Ange Postecoglou has again highlighted his frustration with Celtic’s failure to defend set-pieces despite today’s dramatic 3-2 win over Dundee.
It was another big day in the title race as the Hoops extended their lead at the top of the table to 3 points. This was thanks to Rangers’ 1-1 draw at Dundee United earlier today.
The man of the moment for Celtic continues to be Giorgos Giakoumakis after his heroic hat-trick. Yet even though it was the performance his Hoops career needed, the only reason it was required was because we again failed to defend 2 set-pieces which Dundee profited from.
It follows similar concerns up at Pittodrie just under a fortnight ago when Aberdeen came from 2-0 down to temporarily get level thanks to 2 free-kick crosses into the penalty area. And as he highlighted the frustration in his Celtic TV interview today, it’s clear it’s something Ange wants to eradicate.
“Obviously we made things difficult for ourselves with 2 set pieces again which sort of kept them in the game. After Thursday night I guess the most important thing was we performed okay and got the result.
“You can account for everything but ultimately we should be better there. I think we just weren’t strong enough and it’s disappointing because in a game where we totally controlled it, you need to put it away at the other end but also if you don’t give them any hope or joy then the game becomes a lot more comfortable.
“Again it’s just part of our process of improving as a team, areas we still have to improve in.”
Ange Postecoglou still looking for set-piece improvement despite big Celtic win
What we know about our manager is that he’s the kind of figure that strives for constant improvement. He doesn’t ever want the Hoops to be a comfortable team. He wants there to always be areas on which we can work on. It’s fair to say defending set-pieces is one of those.
There was a real concern in the way in which we defended both goals today. It’s far too easy for Danny Mullen to run off our defence and get a running start on the ball. It’s no wonder Joe Hart was beaten so comfortably given Mullen had the freedom of the penalty area to lash home.
You then had Niall McGinn’s free-kick into the area that, granted, was well headed home by Ryan Sweeney. But again, we need Cameron Carter-Vickers to be stronger in that particular situation. He comes off second-best and all of a sudden it’s 2-2.
Today’s game was dramatic, and it’ll certainly look good in the season review DVD if we go on to win the title. However, Ange wants his team to be a footballing machine. He wants matches like this one to be won with a bit to spare.
Granted, just getting the victory after Thursday night’s disappointment was the key here. You have to say that it was a big afternoon for Ange and the Bhoys. It perhaps couldn’t have gotten better either given the result at Tannadice.
But there are clearly still areas of the team that need swift improvement if we’re to be a serious force in the coming years. Set-piece defending is clearly one of those areas.
In other news, Pat Bonner states Celtic have made a “huge” psychological step in the title race today
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