Celtic boss Postecoglou admits transfer target has slipped the net, as he heads to Boro

Celtic boss Ange Postecoglou says transfer target Riley McGree has “decided to look elsewhere” amid reports the player is heading to Middlesbrough.

Postecoglou was hopeful he would be able to lure his fellow countryman to Celtic Park. But the 23-year-old Aussie, who impressed on loan at Birmingham in a 14-month spell, has decided to go elsewhere. And Boro are understood to be closing in on a deal for the Charlotte FC star.

The news will have come as a blow to Celtic.

Postecoglou said: “McGree was someone I had an interest in because of my association with him and obviously I know the player pretty well.

“But after initial discussions he has decided to look elsewhere which is fine.

“But we’ve not spoken to one other player aside from the players we brought in.”

TeessideLive report that Boro have beaten Celtic and Championship rivals to the capture of the player. And Sky Sports report that The Australia international was in the UK and undergoing a medical with Boro on Wednesday.

The Hoops boss has recruited Yosuke Ideguchi, Reo Hatate and Daizen Maeda from the J-League as well as adding 18-year-old striker Johnny Kenny from Sligo Rovers.

‘The one thing I won’t do is lie’

Asked if he was expecting any other incomings this month, the former Australia manager said: “Unless something extraordinary comes along or something happens within the existing squad that means we need to move but as we speak right now there is no other offers or people I have spoken to.

“So the 20 names that come out tomorrow are all lies or fabrications or people bored at home just googling names and throwing them up there. Or agents trying to get a little bit of value for their client.

“I can’t be any clearer than that. The one thing I won’t do is lie.

“There is no one else we are talking to. There are no other offers, no one else I am showing interest in as we sit here today. If that changes I will let you know.”