Celtic the champers champions as their title success has fizz like few before it

It was Celtic’s season in microcosm.

A slow start, a set-back and then sizzle. Lots of sizzle, with slickest, scintillating football giving way to the stadium serenading Ange Postecoglou’s men in recognition of their favourites effectively sealed the title with a 4-1 swatting of Hearts. Only the arithmetic confirmation remains going into the final two games for Celtic. Nine points and 22 goals better off than second-placed Rangers - in action at home to Dundee United on Sunday to match their usurpers on the 36-game mark - the only unknown is the ultimate margin of success.

It is standard for Postecoglou and his players to make their way around the arena at the conclusion of every home encounter and acknowledge the backing from their home faithful. The lap of the ground, with the manager walking on his own 10 paces behind them, felt very different this time, though. It had greater resonance. As illustrated by Postecoglou waving furiously towards his two young son in the min stand before he consistently beat the Celtic logo on the chest of his lucky black jumper with his clenched fist as he communed with the fans in all four corners of the ground. Here was a lap that demanded the word honour be latched on it. And the honour that the Australian and his squad have brought to their club is of a magnitude that demands to be recognised in full.

The PA system may have blared out Daft Punk’s One More Time. A choice that could be taken as a reference to the imminent lifting of a 10th league trophy in 11 years for the club. Likewise with the faithful giving welly to the “champions again, oh-way, oh-way” chant, and an old school favourite “we’ve won the league again, fly the flag”. All touch on the regularity with which Celtic win