By Tam McManus

29th Mar, 2023 | 3:45pm

Celtic news: McManus drops 'huge' Postecoglou claim ahead of next season

Ange Postecoglou will have his full focus on succeeding in the Champions League with Celtic next season.

That is the view of former Hibernian striker Tam McManus, who spoke exclusively to Football Insider about Celtic’s European targets in 2023/24.

Celtic are in contention for a domestic treble this season, with the Scottish League Cup already wrapped up and the Glasgow giants sitting top of the Premiership and in the semi-finals of the Scottish Cup.

Postecoglou’s only shortcomings this season arrived in Europe, where Celtic finished bottom of their Champions League group with just two points in six games.

The Scottish club drew Real Madrid, Red Bull Leipzig and Shakhtar Donetsk in Group F, and picked up their only two points from draws with the latter.

Football Insider sources revealed on Saturday (25 March) that Celtic are preparing a ‘huge’ contract offer for Postecoglou to fend off interest from Tottenham.

McManus believes Postecoglou’s full focus next season will be on the Champions League should he stay put at Celtic Park.

“I think he’s keen to have one more crack at the Champions League to see if they can make an impact,” McManus told Football Insider’s Sean Fisher.

“Postecoglou will be fully focused on cracking the Champions League with Celtic.

“It’s a huge ask, but he’s got something special going in Glasgow.

“Making an impression in Europe is the next thing on his checklist.

“They landed in an extremely tough group this season but still had some good performances and he’ll want to use that as a foundation to build on moving forward.

“They have a big summer window ahead and then full focus will be on the Champions League group stage.“

In other news, Brighton plotting to sign Celtic star Reo Hatate