Melbourne Victory coach Ange Postecoglou has praised midfielder Billy
Celeski as pivotal in swinging the momentum of his side’s A-League 2-0
win over Wellington Phoenix.
Celeski was superb pulling the strings in midfield, eventually taking control of the middle of the park and the match after Phoenix had produced a spirited first 40 minutes.
The 27-year-old has rebounded to his match-changing best this season after a difficult three years blighted by injury – most notably a serious knee injury in 2009.
He has been particularly impressive in Victory’s two most recent wins – over Newcastle Jets and the 2-0 triumph over Phoenix at AAMI Park on Saturday night.
Postecoglou coached Celeski at the 2005 World Youth Cup while in charge of the Young Socceroos, and was well aware of what he had to work with when he arrived at Victory.
“He has been (outstanding) for a while for us, but he was the one particularly early on who was asking the questions of the opposition,” Postecoglou said.
“He’s a good player. I’ve known him a long time and he’s really stepped up this period.
“We took him off because he was a bit sore. He’s had a big shift in these four games (over the Christmas-New Year period).”
Postecoglou is thrilled his side has managed a return of nine points from a
possible 12 over the festive season, lifting it to within a win of second-placed Adelaide United.
The Reds’ 0-0 draw with Newcastle Jets on Saturday allowed Victory to creep closer to the top two with the win.
Now Victory have a chance to chop further into that gap when it plays top-of-the-table Central Coast Mariners at Launceston’s Aurora Stadium next weekend.
