Floor-breaking Australian supervisor Ange Postecoglou has sealed his triumphant season with Celtic by profitable the Scottish Premiership.
The Bhoys could not declare their 52nd Scottish title with the flourish Postecoglou may need hoped for on Wednesday however a nervy 1-1 draw at Dundee United was sufficient for them to carry the title again to Parkhead.
It left their deposed metropolis rivals Rangers unable to catch them on the prime of the desk, as they went 4 factors clear with only one sport left.
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Giorgos Giakoumakis’ second-half header which put Celtic one up was answered by a superb strike from United’s Dylan Levitt, however the level was all they wanted to ensure a tenth title in 11 years.
It sealed an astonishing turnaround of their fortunes this previous 11 months beneath Postecoglou, who’s rebuilt the aspect and utterly turned across the 25-point deficit they suffered when Rangers, a lot to the followers’ chagrin, ripped away their title final season.
It was on the identical Tannadice floor final 12 months the place they surrendered their ambitions of 10 league triumphs in a row.
But Postecoglou has had them dreaming once more after an unbeaten league run that now stretches 31 matches.
“Pretty special, mate. First time this year I’m lost for words,” an emotional Postecoglou instructed Sky Sports activities amid deafening celebrations from the travelling Celtic followers.
“No-one gave us much of a chance at the start of the season, so to do what they’ve done this year, to achieve the ultimate, is an unbelievable effort.
It completed a remarkable personal triumph for Postecoglou, who had taken over a club in the doldrums, with many critics, who knew little of the former Socceroos boss, suggesting he wouldn’t last in the high-pressure job until Christmas.
“The dream was all the time to handle a well-known membership and try to make an influence. When one thing is nearly a lifelong obsession and also you lastly get there, it is arduous to place into phrases,” he instructed the BBC.
“It is pretty overwhelming. It is taken each ounce of me to get us the place we’re and if you get to the end line, you simply need to collapse.
“We’ve been focused all season, not getting distracted by anything. The players were really good at dealing with what was in front of them – and that’s not easy to do.
“I believe our soccer’s been excellent however the character this staff’s proven to get by way of the final 31 video games and rise to each problem, nicely I could not be extra happy with them.”
The 56-year-old Postecoglou has now added to his remarkable list of managerial achievements by adding a national title in Scotland with one of the world’s most famous clubs to the league titles he’s also won both in Australia, with two different teams, and Japan.
Add an Asian Cup triumph and guiding the national team to two World Cups, and there’s surely little argument now about Postecoglou being the most successful soccer coach ever to be produced by the Australian game.
Certainly, everyone at Celtic seems to have fallen for the gruff, down to earth but likeable customer.
“The gamers belief the supervisor a lot, you’ll be able to see the supporters love him as nicely,” captain Callum McGregor said after the match.
“He has are available in with actual authority – and an actual identification for this membership.”
