Ange Postecoglou allows himself to look into Celtic future - 'it's going to be special'

Celtic manager Ange Postecoglou is daring to look forward to the “bloody brilliant” that will be the reward for success he has enjoyed in his first season in Scotland.

The 56-year-old almost allowed himself to become giddy over what is to come after a cinch Premiership title triumph so regally toasted as they were handed the cinch Premiership silverware following their final day 6-0 mauling of Motherwell.

Indeed, there was more than a twinkle in his eyes as he sought to respond soberly to whether he had thought about the fabled Champions League group-stage nights that his team top flight’s exploits will return to Celtic Park in September following a five-year absence. Before he could not help but betray his true feelings. “Not yet,” he said initially, before going on to expand: ”When the draw comes out it will become real, but it is going to be special. Everyone talks to me about Champions League nights here at Celtic Park and there is nothing like it. It will be bloody brilliant.”

The brilliance of his comprehensively recast team is inarguable with their closing fixture marking their 32nd league encounter unbeaten, the last of their three losses coming last September as they were struggling to export their incisive and effervescent brand of front-foot football. It could be argued that Postecoglou has left himself a hostage to fortune by telling a rapturous home faithful in a post-match address that his Celtic team would be “bigger and better” next season. A haul of 93 points and 92 goals sets a mighty high bar for improvement but the 56-year-old pointed to one aspect of his rebuild that gives him confidence in raising standards against next season.

“You look at 80 per cent of this squad and I’d suggest they didn’t do a