Celtic were laughed at for our away form, from February of last season, into around October of Ange Postecoglou’s first campaign.
It was a bit grim. Losses on the road to Hearts, Rangers and Livingston put Celtic in a really sticky spot, and we wondered if the Hoops were cursed to lose vital road games. Since a 2-1 victory over Aberdeen, however, the Hoops have came, saw and conquered every domestic stadium they’ve been to.
It’s been hugely satisfying. But if you’re wondering whether there’s a specific quirk that makes us that good out of Parkhead, there isn’t.
Ange Postecoglou says it’s all about Celtic staying aggressive. That’ll be vital for our next away game, which happens to be at Ibrox to face Rangers.
Speaking to Celtic TV, Ange Postecoglou made it all sound so simple. Ange said [Celtic TV]: “We definitely want to bring the same sort of energy and intensity [against Rangers], we try and do that home and away.
“I think a key to the position we’re in at the moment this year is because, away from home, we’re still taking the game to the opposition. And we are still being really aggressive with our approach, which I think has helped us win a lot of games away from home.
“So that won’t change, but you just don’t know what the opposition will bring. For us, again, we’ve been really good at overcoming the challenge that’s before us. Hopefully within our football, we can find that solution.”
Celtic manager Ange Postecoglou makes our excellent away form sound so simple
Again, there was a time when playing away from Celtic Park gave the Hoops the fear.
Yet, Ange Postecoglou makes it all sound incredibly simple. In a sense, it is; when you’ve built a footballing style that’s hard to beat, and even more difficult to defend against, stay with it. While Ange has definitely adapted his squad for specific challenges and settings, the mantra has remained the same.
Good Celtic sides of the past have had an identity. That’s been the driving force behind the success we’ve had, under Martin O’Neill, Brendan Rodgers, Jock Stein et al. Stein, for example, built his side’s identity around home-grown talent, playing a cavalier, attacking style.
Brendan Rodgers was about the possession game, making opposition do the hard work trying to chase us. For Martin O’Neill, it was about strength and flair, relying on individual performers in distinct roles.
For Ange Postecoglou, his Celtic side are about aggression, energy and ruthlessness. The football in possession is, at times, stunning. Just as important, though, is his side’s flexibility in changing shape, pressing opposition and forcing mistakes.
It’s been excellent fun to watch, whether at Celtic Park, or extending a run of sublime away form on the road.
Long may it last.
Read more: Even McCoist admits Celtic are in “very good position”; says rivals can’t afford to lose Derby
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