ANGE POSTECOGLOU admits there “will be plenty of names” being bandied around as he prepares to bolster his Celtic squad in next month’s transfer window.
And the Hoops gaffer repeated his intention of getting the recruits in early to integrate them into his plans for the crucial second part of the campaign.
Postecoglou has been linked with a TREBLE swoop on the J-League where he staged a £4.6million raid for Vissel Kobe striker Kyogo Furuhashi in late July and is on the brink of returning to the same market place, as CQN reported last week.
HEART TO HEART…Ange Postecoglou’s message to the Celtic fans after the win at Tanndice yesterday.
The Parkhead manager has been linked with Japanese international striker Daizen Maeda, who was bought by the Greek-Australian in February during his time as gaffer at Yokohama F Marinos, Reo Hatate, versatile left-sided defender at Kawasaki Frontale, and midfielder Yosuke Ideguchi, of Gamba Osaka.
Postecoglou admitted: “Myself, Michael Nicholson (interim chief executive), all the key people at the football club, we’re working really hard.
“We want to be well organised and get the right players in.
“I know what we need in terms of making our squad a bit more well-rounded and robust for a challenging second half of the year.
“No deals are done yet, nothing’s been signed.
“I know people get excited about names and I’ve probably been linked with the whole of the J-League.
“There’s also the Korean league that is decent, if you want to go fishing there. There will be plenty of names.
“From my perspective, we know what we need – and I’m fairly confident we‘ll get them in and get them in early.”
JOY BHOY…Kyogo Furuhashi celebrates his matchwinning goal against Hearts.
Postecoglou, speaking to the Scottish Sun, added: “I’m obviously at an advantage because I worked there.
“It would be silly of me not to use the experience I have and the knowledge I have.
“That’s why we got Kyogo here. I was 100 per cent certain he would do well, especially with the way we play.
“And it’s not just Kyogo. If you look at all the big leagues around the world, you’ll see Asian players.
“Not just from Japan, but from Korea, from Australia, from Iran. There are some very good footballers on that side of the world.
“But if people don’t want to look there, I’m happy to be the only one.”
SWISS MISS…Albian Ajeti holds his head in his hands after a mishit in the 1-1 draw with Dundee United in September.
Kyogo fired a blank in the 3-0 win over Dundee United at Tannadice yesterday where he took a back seat to marksmen Tom Rogic, David Turnbull and Liam Scales.
However, the pacy attacker has claimed 14 goals in 22 starts and will display his flashing talents against Real Betis in the final Europa League Group G encounter at Parkhead on Thursday night.
It is clear, though, he needs support. His only back-up at the moment is Albian Ajeti, with a mere tally of nine goals in a year and a half after his £5million arrival from West Ham, and the crocked Giorgos Giakoumakis, who is facing a prolonged spell on the sidelines with a knee injury,
Postecoglou will rectify that situation with great haste next month.
THREE AND EASY FOR COASTING CELTS
