Celtic manager Ange Postecoglou has hailed his Celtic players after a hugely congested run of fixtures saw them go into the World Cup break nine points clear of Rangers at the top of the Scottish Premiership.
The sheer volume of games between the September international break and the Qatar World Cup was always going to have a telling influence on the trajectory of Celtic’s season, and despite Champions League disappointment, the Scottish champions’ defence of their two domestic trophies from last season remains in rude health.
After a series of hugely significant victories, culminating in yesterday’s victory over Ross County, Postecoglou took the time to declare his admiration for the group of players at his disposal at Celtic Park.
As reported by The Daily Record, he said: “I am just really proud of the players. They are an outstanding group of players. The quality is there, but the strength of character is just outstanding.
“We’ve had 13 games in something like 42 days. Champions League takes a lot out of you with the travel and to be perfect in the league through that time is just a brilliant effort. We were really focused and strong and not deterred by anything.
“This was always going to be a challenge for us, as I think it has been for every football club in a similar situation. Whether that’s in Scotland or other places where people have European football combined with league football. Much as I love the character of this team there’s some fantastic footballers in there too.”
Postecoglou insisted that he wouldn’t be drawn into yet further VAR discourse after another calamitous decision went against his side yesterday, choosing instead to focus on giving his players the credit they were due.
He said: “Look, I’ve already said that me talking about it the last two weeks has done a disservice to my football club.
“It’s best I don’t really talk about it any more. The only way they were going to score today was a penalty and they got it, so, from our perspective, we just have to make sure we score more goals than the opposition.
“I am pretty fortunate. I have a fantastic group of players with real quality and outstanding character. It is outstanding that they continue to rise to every challenge.”
Postecoglou’s relentless Celtic continue to find
It has been a remarkable few weeks from this Celtic team, consistently winning games but doing so in lots of different ways, with the squad showing remarkable adaptability and determination over the period, despite being shorn of their inspirational captain Callum McGregor and facing consistently atrocious refereeing decisions
With last minute winners against St Johnstone and Dundee United, slick displays over Hibs and Livingston and a fist-fight victory over Hearts at Tynecastle all in the mix in little over a month of fixtures, and a myriad of different goalscorers, it’s little wonder that Postecoglou has felt it necessary to commend his team for their recent efforts.
With a well-earned break in order for all bar the four players heading to Qatar for the World Cup, the squad can recuperate and recharge before going again over the festive period, where more crucial fixtures await as Celtic will look to build on their lead at the top of the Scottish Premiership.
In other news: Ross County boss Malky McKay offers baffling VAR take after Celtic defeat
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