Ange Postecoglou could pull strings to seal double Celtic deal after Sky update – expert
Alex McLeish has suggested Ange Postecoglou may use his “close relationships” to help Celtic sign Ko Itakura or Taylor Harwood-Bellis from Manchester City.
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, the former Scotland boss insisted the Australian is the driving force behind recruitment at Parkhead.
As reported by Sky Sports (25 May), Celtic are considering launching moves for defensive duo Harwood-Bellis, 20, and Itakura, 25, this summer.
Celtic reportedly have good relationships with the City Group after signing several players from Man City in recent years.
Postecoglou joined the Hoops from Yokahama F. Marinos, one of the clubs in the City Group.
Meanwhile, Mark Lawwell recently joined the Bhoys after leaving his post as the City Group’s head of scouting and recruitment.
McLeish suggested Postecoglou could pull strings to get either City player on board.
McLeish told Football Insider’s Russell Edge: “It is good, of course, that you have close relationships. We saw with Ange Postecolgou, he brought some players in who ran their socks off for the manager and for Celtic.
“They ended up with great dividends, winning the league. You would think that the relationship they have is one where Postecoglou is the chooser rather than the recruitment guys that seem to have big say in loads of other clubs.
“You can see, all day long, that Postecoglou’s mark is on that Celtic team last season. It’s very much like Liverpool as well, who have got relationships with other clubs in Europe. The Porto signing, Diaz, was magnificent.”
Harwood-Bellis spent the 2021/22 season on loan with Championship side Stoke City.
Meanwhile, Itakura was sent out temporarily to Schalke.
In other news, pundit issues ‘outrageous’ transfer claim after Sky update on Celtic talks