QUESTIONS POSTECOGLOU MUST ANSWER: SUTTON

CHRIS SUTTON reckons Ange Postecoglou faces a “rocky road” as he attempts to put his Celtic jigsaw together.

The former Hoops frontman posed some pertinent questions:

IS Erik Sviatchenko in his plans for a dramatic return to Parkhead?

WILL Odsonne Edouard have a part to play in the immediate future?

WHAT is the score with Leigh Griffiths?

Sutton, now a hard-hitting media pundit, looked at next month’s Champions League opponents FC Midtjylland and said: “Celtic could be up against former player Erik Sviatchenko – or he could even be back at Parkhead.

“I don’t think it would be the worst move bringing him back to Glasgow. It was a little bit surprising to see him being allowed to go in the first place as he always looked fairly decent in his time in Scotland.

“Don’t get me wrong, he didn’t pull up any trees, but he always seemed to me to be a reliable defender. He’s not the tallest, but he’s got a decent leap and it would be a big plus when there’s going to be so many changes to be able to recruit a guy who knows what the club and the league is all about.

“Sviatchenko wouldn’t cost the earth and he’s certainly strengthen an area of the team that needs bolstering.”

Sutton, speaking to the Daily Record, continued: “There is so much for Postecoglou to be getting on with it’s hard to know where to start.

“It would be a tremendous boost if somehow Odsonne Edouard decides to stay. I still think there’s next to no chance of that happening, but with talk of Leicester City backing off it might open the door.

“Edouard has a year left on his contract, so it would make sense to cash in now.

“But if Postecoglou could somehow convince him to hang around a bit longer – and maybe even sign a new deal – it would be a heck of a boost. I wouldn’t bet on it, though.

IN WITH A SHOUT…Erik Sviatchenko yells in delight after scoring while Leigh Griffiths joins in a moment of togetherness in 2016.

“Striker is a big priority for Postecoglou and there’s still the Leigh Griffiths question to answer.

“He’s posting videos on social media of his work-outs over the summer and the fact he’s got the head down has to be a positive.

“But his future will be decided on the training pitch, not on Instagram, and the new manager will need to be won over.

“The same goes for the likes of Albian Ajeti and Vakoun Bayo, who will be back from his loan spell.”

The one-time England international forward added: “The same goes for the boss when it comes to the Celtic support.

“Postecoglou hasn’t faced the media in this country yet and he’s not came face to face with his squad.

“No matter how it’s painted, it’s not ideal having players check back in this week and the new man in charge not being around.

“They will need to know if they are part of the plans, how he wants them to play, the demands he’ll set in training. The quicker they get the answers the better.

“But Postecoglou deserves time – even if it’s in short supply. The European games are up first and he’s got Rangers in the Premiership before the end of August.

“Postecoglou might be happy where the club is right now, but he could be in for a rocky ride for a few months.”