Ange Postecoglou admitted his joy of Celtic success over Rangers was tainted by missile-throwing “idiots” at Ibrox.
But the Aussie was thrilled at the character of his team to come through difficult circumstances to fight back and grab a magical win.
Postecoglou’s team made a massive move in the title race as they surged six points clear with six games to go.
There was some shine taken off the valuable triumph for the boss due to one of his support staff needing stitches in a head wound after being struck by a glass bottle at half-time of the contest.
A Celtic statement read: “We can confirm that a member of our backroom staff was struck by a glass bottle. He required urgent medical treatment and stitches to a head wound. The matter is now in the hands of Police Scotland.”
The start of the second half was also delayed as stewards collected shards of broken glass from Joe Hart’s penalty area.
On his wounded staff member being struck and the glass in the penalty box, Postecoglou said: “Yeah, he was, on the way in. I think he is okay. He had a couple of stitches.
“It is disappointing because this is a game that gets beamed around the world and it stands on its own. You had two teams going at it in first and second spot and you don’t need a couple of idiots spoiling it. I don’t know what people are trying to achieve by doing that.
“It was a fantastic spectacle. Sitting here now as the winning coach that kind of taints my view of it. It’s disappointing.
“It was a proper derby, the atmosphere was unbelievable, both teams were up for it, both going for it. You don’t need it.”
Portuguese winger Jota also appeared to be targeted by a plastic glass during the second half and other objects as he waited to take a corner kick.
But Celtic’s players were celebrating at full-time as they got over the line to secure a priceless victory.
Postecoglou insists the win spoke volumes for his group and said: “I’m really proud of the players.
“It was a proper derby, both teams were at it and they obviously got off to a great start. The crowd was up for it.
“To come back from that and show the resilience we did, we played ourselves back into the game and got ahead. Then the character in the second half to defend as we did, like I said I’m really proud.
“We kind of knew that they would come out fast, especially after the last game and what was at stake. They scored a good goal early on.
“Then we’re looking for the reaction. What do we do about it?
“There was still plenty of time, we knew that. This group of players just really believes in what we’re trying to create here.
“I thought when we needed to we found the football to get us back in the game.
“Callum McGregor was just outstanding as a leader. His role in that first goal, particularly, was brilliant but we didn’t settle for that. We went and got our second goal.
“Second half we had to defend but I thought we defended really well with the balls in the box. We showed real courage and put our bodies on the line, Joe Hart made a couple of good saves.
“We also had good chances to seal it at the other end. We’ve got to this point because of what you saw. Our football’s been great. But there’s a real abundance of character within the group.
“So it wasn’t the start you wanted but if you want to reveal character, you reveal it in the most difficult of circumstances. And that happened.”
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