WE’LL SHOOT FORTHESTARS
squad has been left light by injuries and the manager has targeted fresh faces in next month’s transfer window.
The Aussie wants them in place as quickly as possible. And even though he accepts the current climate is going to make it difficult to have any new recruit available for the January 2 game against Rangers, he’s giving it a go.
Postecoglou said: “It’s probably more idealistic than realistic. But if you shoot for the stars they say you’ll land on the moon.
“So I’m pushing to get them in as early as possible in the window.
“To get them before January 2 might be a bit of a stretch but I do want them as soon as I can because that period before we restart could be crucial in integrating any new players we have. Rather than what happened in the summer window where the league started while we were still signing players. I don’t want to be in that situation.”
Celtic have eyes on the Asian market with Japanese media claiming a deal has already been struck for Kawasaki Frontale’s Reo Hatate.
But Postecoglou said: “The situation with our transfers is it is constant and we’re working through them. Nothing is done yet.
“As I’ve always said, we live in unusual times when things aren’t straightforward. There are delays in areas. We haven’t concluded any deals yet but we’re working really hard to make sure we have deals in place early in the window so the ones we want to join us can do so early in the piece.
“Nothing has been confirmed or done. If I said a deal had been done I could be proved a liar in a day’s time because something happened.”
Postecoglou’s immediate focus is tonight’s game in Dingwall and he is going to be without Furuhashi and Forrest as well as Giorgios Giakoumakis, Albian Ajeti and Jota.
The later trio are already out of Sunday’s Hampden final with Hibs and the Hoops boss said: “James had an issue and we’re still waiting on information on that. We’re assessing Mikey Johnston. He had a slight issue.
“Giakoumakis is still a couple of weeks. Forrest and Kyogo, we’re just going to have to wait and assess them. They’re ruled out of Wednesday. That’s all I can rule them out of at the moment and we’ll see how the week goes.”
Postecoglou is refusing to take an eye off Ross County due to the importance of the league match and the threat of the opposition. He said: “I know people talk about the cup final as a significant event and it is. But I don’t think Wednesday is any less for us.
“We’ve been in good form the last three months. Our performances have been really good and we don’t want to lose that momentum. So it’s important we maintain that against Ross County.”
Postecoglou has revealed Celtic are keeping a close watch on Covid developments in regards to any planned trips for a winter training camp.
Portugal has been mooted as a possible destination but for the boss it’s a case of simply assessing developments through a changing landscape.
Postecoglou said: “Everything is under review. It’s a day-to-day situation.
“We’ll do what’s the most prudent thing to do in terms of our preparation and also understanding the health and safety of our group, staff and players.”