ANGE POSTECOGLOU has admitted that his Celtic side were far from at their best as they suffered defeat in their opening Sydney Super Cup clash.
The Scottish Champions were lost 2-1 to Sydney FC despite taking the lead through Kyogo Furuhashi.
Goals from Robert Mak and Max Burgess turned the game on its head and it is fair to say Postecoglou was not pleased with his side's display.
He told Celtic TV: "It is fair to say we were nowhere near the level that we need to be.
"It was an entertaining game. I thought there was plenty of goalmouth action.
"But we were well off it today. To Sydney's credit, especially in the first half they had the better chances and deserved to win.
"We were well off it irrespective of those who have been playing or haven't been playing, we were nowhere near the level that we had to be.
"We will recover from this and get ready for Sunday against Everton."
Celtic will now face Frank Lampard's Toffees at the weekend before returning to Scottish soil for a break ahead of the Scottish Premiership return.
Postecoglou hailed the travelling Hoops support adding: "Yeah they were brilliant as always.
"Whether it is back home or around the world our supporters are passionate about the football club. They always make a great atmosphere.
"Unfortunately we couldn't reward them tonight but hopefully we will on Sunday.
"We will recover from tonight and have a session on Saturday. We will make sure we have the right mindset to be successful."
Meanwhile, Celtic captain Callum McGregor is stepping up his bid to return from injury during the club’s tour to Australia.
The midfielder has been sidelined since sustaining a knee injury in the Champions League match away to RB Leipzig at the start of October.
However, he was pictured running with his team-mates on Wednesday after they arrived in Australia to prepare for the Sydney Cup.
“Hopefully I will be joining bits of the sessions this week and just progressing the rehab,” McGregor told Celtic TV prior to the first training session.
“It will be an important five, six days for me. I am looking forward to getting back on the grass with the boys.”
