Ange Postecoglou delivers on Celtic promise as he bursts with pride after 'throwing some words out' during title party

Ange Postecoglou had the Parkhead crowd hanging on his every word with his iconic speech following last season’s title win.

The Celtic manager promised to be back bigger and stronger... but he wasn’t just playing to the masses. Postecoglou was making a promise and laying down a hefty challenge to his team in the process. Boy, did they respond. Celtic fans were thrilled by last term’s surprise success, coming from 25 points behind Rangers to runaway champions. But to do it again in this style? He proved to be a man of his word.

He said: “I don’t know if it feels more special but it makes me immensely proud that the group embraced that. After winning it last year, I was throwing some words out there about being stronger and bigger and better – all those kind of things. I purposefully did that to throw out a challenge to the lads that we have to be a better team if we were to defend our title – especially being in the Champions League where people underestimate the physical and mental toll that takes on you. Through that time, our league form was outstanding.

“That was because the whole group was prepared to drive through that time. We were never going to be derailed from our main challenge of being champions again.

“I am immensely proud that the guys took on that mantle of being better than we were last year. The standard they have set this season has been unbelievable.”

Postecoglou wasn’t just being caught up in the moment. Celtic may have had to dig deep to get over the line at Tynecastle yesterday but the work they’d done to get to that stage was incredible. The Hoops have lost just once in the league all season while dropping points in only two other games to remain on course for a record-breaking tally.

Postecoglou