ANGE POSTECOGLOU was delighted with his squad on Monday night; comfortably defeating Hibernian and getting their 2022 off to a winning start.
There were starting XI debuts for Reao Hatate and Daizen Maeda who didn’t disappoint.
Maeda grabbed the goal while Hatate helped run the midfield, his energy and endeavour throughout the game winning the new bhoy man of the match.
Over and above that, Ange was thrilled to see Jota back on the pitch for a short time and James Forrest who had to play out on the left.
Speaking after the game to the BBC and cited by RecordSport, the Celtic manager believes the team will only get stronger.
“They did well.
“That was part of the process of bringing them in early, they’ve had a good week-week and a half with the lads to train with them.
“All three new boys did well and it was great for Jota to get on the pitch as well, and James Forrest who has been injury-interrupted.
“So there were a lot of positives there but we’ll get stronger, we need to get stronger, and that’s what we’ll keep working on.”
The best line of the night came from Ange when veteran BBC pundit Chick Young wanted to compare Reo Hatate to former Celtic star Shunsuke Nakamura.
Ange brilliantly replied: “No, he’s Reo Hatate mate.”
“He’ll make his own mark and he’s a very talented young player and a very determined young man.
“They’re all different, like I said, and he’s one who has his eyes on reaching the very top in football and I’m glad to have him at our football club.
“We’re just going to try and get the best out of him and push him to the levels we know he can get.”
Chick getting the famous use of the word ‘mate’ when it comes to an Ange isn’t over enamoured with.
The Celtic manager is correct to disapprove of comparisons that lend themselves to pressure and are quite simply – lazy. Reo must carve out his own Celtic career.
Celtic are off to a flyer in the new year and we hope it can continue on Saturday against Alloa.
