No sooner had Celtic uploaded clips of Ange Postecoglou’s mic’d up training session early in his Celtic managerial career than fans of other clubs took to social media to mock the Aussie’s now-iconic “We never stop” mantra.
The chittering was short-lived, of course, as after a rocky start, Celtic went on a long unbeaten run that led them to a league and cup double, a run that they continue on until this day, matching the 36-game A-League record that Postecoglou set whilst manager of Brisbane Roar.
Postecoglou’s motto from that training session is one that clearly resonates with his players, Celtic are a team who suffocate other sides across 90 minutes, rarely if ever relenting on the opposition until the final whistle blows.
Be it Jota’s late winner against Aberdeen at Pittodrie, Anthony Ralston’s last grasp winner against Ross County in Dingwall, or Liel Abada and Giorgios Giakoumakis’ 85 minute+ winners against Dundee United and Dundee respectively, late goals were feature of Postecoglou’s side last season.
This is something that’s been reflected in Celtic’s results so far this campaign too, with the champions consistently scoring at very specific times in matches.
Celtic have scored with their first and last efforts of each of their last two games, with Kyogo’s close-range finishes opening the scoring early-on against Hearts and Kilmarnock, and Giakoumakis’ overhead kick and front post flick bookending both games.
Whilst detractors would point to both games being effectively over as contests due to Hearts’ double red card and Celtic being 4-0 up at the time of Giakoumakis’ spectacular strike, it’s a pattern that continues farther back too.
The Hoops also scored with their final two attempts of the game in Dingwall, Moritz Jenz’ winner and Liel Abada’s spectacular clincher following Kyogo’s opener – itself the Hoops first effort of the second half against Ross County.
On the opening day, Stephen Welsh’s header was not Celtic’s first attempt of the game but their second, the corner he scored from coming as a result of Matt O’Riley’s inital shot – Celtic’s actual first attempt against the Dons.
Celtic have scored three times from the 1st to 15th minute, three times from the 35th to 50th, and six times from the 75th to full time, all twelve of Postecoglou’s sides goals so far coming within this combined 45 minute window (with allowances made for injury time, of course).
Whilst four games remains a small sample size to draw any massive conclusions from, it would appear early in the season that Celtic are focussing in on key times in games, scoring when the opposition are either not yet settled, or have tired at the end of the game.
Although last Sunday’s 2-0 win over Hearts descended into a less fluid contest in the second half, it was a game that Celtic still dominated, and it’s domination that Postecolou will look for his side to rubber-stamp with more goals at key times in the coming games as the fixture list hots up.
Postecoglou promised that this Celtic side would never stop, and its a promise his players have kept and then some.
In other news: Reo Hatate says he is fulfilling boyhood dream at Celtic
Receive a digest of our best Celtic content each week direct to your mailbox
