Ange happy if he does not add to squad for Euro tilt
ANGE POSTECOGLOU says he would be happy to take Celtic into the Champions League without signing another player.
The summer transfer market remains open until Thursday’s 11pm deadline but, while he’d like to make one more addition to his squad, the Parkhead boss insists any further incoming player activity will depend on players leaving.
Josip Juranovic and Matt O’Riley have both been linked with English Premier League clubs in recent weeks but Postecoglou, who made Sead Haksabanovic his eighth signing of the summer last week, does not expect any of his key players to leave ahead of a mouthwatering European campaign that kicks off with the visit of Real Madrid to Glasgow on September 6.
He said: ‘I’d be very surprised if anyone wants to leave this place at the moment.
‘We’ll see how the next few days go. There’s the possibility of a couple of outgoings and that could give us the opportunity to bring another one in.
‘There’s nothing fixed in there but if the right opportunity came along we might bring one more
in. If we don’t, I am happy with the business we have done.’
A Montenegrin internationalist who cost Rubin Kazan almost £6million when they purchased him from Norrkopping last year, the 23-year-old Haksabanovic has been secured for a cut-price fee of just over £2m.
The Russians have been forced to cut their losses after the player’s contract was suspended in March following the country’s invasion of Ukraine.
Most recently he has been out on loan at Djurgardens but is not likely to play any part in Celtic’s Premiership match away to Dundee United today.
‘It’s great to get Sead finally done,’ added Postecoglou. ‘I am really pleased to get a player who will fit in well with us.
‘He’s only 23 but already has great experience with clubs and at international level. He will be a great asset for us.’
Haksabanovic can play anywhere across the front three and, although his arrival could further restrict the game time available to Liel Abada, the Israeli winger insists he welcomes the competition going into a packed schedule that will kick in with the midweek Premier Sports Cup tie at Ross County.
‘The squad is very strong and I believe in it,’ said Abada. ‘Everyone feels good about where we are and what we’re building.
‘The coach picks the players he needs to play but every time I get an opportunity I’ll do what I can to help the team.
‘The squad is ready for a lot of games, every player is capable of starting in the manager’s line-up.
‘I always just want to do my best for Celtic and the fans every time I get the chance to go on the pitch.
‘Everyone in the squad is happy, even if they’re not starting.
We’re together as a group.’
Having stuck largely to a settled team in the opening four games of the season, Postecoglou is likely to start rotating.
He added: ‘If you look at recent seasons, we have been playing between 50 and 60 games per season.
‘We have tried to have a strategy around our transfer business this year to make our squad stronger and more robust to cope with what we know is going to be a really hectic schedule, particularly the Champions League games which we know are going to take a lot out of the boys.
‘I think we are stronger as a group and in this early part of the season, where we haven’t had midweek matches, we have tried to work really hard in training to create a really strong fitness base for the whole group.
‘You try to manage that situation as best you can but it’s going to be a challenge. At the same time, because of the nature of the games, I am sure the players wouldn’t have it any other way than playing in all these competitions and trying to be successful in them this year.’