Ange Postecoglou has given a characteristic response to continued Celtic transfer questions.
The Greek-Aussie boss, typically a straight-shooter, gave some assurances of transfer activity, but couldn’t resist a joke as he dealt with post-match media obligations. Having enjoyed the splendour of a packed Paradise, Postecoglou was buoyant, albeit focussed on the work Celtic still have to do this transfer window.
Asked about any imminent incomings, the Celtic boss said [via Daily Record]:
“Part of the issue is mine, I’m selective with the players I want to bring in. But I’m certainly pushing to get bodies in.
“There’s been plenty of names banded about but for us it hasn’t been about us having one target.
“We know that in the current climate some things take longer than others and we’ve just got to be really patient and diligent in our work.
“Once players are signed then I’m happy to talk about them but the speculation in terms of who we may or may not be interested in – if you look at it from when I started – I’d have had a squad of 73 by now and I don’t have that.”
Ange Postecoglou is consistent: he’s not doing transfer business for the sake of it
We all, everyone of us, probably bought into the narrative that Celtic needed significant, sweeping overhaul this summer. Nobody in the squad, barring a couple of exceptions, was safe from speculation.
Plenty of business has been done, of course. Kyogo Furuhashi, Liel Abada, Carl Starfelt, Joe Hart and James McCarthy are all good signings. There are still more to come.
However, beyond that, much of Ange’s mission has been to restore the confidence of some previously outstanding Celtic players.
The improvements Stephen Welsh has made, the resurgence of Anthony Ralston and the continued contributions of Tom Rogic show that’s been done. Parts that may have seemed hitherto now obsolete are coming to the fore.
That helps. Yes, the Celtic squad needed considerable freshening. However, Postecoglou has always said that it was about quality, not just quantity. With a few weeks left to get some deals done, there’s cause for optimism.
Part of the best business we do might actually be in keeping players this window.
All we supporters can do is trust in Ange Postecoglou to get the right transfer business done. We won’t end up with a squad of 73, but we do need numbers.
Nobody is more aware of that than Ange Postecoglou himself.
In other news: Vanquished Euro foes’ touch of class
Receive a digest of our best Celtic content each week direct to your mailbox
