Sports Evolve
Everything Ange Postecoglou said to Celtic TV following his team’s 3-2 win over Aberdeen at Pittodrie, which puts them atop the Scottish Premiership table.
If you are neutral, you probably describe that as a thriller, how did you see it?
It was an exciting game and there was a cracking atmosphere towards the end. From our perspective in the first half, we played really well and controlled the game and should have been further ahead as there were opportunities for us to score more. I said at half-time that we expected a reaction from them as they are a good side, especially here at home they are hard to beat. I thought we were okay and set-pieces were a threat as they are a big physical team with good delivery and we did not handle the set-piece situation well. That is something we need to improve on as we lost our composure a bit but again there was a good reaction from the lads and it was good to get the third goal to win.
It ebbed and flowed but to win it in that manner must have really pleased you?
What I am looking for is the basic elements of our game. I thought we lost our way in the second half. It is great to win as it is a difficult game and it is a difficult place to come and within the context of our season it is an important three points. We are still a team that is beginning to build a strong foundation but we still have a way to go as we still need to improve. Days like today are good for guys like Reo, Matty and Daizen to experience that kind of atmosphere away from home. I think that will stand them in good stead in terms of them understanding the battles that you have to go through here every week in the Premiership.
A buzzword for the team this season has been togetherness, when it goes to 2-2 they could have easily folded but they scored the winner soon after, does that show they have that quality of togetherness in the way they reacted?
That has been evident for quite a while. People have kind of looked at the last couple of fixtures where we have won comfortably and played fantastic football. Even previous to that we had to win with 10-men and score a last-minute winner. We have had different challenges and we are going to have different challenges moving forward. The one thing about this team is that whilst I am disappointed with the way we played I will never question their character as they have shown it in abundance from the first day I got here.
Matt O’Riley got his first goal, is that a pleasing aspect for you?
Yeah, he was good. He was really good in the first half and the ball he whipped in for the was superb. He’ll learn from today as second half I thought he and Reo and the whole team needed to be calmer in our possession and a bit more controlled in our game. it is not easy although it easy for me to say it is the guys out there who are dealing with these types of conditions. Matt will learn from that. He is a fantastic young player and one that we know has a lot of improvement in him.
How happy are you for the supporters?
It is a long drive for the Celtic fans and to be fair I felt the cold too. I am happy to send them home a bit warmer and a bit happier.
