Ange Postecoglou 'holds all the cards' in Celtic recruitment following Mark Lawwell appointment

There is a not inconsiderable section of the Celtic support that have a obtuse contempt for their former chief executive Peter Lawwell, who presided over rarely-witnessed sustained domestic success before stepping down after 18 years amid the calamities of last season.

The Lawwell naysayers haven’t quite known how to react to the news that his son, Mark Lawwell, has been recruited from his role of head of City Football Group scouting and recruitment. Having imputed within these areas to the operations of Manchester City, New York City, Melbourne City and Yokahama F Marinos, Lawwell will now assume such duties under Ange Postecoglou. There have been grumblings that the former CEO’s influence – largely productive, despite the detractors – could be channelled through his son and undermine the Australian when it comes to pursuing transfer targets. Never mind that Postecoglou himself has stated the appointment was driven by him following the pair’s successful associations when he was in charge at Yokahama F Marinos.

John Hartson sees no issues in the move for Posteocglou, though. The 56-year-old is poised to claim the title in his first season in Scotland, and with that the £40million bounty ensuing from direct qualification to the Champions League group stages available to the cinch Premiership winners. He has pulled this off through demonstrating his shrewd eye for acquisitions. And the former Celtic striker believes these factors ensure that it will be the Australian who drives the summer transfer spend to raise the level of his squad. And Hartson believes Postecoglou can expect a £20m budget in addition to the near £15m they will look to commit to tie-up Jota and Cameron Carter-Vickers on permanent deals.

“In terms of