Statistics have become such a popular part of modern day football.

Whether it be the distance players have covered or expected goals, you can find a stat on pretty much anything involved the beautiful game.

For Ange Postecoglou, while data of course plays a part in driving success in his team’s preparations, he is keen to blank them when all is said and done.

Everyone who knows anything about Scottish football will recognise how successful, determined and hungry his Celtic players are. But the question is, how does he maintain those high levels of interest among the squad?

“The first thing we do is ignore the stats,” the Australian admitted. “They can get you thinking you’re in a comfortable space.

“It’s just the environment we create here. That’s what I’ve done here from day one. These guys come in and no day or minute is wasted.

“When you have that, you don’t really worry about stats or form. You know that’s irrelevant and in the past. What’s important is what the next step is. That’s the key.

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“Look at our squad right now, it’s the strongest it's been since I arrived at the club. Training every day is really intense. The players can’t come in here and try to cruise through because they’ll get found out straight away. And they’ll lose their position. It just doesn’t allow for it.

“We have healthy competition. It’s not about anyone wanting others to fail. It’s about wanting everyone to succeed and push each other to the next level. That starts with Callum, Joe Hart and the senior players setting the benchmark with their work ethic.

“Everyone else falls into that line. That’s how you make them relentless. There’s not a minute when they’re under our charge that they can sit and be comfortable.

“As much as it’s human nature to want to be comfortable - as an elite sportsman it’s a space you never want to be in. We want to make them uncomfortable but in a healthy way.”

His attention to detail with nurturing his players to get to that state of mind is clearly something Postecoglou has worked on.

But he insists it’s certainly not a new element to his coaching capabilities. He added: “I’d like to think I’ve had that wherever I’ve been. It’s what you present the players every time they walk in here.

“It’s not just me. They see every staff member working their backside off every day.

“Whether that’s coaches, medical, catering or cleaners - everyone in this building is trying to be the best they can be. The players see that, they feel it, breathe it - and it rubs off on them.

“They’re not hungrier here than anywhere else, that’s just the kind of environment I’ve always created. It’s how you get the best out of people. It’s what people want.

“They don’t want favours or an easy ride. They want to know that if they work hard, they’ll get rewarded.”