Ange Postecoglou delivers verdict on Celtic's January window as reporter 'jumps a few steps ahead'

By John McGinley

January 31, 2023

Ange Postecoglou has been talking about Celtic’s January transfer work today, believing the club have met the objectives they went into the window with.

The Bhoys have made four signings this month – Alistair Johnston, Yuki Kobayashi, Tomoki Iwata and Hyeongyu Oh.

Josip Juranovic, Moritz Jenz and Oliver Abildgaard have all left the squad with potentially Giorgos Giakoumakis and one or two more fringe players also leaving soon.

However, when asked about the potential of this squad going into the Champions League, Postecoglou insisted the BBC reporter was jumping “a few steps ahead” with the question.

Assessing the work done, Postecoglou told a media conference earlier today [Celtic FC]: “Our objective this window was to strengthen the squad and look for opportunities which we felt were going to add some quality to our squad.

“The January window is a unique one where I think we can take advantage of certain things, which we did last year. I think we’ve done that again by hitting markets you get deals done pretty quickly.

“The second part of that was that we had a feeling there would be a couple of departures of players who were significant contributors, so we wanted to get ahead of that. I think on both those fronts we’re in good shape.

“If you’re talking about Champions League, well we’re in a position right now where we’re competing in three competitions. Our objective is to be successful in them. Our planning beyond that goes further down the line in terms of what we can potentially do in the next window.

“We try and always plan as much as we can but that’s not focused on what potential outcomes we have, that’s focused on making the squad stronger every window, if possible.”

Postecoglou is rightly keeping matters focused on the here and now. As much as the club are planning ahead, the Bhoys boss isn’t going to be drawn into fantasy football stuff on the Champions League with journalists.

As far as I can tell most supporters are content with the way Celtic have gone about their business this January. We have the personnel needed to go for the treble.

If we go on to secure the league, as expected, then the club will know exactly what kind of resources they have available this summer to tool up for another tilt at the Champions League group stage.

In other news, Celtic team news ahead of Livingston as Postecoglou provides update on absent duo.