There is predictable fallout from today’s Celtic win over Livingston. Phantom corners, dodgy penalties, managers moaning, overwrought Sportscene analysis and headlines scrutinising referee performances.
We knew it was going to happen. Yes, there were a couple of marginal calls that benefited us today. But there have been plenty that haven’t this season. That’s the way it goes.
The truth is the whining is utterly irrelevant to Ange Postecoglou and his squad. They won’t care a bit tonight when relaxing after a hard day’s work. We fully deserved the three points.
In fact, the longer their fans look for reasons they’ve fallen behind outside of Rangers, the better it is for the Bhoys.
That’ll mean less scrutiny will be on the bad aspects of their form and what they need to do better. I’m sure Giovanni van Bronckhorst is enjoying the narrative that it’s Scotland’s officials who have placed Celtic where they are.
He took over with a four-point lead at the top of the table. Not only has that evaporated but he’s lost a crucial derby and is now up against it going into the final eight games of the season. Sure, it’s the Scottish FA’s fault – that suits him.
Yes, we may be getting a laugh from the Ian Bankier AGM conspiracy theories floating about social media, but it’s not even just their fans who have been obsessed with officiating this term. Remember the furious letter sent to the Scottish FA after a poor result against Aberdeen?
That’s not the kind of thing Postecoglou will be indulging in this at any point this season. He doesn’t care about decisions. He cares about the balance of play. The Australian has made that clear in multiple media appearances.
He’s obsessed with how his team is performing – not even the results they are getting. He will eke every last bit out of this squad over the coming weeks while others lose their head in Scottish football.
Who isn’t looking forward to that?
In other news, Things are about to get even better for Celtic; Ange Postecoglou explains why.
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