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Daily Record
Daily Record
Sport
Mark Pirie

Ange Postecoglou in Celtic transfer 'stay active' pledge as he offers blunt James McCarthy exit response

Celtic boss Ange Postecoglou admits the club are still on the lookout for new recruits after a busy summer so far in Glasgow's east end.

Celtic have gone quiet in terms of incomings since they welcomed both Aaron Mooy and Moritz Jenz, taking their summer signing total to seven so far this summer. However, the likes of Albian Ajeti, Mikey Johnston and Christopher Jullien could all be on the way out with the trio on the fringes of the Scottish Premiership champions squad and failing to make the team named against Aberdeen on the opening day.

The Hoops travel to Dingwall to face Ross County in their second clash of the season. Malky McKay's side kicked off their campaign at Tynecastle last week in a defeat against Robbie Neilson's Hearts. Ahead of the game, the Australian admitted he was still open to continuing his recruitment drive if the right deal came up.

He said: "I think I've said that while the window's open we are still active. Nothing definite but while the window's open we are expecting that if the opportunity arises for the right kind of player that we can move for it but that also means there could be some people outgoing as well.

"So we have just have got to stay alert and active but between now and the end of the window I've already said if the right opportunity comes along that I feel we need then we will take it. Like I said. Nothing really definite at the moment."

Postecoglou also shrugged off talk that James McCarthy could be leaving Parkhead this summer. Reports suggest McCarthy is weighing up his future after failing to make the bench for the 2-0 win over Aberdeen and he remains a wanted man in England.

When asked links with a move away for the 31-year-old, the boss bluntly added: "Not on my radar, mate. I'm dealing with what's in front of me. Macca is still training with us. He is part of the squad. So in terms of what is happening beyond that it's not on my radar."

(Getty Images)

The gaffer also expected a tough test from Ross County, but refused to put it down to just Dingwall being a difficult venue. He added: "Every game and situation has its own challenge.

"I'd hate to dismiss this as a difficult fixture just because of the venue, I think it is a difficult fixture because of the opposition you face as well. Obviously Ross County are a good side, they make it hard for the opposition whoever goes there.

"I can tell you that when Anthony Ralston stuck one in in the last minute it felt like Celtic Park in those moments. The atmosphere is still pretty decent so, for us, we have just got to focus on playing our football, whatever challenge there is. What we showed last year, and so far this year, is that irrespective of what has been put before us, if we can play our football, stick to the task and be disciplined then we are hard to stop."

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