Ange Postecoglou – and anyone – could have seen Celtic’s fruitful attempts at attacking yesterday as Ferencvaros failed to contain the enslaught of the Celtic’s in front of a bright Celtic Park.
The Hoops could and should have put five past the Hungarians as the won their first three points of the Europa League campaign.
But there was an aspect of play that Ange picked up on that many others didn’t – the defensive steelwork.
Not only did Jota and Liel Abada work their socks off up front, but their defensive sides meant that the side from Eastern Europe were limited in their chances – something Ange paid tribute to when talking about the Portuguese loanee.
He was great, but I look at the other side of things well. The understanding that he needs to work hard defensively for us,” he said to the Glasgow Times.
The key with attacking players like him and the others we have brought in is that they need to invest in our football. That is, they need to work hard in certain areas and, if they do, they will get their rewards with the way we play.
We are always going to be a team that wants to attack and wants to play to their strengths as opposed to knocking long balls and asking them to challenge for 50-50s.
Henry Wingo of Ferencvaros TC battles for possession with Adam Montgomery of Celtic during the UEFA Europa League group G match between Celtic FC and Ferencvarosi TC at Celtic Park on October 19, 2021 in Glasgow, Scotland. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)
To do that you have to do the other side and I think he’s getting better at that. The understanding that he needs to work hard to pressure the opposition. Kyogo and Liel (Abada) are the same.
We knew he was very talented and that’s why we brought him in. But I also knew the play our football would suit him provided he bought into the other stuff.”
If that performance was anything to go by, then Celtic will be fine all season. Consistency is now the next question…
