Ange Postecoglou is confident that two, perhaps even three players will be arriving before the transfer window closes at the end of the month and as things stand you’d have to say that Josip Juranovic from Legia Warsaw, Liam Scales from Shamrock Rovers (who can play left sided central defence, left back or left wing-back) plus striker Georgios Giakoumakis from Dutch side VVV-Venlo, are the mostly likely arrivals.
Update: Josip Juranovic will fly to Scotland this weekend to undergo a medical with #Celtic. Personal terms agreed today but he will play for #Legia vs Slavia Prague in the Europa League on Thurs before the move: https://t.co/18XjAVRyZl #transfers
— Lyall Thomas (@SkySportsLyall) August 18, 2021
Word is Juranović flying to Glasgow on Friday ✈️🏴
Legia Warsaw manager Czesław Michniewicz will attend a press conference tonight ahead of their match with Slavia Prague.
I'd imagine he'll be asked about the topic then.
— Everything Celtic (@aboutceltic) August 18, 2021
Those three together would appear to represent excellent value with a combined spend of around £5-6m and the Greece striker, who was the top goalscorer in the Dutch Eredivisie league last season, with 26 goals from 30 league games, probably only coming in if Odsonne Edouard gets his move to either England or perhaps back home to France.
Celtic have agreed a £2.5m fee to sign right-back Josip Juranovic from Legia Warsaw 🤝
— Sky Sports Scotland (@ScotlandSky) August 17, 2021
The Celtic manager yesterday praised Anthony Ralston for his contribution to the team so far this season and believes that there is more to come from the current first choice Celtic right-back. However Postecoglou admitted – watch below – that Ralston couldn’t be expected to play every game and admitted that Juranovic was an active signing target for the club.
Additional options at right back and on the left hand side of the defence – Scales appears to be very highly rated in Ireland and appears to have opted for a move to Celtic rather than Southampton as Celtic’s plan for him involves the first team rather than being a development player – are both clearly necessary and if it’s a case of Edouard getting a move then Georgios Giakoumakis looks like an exciting and high quality replacement.
Celtic Transfer Scouting – Georgios Giakoumakis🇬🇷
•Sharp in the box
•Strong physical & aerial presence
•Works space for himself in the box
•Inventive finishes
•Uses body well, can roll defenders
•Looks to find space with runs in behindExamples👇
Like & Retweet🍀 pic.twitter.com/QIFbKdUiKF
— Bhoys Analytics (@BhoysAnalytics) August 17, 2021
Juranovic if reports are to be believed, is edging very close to signing and he clearly fancies a move to Celtic
It is also clear that it is either going to be him or someone else who will arrive to contest the right back starting position with Ralston – the ONLY right back currently at the club – and that is going to be an interesting watch!
Ahead of this evening’s Europa League Play-off match against AZ Alkmaar at Celtic Park, Ralston spoke to the Mainstream Media at the club’s press conference (still no fan media at these) and was clear that he plans to battle for the shirt.
“It’s just about focusing on what I can do to help the team on a daily basis and what I can do better myself,” Ralston stated. “Everyone to a man who is playing is trying to do their best.
“From the start of pre-season into the opening games, it was down to me to take the opportunity and it still is.
You need competition in every position. It’s healthy. It’s important. That’s the way it is. You look forward to having it.
“I welcome the challenge, for sure. It’s important for every position that you have competition and that’s what keeps you on your toes and on top form all the time. I’m a Celtic fan and, if I wasn’t playing for Celtic, I’d be coming to all the games and supporting them.
“So I’m really pleased to be in this position. It’s a dream of mine. Every game and opportunity I get I’ll give my all and do my best for the club. That’s all I strive to do.”
Ralston, who was praised by Postecoglou at the manager’s pre-match Mainstream Media conference, returned the favour. “The gaffer’s come in and implemented how he wants the team to play. I think we’ve all taken to it really well. With the games coming thick and fast it helps to get the experience of playing the way the manager wants.
“The manager’s been great and given us all a lot of confidence. From a personal point of view, I’m really enjoying a slightly different role to what I’m used to, in terms of coming inside and finding myself in more attacking areas. That’s obviously helped grow my confidence. I can get into areas where I can produce a finish.
“It’s had a massive impact on how those goals have come about. It’s a part of my game that needed improvement, that final third area. It’s something that I work on in training and also my deliveries into the box, so it’s nice to come up with a goal or two.
“The main thing from that is I’m contributing to the team in a positive way, helping to get results. It’s not about me but, of course, it’s always nice to get a goal. It doesn’t come around too often. We’re obviously starting to hit a bit of form now, we’re all enjoying the style.”
Tony Ralston has been excellent so far and has a great attitude.
Cover is needed for all areas so that rotation can take place in order to accommodate the high intensity pressing game that Ange demands.