It did not take Ange Postecoglou long to embed his philosophy into Celtic’s structure of play - and his team’s identity was recognisable after just a few weeks of work on the training ground.
In his short time in Glasgow, the experienced coach has never wavered from his beliefs, and his commitment to an aggressive and assertive style has earned him plaudits and respect beyond these shores. He values creativity, and his love for wingers, or wide forwards, is at the heart of his ideals.
Postecoglou has recruited exceptionally well, his transfer hit-rate is abnormally high, and he has an abundance of options for wider areas. He has five players vying for starting berths: Daizen Maeda, James Forrest, Jota, Liel Abada and Sead Hakšabanović.
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The three preferred options this season, Abada, Jota and Maeda, have been instrumental in Celtic’s goal-rich opening to the domestic campaign. The trio have accumulated ten goals and nine assists in just six league games - and they appear capable of maintaining such high productivity for the duration.
Postecoglou has strength and depth in wide positions - and he also has a variety of differing styles. Abada is not only quick and direct, he also possesses the predatory instincts of a centre forward. Jota brings dazzle, invention and trickery, while Maeda adds industry, tenacity and endeavour.
Hakšabanović, a summer addition from Rubin Kazan, started against Shakhtar Donetsk in the Champions League and contributed to the opening goal. Forrest, although entering the final chapter of his career, is still capable of making an impact from the bench.
Postecoglou is prepared to rest and rotate his wide players, but more often than not, it is Jota and one other. The Portuguese demonstrated his evasiveness in the Champions League on Wednesday, twice embarking on jinking runs that left Donetsk defenders trailing in his wake - and only indecision prevented him from being a match-winner.
Jota looks at ease mixing it with Europe’s elite on the biggest stage. Wide players can, at times, lurk on the periphery and be afflicted by dwindling confidence, but the Benfica graduate has the personality and swagger to match his talent. The 23-year-old never stops probing - an underrated and necessary quality - and an errant pass or a wayward through-ball never deters him.
The Portuguese, who already appears certain to be in contention when the Player of the Year accolades are handed out in May, is not solely a danger when isolating a nervously back-tracking defender. He is also a threat from range, and his shooting ability provides an alternative way to breach a well-drilled and disciplined opponent.
Ababa, who joined last summer from the Israeli side Maccabi Petah Tikva, has an uncanny knack of timing his forward-darts to perfection. The 20-year-old’s movement around the box is exemplary for a young player, and his penchant for a goal against Rangers has endeared him to the Celtic faithful. He has netted 21 times for the Hoops, and his impressive contribution will lead to admiring glances from clubs outside Scotland.
Abada and Jota are both young players with prosperous futures, and crucially for Celtic, both are tied to long contracts. The Glasgow clubs have tended to lock new signings into four-year deals, but in the last three transfer windows, Celtic have shown a willingness to apply a more varied approach - placing additional trust on the due diligence carried out by the recruitment department.
Abada and Jota have penned five-year contracts, ensuring Celtic and their supporters can enjoy the benefits of two sought-after assets for at least three seasons before contemplating what to do next. Of course, a sizeable bid can usurp even the best-laid plans, but the champions will, at least, be negotiating from a position of strength.
Naturally, there is an onus on a central forward to propel his side to glory, but successful teams in Scotland carry a goal threat from more than one source - and Celtic can rely on their wide players to contribute.
