Last time Ange Postecoglou was at Tynecastle, his star striker Kyogo Furuhashi had only arrived at lunchtime.
And new centre-back Carl Starfelt had just been in the door a matter of days before being thrown in to face Hearts on the opening day of the season.
The 2-1 defeat for Celtic in Gorgie came as no major surprise given the chaotic nature of the club’s summer recruitment.
But as he prepares for another trip to the capital, Postecoglou says the Hoops are in far better shape now.
The team that starts against the Jambos on Wednesday night will be very different to the one that kicked off Celtic’s Premiership campaign.
Postecoglou said: “I wouldn’t call it a baptism as I’d already been baptised – we had Champions League games before that.
“We played OK and did enough in the game to get a result. But not winning wasn’t a great way to start.
“It was a pretty hectic period. Kyogo had just arrived at lunchtime that day. He had lunch with the boys then I put him on the bench.
“Starfelt had just joined us too so it was a pretty tumultuous time.
“Things have changed a fair bit since then. We were still putting a team together but have now developed the squad. It’s a stronger squad and, more importantly, a more settled squad.
“The players know how we want to play our football a lot better now.
“It’s constantly improving which is great. We are in a good space, while knowing we need to keep improving.”
In Socceroos Cammy Devlin and Nathaniel Atkinson, Hearts now have players Postecoglou knows well from Down Under.
Midfielder Devlin believes everyone in Scotland likes Postecoglou but the Celtic gaffer said: “I could introduce Cam to a few people who probably don’t like me!
“I also know Nathaniel from Melbourne and, as Aussies, I’ve followed their careers closely.
“They’re good young players but good men as well. They’re in a great environment at Hearts with a good club. This league will be great for them.”
Another player Postecoglou could come up against in midweek is John Souttar, who has signed a pre-contract deal with Old Firm rivals Rangers.
The Hoops gaffer admits the defender – and Hearts – are now in a tough position.
Rangers are weighing up a January bid for Souttar. And while Jambos boss Robbie Neilson doesn’t want to lose him, Hearts
supporters loudly jeered his every touch against St Johnstone last week.
Postecoglou said: “It’s a challenging position for the player and club who have to deal with that. John strikes me as professional player who has his eye on the job in hand.
“As long as he’s representing Hearts, I expect him to perform as he’s been doing – which is playing well.
“I feel for players in that situation. But they have made a decision and know there is going to be blow back for it. Is it better in England where you can’t sign a pre-contract with clubs in the same league? Potentially because Souttar’s situation isn’t healthy for anyone.
“But irrespective of the rules, I guarantee you discussions take place with players in the same league down in England as well.”
