It’s back to school today for the Pupils of Postecoglou who weren’t required for international duty over the brief international break, and if Scottish dodged a bullet.
For a manager who asked for his new recruits to be in place by the time the flight left for the Pre-Season trip to Austria, only a back-up goalkeeper will need to be introduced to his new teammates – and be shown where the cafeteria and toilets are at Lennoxtown that may be a bone of contention for Ange Postecoglou.
Good morning from 𝗟𝗲𝗻𝗻𝗼𝘅𝘁𝗼𝘄𝗻 ⛰#CelticFC | #COYBIG 🍀 pic.twitter.com/F7JuCNS6mQ
— Celtic Football Club (@CelticFC) June 27, 2022
Postecoglou showed his concern publicly at the pace of transfer business last season, this time around however we can only hope there are good reasons for the delay, given the excuse of ‘Peter did everything around here, where’s the fax machine?’ won’t wash 12 months later.
Still, there’s plenty of time yet to get deals concluded. And although those of a nervous disposition when it comes to signing targets being passed to the boardroom – and being used as a coaster for a fortnight – will rightly be on tenterhooks, it does seem like Celtic are doing business and probably doing so far more expeditiously than previous years.
Alexandro Bernabei may even sign on the dotted line and hold a scarf above his head this afternoon, with rumours abound the medical has now been completed. Meanwhile a reported Thursday deadline for the Jota deal to be concluded with Benfica may well encourage out intrepid traveller to get up the road from his final Glastonbury stop-off in time for a shower and a hair appointment, before penning a permanent contract.
There are also reports of an unnamed striker heading our way, and if his name is Ryan Mmaee this writer may even praise Michael Nicholson – in a very short article, hidden away on page 37.
Of course, we also have the concerning sounds of an exit for Josip Juranovic to contend with, but thankfully the ‘interest’ in our diminutive Croatian full-back seem somewhat far-fetched, with Atletico Madrid and Diego Simeone’s dark side of the force approach to the beautiful game seeming an unlikely destination for a hyper-active wee fella who appears to prefer to play with a smile on his face, as opposed to a snarl.
Still, you never know, Juranovic may well be for the off. After all the ‘Not for Sale’ sign that was placed on Jura’s dressing room peg, does seem to have a caveat in very small print attached, reading ‘unless it’s an offer we can’t refuse’. And whilst for us that may mean £30m, you just know our board would buckle for half of that.
Yet a common-sense approach – I know, I know – would indicate with Champions League and World Cup exposure all in Juranovic’s sights before the end of the year, our right back’s value can only soar, but will our bean counters consider two in a bush, if offered one in the hand?
Celtic will have a lot of work to do in the coming weeks and it may seem a tad slow paced at present, but with Cameron Carter-Vickers signed sealed and delivered and Benjamin Siegrist a clear upgrade on Vasilis Barkas, Celtic have certainly started the process of ensuring we leave this transfer window in a stronger position than when it opened and haven’t been frightened to spend before they sell.
Our transfer window may only be slightly ajar at the moment, with a small breeze making its way in, but you get the feeling Ange Postecoglou will get what he needs, even if not always what he wants, and the transfer window may well be flung open this very week, hopefully allowing the manager to fully utilise the extended training time his league championship win – and attached group stage Champions league qualification – has afforded him, starting today with those who haven’t had their confidence knocked by being part of Steve Clarke’s international squad.
Niall J
