I’MNOTLOOKING OVERTHEFENCE
a lot to do and we have been pretty good so far at making sure we don’t take our focus away from what’s important.
“For me, right at this point of my tenure at the club, it’s just all about Celtic. What anyone else is doing, or what noise is around the place, it’s just not of interest to me.
“They are the kind of distractions I avoid to be honest. I’ve been really laserfocused on here and will continue to be.
“I’ll try to get everyone here to do that as well but that hasn’t been too difficult. I’m just making everyone really aware we can’t get distracted by anyone or anything else.
“We’re trying to build something here. When you’re trying to build something and be successful, you can’t afford to look over your fence at what other people are doing.
“We have to build our house, make it nice and beautiful and then see how it stacks up against the rest of the neighbourhood.”
Postecoglou revealed Tom Rogic and Carl Starfelt are fighting to be fit for next weekend’s League Cup semi-final with St Johnstone.
But the Hampden clash will come too early for longterm crocks Christopher Jullien and Greg Taylor.
Starfelt and Rogic are nursing hamstring strains but Postecoglou said: “Carl and Tommy are trying hard to make the semi-final.
“It’s obviously an important game but we also have an important one four days later.
“Tommy is probably a little bit ahead of Carl at the moment but I wouldn’t rule either of them out right now.
“We won’t put them at risk so it’s probably going to be one of those touch-and-go ones.
“If they don’t make the semi-final I’d think they will probably be ready for the
Leverkusen game.” Jullien is back in training after 10 months out with a knee injury while Taylor is recovering from two months on the sidelines after shoulder surgery.
Postecoglou said: “Chris and Greg won’t make the semi-final and it might be into December for them.
“I don’t like putting an end date on it as they could surprise me and come back earlier or they could get a setback and be longer. But they’re both working hard and are both looking good.
“They have different hurdles to overcome. With Greg it’s about getting clearance for his shoulder.
“We’ve had good news on that. The last update is that it has healed well so as soon as he gets the all-clear he’s pretty much ready to play.
“With Chris it’s a little more difficult as he will need some sort of game-time and it’s about picking the right moment to put him in.”
Postecoglou was thrilled to bag his first manager of the month award since arriving in the summer. The Hoops boss was unbeaten in October as Celts moved to within four points of Premiership leaders Rangers, progressed in the League Cup and secured European football for beyond Christmas.
He said: “The award is a sign of the progress the team has made in the last period.
“I’m under no illusions that this isn’t just my doing. All the staff, all the football staff and all the players deserve credit.
“It’s been a really good spell for us, a good period of performances with some great football. Most importantly, that’s been followed by results.
“So it was almost a perfect period for us at a critical time and I’m super proud of everyone’s efforts and it’s great to get the recognition.”