Ange Postecoglou refuses to name Celtic targets ahead of Champions League return as he offers 'best we can be' pledge

Ange Postecoglou didn’t set out any specific targets when he walked in the front door at Celtic. The Aussie isn’t changing that approach now he’s returned for year two as a champion.

But Postecoglou knows one thing - that Celtic never stops. And, somehow, he has to try and make this term even better than he managed to make the unforgettable last. Postecoglou's first 12 months in charge was like a fairytale as he inherited chaos and turned it into triumph against all the odds.

Postecoglou savoured the experience of winning a Premiership and a Premier Sports and got the deserved plaudits but, although he walked back in the building for this pre-season with those two trophies on the sideboard and Champions League group stages to relish, he’s aware it’s now a clean slate.

At the same time, Postecoglou knows, if things do come off for him again, Celtic will likely be in a good place again as he explained: “We didn’t set out with any specific targets last year. We just wanted to be the best we could possibly be.

“It will be the same this year. If we can improve on our performances from last year, which we have to, if we can improve on everything we do, then we’re going to finish in a pretty good spot.

“We don’t know what that means in terms of tangible results. But every year I’ve started a football season I want the team to be the best it can possibly be.

“Again, that’s our aim this year.”

Work began for some members of the squad this term at Lennoxtown yesterday as those who did not have summer international duties got down to graft.

Postecoglou is thrilled to have time at his disposal this summer that he didn’t have last. For example, no gruesome Champions League qualifiers before the title defence starts.

Postecoglou’s