Ange Postecoglou: Celtic manager reflects on ‘positive’ year with nine-point lead at Christmas | Football News

December 25, 2022 admin

Ange Postecoglou believes Celtic are in a “much better space” than last Christmas after a “positive” year for the club.

Celtic lead the Scottish Premiership by nine points over Rangers following a near-perfect start of 16 wins from 17 matches.

In Postecoglou’s first season in charge, Celtic reclaimed the title having clinched the League Cup – and the improvement over the last 12 months has been clear.

“You measure it where you were last Christmas and it’s been a really positive year for the club,” Postecoglou told Sky Sports.

“We had the success in winning the league and we’ve started the season relatively positively as well. In terms of progress, from where we were last year, we’re in a much better space.

“More importantly we’ve given our fans memorable moments. Every year you hope they remember the year gone past as one that stays long in the memory for the right reasons and I’m sure last year will.”

Postcoglou pinpoints the 3-0 victory over Rangers on February 3 as a pivotal moment that changed the momentum behind their title challenge.

“It was an important fixture because on the night it was the first time we hit the top,” he recalled.

“There was a lot of hype around the game, it was a fixture eagerly anticipated by our supporters with a full house again.

“With everything that was on the line that night it was important in the context of belief amongst the playing group and supporters that what we were hoping was going to eventuate was potentially coming a reality.

“You want to give your supporters stuff they remember and that night in particular our supporters will remember beyond the length of time a season takes.”

Postecoglou, though, is still pushing for more after suffering some “tough nights” in the Champions League as they finished bottom of the group without a victory.

“The league win was important. Our first game back in the Champions League was important to show our ambitions,” he added. “There’s always little things along the way that take on more of a significance once you see the end of everything we do.

“There were tough moments for sure. We had some tough nights in the Champions League but they’re not low points. From my perspective, there’s a privilege of managing this football club that even in the toughest of times you still find that motivation to continue doing the work you do.”