Ange Postecoglou has predicted that Celtic will be a hectic end to the transfer window and the recent mid-window lull in activity. There’s likely to be numerous players heading out the door either on permanent moves or loan deals and there should be several new signings as the Celtic manager puts the finishing touches to his squad ahead of his first foray into the Champions League as a manager.
“There are one or two areas that I would like to bring in, but it has to be the right sort of players. We are definitely still active and looking at what options may be available,” Ange said, as reported by Scottish Sun. “In general, I think this transfer window is going to be pretty hectic in the last couple of weeks. I suggest there could be some opportunities there for us.
“In terms of outgoings there are players who aren’t getting a lot of opportunities. I am not having discussions with anyone on a daily basis on what their future should be, as that’s really up to them.
“I am not one to try and convince people to stay and I am not going to persuade anyone to go. But the reality is that some people will get less opportunities and if that’s not sufficient for them then they can explore other opportunities,” the Celtic manager stated.
The players that fall into the category of getting very few opportunities should they stay are the likes of Mikey Johnston, who can go away on loan for a period to help secure his Celtic future further down the line, Christopher Jullien, who is out of the picture as far as central defenders are concerned, Albian Ajeti, unlikely to play this season and on or two others.
One player who will not fall into that category is James Forrest, as Ange explained.
“James has been at this club for a very long time. If you asked him if he’s ever felt he was guaranteed a spot in this team, or this club didn’t have more than two great wingers, I’d be very, very surprised. I don’t think anything has changed for him.
“Yeah, it’s a challenge at the moment getting game time, but the reason we kept him on last year and re-signed him is because I still think there’s value in him. He’s an experienced guy and he still has the skill-set and temperament to perform at the highest level and he’s training really well.
“Through pre-season so far he hasn’t missed a session for us and is working as hard as he can to make sure that when his opportunity comes along, which inevitably it will, he will be ready for it.”
