Ange praises trust and support from Michael Nicholson and Chris McKay

Ange Postecoglou believes he has earned the trust of the Celtic Board through his transfer dealings across two previous transfer windows – and as a result he is convinced there is now an alignment between what the manager needs to continue his rebuild of Celtic squad and those expected to fund and conclude the deals.

So far in this transfer window Celtic have spent in the region of £17m closing deals for the likes of Daizen Maeda, Cameron Carter-Vickers and Jota, who turned temporary loan deals into permanent arrangements, and has also strengthened with back-up ‘keeper Ben Seigrist and Argentinian left back Alexandro Bernabei.

Since then, Celtic have been unable to persuade the much sought after Vinicius Souza that Celtic was the club for him, and instead the lower half of La Liga with Espanyol was the chosen destination.

Yet Postecoglou, as reported in Daily Record is still keen for further reinforcements to arrive. And whilst praising the board for the job done so far, and recognising the relationships built up between all concerned, there was still a subtle reminder that more is required.

This alongside a reinforcing of the message that if the decision makers back him, the ‘one or two’ he still wants added will be both the ‘right ones’ and offer both value on the park and in their potential resale value, as he’s evidenced with his eye for a player up to now.

“The whole club has been really supportive of me,” With Michael (Nicholson) and Chris (McKay) and the board and the key decision-makers, I think there is a fair bit of trust.

“I had to earn that trust last year, particularly in the first window. I think they feel like they understand me and what I’m trying to do. That makes things a lot easier. It’s not really a battle for me to try to convince people. I’m totally understanding of the kind of markets we need to be looking at and financially where we are so I think there is an alignment there within the whole club.

“That’s what I’m saying. We’re not stressed about our situation. We will bring in one or two but I’ll make sure they are the right ones,” Ange emphasised. “The club has supported me from the moment I’ve come in. You saw that in January, we brought in four players in January pretty quickly, and I think that was a real sort of pivotal point in our season and our attempt to win the league. They’ve done the same now.

 Jota of Celtic celebrates with teammate David Turnbull after scoring their side’s second goal during the UEFA Europa League group G match between Bayer Leverkusen and Celtic FC at BayArena on November 25, 2021 (Photo by Lukas Schulze/Getty Images)

“The club understands the vision we have, what we want to create and what we want to build. We’re still in the building phase, and with Jota and Cam, it’s not just about that we’ve got two quality players in permanently, but we know what they’re like as people and we know they really fit with the culture.

“I think the best is ahead of them. They’re both at a good age where we’re going to get some improvement out of them.”

As ever Ange Postecoglou is extremely measured in what he says, how he says it, and in his timing. This is a crucial transfer window, as Celtic move from regaining domestic dominance to competing in Champions League Football, and with the manager keen to conclude transfer business early, this is also a key moment in time during this particular transfer window.

Cameron Carter-Vickers of Celtic (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

The window may well run until the end of August, but Postecoglou will want the ‘one or two’ players he has targeted in the door yesterday, as he looks to blend and bond the squad together ahead of a title defence and a tilt at Group Stage Champions League football.

The manager has been well backed, but more is required. And his pointing to the good work he’s carried out in terms of recruitment so far is a gentle reminder to the Board not to rest on their laurels.

If they continue to back their man and do so in a timely manner, Postecoglou has shown those players he targets will give the club the performances on the park he knows they’re capable of – and further down the line will swell the profit margins for years to come.

Niall J

About Author

As a Bellshill Bhoy I was taken to my first Celtic game in the summer of 1987. It was Billy McNeill’s return to Celtic Park as manager and Celtic lost 5-1 to Arsenal . I thought I was a jinx, I think my Grandfather might have thought the same. It was the finest gift anyone ever gave me when he walked me through Parkhead's gates.

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