Celtic claimed a narrow 2-1 win over Aberdeen in the Scottish Premiership on Monday morning (AEDT) to remain within three points of leaders Rangers.
After opening the scoring through Jota, the Hoops were pegged back in the 33rd minute via a Lewis Ferguson penalty.
Ange Postecoglou's side never stopped pressing and pushing for another goal however and were rewarded in the 60th minute when a clearance struck Callum McGregor and went in.
While unable to extend their lead, Celtic took 16 more shots than their opposition and Postecoglou was quick to dismiss suggestions his side's winner was reliant on luck.
"I don’t know about luck. If you put yourself in those situations often enough, then y’know," Postecoglou said post-match.
"We had a couple cleared off the line, we hit the post. Is that unlucky? I don’t know. In the end I think it was deserved.
"I don’t think we were just grinding today. We were still bright in areas.
"Aberdeen were well organised and we had to find creative ways to break them down. It’s not easy when the opposition sits so deep. It wasn’t a game that was going to be open and entertaining.
"But it’s important you get these victories. I still thought we got it with elements of our game, particularly the defensive side of the game.
"People talk about the attack but we are relentless defensively, from Kyogo at the front to the boys at the back and in midfield. We work hard. Getting rewards that way, there is nothing wrong with that."
🎙️ Ange speaks 𝑶𝒏 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝑴𝒂𝒕𝒄𝒉 after an important three points at Paradise. #cinchPrem | #CELABE | #COYBIG 🍀 pic.twitter.com/cqQyfGGdvN
— Celtic Football Club (@CelticFC) November 28, 2021
The Hoops have now played three games in eight days and next face Hearts on Friday morning (AEDT).
Ahead of a busy December which will see the club play nine games that month, Postecoglou confirmed a number of injured players are close to a return - including Socceroos midfielder Tom Rogic.
"Hopefully Nir Bitton should be available again and Tommy Rogic will definitely be available for Thursday, which is good," he said.
"Carl Starfelt isn’t too far away, Greg Taylor isn’t too far away, so we are getting some troops back. We’re going to need them, it’s a heavy schedule and we don’t want our level of performance to drop."