Getting back to winning ways was important to Ange Postecoglou, particularly after such an emotional rollercoaster on Thursday night when the Celts lost out to Bayer Leverkusen in late fashion.

Despite the nature of that defeat, the Hoops responded in the best fashion possible, securing a hard-fought 2-1 win over Aberdeen, courtesy of goals from Jota and Callum McGregor, and the manager couldn’t have been prouder of his team.

Speaking to Celtic TV after the game, he said: “It was an important three points. I was pleased because it was a dangerous game for us as we put so much into it on Thursday night, both physically and emotionally.

'After a big European night, there’s an opportunity to feel a bit flat, but we put a big emphasis on this and Callum was driving them the whole game - right to the end they were on it.'

“It was a tough opponent. In the first half we couldn’t dominate as much as we would have liked in terms of creating opportunities. Second half we were really on it, scored a goal and could have had a couple more.”

The Celts go again at Celtic Park on Thursday for the visit of Hearts, and Ange Postecoglou is hoping to have a few more bodies back from injury.

He added: “With a bit of luck, Nir Bitton should be available and Tom Rogic will be back. Carl Starfelt and Greg Taylor aren’t far away either.

“We are getting some bodies back and we need them, as it’s a heavy schedule and we don’t want our performance level to drop.”

Manager pleased to get back to winning ways over Aberdeen