Former Scotland midfielder Barry Bannan would like a testimonial with Sheffield Wednesday after 10 years with the club and, as a Celtic fan, would love the Scottish champions or former club Aston Villa to be the opponents. (The Star), external
Image source, SNSArne Engels greeted his former Club Bruges boss Philippe Clement before helping Celtic to derby victory
New recruit Arne Engels lapped up the "really hectic" introduction to life as a Celtic player.
The Belgian midfielder, a record signing from Augsburg on deadline day, made his debut off the bench in the 3-0 derby victory over Rangers on 1 September after only one training session.
He then flew off for his first senior international camp, making his Belgium bow as a substitute in a 3-1 Nations League victory over Israel, but was delighted to be thrown in at the deep end in the Glasgow derby.
"It actually felt like home," said Engels, who turned 21 on Sunday. "It felt really good to come on. It was really amazing to get the fans' attention and to perform in these kind of games.
"I've played in a lot of big stadiums in Germany obviously, but here it's a bit different. It's just really loud and everybody's really on top of the game and supporting and pushing us.
"It was really helpful for the team and that's what is pushing us to the limits."
Engels played for Club Bruges' B team while current Rangers manager Philippe Clement was in charge and the pair greeted each other pre-match at Celtic Park.
"I worked with him, so it's normal that we see each other," Engels said. "It was nice to see him, but it's for me to beat him. So that's what we did."
Image source, SNSSt Johnstone have announced they will cut the away ticket allocations for Celtic and Rangers at McDiarmid Park.
In a letter to fans, new Saints owner and chairman Adam Webb explained the decision and claimed it was part of his "commitment to making McDiarmid Park a true fortress."
"Historically, we have sometimes allocated the East Stand to visiting supporters and moved supporters to the Geoff Brown Stand," Webb wrote. "We have also allotted more seats than necessary in the Geoff Brown Stand to opposing fans.
"Under our new policies, to be announced later this week, opposing fans will be limited to the Ormond and North stands and one section of the Geoff Brown Stand which is legally required to accommodate disabled seating."
American businessman Webb, who took over from long-term owner Geoff Brown in the summer, also asked fans to "turn out in force" if the initiative is to be successful.
Hearts and Hibs, as well as St Mirren, have all taken a similar approach in recent times, with Hibs claiming the move was down to "abhorrent behaviour and chanting."
St Johnstone will host Celtic on Saturday, 28 September in a 17:45 kick-off, while Rangers don't visit Perth until 1 December.
Tino
Fan writer
£11m is a lot of money to spend on someone to warm your bench.
But that's exactly what played out in our last fixture before the break, with record signing Arne Engels having to kick his heels in the Celtic Park dugout for over 60 minutes before getting in on the action against Rangers.
It's unlikely that the newly-capped Belgium international will find himself in that position for long.
With a 100% start to the season that's seen his team score 15 goals and concede just two, the challenge is now for Brendan Rodgers to integrate Engels and his fellow new signings into a starting 11 that's done very little wrong.
It's a finely tuned balancing act, but that's the role of the manager and its exactly the kind of 'problem' he’s been yearning for since his return to the club.
All good managers are ruthless when required, and Rodgers is no different. Expect to see this in action over our next two fixtures as we take on Hearts in league duty this weekend, before facing Slovan Bratislava in Champions League matchday one a few days later.
A big signing fee of course shouldn't guarantee anyone a start, but there can be little doubt that recent acquisitions Engels, Auston Trusty (£6m) and on-loan Barcelona youngster Alex Valle have all been brought to the club to improve our prospects in Europe.
I have a feeling none of that trio will start against Steven Naismith's side on Saturday, but suspect all three will finish it, putting them in the driving seat for a start against the Slovaks next Wednesday.
Beyond that, my suspicion is we'll eventually see Liam Scales, Greg Taylor and Paulo Bernardo being nudged out of the starting line-up when it comes to the crunch this season.
Based on their standout performances against Rangers, however, it seems those three players haven't received that particular memo.
It was Rodgers himself who said competition can often be the best coach.
And with a £30m summer spend that brought in eight players, it seems all of a sudden that's exactly what the manager has created.
Tino can be found at The Celtic Exchange, external
Image source, SNSLuke McCowan insists he is determined to become a regular starter for Celtic, but admits it will take time and effort to do so.
McCowan, 26, signed for the Scottish champions on transfer deadline day from fellow Premiership club Dundee, a move he described as "surreal".
McCowan made his Celtic debut in the Old Firm win over Rangers at the start of this month, and wants to learn from manager Brendan Rodgers while also singling out new teammates Callum McGregor and James Forrest.
"Early doors, I just want to play as many minutes as I can," he said.
"I know it will take a lot of hard work to push players for their places and get in the team but that's what I want to do in the future. It's just about learning and finding my feet just now.
"The manager told me certain areas of my game that need work. When you come here, it's a different style of football.
"For anybody going to a new club, it's about bedding yourself in but the manager's main message to me was about staying myself, staying as loud as I can because that's how I've always been, and be a bit of a sponge to learn off the great players and top professionals like James Forrest and Callum McGregor who have been here for so long."
McCowan could make his first European appearance against Slovan Bratislava in the Champions League next Wednesday, and wants to help Celtic make progress in continental competition.
"It's a bit surreal," he said. "I think this year, I'll probably get a lot of things happening for the first time at the club. I've had my debut and if I get a chance to play in a Champions League game that will be another big milestone in my career but now that I'm in the door, it's not about feeling happy about that.
"It's about pushing on and trying to start the next game, be standing in the line-up, helping the team win those type of (Champions League) matches. That's the goal for me."
Asked about a potential Scotland call-up in the future, McCowan added: "My focus is here first, that's the main objective. But if it happens, I'd be thrilled.
"The Scotland midfield is so strong, you've got players playing for Napoli and teams like that, so there's an amazing group of boys there but I'd welcome it with open arms if it came along."
Canada head coach Jesse Marsch says Alistair Johnston came off after 25 minutes of their 2-1 friendly win over United States because "he felt a little bit of tightness in his hamstring" and is hopeful the Celtic right-back will be okay to face Mexico on Wednesday. (The Herald), external
Former Leicester City right-back Danny Simpson has revealed he was "very close" to joining Celtic, then managed by Neil Lennon, in 2019 but blamed the Glasgow club's board for the move falling through. (CeltsAreHere via Daily Record), external
Read Monday's Scottish Gossip in full here.
Celtic right-back Alistair Johnston, 25, was forced off injured during Canada's win against the United States. (Sun), external
Midfielder Arne Engels, 20, will return to Celtic from international duty with Belgium early as he is suspended for their match with France on Monday. (Record), external
Ex-Celtic manager Ronny Deila believes his former club "just seem to be on a different level" to Rangers. (Football Scotland), external
Celtic have a real opportunity to "make a dent" in the Champions League this season, says former midfielder Paul Lambert.
Brendan Rodgers' men begin the revamped 32-team league format at home to Slovan Bratislava on 18 September and also welcome RB Leipzig, Club Bruges and Young Boys to Celtic Park.
The Scottish champions' away games take them to face Borussia Dortmund, Atalanta, Dinamo Zagreb and Aston Villa.
"Celtic can't take their eye off the ball domestically, which I'm pretty sure for Brendan Rodgers, he's too professional for that in the league," Lambert told BBC Scotland.
"Scottish football gets criticism at certain times but Celtic can only beat what's in front of them.
"What everybody wants is to try and make a dent in the Champions League and the new format gives you that chance. Celtic's next step is to do that.
"You can just feel it when you walk through the door of the club, the infrastructure there and the whole football club, it's really vibrant and Brendan's got a good team there, that's for sure."
Ex-Scotland midfielder Lambert, a Champions League winner with Dortmund in 1997, is relishing the meeting of his former clubs in Germany next month.
"I'm going for a draw and a friendly game, that's the best I can hope for," he said.
"I was over in Dortmund last week watching them and they were very good, really quite exciting and the atmosphere was electric.
"The great thing about that game, it's two clubs who get on really well, the of supporters get on really well. It's two special clubs."
Manager Brendan Rodgers says Celtic winger Daizen Maeda's "big superpower is his running and his athleticism and his ability to press". (Football Scotland), external
Robert Lewandowski believes Barcelona team-mate Alex Valle, 20, will have to perform at his very best to make his loan spell at Celtic a success. (Herald - subscription), external
Image source, Getty ImagesArne Engels made his debut for Belgium in their 3-1 win over Israel on Friday night.
The Celtic midfielder started the game on the bench and replaced Youri Tielemans for the final 20 minutes of the Nations League opener.
The 20-year-old joined the Glasgow club from Augsburg this summer.
BBC Sport Scotland chief sportswriter Tom English has been answering your questions.
John asked: Celtic are playing really well at the start of the season, but can they keep it going or will Rangers get their act together?
Tom answered: Celtic looked to have moved up a gear since last season. Really early days, I know, but the defence looks sturdier and the rest of the team looks very sharp and energetic. The pace they've moved the ball at against Rangers reminded me of Rodgers 2016-17 and peak Postecoglou.
I can only see Celtic improving because they've got good players to come into the team and they'll probably add a few more first-teamers in January. If you were doing a composite Celtic-Rangers XI then it would be XI Celtic men and, to be honest, the bench would be Celtic too. Not a composite at all, in fact.
Rangers need a few years of really good decision-making in rebuilding their squad, on a budget. If they are to get near Celtic this season - or next season - then a hell of an implosion will need to happen at Celtic Park. I can't see that happening.
Tom J asked: Isn't it time the board increased the capacity of the main stand in order to accommodate the many thousands of supporters who are on the waiting list for season tickets? If we could raise the roof, I believe Celtic Park would be comparable to the finest stadia in Europe.
Tom answered: It's a great question and, certainly, the idea of the old south stand being rebuilt to make a capacity of around 80,000 must be incredibly exciting to Celtic fans. Imagine the atmosphere in the place with an extra 20,000 fans?
This has been talked about for a while and each time it's brought up the financial reality hits home. A couple of years ago, at the agm, Michael Nicholson estimated it would cost about £100m to do the job and that it was unfeasible.
The likely cost has probably risen since then. As much as the idea appeals, it's difficult to see it happening any time soonish. One day, maybe.
BBC Sport Scotland chief sportswriter Tom English has been answering your questions.
Gerry asked: Will Celtic do well in the Champion League? Can they qualify for the last 16 and how can they achieve this?
Tom answered: Hi Gerry. You don't need me to tell you about Celtic's poor record in Europe over the last decade or so, but there has to be hope that things are going to turn this season.
It's early days, for sure, but they're playing with an energy, an accuracy and a speed of thought that's pretty exciting. They were very slick against Rangers. Paulo Bernardo and Nicolas Kuhn were substantial characters on the day, Callum McGregor was, well, Callum McGregor. Kyogo Furuhashi looks effervescent again. I like what I’m seeing - and they have the new boys to come in yet.
The Champions League draw has been kind to them. The data companies reckon 15 points will be needed to get at top-eight spot and an automatic place in the last 16. There's little chance of that, I think.
The same boffins reckon nine points should be more than enough to make the play-offs. I can see Celtic getting to nine points - home win against Slovan Bratislava, home draw v Leipzig, home win v Bruges, home win v Young Boys. That’s 10 points. Comfy. Maybe, hopefully.
David asked: Do the Celtic defenders have more confidence this year playing in front of Kasper Schmeichel than previous years in front of Joe Hart?
Tom answered: It's hard to say because we're still in the infancy of the season. Hart didn’t do too badly, did he? I thought he was a terrific signing and Schmeichel is an excellent replacement. Let’s see how that defence looks after the Champions League.
It'll be interesting to see if Auston Trusty and Alex Valle usurp Liam Scales and Greg Taylor along the way. I don’t think Scales and Taylor are giving up their spot without a hell of a fight, which is exactly the way Brendan Rodgers would want it.
Image source, SNSCeltic will travel to Ireland next month for a friendly with Premier Division side Sligo Rovers.
Manager Brendan Rodgers returns to his home country for the match on Wednesday, 9 October - during the next international window - at the Showgrounds, just a few miles from the birthplace of Celtic's founder, Brother Walfrid.
Rodgers said he is looking forward to "a great occasion".
"When you're working at a club like Celtic you are reminded every day of its history, so it's great to be able to visit and play in Sligo, a place where the club has so many amazing links," he told the club's website.
"We know there is a huge Celtic following in Ireland, nowhere more so than in the north west, so it will be a great chance for so many so see the players in action.
"For myself personally, it’s always great to go home so this is a trip I am really looking forward to."
Brendan Rodgers believes Celtic's summer transfer business has made the side strong enough to push for a Champions League play-off place. (Record), external
Image source, SNSBrendan Rodgers wants Celtic to be more ruthless despite his delight at their emphatic 3-0 derby win over Rangers.
Celtic have scored 15 goals in opening the season with five straight victories.
"I would still like us to be more ruthless if I'm honest," manager Rodgers told Celtic TV.
"From an attacking perspective we're playing how I would want us to be.
"When I first came in, I said to the team that this team identity over the course of the three years will develop into a team with power, with speed, with creativity and unpredictability, and that's what I'm starting to see now within the team.
"There's still elements that we can be better in, so for example that ruthlessness that we can take more of the opportunities and make the scoreline even greater."
Rodgers was particularly pleased with how Celtic adapted to play through Rangers' press on Sunday.
"I'm clearly very pleased with the performance and the result," he added.
"That first 10 minutes was also a little bit of figuring it out, because you'll prepare and anticipate maybe a team either coming to sit off and then you've got a plan to play through.
"Then sometimes something will happen in the game where a team goes to press and it takes you that five or 10 minutes to figure that out.
"I thought the players were absolutely brilliant in that aspect in the game, how we played through that pressure, and we've done a lot of work on playing through man-marking systems.
"The players have become very, very astute in the game."
Image source, Getty ImagesCeltic's Daizen Maeda heads home Japan's sixth goal in the rout of China
Daizen Maeda followed up his Old Firm goal by netting for Japan as they thrashed China 7-0 in World Cup qualifying.
The Celtic forward came off the bench on the hour in Saitama and scored the hosts' sixth, heading home Junya Ito's cross to take his goal tally to four in 19 caps.
The statement win gives Japan a flying start to the third round of Asian qualifying in a group that also features Australia and Saudi Arabia, with the top two guaranteed a place at the 2026 World Cup.
Image source, Getty ImagesCeltic's final fixture of the league stage is at Villa Park on 29 January
Celtic's Champions League opponents Aston Villa have been called "out of touch" by their fans for charging up to £97 a ticket for home matches in the tournament this season.
Celtic supporters will pay no more than 60 euros (£50.55) for the match at Villa Park on 29 January as Uefa has capped the amount clubs can charge for away tickets in the Champions League.
But Villa have announced that adult tickets for their four home games in the new 36-team league format will be priced at £85, £94 and £97.
Season ticket-holders will get discounted rates of £70, £79 and £82 respectively.
The Premier League side will host Bayern Munich, Bologna, Juventus and Celtic in their return to Europe's top club competition for the first time in 41 years.
Twente signed out-of-favour Celtic centre-half Gustaf Lagerbielke amid interest from Eredivisie rivals Heerenveen and Derby County - and, although there is no option or obligation-to-buy clause in the contract, technical director Arnold Bruggink thinks the 24-year-old Swede is more suited to Dutch football. (Voetbal International), external
Gustav Isaksen, who was linked with Celtic this summer, says it would have been "boring" had he left Lazio on loan after spending a year learning about the Serie A club following the 23-year-old Denmark winger's move from Midtjylland. (Tvmidtvest via Football Scotland), external
Dundee manager Tony Docherty says Luke McCowan has the mentality to shine at Celtic and the 26-year-old will not just be going to fill a jersey after the Scottish midfielder's summer switch from Dens Park. (Daily Record), external
Norwegian midfielder Odi Thiago Holm has been left out of Celtic's 26-man squad for the Champions League. (Scottish Sun), external
Read Thursday's Scottish Gossip in full here.
Get your questions ready.
Tom English, BBC Sport Scotland's chief sportswriter, is in the hotseat and ready to offer his insight and opinion on your club.
Four games into the Premiership campaign, what would you like to ask?
Put your questions to our man here, external.
Kheredine Idessane
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter
As another derby day resolved itself yet again in Celtic’s favour at the weekend - their fifth win from the last half dozen meetings with Rangers - questions were being asked about the state of the rivalry between Glasgow's big two.
Celtic are dominating the fixture in the same way they're lording it over the Scottish game in general at the moment.
A superiority that's set to continue when you analyse their transfer dealings this summer, and in particular, the high-profile, big-money departure of Matt O'Riley.
For all his goals, assists and overall sterling contribution in the past couple of years, he's not exactly been missed these past few games, has he? You could even argue Brendan Rodgers got exactly what he wanted come the end of August, a better Celtic squad than he had the month before.
As strong as the starting XI was on Sunday, Celtic’s bench was just as impressive. Arne Engels, Auston Trusty, Luke McCowan, Alex Valle and Adam Idah, to name but a few. Approximately £28m worth of talent. Roughly what Celtic brought in, give or take a few shillings, for O'Riley.
A player whose prodigious output appears, even at this early stage, to have been handsomely compensated for, but not by a new signing.
No, the man who has taken on the O’Riley mantle more than most is none other than Celtic’s 'Mr Reliable', Callum McGregor.
The club captain has always led by example and is usually the driving force behind any Celtic success. This season, with O'Riley’s departure, it’s almost as though all the myriad responsibilities he was already carrying suddenly seemed insufficient.
McGregor is currently Celtic’s top Premiership marksman, with three league goals from his first four games. Giving up Scotland duty to focus fully on his club for the remainder of his playing career is working out well thus far for the 31-year-old.
In the entirety of last season McGregor scored twice. The season before, five. The season before that, four.
The last time he was this prolific this early? His debut campaign under Ronny Deila a decade ago when he scored four in his first seven games as a Celtic player. This after a stunning season on loan at Notts County when he contributed 14 goals to a team that also included a young Jack Grealish.
It's not unheard of for McGregor to contribute double figures to the Celtic cause, but it hasn’t happened since the nine-in-a-row campaign of 2019-20.
At his current strike rate, this may be the season in which he turns back the clock. If that proves to be the case, he’ll more than make up for O'Riley's absence.
Tino
Fan writer
If you were the script writer for Celtic you'd be hard pushed to draft a better week for the club than the one we've just had.
Yet just seven days ago there was a palpable feeling of uncertainty in the air.
Would we sign the players we so clearly needed before the transfer deadline? Would Brendan Rodgers be left frustrated once again at how we were conducting our business?
And would we be destined for another X-rated European campaign in the revamped Champions League?
We'll of course have clearer answers to those questions in the fullness of time, but right now there's a new wave of optimism sweeping across the fanbase, and long may that continue.
The international break now comes at the perfect time to allow the team to regroup, reset and refocus before the next phase of the campaign. To do so on the back of a resounding win over our Glasgow rivals was the icing on the cake.
However, if you think Rodgers and his team will be happy to pat themselves on the back for their impressive opening to the campaign then you haven’t been watching closely enough.
The manager has an energy and drive just now that surpasses anything he brought to the role first time around.
Perhaps it’s a feeling of unfinished business, professional pride, or something else altogether, but whatever it is he’s certainly got the bit between his teeth and seems more enthused than ever about the task at hand.
The next fortnight will allow him to spend time with some of his new signings and bring them up to speed with his methods before we return with a home game against Hearts, quickly followed by our opening Champions League fixture against Slovan Bratislava.
Should we pick up full points in both fixtures then expectation levels will be nudged up that bit higher. That’s life at Celtic and you’re only ever as good as your last result. The manager knows that, as do his players.
However, with five wins from five so far, there are high hopes we could be set for another exciting season under Rodgers’ stewardship.
Is he set to write a whole new chapter in his own unique Celtic story? One with an adventurous European subplot?
The scene has been set. It’s now time for action.
Scotland midfielder and Aston Villa captain John McGinn - a boyhood Celtic supporter - is relishing the Champions League meeting with Brendan Rodgers' side in January and has already been inundated with ticket requests from family and friends.
Image source, SNSHaving been unware of the 500-game milestone he was about to hit, Celtic winger James Forrest now recognises his "great achievement" of reaching that tally.
The 33-year-old had found himself out of the picture and thought he may never play for the club again, but he rejuvenated his career at the end of last season.
Emerging from the shadows, Forrest's fine form helped Celtic win a league and cup double, taking his trophy tally to a staggering 24, behind only Bobby Lennox (25) on the club's all-time list.
The veteran wide man played his 500th game for the club in Sunday's 3-0 win over Rangers
"To be honest I only knew in the last couple of games I was close to 500," Forrest said.
"It's a great milestone. Obviously coming through the academy here and making a 500th appearance in front of your home fans in a victory against your rivals, it was a great day all round.
"Being at a club the size of this for so long is a great achievement and I just need to keep working hard to try and add to that now as well.
"I had a spell late January and February when I wasn't in squads and I didn't know if I was ever going to play for Celtic again.
"But when stuff like that happens it makes it even better when you do get achievements."
