The Ange Postecoglou touch of Celtic class that was easy to miss today

By John McGinley

May 14, 2022

There were many heartwarming stories from Celtic Park today that will live long in the memory.

From the goals themselves to the Tom Rogic and Nir Bitton farewells and the speeches at the end, it was a glorious afternoon.

However, what you may not have realised, especially if you were at the game, was that Ange Postecoglou made a double substitution in the second half that was of particular importance.

SPFL rule C39 states that only those players who participated in 25% or more of the league matches for the champion club are officially eligible to receive a winners medal.

James McCarthy and Stephen Welsh were both on nine league matches each going into today’s fixture, meaning when Postecoglou brought them into the game, they officially went into the history books as having bagged the honour.

The league hand out 25 official medals to each club and the champions can buy additional ones with approval – however, extras are only handed out per the above eligibility conditions.

Others take sponsors’ medals on the day – as we witnessed earlier – but to officially be recognised as a champion, you need the ten games.

Postecoglou knows how hard everyone at Celtic has worked this season, from stalwarts like Callum McGregor to fringe players who have filled in at critical times. It’s only right that all who were able to are designated league winners.

McCarthy and Welsh, both lifelong Celtic fans, will have been buzzing to receive the honour and fair play to them.

In other news, Ange Postecoglou reveals Nir Bitton’s brilliant unseen role at Celtic this season.