Ange Postecoglou targets major Celtic upgrades to take champions to next level as he predicts transfer departures

Ange Postecoglou has admitted some big names could be on their way out of Celtic in the summer – but vowed to work more magic in the market to replace them.

The Hoops boss – who this week picked up his second PFA Scotland manager of the year award – has admitted top stars could leave Parkhead if the club receives tasty bids. But Postecoglou is not concerned as he is determined to keep building a squad to dominate in Scotland and make a mark in the Champions League.

Sources in Hungary have linked Celts with 6ft 4ins striker Eduvie Ikoba after the American rattled 14 goals this season for Zalaegerszegi. Volendam defender Xavier Mbuyamba has also been touted on the continent after the 21-year-old impressed in the Eredivise this year. Postecoglou’s incomings will depend on potential departures, with interest expected in key men such as Liel Abada, Cameron Carter-Vickers and Reo Hatate.

But the Aussie is adamant he can do the wheeling and dealing to make sure his Treble chasing squad will be even stronger next season.

Postecoglou said: “I think it’s fair to say we are in the second year and things are embedded, that includes the core playing group. But that also gives you the opportunity to grow as a team. Part of that challenge will be the more success you have the more likely it will be that some of your players will move on.

"They get the attention of other clubs. We have to be ready to fill those gaps with players who have the ability to take us to another level altogether. So there is always those challenges there.

“Another year you get to the point where there is any great certainty about the team we are finishing with and the team we will be starting the new season with.

“You always go into any window that there is