Ange Postecoglou has revealed that new CEO Michael Nicholson has been the driving force behind Celtic ’s January signing push.
The Parkhead boss is ready to tool up and bolster his squad during the next transfer window which opens on Saturday.
Postecoglou has identified targets with Japanese trio Reo Hatate, Daizen Maeda and Yosuke Ideguchi amongst those on the target list.
Work has been going on for several weeks to get the process moving to help the manager have his new recruits on board as soon as possible with David Turnbull ’s two-month injury blow cementing the need to swiftly reinforce the group.
And Postecoglou says that Nicholson, who was installed in the chief-executive role on a permanent basis just last week, has been the one steering the moves and putting vital building blocks firmly in place.
Due to a gruelling schedule of matches in recent weeks, the Aussie admits he needed to have his focus fixed firmly on team matters and getting results both in Europe and domestically.
But he says that, in the background, Nicholson has been pushing and organising to keep negotiations flowing and try to make sure that deals get over the line.
Postecoglou said: “We’ve been working really hard on this window for quite a while.
“We knew it would be a crucial one and it is not an easy one, to be fair, the January window.
“It’s not one where you really want to do too much because there is sometimes a desperation around it in terms of the business.
“So we set our task early on that, irrespective of how the first half of the year went, we knew what targets we wanted. We knew what kind of players.
“And he [Nicholson] has been the driving force behind it.
“Because as you can appreciate, with the games we have had, I had to focus on making sure that we were competitive on the field.
“He’s taken the lead on that and he’s working awfully hard in the background to make sure we get what we need done.”
Postecoglou says the backing from his boardroom is down to the fact that all parties are agreed on the best way forward and what needs to be done.
He added: “That is because our visions are aligned.
“It’s not always the way and there may be times in the future where, whatever my vision is, it’s at odds with Michael.
“But, you know, if there is reasoning behind it, then I am comfortable with that as well. That’s the key.
“I have good and open discussions with Michael and for both of us it’s about this football club.
“It’s not about ourselves, personally. It’s about what we think is going to be the right fit for this club.
“As long as that’s aligned, things run a lot more smoothly.
“As I said, he’s worked awfully hard this last couple of months as we knew the January window was going to be important to make sure we get what we need done.”
