Ange Postecoglou insists he is still on the hunt for a batch of new recruits as Celtic stormed their way to a Europa League play-off with AZ Alkmaar.
Two David Turnbull goals and a James Forrest strike was enough to ease past FK Jablonec 3-0 on the night and 7-2 on aggregate but Postecoglou knows the opposition will move up a level when the Dutch come to town next Thursday and he’d like more bodies in the door.
He has been linked this week with French striker Thomas Henry, Croatian Josip Juranovic and Manchester City’s Brazilian right back Yan Couto and although Postecoglou was delighted with his team’s display under the lights last night, he insists reinforcements are required.
He said: "I would like it, that’s the honest answer and we’ll certainly try.
“But what I like and what can happen in the reality of that is different.
“But we’re working awfully hard, I guarantee you. Not a moment goes past, off the field the whole club’s working hard to make sure we can do it.
“But I’ve just got to temper that by saying we’ve done really well with the ones we’ve brought in so far.
“They’ve added something to this football club.
“I want to resist bringing players in just for the sake of it.
“Part of the issue is mine, I’m selective with the players I want to bring in.
“But I’m certainly pushing to get bodies in.
“There’s been plenty of names banded about but for us it hasn’t been about us having one target.
“We know that in the current climate some things take longer than others and we’ve just got to be really patient and diligent in our work.
“Once players are signed then I’m happy to talk about them but the speculation in terms of who we may or may not be interested in - if you look at it from when I started - I’d have had a squad of 73 by now and I don’t have that.”
Postecoglou experienced a sell-out Celtic Park for the first time - as did his wife Georgia and kids Max and Alexi - and admitted the atmosphere blew him away.
He added: “It was brilliant with the fans.
“For me that’s what football’s all about. It’s great to have success and to win but to have these kind of experiences is why I fell in love with the game in the first place.
“It was great to be a part of it and I think they played their part in it, particularly with the players in the middle of a pretty hectic schedule.
“At times when it looked like we were running on empty, they found extra energy because the crowd noise was incredible.
“It was a good start. I thought the first 25 minutes, half an hour were really good.
“We started with a great tempo and we fed off the energy of the crowd.
“We had some good opportunities to score more goals.
“We lost our way the last 15 minutes, we complicated things a little bit.
“Second half we started brightly.
“But overall, considering the heavy schedule we’re in, the expectations and demands I put on the players for style of football, I thought it was a good victory and a good performance.”
He reserved special praise for two-goal Turnbull and goalkeeper Joe Hart, who pulled off two stunning saves late in the game to keep a second successive Celtic clean sheet.
Postecoglou added: “It was great for Joe. He didn’t have a lot to do on the night, but those two moments were great.
“He stood up.
“He now gets the feeling of knowing what it’s like to be part of a special club.
“That’s what we want to do with the players, new ones especially. Make them understand they are at a special football club.
“There are demands with that, there are pressures with that.
“But if you deliver and show that sort of strength, there’s no better place to play.
”And David was brilliant. But he’s been great all along.
“He’s been a bit frustrated he hasn’t been able to score, but I think his football’s been brilliant.
“Him and Tommy (Rogic) were outstanding tonight while Cal (McGregor) orchestrated things really well at the base of that midfield.
“But those two were unplayable at times. It’s great for players’ confidence.”
Liel Abada missed the match with a slight knock but should be fit for Sunday’s cup clash with Hearts.
