Ange: No rush for new faces
ANGE POSTECOGLOU insists he won’t rush the summer transfer window.
And the Celtic boss is adamant it’s impossible to put exact timelines on ensuring he gets the perfect fits for his squad.
Postecoglou is scouring the globe for new talent as he builds his group for the Premiership title defence and crack at the Champions
League group stage. Cameron Carter-Vickers and Daizen Maeda have turned loans into permanent deals while Benjamin Siegirst has arrived as a free agent.
Argentine defender Alexandro Bernabei is close to a £3.75million switch, a long-term move for Benfica winger Jota is on the cards and a host of potential recruits are under surveillance.
Celtic had to do deals quickly 12 months ago with the manager having to oversee a major squad overhaul.
However, returning to Lennoxtown yesterday for the start of the club’s pre-season training in a far stronger position, Postecoglou says it’s more important to worry about who and not when.
He said: “Last year I was really keen to get people in the building and we kind of knew that we’d have a few leaving as well, so it was a really hectic time.
“I thought the January window we worked a bit more methodically, 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’s 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.
“The earlier we can get players in, the better.
“But we’ve got a unique scenario this year in that we have a pre-season without any competitive games, which is a great advantage for us.
“For me, apart from strengthening the squad, just being able to work with the group of players we had last year in pre-season is going to be invaluable because most of them either missed pre-season or we threw them in during the season or halfway through.
“So even working with the existing squad over the next three or four weeks with the coaching staff will be invaluable.”
Postecoglou says the addition of new faces both in his playing group and management staff will help add fresh energy.
Harry Kewell has joined the coaching unit and, speaking to Celtic TV, the boss said: “It was really important when the players came back that they understood that nothing stands still.
“There is constant evolution, we want to be better every year and seeing a couple of new faces in the staff is going to help that.
“It’ll bring an energy. Harry is one of Australia’s greatest ever footballers and a guy who’s worked really hard trying to get a coaching career going.
“From afar and the reports I have had on him, he brings some real good qualities in terms of his on-field coaching and his ability to mentor players.
“He’s super excited. He won the Champions League and he was an attacking player, which will help the squad we have and add balance in the coaching group.”