Ange Postecoglou insists Celtic have tooled up for the title campaign ahead after dodging a bullet last season. The Hoops boss is convinced his summer recruitment drive will allow his side to fight on four fronts as they prepare to go in mob handed against Aberdeen next Sunday in their Premiership opener.
Seven new signings have arrived at the champions and Postecoglou used 21 players during Saturday's home 2-0 win over English Championship side Norwich which included debuts for new Bhoys Aaron Mooy and Moritz Jenz. A title flag day against the Dons beckons next Sunday against the Dons and the Australians insists it's all systems go for their opener against Jim Goodwin's Reds.
He said: "Our whole recruiting process so far has been about making our squad robust. If we had some fragility last season then it was around the fact it was too much of a burden on the individuals and we ended up breaking down and losing key players for large chunks of the season.
"So we want to avoid that this season. In many respects we got away with it last season. In terms of the league, the Champions League and the cup competitions this season we want all of our players to be healthy so to have that will spread the burden amongst them.
"If we are going to play 60 games this season and try to compete in every competition then you have to have a strong squad. I don't see it that way of being spoiled for choice."
Postecoglou also revealed defender Carl Starfelt could be available to face Aberdeen as he continues to recover from a hamstring injury sustained on international duty with Sweden which has had him posted missing from Celtic's entire pre-season programme, including the win over the Canaries.
He said: "We're hoping he'll join in training at some point this week. He's in the last stages and doing all the physical stuff away from the group. So knock on wood, he's passed every stage and the handover to the football department should happen next week. That means that hopefully within a week or two he's ready to go."
Goals from Daizen Maeda and David Turnbull secured the win over Norwich and Postecoglou was also pleased to hand debuts from the bench for Mooy and Jenz. He said: “I just thought it was a good idea to get them a game.
"It’s a big occasion any time you make your debut for a club at home, particularly at this football club. So I wanted to give them that experience today and I thought they acquitted themselves well. Moritz has had a pre-season although in the last week he’s not done too much but he looked good and comfortable out there.
"Aaron’s not been training but the point of the experience today was to give him the matchday experience. I know what Aaron’s like and he won’t take too long to get up to speed.”
Celtic's display against the Canaries was the perfect sign-off for Celtic's pre-season and Postecoglou believes his squad is now up to speed. He said: “The reality is we’re working hard in training so we’re not going into games wondering if the players are going to be fine.
"The whole point of pre-season is to prepare them for what’s ahead. It’s not just about winning games. In all our games we’ve shown a few bright spots but today was probably the most solid we’ve been both with the ball and without it. We’ll have a good week of training, freshen them up at the back end of the week and hopefully we’ll see the team being in a much better position to play with the sort of high tempo intensity that we want.”
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