Celtic

Kheredine Idessane
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

It's been clear for a while now Celtic are reverting to a previous model when it comes to sanctioning a big transfer spend.

In the recent past, when they've not been guaranteed Champions League football, they've opted to see whether the existing squad is good enough to navigate the qualifiers before spending.

In other words, make the group phase, Brendan, and then we'll loosen the purse strings accordingly.

The manager has been asking for quality signings for quite a while. He still doesn't have them in the forward areas and while deals are there in the background waiting to be done, Celtic won't give the green light until they know what kind of revenue is coming in. Champions League level or Europa League?

Which means it all boils down to Kazakhstan and a trip to face Kairat Almaty a week on Tuesday. Before then, of course, the Scottish champions will hope to have bagged a few goals in the home leg to give themselves some comfort and insurance.

The stakes could not be higher. It's quite the gamble to wait until the last few days of the transfer window to make your moves.

It can be done, of course, but prices tend to inflate at that late stage. Witness the £26m outlay roughly this time last year for Adam Idah, Arne Engels and Auston Trusty. Two of whom were on the bench for Celtic's first two league matches while striker Idah is yet to get off the mark this campaign.

The board is either trusting – or gambling – that the current crop of players, minus the departed Kyogo Furuhashi, Nicolas Kuhn and Greg Taylor plus the injured Jota, are good enough to get the job done against the Kazakh champions.

The extra nous Brendan Rodgers and his men learned through last season's league phase campaign should stand them in good stead.

This is not, however, the same team, either in personnel or form. The levels reached away to Bayern Munich were a peak from which the side has had a natural drop-off.

The manager has pretty much admitted the only way to get back to those levels is to spend money on a striker and a winger at the bare minimum. The kind of money available to him will be determined by the outcome of this play-off. Over to you then, Brendan.

Celtic-linked forward Giuseppe Ambrosino, 21, could stay and fight for his future at Napoli. (Record), external

Ambrosino may yet stay at Napoli following interest from Cremonese. (Il Mio Napoli - in Italian), external

Read Thursday's Scottish gossip

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Callum McGregor is urging Celtic to "maximise" home advantage in the first leg of their Champions League play-off with Kairat Almaty.

The Kazakh champions overcame Slovan Bratislava on penalties on Tuesday night after a 1-1 draw on aggregate to set up a meeting with the Scottish champions.

Celtic host Kairat next Wednesday before embarking on an epic 3,500-mile trip to Kazakhstan the following week.

"It's going to be a tough tie," captain McGregor told Celtic TV, external.

"Obviously the travel and everything else comes into that and the preparation.

"We've got the home game first and we want to try and maximise that, as we would against any opponent, but it could be even more important now that we try and do the absolute maximum to get a good result at home, and then negotiate the travel.

"It's a tough team and we know it will be a tough tie. It's a good tie for us but one that we'll have to be at our best to get through."

Manager Brendan Rodgers insists Celtic will be doing everything possible to make it into the Champions League proper for the fourth season in a row.

"Of course, everyone would have preferred a shorter travelling distance, but they got through, they won the tie, so we'll play the first game of our two legs and our objective is to get through," he said.

"We can really analyse them now and be prepared for the first leg next week.

"We'll do everything we can to make sure we get into the league phase."

Tino
Fan writer

Following last night's dramatic penalty shootout between Slovan Bratislava and Kairat Almaty, Celtic now face what can only be described as a nightmare trip to Kazakhstan as we aim to secure Champions League football for a fourth consecutive season.

Historically, this is far from a comfort zone for us.

Despite recent successes against teams from this region, Celtic have never won on Kazakh soil. Our record reads like a cautionary tale: a loss to Shakhter Karagandy in 2013, a draw with Astana in 2016, and defeat to the same club in 2017. So yes, the warning signs are there.

However, despite the logistical hurdles of traveling to Kazakhstan - long flights, time zone changes and unfamiliar conditions - this is very much a tie Celtic should be winning.

Champions League qualification is not just about the prestige, it's a financial gamechanger for a club like Celtic - a £40m jackpot that could bolster finances and squad depth alike.

The real question is whether our current set-up is capable of seizing this opportunity.

Concerns linger. The lack of key signings suggests we may be heading east with a squad not fully equipped for the challenge.

Uefa's deadline to register new players is midnight on Thursday (two extra players can be added up to 24 hours before the first leg) yet, based on recent transfer activity - or more accurately, inactivity - it's hard to imagine any new faces being added in time.

This approach raises eyebrows. The club appears to be taking a gamble: chasing Champions League revenue without adequately investing in the squad that could secure it.

In essence, Celtic are waiting to qualify for Europe's elite competition before strengthening the team, rather than building a squad that could make qualification more likely.

It's a classic chicken-and-egg scenario - and one that feels unnecessarily risky, especially given the vast cash reserves the club currently holds.

Still, football is rarely predictable. A spirited performance in Kazakhstan could (and should) help Celtic take our place at Europe's top table once again.

But as history - and logistics - warn us, this is far from a guaranteed triumph.

The fans, players, and club itself now face a high-stakes test - one that demands focus, determination and perhaps a little luck along the way.

Tino can be found at The Celtic Exchange, external

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Amid a transfer window of mild distress within the Celtic fanbase, Kieran Tierney's display at Pittodrie on Sunday reminded supporters that their team has already recruited some serious talent this summer.

When the Scotland left-back re-signed from Arsenal, nobody doubted the calibre of player the club were bringing back. There were, however, concerns about the defender's fitness and match sharpness following injury-hit spells.

But after just 132 minutes of football back in his beloved green and white, Tierney looks every bit the player Celtic sold for £25m six years ago.

At Aberdeen on Sunday, the 28-year-old was at his explosive best to turn and burst to the byeline before providing fellow summer signing Benjamin Nygren to finish the opener.

That goal was one of three chances Tierney has created from left-back in just two Scottish Premiership appearances this term. He has also completed 30 passes in the final third.

Defensively, he has been part of the only backline in the league that is yet to concede a goal, while winning possession back for his team on nine occasions.

In terms of his numbers for this season, we are clearly dealing with a small sample size, but the early indications show Celtic have brought back the "elite player" Rodgers promised.

West Ham have rejected an opening bid from Celtic for Andy Irving, with the London club demanding £3.5m for the 25-year-old Scot. (Hammers News), external

Celtic will bring in up to four new signings before the end of the window if they qualify for the Champions League group phase. (Football Insider), external

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Celtic's Benjamin Nygren wasn't for waiting in the wings to make his debut.

The summer signing from Nordsjaelland was fast-tracked into the side for their trip to face Aberdeen on Sunday and scored his first goal for Brendan Rodgers' side on the end of Kieran Tierney's cross.

The 24-year-old hit the bar on his debut against St Mirren the previous weekend after being preferred to the likes of club record signing Arne Engels, Luke McCowan and Paulo Bernardo in Brendan Rodgers' starting line-up.

"I didn't come here to not play," Nygren said. "So of course I came here to try to come in fast and also show my abilities in training and training games. So of course I came here to help the team win games."

Nygren knows there is a demand to contribute when he gets game time for Celtic, given the strength in depth in Rodgers' midfield.

"It's part of football, that's how it is in big clubs," the former IFK Gothenburg player said.

"It would be weird if there were only 11 good players in such a big team as Celtic. I think we have, I don't know how many, 25-30 good players in Celtic, but only 11 can start the game.

"It's a very long season and now we've only played our two first games, so we will need a lot of players and a lot of good quality players. I think we have that."

"That's also why I scored many goals last season, because I can run a lot.

"I always come a little bit from behind."

Nygren started in the middle of the park but finished up out wide, and he's happy to show his versatility to the manager.

"I think it's preferably like I started the game, but I'm a player that has played a lot of positions, so for me I don't think too much of the positions, it's football," he said.

"You need football intelligence. It's all football."

We asked for your views on Celtic's 2-0 victory over Aberdeen.

Here's what you said:

Tony: Adam Idah should be dropped and transferred. He's the blunt edge of the attack. James Forrest, Daizen Maeda and Benjamin Nygren should start, with Callum Osmand in reserve. Jahmai Simpson-Pusey should start in defence beside Cameron Carter-Vickers. Brendan Rodgers shouldn't overlook or waste existing talent at the club.

Stuart: Celtic are four points clear already of the only other team to win the title in over 40 years. This season is already over.

Dillon: Great strike by Reo Hatate! Early contender for goal of the season perhaps? Looking forward to seeing us grow more as a team as the season goes on.

Tommy: I think one thing learned from this game is that Adam Idah should never be first-choice striker. This board should hang their heads for not replacing Kyogo, every penny is a prisoner with them. Their arrogance will be their downfall.

Gordon: Absolutely just what I expected.

Peter: Job well done. Some players need to polish up their passing, too many are going astray, and you cannot do that in European competition. Just get that sorted and get a centre forward in, and we should be OK.

Moz: Still need to sign a striker! Good win three points in, though.

John: Very accomplished team performance in a typical Rodgers-esque control. If we win our next two games, we go 10 points clear.

Jackie: Well played Celtic keep it up. Not an easy stadium to go to but another three points. We still need to sign quality players, though.

Jonathan Sutherland
Sportscene presenter

Reo Hatate: Class personified at times. His goal at Pittodrie a perfect example of his quality.

Highlights of Aberdeen 0-2 Celtic in the Scottish Premiership.

Celtic have joined Anderlecht and Besiktas in the race to sign 23-year-old Le Havre centre-half Etienne Youte at a price of £4.3m. (Paris Normandie via Daily Record), external

Manager Brendan Rodgers has admitted Celtic will look to do transfer business ahead of this week's Champions League deadline. (The National), external

Read Monday's Scottish Gossip in full.

Celtic maintained their 100% start to their Scottish Premiership title defence with a comfortable victory at Aberdeen.

What did you make of that, Celtic fans?

Have your say on the game.

Read the match report here.

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Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers tells BBC Scotland: "Very pleased. This was always going to be a challenging game in the context of how the last season finished and coming here so early in Aberdeen's first [home] game.

"But I thought we controlled it really well. We had a lot of really good moments in the game, scored two outstanding goals. Had a few other opportunities to score. Their keeper makes a great save.

"And then when we had to defend, which you do, you can never dominate 100% of the game. But in those moments we defended very, very well and were strong.

"I'm so pleased for the players. The last season would have hurt them. They had a fantastic season last season.

"But we come here today, we play with quality, we play with heart and we get the result.

"I'm really pleased for Benji [Nygren]. That's why we signed him. He's a player with a record of scoring goals from midfields or wide areas. But we see him very much as an eight. He can move well, he can take the ball in tight spaces and he can get in the box. It's really nice for him to get that goal.

"And the second goal, we played out the pressure really well. And then we've done what we've done up here a few times."

On Kieran Tierney's second-half subsitition: "He was actually sick at half-time, but he wanted to give it a go. But he's given us a really good hour in the game, created the first goal, and we know that it's just about building his football fitness up, and then you can really see the qualities he gives us."

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Aberdeen manager Jimmy Thelin reported no fresh injury concerns, but summer signing Emmanuel Gyamfi and Latvian defender Kristers Tobers remain sidelined.

Celtic winger Jota is a long-term absentee but loan signing Jahmai Simpson-Pusey, who joined from Manchester City through the week, could be in the squad.

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Brendan Rodgers thinks players like Callum McGregor "get taken for granted" as he insisted the Celtic captain is "extra motivated" following the Scottish Cup heartbreak last season.

The midfielder missed a penalty as Celtic were beaten by Aberdeen in last season's Scottish Cup final, although he did captain the side to another domestic double as they bagged the League Cup and Scottish Premiership title.

"I was with him over the summer, it was hurtful for us all and for him," Rodgers said of the defeat.

"Being the captain and [missing] the penalty, that will sit deep with him but this is a guy who stands on his own in terms of what he brings to this team - his vision, his technique, his skill, his vision of the game, his will to win, his desire.

"He's an incredible player, if nothing else it will give him that extra bit going into this season.

"Players like Cal get taken for granted. He's a playmaker in this team who knits the game so well, an incredible talent and a brilliant leader of his changing room.

"He'll only be extra motivated this season to have a successful season."

With Rodgers' side heading to Pittodrie on Sunday for their first game against the Dons since that final, the manager insists his side are fully focused on making amends.

"If you win a Scottish Cup final for the first time in 30-odd years then of course you're going to be excited," he added.

"We have to look beyond that. When you lose a game like that it's ensuring your attitude is right, your playing style is right, your football is right.

"It doesn't change anything for us, it might do for them but we are the team that wants to dominate and impose ourselves in the game, nothing changes for us."

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Brendan Rodgers has explained his decision to leave striker Shin Yamada on the bench as Celtic searched for a goal in their Premiership opener against St Mirren.

The Celtic boss made a triple change in the 78th minute, bringing on striker Johnny Kenny and midfielders Arne Engels and Luke McCowan, who made the late breakthrough as Celtic won 1-0.

Yamada, 22, joined from Japanese side Kawasaki Frontale this summer and will now hope to make his debut in this weekend's trip to face Aberdeen.

"I put Johnny Kenny on," Rodgers said when asked about Shin's omission.

"You can only put 11 players on. We have a big squad so we took Adam [Idah] off and put Johnny on then in that period we scored.

"We put two eights in to freshen the team and one of them scored. I can only play 11 players and I know in football people's values grow when they're not playing, but I always decide who I think is ready for the game.

"If Shin or somebody doesn't go on, it's because in that moment I felt the game needed something else.

"Johnny Kenny has done well for us in pre-season, he's worked hard and created goals, but if I'm to answer every question of the player I don't play I'd be sitting here all day and night."

Charlotte Cohen
BBC Sport Scotland

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Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers has been speaking to the media before Sunday's Premiership trip to face Aberdeen.

Here are the main points:

• Rodgers says there's "nothing new" to report on incoming transfers, adding: "It's very clear where we need to improve and a lot of work is going on."

• But the Celtic boss hopes the club "can conclude some deals and improve the squad" before the window shuts.

• Rodgers "really doesn't know" if Celtic will get signings in before the Champions League play-off on 20 August but will be working hard with the existing players at the club "to make them the best they can be".

• In response to fans' criticism over a lack of transfers: "I think the board have shown over many years and numbers of years that the work will get done."

• On Johnny Kenny's new deal, Rodgers says the striker can be "a really good asset for the club in the future", adding the 22-year-old "is very much in our thinking" for the squad this term.

• Celtic will "definitely" opt not to postpone their Premiership game with Livingston on the weekend in between the two legs of their Champions League play-off.

• Rodgers expects a "tough game" against Aberdeen, who crushed Celtic's treble bid in May. Reflecting on that Scottish Cup final loss, Rodgers says "sometimes it's your day to lose" but admits his side learned a lot from the defeat.

• The Celtic boss adds Callum McGregor is "extra motivated" this season after he missed a penalty in the cup final defeat.