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“We hunted in packs. We didn’t give them a moment’s rest,” Ange Postecoglou

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James Forrest was named man of the match by Sky Sports while Sandman in his Definitive Reviews gave the accolade to Nir Bitton.

You could have also thrown Tom Rogic into the mix while noting that Anthony Ralston had a fine game at right-back and got an assist with the decisive second goal at the start of the second half in the 3-1 win away to Livingston, the game where theRangers fans were counting their chickens on another Celtic slip-up at the Tony Macaroni which would have swung the title advantage back to them.

Sadly for the desperate Bears watching in their tens of thousands yesterday, it was not to be.

READ THIS…Sandman’s Definitive Ratings – Celtic at Cirque Du Plastique

Few if any Celtic Supporters would have picked that starting line-up yesterday afternoon but anyone listening closely enough to what Ange Postecoglou had been saying in the build-up to Sunday’s game will have picked up that he had a specific plan for this game. Had it gone wrong the team selection would have been criticised so given Ange got it back on it’s only right to acknowledge this and say well done because breaking that Livi away hoodoo is hugely significant as you could see from our fans celebrations at the end but also what because of the disappointment that it will have caused in theRangers hopes of winning a second major trophy in their first decade playing the game.

Forrest and Bitton were both outstanding yesterday, both vastly experienced Celtic players with Forrest scoring a goal that takes him to 99 for the club. He’ll be desperate to get goal number 100 and yesterday’s performance – and there was a hint of it in midweek when he came off the bench against St Mirren – indicates that he’s getting back to his devastating best.

“James has had a tough time, but I see him every day,” Ange said after the match. “That is how I make my assessments and he has worked really hard in training. It is not easy when you don’t get a run of games, but the quality he has has always been there.

“I have had to be patient for when I can throw him in because I know he can certainly help us. James is one of the more experienced ones and he can definitely help us.

“He is a winner, you know. We are going to need those types. I don’t know if he was lacking in confidence. He maybe lacked a little bit of rhythm and that spark you need when you are an attacking player, but he is an experienced guy and he knew what he had to do and he played his role very well. He and Jota really set the tone.”

Daizen Maeda scored the opener after a frustrating few minutes for Callum McGregor, missing a penalty and a great chance when failing to keep his header down with the goal at his mercy, and the Celtic manager also praised the Japan international striker, who got his fifth Celtic goal yesterday being in exactly the right place to take advantage after Carl Starfelt – a player often unfairly criticised but who has been excellent for several weeks now – out-jumped the Livi giants to get a header on target, Maeda heading in close close range after the Livi keeper could only parry the header.

“I get that strikers are measured by goals, but what he brings to our team is well beyond that. But it is great for him because strikers also enjoy scoring. His defensive work was outstanding. That really helps us and sets the platform,” Ange added.

Nir Bitton wears the number 6 jersey and always does exactly what it says on the tin, playing him and Tony Ralston was clearly an attempt to bring strength and height into the starting eleven yesterday.

“Nir has been great for me,” Ange admitted. “I thought he would be important because they are a big physical team and he has that ability to dominate the space around him. He did really well. He broke lines and ran with the ball when he needed to.”

The Celtic manager, celebrating his 50th match in charge of the club, added: “The players knew it was a challenge. They went about it the right way and didn’t shy away from it. The boys who came in brought some energy with James, Tom (Rogic), Niro and Tony Ralston. The guys have had three games in a week, so it was important for us to maintain our energy. We set the right tempo and intent from the first minutes.

Anthony Ralston celebrates after Livingston s Nicky Devlin (not pictured) scores an own goal during the cinch Premiership match at the Tony Macaroni Arena, Livingston. Sunday March 6, 2022. Photo Steve Welsh

“It is the reason we have a strong squad and why we brought players in during the January window. It gives us an opportunity to rotate it without losing anything from our performances. If we have the ability to change things during games it will help us.

“I know people have said we haven’t been exhilarating in terms of our football every game, but you cannot question their resilience. When we have had to find something we have found something. The fact we missed the penalty wasn’t going to stop us continuing and trying to be relentless and playing our football.

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“Credit to them. They are led by Callum, but whatever challenges are there, they are ready to take on. “It was important to get the win, but the manner in which we played and stuck to our principles all over the pitch was good. We need to be the ones who generate tempo. It is hard sometimes when the opposition sit deeper, but, as good as were with the ball, I thought we were outstanding without it.

“We hunted in packs. We didn’t give them a moment’s rest and our football when we had the ball was good.”

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About Author

The Celtic Star founder and editor, who has edited numerous Celtic books over the past decade or so including several from Lisbon Lions, Willie Wallace, Tommy Gemmell and Jim Craig. Earliest Celtic memories include a win over East Fife at Celtic Park and the 4-1 League Cup loss to Partick Thistle as a 6 year old. Best game? Easy 4-2, 1979 when Ten Men Won the League. Email editor@thecelticstar.co.uk

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