Celtic legend David Hay is optimisic about the season ahead for Ange Postecoglou's Scottish Premiership champions after they cruised to an opening day win.

Stephen Welsh, who is set to remain in Glasgow despite being linked with Ligue 1 side Toulouse, opened the scoring after three minutes with a glancing header.

However, Celtic were almost left to rue missed chances as ex-Celtic full-back Johnny Hayes spurned a guilt-edged opportunity to level for the visitors on the stroke of half-time.

That frustrated Postecoglou, who admitted that his side was "wasteful" and that "chances were there" that they didn't take. Yet the Hoops sealed a well-deserved win when Jota's long-range stunner set a sold-out Parkhead alight. 

And Hay insists that the Australian reminds him of Jock Stein, who was always demanding more from his Hoops side no matter the result.

He said to Celtic Quick News: “There is much to admire in this squad and the manager is absolutely spot on in saying they need to be more clinical.

“I’ve played for and managed Celtic teams who have dominated games and somehow contrived to fail to win or lose because of the lack of a killer touch.

“Big Jock Stein used to drum it into his players to get a goal and score a second as quickly as possible afterwards.

“He was always wary of opponents sneaking one or a referee decision that could go against us. Plus there were other factors like a bad bounce of the ball, a mistake, a misplaced pass, some bad judgement.

“That can all contribute to the difference between three points or no points. Or one point. Celtic have got plenty of firepower at their disposal and I’m sure they will get their bearings as the campaign unfolds."