the controversy. “You’ve just got to go with what the officials go with. It’s a game that had a bit of everything. For the most part it was really competitive. I don’t think there was anything untoward in the game from both sets of players and I thought Kevin (Clancy) handled it as well as he could because it’s such a big game for everyone involved.
“I don’t think there were any decisions that sort of swayed it,” the Celtic manager said.
