Ex-Celtic right-back, Mark Wilson praised Celtic boss Ange Postecoglou for the job he has done so far as Celtic manager. This comes after the Hoops boss won his first trophy last month.
And Wilson now believes Ange has earned the right to be backed again in the transfer market, owing to the success of his multiple signings in the summer transfer window. Speaking to Scottish Sun, he said: “I think Postecoglou definitely has the faith and trust of the Celtic fans for the latest Japanese players coming in. The manager clearly knows the Japanese market very well from his time in charge of Yokohama Marinos and Kyogo Furuhashi has been phenomenal.
“It’s fantastic that Celtic have acted with conviction before the transfer window has even opened. To get three deals done so quickly, making sure they settle into the squad before a return to action, is brilliant. The players will get a lift from more new faces coming in — and it can spark Celtic to make a real title push in the second half of the season.
“Postecoglou has the fans on his side with transfers. He’s brought in a few from left field and they’ve worked. But even if the three new Japanese lads don’t work out, I still feel he would retain the confidence of the fans for summer moves. The Japanese scene has some extremely talented players. I was lucky enough at Celtic to work with Shunsuke Nakamura and Koki Mizuno.
“It didn’t work out for Koki, but you could still see how technically gifted he was. Postecoglou will have been able to go to the board and assure them how well he knows Japan’s top flight. Kyogo’s success says it all. Look how the players and fans have reacted to him.
“It would’ve been an easy sell from Postecoglou to bring more in from that market. I’m encouraged by the stats and clips I’ve seen of Maeda, Ideguchi and Hatate. Real technicians, full of pace, quality first touch, good ages and internationalists. And Kyogo being there to welcome them will make it easier for them to settle in. Considering where Celtic were in the summer, I think Postecoglou’s done a terrific job. He’s building a squad to challenge(the)Rangers.”
Wilson is 100% correct, Ange inherited a sow’s ear and he is very much turning it into a silk purse this early in his Celtic tutelage. With a League Cup already bagged to serve as evidence of the proof in his ability as a coach and talent spotter, he has certainly earned the trust of those in the boardroom but more importantly, the Celtic Support.
With our new Japanese signings and more to come, we are begining look like serious title contenders. To think in June we were left shaken and perturbed by the failed snare of the new Newcastle boss, we have grew and developed at an incredible rate under Postecoglou, with more to come in the New Year. 2022 promises to full of excitement, that’s for sure.
Paul Gillespie
