A year is a long time in football, and that is certainly the case when it comes to Celtic and the progression made under current Hoops boss Ange Postecoglou.

The Hoops have played Livingston on the 30th October two seasons in a row, and the contrasting results shows just how well the Bhoys have done in the past year.

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On the 30th of October 2021, the Hoops drew 0-0 with Livingston, blowing the chance to go top of the league, and ending the day a point behind Rangers having played a game more.

One year later, on the 30th of October 2022, the Hoops faced Livingston again, and this time ran out comfortable 3-0 winners to go four points clear at the top of the Scottish Premiership table.

Perhaps the only thing that the games have in common is that Georgios Giakoumakis missed a penalty in both fixtures, and you have to think that he won’t be taking a penalty for the Hoops again.

This time last year, after the disappointing draw against Livingston, few would have expected the Hoops to go on the run that they did after that, but Celtic have gone from strength to strength in the past year, winning the title and Premier Sports Cup, and making a long-awaited return to the Champions League group stages.

Credit for that obviously has to go to the manager, but it also has to go to the players as well, many of whom were thrown in at the deep end for Celtic, but have managed to contribute to the Hoops enjoying a great last 12 months.

The signings made by the Celtic manager have played a big part in the Hoops success, and that is another example of the great job Postecoglou has done in his time at Celtic Park. He didn’t panic when the Hoops failed to win that game against Livingston, he had confidence in the side, and that confidence was merited, as the Bhoys went on a great run which culminated in the side winning the league.

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Postecoglou will want Celtic to constantly improve, even though the Hoops look to be in a good place – domestically at least – at the moment. He will surely be disappointed that the return to the Champions League group stage didn’t work out, and he will be hoping to improve on that when Celtic return to Europe next season.

In the meantime, it is fair to reflect on the incredible difference at Celtic one year, and praise the manager and players for the great job they have done for the club.