Ruthless and relentless: Why stopping Celtic under Ange Postecoglou is so difficult

The 56-year-old has been a revelation since taking over the managerial reins last June. He landed a league and League Cup double in his first full season at the club and only an extra-time defeat by Rangers in the Scottish Cup final prevented him from having a tilt at the domestic treble.

It is perhaps telling that three of Celtic's defeats came in their first seven matches of the season. From September 19 - when they lost 1-0 to Livingston at Almondvale - Celtic embarked on a 32-game unbeaten run to take the title.

Overall, the only domestic managers able to glean points from Postecoglou during the campaign were Robbie Neilson, Steven Gerrard, Giovanni van Bronckhorst, David Martindale, Tam Courts, Jim Goodwin and Shaun Maloney.

So just how daunting is it to set up a team to try and combat Postecoglou's swashbuckling, swaggering side?

Former Dundee boss James McPake had a crack at them twice during the season, losing 6-0 at Parkhead in August and 4-2 at Dens Park in November. An aggregate score of 10-2.

There is, however, no shame in that bearing in mind Postecoglou's side went on to register two further 6-0 Premiership wins this season as well as taking seven for no reply against St Johnstone last month.

When McPake took his Taysiders to Parkhead in August he was going in search of Dundee's first win there since May 2001 when a Fabian Caballero brace beat Martin O'Neill's already-crowned Hoops.

McPake believed Dundee had a chance back in August but instead found the early green and white shoots of what was to be Postecoglou's side calling card were already starting to sprout.

"I don't think it was daunting to try to set up against Postecoglou's Celtic at Parkhead, it was exciting," McPake told The Celtic Way. "It was my first time going there as a manager and we thought we had a chance because Celtic had a new manager while we had won all our League Cup games and drew with St Mirren in our first [Premiership] match so we were feeling good.

"It was also only the second league game of the season and Celtic had lost the first encounter of the season to Hearts. We did our homework and I had spoken to people so I knew he was the real deal.

"I spoke to Ryan McGowan as well and I knew that Celtic had a proper coach and manager in the opposite dugout. I had heard enough through the grapevine to know what this manager brought to the table and what he tries to do.

"So we set up as normal but did look at their weaknesses and how we might combat them. What we noticed very quickly was a real difference in the style and tempo of Celtic [from previously].

"I hold my hands up and say we just couldn't deal with their pressing and their intensity. I know Postecoglou uses this word a lot but they are relentless in what they do. 

"I have watched them since and witnessed how they have dismantled better teams than Dundee. I watched them play Hearts in a League Cup tie at Parkhead not long after and the game finished 3-2 but they could have done the same to them what they did to us. Celtic were unbelievable. Hearts actually did well to adjust and get themselves back in the game.

"Sometimes you just have to accept that with the level and quality players who are in that team and are carrying out their manager's instructions to the letter of the law then you may not cope no matter what tactics you employ.

"I took a lot of stick later for being honest on a radio programme when I was asked who was the hardest team Dundee faced this season in the league. It was when the title race was wide open but from my experience I said Celtic.

"We were very unlucky against Rangers at Dens Park. Jason Cummings missed a penalty that would have given us a 1-1 draw. Even in that game we created lots of chances but Rangers were far better than us at Ibrox and that ended 3-0.

READ MORE: What it’s like to play under Ange Postecoglou

"It was never to the same extent as Celtic though. [With them] I just thought 'wow'. There was no hint of bias, I was just asked a question and I gave an honest answer. Celtic were by far the better team this season in the league."

McPake insists that the 'we never stop' mantra that has emanated from Postecoglou since his first mic'd up training session is a motto for the ages - and one they live up to during a game.

The 37-year-old recalls how it feels as though there is never any let-up, with the Hoops looking to kick you while you're down where some former Parkhead sides might have taken their foot off the gas. 

"Personally I thought the 'we never stop' speech at training was a brilliant piece of management," McPake said. "It outlined everything that Postecoglou's Celtic was going to do this season: the fitness levels that he has dragged out of his team, the high press and the relentlessness of it. He set the tone from day one.

"I have never watched a team try to start matches like Celtic. They shut you down and chase you all over the place. "They are relentless at getting the ball back in play whether that be the ball boys or from Joe Hart.

"That is down to Postecoglou. It is a tactic. Hart did not come up here and just decide to run as quick as he could to try and get the ball back in play. It is deliberate.

"I have played at Parkhead for the likes of Livingston, Hibs and Dundee in my career and sometimes when it gets to three or four you would find that they knock the ball about and keep possession and it turns into a training game for them. 

"That is not what this Celtic team are about. It is not what this team does. They go for the throat.

"If you are hurting they try and hurt you even more by pressing you and scoring more goals. Postecoglou was always on about that. I could hear him urging his team forward and telling his players to pass the ball forward at all times and score as many goals as they can.

"It is a real credit to Postecoglou and the backroom staff who have bought into his methods and philosophy and it has yielded success. Trust me, this Celtic team really will not stop. I saw that at close quarters."

Having conquered the Scottish game domestically can Postecoglou's tried and tested fluent 4-3-3 system - which he is unlikely to deviate from - yield success on the European stage? Can such an attack-minded style reap rewards in the Champions League?

With the automatic entry into the lucrative stages and a reputed £40million bounty, McPake is convinced that with more quality additions Celtic can indeed make an impact in the arena where the Aussie desperately craves to make his mark.

"Why not?" said McPake. "I think Postecoglou will be granted funds to improve Celtic over the summer. I credit him for sticking to his principles.

"People say you need to change but he is so strong in his beliefs and I have listened to his interviews and I do think 'why should he change?' I believe he is astute enough to make subtle changes to the 4-3-3 because it has been tweaked and changed this season at times.

"European football is different and I totally get that. But he has options to change it and he will have more options to shake things up again in the summer.

"It would be a fantastic achievement and brilliant for Scottish football if Rangers win the Europa League but Celtic are the best team in the country. That's why I believe Postecoglou will find a way to win games in Europe and have success on that stage. I have no doubt about that.

"He'll be looking forward to getting his teeth into the Champions League. Under Postecoglou I can see Parkhead on European nights turning into the fortress that it once was under the likes of Martin O'Neill.

"I think Postecoglou could well be the manager to recreate those feelings among the supporters at Parkhead and bring those special European glory nights back to the club."

One thing is for certain: Postecoglou and his Celtic players will never stop until they do.