Andy Walker admits he underestimated just how good some of Celtic's signings under Ange Postecoglou would be as he applauded the boss for his wide-ranging approach to transfers.
Alistair Johnston's arrival from Montreal now takes it up to 11 different countries the Hoops have signed players from under the Australian and the vast majority have been smash hits. Giorgos Giakoumakis from the Netherlands, Jota from Portugal and Josip Juranovic from Poland have all hit the ground running and there has been a particular focus on the Japanese market with Yuki Kobayashi set to be Celtic's fifth signing from Postecoglou's old stomping ground.
Walker admits to underestimating some of the markets they have gone shopping in but believes their wide recruitment net means they won't be phased if key stars such as Juranovic do end up leaving next month. He said on Go Radio: "They've got strength in depth, they've already got a few more for the January window and I don't think they'll stop there. They might brace themselves for an offer for one or two of them, Juranovic or possibly O'Riley, but it wouldn't really matter.
"Celtic would just go out with a list of players (and buy a replacement). Ange Postecoglou has tapped into a market we didn't know a lot about, and speaking from my own experience, probably underestimated the talent you'd get from Australia and Japan.
"They have come over here and fit in so well. The market is there and it's one that's paid off for them."
Fellow pundit Ricky Foster agreed as he branded it "ignorance" on the part of some in the UK that so many are surprised at how well Celtic's stars from further afield are doing. But he reckons their success is just as much down to Postecoglou creating a welcoming environment for the players.
He added:: "It's probably ignorance on all our parts here. You've got tunnel vision with certain countries, but as well as finding the talent, he must create such a welcoming environment. It's a huge culture shock coming to Celtic but the guys come in and it's almost like they're trying to outdo each other. He clearly has a great eye for talent, welcomes them in, and creates an environment in which they can really flourish."
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