With 100 games now under his belt, Ange Postecoglou has the second highest win percentage of any Celtic manager, behind Martin O’Neill and above Jock Stein. And the Green Brigade’s tribute banner for the boss spoke for all Celtic supporters this evening.
It wasn’t the easiest of nights after Hearts took the lead then spent most of the first half time-wasting. Ralston though found Kyogo, whose movement was outstanding and Maeda tapped home the equaliser.
The Celtic half was a different story and goals from Kyogo brilliantly finished after great play from Jota and Mooy and Sead Haksabanovik wrapped up the points with a brilliant finish into the postage stamp corner of the Hearts goal as the title edges that bit closer.
Ange Postecoglou spkeaking to BBC Sportsound reckoned his side merited the win.
“It was well earned, we had to work hard for the points tonight as we weren’t at our fluent best,” the Celtic manager said.
“We didn’t hit our rhythm from the start and I take responsibility for that as I made changes which always disrupts things.
“We looked disjointed the start and had to earn it, but the boys have again shown a really strong mentality and scored three excellent goals to get the job done.”
On Kyogo, Postecoglou was full of praise for tonight’s Man of the Match who reached 20 Premiership goals for the season and 25 in total.
“He’s been unbelievable for this club. We didn’t use him well tonight, I was a bit frustrated with us not rewarding his runs, but when we did find him we set up the first goal and scored the second,” Ange said.
Pat Bonner, the former Celtic goalie was on punditry duty tonight on BBC Sportsound. Here’s his take on the 3-1 win for Celtic over Hearts.
“First half it was edgy. Celtic went a goal behind from a good goal from Hearts. Hearts worked very hard and pressed them hard, but you always felt Celtic were going to get that second goal when they were level. I think they deserved to win this game, it keeps that momentum going.”
Meanwhile Hearts manager Robbie Neilson as usual took a defeat to Celtic particularly badly – he always seems unusually cheerful after losing to theRangers does he not?
Neilson told BBC Sportsound: “There’s a lot of positives to take.
“For 80 minutes we were outstanding. The players put Celtic under a massive amount of pressure and you could see the crowd strating to turn.
“That very rarely happens here. Usually they motor on and beat teams five, six, seven nil. But we got team and we want to come here and win. The game-plan was to try to pass the ball and go through them and we did that. We took the game to Celtic and passed through them extremely well.
“I’ve watched hundreds of games here and tonight was some of the best football you’ll see from an opposition team.”
Aye Hearts were brilliant as Will probably be confirmed when they are handing out the Oscars. Now for the Scottish Cup Celtic.
Pushing the launch of Matthew Marr’s debut Celtic book – ‘The BOULD BHOYS – Glory to their name’ back a week to Friday 24 March. Thanks to everyone who has ordered since we announced the book last night via an interview with the author. Please note that all pre-ordered books will be personally signed by Matthew Marr and you can order below if you’d like a signed copy posted out to you 24 March.
READ THIS...‘The Bould Bhoys – Glory to their name’ by Matthew Marr
