Postecoglou: Celtic aren't interested in further January signings

Celtic manager Ange Postecoglou says he isn’t in the market to make any further January signings after securing four new players and missing out on Riley McGree.

The Parkhead club moved swiftly in the market, landing Japanese trio Daezen Maeda, Reo Hatate and Yosuke Ideguche as the window opened. Teenage Irish striker Johnny Kenny arrived from Sligo Rovers last week.

Postecoglou has seen the club linked with a number of other players but says he doesn’t have anyone else lined up to join the club before the deadline and isn’t planning any further purchases.

“As we speak right now, there are no other offers or people I have spoken to,” he said.

“So the 20 names that come out tomorrow are all lies and fabrications. Or they’re from people at home bored and Googling names and throwing them up there, or agents trying to get a little more value for their clients.

“I can’t be any clearer than that, and what I won’t do is lie.

“There’s no one else we’re talking to, there’s no other offers, no one else I’m showing interest in. If that changes, I’ll let you know.”

The Australian did confirm that a move to sign midfielder McGree, who Postecoglou capped during his time as an international manager, had been unsuccessful. Celtic did hold talks about signing the player from Charlotte FC but the player now looks set to join Middlesbrough.

The Celtic boss said: “Riley McGree was someone we had an interest in because of my association with him and obviously I know the player very well.

“After initial discussions he’s decided to look elsewhere, which is fine.

“But we have not spoken to one other player except for the ones we’ve brought in.”

Postecoglou also gave an update on Leigh Griffiths after speculation about him ending his loan at Dundee early.

“That dialogue hasn’t included me,” he said. “Leigh’s situation is that he will probably be looking at opportunities elsewhere and that’s kind of where I see it as well.”

Celtic now look ahead to their first game back after the winter break, when they face Hibernian on Monday. Portuguese winger Jota is back in training and Postecoglou said he isn’t “far off” a first team return.