Ange Postecoglou insists he knew pitching a long-term rebuild at Celtic "wouldn't cut it".
The Parkhead boss arrived last summer with many expecting it would take time for him to restore the club to the summit of Scottish football following a trophyless 2019/20 campaign.
But the 56-year-old has grown quickly into the role, delivering the Premier Sports Cup in December and his side now sit top of the Premiership with a strong bond forged between manager and fans.
Postecoglou has even begun to entertain the notion of a domestic Treble with his side set to face Rangers in the Scottish Cup semi-final.
Some would consider Celtic ahead of schedule given the turnover of players since the summer but Postecoglou maintains that setting out "one of these AFL five-year plans" was never an option for him - instant success was required.
"It's been everything I expected, I think," he told former Australia Mark Schwarzer on Optus Sport. "You don't go into a role like this kidding yourself about what you're taking on.
"I was under no illusion that I was taking over a massive football club, with a massive following and massive expectations.
"But it was what was appealing to me, that's where I wanted to be.
"I couldn't do one of these AFL five-year plans where I walk in and say: 'I'll build a team in the next five years.'
"I knew that wouldn't cut it and it shouldn't at a club like this.
"The reality of it is I had to come in this year and bring success to the football club.
"This football club can't go two years without some sort of silverware."
