ANGE Postecoglou tonight refused to confirm reports that Celtic were set to sign Japanese defender Yuki Kobayashi from Vissel Kobe in the next transfer window.

However, the Parkhead manager confessed he is hopeful of bringing in new recruits who can his side’s chances of landing domestic silverware this season in the near future.

“We have gone early on the January market haven’t we?” he said. “It’s just into November, so I’ve a lot of talking about that ahead.

“As I said before we have a strategy in place which I am really comfortable with in terms of making sure we are always looking to improve our squad and improve the way we do things.

“We take away the experiences we have had at Champions League level and domestic level and try to be better and every window gives you that opportunity.

“We’ve had some plans in place for January for a while now. Hopefully over the next few weeks we will be able to conclude some of that.

"The whole idea is to make this squad stronger for the second half of the year.”