Ange Postecoglou brilliantly shuts down Celtic mentality question ahead of title run-in

By John McGinley

April 23, 2022

Celtic manager Ange Postecoglou doesn’t think the mentality of his squad should be in question ahead of the final five games of the Scottish Premiership.

The Bhoys are currently three points clear at the top of the table, holding a game in hand on Rangers which is played tomorrow away to Ross County.

It comes after a long unbeaten run in the Scottish Premiership that resulted in initially closing a points gap on the Ibrox side, then extending it.

For Postecoglou, any suggestion his team aren’t equipped to deal with what is ahead is absurd, despite losing out in extra-time to Rangers at Hampden.

He told The Scottish Daily Mail this weekend [23/04 print edition, page 114]: “We hadn’t lost in 33 (domestic) games, mate. I think that’s a testament to the group’s resilience along the way and how strong they have been, their mentality of making sure they perform at a consistent level.

“You don’t get that sort of form we have had over the last six months unless you are really strong mentally.

“Last week doesn’t really change that. We are disappointed it didn’t go our way. But it doesn’t really change the fact that we have been in a strong position for a long time and played well for a long time.

“I think I just see things differently. If it’s all been about pressure, when you have lost three games out of your first six, and you know that for the next 32 games that you probably can’t lose another one, maybe one more, there’s a hell of a lot of pressure there, you know. But we haven’t thought that way, so we’re not going to change our thinking now.”

In the wake of a derby defeat, there are inevitable narratives created – not just by the media, but by supporters too. It’s part of the crazy world of Celtic.

Ultimately, the only real way to silence the noise is by getting back out on the pitch and picking up a result. Postecoglou is spot on with what he says above, but the three points tomorrow are what matter most.

If the team can go to the Highlands and beat Ross County, absolutely nobody will be questioning Celtic’s bottle.

In other news, Celtic boss Ange Postecoglou addresses Reo Hatate concerns.