Ange Postecoglou has highlighted the contribution made by Tony Ralston and Greg Taylor that has helped turn around Celtic’s season.
A month ago neither full-back would have got near the top of any popularity poll but so far the Australian has yet to sign anyone for those positions.
Traditionally Celtic forwards are expected to charge forward and hit the bye-line but the new manager is strong on inverted full-backs.
Getting Ralston and Taylor to cut inside with the ball creates extra space for wingers with the success of the role evident in the Goals For column over the last two matches.
Expectation for tonight’s match against Jablonec is sky high with Postecoglou telling the Daily Record how his inherited full-backs have adapted to change:
Our full-backs play a little differently but both Greg and Anthony have embraced that.
It’s a different approach to their positions and I think they’ve both done well. I wouldn’t worry too much about popularity contests because they’re often decided by the most vocal minority but if you were to poll every Celtic supporter, I’m not sure how unpopular Anthony would be at the moment.
I didn’t come in and think he wouldn’t be part of it because when a new manager comes in everyone sort of starts again.
I’d like to think everyone wanted to impress and show me they want to be a part of it so what’s happened in the past almost becomes irrelevant, good or bad. Anthony’s taken his opportunity.
I don’t expect him to be scoring in every game, it is his willingness to embrace the role because it’s not easy.
It is very challenging for any footballer to adjust things they have been doing for a long time in a certain way.
That’s the players I want, the kind of team I want us to be: one that embraces challenges, to take some risks and be a little bit different in everything we do.
Ralston and Taylor have started all five competitive matches that Celtic have played under Postecoglou.