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Graeme Young

Aaron Mooy on Celtic waiting game as issues fitness pledge to Ange Postecoglou after starting chance

Celtic midfielder Aaron Mooy has detailed his enjoyable start at Parkhead after signing for Ange Postecoglou's men on a free transfer in the summer transfer window.

Mooy, who made his name at then-Premier League side Huddersfield after signing for the Terriers on a permanent transfer from Manchester City, put pen to paper on a two-year-deal back in July in a move that ensured Postecoglou still had a fellow countryman in his ranks following Tom Rogic's departure at the end of last season.

Having made the trip halfway across the world in 2020 after signing for Chinese side Shanghai Port from Brighton in a £4million deal, the Australian was left looking for a new club in May following his departure from the Pudong Stadium. Celtic were the team to snap him up, meaning Mooy would enter his sixth club in as many calendar years to add to the turbulence of his career. But the Australian, who played for St Mirren in his youth, has opened up on his "enjoyable" start in Glasgow upon his return to the Scottish Premiership.

"It was a good game, we played well and created lots of chances so it was a good night. We're playing well at the moment and scoring goals so we are just looking forward to the next match, so we need to recover and go again," he told Celtic TV.

"I'm enjoying things, it's going well and I've been working hard and waiting for more starts. I'm happy with the way it's gone and I'm enjoying playing with the boys and playing good football.

"It's hard work but it's enjoyable when it's coming off and hopefully I can get fitter and improve. There's always more from everybody, not just myself and it's good to get more minutes and play more."

Meanwhile, Celtic manager Postecoglou was delighted to see Kyogo get back among the goals at Fir Park but stressed he had been happy with the striker's performances in recent weeks.

Kelly made a string of top saves to deny Celtic at times, but says there's only so much you can do sometimes (SNS Group)

The Japan international notched from close range to round off a 4-0 Premier Sports Cup win and set up a semi-final against Kilmarnock in mid-January. Kyogo had only scored once in his previous eight Celtic matches - also against Motherwell - and Postecoglou admitted he had been reassuring the forward during that period.

He said: "He's like all strikers. They go a couple of games without scoring and the world collapses in on them. You are trying to tell them they haven't lost any of the ability they have and I've still been pleased with his general play.

"He's been getting in those areas and it's just a matter of him, like any striker, believing in what we are doing, keep hitting those areas and the goal will come. I'm sure he's happy. He was a bit unlucky. He hit the bar in the first half and he hit the post last weekend. Those are the fine margins for strikers.

"Probably earlier in the year, they both would have gone in, but the key for me is that I'm still pleased with the way he is playing. He is contributing, he's causing problems for the opposition. I'm pleased for him to get the goal, but it doesn't change my assessment on how he's been playing. He's still been a contributor."

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