Rangers ‘seal deal’ for new signing, while Celtic ‘make enquiry’ for international left-back

The brand new switch speculation involving the Old Firm

Rangers are set to entire the signing of Brazilian defender Jefte, in accordance to reports.

The Fluminese left-back, who has spent the season on mortgage at Cypriot side APOEL Nicosia, was once originally centered by means of the Ibrox membership in January. The deal collapsed, however, after Rangers have been unable to agree compensation with APOEL Nicosia, who had an choice to purchase in June, to cancel his mortgage from his Brazilian mother or father club.

A verbal pact was put in location for Rangers to reactivate the choice to signal the player at some point of the summer switch window and Philippe Clement now appears set to get his man amid reports Jefte is set to be unveiled as the Glasgow club’s first summer signing.

Celtic have been linked with Shakhtar Donetsk left-back Irakli Azarovi. (Photo by Stuart Franklin/Getty Images)

Transfer guru Fabrizio Romano posted the following replace on X: “Rangers are set to entire deal to signal Brazilian LB Jefte, verified and right here we go! Understand Jefte is on his way to entire the scientific exams and sign the contract as new Rangers player. As revealed in January, Scottish aspect prepared it all for the summer window.”

Left-back is seen as a priority position for Rangers this summer time with Borna Barisic expected to leave upon the expiry of his contract and the future of Ridvan Yilmaz still unsure with clubs in Turkey keen to take the participant returned to his homeland.

Celtic are additionally weighing up left-back goals and have been linked with a go for Georgian international Irakli Azarovi. The 22-year-old solely signed for Shakhtar Donetsk remaining summer however is already attracting hobby from across Europe after an outstanding first season at the Ukrainian outfit the place he helped them to a league and cup double.

According to Georgian outlet Geo Team, the Scottish champions are interested in Azarovi, along with golf equipment in Serie A and Ligue 1. The defender has received 18 caps for his country, scoring 5 times, however he has ignored out on choice for Euro 2024.

Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers is predicted to recruit a left-back this summer season with Greg Taylor the solely recognised first-team player in the function after Alexandro Bernabei signed a long-term mortgage pass with Brazilian membership Internacional.

Brendan Rodgers Chelsea deal discussed as Celtic manager told ‘no bigger job’

Rodgers has labored with the Blues previously however now has the credentials to be their top man

Brendan Rodgers has been informed there may be no larger job reachable than Chelsea as a potential Celtic exit was floated.

Pat Nevin reckons the Northern Irishman may also nicely have yet another tough choice to make when it comes to his job as Hoops supervisor must the Blues come calling after Mauricio Pochettino was axed this week. Rodgers was persona non grata at Parkhead back in 2019 when he unexpectedly left for Leicester City and his return to the club final summer time started off prickly before he used to be sooner or later welcomed back.

But Nevin believes that the former Liverpool manager may want to have bother pronouncing no to Chelsea they make a cross for his offerings due to the fact they stay one of the biggest golf equipment in Europe that would be the “pinnacle” of Rodgers’ career would he take the role.

“Brendan does love Celtic, they are his team and he has had awesome success there. He was once now not welcomed returned there fabulously due to the fact when he left to go to Leicester, they felt he left the membership in the lurch,” Nevin told Prime Slots.

“So he is been begrudgingly typical again with the aid of pretty a giant group. I do not suppose Brendan would stroll out easily, if any historic Premier League membership came calling I do not think he would walk out.

“However, this is Chelsea and there can also not be a higher job for him out there. In his mind, there is in all likelihood now not a greater job out there for him. I would imagine that when he commenced his coaching profession at Chelsea, and he closed his eyes and imagined the future, accomplishing the top job at Stamford Bridge would be the pinnacle of his career.

“I surely sense sorry for Brendan, even though he won’t get a whole lot sympathy, believe me, however that is a hell of a difficult name if it comes in. Turning down Premier League Chelsea, and to work with an incredible crew of younger players.”

Stephen Robinson describes what he noticed about playing Celtic on trophy day

Celtic secured a late victory over St Mirren closing Saturday before the title birthday celebration commenced on the ultimate day of the Scottish Premiership season.

Despite the primary activities centring around Callum McGregor collecting the league trophy and Joe Hart’s farewell, the Bhoys had to dig deep against a spirited St Mirren outfit to assurance three points.

Mark O’Hara’s double forced Celtic replies via Matt O’Riley and Kyogo Furuhashi, leaving the clash at degree pegging heading into the 2d half.

Eventually, Luis Palma forced the issue four minutes from time at the back put up to fittingly begin off a day of occasion for supporters the world over, who have had to wait patiently for success to grace their membership this season.

Nevertheless, St Mirren boss Stephen Robinson gave some of his thoughts in the aftermath of proceedings, making some interesting observations about what he noticed final weekend.

Stephen Robinson’s assessment of St Mirren’s day trip to Celtic

St Mirren came off 2d excellent in a fantastically competitive trip in Glasgow’s east end. Per Fotmob, Celtic recorded an Expected Goals complete of 2.46 to the visitors’ 1.32, had extra photographs on aim and created five ‘big chances’ compared with the Buddies’ three.

Giving his take on the game, Robinson used to be proud of his side’s performance against Brendan Rodgers’ men, lauding his group for going for walks the Hoops close on their day of destiny. On the flip side, he did additionally well known the ‘quality’ they have been up against.

He noted [Cited via The Daily Record]: “I notion the boys were excellent. It’s as long as we’ve regarded in control of the game. They are a quality side. We matched them for large portions, and our shape out of possession was very, very good.

“Ultimately, we haven’t got a point no depend how properly we performed however it simply indicates you how a ways this soccer membership has come that you can come and go toe-to-toe with Celtic.

“The feelings and the atmosphere; we said attempt and control that for the first 15 minutes of each halves. We managed to do that and take the lead.

“We had been dissatisfied in the ultimate goal – and the two other goals. That used to be the only disappointment of the day. We’ve loads to improve on but, as an overriding emotion for the season, I’m brilliant proud of this crew of boys.”

Celtic said goodbye to the league season in splendid style

It may no longer have been a vintage display on exhibit closing weekend; however, Celtic confirmed the equal late heroics they needed to produce on countless occasions to declare the Scottish Premiership title.

Despite the strain being off, the group’s standards stay the same, which can solely bode nicely for the Scottish Cup final against Rangers on Saturday.

One final push is all that stays for Celtic at the countrywide stadium before anyone connected with the club can embark on a well-earned damage for the summer.

Joe Hart is ‘irreplaceable’ for Celtic, as Chris Sutton pleads with outgoing keeper

Hart is set to hold up his gloves after subsequent Saturday’s Scottish Cup Final showdown towards Rangers.

Chris Sutton has once once more entreated Joe Hart to make a retirement U-turn and remain with Celtic for another season.

The veteran keeper made his final Parkhead look as Brendan Rodgers’ facet marked trophy day with a 3-2 win over St Mirren. Fans paid tribute to hart with a 2d half of banner and he used to be given a standing ovation as he was once subbed off late on for Scott Bain. Hart also lifted the trophy alongside skipper Callum McGregor, and will be targeting some other winners medal after subsequent weekend’s Scottish Cup Final clash in opposition to Rangers.

Hart stated after the game that physically, he feels he ought to maintain taking part in but desired to go out at his peak. He said: “I wanted to commit for the three years and supply everything. I received to a point in my lifestyles the place I used to be potentially on the way out and obtained any other opportunity. I don’t want to push that luck, I prefer to finish strong, in a distinctive place, in a distinct club.

“That’s just me – it’s my time to move aside and let someone else have some fun. It’s honestly now not physical, I sense fine. But I felt like this was the right moment. I felt absolutely uncomfortable understanding however not telling the supervisor or the lads. I wanted to say it, and for every person to recognize that I used to be doing it and make sure I labored challenging and used to be at my height when I finished.”

However, Sutton reckons the have an impact on Hart has had on Celtic capability he need to significantly think about inserting on the clubs for one greater campaign. He wrote in his Record Sport column that if he was in Brendan Rodgers’ shoes, he’d be attempting to persuade Hart to sign on for one greater year. And now he’s advised BBC 606: “The trouble with Joe Hart – I say an trouble – he has delivered so lots to Celtic.

“Joe is 37 now and no longer only has he been a exquisite goalkeeper, he has been such a leader from day one. He’s a large participant for them and has been indispensable for Celtic, mainly the longer the season has gone on.

“i suppose he is irreplaceable, I in reality do. He’s had that tons of an impact. I get what Joe’s saying, however when you have so much to offer – c’mon Joe, do a u-turn, do the right thing.”

Lawrence Shankland ‘disrespect’ slammed as John Robertson brings Pat Bonner to task over the ‘Celtic way’ rejection

The BBC pundits clashed after Bonner claimed Adam Idah and Bojan Miovski would be better Champions League suits for the Hoops.

John Robertson has accused Pat Bonner of being ‘disrespectful’ to Lawrence Shankland by claiming he wouldn’t healthy into the ‘Celtic way’ of playing.

The Hearts skipper bagged his thirty first intention of the season in a thrilling remaining day 3-3 draw with Rangers. The Jambos, PFA and SFWA Player of the Year is out on his own as the top scorer in the united states of america and a shoo in for Steve Clarke’s Scotland squad heading to Euro 2024 in Germany.

Former Hoops keeper Bonner was once requested which of Shankland, Adam Idah or Bojan Miovski he would signal for Celtic, and he claimed that Idah and Miovski would be higher fis for Champions League football, no matter neither having played in the competition. He wasn’t sure if Shankland had it in his sport to close down gamers at the best level. He instructed BBC Sportsound: “Well he is aware of what Adam can do. That’s an advantage there. He is aware of what he’s valued at. I think Miovski would be one that you’ll possibly be questioning very intently about because of his pace and he scores goals.

“The element about Lawrence Shankland is that he will score goals, no doubt about that, for a team that’s performing here in the league. He will get probabilities to score. But when it goes into the higher stage in the Champions League, when from time to time you are below the cosh, you would possibly get one or two chances. But you have to work very, very difficult up front. Close human beings down and all of that.

“I’m not certain Lawrence would have that piece of his recreation to healthy what the expectations might be. That would possibly be the wager the place you might no longer go for Lawrence Shankland. A lot of massive groups would be searching at that section of it all.

“He can score goals, however I’m no longer sure if he should match into the Celtic way of playing, in the way that Miovski might do and Adam Idah already proved.”

However, Tynecastle legend Robertson was having none of it. The man who has scored greater league dreams for the Jambos than all people else hit returned at Bonner with a listing of Shankland achievements and reckons he’d rating dreams for any team in any league.

He replied: “I assume you’re being a wee bit disrespectful to Lawrence Shankland if I’m being truthful guys. To say he is not received the pace? Well he’s scored domestic and away towards Celtic, he’s scored domestic and away against Hibs. The big games.

‘He’s scored greater desires than any different striker in Scottish football towards the identical opposition. So why would not he score dreams for Celtic? You’re pronouncing he does not have tempo – you don’t necessarily have to have tempo to rating 31 goals. You’ve obtained a goalscorer.

INVERNESS, SCOTLAND – APRIL 19: Michael Stewart (L) and Inverness’ sporting director John Robertson during a cinch Championship match between Inverness Caledonian Thistle and Raith Rovers at the Caledonian Stadium, on April 19, 2024, in Inverness, Scotland. (Photo by Mark Scates / SNS Group)

“Might he now not be desirable for European football? He’s scored dreams for Hearts in European football. Yes, in a lesser match you may want to say, however he is nonetheless scored. He’s scored a aim for Scotland in Georgia away and he’s going to function prominently in the European championships.

“I do not prefer Lawrence Shankland to go away Hearts. I hope he’s right here every other season and I hope he signs and symptoms an extension, that would be fantastic.

“I assume you’re being disrespectful by means of announcing he wound’t healthy into the Celtic way. The guy’s demonstrated it closing season and this season with nearly 60 goals. So I suppose he matches into any team.

“Celtic may appear for a slightly distinct kind of striker. Someone who runs in at the back of – Kyogo is very good. He; sharp and run sin behind. Adam Idah and Miovski are greater comparable in that way.

“But Shankland is a born goalscorer who will score dreams for any team in any league.“

Watch Sky Sports jubilation as Celtic lift the SPFL trophy

Joe Hart used to be front and centre of the celebrations as Celtic were crowned champions of Scotland for the 54th time.

Back in February the former England internationalist ended hypothesis about his future by announcing that his taking part in profession would end in May when his Celtic contract expired.

There would be no final pay day in the MLS or Saudi Pro League, it used to be all systems go as he seemed to signal off his career as a winner at Celtic.

Through tons of February and March the odds have been lengthening on Celtic triumphing the title however after a 3-3 draw at Ibrox on April 7 the title used to be very an awful lot in the palms of Brendan Rodgers’ side.

🏆 “Celtic are champions of Scotland 𝘼𝙂𝘼𝙄𝙉!”

The moment they’ve been waiting for as Callum McGregor lifts the #cinchPrem trophy ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/CRFq1yGpy4

— Sky Sports Scotland (@ScotlandSky) May 18, 2024

On Wednesday away to Kilmarnock a 5-0 win secured the SPFL title with the clock rapidly ticking down on Hart’s legendary career, Rugby Park was his ultimate away day.

Today he said farewell to Celtic Park, two first half of dreams from Mark O’Hara denied him a smooth sheet however replies from Matt O’Riley, Kyogo Furuhashi and Luis Palma ensured that there was once a prevailing end to Hart’s league career.

Straight after Palma’s aim Hart was given a hero’s ship off as Scott Bain took his place but there was nonetheless more to follow.

Soon after the last whistle there used to be that exceptional moment, the reward for efforts over 38 matches, coming thru the challenges and setbacks to finish up with six wins on the bounce, accumulating 10 factors from four Glasgow Derbies.

Not many gamers achieve the connection that Hart has managed with the Celtic support, after three eventful and profitable seasons his area in Celtic folklore is secure.

It was once the ideal send off, the followers and the goalkeeper made the most of the afternoon with some in no way to be forgotten scenes.