Celtic manager Ange Postecoglou couldn’t sound happier with the condition of his Hoops squad as his team gears up for a monumental title run-in.
The Bhoys are competing across the Scottish Premiership and the Scottish Cup. Postecoglou could join an elite club of Celtic managers who’ve bagged a Treble in their first season at Parkhead, as unlikely as that seemed when he arrived.
With a raft of players out on international break, there’s a good opportunity for the likes of Christopher Jullien, Kyogo Furuhashi and David Turnbull to gain match fitness. What’s more, the conditioning and tactical training Ange can actually do with his team over the break can only be beneficial.
Speaking to Celtic’s in-house media, Ange Postecoglou said [Celtic FC]: “It’s been a good solid block for us since the winter break, and the boys have been really good in terms of how we’re playing our football.
“The results have obviously put us in a great position and they are all feeling good about things.
“Physically we are in good shape, and squad-wise it’s probably been the best it’s been all year, which is important, so hopefully everyone gets through this international break and hit that last important period.”
Ah, to be Celtic boss Ange Postecoglou right now
You’ve got to imagine Ange Postecoglou is a very satisfied man right now.
They said he’d be away by Christmas. Instead, he won the Premier Sports Cup. They said his signings wouldn’t handle the Scottish Premiership; they’ve shone.
What’s more, critics of Celtic this season have suggested the defence was brittle, and the squad wasn’t strong enough to compete across competitions. How much satisfaction Ange Postecoglou must have in knowing he’s proven so many people wrong.
It’s not done yet, though. Far from it. But with a number of challenges standing between Celtic and the Scottish Premiership bearing green and white ribbons, you’ve got to assume he’s a contented man right now. The squad is in staggeringly good shape, key players are coming back, and our form is irrepressible.
We haven’t lost a domestic game in 2022. We’ve only dropped points once in the league, against a very frustrating Hibernian defence. That draw turned out to be useful; Ange tinkered with his approach, and Celtic have been an irresistible attacking force ever since.
These are good times. They could get even better.
And though Ange Postecoglou knows there’s a lot of work left, he’s more than entitled to be pleased with how things are in this moment.
Read more: Why summer’s transfer window could be most exciting yet for Celtic supporters
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