Celtic transfers: Ange Postecoglou explains why club will stay 'disciplined' as update given on Josip Juranovic chase

Celtic manager Ange Postecoglou oversees training ahead of Wednesday night's Europa League play-off first leg against AZ Alkmaar.

Postecoglou, who arrived as Celtic’s new manager during the summer from Japanese club Yokohama F Marinos, endured a frustrating delay to adding to his squad ahead of the season starting, but he expects new arrivals to add to the likes of Carl Starfelt, Kyogo Furuhashi, Joe Hart and James McCarthy.

However, he added that deals were still proving difficult to complete.

Speaking ahead of Wednesday's Europa League play-off first leg against AZ Alkmaar, Postecoglou said: "I'm very confident we will have players in before the transfer deadline. It's just a matter of timing and getting things done. It's not as straightforward as it used to be.

"We are very close to a few deals, I think. We just need to keep doing what we are doing, stay focused and disciplined, and make sure we get the right players in.

"Once we do, it will help us enormously because we are putting a big workload on a core group of players at the moment."

Reports in Croatia claim Celtic had a £2million offer for Legia Warsaw right-back Josip Juranovic rejected and Postecoglou stressed the club were keeping their options open.

"He'd be one of a number of right full-backs we have been linked to over the period I have been here," the Celtic boss said.

"It's obviously an area where we definitely need some cover. At the moment Anthony Ralston is doing an outstanding job and I think there's more in him to improve. But he can't play every game.

"So it's definitely an area we need to strengthen and it's an area we are targeting and I'm hoping for us to add to, but to nail it down to one person, that's not how it's been working.

"We are working on multiple targets in each position because, the way the market is at the moment, there's no guarantee you'll get anyone over the line.

"That's probably why I have been linked with so many people but in terms of deals done, nothing is done yet."

Celtic have also been linked in the past 24 hours with a move for VVV Venlo striker Georgios Giakoumakis. The 26-year-old Greek is valued at £2.5m and was the top scorer in the Dutch Eredivisie last season.

Postecoglou expects to have Liel Abada back for Wednesday's Europa League play-off first leg against AZ Alkmaar, but Ryan Christie is set to miss out again.

"Everyone pulled up fine after the weekend and Liel Abada is also available," the Greek-born Australian said.

"Ryan Christie, probably not. It's looking more like the weekend for Ryan."