ANGE MAKING HIS CASE FOR DEFENCE

BEST defensive record in the league. That accolade probably wasn’t top of Ange Postecoglou’s priority list when he took over as Celtic manager in the summer.

The Aussie gaffer and his teams are renowned for a more free-flowing, attacking style of football.

And since he arrived at Parkhead, it’s attackers such as Jota and Kyogo Furuhashi who have hogged the limelight.

At the start of Postecoglou’s tenure his revamped rearguard looked decidedly ropey, especially in Europe.

The perception that Postecoglou’s side are vulnerable, and can be got at, is now a myth, judging by the current league table. Having conceded just 10 goals in 15 Premiership games, they’re the top-flight’s meanest outfit.

Slowly but surely the Hoops have become stronger and more resilient, just as they showed in the 1-0 win over Hearts on Thursday night.

Ahead of today’s clash with Dundee United at Tannadice, the Celtic boss (above) said: “The times when we have conceded a number of goals have been against decent opposition in Europe.

“People measure it against that but overall we have been pretty steady defensively.

“The thing that pleased me most about the Hearts game was the resilience.

“If you look at our backfour at the end of the game, not one of them started the previous game in those same positions.

“Adam Montgomery, Starfelt, Nir Bitton –who didn’t even play in the previous game – and

Josip was at right-back instead of left-back.

“So we had to show real resilience and a mindset to keep the opposition out. We are reacting to these

challenges positively.”