‘Exemplary’: Michael Stewart believes Celtic have a ‘great footballer’ after seeing Scotland last night

With Scotland qualifying for the Euros in Germany subsequent summer, at least three Celtic players could be on that aircraft when it heads to Munich.

Anthony Ralston and Greg Taylor are always on the fringes of the Scotland squad. In fact, Taylor was drafted in for this global destroy after Steve Clarke saved his phrase that he would call on the Celtic full-back if accidents hit the squad.

But there is one Celtic participant that has been seriously impressing for Scotland not just ultimate night time however over the path of the whole Euros campaign.

Callum McGregor has been a stalwart for Steve Clarke’s side. Even in the friendly towards England in October, the Celtic captain put in a superb performance.

And closing night in the last sport in opposition to Norway, he left BBC pundit, Michael Stewart, blown away.

Stewart said on commentary obligation final night time on Viaplay, “Callum McGregor in the centre of the park is simply a super soccer player. Always appears to just be in the right position. Never lacks composure, he just keeps the game ticking over.

“And at times, when he needs to, he’ll force forward, he’ll commit the opponents and his range of passing is exemplary.”

Callum McGregor is so vital to Celtic and Scotland

The Hoops skipper continually offers a solid performance for each club and country. Very hardly ever does McGregor now not produce the items and he can usually be relied upon to flip up in the massive games.

For Celtic, McGregor has been pivotal in helping the club dominate Scottish football during one of the most successful intervals in its history.

McGregor has picked up eight league titles, 5 Scottish Cups and seven League Cups in the course of his Parkhead career. [Transfermarkt]

For Scotland, he has burst via the magical 50 cap mark after prevailing his 53rd cap final night and has helped Steve Clarke qualify for two principal tournaments now.

Next on McGregor’s list surely should be the next World Cup. It’s the solely fundamental event he hasn’t featured in and with the 2026 World Cup set to take area in Canada, Mexico and the United States of America, the Celtic captain will be decided to function in it before his career comes to an end.

“Have to see what happens” – Celtic’s “excellent” player suggests he may leave in January

The Hoops may additionally be set to lose one of their out-of-favour stars in the new year.

Celtic could be set to sanction the sale of one of their senior players next year, with the famous person himself admitting that he can also be tempted to depart ought to his game time not improve beforehand of January.

Celtic’s summer season departures

The Hoops sanctioned the income of ten players in complete over the summer, with Jota being their most high-profile departure after he left to be a part of Al-Ittihad in the Saudi Pro League. Meanwhile, a handful of players had been sent on loan to English Championship and League One clubs following Brendan Rodgers’ return.

The Scottish Premiership side will have Joe Hart, Scott Bain and David Turnbull reaching the expiration of their offers at the quit of the season (Celtic contracts), so there’s a danger that they could also be heading for the exit door in January.

Furthermore, Rodgers may also moreover be dropping Mikey Johnston, with the left-winger spending closing season on loan at Vitoria Guimaraes having fallen in the manager’s pecking order (Transfermarkt – Johnston statistics).

The Republic of Ireland international’s game time hasn’t improved upon his return, though, with the 24-year-old making zero starts offevolved and simply one substitute look in the league this season (WhoScored – Johnston statistics), so he’ll know that a go some other place is the high-quality solution have to he favor to get regular minutes underneath his belt.

Mikey Johnston drops exit hint

Speaking to The Daily Record, Johnston admitted that he should depart Celtic should he not be in a position to nail down a place in the squad underneath Rodgers before January.

He said: “No player is going to be glad when they’re not playing. Ultimately, it’s up to me and I need to try and force my way into that team. I have until January to do that and I will try and provide it the entirety to do that, however we simply have to see what happens.

“I’ve now not spoken to the manager a good deal in the closing type of month, we have had chats here and there. It’s challenging selections for the supervisor to make and in the end it is up to me.”

Johnston’s “excellent” style of play

Whilst Celtic haven’t given Johnston a fair chance to prove what he’s succesful of this season, he’s been displaying the doable he’s got due to the fact the start of his career having clocked up 36 contributions (19 desires and 17 assists) in 126 appearances.

The Glasgow-born Genius also has the versatility to function across the frontline and as an attacking midfielder, so he’s an extremely useful option for Rodgers to have in the constructing ought to he ever need to grant cowl in different positions.

Parkhead’s “excellent” attacker, as hailed by using journalist Josh Bunting, has considered the membership impervious eleven trophies during his time on the books so he will possess a extraordinary triumphing mentality and want to achieve, which means that the boss should perhaps preserve his services and give him more of an chance transferring forward.

In stark contrast, the two big ‘dents’ in Rangers’ records that indicate Celtic may make transfer blunders

The Glasgow giants released their accounts in the past this week as they lower back an working profit.

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The sacking of Gio van Bronckhorst and Michael Beale have put two massive “dents” in Rangers profits.

That is the view of former Hibs star Tam McManus – as the pundit declared that Scottish Premiership rivals Celtic are now capable to make errors in the transfer market thanks to their spending electricity over the Light Blues. Rangers released their annual accounts that showed the club had made a £252,000 running profit as he set the Ibrox dreams for the future.

The discern is down £5.5million on ultimate year with prices of running expenditure rising from £97million final yr to £108million this time around. In contrast, Celtic introduced a record-breaking pre-tax earnings of £40.7million in the contemporary set of economic consequences in September off the again of triumphing a clean sweep of home honours ultimate term. And McManus reckons that the managerial turnover in the closing two seasons has handed the Hoops a main advantage.

McManus informed PLZ: “Celtic can have the funds for to make mistakes. Rangers can’t, and that is the massive distinction for me. You speak about Celtic and how a good deal they have in the bank, and Celtic can manage to pay for to sign a couple that don’t work out.

“At Rangers every signing has acquired to hit the ground walking – and that is why you noticed so much scrutiny this summer. It’s massive cash for Rangers, they have not spent that cash in a long time.

“£4million, £5million and if you don’t begin well you are written off. Celtic can come up with the money for to signal £2-3million squad players, due to the fact inevitably they will discover a gem like (Jeremie) Frimpong.

“The two managerial adjustments will have ate up huge time into that. I assume paying of Giovanni van Bronckhorst and his team of workers then Michael close to sufficient straight away has put a large dent in their profits. They have acquired to strive and get it right however Celtic are in market now where they can come up with the money for to make mistakes.”

Raging Rangers fan pulls pyro panic button over ‘fine’ as Celtic hero erupts into spiky on air ‘killjoys’ defence

Rangers followers display for the duration of the go to to Dens Park has sparked issues internal the SPFL.

Irked Mark Wilson has insisted that the SPFL are not being “killjoys” with the aid of searching to cast off pyrotechnics from the stands.

It came as the former Celtic defender fielded issues that the Rangers will be hit with an SPFL sanction following the controversial display in the stands against Dundee. The players were ordered to go away the pitch through ref Kevin Clancy just two minutes into the Scottish Premiership when a surprising show of pyro from the Rangers fans compelled a fire alarm to go off.

Police Scotland and the Scottish Government have expressed issues over the event and Dundee have slammed the moves of the away support. This sparked problem from Clyde 1 Superscoreboard caller Billy as he hit out at the pyro declaring: “As a Rangers fan I was disgusted with the aid of it. All the delays, and I know there is going to be a fine coming for Rangers.”

Host Gordon Duncan chimed in: “I’m definitely now not positive there will be. The SPFL handle these matters a bit otherwise to UEFA.”

That sparked a heated rant from former Hoops defender, stating: ‘There is a proper safety situation here for supporters. Never thought the players, it is horrific sufficient when you are disrupting them and your focal point on getting a fantastic outcome, however what about the followers that don’t have flares?

“Does anybody ever assume about them being surrounded through the ones who managed to light these things up? There is a true protection problem – it is not due to the fact the SFA and SPFL choose to be killjoys. It’s due to the fact the protection officers don’t think there is a secure way of conducting it.”

Fans mild up the Bob Shankly stand with pyro at some stage in the cinch Premiership healthy between Dundee and Rangers at The Scot Foam Stadium at Dens Park on Wednesday night

Duncan then put it to Wilson that they might also need to come up with a protected way of allowing fans to use the general pyro: “How do you do that with some thing that incorporates heat? I’m no longer an expert.

“In my previous position I did some work with Police Scotland and they have enlightened me to some of the issues. I get that it appears colourful – however when it is to the detriment of your own fans definitely there has received to be some common sense. Are they in England? The largest league in the world? Do we need them?”

Record Sport understands that any sanctions for Rangers show up not likely as golf equipment have previously now not been punished if in a position to show they had taken reasonable precautions.

Who exactly is Kanji Okunuki? Celtic’s scouting subject is in the spotlight after Hearts completed summer research on Japanese sensation

Brendan Rodgers wishes reinforcements in January and the champions have reportedly been observing the Nurnberg attacker.

It should come as no shock that Celtic have been linked with any other Japanese talent.

The Hoops have reportedly been scouting Kanji Okunuki “intensively” over the final few weeks after playing massive success plundering the Japanese participant market below Ange Postecoglou. Kyogo is the primary man whilst compatriots Reo Hatate and Daizen Maeda are key participants of the squad, with Brendan Rodgers persevering with to rely heavily on them notwithstanding a change in style when you consider that the Aussie’s departure. Tomoki Iwata stays on the fringes, however scored his first intention for the membership towards Hearts remaining month and looks like he has something to offer.

Yuki Kobayashi looks like he should be on his way out, failing to be quoted even all through a central defensive harm crisis, solely named on the bench once this season. Yosuke ideguchi has grow to be something of a forgotten man out on loan at Avispa Fukuoka again in Japan, although nonetheless has over two years left to run on his Celtic contract.

Okunuki ought to be the cutting-edge Japanese import to swell the ranks. But who is he and what would he add? Record Sport takes a nearer look.

Who is Kanji Okunuki?

The 24-year-old was once born in Saitama and advanced thru the youth ranks with local membership Omiya Ardija earlier than graduating to the pinnacle team in January 2018. 14 goals in almost 100 appearances caught the interest of Gornik Zabrze of Poland. He joined the Ekstraklasa membership on a season-long mortgage in August 2022, which blanketed an choice to make the deal permanent.

However, that wasn’t taken up and Okunuki joined Nurnberg ultimate summer. He’s scored four goals in 15 appearances for the Bundesliga two outfit and received his first call up to the Japan squad last month, however is yet to make his debut for the Samurai Blue.

What type of player is he?

Okunuki is right footed but performs on the left. With Liel Abada out injured and Yang set to join Oh in the South Korea squad for the Asian Cup, that ought to come in handy. He can also operate in the No 10 position and as a 2d striker, even though it is a No. 9 Brendan Rodgers virtually wants with Kyogo additionally set to be away with his country.

With nearly four possession recoveries in the opposition’s 1/2 per game, Okunuki would show up to suit Celtic’s urgent style, even if it’s no longer as extreme as it was once under Ange. He has two assists this season, though that quantity would be expected to go up playing in a crew like eltic’s, which dominates most video games and create extra chances.

Haven’t we heard his name before?

Yes, he was closely linked with Hearts last summer time before making the move to Germany. The Jambos had been in the market for a 2d striker or attacking midfielder and Okunuki healthy the invoice after Yutaro Oda impressed after an preliminary settling in period. However, a quoted price of £400,000 made him an luxurious proposition for the Tynecastle club and after an initial enquiry, there was no concrete approach, which allowed Nurnberg to get their man.

That kind of charge would not have been an difficulty for Celtic. However, Nurnberg’s willingness to let him depart and what kind of rate they would be looking for remains to be seen.

Conor McGregor praises the Green Brigade tifo as he unveils Celtic plans

Conor McGregor has said that he hopes to visit Celtic Park one day.

The UFC fighter used to social media to applaud a fan display put on by the Green Brigade several years ago as part of an online Q&A.

McGregor is a big Celtic fan, and he hasn’t been shy about admitting it.

During Kierney’s first stint under Brendan Rodgers, he formed a strong friendship with him.

This is incredible! Hopefully one day for sure! https://t.co/mpIDS40Val

— Conor McGregor (@TheNotoriousMMA) November 15, 2023

His fellow Celtic fans have also been major followers of the MMA fighter.

McGregor was mentioned in a banner raised by the Green Brigade ahead of Celtic’s 5-0 triumph against Astana in Champions League qualifying.

His catchphrase, which he employed after defeating Diego Brandao in 2014, was “We’re not here to take part, we’re here to take over!”

He earlier stated about the banner, “Celtic Football Club STAND UP!!!” This is what die-hard fan support looks like! What an amazing sight! What a group! Thank you very much!”

Now, in response to a fan on X, the 35-year-old addressed the famous banner once more and disclosed his plans to attend a Parkhead game.

“Any plans to visit Celtic Park in the future?” inquired one user. I’m sure you’d be greeted as a hero by all your brethren from across the pond. I’m sure Kieran Tierney would be pleased.”

“This is incredible!” exclaimed the Notorious B.I.G. Hopefully, one day!”

Gustaf Lagerbielke, however, almost signed for a “half-assed team in Belgium” before joining Celtic.

Elfsborg managing director Stefan Andreasson says the 23-year-old may have lost out on a transfer to Parkhead.

Lagerbielke joined the Scottish champions for £3 million during the summer transfer window and was thrust into the starting lineup in August due to an injury issue at center-back.

However, after the return of Cameron Carter-Vickers, he has failed to keep a regular starting spot on the team.

‘Amaizing’: Pundit believes Celtic have a 22-year-old player who is ‘frightening’

Celtic have a quantity of players proper now who are continuing to provoke pundits, media people and fans this season.

Luis Palma is certainly the man of the moment at Celtic right now as the Honduran enjoys the adulation of the supporters and his country’s media.

Kyogo Furuhashi’s goalscoring exploits proceed to impress as the Japanese striker netted as soon as more at the weekend.

But a pundit has been sincerely blown away with Celtic midfielder, Matt O’Riley this season. The 22-year-old has been in scintillating shape for Brendan Rodgers.

O’Riley’s goalscoring has extended so much under the Celtic manager this season that he has been attracting the interest from the likes of Spurs.

Former Scotland striker, Kevin Kyle, has admitted that he is a huge admirer of O’Riley and says that the midfielder is so good, it’s frightening.

Kyle stated [Open Goal], “You understand who I think is amazing? The boy [Matt] O’Riley is frightening. Callum McGregor is simply shoring the whole thing up and O’Riley simply goes anywhere he wants.

“But it’s how he takes the ball, how he receives it. He’s constantly on the half-turn. I don’t know.

“There’s being affected person but it’s his off-the-ball movement that permits him to get the opportunities.”

O’Riley’s form for Celtic has meant that he has already had to put up with some heavy switch hypothesis this season.

TBR Celtic shared this afternoon how Crystal Palace now keep an interest in O’Riley with reports claiming that any bids north of £10m will be ample to make Celtic think about accepting.

Yeah, £10m and the rest. Recently being valued at well over £12m, the amount of interest the Danish u21 international is attracting ability that any fee Celtic will ultimately acquire for O’Riley is likely to be north of £20m and more.

No doubt the nearer we get to the January window, the greater speculation we’ll hear about O’Riley however at least Celtic are secure in the know-how that after signing a new 5-year deal at the club, Celtic can demand top dollar for their prized asset.