Celtic manager Ange Postecoglou has acknowledged Matt O’Riley’s stunning goal against St Johnstone on Saturday and believes it’s proof the Hoops can score in a multitude of ways.
The Hoops have come up against several types of challenges this season. Whether it be the opposition parking the bus or trying to play a high press on us – Ange’s men have managed to respond time and time again to differing scenarios.
Against St Johnstone at the weekend, it was definitely a case of trying to break down a packed defence. And Celtic managed it 7 times in an absolute rout. One goal in particular shone above all others of course – O’Riley’s stunning second and Celtic’s 6th of the day.
Indeed, the effort contained over 40 passes in a stunning build-up that has goal of the season contender written all over it. And whilst Ange was keen to acknowledge that it’s the end goal of how they want to play, he believes his side has shown it can score all sorts of goals.
Speaking to Celtic TV, Ange said: “That’s kind of the end goal. You do these things for a reason and that reason is to kind fo create a foundation for playing the game a certain way. That’s a goal where we kept the ball for quite a while, kept the opposition moving, we were moving.
“There have been other times where we were more direct or on the counter-attack. So it’s not about one prototype of how we’re going to play. The foundation we’ve created is that if the opposition are going to sit off us and give us time to move the ball around then we can and we’ll wait for our opportunity to score.
“If they come and press us we’ll find a more direct way. But as the players get more and more comfortable with the way we want to play, you can see they’re kind of creating their own ways of overcoming oppositions.”
Celtic anything but a one-trick pony, but it’s great to see Ange’s vision come to life
Ange makes a fine point here. You can see how keen he is to emphasise the fact that Celtic don’t just score with extensive passing moves. And that’s something we’ve seen all season.
In fact, look at the goal that came immediately after O’Riley’s second. It was a long ball over the top from Kyogo that was chested into the path of Liel Abada by Daizen Maeda. It took Celtic over 40 passes to break through St Johnstone for goal number 6, but only 2 for number 7.
But as much as we all know how varied Celtic can be in the final third, there’s something special about these types of goals. Something that just feels right. Most likely because they really reflect Ange’s philosophy of quick passing and movement.
Too often in recent years has build-up play from Celtic been slow and turgid. Whilst we would pass the ball around with ease, you never really felt as though we were getting there. Never felt as though the gears were truly turning.
You couldn’t say that about this Ange side. Every time they press forward you can see everyone wanting to get involved. Everyone is totally switched on even if the ball is down the other side of the pitch. It’s that constant movement and energy that tires the opposition out, and it’s why O’Riley had all the time in the world to find the top corner with his second goal on Saturday.
Just another reason to be totally dazzled by the work the manager has done this year. Terrific stuff.
In other news, The pointless Celtic complacency question and why it’s time to put it to bed
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