Ange Postecoglou pleased with quality of goals in Celtic win over Hearts

Celtic boss Ange Postecoglou said his side weren’t at their best in the win over Hearts but showed good quality in their goals.

The hosts went a goal down early on at Celtic Park when Josh Gibelly put Hearts ahead but Daizen Maeda, Kyogo Furuhashi and Sead Haksabanovic all scored to ensure the manager enjoyed a win on his 100th game in charge.

Postecoglou had made four changes to freshen up his side, including changing both full-backs, and admitted that may have robbed the team of some fluidity but he found some positives in their play.

“We weren’t great, we weren’t as fluent as we have been,” the manager said.

“I have got to make an allowance for the fact that I made a number of changes which always kinds of disrupts things, particularly putting in guys who haven’t played for quite a while. But we had to do that.

“We didn’t really get into a rhythm we like to get into, and forced things early in the game, but the lads showed strong mentality and the best part was probably the quality of our goals.”

Furuhashi moved on to 25 goals in all competitions with his goal but Postecoglou felt the Japanese striker was under-utilised.

“We didn’t use him well at all. He makes fantastic runs and sometimes I get really frustrated that after 18-20 months we still don’t see them,” Postecoglou said.

“The beauty of it is he doesn’t get frustrated, he just keeps making those runs. He was an outstanding contributor again.”

Furuhashi’s compatriot Maeda was forced off with an injury and Postecoglou hinted he may miss the cup quarter-final.

He said: “He got a knock on the knee and it’s a bit sore. I don’t think it’s anything serious but it’s another short turnaround to Saturday so we will have to see how he is.”