Ange Postecoglou singles out Celtic difference-maker against Hearts who is 'showing people why I brought him to the club'

Celtic’s fortitude in seeing through a testing end at Tyencastle for their 2-1 victory over Hearts was exemplified in the industry of goalscorer Giorgos Giakoumakis believes his manager Ange Postecoglou.

And the rumbustuous Greek’s all-round contribution as he bagged a third goal in only his fourth start following an opening five months of the season ruined by fitness issues moved the Celtic manager to posit that it was a performance to show why he paid £2.5m to VVV-Venlo to recruit the 27-year-old.

“He had a tough first half of the year for sure,” said Postecoglou. “[But you talk] about character and mentality.

“He worked hard to get himself fit during the little break we had. We gave the guys a few days off but he kept going along with James [Forrest] and Chris Jullien to be ready and I thought he was great.

“He scored not just a great goal but worked awfully hard and he had to because unfortunately at the moment we don’t have somebody to give him a bit of a breather towards the end. But I think he is showing people why I brought him to the football club. He has a presence about him and in the box he can score goals.’

“[The smart finish for his goal showed] his strengths. It’s a testament to his character. I said after he missed the penalty against Livingston [in the 0-0 draw in October] that that’s the burden you carry being the number nine here at Celtic. You are expected to be here for the big moments and score goals and that’s what he wants. He didn’t shy away after that happened, worked hard to get himself fit and be ready and I thought he led the line superbly.”

Postecoglou and his team, now unbeaten in 20 domestic games, have to keep ploughing forward despite whatever injury and personnel setbacks that continue