Celtic made a major statement last night, overtaking Rangers at the top of the league after a convincing 3-0 victory in the Old Firm derby.
It was a fantastic performance from Ange Postecoglou's side, who dominated the contest right from the first whistle. The were three goals ahead by the interval, a gap that probably should have been much wider. While they didn't manage to extend that lead in the second half, it was certainly a statement of intent from Celtic.
The team have been steadily improving since the start of the campaign, with the new manager attempting to implement his style since taking the reins last summer.
Speaking after the victory last night, Postecoglou said he while the size of the club has not taken him by surprise, he hopes that the team's recent performances will help win the supporters over.
I wasn’t worried, it’s kind of my history anyway, mate.
Everyone knows I’m Australian. Everyone knows wherever I’ve gone there is always a little bit of a question mark against me.
I’ve had a lot of success and the only thing that surprised me is that they managed to fit Postecoglou into a song.
That should be impossible, but the fans have been brilliant. I know how important they are at this football club.
When I came here people were not really aware of just how much knowledge we have about football in Australia and a big part of my mission was to get them to believe in me.
I said it from day one that my biggest mission was to get everyone to believe in me.
Whatever ideas I had or whatever I wanted to do things would be meaningless unless people believed in me.
They’ve been fantastic since the first day when they probably had to Google me to find out how I am. But I am one of theirs and they supported me.
I haven’t won them over totally yet because I haven’t given them the success I want to give them, but they are certainly right behind me and – more importantly – the team.
▶️Here's another look at the best of the action as Celtic beat Rangers 3-0 to go top of the Scottish Premiership.
What did you make of the match?👇 pic.twitter.com/QXf1LHW8Ke— Sky Sports Scotland (@ScotlandSky) February 2, 2022
Postecoglou arrived at Celtic Park as a relatively unknown quantity, although he is quickly becoming a fan favourite. Wrestling the title back off Rangers in the months ahead would go a long way to cementing that status.
While the Australian was not taken aback by the size of the occasion last night, he did say that it was quite the experience to see first hand.
It's Port Adelaide v Adelaide Crows by about a thousand times I would say mate! It's pretty intense.
It's because it's generational and it's passed on from great grandparents to their kids, to their kids and it's just entrenched in society here.
They are pretty passionate about this football club and it's more than just a football club. It's part of their lives.
When you invest whole generations into something, it means a hell of a lot and when you play your greatest rivals in a game like we had this week knowing the consequences.
Our job is to send them home happy and make them bounce into work.
Going on current form, Postecoglou will leave very few supporters unconvinced by the end of this season.
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