Celtic right-back Anthony Ralston says the prospect of Ange Postecoglou making new signings in January is keeping everyone in the first-team squad on their toes.

Postecoglou has already made a number of remarks suggesting that he intends to go into the market when the transfer window reopens and Ralston believes the fear of losing their places is giving players “extra motivation” to perform well:

“When you are a club of this stature, you are always having to have your A game because there is always going to be someone else coming in, another person wanting to take your position. That’s part and parcel of not just here but all football.”

“You always want to be at the top of your game anyway. You don’t want any reason to drop your game off, so, yes, it’s extra motivation for everyone involved to stay in, and that is the way it works.”

We already know that there will be at least one new signing arriving at Celtic Park in the New Year. Reports in the Japanese media suggest that Vissel Kobe centre-back Yuki Kobayashi’s move to Scotland is pretty much done.

In terms of other positions, it remains to be seen what Postecoglou decides to do. Some purchases could be influenced by possible departures. The Australian has recently commented that he won’t stand in anyone’s way if they want to leave.

The likes of Matt O’Riley and Josip Juranovic have been linked with Premier League clubs, although there have been no formal bids at this stage.