TARGET RANGE

Key goals in sight for Celts boss despite stuttering start

IT’S only been three months since Ange Postecoglou began steering Celtic’s through domestic and European choppy waters.

The Australian’s feet may be barely under the managerial table – but he admits it feels so much longer.

With Dundee United next up this afternoon and a Europa League clash with Bayer Leverkusen on Thursday looming, the 56-year-old insists he’s already well aware of his home comforts.

On the back of a League Cup quarter-final win over Raith Rovers on Thursday night, Postecoglou believes base Paradise is the platform for all his hopes and expectations.

He said: “Three months? It feels a lot longer, I can tell you! It is a hectic period but, particularly after Thursday’s win, we are looking forward to playing another game at home.

“Our home form has been really good and we are playing good football.

“We have an opportunity against Dundee United to make sure we start getting some results in the league on a consistent basis.

“We have had a disrupted start, an inconsistent start, so I see this as a chance hopefully to start a bit of a run.”

A 4-3 defeat in Seville last week to Real Betis was a opening group loss that makes taking the points against Leverkusen a priority. Postecoglou is well aware of what the Bundesliga cracks will bring to the table.

He said: “I follow the Bundesliga very closely. Leverkusen are an outstanding team with a great pedigree and history. “It is our first home game in the group stages and it will be a special night, I am looking forward to it.

“I think every time you play against German opposition you are in for a difficult challenge but that is why we are in this game – and it is an exciting prospect for us. “Leverkusen are a very strong team with outstanding players.”

Postecoglou hopes to have skipper Callum McGregor (left) fit for the clash with Germans but he will have a roll call after the clash with Dundee United.

A couple of bright spots came in the shape of the performance of young Adam Montgomery and new recruit Liam Scales against Raith Rovers and Postecoglou believes they are part of long-term pathway for Hoops hopefuls.

He said: “It was agood for Liam to make his debut against Raith.

“He has come from a different league and has had to get adjusted to training but we were looking for an opportunity to give him some game time.”

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