IF the Celtic AGM was a popularity contest, there was only one winner.

As chairman Ian Bankier introduced the top table, the stony silence was momentarily broken by some polite applause for Celtic women’s team manager Fran Alonso, before a rapturous reception for manager Ange Postecoglou blew the tumbleweeds away from the front of the stage.

A penny for the thoughts of Postecoglou as the men either side of him were filleted by the assembled shareholders on all manner of topics. The Celtic manager remains perhaps the one man who can achieve some kind of unity at a club still fractured by the trauma of last season and the off-field mis-steps some of those on high seem determined to take.

Indeed, Postecoglou struck a harmonious tone when asked for his own thoughts on what took place on Wednesday afternoon, while also making clear that he is much more interested on matters pertaining to the place where he himself is judged; on the field of play.

“It was an AGM,” Postecoglou said. “It was people who are passionate about their football club, expressing their views and ultimately leaving the room still part of the Celtic family. Nothing extraordinary.

“I’m a football manager, mate, my AGM and my boardrooms are the training pitch and every match day.

“The people in charge got some feedback the other day – I get that on a weekly basis. That’s okay.

“Did I get an easy ride at the AGM? Well, if I get it wrong on Saturday, who do you reckon will get the easy ride?!

“Like I said, we all have different AGM's, mine is every match day. That’s where I’m held accountable and rightly so.”

The verdict in that sphere, at least, appears to be overwhelmingly favourable so far. But Postecoglou does have his thoughts, and considerable influence, on matters off the field too. Most notably in relation to the structure of the football department, and ultimately, the direction in which the club will look to travel.

“From my perspective, I think I was brought in to kind of look ahead and bring my own sort of expertise and views to what we are trying to create,” he said.

“I said from the start that my first task was to assess what was here and what we needed to improve. I think my actions probably speak than louder than any words.

“We are slowly building something here. We’ve had to change the playing squad a fair bit. Some because of just natural progression, others because we needed to bring in some different types of players.

“Staff-wise I’ve got the same staff as last year but I’m adding to it, adding good people to it, which we will continue to do. That’s where I lay my marker down.

“I was brought in to look ahead and that’s what I’m doing. I think we have made some progress but we also know there is plenty to be done to get to where we want to.”

One of the first places Postecoglou wants to take Celtic is back into the winner’s enclosure, and he can take a huge step towards doing that at the first opportunity if he can see off St Johnstone at Hampden tomorrow.

The competition may be the least desirable of the three domestic cups on offer, but there is no disguising the importance of the League Cup to Celtic, and Postecoglou won’t be looking for excuses if his men fail to reach the final and ultimately lift the trophy.

“It is a priority because it’s always a priority for this football club,” he said.

“When you join this football club, in whatever capacity you come in, success is expected and standards of play and results are expected.

“Every competition we are in is a priority. I’m not discounting anything just because I happen to be new in the door and I’m not giving that allowance to the players who are new to it either.

“We are all here for one thing and that’s to bring silverware to this football club because that is the expectation. We still have to get through a semi-final before we start thinking about and that’s where the focus is.

“Saturday will be a massive challenge for us but what a brilliant opportunity to get to that final stage. That’s where our focus is and that will always be our focus irrespective of the competition. The priorities don’t change for this football club.

“It’s a good challenge and a good opportunity for us. We obviously had a challenging start to the season but we’ve hung in there in Europe, and in the league and cup domestically.

“That’s given us this opportunity and it’s going to be a good challenge up against the holders and a team that did really well in both cup competitions last year.

“For us, it’s a chance to take advantage of the work that’s got us here. We’re in good form and with such a big game to start this next block of games, it’s a chance for us to kick on.

“It’s a tough game but we know we are in good shape.”