ANGE POSTECOGLOU admits he endured “a really hectic time” during a transfer whirlwind after taking over as Celtic boss in June last year.
This time out, however, the Greek-Australian gaffer insists he will not be rushed into bringing in recruits.
Postecoglou has signed Cameron Carter-Vickers on a £6million four-year contract following the central defender’s impressive season-long loan from Spurs.
He has added Swiss keeper Benji Siegrist on a free transfer from Dundee United to add competition to Joe Hart and Scott Bain after allowing £4.5million flop Vasilis Barkas to move to Dutch outfit FC Utrecht.
A BIG HAND…Cameron Carter-Vickers became Ange Postecoglou’s first signing of the summer at £6million from Spurs after his impressive loan season.
Filipe Jota is expected to bring a halt to his transfer saga by agreeing a four-year deal with parent club Benfica satisfied with the initial £6.5million fee which does not include add-ons.
Argentinian left-back Alexandro Bernabei flew into Glasgow from Buenos Aires via Amsterdam last week and is expected to complete a £2.5million switch before the champions jet out to Austria on Monday for their 10-day training camp.
Looking at the current situation, Postecoglou, who oversaw TWELVE new additions a year ago, said: “Last year I was really keen to get people in the building. We kind of knew we would have a few leaving, as well, so it was a really hectic time.
“In the January window, we worked a bit more methodically. We kind of knew what we wanted and we got it in early.
“It’s the same this time. I’m not one to rush things. The most important thing is to get the right players in, that is the key for me.
“It’s not just about them as players, it’s about them as people. So for that to happen we can’t put timelines on things.”
SIGNS ARE GOOD…Ange Postecoglou is in no rush to bring in new Bhoys.
Postecoglou, speaking to Celtic TV, added: “The earlier we get players in the better, but, as everyone knows, we have a unique scenario this year when we have got a clean pre-season without any competitive games.
“It’s a great advantage for us.
“For me, apart from strengthening the squad, just being able to work with the players we had last year in pre-season will be invaluable.
“Most of them either missed pre-season or we threw them in halfway through a season. Even working with the existing squad will be invaluable.”
Postecoglou has the luxury of time being on his side unlike last year when Carl Starfelt was pitched into the defence to face Hearts at Tynecastle only a couple of days after arriving on a £4.2million deal from Russian club Rubin Kazan.
NEW ARRIVAL…Kyogo Furuhashi on his first day at Celtic Park.
Kyogo Furuhashi, signed from Vissel Kobe for £4.6million, was also introduced in the Premiership opener as a late substitute after touching down in Glasgow from Japan earlier that day.
It was no surprise the visitors lost 2-1 with John Souttar heading in the winner in the fading moments.
The title winners will begin the defence of their title this time around against Aberdeen on Flag Day in the east end of Glasgow on Sunday July 31 – and it’s a safe bet to say the Hoops will be better prepared than they were exactly 12 months earlier.
