This week saw the first anniversary of when Celtic overtook theRangers at Celtic Park to go top of the Scottish Premiership. 2 February last year was a night to remember as we steamrolled past the forlorn Giovanni van Bronckhorst and his team of misfits to cruise into a 3-0 lead before the half-time whistle had went on a wonderful evening underneath the Paradise lights.
Ange has been reflecting on this with during an inteview via Sky Sports Scotland, and the Celtic boss also echoed what he said a while back about the Hoops being more aggressive in the transfer market. This January window saw Josip Juranovic leave for Union Berlin in the Bundesliga, whilst Giorgos Giakoumakis is still in the process of finalising a move away too.
The manager has recruited younger talent to take their places in the form of Alistair Johnston and Hyeon-Gyu Oh from Montreal FC and Jeonbuk Hyundai respectively. Both men arrived for around the £2.5 million mark and the manager will be hoping for great things to come from both players. The potential for improvement is far greater than it was for the men they replaced in the side and Ange has reiterated his stance on the issue of being aggressive in the marketplace.
Speaking to Sky Sports Scotland, he said:”I said to the board we have to be aggressive, not reactive. There was an opportunity in this window, I had an inkling that at least a couple of significant players would move on, on Josip and particularly Giakoumakis, so I really though tit was important to get ahead of the game there and get in players to replace them.
“If we didn’t lose those players in the window I was comfortable with that as well, as was the club, there wasn’t a need to sell anyone. It was a unique opportunity for us, the boys moved on.
“With the business we’ve done, if Giakoumakis goes though, we’ve moved on two players who are 27, 28, and brought in four who are under 24 for an awful less money and I think will make us stronger in the long-term.
“It’s not about forcing players out, obviously there’s going to be opportunities. There is a model this club works on and other clubs work on. What we’re trying to do is maximise the potential of our players but there won’t be any intent to move players out but in terms of our players having interest from other clubs, if it’s a good deal for everyone involved, we’ll make sure to be ready for that.”
Watch Ange Postecoglou talk transfers below…
🔼 One year on from beating Rangers to go top
🔵 Always expect “tough contest” at St Johnstone
👋 Giakoumakis departure “pending”
💪 My strongest squadWe’ve been speaking to Celtic boss Ange Postecoglou ahead of Sunday’s game at McDiarmid Park, live on Sky Sports 📺 pic.twitter.com/CmO52PTJOo
— Sky Sports Scotland (@ScotlandSky) February 3, 2023
Paul Gillespie
