Ange is not listening to noise around Edouard
Ange Postecoglou refuses to get involved in any battle there may be between Southampton and Brighton for Odsonne Edouard.
It has been reported the Saints see the French striker as a replacement for Danny Ings, who has joined Aston Villa in a £25-million deal.
It’s believed they and Brighton are prepared to pay £20m for Edouard, but that his wage demands are proving a stumbling block.
Not that Postecoglou appears concerned about any of that.
He said: “Nothing has really changed for me. Everyone knows that Odsonne is in the last year of his deal, and there is plenty of talk that he will move in this window.
“I just treat it all as something that is happening in the background.
“I prepare the squad for the games and Odsonne has played in most of them.
“He had a little knock after Midtjylland and didn’t train every day so I put him on the bench in midweek. But he’s available to play against Dundee.
“While he’s here, if he’s playing well and training well, I will select him.
“If something changes over the course of the next few weeks, then we are ready
for it. If players want to go, I am not going to try to convince them to stay.”
The Celtic manager also revealed that Leigh Griffiths could return to action in the return leg against Jablonec on Thursday.
Postecoglou believes today’s Premiership match has come “too soon” for new signing James Mccarthy.
The player himself can’t wait to pull on the Hoops. And memories of his late father, Willie, and the managerial influence of Roberto Martinez will drive James Mccarthy on at Celtic.
The Republic of Ireland midfielder was unveiled by the Glasgow club on Friday as the latest part of Ange Postecoglou’s re-building programme.
A first-team debutant at Hamilton Accies at the age of 15 in 2006, Mccarthy was among the most-scouted young players in Scotland until his departure to Wigan three years later.
Fast forward to 2021, and he has arrived at his boyhood love, as a highly experienced 30-year-old ready to hit the ground running.
“I am coming here to do my dad and the family proud,” said Mccarthy.
“He was a massive influence on me throughout my career. From a young kid, he took me back and forward to Hamilton.
“Losing him a few months ago has been tough for the family, and I am delighted to be back home seeing them a lot more.
“I know how much me joining Celtic would have meant to him.”
Family encouragement can only get young players so far. At some point, professional expertise is required to mould them into footballers.
Mccarthy is honest about owing much of his success to Roberto Martinez.
“He was definitely my biggest managerial influence,” he said. “Tactically, he taught me so much because he would go into every detail of the game on a daily basis.
“Roberto was the man who took me down south, first to Wigan then on to Everton with him. He made a massive difference because he made me a better player.
“I went down there as a young boy, and grew into a man within six or seven months.
“I was 18, and initially found it difficult to get in the team, but by January I had finally broken in.
“But by that time, I was more advanced in midfield than inside-left, where I’d play for Hamilton.
“And after a year or two, I went to a deeper midfield position. So he changed a lot of things in my game, and I am thankful to him.
“I still speak to him quite a lot. I spoke to him a couple of weeks ago by text.”
As might be expected of someone who grew up cheering Henrik Larsson on in his trips to Celtic Park, Mccarthy also has a soft spot for his old Republic of Ireland manager, Martin O’neill, himself a Hoops legend.
“I loved my time playing under Martin,” said Mccarthy. “We had a lot of good times.
“We got to the Euros, and did well in that. Getting put out by France was disappointing, but I enjoyed my time working under Martin.
“I was probably a bit star-struck at first, but that is football.
“You go down south and play against a lot of top players every week. But I’ve never thought: ‘Wow, that’s such and such’.
“I have always taken it as a good challenge, and look forward to the battle ahead.”
Mccarthy has yet to decide whether his move north of the border will be soon followed by the announcement of his retirement from the international game.
It was a step taken by Scott Brown, Celtic’s former skipper, in his 30s to help prolong his club career.
“I’ve not thought about that. Once I get into the club tomorrow, then I’ll reassess that,” said the Hoops new signing.
“I’ve not closed any door with Ireland. I want to make sure I am fit to play every week, and then we’ll see when the internationals come about.
“Retiring from international football has never crossed my mind.
“I just want to keep playing every week at Celtic, and then see where it takes me.”