Postecoglou looking for Celtic improvements despite positive start

Ange Postecoglou is looking for his Celtic side to be stronger in the second half of a season despite clear signs of progress in his first six months in Glasgow.

The former Australia manager has already brought the League Cup back to Celtic Park but currently sit six points behind leaders Rangers in the Premiership.

And with the additions of another three J League stars to the squad, and striker Johnny Kenny from the League of Ireland, Postecoglou is hoping for progress as the top flight reconvenes following an earlier than planned winter break.

He said: “The six months, if nothing else, has shown progress for us.

“Are we where we want to be? No. I certainly want us to be stronger than what we are at the moment.

“But from where we started and where we ended up there was progress but I want more.”

Celtic won 16 of their last 19 games in all competitions before the break, including the League Cup final victory over Hibs at Hampden, but Postecoglou is not ready to get complacent.

The Hoops host the Easter Road side in the league on Monday with Daizen Maeda, Yosuke Ideguchi and Reo Hatate all available for selection as they look to cut the gap at the top.

And the manager wants to see signs of improvement from kick-off.

He said: “I want us to be better, stronger, and to be fair that would be my answer even if we weren’t flying.

“The idea is that we continually seek improvement in the way we play and the way we develop our players, our results, everything.

“But it has been an entertaining six months for everyone, there have been plenty of storylines and hopefully moving forward we continue our progress and the most important thing is we vindicate the support that I have had and the team has had in the first six months.

“A big part of my first six months is the supporters who have got right behind the team which is the most important thing for me.”