Ange Postecoglou has praised his Celtic players for putting aside their fans' frustration as they claimed a 2-0 win over St Mirren to keep them clear on top of the Scottish Premiership.
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Second-half goals from Cameron Carter-Vickers and Callum McGregor at Parkhead on Wednesday night ensured Celtic remain three points clear of Rangers at the summit with nine games to go.
Rangers maintained the pressure, winning 1-0 at second-bottom St Johnstone thanks to Glen Kamara's third-minute finish.
Celtic dominated possession and territory throughout but found clear-cut chances hard to come by against a St Mirren side featuring five at the back and two defensive midfielders.
Frustration was audible in the crowd as the first half wore on but the breakthrough came from a 55th-minute set-piece when Cameron Carter-Vickers volleyed home from six yards.
Manager Postecoglou had warned the leaders would face a battle in every game of the run-in with every team in the league playing for something, and St Mirren provided just that.
"I'm pleased players kept their focus," said Postecoglou. "It was another game where we had a lot of the ball, they sat very deep and it could have been easy for us to get anxious and look for different things to do.
"I was pleased with the players' focus. It's a big part of it now. That's what it's all about at this stage of the season, keeping focused and not getting distracted by noise or other emotions that might be shown by people outside."
Postecoglou claimed fans venting their frustration was "only natural".
"You are getting to the business end of the year and our supporters will be as anxious as anyone," he added. "It's a normal human emotion.
"It works both ways, if you're flying as well and you get too carried away and think you are further ahead than you are.
"All year this group of players have different challenges and overcome every one. This is another challenge - to stay focused on our football and not worry about outcomes or results.
"Just play our football and that will bring us what we need, because that's why we are in this position in the first place."
Australian Associated Press
