Ange Postecoglou warned Celtic fans not to get sentimental over any departing Hoops heroes as Josip Juranovic edged closer to becoming the first big name through the January transfer window exit door.
The Australian confirmed the Croatian will undergo a medical with Bundesliga side Union Berlin in a deal worth around £10million and the Parkhead manager admitted it's part of a ruthless approach to comings and goings at his club which is all about the bottom line. After watching his side ease to a 5-0 Scottish Cup fourth round win over Championship side Morton, Postecoglou heaped praise on Juranovic for his service and also revealed Greek striker Giorgos Giakoumakis' departure is also imminent.
He said: "I said at the AGM we have just got to be really agile and aggressive in the transfer market if we want to make the gains we want to make. I get that it is unsettling and disconcerting, particularly for our supporters, because they love these players, and I totally understand that. But my role is to try to make decisions that I think are best for us and our continued growth as a football team, and realising when an opportunity comes along we have to be ready to take it.
"That's what we have done with Josip. I don't think there needs to be winners and losers out of this. I can't question Josip's contribution, he has been fantastic. Josip has absolutely loved his time here and he will remember it fondly and he gets an opportunity to do further things in his career and for his family. He's been given permission to travel and he'll have a medical with Union Berlin.
"I assume that if all goes well then he'll move. I think he's been fantastic, I've loved working with Josip. He's been a really popular member of the dressing room, he's been a key contributor last year to what was a very, very important season, in the context of what had happened the season before.
"The fact we had to rebuild the team and get back to where we wanted to be in terms of champions then he was a key component of that. With all of the lads, I'm constantly in dialogue with them about themselves and their careers and people have to appreciate Josip is 28-years-old but he hasn't really got to the highest level until late in his career.
"He just wants to maximise his opportunities, to be honest. I agree with him. That's what all of us have in our careers, a limited time and we want to take opportunities. He leaves here as a fantastic player and as somebody who contributed to what was a really important season for us. I certainly wish him well and I hope he goes over there and kills it. He's very well respected within our dressing room and will be missed but that is the nature of football."
Juranovic, a £2.5million signing from Legia Warsaw, watched from the stand as Celtic crushed Morton and Postecoglou revealed he also left out Giakoumakis from his plans due to ongoing talks with clubs in both Europe and Asia.
He said: "He had that little niggle. He trained on Friday but it's fair to say there is a fair bit going on with him in the background as well and my view is that it's not just about the physical but the mental too. I had a good chat with him and until he gets some clarity about what's happening with him, I think as well as the physical stuff I thought it was better to leave him out."
Celtic's progress into the fifth round may have been comprehensive but Postecoglou believes the poor state of the Parkhead playing surface is becoming a hindrance to his side's style and forward momentum.
He said: "It was a decent hit-out, it was a cup game so you know the result is everything. The only concern we have going into these games is over how we approach it. I thought the attitude of the boys was great. They worked hard and we scored five goals and there were contributions from everyone so I thought it was a positive day.
"Potentially we could have scored more but it wasn't for the want of trying. We maintained our composure as much as we could. Our pitch isn't in great nick at the moment which isn't helping things. You go into these games with a bit of trepidation about how the boys will react and I thought they reacted well.
“I understand the weather has been a challenge but, at the same time, on our home pitch we have certain advantages. One is the crowd and the atmosphere, also it’s a big pitch that suits our game when it’s in good condition. When it’s not, it just makes things a little bit of a struggle for us. I know we’re looking to address it."
READ NEXT
