Ange Postecoglou is delighted that another game has now been added to Celtic’s already heavy schedule as the 3-2 victory over Hearts has seen his side paired at home with Raith Rovers in the Premier Sports Cup quarter-finals.

The manager said: “It’s another opportunity to play in front of our supporters here at Celtic Park and we’re all looking forward to it, obviously. Every game in a cup competition is important and having home advantage is pleasing.”

The bedrock for the win was firmly planted in a first half in which Joe Hart was a virtual spectator as a harrying and chasing Hearts side could barely keep the Hoops out of Craig Gordon’s penalty area,

Ange said: “I thought we were outstanding in the first half, and probably for the first 15 minutes of the second half as well. I thought that was as well as we’ve played this year. It was really exciting to watch, we were really disciplined in playing our football and created a lot of chances.

“We probably should’ve taken more than we did as in the last half-hour we got stretched out a little bit, which is understandable as we’re in a heavy schedule and relying on the same core group of players.

“So we dropped off a little bit, but having said that, it’s great to progress and I thought our football was good."

He added on the intensity of the first half: “That’s the kind of team we want to be, and we keep reinforcing that to the players. If we can be that sort of side, one that's relentless with our purpose every time we get the ball, and when they have it we do the same, we’re going to be hard to stop.

“Losing the goals, that was down to some fatigue, and some lapses in concentration. Sometimes when you dominate a game so convincingly, there can be a tendency just to switch off.

“I think we did that particularly for the penalty, and that allows the opposition to get a little bit of momentum, but it’s a good lesson for us.”

Ange looking forward to Premier Sports Cup last-eight tie