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Daily Record
Daily Record
Sport
Liam Bryce

Micah Richards raves about Celtic thrill ride and insists Ange Postecoglou is a 'special human being'

Micah Richards insists he was on the edge of his seat watching Celtic beat Rangers.

The Sky Sports pundit was hugely impressed by Ange Postecoglou 's and reckons the Premiership leaders have a "special human being" in the dugout.

Postecoglou's side came from behind at Ibrox to stretch their lead over the defending champions to six points on Sunday.

Richards, a former team-mate of Joe Hart at Manchester City, was struck by the high risk, high reward tactics as Celtic continually sought to play out against Rangers' high press.

And he admits it was refreshing to see a side stick so steadfastly to their manager's instructions.

Richards told BBC Football Daily: "They always wanted to play out from out from the back, no matter what.

Micah Richards (Sky Sports)

"There was so many times in that first half they could've been caught out. I was actually nervous watching the game at times but they stick to what they know.

"I thought the two centre-backs were outstanding, especially Carter-Vickers, he's been really good in all the games I've seen this season.

"It was so good to see them stick to something they know, no matter how much Rangers tried to press them.

"Once they beat that press they were in. There was one, Joe Hart threw it to the left-back (Greg Taylor), Rangers tried to press because they had Aribo and Kent pretty narrow.

"But they broke that and they were in.

"Rangers had more possession in the game and it's a tough place, Celtic looked more dangerous going forward and that's all come from the manager and the job he's done there."

Postecoglou has been credited with helping revive Hart's career following a spell in the footballing wilderness.

And his old pal Richards reckons being shown some love was exactly what the veteran keeper needed.

He also reckons the scale of the turnaround, compared to what Postecoglou inherited last summer, is testament to the manager.

"Every manager has a different philosophy but I think the managers who put their arm round you, you want to run through brick walls for them.

"It's not rocket science. I know sometimes players like tough - Roberto Mancini was tough love with me.

"But he would still put his arm round me when it was needed. We shouldn't frown upon him not being a good coach because he's not been in the best leagues.

"Philosophy is only one side of it. There's a human side as well.

"The modern day player needs that little bit of love.

"At the moment it's going great and long may it continue. For them to only have four players from August in the squad and then turn it around, you must be a special human being to do that so quickly."

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