Ange Postecoglou has refused to rule out keeping the wantaway Celtic stars this summer, and has promised that anyone who stays will be part of something special.
Speculation has surrounded some of the club’s best players over the last few weeks. Kris Ajer, for example, was reportedly unhappy with Celtic for rejecting £10m offers from Norwich and Bayer Leverkusen [The Athletic].
Odsonne Edouard, meanwhile, has consistently been linked with a move to the English Premier League [Daily Record]. Given they’re into the final years of their contracts, it seems certain they’ll be for the off.
But when asked by the media whether he was resigned to losing them, Postecoglou gave a brilliantly passionate response.
“I want to guarantee them that they’ll be part of something special”
As quoted by the Daily Record, he said: “Why should I when I’ve not had that discussion with them? I’ll make those decisions myself based on what I see and assess.
“I’ll have those discussions with the players and make sure the club’s interests are protected. Do I have to make a quick decision on Edouard? Again, it’ll be a two-way conversation. It’s not just about me and what I desire. Whether it’s Edouard or whoever, my feeling is that whatever dreams or aspirations they may have, I think they can accomplish them here at Celtic.
“Because whoever does choose to stay, I want to guarantee them that they’ll be part of something special. And maybe they should think about it before leaving. Because once you go out the door, it’s very hard to get back in. I will do what’s best for the club. If that means players depart, they’ll depart. If it means they stay, they stay. But I won’t let anyone use the club as a vehicle for their own purposes. I won’t let anyone, player or staff, to serve themselves and put their personal interests ahead.”
Ange Postecoglou ready to make Celtic an enticing sell for wantaways
This is all positive stuff from the new man. He sounds as though he knows how to make Celtic the best sell possible. With a bit of luck, a new vision is exactly what the likes of Edouard and Ajer need to commit a bit longer.
Of course, my main fear is the idea that the former manager isn’t the main reason for them wanting to depart. More that they’re ready to spread their wings in a bigger league in Europe. We all know Scottish football isn’t the utopia for Europe’s best young talents.
Trying to get players who have already done it all here to stay longer will be a real struggle. So much so that Postecoglou can’t be judged on whether he manages to keep a hold of them or not. It may not matter who would’ve taken charge. It could be irrelevant when it comes to Ajer and Edouard’s ambitions.
Even so, you have to love the response from the new man. He says he’ll never let anyone, player or staff member, use the club to drive up their own personal interests. What that appears to mean is that if you want out, you better leave quickly.
It would also be interesting to know how he feels the wantaways could achieve their goals at Celtic. Ultimately, if they want to be playing at a high level on a weekly basis, it’s difficult to see how we counter that.
But Postecoglou is arriving with a determination, and already looks intent on making this club the best sell it can be.
In other news, Postecoglou has stated in what area he expects Celtic to be better than their rivals in this season.
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