BUT THE JURY IS STILL OUT ON THESE RECRUITS

JAMES McCARTHY

Snapped up after leaving Crystal Palace, the former Everton and Republic of Ireland midfielder has been a peripheral figure. The 31-year-old has not started a league game since Boxing Day and handing him a four-year contract looks like a rare poor decision on the recruitment front.

YOSUKE IDEGUCHI

The £1m January signing from Gamba Osaka was on the end of a nasty tackle from Mohamed Niang in a Scottish Cup tie at Alloa

Athletic in January and has been rarely spotted since. But Postecoglou has backed Ideguchi to be a ‘strong contributor’ in future when he gets an opportunity.

OSAZE URHOGHIDE

The Dutch defender joined from Sheffield Wednesday last summer but found appearances hard to come by and was sent on loan to Belgian side Oostende.

LIAM SHAW

The midfielder agreed a pre-contract move from Sheffield Wednesday pre-Postecoglou but started at the same time as the Australian. Shaw made one first-team appearance in a dead rubber against Real Betis and is now out on loan at Motherwell.

LIAM SCALES

A £500,000 signing from Shamrock Rovers, the 23-year-old has mainly been used as back-up to first-choice left-back Greg Taylor.

JOHNNY KENNY

The 18-year-old striker was signed from Sligo Rovers during the January transfer window. He is viewed as one for the future.