Celtic legend Martin O'Neill believes Ange Postecoglou is doing an "excellent" job as he praised the Australian for sticking to his guns.
After the protracted and ultimately unsuccessful pursuit of Eddie Howe, the Parkhead club turned to the Yokohama F Marinos boss in the summer.
Some sticky early results had fans questioning the move, but Postecoglou has turned things around in spectacular fashion.
His side sit three points clear at the top of the Premiership having won eight matches on the spin and dropped just four points since September.
And that work has impressed one of Celtic 's greatest ever managers as he praised Postecoglou for having the courage of his convictions.
O'Neill told PA: "Very good indeed, excellent. From a stodgy start, domestically it's been really good.
"Looking in from a distance, it seemed a big rebuild was required. It was important that some of the good players stayed on, like Callum McGregor, and some of the players he has brought in have done wonderfully well.
"Sticking to your beliefs as a manager is important. That's where Ange gains a great deal of respect for me because he stuck with it and believed in it.
"At the start, when results weren't really there, you start to think maybe he needs to go with a different emphasis or a change of direction, but, no, he stuck to his beliefs and it's bearing fruit domestically.
"It can be very difficult to do that when results are not going so well, so well done to Ange.
"It was a big win for Celtic on Sunday after Rangers couldn't get the win against Dundee United.
"There's a long way to go yet but they've got the three-point lead and the better goal difference. I'm quite sure Rangers will not give it up easily.
"Having done so brilliantly against Dortmund, they will still feel as if they've got a real chance."
