ANGE WAITS FOR MAEDA AND ROGIC

ANGE POSTECOGLOU isn’t ruling out the slender possibility of rushing Daizen Maeda or Tom Rogic back into his squad for next Wednesday’s Old Firm showdown at Parkhead. Both players will miss today’s home meeting with Dundee United as they continue their respective involvements in Asian World Cup qualifiers. Maeda is part of Japan’s squad for a home meeting with Saudi Arabia next Tuesday, which kicks off at 10.10am UK time, while Rogic is expected to figure for Australia in Oman later the

same day. Postecoglou admits that gametime for either player in those matches would likely rule out any chance of them sitting on the bench against Rangers the following night — even before they took long flights to return to the UK and sought to gain enough rest. However, the Celtic boss hasn’t closed the door on a surprise involvement in the 20-man derby pool if either was left on the sidelines by his country. Maeda looks the better bet, as the forward came on for only the final 32 minutes of Japan’s win over China earlier this week. ‘I think they both play the day before,’ said Postecoglou, when asked about the possibility of Maeda and Rogic returning in time for a crucial game in the title race. ‘If they both play, you are not going to play two games in 48 hours, or 24 hours. It’s unlikely. On a manager’s salary, I don’t have a private jet that might be able to get them here. ‘A lot of that will depend on whether they have played. I expect Tommy will play most definitely because Australia have a big game. Daizen played on Thursday, so a lot will depend on them playing. ‘It’s a possibility, but if they have played the night before, even if we can get them here on time, it’s still hard.’ Maeda’s compatriot Kyogo Furuhashi will miss the Old Firm encounter due to a hamstring injury. Responding to suggestions Furuhashi requires an operation that could keep him out for more than two months, Postecoglou replied: ‘I’m not going to talk about people’s medical procedures. That’s people’s private business. ‘It’s not that I am saying he will or he won’t, but my job is to tell you guys when potentially he will be back. I have to respect people’s privacy — and people shouldn’t be throwing around rumours. ‘I’m sure you guys wouldn’t like your medical procedures to be played out in public, and players are no different. ‘He will be out for a number of weeks. It’s a similar injury to Dave Turnbull and he’s been out for quite a while, so we expect a similar sort of recovery.’ Postecoglou made it clear that Celtic — sitting four points behind their Glasgow rivals — will not have Rangers on their minds when United visit. ‘We have been good at looking at what is directly ahead of us,’ added the Australian. ‘We knew Tynecastle would not be easy (on Wednesday night) and we got the job done. Now we focus on Dundee United, which is the same. There’s no point looking too far ahead.’ Postecoglou yesterday played down any chance of Celtic making a further signing before Monday’s transfer deadline. With Maeda (right), Reo Hatate, Yosuke Ideguchi, Matt O’Riley and Irish teenager Johnny Kenny already added this window, he feels the foundations have been laid for a positive future. ‘That is really important to me,’ he said. ‘I get that I am judged on immediate success

and I understand that, but I’ve always loved building teams for the medium to long-term — getting a group of like-minded staff and players together. We’re bringing in guys who I think have their best football ahead of them.’ Postecoglou also praised the role of Nir Bitton, who has brought midfield leadership and experience in the absence of injured skipper Callum McGregor. ‘He’s been great,’ said the Parkhead boss. ‘If you look, historically, he hasn’t played that many games in the last three or four years in the league. He is going really well and playing in a position which I think suits him and suits us.’

Meanwhile, IFK Gothenburg are eyeing a loan move for Celtic keeper Vasilis Barkas ahead of Monday’s transfer deadline after their bid to land FC Copenhagen’s Sten Grytebust collapsed. Barkas is high on their list of options but they may need Celtic to lower their demands for the Greek, who cost £5million when signed from AEK Athens in the summer of 2020. IFK last night secured the return of 18-year-old prospect Gustav Lillienberg after a spell at Southampton but remain in the market for an established keeper. Speaking yesterday, Ange Postecoglou admitted Celtic were ‘still working on trying to get some loan opportunities for some of our boys.’