Ange Postecoglou was pleased to get the league campaign off to a winning start but insisted that the performance against Aberdeen could have been better. 

Celtic dominated large parts of the game but weren’t clinical with the game not being completely wrapped up until Jota hit an absolute screamer past Kelle Roos.

Stephen Welsh had given the home side the advantage as he nodded home early on from a Matt O’Riley corner that made it look as though Goodwin’s side were going to be in for a long day in Glasgow’s east end.

The gaffer was disappointed at the possession Celtic were giving up and how wasteful they were in front of goal.

“I thought we started the game really well and the first half hour we were really good,” said Ange Postecoglou speaking post-match [Scotsman]. 

“We got control of the game and were creating opportunities.

“The last 15 minutes of the first half we got slack with our passing and were not as aggressive with our press on the ball. We let the game be more open than it should have been, which was disappointing.

“I thought after the break we got control again and we finished strongly. It was a solid performance but we were just wasteful in front of goal.

“I was disappointed because I thought we could have been a lot more clinical with the chances we created. If we had taken them we could have put the game well to bed.

“It was a decent workout for us. Our movement was good and our passing was good. But, we could have had more chances if we made better decisions in the final third.

“Sometimes you can fall into the trap of knowing we will create loads of opportunities and because of that you are not as focused as you should be.

“My view is we are creating opportunities so let’s take as many as we can.”

The start to the season contrasted massively to the opening day fixture last year but now with a settled squad that the manager knows and trusts he wants to see his methods progress further.

The game will be remembered for Jota’s majestic strike but the boss wasn’t too quick to heap praise on the Portuguese winger.

“There is no doubt the boy has talent and he is determined to be the best footballer he can be.

“But, he was one of the main culprits in the last 15 minutes of the first half. He was wasteful with the ball and he gave away possession when he didn’t have to.

“These are the kind of things we have to avoid. We have to keep these guys on track and not let them get away from the things we want them to do.

“The good thing is he addressed it at half-time and in the second half, not just his goal but his general play was really good. He was dangerous, threatening and doing the team stuff as well.

“There are lessons in there for everyone. I didn’t shout or give him a going over. At the same time you need to address the issues at hand. You can’t just dismiss the last 15 minutes of the first half.”

It’s vital that the manager keeps players like Jota grounded and that he finishes the game having a complete performance rather than just one standout moment.

Postecoglou’s style of football is very much about the team and not the individual.

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