Celtic manager Ange Postecoglou has addressed the subject of midfield balance in the absence of Callum McGregor, as well as his stance on slowly bedding in our clutch of summer signings.
The Bhoys boss has been far more cautious exposing recent signings to first-team football than he was last year, with squad depth at the time necessitating some players being thrown into the deep end.
It has meant fans have had to be patient regarding talents such as Alexandro Bernabei and Oliver Abildgaard, but more is on the way from both.
Postecoglou is delighted with the form of Matt O’Riley and others in McGregor’s absence but has suggested the Dane will be more involved from this point on.
Speaking to BBC Radio Scotland [19/10, 17:48], the manager said: “I’m really pleased. Obviously Callum is such a massive influence at this football club on and off the field, but aside from that, he’s a very good player. The way we play that position is really important.
“When we signed Matt O’Riley we kind of knew he could play either one. With Callum being there we pushed him further up and I thought he really adapted to that role well. But in the back of my mind I had a feeling he could play that area. He’s really growing into it and becoming more of an influence. I’m really pleased he’s handling it well.
“With Mooy and Bernabei and even with Haksabanovic, and probably Abildgaard will come into it a bit – we’ve taken our time with those guys. They missed pre-season or were new to the club. Last season was a bit of a unique situation where we just threw guys in.
“We were always confident as the season goes on, and they got more game time and understanding about how we play that they’d make an impact. I’m sure that they will from now on and get better for it.”
With matches coming thick and fast, you can easily see a scenario where Abildgaard finally gets his first start in Celtic colours over the next couple of weeks.
He got another half an hour under his belt last night against Motherwell, suggesting that Postecoglou is ramping up his exposure, just like he did with Mooy earlier this term.
That start may not come against Hearts, which will be an intense and combative occasion, but the 26-year-old surely isn’t far away from making a bigger impact.
In other news, “They were outstanding”; Robbie Neilson’s Celtic verdict ahead of Tynecastle.
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