ABILDGAARD WILL HAVE A MAJOR IMPACT FOR CELTIC THIS SEASON, PREDICTS POSTECOGLOU

ANGE POSTECOGLOU has urged patience around Oliver Abildgaard, claiming it may not be until after the World Cup that Celtic fans see the best of the Danish midfielder.

Brought in from Rubin Kazan on transfer deadline day on a ‘season-long deal’, Abildgaard (left) is yet to start a game for his new club but Postecoglou insists the 26-year-old was never earmarked as an impact signing.

He explained: ‘I think Oliver is taking a normal amount of time. He was training on his own for months, so we knew he would take a while.

‘For me, Oliver, Aaron (Mooy) and Sead (Haksabanovic) were signings for the back half of the year. Anything we got out of them this first half of the year was going to be a bonus for us.

‘When you miss pre-season, it is a very difficult thing to come in and hit the ground running and feel good about your physical fitness and your football. What we are getting out of those guys just now is a real bonus. Second half of the year is when they will be able to show their true selves.

‘Oliver is doing really well. He is doing a job for us. He is getting fitter and I am sure he will make more of a contribution.’

With Abildgaard still adjusting, the task of filling Callum McGregor’s shoes in the deep-lying midfield role has fallen to Danish Under-21 cap Matt O’Riley.

Previously used in an advanced role, O’Riley (right) has shown versatility to become the anchor in the club captain’s absence.

Postecoglou added: ‘When we signed Matty we knew he could play that kind of a role. If anything, playing further up was a difference for him. We thought he adapted really well to that. Obviously with Callum going down, we had to look for another alternative there. We always feel we are a better side with a technical player in there and Matty certainly is that.

‘I have been really impressed with him, he is a mature young man and he has taken all the information on board. It isn’t only what he is doing with the ball, from a defensive point of view he is working really hard for the team.

‘It is a credit to him. We knew we had picked up a talented footballer but he is also a young man who wants to get better and take his football to another level.

‘This has been a new challenge for him but he has taken it on board really well.’