Celtic boss Ange Postecoglou shows his class with respectful title race comments

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Celtic manager Ange Postecoglou has provided some classy comments on the title race as the Hoops continue to put the pressure on those above them.

The Bhoys are on a 4-game winning run after some big away-day successes were followed up with a routine victory at home to St Johnstone yesterday. It was a result that puts Postecoglou’s side up to within 1 point of second place and just 4 off of top spot.

The signs are ominous. Hibs are faltering after 3 winless games whilst Hearts dropped cheap points at home to Dundee. Dundee United, who sit a point ahead of the Hoops in 3rd, needed a last-gasp goal to beat Motherwell at Tannadice.

But Postecoglou has refused to dismiss anyone around his team as he disregarded the narrative that the title race will eventually come down to Celtic and Rangers.

As quoted by the Daily Record, Ange said: “Are Hearts and Hibs in the title race? I can only go on what’s going on at the moment so I’d have to say, yes. Why not? There is a historical context to these things and a script already written where people assume it will be followed every year. But it wasn’t that long ago that Leicester won the Premier League.

“I always think if you take football for granted or think you know the script, it invariably gives you an almighty slap in the face. At the moment there are four or five teams close together and they’ll all think they’re capable of having success this year. I see no reason why you would discount any team up there until evidence shows you otherwise.

“Every away game has been daunting for us so far. I know we’ve won our last two on the road but a few weeks ago people were telling me we hadn’t won away since Valentine’s Day. I understood every away game was a challenge for us until you dispel that. This week at Hibs won’t be any more difficult or any easier. Part of the uniqueness of this league is that every game is competitive.”

Celtic don’t have the luxury of ruling anyone out of the title race

You have to absolutely love this approach. Not because it’s different or because it’s morally the right thing to do. You simply have to love it because it’s bang on and the manager isn’t trying to sugercoat the situation.

We all know that there’s a strong chance Celtic and Rangers will wheel away from the rest. But you can’t take that for granted. Not when United are still winning games. Not whilst Hearts continued to sit above us in the league table after 10 matches. You have to show these teams respect.

There’s no arrogance to Celtic’s approach. There’s an acknowledgement for the opposition. An understanding that our rivals are where they are on merit and that it’s down to us to step it up.

Celtic aren’t 4th in the league because we’ve had a strong start. Our own renaissance has only really come in recent weeks. But you can’t just say that, because we’ve won some games again that it’s only a matter of time before we’re top of the pile. That has to be earned.

Postecoglou understands that, and this bodes well when it comes to keeping the players’ feet firmly on the ground. Titles don’t get handed out for 4-game winning runs. They’re dished out for teams and players that can go through months of consistency, fending off every challenge that comes our way.

Our next one will come at Easter Road on Wednesday night. Let’s see if we can rise to it.

In other news, Hugh Keevins forced into U-turn on Celtic boss Ange Postecoglou