Celtic manager Ange Postecoglou prioritises versatility for new recruits during transfer window

Celtic manager Ange Postecoglou has refused to be drawn on a bid to sign Rubin Kazan’s Sead Haksabanovic but is in the market for new players, with versatility being an essential quality for new recruits.

The Premiership champions have had a busy summer, securing Jota and Cameron Carter-Vickers on permanent deals, and adding Alexandro Bernabei, Aaron Mooy, Moritz Jenz and Benjamin Siegrist to the squad.

With just under two weeks left in the transfer window, Celtic are still keen to add new faces, and have been linked with a number of players.

Reports have emerged that the club are closing in on the signing of Haksabanovic from Rubin Kazan, having signed Carl Starfelt from the Russian side last year.

Asked about the links, Postecoglou wouldn’t confirm or deny, but he did explain what he was looking for in the market.

“I think we’ve been linked with a player every time I’ve done one of these,” he said. “When and if we announce it, we’ll announce it.

“As I said all along, we’re agile and looking for the right person to bring in if that right person is available and if we can do a deal then we’ll do a deal. Nothing has really changed on that front.

“I’ve been pretty consistent that if we can get a player who can play in a variety of positions… it’s just got to be the ideal player.

“Our recruiting issue has been around making our squad stronger and more robust compared to last year. If you look at the players we’ve brought in that’s what we’ve added to our squad.

“So it’s not a specific area as such, in terms of position, it’s more if we can find a player, or a couple of players, who can play in more than one position then I think it’ll help us.”

The manager also conceded that some players may leave the club. Mikey Johnston has been expected to depart on loan for game time, and a number of others look to be outside the first team picture.

“Without talking about specific players, because ultimately they are all individual cases, it’s about trying to find opportunities for these guys to play, if they are not going to get opportunities here,” he said.

“With some of it, it’s got to be driven by themselves as well, if they want to find somewhere to get more opportunities, we will certainly help in that regard. There are still ten days or so open in the transfer window.

“Particularly around Mikey, I am really keen to get him some game time. I still think Mikey is an outstanding talent, he just hasn’t been able to get a good run of games.

“If we can find the right environment for him where he can, I think he can start realising the potential we all know he has.

“But he is training well. They are all training, everyone is part of the training group. If opportunities arise over the next ten days for players we will definitely look at it.”

Meanwhile, Celtic prepare to face Hearts this weekend in the Premiership and Postecoglou confirmed that Alexandro Bernabei will be available for selection.

The 21-year-old, who moved to the club from Argentina this summer, was arrested and charged with a road traffic offence on Monday. Postecoglou said that he could play, but that an internal investigation was taking place in addition to the police action.

He said: “There was an incident earlier in the week and now there are processes taking place both externally and internally, and when they come to a conclusion, we will take the appropriate measures.

“He is training and he is available.”