Postecoglou: Manner of Pittodrie win can add confidence for Celtic

Ange Postecoglou believes his Celtic side’s hard-fought win over Aberdeen can boost confidence for the future but also showed the character of his players.

The Glasgow side were ahead through Kyogo Furuhashi after just 11 minutes at Pittodrie before Lewis Ferguson brought Aberdeen level with a second half goal.

Celtic, who hadn’t won a Premiership game away from home since Valentine’s Day, pressed on and Jota scored a winner with just six minutes left on the clock.

Celtic boss Postecoglou said that the response the players showed to pursue three points and end their unwanted away record bodes well.

“It’s not just the victory, it’s the manner in which we went about it,” he said.

“It was a tough second half. They are desperate for a result as well, particularly here with the crowd behind them.

“It wasn’t easy for our players to respond to that but the fact we did respond to it, and the manner in which we did, that should give the players plenty of confidence.

“I have no doubt there is great character in this team. We’re a new team. If you look at the players who are playing at the moment, very few of them have actually had meaningful Celtic careers so far.

“It’s just that understanding of what the expectations are at this football club week in, week out.

“I have felt it’s in the team but we’ve just not been able to get over that hump. Hopefully this gives them the confidence that they can.”

For beaten Aberdeen manager Stephen Glass, the defeat extends his side’s winless run to nine matches. The Dons boss reshaped his squad over the summer and has seen results and performances drop after a bright start, but he said the team wasn’t a million miles off turning things around.

“I think you can see a group of players that believe in what they are doing,” he said. “A group of players that are not a million miles away from where they need to be, if they can negate the issues defensively as individuals.”