Pat Bonner praised Ange Postecoglou after Celtic beat St Mirren having spotted the Bhoys boss managing the Parkhead crowd as well as his squad, speaking on BBC Sportsound.
The Hoops secured a 2-0 win at home to the Buddies on Wednesday night to maintain their three-point Premiership lead. Celtic are also now unbeaten in their last 23 top-flight games, dating back to a 1-0 defeat at Livingston on September 19 – their third of the season so far.
Second-half hits from Cameron Carter-Vickers and Callum McGregor proved the difference against Stephen Robinson’s side in Glasgow. While Joe Hart shutting the Paisley outfit out returned his 15th clean sheet and the Bhoys’ 16th shut out all told of the league campaign.
The Premiership and SFA Cup are now Celtic’s only targets after crashing out of the Europa Conference League to Bodo/Glimt. Postecoglou can, therefore, give reclaiming the Scottish top-flight title during the Australian’s first season at the Parkhead helm his near-full focus.
Celtic trailed rivals and defending champions Rangers by six-points back on Boxing Day after the first 20 matches. But the Hoops have enjoyed a nine-point swing whilst the Gers have struggled for form. Giovanni van Bronckhorst’s side have won four of their next nine.
Bonner hails Postecoglou for ‘managing the stands’ as Celtic beat St Mirren
But it seems Postecoglou is refusing to let Celtic and their supporters get carried away amid a slim advantage over Rangers in the Premiership standings after beating St Mirren. That’s because ex-Hoops goalie Bonner noticed how the Australian is managing expectations.
“He’s not just managing the players, Ange Postecoglou is managing the stands a bit as well, keeping everyone settled down,” Bonner said. “They just need to keep going and the two games to come against Rangers will define their season. There’s no question about that.”
Celtic next face Rangers in the Old Firm derby when they visit Ibrox on April 3. Before then, Postecoglou takes the Bhoys to Livingston this Sunday and hosts Ross County at Parkhead on March 19. Rangers, meanwhile, host Aberdeen on Saturday before visiting Dundee FC.
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