How did Celtic win the Scottish Premiership? Five key reasons for Ange Postecoglou's title success

Sean Markus Clifford

•
How did Celtic win the Scottish Premiership? Five key reasons for Ange Postecoglou's title success image

In Ange Postecoglou's debut season at Celtic, the Australian boss has managed to guide the Glasgow giants to a Scottish Premiership and Scottish League Cup double despite initial doubts over his appointment from many across the Scottish footballing landscape. 

Despite losing all three of his opening away fixtures in the league, Postecoglou stayed true to his high-octane football methodology, re-installing Celtic at the top of the pile in Scottish football to complete their 10th title victory in 11 seasons in comfortable fashion. 

There are many factors that can be attributed to the success Postecoglou has brought to the football club, despite Celtic undergoing a major rebuild at the start of the summer when he took over. Sporting News takes a look at five key reasons behind their title triumph in 2021/22.

Kyogo Furuhashi

Undoubtedly, one of the main reasons behind Celtic's resurgence has been the acquisition of striker Kyogo Furuhashi, who was signed from J1 League side Vissel Kobe for £4.6 million ($5.6 million) back in July 2021. 

Postecoglou stated that the 27-year-old would add "something special" to the Celtic attack upon his arrival, a statement that can be backed up in so many different ways almost a year on. In his home league debut for the club, the Japan international scored a hat trick against Dundee and immediately cemented himself as a fan favourite in the east end of Glasgow. 

Kyogo has never looked back, becoming an absolutely integral part of the side. He almost single-handedly dragged Celtic to Scottish League Cup glory back in December 2021, scoring a stunning brace against Hibernian at Hampden Park to bring some much-needed silverware back to Parkhead. 

Unfortunately, he suffered a long-term injury at the tail end of 2021, keeping him out until April when he would re-appear to rapturous cheers from the Celtic support in a 7-0 home win against St. Johnstone.

Soon after his return, crucial strikes against Ross County and Hearts would move his side closer to winning the title, but it was Kyogo's unbelievable dink against Hibs in the Scottish League Cup final that was best remembered — indeed, it won the club's Goal of the Season award.

Late victories in crucial matches

Aberdeen 1-2 Celtic

Ask most Celtic fans what some of their most important victories of the campaign would be and they would tell you that late wins away to Aberdeen, Ross County, and at home to Dundee United would be right up there. 

Early last October, Celtic travelled to Pittodrie to face Aberdeen looking for not only their first away victory of the season, but their first since February 2021. Kyogo put Celtic into an early lead with a neatly chested finish; however, Lewis Ferguson levelled the scoring just before the hour mark. 

Celtic were sixth in the Scottish Premiership at this moment, with many questioning their ability to win ugly in difficult situations. Nevertheless, Adam Montgomery broke into the box to square for Jota on 84 minutes who tapped home, sparking celebrations in the away end. The Hoops held out to claim their first away win of the campaign in a match that set the tone for many more dramatic moments to come throughout the year. 

Ross County 1-2 Celtic

In December, Celtic made the long trip up to Dingwall to face Ross County in a must-win game in the Scottish Premiership with a severely depleted squad. Four points behind Rangers at this point, they knew that nothing but a victory would do in order to keep up the pressure over the Christmas period. 

Liel Abada put the visitors in front after 21 minutes, but this was going to be far from a stroll for Postecoglou's men. Jack Baldwin brought the Staggies on terms on 57 minutes as County started to gain a foothold in proceedings, though the worst was yet to come for Celtic. 

Central defender Carl Starfelt was harshly sent off with 79 minutes played after picking up a second yellow card. It looked very likely that the Bhoys would drop two points and in turn slump six points behind Rangers before the end of the Christmas period. 

Step up Anthony Ralston, who rose highest to meet a Tom Rogic cross in the dying seconds of seven minutes of injury time, crashing home a powerful header to spark pandemonium among the supporters and claim a vital three points for Celtic. Out of any match this season, Ross County 1-2 Celtic will be the game that will be remembered as embodying Postecoglou's and the team's never-say-die attitude.

Celtic 1-0 Dundee United

Surprise, surprise, it's another last-gasp winner for Celtic. The context around this match was a little different from the others mentioned: rivals Rangers conceded late at Ross County earlier in the day and failed to extend their lead to seven points over Celtic, handing Postecoglou's team the chance to cut the gap to just two points if they could defeat Dundee United. 

There was another motivation going into this match for the Celts, as their next clash after Dundee United was at home to Rangers the following midweek. If they could get past their Tayside opposition, they would have an opportunity to go top of the league for the first time in 2021/22 if they also defeated Rangers. 

Once more, Celtic found themselves doing it the hard way to get across the finish line, with Nir Bitton getting himself sent off for two yellow-card offenses on 81 minutes with the score tied at 0-0. Not playing particularly well in such a huge fixture, it seemed as if the chance to move closer to their rivals would fall through and the Hoops would have to settle for a goalless draw. 

It didn't turn out that way though, as Abada evaded the Dundee United defence to slam home from a hopeful cross by Jota. Celtic did indeed close the gap on Rangers and set up a chance to move ahead of their Glasgow adversaries the following week — and that, too, proved pivotal.

Comeback of players written off in 2020/21

Anthony Ralston

Going into the 2021/22 campaign, there were certain players at Celtic who either looked as if they'd run their course at the club or alternatively just weren't deemed as being good enough by segments of the support. Postecoglou had a reputation for polishing rough diamonds during his time in Australia and Japan, giving them the platform to succeed through following detailed instructions on how to function within his system.

Anthony Ralston in particular would fall into this category, with the right back making just one appearance in the previous season, which only occurred due to mass amounts of the Celtic playing staff and managerial set-up being identified as close contacts for COVID-19. 

Nevertheless, the full-back impressed in preseason and was eventually given a chance to show his capability in a competitive environment. Fast forward a year, Ralston has hit double figures in terms of goal contributions, signed a new contract until 2025, and even earned a cap for the Scotland national team due to his impressive performances. 

Greg Taylor

Much of Ralston's re-invigoration can be put down to Postecoglou's preference to use inverted full-backs, something that left-sided defender Greg Taylor has also benefitted from enormously. Signed from Kilmarnock in 2019, the Scot had always been deemed to be a solid defender, though his capability of being regarded as the first-choice left back at Celtic has seen its fair share of criticism. 

Under the stewardship of Postecoglou, Taylor has taken to his newfound inverted role like a duck to water, operating almost as a central midfielder at times and regularly being a key part of offensive build-up play. With this tactical switch, his confidence has grown enormously, seeing him become a key part of Celtic's 2021/22 title campaign. 

Tom Rogic

Rogic has struggled with his fitness over the years, which limited his ability to stamp his influence on the 2020/21 campaign in particular due to various setbacks. 

Many people thought that they'd seen the last of the Australian playmaker in a Celtic jersey until Postecoglou was appointed as manager. From then onwards, Rogic has become one of the first names on the teamsheet and his tendencies to entertain have returned with a vengeance.

Given a key role in orchestrating offensive moves, the 29-year-old has hit double figures for his assist tally in 2021/22 and has been completely transformed by his manager and compatriot. He also won the Sky Sports Scotland goal of the year prize for his magnificent solo run and strike away to Dundee United in a 3-0 win.

Postecoglou's recruitment style

Postecoglou's recruitment cannot go under the radar as a factor in Celtic's Scottish Premiership title success. 

What the Australian has created at Parkhead through his acquisitions is a squad full of contributors, who are all ready-made to come into the side and work hard when presented with the opportunity.

No fewer than eight of his players have reached double figures in goal contributions this season, proving the success of his vision of bringing in the right players to suit the system over just having players with good individual quality. 

Leaders were also needed in the dressing room after a demoralising 2020/21 campaign, with former club captain Scott Brown departing Parkhead alongside several others at the tail end of last season. Postecoglou has brought in players with the personality needed to succeed at the Scottish giants, such as Joe Hart, Josip Juranovic, Jota, and Cameron Carter-Vickers, and all have leadership qualities that have helped the side immeasurably this term. 

Postecoglou's Celtic team have an element of selflessness about them, something that can be rare to see in modern football. When an entire group of players buys into this mindset as well as the manager, it is no wonder that the fans have become so invested this season.

Domestic double over Rangers

Also key this season was Celtic doing a domestic double over Rangers in the Scottish Premiership and the results played a key role in determining the destination of the Scottish Premiership title this season. 

Celtic 3-0 Rangers — Postecoglou's men move top of the table

On a chilly February night under the Parkhead lights, Celtic produced their best performance of the campaign by defeating title rivals Rangers 3-0 to move top of the Scottish Premiership for the first time in 2021/22. 

Scoring all of their goals in the first half, a stunning double by midfielder Hatate was capped off with an Abada strike at the back post, which sent the Hoops to the summit of the league. It wasn't just beating Rangers that was significant, but the manner in which they did it: Celtic totally dismantled their opponents, while also providing a psychological shift in momentum in the race for Scottish top-flight glory. 

This was the night that Celtic proved themselves as the champions-elect in many people's eyes, delivering a body blow to their fiercest foes on an occasion that will be savoured for a long time to come by every supporter of the club. 

Rangers 1-2 Celtic — extending the gap to six points

Going to Ibrox in early April, Celtic knew that a win over Rangers would put them six points clear at the top of the league with a goal-difference buffer that would make them very difficult to catch. 

Starting badly, the Hoops went 1-0 down as Aaron Ramsey fired home from a pinpoint Ryan Kent cut-back. Almost immediately, Celtic showed the character needed to get themselves back on level terms. Hatate's strike from the edge of the box was parried by Allan McGregor, only to fall to Rogic, who showed composure to slot the ball into the next from close range. 

On the stroke of halftime, Celtic found themselves in front as Carter-Vickers took advantage of a loose ball in the six-yard box to slam home. Rangers were to rally in the second half, but they couldn't find a way past the Hoops' rearguard which showed defensive solidity and resilience to keep out Giovanni van Bronckhorst's side. 

Celtic would claim all three points at the home of their greatest rivals, putting themselves in a commanding position to bring home the Scottish Premiership. As has been the case many times during 2021/22, Postecoglou's men found a way to fashion yet another crucial victory, one that has helped them become worthy champions of Scotland.

Sean Markus Clifford