‘Another wonderful day’: Postecoglou one step away from treble after Celtic title triumph

It’s two down and one to go for Ange Postecoglou’s treble-chasing Celtic in Scotland.

The Glasgow club clinched the second leg of its latest bid for three domestic trophies in one season by retaining the league title on Sunday with four games to spare. A 2-0 win at Hearts left Celtic with an unassailable lead over fierce rivals Rangers in the Scottish Premiership.

“This is another wonderful day for our football club, champions of Scotland again, crowned as back-to-back Scottish Premiership winners – it sounds good doesn’t it!” Postecoglou told celticfc.com.

“Everything we do here is for our supporters, to give you a team to be proud of and to play a style of football that you will enjoy watching, and the incredible backing that we’ve received throughout the season has been invaluable. This league triumph is a reward for all of us who love this unique club of ours ... we hope that we can enjoy further success together in a few weeks’ time when we compete in the Scottish Cup final.”

Rangers, beware. Celtic now have 53 league titles – only two off Rangers’ record of 55 – after winning an 11th championship in the past 12 years.

Socceroos star Aaron Mooy at Tynecastle.Credit: Getty Images

Celtic have already won the Scottish League Cup, beating Rangers 2-1 in the final in February, and play Inverness Caledonian Thistle in the Scottish FA Cup final on June 3 in an attempt to complete the treble – a feat the team achieved every year from 2017-20.

Celtic have lost only one of their 34 league games this season – at St Mirren in September – and there was little danger of a second defeat after Hearts defender Alex Cochrane was sent off in the 45th minute with the score at 0-0 at Tynecastle.

Japan striker Kyogo Furuhashi bundled in the opening goal in the 67th minute but had to go off moments later due to an injury sustained while scoring.

South Korea striker Oh Hyeon-gyu glanced in the second goal 10 minutes from full-time to secure victory for Celtic and a second straight league title under their Australian coach.

The only other team to win a Scottish league title since 2012 is Rangers in 2021, when Steven Gerrard was manager.

Ange Postecoglou celebrates after winning the Scottish Premiership.Credit: Getty Images

Postecoglou, who is continually linked with a move to the English Premier League, is already eyeing next season’s Champions League campaign with Celtic.

“Everyone in football knows how special European nights at Celtic Park are, and we will welcome some of Europe’s top teams and best players to our stadium knowing that, with 60,000 supporters behind us, we can compete with the very best,” he said.

Arsenal still in title hunt

Arsenal showed no sign of raising the white flag in the Premier League title race with a 2-0 victory at Newcastle United on Sunday to close the gap on leaders Manchester City to one point.

Defeat would have left Arsenal’s hopes of a first title since 2004 hanging by a thread but Martin Odegaard’s brilliant strike and a Fabian Schar own goal sealed a vital victory.

Arsenal’s Martin Odegaard, centre, and Gabriel Martinelli, right, celebrate after defeating Newcastle 2-0.Credit:

Newcastle, bidding to cement third place and take a big step towards a top-four finish, dominated early on but Odegaard’s sweet strike after 14 minutes gave the visitors the lead.

Schar then inadvertently turned in Gabriel Martinelli’s cross with 20 minutes remaining.

City, who have won 10 straight games to overhaul Arsenal, have 82 points from 34 games with the Gunners on 81 having played a game more. Newcastle stay third on 65.

De Gea howler costs Man United

David De Gea’s error in Manchester United’s 1-0 loss to West Ham loosened his team’s grip on the final Champions League qualification place.

The Spanish goalkeeper let Said Benrahma’s hopeful shot from 20 meters slip over his glove and into the net to condemn Erik Ten Hag’s team to back-to-back defeats in the Premier League.

United are now just one point ahead of a rapidly advancing Liverpool, albeit with a game in hand, but an eighth loss on the road this season could prove as costly for the visitors as it was priceless for West Ham.

The Hammers climbed seven points above the relegation zone and are surely now safe.

De Gea’s match began inauspiciously when his poor clearance flew to the feet of Declan Rice, whose run into the area was only curtailed by a last-ditch tackle from Wout Weghorst.

Marcus Rashford curled over for the visitors while Bruno Fernandes and Antony smashed low shots narrowly wide.

Christian Eriksen’s effort also floated too high before Rashford cut inside Thilo Kehrer and crashed his shot against the outside of the near post.

The goal arrived in the 27th minute, and it is not one De Gea will want to see again.

AP, Reuters

Watch every match of the UEFA Champions League, UEFA Europa League and UEFA Europa Conference League on Stan Sport. Returns for the Round of 16 in February 2023, with all matches streaming ad-free, live and on demand.

Sports news, results and expert commentary. Sign up for our Sport newsletter.