Celtic boss Ange Postecoglou highlighted the strength of his squad after his side defeated Aberdeen 4-0 at Parkhead.

The Australian’s team dominated from the outset as Callum McGregor put the hosts in front after two minutes.

Before the match was a quarter of the way through the Scottish champions had their second thanks to a clinical finish from Reo Hatate. 

Celtic continued to pile the pressure on Barry Robson’s side in the second half as the Japan internationalist netted again with 15 minutes left on the clock and then subsitute Liel Abada rounded it off on 89 minutes with an instinctive first time finish in the box.

And the 57-year-old was keen to stress the importance of those coming off the bench and contributing being just as vital as the players in the starting eleven.

He said: "We've been strong for a long time and that's the key to it. Even if we do have a bit of a flat spot, there are people coming on the corner, raise the levels again. 

"They all want to play their part, they all want to contribute. A contribution in the last 10 minutes is just as important as the first 80 and that's the way they've embraced it.

"I'm sure the other ones who aren't starting want to play but they're also seeing an opportunity to play because now there are guys who aren't even getting any minutes at the moment who deserve to get some minutes.

"But if we want to be the team we want to be and attack it on all fronts in terms of the competitions we need a strong squad and that's what we've got.

Japanese midfielder Hatate netted his seventh and eighth goals of the season in the fixture as he continued to play a vital role for the Scottish champions.

And despite yet another strong performance from the 25-year-old, his manager commented that he thinks he can play even "better".

"We want him to [play better]," the Australian told Celtic TV. "He wants to. So, you know, it's not about resting on your laurels. We already know he's a good footballer.

"I think he's proven that but, like all the rest, we want him to be better. He wants to be better and certainly at the moment he's just pushing himself to new levels.

"He's a very determined young man. He's just so focused on being the best footballer he can be and you see that every day and he gets the rewards for it."

With Celtic nine points clear at the top of the Scottish Premiership, attention now turns to the League Cup final against Rangers.

It is the first time the two teams have met in a final since 2019 and Postecoglou is relishing the challenge.

He continued: "It's not just another week, it's not just another normal build-up and that's the beauty of it. It’s why you work so hard to get to these big games.

"It's a game of massive consequence in terms of there being a trophy on the line."