It seems like a long time ago since Celtic lost a game in the league with Ange Postecoglou on the brink of going 36-games unbeaten with the Hoops this weekend.
That run stretches as far back as September last year to a 1-0 defeat against Livingston to complete three defeats away from home in the opening six matches.
Celtic have come a long way since then with the consistency that the side has shown proving to be a major factor in recapturing the league title.
The Scottish champions have picked up where they left off this season having won their opening three matches scoring ten goals thus far.
Postecoglou has previously went 36-games unbeaten with his Brisbane Roar side but was honest in stating that both achievements rank differently due to the different demands and expectations of both clubs.
There is a real focus about Celtic even though they are currently just playing one game a week but Postecoglou knows how important it is to remain grounded and fully focused on what is to come with the draw of the Champions League being less than a week away.
“Everyone talks about the 36 games but they don’t talk about what happened after it,” said Ange Postecoglou speaking to The National.
“We lost five straight away after that and it was a great leveller!
“Look, the run we are on is testament to the boys and the ability to overcome the challenges we had.
“What’s more important right now for me is that we are undefeated in three this season and we have a fourth at the weekend. We need to focus on that and try to win it.
“There are huge expectations here. The Brisbane run was totally different as you aren’t supposed to go on that kind of run in Australia. That’s why it’s a record for all sports, not just football.
“All the sports in Australia have some sort of equalisation or salary cap. They are designed to stop that kind of run happening, so it was a different scenario.
“At Celtic, we are expected to win. That’s not new, it’s embedded in the club and the players have really embraced that part of being here. They understand that when you represent Celtic you are expected to win, but we don’t talk about that.
“What we talk about is expectation around our performances. If we get our football right, the results tend to take care of themselves.
“In that sense, I don’t think the players have felt the same sort of pressure about winning, because they know that the real pressure lies in us performing at the levels we know we can.”
The players appear to know how much is a stake with their leader Callum McGregor also being a driving force in the dressing room with the groups hard work in pre-season appearing to show in the opening matches.
“Enjoyment and happiness in a sporting environment comes from working hard every day and being the best you can be,” he said.
“It’s about enjoying the fruits of your labour. Being happy isn’t about coming in and having a laugh every day. It’s about working hard and being the best you can be. It’s about realising all the dreams and ambitions you had as a kid – and that’s the environment I want.
“This is definitely a good group, a close group, and they have good leaders in the dressing room. They all appreciate that they are part of a special football club. They should have a smile on their face as they are living their dreams.
“My role is to make sure that while they are smiling, they are also sweating.”
It could be said that this is the most likeable group of players the club has had in a number of years and that some of the football we’ve seen under Ange has been exemplary. There will be many challenges to come over the course but the manager has the full backing of the Celtic support to once again deliver for the club.
