If last summer was one of revolution at Celtic, then evolution should be the buzzword of 2022.
Little tweaks are required here and there, in stark contrast to the almost unprecedented overhaul of last year.
“We’re always looking to improve areas,” Postecoglou admitted this week, via Football Scotland.
And if the Premiership leaders can continue a remarkable run of hits in the recruitment department – the vast majority of their many, many signings over the last 12 months have undoubtedly been a resounding success – then the gap between Celtic and their Old Firm rivals could quickly become a chasm once again.
Especially if a Rangers side with a far less impressive record in the transfer market cannot find adequate replacements for Alfredo Morelos, Ryan Kent, Joe Aribo, Allan McGregor, Conor Goldson and Steven Davis, all of whom will be free-agents between now and July 2023.
Incomings and outgoings
Celtic have a couple of expiring contracts of their own to keep an eye on.
James Forrest, Nir Bitton, Christopher Jullien and Tom Rogic have around 15 months left on their deals. Rogic, rejuvenated under his former Australia boss Ange Postecoglou, is the most deserving of an extension. As things stand, however, there appears to have been little movement on that front.
And this is where Ahmed Ghayedi comes in. According to reports in the Middle East, Postecoglou is a big fan of the diminutive playmaker. Celtic have already told Shabab Al Ahli that they are willing to stump up £3.6 million to bring him to Parkhead. And, after a season of inconsistent form, the Dubai-based outfit will not stand in his way.
23-year-old Ghayedi, who produced 18 goals and assists last term, is a versatile attacking midfielder, albeit arguably at his most effective on the wing. His arrival would ensure that neither Jota nor Liel Abada cannot afford to let their standards drop.
Postecoglou has already admitted to keeping an eye on players based far-reaching corners of the footballing globe, having enjoyed great success with unproven talents like Abada, Kyogo Furuhashi, Reo Hatate and Josip Juranovic (Optus Sport).
Ahmed Kendouci, a 22-year-old Algeria international plying his trade at ES Setif, is another little-known prospect on Celtic’s radar (Liberte). He is more defensively-minded than the twinkle-toed Ghayedi and could replace Bitton or the out-of-favour Ismaila Soro.
The new Kai Havertz?
Christopher Scott, meanwhile, is perhaps the epitome of a ‘typical Celtic signing’. Young, highly talented, technically gifted and affordable.
The 19-year-old, who has been likened to Chelsea star Kai Havertz, can be snapped up for a bargain fee of £250,000. Bayern Munich are struggling to tie him down to a new deal.
If Scott is viewed as a player capable of making an immediate impact at Parkhead, fellow teenager Alex Murphy may instead be ‘one for the future’. The 17-year-old is a first-team regular at Irish outfit Galway United. He would become the latest fresh-faced prospect to make the switch across the sea, following Liam Scales and Johnny Kenny.
A new left-back
Celtic could also bring in a new back-up goalkeeper with Vasilias Barkas heading for the exit. A left-back is also on Postecoglou’s summer hit list. Hopes of a return to Glasgow for Aaron Hickey have surely gone up in smoke, however, his price-tag soaring after an excellent Serie A campaign at Bologna.
Callum Styles of Barnsley is far more attainable. Especially after the Tykes were relegated from the Championship on Saturday. According to The Sun, Celtic are eyeing a £2 million move for Helsingborg’s swashbuckling assist-king Mohanad Jeahze. With 12 assists in the last two seasons, Jeazhe is exactly the sort of attack-minded full-back Postecoglou likes.
But the Celtic boss also expects his wide defenders to be equally comfortable drifting into central positions – a la Philipp Lahm under Pep Guardiola – so Styles’ ability to slot into midfield roles could perhaps make him a better fit for this Hoops side than Jeahze.
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For the first time in what feels like forever, Celtic supporters can rest a little easier over the summer months, safe in the knowledge that there will be no transfer sagas like the ones involving Kristoffer Ajer, Odsonne Edouard and Ryan Christie last summer.
Cameron Carter-Vickers is perhaps the one first-team regular facing an uncertain future. But all the signs suggest that the Tottenham loanee will soon put pen to paper on a permanent deal.
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