Celtic have undergone a transformation since the arrival of Ange Postecoglou last summer, both on the pitch and behind the scenes. Of course, the visible part is how the team have been playing and of course, winning once again, after the disaster that had been the 2020/21 campaign, when they finished trophyless and 25 points behind the Rangers, as their 10IAR dreams went up in smoke.
While the players must be commended, as well as Postecoglou for his management of them and turning things around so quickly, even more impressive has been the change behind the scenes.
The club have moved with a purpose and efficiency in the transfer market that we have never really seen from them in the past, as the Hoops had built up a reputation of dragging their heels over signings. Now, they announce triple deals before the January window even opens. What a transformation!
Another characteristic of the Postecoglou era has been the hunger for constant improvement. And rumours recently broke out that the club were close to bringing in former Tottenham Hotspur transfer guru, Steve Hitchen, to work alongside the manager. It looks like there is not much truth to those rumours though.
Postecoglou dismisses Celtic backroom appointment rumour
As reported by 67 Hail Hail, when asked about the Hitchen link and the potential of a director of football coming to the club, Postecoglou said while speaking in a conference on Celtic’s official YouTube channel:
"“If we’re taking a roll call of everyone who turns up to our games for possible positions in this football club, no.“We’re kind of working through those areas methodically. We have added to all the areas I believe we needed to add. We’re continually looking at making sure that we’re as well-resourced as we possibly can be.“We’ve made quite a few additions into areas that I felt were important. We’ll keep working that way. If I feel something needs further bolstering up, an area in our football department or within here at Lennoxtown, we’ll do so. But it’s not going to be gauged by who comes to our games. That’s not us putting a job vacancy out.”"
Postecoglou is believed to have been the driving force behind Celtic’s transfer activity since his arrival last summer from Japan.
And it is safe to say that it has proven to be a grand success, with the club discovering stars like Kyogo, Jota, Cameron Carter-Vickers, Reo Hatate, Matt O’Riley and several others within the space of two transfer windows. That is an impressive eye for talent.