ANGE Postecoglou last night revealed Celtic have targeted “multiple” players in specific positions he wants to strengthen and is confident of bringing in more new signings to Parkhead in the “next week”.
Postecoglou, whose team defeated Sheffield Wednesday 3-1 in their opening pre-season friendly in Wales yesterday, has identified right back, centre half and the wing as areas where he needs to increase his options.
The Greek-Australian coach has been linked with Bologna left back Aaron Hickey, Hajduk Split defender Mario Vuskovic, Rubin Kazan centre half Carl Starfelt and former West Brom forward Kyle Edwards this week.
He declined to discuss individual players after watching goals from Albian Ajeti, Owen Moffat and Odsonne Edouard give him a win in his first match in charge in Newport.
But Postecoglou said: “We are working on multiple fronts. There are some pretty obvious gaps we have in the squad. They are the areas we are working really hard to find the right players.
“I know exactly how I want to play and the kind of players we need. So we are looking far and wide. There’s challenges with getting players into the country and doing business so early in the window.
“The whole club is working hard and I’m hoping over the next week or so we have some announcements.”
He continued: “I’ve put names forward. I’m the one coaching the players. But the way it works is that we are looking at multiple people in those positions. If one doesn’t work we can’t afford to wait until it falls down for another one to come in.
“We are looking at two or three people at a time and wherever we can get the deal done we will get the deal done. I’m aware of many players. Whoever that is we will bring them in.”
Asked specifically about Edwards, Starfelt, Vuskovic and Hickey, Postecoglou said: “Confirm or deny? I would then be putting myself in a position where people think we have one target for one position.
“For me it’s about the right people - there’s no doubt this squad needs bolstering. We have lost a lot of players from last year and we are working hard to bring some in.
“It’s not about a number - I’m just keen to bring in some players because we have a lack of depth in areas. You look at centre back, wingers at right back.
“There’s areas there we don’t have a lot of depth and when you are going into important games with just one player in that position you are nervous in case something happens in that position.
“We don’t have to bring in everyone for the Midjtylland game (Celtic play their opening Champions League qualifier against the Danish club on Tuesday week) but we need to bring in players for these positions.”
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