Exclusive: Celtic target now worth £20 million; probable loan-to-buy

Liverpool will ask for a rate of £20million for mentioned Celtic target Caoimhin Kelleher in the summer window, sources have advised Football Insider.

Football Insider revealed on Thursday (18 January) that Reds back-up goalkeeper Kelleher, 25, is ready to leave at the end of the 2023-24 campaign.

Celtic are on the hunt for a new shot-stopper with Joe Hart’s contract set to stop in May – and the Hoops have been widely linked with a conceivable swoop for the Republic of Ireland international.

However, Liverpool are set to ask for a fee of £20million to part with academy product Kelleher – which would symbolize a club-record purchase for Celtic.

It is believed that no club is in all likelihood to come close to matching that valuation despite masses of interest in the shot-stopper.

A well-placed source has told Football Insider that the Hoops could opt for a loan-to-buy deal for the goalkeeper if Liverpool reduce their asking price.

Kelleher is eager to leave Anfield soon to get everyday first-team soccer elsewhere.

He has started out eleven times across all competitions this season, conceding 14 dreams and keeping two clean sheets.

The shot-stopper, who has fallen behind Southampton’s Gavin Bazunu in the worldwide pecking order, is beneath contract with the Merseysiders until June 2026 after penning his most recent extension in 2021.

Celtic also have Benjamin Siegrist and Scott Bain on the books at Parkhead but will seem to be for a new number one in the summer time window.

The Hoops are eight factors clear atop the Scottish Premiership this time period but have performed two more games than competitors Rangers.

Brendan Rodgers may replicate Celtic’s success with Liam O’Riley by targeting another potential gem, likely earning £1.6k per week. The identified player, described as an “absolute hero,” could be a strategic addition to strengthen the squad. Rodgers’ past success with such acquisitions suggests a calculated approach to bolstering Celtic’s ranks

The Hoops have been credited with an hobby in the Championship centre-forward.

Celtic officially carried out their first signing of the January transfer window beforehand this month with the addition of Nicolas Kuhn from Rapid Wien on a everlasting deal.
FootballScotland have for the reason that mentioned that Brendan Rodgers would additionally like to add a left-back and a centre-forward to his squad before the window slams shut.
One striker who has been linked with a move to Parkhead these days is Bristol City attacker Tommy Conway, who has attracted interest from a host of clubs.

Football Insider claimed that Celtic, Rangers, Nottingham Forest, Wolverhampton Wanderers, and Brentford are all maintaining tabs on the astounding youngster.

Rodgers ought to now repeat the masterclass the membership played via snapping Matt O’Riley up from the lower leagues in England by means of winning the race for Conway.

O’Riley’s report at Celtic

The Hoops signed the central midfielder from League One side MK Dons in January of 2022 after a return of ten dreams and eight assists in 54 appearances for the English outfit.
He has made the step up from the third tier of football in England to emerge as an influential and extraordinary performer for the Hoops over the last two years.

Since his cross to Parkhead, O’Riley has racked up 18 desires and 26 assists in 100 competitive appearances for the Scottish giants as a excellent attack-minded midfielder.

“THAT IS ABSOLUTELY SENSATIONAL!”

O’Riley finishes off a SUBLIME Celtic move! 🤩 pic.twitter.com/bDuaAnuunQ

— Sky Sports Scotland (@ScotlandSky) December 3, 2023

The 23-year-old maestro has produced ten desires and seven assists in 21 Scottish Premiership matches this time period and has attracted hobby from the likes of Girona and Inter, according to Sky Sports.
This suggests that Celtic should make a enormous profit on the £1.5m they paid for him in 2022 if they ever decide to money in on him, as his outstanding structure has triggered pinnacle European groups to pay attention to him.

Why Conway should observe in O’Riley’s footsteps

Whilst it remains to be considered how a lot it would take to snap Conway up from Bristol City, Rodgers could repeat the O’Riley masterclass via signing a promising younger brain with room to improve – at the age of 21 – from England.
He currently performs in the 2d tier of English soccer and has caught the eye with some promising performances in the front of intention for Liam Manning’s side.
The £1.6k-per-week marksman, who was once once hailed as an “absolute hero” for his membership by Genius scout Jacek Kulig, has plundered six dreams in 14 Championship begins – just under one each and every other in shape – and managed that from 5.34 Expected Goals, which indicates that the younger ace is environment friendly in front of goal.

This is additionally backed up by using his structure at that level for the duration of the 2022/23 campaign. Conway’s teammates furnished him with 6.12 non-penalty xG and he produced 9 goals in 25 begins for Bristol City.
The Scottish finisher has, therefore, scored 15 dreams from an xG of 11.46 on the grounds that the begin of last season, which suggests that he ought to thrive in Scotland as a player like Luis Palma – who has created 11 ‘big chances’ in 17 league fits – ought to consistently supply Conway with super possibilities to score.
Therefore, Celtic may want to provide the 21-year-old ace with the best platform for him to elevate his market cost as the forward would have the ammunition he needs, primarily based on his wonderful finishing ability, to be a lethal scorer for the Hoops and attract interest – as O’Riley has – from top European clubs.

Celtic and Aston Villa are reportedly engaged in discussions over a potential £2 million deal, with indications that an exit for the player in question is imminent, according to a director’s admission. The details and outcome of these talks would depend on the specific circumstances surrounding the player and the ongoing negotiations between the two clubs

Elfsborg appear to have established that Hakon Valdimarsson is ‘getting close’ to a departure with Celtic reportedly going through competition from Premier League giants Aston Villa.

With Joe Hart’s contract expiring, Celtic can’t skip the need for a new wide variety one for lots longer. And with neither Scott Bain nor Benjamin Siegrist seemingly below consideration to make the step up, the Scottish champions are probably to pursue an outside hire.

Real Madrid’s Andriy Lunin is reportedly one option. Though that has been difficult with the aid of the reality that the Ukrainian appears to have replaced Kepa Arrizabalaga as the Spanish giants’ first-choice in the injury-enforced absence of Thibaut Courtois.

Hakon Valdimarsson, then, is now not simply more low cost than Lunin – reportedly valued at around £2 million – but more workable too.

Aston Villa and Celtic like Hakon Valdimarsson

There is activity from Celtic, per the Goteborgs Posten. Fabrizio Romano, meanwhile, believes that each Aston Villa and FC Copenhagen have submitted ‘formal bids’ in latest days for the 2023 Allsvenskan Goalkeeper of the Year.

And whilst Elfsborg’s wearing director would no longer be drawn on exactly which clubs are in the mix, he does appear to recommend that Valdimarsson is edging closer to a departure at some point of Swedish football’s off-season.

“Hakon is simply good,” Stefan Andreasson tells Fotboll Direkt. “And we have discussions with some clubs.

“We’ll discuss subsequent week about which picks are available. Which are concrete. What’s desirable for Elfsborg and what’s top for him. Then we’ll see. It’s getting close.”

Andreasson, speaking after Elfsborg held an open training session on Friday, admitted that he is flattered to have caught the eye of Unai Emery’s Champions League-chasing Aston Villa outfit.

However, he also pointed out that the promise of ordinary game time would possibly play a large position in selecting his next club. And the quantity one function at Villa Park appears past him until Emiliano Martinez – the club’s World Cup-winning shot-stopper – departs first.

Goalkeeper can also be divided on Villa Park sswitch

“It is big. They are a top club in the Premier League and they are taking part in virtually well. It is huge to see that they are interested. It indicates that I have carried out well,” Valdimarsson explains to Aftonbladet.

“That could be (a suitable cross for me). It’s pinnacle players, it’s the best exceptional of everything. Training with some of the world’s nice players is excellent for your development.”

“FCK (Copenhagen) is a big club. They have performed in the Champions League two years in a row and are in all likelihood Scandinavia’s biggest team. It is no longer as big as the Premier League, but it should additionally be a appropriate step,” Valdimarsson adds.

“The purpose is always to be capable to play, if I move. Right now, I’m in Elfsborg and don’t be aware of what will happen.

Reo Hatate a water carrier? Japan’s continued usage of Celtic players is a mystery

If it had just been the once, possibly we may want to put it down to being lost in translation.

Wires can be crossed when taking costs from foreign publications in the native tongue, after all, a fact many a player has used as a handy get-out clause when their gripes about their club or supervisor to the local press have made their way lower back to the place they mechanically ply their trade.

So, the first time Reo Hatate was once described with the aid of Japan manager Hajime Moriyasu as a ‘water carrier’, I used to be prepared to give him the benefit of the doubt. But Hatate himself has now alluded to this being his ascribed role inside the Japanese squad.

“I suppose it is necessary to get my own results, but my potential to elevate water is additionally being evaluated,” Hatate instructed Japanese football website Gekisaka.

Utilising Hatate, one of the most innovative and arguably the most technically proficient midfielders in Scotland as a water provider is a little like asking Michelangelo to paint your downstairs lavvy. Sure, he’ll do a first rate job, but it looks like a waste of his talents.

That is if Moriyasu makes use of him at all. Hatate, along with Celtic teammate Daizen Maeda, was an unused substitute in the Samurai Blue’s opening Asian Cup win over Vietnam on Sunday. Japan take on Iraq this morning, and it stays to be seen if either man receives a runout.

It all adds fuel to the idea that Moriyasu is on a distinctive page to Celtic when it comes to what their Japanese contingent can offer, each when Ange Postecoglou was in charge, and now, under Brendan Rodgers.

For Moriyasu, Hatate is a water carrier, whilst at Celtic, he is a lock picker. Maeda is a central striker for his us of a beforehand of Kyogo Furuhashi, while at Celtic, he performs off the wing in deference to him. And Kyogo himself barely gets a sniff for Japan, whilst he is the focal point of Celtic’s attack.

While all three players without doubt love representing their country, and would a lot instead be called up than not, I’m not sure that the Celtic teaching team would always sense the identical way.

And whilst Rodgers used to be gutted for Kyogo on a personal level not to make their Asian Cup squad, he would have been simply as stressed and perturbed that Hatate used to be protected after just 19 minutes of aggressive soccer in the preceding two and a half months.

Particularly if his predominant function is a squad filler. Or indeed, if he does get a hazard to play, as a water carrier. Or even from the left wing, as he did in a pleasant against Tunisia in October.

In mitigation, Moriyasu does have a wealth of Genius handy to pick from. But there have to be a feeling within the Celtic camp that representing Japan – or not, as the case may additionally be – is an unwelcome distraction for the trio. Hatate though, in generally humble style, is happy to be given his station.

“First of all, what can I do for the team?” he said.

“The fantastic element to do is to do my fantastic for the team, and in addition to that, I favor to get consequences such as goals.

“I suppose if you do it for the sake of others, they will observe you, so I hope I can do my first-rate to help the team win.

“The team’s coaching has been very intense, and I feel like my circumstance is improving.”

That final nugget there is at least encouraging from a Celtic point of view. They would certainly have favored to reveal Hatate’s ongoing quest for full health and in shape sharpness at close quarters at Lennoxtown, however at least that work is going into his legs, and their sports science crew will no doubt be receiving his data.

Unfortunately, improving his in shape sharpness is the one component that may want to have been assured had he stayed in Glasgow, and that is now out of the club’s hands. The Scottish Cup tie against Buckie Thistle this Sunday, for instance, would be a ideal probability to step up his recreation time.

Alas, we wait to see if Hatate, and certainly Maeda, will get their opportunity. All going well for Japan, they should conceivably be away until mid-February, and it is probable they will each be called upon at some stage should their nation go deep in the tournament.

For Hatate though, that might mean the peculiar cameo from the bench right here and there over the subsequent three weeks, and given he has only just lower back to action, that is some distance from ideal.

“Brendan Rodgers spoke highly”: Pundit declares the 26-year-old to be a surprise Celtic striker

All eyes will be on Brendan Rodgers and Celtic during these coming weeks to see how the club will deal with its jam-packed wingers.

Nicolas Kuhn arrived on Tuesday to add to the already-growing listing of wingers, but one way to deal with it all is by way of the use of positive gamers out of their herbal positions.

Clyde 1 pundit and Scottish journalist Roger Hannah recommended that Daizen Maeda, if Kyogo Furuhashi is unavailable, may want to be used ‘down the middle’.

It was once pointed out that in pre-season, Daizen Maeda did play that role and the Celtic boss spoke ‘glowingly’ about the player.

As of this moment, Daizen Maeda is away on global responsibility for the Asian Cup, however when he returns, he has a combat on his palms to start after the capture of Nicolas Kuhn, amongst others.

Since Brendan Rodgers’ return, Kyogo Furuhashi has remained the foremost man up top, with Hyeongyu Oh as the back-up, even although some have called for the duo to play together.

That hasn’t came about yet, as the club’s forward situation was discussed now that Nicolas Kuhn is in the building.

Daizen Maeda as a striker

“Kyogo is Celtic’s variety one striker with the aid of a street,” said Hannah. “Oh is normally there. He is away with South Korea at the Asia Cup just now.

“I wonder if something was to manifest to Kyogo, with suspension or injury, I surprise if Daizen Maeda is ear-marked to play down the middle.

“Celtic, at this minute, seem to be extra involved in signing large guys than they do strikers. Maeda commenced pre-season through the middle beneath Brendan Rodgers and he spoke glowingly of him.

“I marvel if that would be the Celtic plan. Try to get a winger and possibly use Maeda via the middle if some thing takes place to Kyogo.”

Options a plenty

One factor that can’t be argued about is the selections Rodgers now has to pick out from.

There were instances this season, at some point of goalless attracts or defeats, that one trouble has been the team’s lack of cutting area in the final third.

Given that the team is switching from Ange Postecoglou’s high-flying fashion to Rodgers’ greater measured approach, then the distinction is going to be evident.

But with the preferences now on show and the capability to rotate and use players in a range of roles, then followers will be awaiting the levels to increase for the duration of the second 1/2 of the campaign.

Club prepares for bids as West Ham wants £6 million or more for outstanding player, according to report

Celtic are after a bid “well in excess” of the £6million they paid for Cameron Carter-Vickers amid pastime from West Ham, according to the Daily Record.

The Scottish outlet reported on its on line edition Tuesday (16 January) that West Ham have joined Premier League competitors Brentford and Nottingham Forest in displaying an interest in the defender.

Carter-Vickers, who joined Celtic from Tottenham on a four-year deal in June 2022 after an preliminary season on loan, has made exactly 100 appearances for the Scottish side.

The Daily Record document reads: “Cameron Carter-Vickers is desired with the aid of West Ham, Nottingham Forest and Brentford. The Premier League trio have been monitoring the Celtic defender all through this season.

“And whilst it would take a bid nicely in extra of the initial £6million the Hoops paid Tottenham to prise him away from Glasgow, the Parkhead hierarchy are bracing themselves for provides arriving.”

Question marks

This is an fascinating improvement from West Ham’s perspective. The Irons are already well stocked at centre-back following the arrival of Konstantinos Mavropanos remaining summer.

Kurt Zouma, Angelo Ogbonna and Nayef Aguerd are also on the Hammers’ books, so there are plenty of options for David Moyes to pick out from proper now.

That said, query marks over the future of Aguerd refuse to go away, and it can also nicely be that clean activity is proven in the Morocco global from some place else later this year.

Ogbonna is now aged 35, meanwhile, and is clearly coming to the end of his West Ham career.

That ought to provide an explanation for why Carter-Vickers is being eyed up – a centre-back with experience of taking part in in Europe for Celtic.

The 26-year-old hardly ever had the best time of things at some point of his previous spell in English football – he failed to make a single league look for Spurs – but two-and-a-half years have surpassed on the grounds that then.

For what have to be a reasonable adequate fee, this transfer ought to not be ruled out entirely.

Cameron Carter-Vickers is wanted by West Ham United, according to a source close to the Celtic player who discussed the trade.

According to Larry Henry Jr., Westõ Ham United want to strengthen its defense options this month by signing Celtics standout Cameron Carter-Vickers.

The MLS transfer journalist notes on his personal Twitter account on January 16 that Brentford and Nottingham Forest are also interested in the USA international central defense.

Additionally, a source close to the player has verified the Premier League’s interest. With Angelo Ogbonna getting older and Nayef Aguerd’s future uncertain, West Ham is eager to buy a new defender.

Cameron Carter-Vickers, a defender for Celtic and the United States national team, is being targeted by West Ham, Brentford, and Nottingham Forest, an insider told me today,” the writer stated.

“CCV has made 110 total apps for Celtic and won five trophies, including a domestic triple crown the previous year.”

Carter-Vickers has a history of failing in England; as a young player, he was rejected by Tottenham and ended up playing for Celtic in Glasgow.

There, he has become one of the greatest defenders in the division and has gotten first-team experience in both the Champions League and international competitions

However, there’s no denying that he will be playing at a higher level now that he’s back in the Premier League, raising concerns about whether he’s good enough for the Hammers.

But, there aren’t many opportunities to sign a player with such experience and Premier League experience, and because of the financial divide between England and Scotland, the player is probably going to be relatively inexpensive in contrast.

It’s definitely one to keep an eye on because a substantial offer will undoubtedly compel Celtic to consider a transfer. This might be the deal that gets done if Aguerd leaves if the boss feels he needs an extra body.

Kuhn, a new Celtic winger, is described as “poor at shooting and injury prone.”

It was “far from a glowing report” and left pundits speechless

NICOLAS KUHN has touched down in Glasgow to complete his pass to Celtic.

But Hoops followers have been fired a brutal warning from an Austrian football expert over the winger’s capabilities.

 

And they’ve had their expectations properly and certainly quashed via an wonderful evaluation of the incoming transfer.

Dorian Schuster has tracked Kuhn’s 18-month spell at Rapid Vienna for scouting and stats website Transfermarkt.

Far from talking up his taking part in credentials, he delivered a savage slapdown to Hoops followers hoping the winger will mild up Parkhead simply as Luis Palma has and Jota did before him.

The Austrian Bundesliga expert was once invited onto Clyde 1 Superscoreboard to supply listeners the inner music on Brendan Rodgers’ winger in waiting.

But he left host Gordon Duncan startled alongside panellists Kenny Miller and Sunsport’s Roger Hannah with his savage critique.

Over the three minute takedown Schuster slammed the winger’s shooting, claimed he used to be well worth less than HALF the Hoops’ transfer price and admitted he used to be amazed the go was being made at all.

Back on January 1, Sunsport completely instructed how the Hoops were lining up the 24-year-old and officers quickly arranged a work permit for their new recruit remaining week.

And the participant was pictured at Glasgow Airport this evening in education of his big cross to Parkhead.

But what the Hoops are hoping for – and what they are getting – should be very distinct in accordance to Schuster’s “far from glowing report”.

He described the ex-Ajax and Bayern Munich kid as “a distinctive player, in the feel that he has great dribbling skills,” before a scathing evaluation of his spell in Austria’s top flight.

Schuster added: “On the other hand his taking pictures is – definitely –  sometimes horrible and he wastes many possibilities in the Austrian Bundesliga and that ought to be a principal trouble in the Champions League for Celtic.

He performed in the 2nd league in Germany and his first season in Vienna was pretty a mess – he was once quite regularly injured and he by no means reached the heights of his skills or fitness.

“Sometimes he used to be used as an attacking midfielder but is now solely used on a proper winger, his left foot is correct as well.

“Cutting in on the left foot and his right is additionally properly – there’s no worries about that.

“He in no way reached the first team at Ajax or Bayern Munich so he used to be loaned to a second-tier side in Germany and afterwards he moved to Rapid Vienna.

“But it hasn’t been sufficient with his capturing competencies in combination being injury prone so I suppose Rapid Vienna has been the right step, now we will see if Celtic is – I really don’t be aware of if it will work out in the Scottish League.

“He is a speedy participant but as I referred to damage susceptible and I don’t recognize if he will have fun with Scottish defenders.”

After the brutal assessment Roger Hannah requested if he and his fellow Bundesliga fans had been surprised the big-money move was on the cards.

Schuster replied: “Kind of. He hasn’t had his step forward at Rapid, he has been top this season.

“Last season wasn’t that suitable and now all of a sudden they want to promote him for €3.5m. We at Transfermarkt price him at €1.5m so there is a moderate difference.”

Kuhn was spotted at Glasgow Airport earlier these days and sat out the weekend fit with Wiener SC – instead training on his own in the gym, nursing a ‘slight knock’.

Rodgers preparing for a Celtics raid for “exceptional” £10k-p/w titan, Hart’s terrible news – opinion

The Hoops are reportedly interested in the Premier League shot-stopper this month.

Celtic have been touted with an activity in a Premier League shot-stopper as Brendan Rodgers looks to bolster his enjoying squad this month.

Celtic’s hunt for a long-term goalkeeper

According to The Scottish Sun, the Northern Irish boss is eyeing a swoop to signal Caoimhin Kelleher from Liverpool and wants the Ireland global to pass up to Glasgow.

The file claims that the Hoops manager is a long-term admirer of the Reds teenager and has an eye on him to be his future quantity one at Parkhead.

However, the outlet adds that a go is not likely to manifest this month at this stage and a summer transfer should be on the cards instead, with Jurgen Klopp’s aspect searching at Sunderland’s Anthony Patterson as a feasible replacement.

This may want to be terrible news for Joe Hart, mainly if Celtic are capable to snap Kelleher up this month, as the former England international’s contract is due to expire in the summer.

Joe Hart’s European struggles

The veteran goalkeeper struggled for the Bhoys in the Champions League this season, and closing term, with his susceptible shot-stopping performance.

Hart conceded 1.7 extra goals than the average goalkeeper would have been predicted to let in primarily based on the post-shot Expected Goals (xG) value of the efforts against him.

That was also the case for the 36-year-old stopper for the duration of the 2022/23 marketing campaign as he conceded 15 goals from a post-shot xG of 13.3 for the Hoops in that competition.

Hart currently ranks within the bottom 14% of Champions League goalkeepers this season for post-shot xG faced minus goals allowed per ninety with minus 0.28. He additionally ranks within the backside 20% for proportion of crosses stopped with 1.2%.

Why Kelleher may want to be an improve on Hart

Kelleher’s arrival ought to be awful information for Hart because of his age and potential as the proficient teen has proven masses of promise with the Reds.

The £10k-per-week titan has solely conceded 0.5 greater goals than predicted in contrast to the post-shot xG he has confronted across ten Premier League outings for Liverpool.

His performances for the English giants all through their run to the League Cup trophy in the course of the 2021/22 campaign have been specially impressive. He saved 84% of the shots towards him and finished 2 successful run-outs per match across four appearances.

Meanwhile, Hart has in no way averaged greater than a save proportion of 73% across a Scottish Premiership season and has never averaged more than 0.3 successful run-outs per game.

These statistics recommend that the viable is there for the Ireland global to come in as an upgrade on Hart with his shot-stopping fine and willingness to sweep up in the back of his defence to permit for a high line, if he can preserve consistency and adapt to Scottish football.

Kelleher, who was once hailed as “exceptional” by Klopp, is also 11 years youthful than the English colossus and ought to be the long-term number one for Celtic transferring forward.

The club’s active hobby in the Liverpool ace is, therefore, bad news for the veteran in advance of his contract expiring in the summer time as it suggests that Rodgers is looking at existence past Hart, which does not bode well for his possibilities of being the first-choice at Parkhead for a lot longer.

Celtic are ready to complete a signing as player withdraws from training camp – Official club announcement

Earlier on Monday, we protected the modern day in Austria about Celtic’s activity in Nicolas Kühn and their efforts to add him to Brendan Rodgers’ side.

The player was once stated to be waiting for the green light to tour to Scotland, however the winger was still at his former club.

They have now commented on the rely publicly, and while they do not mention Celtic directly, all fingers point to talks with the Parkhead side, as Laola1 relay everything in an article.

They right now open their report by means of pronouncing a cross to Celtic for Kühn is ‘already viewed to be nearly sealed’, and the most latest SK Rapid declaration on their participant seems to verify that.

They mentioned that they had come to the decision that the winger ‘will no longer travel to the wintry weather education camp in Belek’ and that the 24-year-old was ‘given permission to keep personal discussions’ with an unnamed membership who favor to sign him.

This is when Laola provide an explanation for that this would be Celtic, who are fascinated in bringing him to the Scottish Premiership to finish the season and more.

One to keep an eye on, however it truly looks as good as finished unless something dramatic happens.

Celtic set to confirm their second loan exit in the next 48 hours

Looks like there’s some exciting news for Celtic’s Mackenzie Carse and Queen’s Park!

The 19-year-old Celtic midfielder is all set for a mortgage stint with Queen’s Park for the rest of the season. [Football Scotland]

The B crew captain has been a key participant for Celtic’s developmental side, making 18 appearances and scoring 7 goals, displaying off his capabilities in the midfield. But now, it appears Celtic thinks it’s time for Mackenzie to stage up and play in a extra challenging environment.

Mackenzie has been with the Celtic academy considering he was once thirteen and has even been coaching with the first crew at points.

This pass comes at a crucial time for Queen’s Park. They’re absolutely looking to improve their crew as they’re presently in a bit of a hard spot. Former St Johnston boss Callum Davidson has taken the job on and is tasked with turning around the Glasgow club’s fortunes .

They’re hoping Mackenzie’s arrival would possibly just be the push they need to turn their playoff goals into reality. Let’s see how this season unfolds for Mackenzie and Queen’s Park.

This loan deal follows Kwon’s move to fellow Premiership side St Mirren on Friday night.

Hot or Cold? Rumors of a January transfer for Celtic, involving Miovski and Gelhardt, were ranked from likely to unlikely

We charge Celtic’s possibilities of finalising offers for the following list of gamers linked with the membership so a long way this month…

Celtic transfer rumours have been been few and a long way between in January so a ways – however it looks the Scottish champions are sooner or later close to finishing their first signing of the window.

The Hoops are on the brink of finalising a deal for Rapid Vienna winger Nicolas Kuhn, with the club currently locked in negotiations over a £2.8million asking price. An settlement is close to being reached between the two clubs.

As for different possible arrivals, left-back and a striker are understood to be the two foremost areas that Celtic supervisor Brendan Rodgers is looking to bolster this month, with a range of fringe guys expected to leave the membership over the coming weeks.

Here, GlasgowWorld rates the probabilities of every participant linked with Celtic so a ways this month and determine whether or not a viable transfer should be in the pipeline:

1. Nicolas Kuhn – Rapid Vienna

VERY LIKELY – Rapid Vienna winger is expected to be introduced as the club’s first signing of the January window barring any closing minute hiccup. His £2.8million move is probably to be concluded this weekend.

2. Bojan Miovski – Aberdeen

IN THE BALANCE – The Dons purpose machine appears to be in no rush to depart Pittodrie in this window. However, Celtic’s interest is company and they should but splash out on the North Macedonian

3. Lawrence Shankland – Hearts

UNLIKELY – Potentially a non-starter. Not certain to in shape into Celtic’s fashion of play and has shut allegiances to opponents Rangers. A go throughout the town is greater probable at this stage.

4. Joe Gelhardt – Leeds United

UNLIKELY – The 21-year-old striker was once rumoured to be on the Hoops’ shortlist with a view to a viable loan switch, but the Yorkshire giants do not layout on parting ways with him every time soon.

5. Jordan Henderson – Al Ettifaq

VERY UNLIKELY – The England global wishes to go away Saudi Arabia after simply six months and Celtic have been floated as a practicable destination. A cross to Parkhead would be a actual shock and there would be various principal hurdles to overcome in order to thrash out a deal.

6. Mathias Kvistgaarden – Brondby

IN THE BALANCE – The Danish club have no intention of promoting the £7.5million-rated striker amid their title chase. Celtic had a reported £4m bid rejected and the participant is nonetheless conscious of the Scottish champions hobby in him. No second provide has been submitted yet.

7. Scott McKenna – Nottingham Forest

UNLIKELY – Brendan Rodgers is understood to have NOT placed the Scotland international on his list of central protective ambitions amid his lack of recreation time at the City Ground. Was earlier a Hoops target all through Rodgers’ first spell.

8. Romeo Amane – BK Hacken

IN THE BALANCE – Celtic were ‘considering’ a cross for the Ivorian midfielder. Would be considered as greater of a challenge signing, which supporters are firmly in opposition to at present. Is said to have been ‘watched closely’ by using the club’s scouting department.

9. Gijs Smal – FC Twente

UNLIKELY – Dutch left returned is out of contract in the summer and has earned comparisons to legendary Italian Paolo Maldini. Rangers are also after him and reports in the Netherlands advocate he is valued at round £6million.

10. Owen Beck – Liverpool

VERY UNLIKELY – Celtic desired to sign the Liverpool youngster completely after a hugely dazzling loan stint at Premiership rivals Dundee, but was recalled early via Reds boss Jurgen Klopp and now looks set to taste some first-team motion at Anfield.

’No way’: Celtic informed Brendan Rodgers that they didn’t approve of the 23-year-old’s signing and that he may now leave

Celtic’s centre-back branch has taken twists not many would have expected at the start of the season.

Who would have idea that Liam Scales, on-loan at Aberdeen ultimate season, would be one of Celtic’s most essential gamers with the aid of the New Year and partnering Stephen Welsh towards Rangers?!

Well, at the same time as two separate accidents to Cameron Carter-Vickers have performed a section in that, the disappointment of summer season arrivals, such as Gustaf Lagerbielke and Maik Nawrocki is some other reason.

Kenny Miller says there is ‘no way’ Brendan Rodgers accepted or used to be the one who signed the Sweden worldwide for £3 million in the summer, as he told Clyde 1.

If you recall, Gustaf Lagerbielke did start Celtic’s 1-0 win at Ibrox at the begin of the campaign, however he did seem fishy and has infrequently played since.

Now there are hints that he could be headed for the exit door in January, which raises the query as to who allowed this signing to happen.

If it was once Brendan Rodgers, then definitely the Celtic boss would have given the 23-year-old time to show himself, however as Kenny Miller alluded to, that’s sincerely not the case.

Gustaf Lagerbielke and Brendan Rodgers

“Three centre-backs have come in and I be aware of there have been an damage to Nawrocki,” said Miller.

“But three centre-backs have come in during the summer time and none of them have played effectively. You went to two academy products in an Old Firm game, with Scales and Welsh.

“Lagerbielke from the Old Firm sport at Ibrox. I notion he regarded really, truely dodgy. He didn’t seem up to it. Scales was once his accomplice that day, he was the one who appeared like the steady chip.

“There is no way Brendan Rodgers signed him. No way that Brendan Rodgers signed the player five months ago and now he’s not appropriate enough.

“If you have signed him, and you accept as true with he could be this player, then you don’t write it off that quickly.”

Will Brendan Rodgers be backed?

For a while now, the Northern Irishman has spoken about Celtic wanting quality and hoping for demonstrated gamers to come thru the doors.

It’s still early days, however from an incoming standpoint, it has been a pretty quiet January switch window so far.

Perhaps when players return to action, that’s when matters will begin to kick off, or as it typically happens, at some point of the closing few days of the window.

If you are going to convey a manager like Rodgers returned to the club, specially given what he received in his first spell, then there is no want to mess about, simply again him properly, let him convey in who he wishes and get on with it!

“As you saw,” Rangers receive a nasty warning from Scott Brown about Celtics

Scott Brown says Celtic have demonstrated that the gap between Rangers is still ‘quite big’ after prevailing the opening two Glasgow derbies of the season.

To spherical off a fantastically profitable 2023, which saw the Bhoys win the Treble beneath Ange Postecoglou, the crew topped it off with the aid of beating Rangers 2-1 at Parkhead.

Given Celtic’s slip-ups in December, there was once a lot of strain on Brendan Rodgers heading into that game.

But as the side have done all season long, they stepped up, caught their chest out and proved their really worth when it mattered most.

Scott Brown spoke about the ‘quality’ inside the squad and how that is the ‘difference’ between Celtic and Rangers, as he told Sky Sports.

It additionally needs to be stated that, for the 2nd Glasgow derby running, key gamers have been missing, inclusive of some other makeshift centre-back pairing.

Yet, the only component Rangers could muster from those two matches, in phrases of goalscoring ability, is a free-kick purpose from James Tavernier.

Either way, Scott Brown had a enormously brutal message for Rangers in their quest to catch Celtic this season.

Celtic and Rangers gap

“But Celtic have a sturdy squad and, as you noticed when they played the different week, the gap used to be pretty big, the way the Celtic front three pressed, the pleasant they have got, I suppose that’s the difference,” stated Brown.

“When you play in large games at home, you are expected to win and put on a show and that’s what Celtic did. I notion they performed relatively well, particularly the first 75-80 minutes, they dominated, they had been on the the front foot, and they seemed like the only group that was once going to score.

“They have put themselves in a incredible function and now they are going to get enhanced and stronger, and they will seem fitter.

“Usually going from New Year to the stop of the season, Celtic are very, very strong. I will be looking forward to seeing how they go forward in the methods Brendan wants them to go forward.”

Quiet January transfer window

Rumours are effervescent about, it looks as although some action is going to take place, but as of this moment, there have been no incomings and it has been rather quiet.

Leeds United’s young celebrity Joe Gelhardt is any individual who has been spoken about, a ahead participant who likes to play off the shoulder and has pace to burn.

But in order for players to come in, some need to leave, with the exit of Yosuke Ideguchi being announced on Tuesday and talk of Rocco Vata per chance shifting to Italy.

Ideally, you choose the players in as shortly as possible, but you would instead the right players arrive, than simply rushing in players for the sake of it.

Bradley Walsh is not amused by the Celtic player’s error on The Chase, as Aberdeen amnesia knocks out a competitor

Marcus from Neath in Wales used to be rolling before giving away a penalty in the eyes of the host.

Puzzled The Chase host Bradley Walsh couldn’t conceal his shock over a contestant’s incapability to name Aberdeen as victors in the 1983 Super Cup Final.

Marcus from Neath in Wales used to be rolling before giving away a penalty in the eyes of the host after being unable to healthy the right side Sir Alex Ferguson led to glory against Hamburg. That triumph – months after a lovely Cup Winners’ Cup win over Real Madrid – is etched in the reminiscence of football supporters throughout Britain as the man now viewed as the greatest supervisor in history rocked the continent.

Honest Marcus confessed he used to be no football fan and Walsh, in a mischievous mood, admitted he ought to inform after getting the question wrong on the smash-hit ITV quiz show. He picked Celtic over Rangers and the correct answer of Aberdeen which led to raised eyebrows. Marcus then acquired a history lesson from chaser Shaun Wallace who reeled off a host of Aberdeen heroes of that era. The Dark Destroyer namechecked the likes of Jim Leighton, Alex McLeish, Willie Miller and Mark McGhee.

Host Walsh then requested Wallace if Gordon Strachan was a superstar of the Granite City in that technology which used to be tested before each praised a facet which remain the final to defeat the Madrid in a European Final. And their high-quality run was made all the extra incredible when they followed up against European Cup winners Hamburg over two legs in November and December of 1983.

Followers of Aberdeen posted their understanding to The Chase duo for giving their club most important kudos on countrywide television.

The most recent Celtic transfer rumors involving Joe Hart, Sydney van Hooijdonk, and Nicolas Kuhn

The Hoops are yet to get their January window up and running

We’re already a week into the transfer window and no matter a busy January expected at Celtic, it’s still to get going.

Brendan Rodgers has admitted he needs brought high-quality and with Daizen Maeda, Oh Hyeon-gyu, Reo Hatate, Yang and Marco Tilio heading to the Asian Cup they need reinforcements to fill out the squad. The forward areas may additionally be a priority for that purpose and one title who has been stated is German winger Nicolas Kuhn.

The Hoops are thinking to be monitoring the Rapid Vienna winger and it was stated they may want to get him for around £2million. However, their sports activities director Markus Katzer has now said that he doesn’t expect any of his gamers to go away for the duration of the January window.

He told Kronen Zeitung, he said: “I assume that every person will be with us in the 2d half of the season, I haven’t heard some thing to the contrary.”

Left-back is an vicinity Rodgers is searching at as he seeks serious competition for Greg Taylor. Gijs Smal linked a few weeks ago and Rangers are now additionally pronounced to be involved in the FC Twente superstar who is out of contract in the summer season and has been dubbed ‘the new Maldini’.

Sydney van Hooijdonk has long been linked as a striker option and TuttoMercato file that he remains on the radar after being instructed by way of Bologna boss Thiago Motta that he can go away the club this month.

Meanwhile, Rodgers has been speaking about Joe Hart’s future and says he will take a seat down with the veteran goalkeeper soon to talk about possibly extending his remain previous this summer.

“It’s not something that we’re searching at just now. There are other areas we have to seem at first,” he explained.

“There will be positions in the summer we’ll be in a position to improve on and it’s the identical in January. But I love working with Joe, he’s a remarkable guy. Hopefully he continues. We haven’t spoken about it. At that age, I think he’s simply completely satisfied to be playing. Joe’s family is down south so he has shown amazing dedication to be up here.

“Are you going to stay up here besides your family if you’re now not taking part in as a No.1? Joe’s had a lengthy profession and I love being with him each day. He has a actual fantastic energy and has been a brilliant chief for this team. So we’ll have a chat – him and I – toward the give up of the season.”

Luis Palma is at the centre of a transfer storm as his former membership Vida declare that they are owed cash from Aris after a having a sell-on proportion included when they sold him to the Greek side.

He insists they will be taking the be counted to FIFA if not paid the £500,000 they sense they are owed.

While Nat Phillips has despatched a message to Celtic and their followers after heading lower back to Liverpool following his brief mortgage spell.

He wrote: “It was once a pleasure and a privilege to represent @celticfc and their supporters. I wish everybody at the club all the best for the relaxation of the season and the future.”

Rangers supporters will find Graeme Souness’s assessment of Celtic Park on derby day offensive

It doesn’t take a genius to work out that Celtic Park on Glasgow derby day or on Champions League nights creates the most excessive atmosphere in European football.

If not the most intense, then absolutely in the pinnacle five. In truth no, if Lionel Messi believes it’s the best atmosphere in Europe for a football match then it has to be true.

The likes of Cristiano Ronaldo and Xavi are in full agreement. And now, even Rangers favourite Graeme Souness has tipped his hat to Parkhead’s incredible environment thanks to our club’s incredible fans.

In fact, Souness has went as a ways as saying that Celtic Park – except any Rangers fans on derby day ultimate weekend – truly cannot be matched somewhere in the world.

Graeme Souness loves Celtic Park on derby day

And we have to admit, he’s spot on. Parkhead used to be truely raucous for the New Year grudge match as Celtic ran out deserved 2-1 winners.

Paulo Bernardo and Kyogo scored amazing strikes to burst Philippe Clement’s Rangers bubble and open up an eight-point lead at the top of the Scottish Premiership.

Souness was present at the stadium to immerse himself in Celtic’s victory and not even a Gers defeat in opposition to their biggest competitors can forestall the 70-year-old from admitting how brilliant the atmosphere used to be at Celtic Park.

He wrote in his most recent Daily Mail column: “What an environment it was at Celtic Park ultimate Saturday. I was once there for the Old Firm derby and I swear there is none to in shape it somewhere in the world.”

That’s sure to upset Rangers fans, some of whom claim Ibrox boasts the satisfactory atmosphere in European football.

Souness certainly doesn’t suppose so. His feedback concerning Celtic Park on derby day are bang on and as mentioned, that’s even besides any Rangers followers in the stands.

It just goes to show that the Rangers legend can’t deny the superiority of Celtic Park’s environment over any other area in world soccer and we’re glad, he of all people, can admit it.

Nat Phillips sends an incredible message to Celtic support

On Friday evening, Nat Phillips took to his Instagram to lengthen a heartfelt thanks to the Celtic support, efficaciously confirming his departure from the club.

His message, imbued with gratitude, stated the fans and his time spent in Glasgow, supplying a private touch to his exit that the club’s reliable channels had especially omitted.

Earlier on Friday, Phillips used to be spotted returned in acquainted territory, training with Liverpool, an image that verified the finality involving his Celtic exit.

Phillips’s personal acknowledgment and return to Liverpool education supply a truly closure for fans who had been left in the dark by using Celtic’s uncommon silence.

Unfortunately his time at the membership was not successful. His closing recreation was a 2-0 defeat to Hearts at Celtic Park the place the defender scored an very own aim and had a generally terrible game.

It was once a short term loan deal that ought to have been prolonged if Celtic wanted to however in the stop it’s exceptional for all events to go their separate ways.

 

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Rodgers adores him: Celtic is now prioritizing the signing of a “fantastic” player over four Premier League teams

He’s been on a extraordinary run of form this campaign…

Celtic boss Brendan Rodgers is eager to bolster his ranks for the duration of the January window and is now believed to be thinking about a pass for a pinnacle marksman, according to a report.

Celtic look for edge in Premiership title race…

Despite enduring a wobble formerly in December with back-to-back defeats, Celtic rallied to report four straight victories over Livingston, Dundee, Rangers and St Mirren to enter the Scottish Premiership title race riding seat heading into the wintry weather break.

The Hoops keep an eight-point advantage over their opponents throughout the metropolis at this stage; nevertheless, Philippe Clement’s guys have two games in hand to potentially slim the gap, signifying that there is lots of work to be finished at Parkhead for the duration of the window in order to maintain their lead at the summit.

Of course, Rodgers will have to work towards bringing in new arrivals with the brought caveat of Reo Hatate, Daizen Maeda, Oh Hyeon-gyu, Yang Hyun-jun and Marco Tilio being away on Asian Cup duty, which can also pave the way for a new striker to cross to Parkhead this month.

Reports in Germany, by means of The Daily Record, declare that Brondby striker Mathias Kvistgaarden is on the Hoops’ radar and they may additionally have obtained a enhance in their pursuit of the Denmark Under-21 international, due to the reality his different suitors, Schalke 04, are not going to be able to find the money for him this window.

Nevertheless, Football Scotland have considering claimed that Celtic are yet to return with an multiplied provide for the attacker after seeing a bid of £4 million grew to become down in the summer. Now, data has emerged claiming that the Scottish giants are now in the market for a specific marksman who has been in awesome shape this campaign.

Celtic keen on Lawrence Shankland…

According to HITC, Celtic are believed to be thinking about a go for Heart of Midlothian captain Lawrence Shankland this month; however, Everton, Sheffield United, Burnley, Crystal Palace are additionally eager on the Scotland international, providing opposition from the Premier League for his signature.

Hull City and Middlesbrough are stated as having an activity in the former Dundee United man in addition to unnamed golf equipment from abroad. Last week, Hoops boss Rodgers labelled Shankland a “fantastic finisher” in the build-up to his side’s 2-1 victory over Rangers at Parkhead last weekend.

Leading some thing of a nomadic existence earlier than settling at Hearts in 2022, Shankland has simply located his capturing boots this campaign, registering 18 times and recording three assists in 28 appearances this campaign (Shankland statistics – Transfermarkt).

It stays to be ascertained whether the 28-year-old’s traits off the ball would fit into Rodgers’ fashion of play; nevertheless, Shankland knows where the back of the net is and is not going to be short of suitors as the window progresses.

Todd Cantwell’s Rangers in-joke is revealed by Philippe Clement, and the midfielder brushes off teasing by Celtic fans

Twice now Cantwell has spoke back to low moments by way of producing for Rangers in their subsequent game.

At least Todd Cantwell can see the funny aspect now.

And Philippe Clement reckons his Rangers playmaker can have the remaining snicker if he continues to respond to adversity like he did on Tuesday. The 25-year-old Ibrox ace wasn’t smiling as he trudged glumly off the Parkhead pitch three days formerly to the sound of sarcastic cheers from the Celtic support. The East End trustworthy like to call the former Norwich man TikTok and they ramped up their trolling as they celebrated their side’s 2-1 triumph in their second Old Firm win of the campaign.

But Clement was delighted to see Cantwell stick a thumb in the eye of the keyboard warriors and critics as he replied with a purpose and a stand-out display in the Light Blues’ New Year stroll against Kilmarnock. It used to be reminiscent of the way the Englishman bounced back from being unceremoniously hooked just 37 minutes into the club’s November draw at home to Europa League minnows Aris Limassol – responding three days later with two assists in a win over Hearts.

Clement used to be rapid to remind the attacker of that as he afforded him a standing ovation from the appreciative Ibrox trustworthy as he used to be changed late on against Killie. Asked if he was once pleased with Cantwell’s reaction to his Old Firm criticism, the massive Belgian said: “It’s hard to take out one player.

“It’s a whole story and every player has his personal working points. It’s my job and the job of the team of workers to factor them out and work on that with them.

“So I am comfortable with the evolution Todd is making and I opt for to take him out in the 87th minute rather of the thirty seventh minute. I told him that when he came off. He discovered it funny.”

Clement has advised his gamers to relaxation up and come back refreshed subsequent week, geared up to put in some serious graft when they jet out for a warm-weather training camp in the Spanish hotel of La Manga. But the Ibrox gaffer admits he’ll going flat out over the next few days as he looks to make in addition additions after signing Fabio Silva on loan from Wolves.

“Will I get a rest earlier than Spain?” asked the former Genk, Club Brugge and Monaco boss. “No, because I have different matters to do – it’s no longer solely training.

“We have a January switch window to come. So I need to watch gamers also, however I would do things with my family.

“But I don’t like to switch off. For me, it is no longer important.

“My physique don’t need to do something any more. And my Genius doesn’t explode by doing that all the time. I love it, and I will do it.

“How energetic will we be in the transfer window? Very lively each and every day, through searching at a lot of gamers together with human beings in the club.

“And then we will see what we can make happen. The matters we want. But we are not going to sign 10 players.”

Clement doesn’t idea placing in the hours if the work can pay off – and so far it has. The derby defeat to Celtic is the solely blot on the 49-year-old’s Ibrox end result sheet so a ways and whilst his side sit eight adrift of Brendan Rodgers’ Premiership pace-setters proper now, that deficit will cut back to two if they win each their games in hand on the champions.

It’s a scenario that has the Ibrox devoted eagerly awaiting the 2nd half of a season that has already delivered Viaplay Cup silver and a vicinity in the Europa League’s final 16.

And Clement is just as keen to see how it all plays out. He said: “I am still curious. I am comfortable that you speak now about the achievable of this team.

“Eleven weeks ago, I hear a lot of people saying there was not manageable sufficient in this crew to do what Rangers wants to do. So it is positive that so many gamers are growing, and that is what I want to see.

“I will hold a close eye, together with my staff, on who are the gamers staying ambitious, who are the gamers who are pushing. There are a lot of appropriate examples in that way.

“You have a young lad [Ross McCausland] who used to be just in the academy and now he is playing truely normal in the first crew because he is performing. Kieran Dowell, Dujon Sterling, who are now taking part in in other positions. They have executed that for the team, or else they wouldn’t play.

“So, I suppose this team is in a virtually desirable way. The dressing room also. The atmosphere each day within the building, with the training, the ambition in the training. Now after our first defeat, which we knew would come one day, the response used to be how I desired it.

“We seemed at what we had to do to make good, to analyse what went wrong, what we should do better. And then we reacted without delay on the pitch once more and left the whole lot behind.”

Clement has taken the plaudits for piecing Rangers’ season back collectively after being delivered in to repair the injury carried out with the aid of Michael Beale’s calamitous summer time rebuild. But the modest manager insists it’s his squad that deserve the deposit for turning matters around.

He said: “It’s no longer about me, it’s about the team. I’m joyful that all people is announcing they see a distinctive team now with greater extra of a winning mentality.

“I see extra and extra great and that the crew knows better and better how I favor to see football, how I want to see them run together, how I favor them to create spaces for other players.

“It turns into more and extra fluid. These are things that I understand if the gamers keep on working, if they remain attentive and they stay concentrated then after a while it will become more herbal for them.

“So there are in reality high quality things. It’s now not about being satisfied. It’s about being bold to get better.”

Jota is ready to quit Al-Ittihad, and the Portuguese winger may go for nothing

Celtic hero Jota could be poised to go away Al-Ittihad on a “free” after struggling to make an have an effect on in Saudi Arabia.

This is in accordance to outlet Hi Koura which claims that the Saudi Pro League champions will attempt to “rip up the winger’s contract”.

Jota joined the Middle Eastern membership for £25million at some stage in the summer transfer window but has observed his recreation time confined due to being left out of Ittihad’s league squad.

And now it seems like the winger ought to be set to depart the Saudi Arabian side.

Meanwhile,Kyogo Furuhashi has as soon as again been snubbed by means of the Japanese national group regardless of his heroics towards Rangers at the weekend.

The striker bagged a gorgeous winner for Brendan Rodgers’ facet in the derby to extend Celtic’s lead at the pinnacle of the Scottish Premiership table.

Kyogo has now not been a outstanding determine in the Japanese set up in recent times even though and that has persisted beforehand of their involvement in the Asia Cup.

Blue Samurai boss Hajime Moriyasu named his squad today and Kyogo has no longer been picked. This is of course a blow for Kyogo personally, but a raise for Celtic shifting forward as they intention to dominate domestically in the second-half of the campaign.

Celtic duo Daizen Maeda and Reo Hatate have been selected in the squad and should be missing for a month with the event due to begin on January 14.

South Korean duo Oh and Yang ought to usually be missing so Rodgers will be braced to ensure his aspect has cover for a key factor in the season.

Latest Celtic transfers rumored include Araujo, McKenna, Kvistgaarden, and Solbakken

The transfer window is open and it could be a busy one at Parkhead

Tiago Araujo, Scott McKenna and Ola Solbakken

New Year brings with it optimism and hopes for the future. But a long way extra importantly for soccer golf equipment and fans, it brings the opening of the switch window.

Celtic are anticipated to do quite a bit of business after manager Brendan Rodgers admitted they want to add extra high-quality to their squad after a very disappointing summer window. A large squad desires to be trimmed first and departures are anticipated over the coming weeks however there will almost without a doubt be incomings too.

Left-back is an vicinity needing addressed and we’ve already viewed a concrete hyperlink with Estoril’s Tiago Araujo. The former Benfica man can also play similarly forward and played with Jota and Paulo Bernardo at the Portuguese giants – and a large hint was once dropped when he commented on the latter’s social media following his strike in opposition to Rangers.

His club are searching for round around £4million so the Hoops will want to cough up if Araujo is the man they favor to come in and compete with Greg Taylor.

New left centre-back may additionally be on the way too with Scott McKenna reportedly an alternative after being made handy for switch by Nottingham Forest.

Rodgers would also like to add a striker and a midfielder. In terms of the attacking area, Brondby star Mathias Kvistgaarden is one that has been mentioned after Celts failed with a bid in the summer season however the Parkhead membership have been warned they have to blow the Danes away for any provide to be successful.

Aberdeen’s Bojan Miovski is some other who has been scouted while some other home talent, Hearts’ Lawrence Shankland has often been mooted as a potential goal too.

Meanwhile, social media has been awash with rumours that Celtic have been presented Norwegian winger Ola Solbakken.

The 25-year-old, linked with the Hoops in the past, has been playing on loan at Olympiacos from AS Roma and has played towards Celtic earlier than for Bodo/Glimt.

It stays to be the seen if the rumours turn into whatever concrete however it is truly an interesting one.

Goalkeeper is every other location that will perchance be seemed at and Ipswich keeper Vaclav Hladky has spoken out after hyperlinks to Celtic, while Real Madrid’s Andriy Lunin is every other to have been mentioned.

Celtics star Joe Hart had a family dinner in Glasgow to celebrate the Rangers victory

Celtic star Joe Hart loved a meal with his family in a popular West End spot after Saturday’s derby.

The 36-year-old Hoops star, whose aspect beat Rangers 2-1 at Parkhead on Saturday, posed with delighted body of workers at Italian eatery Caprese Don Costanzo on Woodside Crescent near Charing Cross.

Looking blissful and sporting a Stone Island jumper. the goalkeeper is the cutting-edge in a lengthy line of celebrities to dine at the spot.

A statement from the restaurant on Instagram posted on Hogmanay read: “Last night, we had the pleasure of web hosting Joe Hart and his beautiful household for dinner.”

Last month, we reported  that the restaurant used to be visited by way of Rangers manager Philippe Clement.

The restaurant also used the Instagram put up to warn diners they would be closed until January 17.

“Many thanks to Harry”: Kewell’s influence at Celtic

On his arrival at Celtic, he used to be seen as ultimately some new blood in the teaching staff. There had been rumblings over the years about the perceived boys membership mentality at Celtic, and even though Ange Postecoglou had arrived as supervisor at Celtic, he had saved with the ordinary system. Kewell was once seen as a spoil to this device even though not necessarily some thing revolutionary.

As a player, Kewell had made a properly title for himself at clubs like Liverpool, Galatasaray and Leeds and helped to increase the popularity of footballers from Down Under.

After putting up his taking part in boots, he moved into management, and admittedly his file was overall poor. However at Celtic he had a new hazard in teaching alongside Postecoglou who was by using this time now well settled in but wished to take Celtic up a few notches.

Harey Kewell arrived at a buoyant Celtic in the summer time of 2022, and he settled in rapidly at a Celtic who were in command in the league. Initial reports on Kewell’s contributions had been positive with especially Maeda enormously praising Kewell. The advantages paid off in the World Cup with a Maeda inspired Japan surprising all and sundry finishing top of their team after wins v Germany and Spain!

“It’s thanks to him that I’m genuinely enjoying my football once more and additionally enhancing my skills. It’s down to Harry that I began to trade my strategy at Celtic and I’m now performing better. That’s thanks to Harry. He is very true at organising relationships with players,” Maeda said.

He supported the squad as they went on to win the domestic treble. Postecoglou though left in June 2023, however Kewell remained at Celtic to work beneath Brendan Rodgers, and gamers continued to publicly praise his contribution to their development.

After Celtic sealed a well deserved 2-1 victory over theRangers in the annual New Year’s Derby, performed on 30 December 2023 this time), Kewell left the next for the J League to take over at Yokohama F. Marinos from ex-Rangers player Muscat (who at one time was once rumoured for a teaching function at Celtic below Postecoglou).

Harry Kewell is seen during the Celtic Champions Training Day at Celtic Park on July 18, 2022. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

HARRY KEWELL’S TIME AT CELTIC IN QUOTES

“We will be aiming to provide our fans extra of the equal going ahead and I look ahead to playing my section in bringing this to our supporters,” Harry Kewell

“Throughout my expert career and indeed my whole time in soccer I have now not met a teach like Harry. So, it’s thanks to him that I am clearly enjoying my soccer and improving my skills. It’s down to Harry that I started to change my method and performing better. Thanks to Harry. He is very properly at organising relationships with the players. He can verbalise absolutely our true factors and terrible points. We’ll sit and watch the movies and he will give an explanation for to me very actually the place I can be better and what I need to do. It’s a appropriate situation for me. It’s because of this that I sense I am truely enjoying my soccer right now.” Daizen Maeda on Kewell (2022)

Kyogo and Harry Kewell

“The opening recreation of the season at home to Aberdeen… I’ve heard You’ll Never Walk Alone each and every week at Liverpool however that day it used to be something different. It used to be awesome,” Harry Kewell

“Harry Kewell has not only helped me but others. He helped me appreciably at the begin when it was once one sport a week for the first four weeks and I didn’t feature that much. He nonetheless made me experience a massive phase of it and even though I am one of the older gamers it used to be nonetheless absolutely appropriate that he would take you aside after coaching and do more with you due to the fact he desired you to do well when you did get the chance. He does hundreds of drills with the wingers too due to the fact that’s where he played. I suppose for me and the other wingers I have spoken to we would all say he has a actually large impact.” James Forrest on Kewell (2022)

 

We can’t ignore it – Brendan Rodgers discusses a problem in detail

Brendan Rodgers has admitted that Celtic organized for the possibility of Kyogo Furuhashi being away on global obligation at the Asian Cup.

Soon after determining the Glasgow Derby with his seventh strike of the year in that fixture Japan introduced their Asian Cup squad with the Celtic striker missing.

Without any dispute Celtic followers have no doubt over who their quality Japanese player is but this weekend Kyogo’s focus is on Buckie Thistle while Reo Hatate and Daizen Maeda are elsewhere.

The selection through Hajime Moriyasu to cut out Kyogo has saved Celtic a big headache however having one striker for the subsequent 4 weeks is also fantastically risky.

Discussing his putting dilemma, Rodgers advised the Daily Mail:

• It’s an location we have to seem to be at, we can’t pass it. It’s the balance between bringing any individual in to task whilst acknowledging that’s a tough sell to any person when Kyogo has been splendid here.
• Or is it a young participant who comes in with possible to enhance and get better?
• Those are the matters that you assume about, because it clearly is only for a quick length of time that these guys will be missing. But, yeah, it’s all about availability.
• It’s also one that we have been searching at for a period of time and it would have certainly changed if Kyogo had long past away with Japan.
• That was our thinking process, that we would sincerely be left with no one. Him being here for really one recreation a week for a number of weeks adjustments the dynamic.

On February three Celtic travel to Aberdeen, three days later they face Hibs at Easter Road in suits with virtually no margin for error.

With Anthony Joseph reporting that contract talks are set to take location with Rocco Vata which ought to provide an in-house answer to the striker problem.