Celtic finally discovered an ability to win ugly in Aberdeen yesterday but whether it is a performance that papers over the cracks or offers a foundation to build something more long-lasting, only time will tell.

There was a sense of relief at throwing off the shackles of a burdensome away record in the post-match celebrations as Ange Postecoglou indulged in a bit of fist-pumping as he won just his second away game in seven and Celtic’s first in four attempts. But the evidence of the 90 minutes will suggest there is ample food for thought ahead of this second international break of the season.

The first was costly for Celtic with Kyogo Furuhashi returning to the club carrying an injury. While there is always the danger of more of the same the break ought to give the Greek-Australian an opportunity for reflection ahead of a challenging set of fixtures facing his players when they return from their global travels.

Fir Park and Easter Road are on the away list while there are home games against Ferencvaros and St Johnstone. Celtic’s soft centre ensures that whatever the club carry in attack needs to be potent in order to offset the chaos that so often undermines the performance at the back.

READ MORE: Ange Postecoglou issues his Celtic players with a stark warning ahead of international break 

In that respect, Postecoglou will watch with interest as Callum McGregor reports for duty to Steve Clarke’s side for the games against Israel and the Faroe Islands with the midfielder so vital to the way in which Celtic play. Few others seem able to link the play from middle to front as evidenced by the way the club stuttered in his absence.

The attacking football that had been seen in the opening weeks of Postecoglou’s reign was welcomed by the Celtic support but did something else; it set a different tone and mood within the team. There was a sense of goals coming regardless of opposition faced and that is the form that Postecoglou needs to instil again in order to build a confidence in a team that continue to exude a sense of fragility.

That Celtic were able to grind out a result at Pittodrie in a second-half where they looked increasingly bereft of ideas will offer an indication of some resolve but there are bigger challenges to come up again in the next few weeks. Aberdeen have had problems of their own – the defeat at the weekend means they are nine games without a win – but if Celtic are to build any kind of title challenge the result needs to be the start of a decent run of games.

The first away win in the league since February may have eased some of the pressure but it will do little to keep it at bay if there is not more of the same on the road this month. Motherwell and Hibs on their own ground are likely to offer significant resistance.

As Celtic’s injury issues ease with the likes of James Forrest and Christopher Jullien edging closer to a return, Postecoglou’s hand will be strengthened. His key task is to ensure that his side’s league challenge has not been further diluted before then.