Ange Postecoglou has pulled Reo Hatate out of the firing line because he has now assembled a Celtic squad where he no longer has to take risks with any of his top stars.
Hatate is feeling the pain of a bruising opening day win over Aberdeen and the Hoops boss has left him out of today’s trip to take on Ross County. The Japanese star has been a standout but Postecoglou reckons he now has strong options right across his squad and it is about keeping them all fresh and well for the upcoming domestic and Champions League challenges.
Postecoglou confirmed: “It’s all good, apart from Reo. He got a couple of knocks last week and a bit of a muscle strain so we held him back this week for a bit of rehab. There were a couple of hard tackles and some clashes didn’t come out of too well. He will miss this game but everyone else is okay.
“We have the luxury of having the squad now that means we don’t need to risk players or push players too much. We have no midweek games right now so we can give them the rehab, be conservative with them and get them right.”
It is the same with Carl Starfelt. He has been training all week but Postecoglou has central defensive options and doesn’t need to rush the Swedish international back. The Celtic boss stated: “Carl is back training and did the full week, but he’s obviously missed a fair bit.
“It’s just about getting him a game now but that will happen over the next two to three weeks. We will get him game-time and get him up to speed, but we have depth and there is no need to rush him back”
Postecoglou admitted that too much was asked of some of his players last season. That was something he was keen to address in this transfer window. He admitted David Turnbull, who could replace Hatate today, was one of the main victims.
The Celtic boss, who wants his side to show a more ruthless streak at Ross County, confirmed: “I think he will have a strong year this season but he won’t play 50 games, Matt O’Riley won’t play 50 games - none of them will play 50 games.
“The whole idea in the way of setting things up this year, particularly in midfield, is that we have depth. That is so we can make sure that guys don’t get overburdened.
“The problem with David last year is that he played every game in the first half of the year and he ended up getting injured. The way we play is quite intense and it takes its toll physically, and mentally.
“So I don’t have a first XI, I don’t have a set midfield three and then another one. What I do have is players who can play in those areas and I want to get the maximum out of all of them. The only way I can do that is by keeping them fresh for when they are needed.”
Postecoglou admitted there is still room for further transfer movement in and out. He claimed: “There is nothing concrete going on right now.
“While the window is still open, we are still active - in terms of getting players opportunities elsewhere and seeing what is out there to bring in. We certainly aren’t closed up for business, but there is nothing concrete yet.”
Winger Mikey Johnston is still training with Celtic, despite interest from Standard Liege, although Postecoglou admitted that situation could change.
He also shut down talk of midfielder James McCarthy leaving. Postecoglou said: “Not on my radar, mate. I’m dealing with what’s in front of me.
"Macca is still training with us. He is part of the squad. So in terms of what is happening beyond that it’s not on my radar.”
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