Ange Postecoglou reveals how he has done 'disservice' to Celtic - 'it’s best I don’t really talk about it any more'

Celtic manager Ange Postecoglou refused to comment on the latest refereeing controversy impacting on his team as he effectively called himself out for shifting the focus from their outstanding league form in the recent weeks.

A 2-1 victory over Ross County that has allowed Celtic open up an unassailable-looking nine-point lead in the cinch Premiership was the scene of another vexing handball penalty given against the Scottish champions for a highly dubious Matt O’Riley handball. But this 49th-minute converted award gave way to Celtic hitting back twice in the next ten minutes to bring the success that gives them 27 points from the 30 played for as the season now enters a five-week World Cup shutdown. And it was his players’ “outstanding strength of character” that Postecoglou chose to highlight more than referee David Munro’s penalty call, which was confirmed by VAR.

“Look, me talking about it [VAR] the last two weeks has done a disservice to my football club,” the Celtic manger said. “It’s best I don’t really talk about it any more. The only way they were going to score today was a penalty and they got it, so, from our perspective, we just have to make sure we score more goals than the opposition.

“I am just really proud of the players. They are an outstanding group of players. The quality is there, but the strength of character is just outstanding. We’ve had 13 games in something like 42 days. Champions League takes a lot out of you with the travel and to be perfect in the league through that time is just a brilliant effort. We were really focused and strong and not deterred by anything. This was always going to be a challenge for us, as I think it has been for every football club in a similar situation. Whether that’s in Scotland or other places where people have European football combined with league football.

Celtic manager Ange Postecoglou takes the acclaim of the Celtic fans after the 2-1 win over Ross County.

“You can sense [the reaction to setbacks] even with our supporters now. No one panics. The players know what they need to do and they really believe in themselves. I think the opposition sense it as well that we are not going to yield at any point. I am pretty fortunate. I have a fantastic group of players with real quality and outstanding character. It is outstanding they continue to rise to every challenge.”