Celtic manager Ange Postecoglou has continued to send the message that this is just the first phase for his side as they look to build on this season’s trophy double.

Few knew what to expect from this campaign, with so much reconstruction work that Ange had to oversee.

However, the 56-year-old and his players took the Hoops back to the top of Scottish football’s pile, delivering the Scottish Premiership title.

But the Celtic boss isn’t just looking to stop there. Postecoglou has insisted in recent weeks that these are just the early stages of development for his Hoops team.

Speaking in an interview with Australian journalist David DavutovicPostecoglou continued to spread that message, opening up about the exciting aspects of this Celtic team looking ahead to next year.

When asked how we are going to develop this Celtic team, Ange replied: “In many ways it is still the first year. I said after the game (Wednesday) that I felt like we had mixed two seasons into one – a year of rebuilding and the success I think we’ve had too.

“But there’s so much more growth, the majority, maybe 80 per cent of that group, haven’t done a pre-season with us. Half of them probably only played half a season in total because of injuries, whether in the first or second.

“The football we play is obviously in the early stages of development.

“So there is so much more growth. But, being a champion helps speed that up because players will now feel a little better about themselves and stand a little taller. They went through a truly incredible grinding challenge, and they came out on top.

“So that gives me the ammunition to say ‘boys, we can push here’ for something special, and I think the players will have that. So there’s definitely more layers.

As Ange mentions, many of these players haven’t had the chance to experience a pre-season under the former Socceroos boss, which is an exciting prospect for Celtic backing.

This season we have witnessed brilliant and free-flowing attacking football. So if this is just the start under Ange, then his Celtic side will be in good shape for next season.

That doesn’t even take into account the possibility of more quality arrivals in the summer transfer window to bolster the squad’s strength and depth.

It really is an exciting time to be a Celtic fan with Ange at the helm.

In other news, Video: Tom Rogic’s latest Celtic workout.