With Celtic hitting goalscoring form, with seven goals in their last two games, you may have expected yesterday’s press conference to be all about the attacking flair from Celtic, yet the best defensive record in Scotland certainly got plenty of time for discussion, as we brought to you earlier.
Ange Postecoglou, who was keen to point out the team effort when it came to Celtic’s defensive record of conceding just 13 goals in 25 games, also took time out to discuss a couple of the standout defensive contributors, first picking out the impressive Cameron Carter-Vickers who surely has to be a priority for Celtic to tie down to a permanent contract at the end of the season.
“Cam has been great from the moment we brought him in. He got thrown right at the start and he was the last signing on transfer deadline day. He has had to come in and understand the way we want to play. With defenders coming to our club we have a different style to most other clubs so he had to adjust to that. He is also at a big club and from that perspective he has fitted in really well and his football sort of speaks for itself.
“He has been really consistent and he is improving all the time but even as a person he has fitted in really well with the group. Even though he wasn’t settled at Spurs he got some really good experience at Championship level at strong clubs so he came to us with more experience for somebody of his age and where he has been. I think that has help[ed us because he has been a real strong, calming influence.”
Of the new defensive recruits Carter-Vickers has been a top contributor to Celtic’s defensive record, but one who was already at the club and appears to have fully embraced his role as an inverted full back has been Greg Taylor, and the manager also took the time out to highlight Taylor’s immense contribution after a tough time, coming late to the party after representing Scotland at the Euros and of course picking up a shoulder injury that required surgery.
“He’s done really well. It was unfortunate he came back from the Euros and he was really keen on establishing himself here at the club and really making his mark but he got the shoulder injury which he needed some surgery on which set him back.
“When people talk about improvement, he’s one of the ones that are only really had a month of playing this kind of football and getting into it. He’s developing well. He wants to learn and get better.
“Obviously, with our full-backs playing a little bit differently he’s really embracing that role and he’s been great since he came back into the team. He’s been at the club a while now and he’s really close to Callum McGregor. He’s one of the ones in the dressing room that takes on a leadership role. From our perspective, we are looking for further growth from him.”
It’s interesting to hear the manager talk of Greg Taylor as one who has taken on a leadership role at Celtic, after all there were many who questioned the left back’s abilities to nail down a first team place never mind take on such a senior role, and it is brilliant to hear the manager publicly praise a player who has clearly not only bought into the manager’s system but one who implements it well.
Taylor’s performance in the Glasgow Derby was simply immense, and alongside Juranovic on the opposite flank, performed both the defensive and attacking sides of their roles tirelessly and effectively. A similar performance from both, as well as the rest of a defence that must be brim-full of confidence, will be required to ensure Celtic leave Pittodrie with the three points we need to maintain momentum in the title race.
Niall J
