BHOYS IN ZONE.. & WILL GET BETTER
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ANGE POSTECOGLOU watched Celtic rack up his biggest win as boss then warned the challengers there was still more to come from his side.
On top of that, Japan striker Kyogo Furuhashi returned to action for the first time since Boxing Day following his recovery from a hamstring injury.
The rout took the Hoops nine points clear of Rangers at the top of the cinch Premiership, with the Light Blues playing St Mirren today.
Goals from Reo Hatate, Giorgos Giakoumakis and Daizen Maeda had the points secure by half-time before a Josip Juranovic penalty, Matt O’riley double and Liel Abada strike completed the rout. But Postecoglou believes his side can get even better.
“That’s been our mantra all year, to be better than the week before,” said the boss (below), who revealed Giakoumakis had tweaked his hamstring and would be assessed ahead of next week’s Scottish Cup semi-final against Rangers at Hampden.
“That is what we have been building towards. Obviously Giakoumakis got the injury today, but James Forrest should be back next week and we have the healthiest squad we have had all year.
“We have a lot of contributors, which mean our training levels are at the best they have been all year. We are getting some good weeks into training because there are no midweek games, so those things are in our favour in terms of hopefully producing our best football.
“But it’s not like they roll out there and it just happens. They worked their socks off. When we didn’t have the ball we were determined to get it back. When we do that we have the quality in the team to blow teams away like we did today.”
Postecoglou welcomed back Furuhashi, who was given a huge cheer when he came on for Jota.
However, the Hoops boss is unlikely to start him against Rangers.
The former Australia manager said: “I’m pleased for him because he is a great guy and a super footballer.
“But whenever somebody is out for a significant amount of time you have to be a bit more careful. I wouldn’t think we will throw him in next week.”