ANGE Postecoglou tonight denied that Celtic had got lucky in their cinch Premiership match against Aberdeen at Parkhead despite Callum McGregor scoring a freakish second-half winner.

Pittodrie left back Jonny Hayes had attempted to shell the ball to safety after Joe Lewis had saved a shot from Liel Abada on the hour mark only for his clearance to strike McGregor and spin into his own net.

The Scotland internationalist had his back turned at the time - but Postecoglou insisted that the Glasgow club had merited a 2-1 victory that moved them to within four points of their city rivals Rangers at the top of the league table.

“I don’t know about luck,” he said. “If you put yourself in those situations often enough, then y’know . . .

“A couple were cleared off the line, we hit the post. Is that unlucky? I don’t know. At the end I think it was deserved.” 

Postecoglou added: “I don’t think we were just grinding today. We were still bright in areas.  

“Aberdeen were well organised and we had to find creative ways to break them down. It’s not easy when the opposition sits so deep. It wasn’t a game that was going to be open and entertaining. 

“But it’s important you get these victories. I still thought we got it with elements of our game, particularly the defensive side of the game. 

“People talk about the attack, but we are relentless defensively, from Kyogo (Furuhashi) at the front to the boys at the back and in midfield. We work hard.  Getting rewards that way, there is nothing wrong with that.”

Celtic now have no fewer than 10 games over the festive period and Postecoglou is hopeful that Nir Bitton and Tom Rogic will both be fit for the Premiership encounter with Hearts at Parkhead on Thursday evening.