Title? What title? Ange sees belief in his Celts
Postecoglou joked that he had stopped looking at the Premiership table because people told him the title race was already over.
He clearly didn’t believe it was and a few others will be coming round to his way of thinking after yesterday’s results.
This Celtic win over Motherwell and Rangers’ draw against Hearts means the Hoops are now just four points behind Rangers.
The Parkhead club hadn’t recorded a domestic away victory since Valentine’s Day prior to their win at Pittodrie a fortnight ago.
They made it back-to-back successes at Fir Park and suddenly things are looking a lot brighter.
When asked about the Rangers’ results, Postecoglou quipped: “I thought the Premiership table was over, mate, so I’m not looking at the table any more.
“The main thing for us is to keep our heads down and run our own race.
“When you do that and you keep improving then you see where you end up.
“We are just doing our own thing so that result has zero significance.
“What’s more important to us is that we get more belief into the team.”
This was a game that looked sure to be won by Postecoglou’s men within the first few minutes.
They came out with the bit firmly between their teeth and produced an impressive, fastpaced passing game.
The opening goal came after Motherwell players complained that Kyogo had fouled Slattery. Rogic didn’t hang around to listen to the appeals and sent a pinpoint pass beyond O’Donnell and into the path of Jota.
The Portuguese winger continued his run and swiftly despatched the ball past Well keeper Kelly.
It’s not unusual for ref Willie Collum to be at the centre of attention during a game, but this time it was for a different reason.
There was a six-minute delay when he pulled up injured just before the half-hour mark and, after a discussion with both managers, he was replaced by fourth official Chris Fordyce.
The replacement official took up refereeing after suffering a triple leg-break playing football.
He will have been expecting a much quieter afternoon before being thrust into the limelight.
Celtic enjoyed long spells of sustained pressure while they went in search of a second goal but it looked more likely to come on the break.
Motherwell struggled to keep the ball up the pitch and most of the game was played in their half.
Ex-Well favourite David Turnbull got quite a few boos from the home crowd during the game, but didn’t take the chance to give them some stick back when he scored with a quite sensational strike.
He was 30 yards out when a looping shot left his right foot and went zipping into the top right-hand corner of the net.
It was a great hit but he was under no pressure from anyone in claret and amber.
The Steelmen did create a decent opening near the end but Kevin van Veen headed a cross over the bar when he really should have hit the target.
Anyone passing Fir Park would have thought the away fans were acclaiming a third goal but their roar was inspired by Craig Halkett’s headed equaliser for Hearts at Rangers.
The Celtic supporters are obviously of a similar mind to the manager but are more open about expressing their view that a title charge is under way.
Postecoglou and his players celebrated with the fans cheering at time-up.
He said: “We are allowed to enjoy ourselves. The fans have been outstanding.
“I’m not a great gauge on what the general feeling is about me but everyone I’ve seen on the street or the stadium has been very supportive of me.
“A lot of that support is a leap in faith as we’re not flying in terms of results but they can see what we’re trying to do.
“I know that we will be a much better team as the season goes on.
“The players will get even more understanding and belief in what we are trying to do.”