ANGE POSTECOGLOU has reacted to his side maintaining their nine point lead at the top of the table after a game full of drama.
There was a red card, two penalties and plenty of talking points as the bhoys found a way to win against a resolute Hibernian side.
Hibs went down to ten men in the first half, but it didn’t stop them taking the lead when they got a penalty through Carl Starfelt pulling at a Hibs jersey in the box.
Celtic would go in 1-0 down at the break and with plenty to do.
Coming out in the second half, Celtic knew they had to up the gears and that’s what they did. The bhoys got back level through a penalty kick when CCV was cynically brought down in the box. Jota just managed it over the line and got Celtic Park on their feet.
The game would change when Ange brought on three subs at the one time. Bernabei, Abada and Oh came onto the field. The South Korean striker playing with Kyogo up front, although Kyogo adopted a second striker position when Oh did come on.
It would the the super sub striker who would put Celtic ahead when a corner was thrown into the box and Oh outmuscled the Hibs defence to fire it home and raise the roof at Celtic Park.
Another substitute, Haksabanovic would grab Celtic’s this in added time to make sure of all three points.
Speaking straight after the game Ange told BBC Sportsound: “There was a fair bit going on during the game. Particularly during the first half. We couldn’t get into any sort of rhythm or flow. First half we lost Reo as well so we couldn’t really impose ourselves.
“After half time the lads cleared their heads and tried to make it about the football and keep doing the things we’ve been doing all year and we got our rewards.
“It’s a problem because you want the game to be played. There was a fair bit going on on and off the field. Even the bench space was fairly entertaining.
“For us we’ve got to focus on football and leave the other stuff. It doesn’t do us any favours. It’s not something we buy into so we’ve got to focus on our football and in the second half we do that.
“For me it was just maintain composure. We know we create chances and score goals so we don’t need to do anything extra. We had to maintain our discipline and not give away silly fouls. Just try play the game on our terms and the players felt that themselves.
“I had to just clear their heads and get their focus on the football.
“Strikers thrive on it. He’s going to be a fantastic player for us. We’re slowly integrating him on and off the field but we see him every day in training and he’s such a presence. He’s got good quality as well and he’s hungry to succeed.
“With the nature of the game and the way they were playing, pushing him on with Kyogo with his penalty box presence and that’s what he did. Every time the ball went into that area he was there and he’ll take a lot away from that goal and hopefully crack on.”
The Celtic juggernaut continues on after the first half scare. With nine games to play, the bhoys are nine points clear with a massive goal difference. Nobody would bet against them going on to win the title, but there’s still work to be done.
