Video: Ange Postecoglou on “the best laid plans…” and the Celtic player who has “worked his socks off”

Watch Ange Postecoglou’s mainstream media conference which incidentally is still taking place without any involvement from the Celtic Fan Media. “I know how important the fans are to this football club,” the Celtic manager said today.

There’s an update on Kyogo which we’ve already covered – he’s out for 3 to 4 weeks. Ange talks through his thoughts on the vaccine passports, preferring to leave these matters to the medical professions who he’d wouldn’t take advice from on picking his team.

“I know how important the fans are to this football club…”

The bones of the transfer window are picked through and the manager is happy with his 12 signings, although accepts that in normal times that would be too many to bring in. He accepts that he had no other choice and declare himself happy.

On the player who left the club Ange wishes them well for the future careers but his focus is on the group at the club all of whom want to be here and are highly motivated to play for Celtic. “We wanted guys who wanted to be here, the opportunity to play for Celtic, and what it can do for their careers.”

On the recent arrivals all bar Giorgos Giakoumakis are in contention to play a part tomorrow against Ross County. The Greek striker hasn’t played since May and did not have a pre-season with his previous club VVV Venlo so is behind the other arrivals, all of whom are match fit and ready to play.

One player who has “worked his socks off” in training is Albian Ajeti and he will be given his opportunity to impress, so expect a starting role for him tomorrow against Ross County. “We lost a couple of games and that doesn’t sit well with me,” Postecoglou said, reflecting on the downside of his first batch of games as Celtic manager.

The defeats to FC Midtjylland in the Champions League and to Hearts and theRangers in the Scottish Premiership still annoy the Australian. “I’ve not got over it,” he said about the defeat at Ibrox in the last game.

James Forrest will not be risked tomorrow but James McCarthy is now fit and could feature.