Here are all 27 signings made by Ange Postecoglou during his spell as Celtic manager – ranked in order from worst to best.
Just over three years ago, Ange Postecoglou was named as the head coach of Celtic and tasked with restoring the Hoops place at the top of Scottish Premiership.
Appointed on 10 June 2021, the Australian boss entered the Celtic Park doors with the club in the midst of a crisis. Rangers had won the league in invincible fashion and a protracted move to install Eddie Howe as their new boss has fallen at the final hurdle. Big Ange – as he came to be known – was a supposed ‘second choice’. The rest, as they say, is history.
His success ultimately saw him poached by Tottenham Hotspur, where he now manages the North London giants in the EPL. However, looking back on his time at Celtic and the reasons he was poached, it is hard not to believe the bulk of his success in Glasgow came from his ability to spot talent and recruit them into a system which was very much his own.
But who were his best signings during his tenure at the club? With Kyogo, Matt O’Riley and Jota making huge improvements to Celtic over his term, it is hard to pick his best buy. However, we tried to do so as we rank all 27 Celtic players signed by Postecoglou from worst to best and ask – where are they now?
1. James McCarthy
A signing that made sense at the time, but simply hasn’t worked out. Has barely played and is a forgotten man at Celtic Park. Hasn’t played a single second for over a year. | SNS GroupPhoto: Craig Williamson – SNS Group
2. Osaze Urhoghide
Only featured once in a dead rubber Europa League win against Real Betis after arriving from Sheffield Wednesday on a four-year deal. Never played in the Scottish Premiership and moved to French outfit Amiens on a three-year deal last summer, where he has played regularly. Blink and you’ll miss his spell in Glasgow, though. | Catherine IvillPhoto: Catherine Ivill
3. Ben Siegrist
Signed as back-up to Joe Hart after a solid season at Dundee United but fell behind Scott Bain earlier on in his Celtic career. The situation surrounding the goalkeeper remains uncertain as pre-season gets underway. | Getty ImagesPhoto: Getty Images
4. Liam Shaw
Signed from Sheffield Wednesday after an impressive spell in the EFL Championship. A £300,000 signing, he has barely featured for the club and spent most of the time away on loan. | AFP via Getty ImagesPhoto: Getty Images
5. Yosuke Ideguchi
A move that just simply never worked out. Played for Celtic just five times in the Scottish Premiership and moved to Vissel Kobe in January.
6. Johnny Kenny
Still young and has time to make an impact but has spent more time on loan at Shamrock Rovers during his time on Celtic’s books.
7. Yuki Kobayashi
One Japanese import that hasn’t worked for Celtic, Kobayashi has featured just five times for the Hoops and appears a million miles away from Brendan Rodgers’ plans.
8. Oliver Abildgaard
The Danish midfielder played sporadically before moving falling down the pecking order fairly quickly. He moved on loan to Hellas Verona before joining Como in Serie B last year, where he features regularly.
9. Alexandro Bernabei
The Argentine left-back has been loaned out to Internacional until the end of 2024. It feels unlikely he will return to Celtic with the Brazilian side holding an option to buy. Has a contract until 2027.
10. Moritz Jenz
The Berlin born defender expressed his desire to remain at Celtic beyond his loan spell but ended up seeing his deal terminated the following January. He currently plays for VfL Wolfsburg, who he joined permanently last summer
11. Sead Haksabanovic
Agreed a move to Malmo this summer after falling out of favour under Brendan Rodgers. Firing a parting shot at Rodgers in his leaving statement on social media. Under Postecoglou though, he played 26 times as Celtic won the treble in 2023. | Alan Harvey
12. Oh Hyeon-gyu
Was an able deputy for Kyogo at the beginning of last season but appears to be on his way out of Celtic this summer. The South Korean signed a five-year contract in January last year but barely featured in the second half of last season following the arrival of Adam Idah on loan from Norwich.
13. Tomoki Iwata
He barely featured in the first half of the campaign after moving to the club last year but grew into the team and became a more influential figure during the latter half of the campaign, especially after Callum McGregor’s injury. Could play a more important role for Rodgers this year. | Paul Devlin
14. Liam Scales
The Republic of Ireland centre-back rose to prominence last year and was one of the Celtic success stories as they lifted the Scottish Premiership title. Has been rewarded with a new contract until 2028 and has proven to be a solid acquisition by Ange
15. Aaron Mooy
Arrived on a free transfer in 2023 without much fan fare and ended the campaign a real fan favourite. Surprisingly confirmed his retirement from football at the end of that season, but was a shrewd free transfer addition by the ex-Celtic boss
16. Carl Starfelt
The Swedish defender had a shaky start to life with the Hoops but soon developed into a dependable, first choice centre-back for Ange’s title winners. Departed Celtic to sign for La Liga side Celta Vigo, where he is also a first team regular.
17. Giorgos Giakoumakis
Offered Postecoglou a fantastic alternative to Kyogo off the bench during his two seasons at the club that they failed to replace until the loan signing of Adam Idah. Departed the club to sign for Atlanta in the MLS, where he continued to find the net, before moving to Mexican side Cruz Azul.
18. Liel Adada
While his departure from Celtic may have soured memories for both player and fans, there’s no doubt the Israeli was a successful addition by the Australian boss. Hit double figures in his first two seasons with the club before moving to the MLS with Charlotte FC in January.
19. Josip Juranovic
The Croatian right-back was a superb addition by Postecoglou and his form for the Hoops saw him linked with a big money move to Chelsea. He made the club a reported £5 million profit when he joined Union Berlin.
20. Alistair Johnston
Juranovic’s departure to Berlin paved the way for the Canadian’s transfer to Glasgow – and some would say he’s proven to be even better than his predecessor. The Celtic star has made the right-back position his own since joining from CF Montreal on a five-year deal. A superb buy from Postecoglou.
21. Reo Hatate
An absolute steal at just £1.4 million, the Japanese midfielder is as composed and classy as you will get in the Scottish Premiership. Linked to several clubs across Europe, he recently agreed a new deal at Celtic Park and is integral to the side. An outstanding purchase.
22. Daizen Maeda
Maeda made a perfect first impression on Celtic fans when he scored just four minutes into his debut. Has won six trophies during his time at club and offers unrivalled energy every time he steps on the park. Only cost a reported fee of £1.3 million, which is incredible value.
23. Joe Hart
Previously one of the best goalkeepers in Europe, Hart had faded into the background at West Ham United and Tottenham Hotspur before he was picked up on a free by Postecoglou. Retiring this summer, the ex-England international was a player that lifted trophy after trophy and formed a real bond with the fans. Another top signing by Ange.
24. Cameron Carter-Vickers
A colossus in defence, the American has found a home in Glasgow and is currently pound for pound the best centre-back in the Scottish Premiership. Originally arriving on loan, the 26-year-old joined permanently for a reported fee of around £6 million, but he would be worth at least double that amount if he was to be sold on now.
25. Matt O’Riley
Signed from English League One side MK Dons for £1.5 million, the Danish international could leave the club this summer for a fee of £25 million plus, which tells you everything about how successful his signing has been. Has won six trophies with the club, including three Scottish Premiership titles. Unplayable last year, O’Riley scored 18 goals from midfield and assisted a further 13
26. Jota
Jota was a key part of Celtic’s success under Postecoglou, firstly on loan from Benfica and then as a permanent £7m addition. Paid back that fee and move when he made a surprise £25m move to the Saudi Pro League last summer where he has struggled for game time. Almost moved to West Ham United earlier this year, but remains on the books of Al-Ittihad. A player Celtic fans would surely welcome back with open arms, if a return was possible.
27. Kyogo Furuhashi
Choosing Ange’s best signing was always going to prove a tough task, but it is almost impossible to look beyond the signing of Kyogo. The Japanese striker is a cult hero at Celtic and has scored 73 goals in three seasons for the club. Costing just £4.5 million, Kyogo is without doubt the best signing made by the club in some time.
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