If you were to have asked Celtic supporters after their side’s defeat against Livingston at the Tony Macaroni Arena whether or not their side was capable of a 31-match unbeaten domestic run, many would have laughed and called you absolutely deluded.
The 1-0 defeat to the Almondvale outfit on the 21st of September last year was a damaging blow to the Hoops’ early aspirations of regaining their Premiership title back, in a game where they dominated the possession and goalmouth action yet fell to Andrew Shinnie’s 25th minute winner. Livingston’s ground had been a continual problem and yet another Celtic boss had been troubled by the dreaded artificial pitch.
This result, coupled with defeats to Hearts on the opening day and Rangers in the derby, had fans doubting whether or not the team had it in them to bounce back and push for the league trophy. The supporters had seen some decent football played against the likes of AZ Alkmaar, Dundee, and St. Mirren yet were unsure what credentials this team possessed to deliver at the business-end of the season.
Since that loss, however, Ange Postecoglou and his team have been impossible to beat in domestic competition, racking up a total of 31 games undefeated, including 27 wins and only four draws. Thanks to this run, the side now find themselves top of the Premiership table on 76 points, three points (and 14 goals) ahead of Rangers, an immense feat given how the team started the season so inconsistently.
Through working with the manager and listening to his fresh and innovative ideas, the squad has charged forward into a promising position thanks to his refreshing and winning style of play. Players such as Tom Rogic and Anthony Ralston have been transformed under the new boss, whilst fresh summer acquisitions like Kyogo Furuhashi, Josip Juranuvic, Jota and Liel Abada have all bedded in seamlessly to the squad, each bringing fresh energy and undoubted ability to the table.
These reinforcements were assisted by more recruits in January, as Daizen Maeda, Reo Hatate and Matt O’Riley have all starred in continuing this hefty unbeaten run beyond the winter break. The vast majority of Postecoglou’s signings have adapted to his demanding playstyle, and the whole team is better for it in the process. Postecoglou’s keen eye for a player has certainly been a factor in maintaining Celtic’s dominant form domestically.
The Australian gaffer also managed to pick up his maiden trophy for his new club, in a 2-1 win against Hibernian in the League Cup Final. His side have managed crucial wins away from home against Hearts and Livingston – revenge for earlier on in the season – as well as a resounding 3-0 victory against Rangers at home. In writing these wrongs from before, Celtic have now managed to defeat every team they have encountered this season, showing the required hunger to beat whoever is in front of them over the course of the campaign.
Delivering these sorts of statement victories have already made Ange Postecoglou a hero in the East End of Glasgow. With seven games to go in the league and a maximum of two in the Scottish Cup, this new Celtic side have the opportunity to achieve something very special in the not-so-distant future. It is now up to both the boss and his players to make sure that these dreams of a special first season are realised at the end of the season.
