UNDER-PRESSURE Ange Postecoglou remained positive after watching FOUR players limping off in the goalless draw against Bristol City last night.
Plus keeper Vasilis Barkas was forced to withdraw BEFORE the encounter after suffering a dislocated finger in the warm-up.
Mikey Johnston and Karamoko Dembele were forced to come off in the first-half while Ismaila Soro, who also sustained a knock, failed to reappear after the interval.
Late in the confrontation which was dominated by the Hoops, Albian Ajeti had to be replaced by Owen Moffat and the Swiss striker looked in some discomfort as he left the field.
The vital Champions League second round first leg qualifier against the Danes of FC Midtjylland is due in Glasgow in five days’ time while Championship outfit Preston will provide the opposition at Parkhead on Saturday in the fourth friendly of the pre-season following the games against the Ashton Gate side, Sheffield Wednesday (3-1) and Charlton (2-1).
Time is not an ally of the new Hoops boss as he attempts to pull his squad together. Odsonne Edouard didn’t feature last night after going off against Charlton at the weekend, while Kristoffer Ajer has yet to play a minute for Neil Lennon’s successor after making it clear he wants to quit Parkhead.
Postecoglou, though, remains remarkably upbeat and is clearly focused on the task at hand as he told Celtic TV: “This was another challenge, for sure, but the most important thing is that we want to dominate games and be the team that makes the other team adjust.
“We dominated the game, we played in their half, we created chances and we didn’t allow much.
“There were some real positive signs, but it’s a fine line for us, we’re trying to get as much work into the boys as possible without compromising their wellbeing.
“We picked up a couple of injuries which is disappointing, but, overall, I think in terms of the football, it was another positive step.”
PROBLEM PILE-UP FOR POSTECOGLOU
