ANGE POSTECOGLOU has certainly wasted no time in stamping his authority on the playing squad at Parkhead. Since the Greek-Australian arrived in Glasgow in the summer of 2021, the squad has undergone a comprehensive overhaul as the Celtic manager has effectively assembled a brand new team.
No fewer than 26 players have been brought in in the intervening 18 months – with 21 heading out the door on a permanent basis – but this weekend marked a milestone in Postecoglou’s reign thus far.
Full-back Josip Juranovic completed a move to Union Berlin on Sunday, banking Celtic a cool £10million, and the Croatia internationalist holds the honour of being the first of Postecoglou’s signings to be moved on – and for a healthy profit, too.
It is an example of Celtic’s player-trading model at work and although the Premiership champions have lost a defender who excelled during his stint in Scotland, Juranovic’s replacement is already in the squad and making a name for himself.
Alistair Johnston finalised his move at the start of the transfer window after catching the eye at the Qatar World Cup and the Canadian has slotted into his new surroundings rather seamlessly – and former Celtic midfielder Peter Grant believes his old club have identified the perfect successor for Juranovic.
Grant said: “Will he be a good replacement? Absolutely. I’ve been really impressed with him on the pitch – and with the way he’s spoken off the pitch. I’ve been impressed with him since he came in the door.
“Celtic use their full-back slightly differently, with them pushing into the middle of the pitch. It’s uncomfortable for them to be in there sometimes and having to pick the ball up with their backs to the game. But he’s picked it up really quick and adapted really well.
“What I’ve noticed is if the game is narrow and it’s tight in there, he will stay wide and use his football intelligence. He’s a very good defender, particularly in one-on-ones. People probably forget about it but he got a great block in the other day [against Morton] at 0-0 and also did well to defend a back-post header. The good thing is he loves to defend.”
Grant continued: “The trick is to replace before you sell and that’s what Celtic have done here. Sometimes when you get money in for a player, selling clubs know you have cash and try to up the ante a bit.
“Celtic have done it the right way bringing Johnston in and it allowed Juranovic to move. It’s been good business and I believe Alistair Johnston could end up being even better. He’s got physicality and intelligence – and he’s still only 24.
“You hear the way he talks about the game. He’s a learner. One of the best things about him is – even though we like to talk about Celtic’s attacking play – is the fact he’s a bit of a throwback. He talks about defending, first and foremost. That’s the most important thing and the rest is a bonus.
“Johnston has a lot of bonuses. He’s got a lot of energy and you can see his strength. He’s already an international with great experience and I just feel he’ll get better and better playing with good players. Johnston has all the tools to be a top full-back.”
Juranovic was the first of Postecoglou’s recruits to move onto pastures new and it is looking increasingly likely that Giorgos Giakoumakis will be the second, with the Greek centre-forward seemingly closing in on a move to Urawa Red Diamonds in Japan.
The decision is one that has tended to split the Celtic fanbase. On the one hand, some supporters are concerned about the prospect of losing a proven goal scorer midway through a title challenge; on the other, there are those that insist that the turnover of players is essential to the club’s long-term strategy.
Grant falls into the latter camp. He trusts Postecoglou to replace the striker effectively as he pointed to the Celtic manager’s excellent record in the market.
“I don’t think the manager would let [Giakoumakis be sold] unless he has a replacement lined up,” he explained.
“I really like Giakoumakis. I was impressed when I saw him in Holland where he finished top scorer with a team that got relegated, which says it all about his ability to stick the ball in the back of the net.
“He’s different to what Celtic have in the building right now and they have to replace that.
“But you have to trust and respect the manager. He won’t allow him to go unless he’s got a replacement.”
