The Australian’s Rocky Start and Remarkable Recovery
When Ange Postecoglou arrived at Celtic Park in June 2021, few could have predicted the seismic impact he’d make on Scottish football. The former Australia national team manager inherited a squad in disarray after Rangers’ dominant 2020-21 campaign, suffering an opening day defeat to Hearts that triggered three consecutive away losses. Yet as Babu88 analysts observed, Postecoglou’s unwavering commitment to “relentless attacking football” became the foundation for Celtic’s 52nd league title.
Pivotal Matches That Shaped the Campaign
Turning Point at Pittodrie (October 2021)
The 2-1 victory at Aberdeen marked Celtic‘s first away win, with Portuguese winger Jota’s late strike showcasing Postecoglou’s faith in his system. “That match proved the players were buying into Ange’s philosophy,” notes Babu88 football analyst James McAllister. “The way they maintained possession under pressure was textbook positional play.”
Old Firm Dominance (February 2022)
Celtic‘s 3-0 demolition of Rangers at Parkhead announced their title credentials. Reo Hatate’s brace exemplified Postecoglou’s high-pressing system, with Celtic completing more final third passes (89) than Rangers had total shots (7). Our Babu88 data team reveals this was the highest xG (3.2) recorded in an Old Firm derby since 2018.
Celtic’s emphatic 3-0 victory over Rangers marked a turning point in the title race
Tactical Evolution Under Postecoglou
Postecoglou transformed Celtic’s playing style through:
- Vertical Tiki-Taka: Combining short passes with rapid vertical progression
- Inverted Fullbacks: Josip Juranović and Greg Taylor creating overloads
- Press-Resistant Midfield: Callum McGregor’s role as single pivot
The numbers speak volumes:
- 94 goals (most in league)
- 78% average possession
- 18 different goalscorers
Title-Clinching Moments
The April victory at Ibrox demonstrated Celtic’s mental strength, coming from behind to win 2-1. As Babu88 contributor Sarah Williamson observes: “Cameron Carter-Vickers’ winner typified Celtic’s set-piece improvement – they scored 12 from dead balls after managing just 4 the previous season.”
What This Means for Scottish Football
Postecoglou’s success has:
- Reestablished Celtic’s domestic dominance
- Introduced an exciting new tactical approach
- Proven the value of long-term project building
With Champions League football returning to Parkhead, Babu88 experts predict this is just the beginning of a new Celtic dynasty. As the manager himself said: “This isn’t a destination – it’s the start of our journey.”
For more in-depth tactical analysis and live coverage of Celtic’s title defense, stay tuned to Babu88 – your home for premium football insights.
