Every Ange Postecoglou transfer scrutinised as Celtic boss given signing report card

Since then it has been some ride.

Celtic have played 17 matches across three competitions after the window, winning 11 and losing four while sharing the spoils in the other two. That run has included 33 goals scored, 20 conceded and a whole lot more than both combined when it comes to talking points.

But how exactly have those 12 new players fared individually 90-plus days on from the day Ange Postecoglou's squad was set? We take a look.

First, a quick point of order. We don’t like the thought of declaring someone a failure just three months into their new job so, in the mould of one of our time’s greatest philosophers, our verdicts will be either success or… success-adjacent.

Here we go…

Kyogo Furuhashi

Appearances: 21; Goals (xG): 13 (10.2); Assists: 5

Our analysis of Celtic's business immediately after the window shut included the following phrase: "This summer could very well go down as not only 'the one when Ange arrived' but also 'the one when Celtic got Kyogo'."

So far that has held true. The Japan international has immediately established himself among the league's best and endeared himself to the support not only for his quality but for his humility too.

Closing in on 20 goal contributions for the season already, the 26-year-old sets a tone Celtic find hard to replicate in his absence. His only fault is that, if anything, he thinks too fast for the rest of us at times. 

Even still, when his team-mates can start finding his intelligent, persistent runs on a more regular basis you feel there really will be no stopping the heights Kyogo can hit in terms of numbers.

Verdict: Success

You should also read: The Kyogo Furuhashi Celtic synchronicity problem and the missing link to find striker's wavelength

Carl Starfelt

Appearances: 20; Clean sheets: 10; Interceptions: 97 (4.7 p90)

Since his arrival from Rubin Kazan the Swedish centre-back has variously been described in terms such as "wobbly" or "unconvincing".

That he had to play with three different defensive partners in his first 11 games - and switch sides during that run into the bargain - surely didn't help him hit the ground running at his new club in a new country.

There were, however, signs he was getting used to life in Scottish football as October brought with it five victories and three clean sheets with Starfelt playing every minute. Then, in the final game of that month, injury struck.

The 26-year-old spent the whole of November on the sidelines but, with a return imminent, his task is surely to build on the progress he was making before his lay-off.

Verdict: Success-adjacent (but cause for optimism)

You should also read: Celtic consistency of selection key to solving Ange Postecoglou's central-defensive dilemma

Liel Abada

Appearances: 25; Goals (xG): 7 (5.7); Assists: 4

Nine goal contributions in his first 13 games set a standard Abada was never likely to sustain.

It has come to pass that the peak was followed by a trough but, it must be noted, it is likely James Forrest's injury meant Aada was tasked with far more starter's minutes than anticipated after his early blossoming.

A surprisingly low entry in The Celtic Way's power rankings for some, he was just as unexpectedly top of the pile in adding value on the pitch too.

Ultimately Abada has been asked to perform as a starting regular so far this campaign when his actual role is probably more akin to that of a squad player - in that sense he has arguably already surpassed what was expected.

Verdict: Success

You should also read: Liel Abada and the 'Messi desert'

Josip Juranovic

Appearances: 14; Goals (xG): 3 (2.6); Assists: 0

This is a tough one. Croatia international Juranovic has performed well for the most part, while still giving the impression there is considerably more in the tank.

Allowances must surely be made for the fact Juranovic has been used almost exclusively as a left-back by Postecoglou when his natural game is on the opposite flank.

His composure and forward passing is an asset regardless of that, and in some ways suits playing as an inverted full-back, while he has shown a knack for penalties since his arrival too.

It is hard, however, not to look at his lack of creativity - his zero assists are accompanied by an expected assist value of just 0.43 and he has a sole second assist - and wonder how different his numbers would be were he not shackled to his weak side.

Those tallies will likely improve drastically with game-time on the right although, with Anthony Ralston in the form of his life, when that will be is anyone's guess.

Verdict: Success-adjacent (but cause for optimism)

You should also read: Who should have the right-back jersey? Anthony Ralston and Josip Juranovic analysed

Giorgos Giakoumakis

Appearances: 8; Goals (xG): 1 (2.4); Minutes played: 309

Eredivisie top scorer he may be but, so far, Giakoumakis' most effective role has been that of a late-game foul-winner in Europe. 

Minutes played has been included in his stats because it is a tad unfair to simply leave it as total appearances when most have been short cameos off the bench.

Giorgos Giakoumakis signs for Celtic

In his eight showings, he has actually played the equivalent of around three-and-a-half games.

Even aside from his costly penalty miss against Livingston, the jury is still out on Celtic's latest number seven for now.

Verdict: Success-adjacent (jury still out)

You should also read: Giorgos Giakoumakis penalty history assessed as Celtic miss highlights repeated issue

Joe Hart

Appearances: 27; Clean sheets: 11; Save percentage: 75%

Hart was not a signing met with unanimous approval at the time, but only a select few remain not yet won over by the Englishman.

Perhaps the biggest compliment he can be paid is that he has made crucial saves once again feel routine at Parkhead. After a spell when most fans feared a goal from even the tamest shot, that is not to be underestimated.

His commitment to the cause was clear from day one, while Postecoglou entrusting him with the armband during Callum McGregor's injury woes speaks volumes.

You have to back it up with performances, though, and by and large Hart has done that. Thirteen of his concessions this term have been in Celtic's box-office Europa League group and, while he still has a mistake in him, Hart and Celtic's unlikely marriage has so far been a happy one.

Verdict: Success

You should also read: Joe Hart's particular brand of Celtic leadership is proving as timely as his saves

Liam Scales, Orsaze Urhoghide & Liam Shaw

Combined appearances: 3; Combined minutes: 56

All of the minutes and appearances belong to Scales, who has many admirers but few pieces of evidence to back up that faith as yet. Urhoghide and Shaw did play in four pre-season friendlies but since then have been bench fodder, turning out more for Celtic's B side than the first-team.

Verdict: Success-adjacent (jury still out)

You should also read: Ross Goodwin’s window review, part two

James McCarthy

Appearances: 12; Pass accuracy: 87%; Interceptions: 27; Minutes played: 469

Again this is an entry it feels only fair to give the minutes played as well as the appearances. In McCarthy's case, his game-time equates to around five matches.

The Irishman's four-year deal came as a bit of a shock given his age and injury history but, more than that, it has been his largely static and underwhelming fleeting performances that so far have failed to remove that weight of expectation.

That said, he contributed effectively in the League Cup semi against St Johnstone while delicious passes against Raith and Aberdeen stand out as moments of genuine quality; he might need to provide such more often to be considered a genuine option in the middle of the park.

Verdict: Success-adjacent (jury still out)

You should also read: Ange Postecoglou has been left short of viable midfield options and has three clear choices

Jota

Appearances: 17; Goals (xG): 8 (6.2); Assists: 6

Is it really a surprise that the man with the George Michael looks has rewarded Celtic's Faith so handsomely?

His dancing feet, rewind-worthy rabonas and (so far) uncontainable consistency have made him top of most fans' wishlist this festive season.

It is worth noting that his 14 goal contributions in 17 matches come with him outperforming his expected goals and his expected assists totals - the latter, in particular, massively outstrips the data with six from 2.8 xA.

No wonder he's the man to beat in our power rankings.

Verdict: Success

You should also read: Agents give their inside track on how 'option to buy' deals work

Cameron Carter-Vickers

Appearances: 17; Clean sheets: 7; Aerial duel success: 69.2%

After arriving as Celtic's final signing of the window, Carter-Vickers has played every single minute of the 17 games since.

As well as his impressive aerial ability, the USA international has displayed a willingness to play incisive passes from deep on occasion and chipped in with a couple of goals too.

That he has added some stability to a defence that seemed to be crying out for it prior to his arrival puts him firmly in the success column for now - even if that success is not quite worth £10million.

Verdict: Success

You should also read: £10million for Cameron Carter-Vickers? Spurs are having a laugh