The hairdryer has stayed in the holster this season. Even the death stare Ange Postecoglou learned from his old man hasn’t been needed much during Celtic’s surge to back-to-back titles.
No one at Parkhead is in any doubt who is in charge but the Hoops boss reckons his self-starters have made motivation a breeze during his time in Scotland. Postecoglou sets the tone in the dressing room but he reckons his players are fuelled by their own desire and determination for success. He was on board with the demands at Celtic from day one, but his group have also fully embraced the sky high expectations set from the support and installed the same fire into every single new face that has walked through the doors.
And that is what has sent Celts on a sensational run of form that’s delivered another title in such emphatic fashion. Last term's success was perhaps an unexpected thrill. The challenge of improving this term was no mean feat, but they have met it full on.
After seven games of last season, Postecoglou has won just three league games, lost another three and drawn one. Gone by Christmas was the call from some quarters. But Postecoglou’s vision emerged – and his side have lost just one Premiership match since.
The consistency levels have been off the charts and you’d think the boss might have had to give his Bhoys a jab or two at times to keep them on the straight and narrow. That’s not been the case though, Postecoglou insists. He’s got it in him, of course as he joked: “It has been said!
“Sometimes a stern look is all it takes, mate. I learned that from my father. I haven’t had to. Not from that perspective. I want to make sure we are still evolving as a football team. I’ve got brilliant staff to help me and keep moulding this team.
"But in terms of attitude and character, the way they embrace new players into this football club is outstanding. They welcome them as if they are welcoming them into their home. It’s just incredible to see guys coming from all over the world and they feel like they are part of the family literally from the first day that they arrive. That is the environment and the culture they have created in there.”
Postecoglou has the helm and he lets the crew steer the ship through the treacherous waters of the Scottish game. But what makes his players stand out from the rest?
He said: “Just the real sort of relentless nature of them, whether it’s in training every day or the games. I haven’t felt like I’ve needed to intervene to get them going or motivate them.
“They are just really relentless in their approach. They have obviously been sort of motivated by something within this football club or something within their own group which makes them come in every day and disregard what has happened before and instead look at the next challenge and make sure they are ready for that.
“It’s just my opinion but I think the standard they have set this year has been unbelievable. To be so consistent in their performance, scoring goals, has been incredible.”
Celtic’s achievements have been all the more remarkable given the league of nations in the dressing room. It would be natural for cliques to form along international lines but Postecoglou said: “No. You would know if it was. But it hasn’t been like that from day one.
“They are a really close group in the right way. It doesn’t mean they all hang out together because they are all at different stages of their lives, some are parents, some are single, some have different tastes and stuff.
“But that’s like any family, you want them to be themselves and to express themselves. But when it comes to the football club and to the way we want to behave and represent ourselves, they are all totally aligned.”
It doesn’t matter where the players have come from – they all know what the club is about when they arrive. Postecoglou said: “I think it is important because you have a stronger understanding of what the most important people at the football club, the fans, are all about. Part of that is the way we play, I think that is important. “We are going to be a team that wants to excite our supporters and score goals. And you need to be a team that wins. That’s the standard that is set by all of the great teams at this football club.
“You have to embrace that. You can’t reject that or try to change that. That’s what it is and you have to embrace it and use it to get the best out of yourselves.”
That attitude means there’s not much chance of Celtic easing up and enjoying the victory lap in the final four games of the season.
Rangers at Ibrox this weekend will demand the same approach regardless of the situation but Postecoglou won’t need to remind his players with a rant or a steely glare. He said: “That’s what I’m talking about. I don’t think that’s in my control, the players will do that themselves. I know they will come in on Tuesday-Wednesday and I know they are going to train like they have all year. We will tackle these four games the way we have tackled everything else.
“We’ve got a cup final to prepare for and the best way to prepare for that is to be in really good form. I'm sure they all want to play in the cup final and they are only going to play if they are in good form and taking their opportunities. We won’t change our approach.”
READ NEXT
