Celtic

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Celtic winger Luis Palma has joined Greek side Olympiacos on loan until the end of the season.

Palma joined the club in August 2023 from Cypriot side Aris Saloniki.

The 25-year-old has made 12 appearances for Brendan Rodgers' side this season but has struggled to break into the team after Nicolas Kuhn's arrival.

The Parkhead club have also re-signed Portugeuse winger Jota from Rennes on a permanent deal, less than two years after his departure from Glasgow to join Saudi side Al-Ittihad.

Jota will wear Palma's number seven and could make his first start since returning tomorrow against Motherwell.

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Motherwell goalkeeper Archie Mair has undergone surgery on a fracture in his hand but Callum Slattery and Moses Ebiye return from illness.

Jack Vale completes a two-match ban while Apostolos Stamatelopoulos (calf), Lennon Miller, Steve Seddon (both ankle), Ross Callachan (hamstring), Paul McGinn (thigh), Aston Oxborough (thumb) and Zach Robinson (Achilles) remain out along with Jair Tavares.

Jota is in the Celtic squad, while Cameron Carter-Vickers returns from injury but James Forrest (foot) is still out.

We asked for your views on Celtic's Champions League play-off round fixture against Bayern Munich.

Here's what some of you said:

Stephen: A very tough draw. If we play the way we did against Leipzig, Celtic can cause an upset at home. The away leg will be even more difficult, but a positive home result will give us hope

Des: It's a game of football, there is always a chance. However, it's going to be really tough. If we can go to Munich with a lead, Brendan Rodgers will have to embrace parking the bus!

Gordy: It's a fantastic draw, I would have been more confident had we signed Kieran Tierney, but if we can get Cameron Carter-Vickers back and maybe add new signings, one to replace Kyogo Furuhashi and a defender, we can give Bayern a run for their money, we should not fear them, if we can cut out the mistakes at the back we can compete with them.

Chris: We honestly have no chance, but we will enjoy the matches none the less!

Anon: Bayern Munich are one of the best teams there. Celtic have improved and competed in the Champions League so far. I just want to enjoy the occasion and hopefully we show more improvement. Bayern will win there's no doubt about that, but we live in hope and pray.

Paul: Realistically, no they can't. Celtic have bang average defenders, with the exception of Carter-Vickers. Their man-marking is atrocious and their Achilles' heal when conceding goals in Europe. Celtic must have their A-game against Bayern, or else it will be embarrassing.

Clive Lindsay
BBC Sport Scotland

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It is that time of year when debuts are being handed out right, left and centre as signings are made in the final days of the January transfer window.

On-loan Lille centre-back Rafael Fernandes will be itching for his Rangers debut after the Portuguese was an unused substitute against Dundee United, who have just signed Allan Campbell from Luton Town, while Victor Lopez has yet to feature for Dundee after his arrival from Queretaro in his native Mexico.

Fellow midfielder and Gambia international Alasana Manneh only joined Hibernian from Odense Boldklub in midweek and is still waiting on a visa, but Heart of Midlothian and St Johnstone both have two new arrivals to consider for selection.

Given Craig Halkett's latest injury blow, Michael Steinwender could be handed a quick introduction by Hearts after the Austrian centre-half's arrival from Swedish club Varnamo, while Norwegian Sander Kartum has been brought in from Brann to bolster the midfield.

Swedish former Halmstad midfielder Jonathan Svedberg and, should he receive a work permit, Latvia defender Daniels Balodis, previously of RFS, will be keen to start their bid to steer Saints off the bottom of the table.

However, it is probably Jota's return to Scottish football that will be most keenly anticipated by neutral observers.

The 25-year-old Portuguese lit up the Premiership during his first two seasons with Celtic after arriving from Benfica but was unable to live up to his £25m price tag during a miserable time with both Al-Ittihad and Rennes since leaving Glasgow in summer 2023.

Now he is back with the Scottish champions, where he will compete with in-form Nicolas Kuhn and Daizen Maeda for a place on the wings as they visit managerless Motherwell, against whom he has scored twice previously, on Sunday.

Read the rest of this weekend's Premiership picks.

• Motherwell are winless in 33 meetings with Celtic in all competitions (D5 L28) since a 2-1 league victory in December 2015.

• Celtic remain unbeaten in 19 visits to Motherwell in all competitions (W15 D4), winning their past 10 in a row by an aggregate score of 33-6.

• Motherwell are unbeaten in their past four home league games (W2 D2), their longest such run within a single season since January 2022 (5 in a row).

• After a run of 10 successive away league wins from April to December 2024, Celtic have since won just one of their past four on the road (D2 L1). They have conceded seven goals in their last three away league outings, more than their previous 13 beforehand (6).

• Interim Motherwell boss Stephen Frail last led a side in the Scottish top flight in 2007-08 in caretaker charge of Hearts (P18 W8 D4 L6 in the league), a spell which included a 3-0 defeat to Gordon Strachan's Celtic.

Celtic winger Luis Palma has completed a medical pending of a loan move to Olympiakos, with the 25-year-old Honduras international on his way to Greece to finalise the transfer that includes an option to buy for £3.3m. (Sky Sports), external

Luis Palma arrived in Piraeus on Saturday morning to join Olympiakos on loan from Celtic in a deal that includes an option to make the transfer permanent for more than £2.5m. (Jobaaj), external

Celtic are considering a move for 23-year-old £8m-rated Slovan Bratislava striker David Strelec, who is a Slovakia international. (Daily Record), external

Celtic will go all out to sign 22-year-old Brondby striker Matthias Kvistgaarden, who is manager Brendan Rodgers' preferred target to replace the departed Kyogo Furuhashi. (Football Insider), external

Burnley midfielder Josh Brownhill would be an option for Celtic on a free transfer in the summer if the 29-year-old is not offered a contract extension, although they would face opposition for his signature. (Football Insider), external

Read Saturday's Scottish Gossip in full.

George O'Neill
BBC Sport Scotland

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Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers has hailed the "professionalism, commitment and quality" of his captain Callum McGregor as the midfielder prepares for his 500th appearance for the club on Sunday against Motherwell.

Having come through the Celtic academy, McGregor made his first-team debut in 2014 and was then a key figure for Rodgers during the Northern Irishman's first spell as manager.

McGregor was made captain in the summer of 2021 after Scott Brown's departure to Aberdeen, and has won 23 major honours in green and white.

"It says so many things, not just as a player," Rodgers said when asked about McGregor reaching yet another milestone.

"He clearly had the talent as a young player to be at Celtic, but it tells you everything about his professionalism, his commitment, his quality and the example he sets every single day of his life.

"It's a remarkable achievement to play that number of games. I'm so proud of seeing how his career has moved, from when I came in to how he now leads the team.

"I'm so, so lucky to have him here and he still has a number of years left."

George O'Neill
BBC Sport Scotland

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Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers has been talking to the media before his side's Scottish Premiership trip to Motherwell on Sunday.

Here are the best bits from his press conference:

• On the news Celtic will face Bayern Munich rather than Real Madrid in the Champions League play-off round, Rodgers joked: "We got the easier one, didn't we?"

• Celtic have achieved their Champions League objective, which was to qualify from the league phase, and Rodgers says they will now "give everything" to try to beat Bayern and reach the last 16.

• Rodgers says he would be "bitterly disappointed for every genuine Celtic supporter" if the club have no away fans in Germany.

• The Northern Irishman insists fan behaviour surrounding pyrotechnics has to change, and stresses that the club cannot continue to pay fines because of it.

• On the prospect of more January signings, Rodgers said: "We're hopeful of improving the squad. That is key for us." He would not be drawn on whether Kieran Tierney will join the club this month amid reports that Arsenal will keep the defender in north London until the summer.

• Rodgers revealed he expects Luis Palma to leave Celtic this month to sign for an unnamed club on a loan deal with an option to buy.

• Callum McGregor could make his 500th Celtic appearance against Motherwell, and Rodgers says he is "so, so lucky" as a manager to have a captain of McGregor's calibre.

• Cameron Carter-Vickers will be available for selection at Fir Park, and there are no new fitness concerns.

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Alex Valle has completed a loan move from Barcelona to Como after cutting short his stay at Celtic.

The 20-year-old left-back arrived on a season-long loan at Celtic Park in August, days after extending his contract at the Nou Camp to the summer of 2026.

He made 19 appearances for the Scottish champions, 10 of those starts, providing five assists.

Como, managed by Cesc Fabregas, sit 13th in Serie A, while Barcelona say the agreement does not include an option to buy.

Valle had been providing competition for Greg Taylor at Celtic, while a pre-contract deal has been agreed for Kieran Tierney to return from Arsenal in the summer.

Asked if the club were making progress on bringing Tierney back before the winter transfer window closes on Monday, manager Brendan Rodgers said: "I won't speak any more on it.

"I said the other night, by the summer, he will be a Celtic player and that's it. If he's here later in the month, you'll know."

George O'Neill
BBC Sport Scotland

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Alistair Johnston is relishing the chance to play in "an amazing fixture" when Celtic take on Bayern Munich in the Champions League play-off round.

The Scottish champions could have been drawn against either Bayern or Real Madrid in Friday's draw having finished 21st in the league phase.

Brendan Rodgers' side host the German giants on 12 February - and Johnston says it is imperative they "come out firing" to take a positive result to Munich six days later.

The winners of the tie will face either German champions Bayer Leverkusen or Spanish club Atletico Madrid in the last 16.

"When you looked at the two options between Bayern and Real Madrid, they are both European powerhouses, so we were just looking forward to whoever we got," the Canada international said.

"It'll be an amazing experience and a great opportunity for us to show Europe what we're all about. It'll be a really fun first leg at Celtic Park. An amazing fixture.

"It's a difficult draw but it's one we're all really looking forward to. Having the first leg at home can be something to build on, and I can imagine it will be a loud one.

"Anything is possible. We need to come out firing from the get-go and give ourselves a chance in the second leg. It won't be an easy task but one we're all excited for."

Celtic could have no supporters at the second leg after again being sanctioned by Uefa, but Johnston is hopeful of a solution being found.

"It would be disappointing for our fans and for the Champions League in general," he added. "Our fans are known around Europe for being so loud. You want that atmosphere, that give and take in the stadium.

"Hopefully something can be decided upon that works out where we can have our fans there, because it adds to the whole experience."

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Middlesbrough have brought in teenager Josh Dede from Celtic on a permanent deal.

The 19-year-old, who can play right-back or right winger, will initially join up with Boro's under-21 squad.

He did not play for Celtic's first-team, but featured in their age-group sides as well as playing for Scotland Under-19s.

Dede is the fifth arrival on Teesside this month following Ryan Giles, George Edmundson, Morgan Whittaker and Mark Travers.

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Celtic face having no away fans in the Champions League play-off second leg at Bayern Munich after the club were issued with another disciplinary notice by Uefa.

It comes after a smoke bomb was thrown on to the pitch during Wednesday night's game at Aston Villa.

Celtic were handed a suspended ban on selling tickets to away fans following the use of pyrotechnics during their match against Borussia Dortmund in October.

In a statement confirming the latest charge, Celtic said: "The club will obviously make robust representations to Uefa and will make every effort to ensure that our fans can attend our next Champions League match.

"However, clearly there is a risk that supporters may not be able to attend.

"In light of this situation, it is incumbent on the club to make supporters aware of this risk, when considering making arrangements for travel, until further information is provided by Uefa."

Celtic will face Bayern Munich in the Champions League play-off round.

Brendan Rodgers' side will host the German giants on 11 or 12 February, with the return in Munich the following week.

What do you make of Celtic's chances of reaching the last 16? Is it mission impossible or can they upset Vincenty Kompany's side?

Let us know your thoughts, external

Arsenal have blocked Kieran Tierney from joining Celtic during January and the 27-year-old Scotland defender will stay at the Premier League club for the final six months of his contract to be part of their title push before returning to the Scottish champions in the summer. (Telegraph), external

Celtic are looking at alternative left-back options as they believe Kieran Tierney will stay at Arsenal until the summer and will now enter the market for a player on loan until the end of the season. (Sky Sports), external

Sarpsborg have rejected Celtic's opening bid of £4.6m for winger Sondre Orjasaeter, but negotiations are continuing, with the Norwegian club valuing the 21-year-old at £7m. (Anthony Joseph on X), external

Olympiakos are in talks about taking 25-year-old Celtic winger Luis Palma on loan but are hoping to persuade his parent club that an option to buy for £3.3m in the summer is not mandatory. (Sportime), external

Read Friday's Scottish Gossip in full.

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Kheredine Idessane
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

I was reminded this week of the legendary retort from the late, great Tommy Gemmell.

Celtic's rampaging full-back had been asked about the goal he scored in the European Cup final. With a twinkle in his eye, the reply came back quick as a flash: "Which one?!"

It's oft forgotten the famous 1967 goal with the Lisbon Lions was followed by the opener in the San Siro against Feyenoord three years later.

It's the lesser known of the two because the Dutch side came back to win 2-1. Two goals in two European Cup finals. Not bad for a defender, is it?

Why was I thinking about this? I'd written a line about Jota, the returning Portuguese wing wizard, describing him as Celtic's '£25m man'.

The ghost of Gemmell then prodded me from above: 'Which one?' There are, astonishingly enough, three recent Celtic players who've been sold for around £25m: Jota to Al-Ittihad, Matt O'Riley to Brighton and Kieran Tierney to Arsenal.

That is £75m in transfer fees for three players in five years. Two of whom will be back in the hoops before long effectively for nothing, although Celtic did lose Kyogo Furuhashi to Rennes. It is, nonetheless, remarkable business from Celtic plc.

It was only around Christmas 2023 that several Celtic fans stood up near us in the media seats furiously waving their wallets at the adjacent club directors. Their beef? The club wasn't being loose enough with the purse strings.

I would imagine those same board members are feeling pretty good about themselves - and their club - at the moment. Set for another Premiership title. Well fancied for another domestic clean sweep. A money-spinning Champions League play-off against Real Madrid or Bayern Munich to come.

All of this with record cash reserves lodged at the bank. The three '£25m men' are complemented by the megabucks departures in recent years of Liel Abada, Josip Juranovic, Jeremie Frimpong, Moussa Dembele, Odsonne Edouard and Kristoffer Ajer. Add Kyogo's fee into that lot and you won't be a kick of the ball away from £80m.

Celtic were able to spend £26m this season alone on Adam Idah, Arne Engels and Auston Trusty. Jota is back. Tierney is coming back. Those won't be insignificant wages. Which begs the question: Just how far is this new big-spending Celtic board prepared to push the boat out?

Another couple of key signings could not only increase the club's ability to deal with their mighty European assignment, it would also greatly enhance Rodgers' hand when it comes to negotiating tricky Champions League qualifiers in the summer.

Kyogo needs replacing and cover is required in defence. If players do arrive, especially for big fees, in what remains of this transfer window, few fans could still quibble about the level of Celtic's spending or the club's ambition.

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Jane Lewis
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter at Villa Park

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"If we play our game, do our thing and collectively and individually do our jobs, I back us against anybody."

Bayern Munich or Real Madrid await Celtic in the play-off round of the Champions League, but Auston Trusty has no fear of either European giant.

The defender was proud of his side's spirit in their 4-2 defeat to Aston Villa which confirmed they would face a two-legged play-off next month, and insisted he and his team-mates attack it "the Celtic way".

"Whoever we get, we just have to approach it our way, approach it the Celtic way and maintain confidence and go out there and give it a go and win the game," the American said after the match at Villa Park.

Celtic were 2-0 down and sinking inside five minutes in Birmingham, and fears of a Dortmund drubbing repeat were alive.

However, the team battled back to make it 2-2 at half-time and Trusty said that is testament to their mentality.

"A lot of teams at this level can kind of buckle, but it shows the true backbone of the team to bounce back and really give it a go," he added.

"It's our mentality and mindset. This team has had lows before, this team has had highs before, so when you have lows, you see how teams react and how your team-mates react, but we all have each other's back and we keep going."

Jane Lewis
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter at Villa Park

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Liam Scales is backing fellow Republic of Ireland international Adam Idah to "kick on and keep scoring" after ending his barren spell against Aston Villa in the Champions League.

The Celtic striker hadn't scored since the end of November but netted a clever first-half double in the final league phase game at Villa Park.

Scales insists that's all the 23-year-old needed and will continue to show he "is the man to lead" Brendan Rodgers' side in the wake of Kyogo Furjuhashi's exit.

"I'm delighted for Adam because all he needed was to hit the back of the net," Scales said after the 4-2 defeat in Birmingham.

"He's doing everything else right. He's still working hard and holding the ball up for us and linking play, it was just about him hitting the back of the net and he's done that now, so I think he'll kick on and keep scoring for us.

"They were good finishes. The first one especially, the instinctiveness, it's a brilliant finish."

The sort of finish the Japan international produced during his time at the club before he departed for Rennes. Scales is adamant, though, that Idah can fill the void of the iconic Kyogo.

"Without a doubt," he added. "Adam's top class.

"He's been brilliant since coming in. He's obviously gone through a little bit of a spell where he's scored many goals, but that happens to all world-class strikers. It happens to everyone, so I think he's the man to lead us."

We asked for your views on Celtic's 4-2 defeat at Aston Villa in the Champions League.

Here are some of your comments:

Mark: Overall, proud of the performance. The fight we showed after going 2-0 down so quickly shows a team with a lot of character. Delighted Adam Idah scored a couple of great goals to boost his confidence. We made it too easy at times but Villa are a top team so we can hold our heads high.

Stephen: A great game to watch. Poor start, came back brilliantly to be level at half-time. Idah's performance and two goals were first class. Bayern or Real next round. Hopefully that will entice players to Celtic Park before transfer window closes.

Neil: After five minutes I was having Dortmund flashbacks! We bounced back well. I have questioned Idah's desire, but great credit to him. His best performance in a Celtic shirt. We rode our luck in second half and didn't capitulate. Small individual errors at this level get ruthlessly punished. Overall, an excellent group-stage performance.

Steven: Fair play we fought back brilliantly. But we were dreadful at the back and every attack was a possible goal for Villa. No confidence without Cameron Carter-Vickers. Madrid or Bayern could have been avoided!

Patrick: Very poor defensively, but a solid performance from Idah kept us in the game for a while. A shame we didn't get a better result, but only our second loss in eight Champions League games is something to be proud of. Unfortunately I doubt we'll progress beyond the next round, so we need to build on this next season.

Mark: Celtic played well with depleted squad. Cracking tie to look forward to - either Bayern Munich or Real Madrid will be tough but we'll give it our best shot whoever it is.