Ange Postecoglou was a happy man in the wake of today’s 4-1 win over St Johnstone, pleased to see his team take feedback on board from the Celtic coaching staff.
Postecoglou was critical of the squad even after beating Livingston on Wednesday night, frustrated with the lack of quality and intent in the opposition box against the instructions given to them.
However, he was far more satisfied with the attacking desire today, noting the hunger to disrupt the opposition was particularly strong and a change from the mid-week match.
Speaking to BBC Radio Scotland [15:10], he said: “Credit to them. It’s one thing me pointing it out and giving them the information – not just me but the whole coaching staff – but they have to be willing to take it on board. It’d be very easy for them to be resistant because we’re winning games but our role is to try and keep improving.
“We just looked a lot more hungry in those areas today. When we had the ball wide we got bodies in the box and had real intent and purpose to score goals and put pressure on the opposition. We got the rewards for that.
“They’re a really hungry group of players. At no point have I felt complacency is creeping in or they feel like they don’t need to do more. They’re almost demanding it of us to push them to be better.”
Kyogo Furuhashi’s goals, close-range finishes worked in from wide areas, must have been particularly satisfying for Postecoglou going by his comments.
The Japanese striker appears to be getting back to his finest form and now has seven goals in his last 10 matches in all competitions.
Taking apart a defensive-minded team, unbeaten in six going into today’s game, so ruthlessly is strong evidence that Postecoglou is correct in his assessment of a lack of complacency.
Tougher tests are ahead away to Hibernian and Rangers but with those matches likely to be far more open, Celtic hitting attacking heights again is particularly well-timed.
In other news, Ange Postecoglou reacts to masterful Reo Hatate Celtic display; Juranovic return timeline, Ralston update.
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