ANGE POSTECOGLOU has revealed he expects TWO new players to arrive at Celtic within the next five days.
The Hoops collapsed to their second defeat in three competitive games since the arrival of the new boss when the dithering defence allowed John Souttar the freedom of Edinburgh to climb high and thump a header beyond the exposed Scott Bain for Hearts’ 89th-minute winner at Tyneacstle last night.
Nir Bitton was closest to the opposition player, but didn’t even jump in an effort to repel the danger as the free-kick was delivered by Michael Smith from the left. New Bhoy Carl Starfelt, who had an uncomfortable evening on his quickfire debut, was elsewhere making sure Peter Haring didn’t get a free header.
Following the stoppage-time Champions League exit in Denmark, it completed three days of anguish for the manager who has yet to see the team win with his other outing being the 1-1 draw at home against FC Midtjylland.
However, Neil Lennon’s successor insisted the massive rebuild job is not greater than he thought it would be and is adamant he will get it right when he gets new signings in place with the hope of having two additions by the end of the forthcoming week.
Postecoglou, speaking to the Sunday Mail, said: “It was fairly evident at the end of last year that the club was going to go through a big change.
“A lot of players had gone before I got the job, I knew that and thought it was an opportunity because I could bring in the players I wanted to play the type of football I wanted.
“We have not done it as quickly as I hoped we would, that is no-one’s fault.
“We are working hard to get the deals, it is just a difficult market at the minute. That is just delaying the process of me being able to lay down the principles I want.
“I’m hopeful that over the next week we bring in at least another couple. We need players and we are working hard to get them in.”
Liel Abada, the £3.5million Israeli wingers, lasted 79 minutes at Tynecastle while £4.6million Japanese striker Kyogo Furuhashi, who only arrived in the country in the morning, made a cameo role.
There is no doubt all three of Postecoglou’s signings so far will benefit from more time to gel – and it must be hoped there are no snags in the promised two new incomers.
Time, though, is not an ally of Celtic or their manager as he tries to get his jigsaw put in place.
