Celtic

Andrew Petrie
BBC Sport Scotland

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Kyogo's departure to French club Rennes will undoubtedly be a blow for Celtic, but one that could be significantly softened by the return of Portuguese winger Jota.

Since leaving Glasgow's East end in July 2023 for a reported £25m, the former Benfica forward has not hit the heights expected, first at Al-Ittihad and then at Rennes.

He joined a star-studded squad in Saudi Arabia containing the likes of Karim Benzema, N'Golo Kante and former Liverpool midfielder Fabinho.

However, his first league start didn't come until March as Al-Ittihad finished fifth in the league.

His time at Rennes has also been unproductive. In 10 appearances, with just three of those starts, he's contributed one goal as the Brittany club struggle in Ligue 1.

He returns to Parkhead with a point to prove. His departure equalled the record fee received by Celtic until Matt O'Riley's sale to Brighton last summer, and fans will remember his time in Glasgow fondly.

Jota's 54 goal contributions - 28 goals and 26 assists - made him a pivotal part of Ange Postecoglou's team. No-one set up more goals for Celtic during his first season, and he also won three player of the month awards that campaign.

He left the club with two Premiership titles, two League Cups and a Scottish Cup to boot.

As he prepares for a second Celtic stint, it will be interesting to see what Rodgers does with the 25-year-old. Daizen Maeda is having perhaps his best season in green and white, while Nicolas Kuhn is the current front-runner for the player of the season award.

Kyogo's departure leaves a gap at the top of the pitch that one would expect Adam Idah to fill, but the Irish international - bought for a reported £9m - has endured a tough start to life as a permanent Celtic player.

Could Maeda be moved up front, to hustle and harry centre-backs rather than the men outside them? Could it be Jota or even Kuhn who perform the role of a false nine?

Or will Jota have to bide his time on the bench and wait for an opportunity to stake a claim for a starting spot? Luis Palma, Yang Hyun-Jyu and James Forrest have all had indifferent seasons so far, with Honduran winger Palma linked with a move away.

Such is the Portuguese winger's quality, he surely won't want to hang around among the subs for long.

Jota is back on the wing at Celtic Park having signed a five-and-a-half-year deal to return to Glasgow with Kyogo going in the other direction to Ligue 1 side Rennes.

The 25-year-old Portuguese attacker says he's raring to go once again in the green and white hoops. So what do you make of his return?

A recruitment masterstroke to bring him back for a fraction of the price her left for? Or do you have another view on the winger's return?

In addition, how are you feeling about Kyogo Furuhashi's exit to Rennes?

What's your favourite memory of the striker in his three-and-a-half-year spell in the Hoops?

Manager Brendan Rodgers has said he wants to sign a new striker before the transfer window closes, so who might be able to fill Kyogo's boots?

Let us know your thoughts here., external

PAOK are the latest club to show an interest in Luis Palma as the winger gets set to leave Celtic with Jota poised to make an imminent £9m return. (Scottish Sun)

Former Celtic goalkeeper Benjamin Siegrist is poised to join Genoa from Rapid Bucharest. (Gianluca di Marzio)

Kyogo Furuhashi's imminent exit could hand young striker Daniel Cummings his chance at Celtic. (The Herald)

Former Celtic boss Ange Postecoglou is set to land a £12m pay-off if Tottenham decide to sack him after a miserable defeat against Leicester. (Scottish Sun)

Read the rest of Monday's gossip.

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Former Celtic goalkeeper Pat Bonner has suggested Ange Postecoglou's departure could be part of the reason behind Kyogo Furuhashi's decision to leave.

Brendan Rodgers confirmed in a press conference during the week that Kyogo recently expressed a desire to leave Parkhead, with a move to Rennes close to completion.

The forward scored a total of 54 goals in his first two seasons for Celtic after being signed by Postecoglou. Since Rodgers' arrival he has scored 31, less than his total (34) in the 2022-23 season.

"When you step back a little bit and listen to Brendan Rodgers about him wanting away, I'm not surprised," Bonner told Sportsound.

"After Ange Postecolgou you could see a difference in the way Kyogo responded. When he first came here he lit up the place, I've not seen many strikers with his movement.

"He went off that slightly but I think he got back to it again when Celtic started to play with a mix of Ange Postecoglou, more on the front foot, more passing forward.

"I think when the change was made his head went down, you could see the frustration on the pitch.

"Then the question is, Celtic have lost their main striker. Will Adam Idah do it? Johnny Kenny? Will they go into the market or will Maeda play through the middle? There will be a lot of questions."

Celtic are set to ramp up their push to sign Mathias Kvistgaarden, but Brondby are holding out for a fee of around £13.5m for the 22-year-old striker who has netted 12 goals in 18 games this season. (Daily Record), external

Selling Kyogo Furuhashi "feels like Celtic have just put their hands up and admitted there's a ceiling on their Champions League ambitions", says the club's former striker Chris Sutton. (Daily Record), external

"Until we are sure we can't say anything, things can get complicated," says Como manager Cesc Fabregas when asked about interest in on-loan Celtic left-back Alex Valle. (Daily Record), external

Read the rest of Saturday's Scottish gossip.

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Celtic will begin life without Kyogo Furuhashi, who left for France to finalise a move to Rennes. James Forrest (foot) remains out.

Josh Mulligan is back in the Dundee squad but the game comes too soon for Ziyad Larkeche, Jordan McGhee and Joe Shaughnessy despite their return to training.

Mexican midfielder Victor Lopez is waiting for international clearance, while Julien Vetro has been recalled by Burnley. Billy Koumetio (ankle), Antonio Portales, (hamstring), Scott Fraser (groin) and Charlie Reilly remain sidelined.

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Brendan Rodgers has asked Celtic fans for "time and patience" with striker Adam Idah as Kyogo Furuhashi closes on a move to Rennes.

The Republic of Ireland forward has come under fire in recent weeks having not scored since November - a 14-game barren run - following his £9m summer move from Norwich.

"I think with Adam, like it is with every other player, we have to offer them the time, the patience, the support," manager Rodgers said.

"We know the talent's there. He's already shown that in his time here. But you go through a little run of games, you don't quite score, but I thought he made an impact the other night when came on.

"That's why we have quality strikers and more than one quality striker here."

However, Rodgers confirmed Celtic will look to bring in a replacement for Kyogo before the transfer window closes.

"Obviously, if Kyogo ends up finalising his deal, we'll have to look to bring in another quality player in that position," he said.

"There can be issues around the timing, but we have been aware. It's not something that's just been sprung on us.

"We understood that we were going to lose him and we understand that we have to replace that quality to keep the team moving forward.

"That's something that has been ongoing for a little while. Hopefully, by the end of the window, we come out of the window with a stronger squad."

Andrew Petrie
BBC Sport Scotland

Image source, SNS

Brendan Rodgers has been speaking to the media before Celtic's game with Dundee in the Premiership on Saturday.

Here are the key points:

• Rodgers says Celtic do not want to lose Kyogo Furuhashi - who is set to join Rennes - but the Japan forward expressed a desire to leave "a number of months back". The Celtic boss paid tribute to the striker, calling him an "incredible player".

• Rodgers believes Kyogo's wish to move came from a desire to play in a top-five league and that the opportunity to do so at age 30 was too good to turn down.

• Jota will be "an incredible addition" and Rodgers hopes to confirm the return of the Portuguese winger from Rennes "in the next 24 hours".

• Given the prior warning Celtic had on Kyogo's departure, the search for his replacement has been "ongoing" and Rodgers wants to come out of the January window with "a stronger squad".

• He adds that Adam Idah, like all players, needs "time, patience and support" but is happy with the striker's impact despite a recent barren run.

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Celtic boss Brendan Rodgers says Rennes-bound Kyogo Furuhashi asked to leave the club "a number of months back".

Rodgers confirmed Celtic have accepted a bid and the Japan striker is set to join Rennes, with Jota poised to return to the Scottish champions from the Ligue 1 club.

"He has travelled for a medical so that will probably be confirmed in the next 24 hours," Rodgers said of Kyogo.

"Kyogo expressed an interest to leave a number of months back. That expression becomes stronger and obviously it gets to the stage where he clearly wants to leave. Sadly, we then have to do a deal and finalise that with him."

Rodgers said Portuguese winger Jota would be an "incredible addition" and expects the deal to be completed "in the next 24 hours".

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• This will be Celtic and Dundee's second successive league game against one another, after their 3-3 earlier this month. It's the first time the Hoops have faced the same opponent in back-to-back league games since January 2021 v Livingston.

• Dundee remain winless in 45 meetings with Celtic in all competitions (D7 L38), although the draw earlier this month was the first time the Dark Blues scored 3+ goals against the Hoops in a match since October 1988 (3-2 win).

• Celtic have won their past seven home league games by an aggregate score of 23-0. They last won more in a row without conceding at Celtic Park in March 2014 (nine).

• Dundee have won their past two away league outings, as many as their previous 17 beforehand (W2 D5 L10).

• After scoring in the 3-3 draw last time out, having also netted two league goals for Dundee earlier this season, Celtic's Luke McCowan is the first player to score both for and against the same side in a Scottish Premiership season since Tony Watt with Dundee United and Motherwell in 2021-22. McCowan is the first to do so for and against Dundee in the competition since Simon Murray in 2017-18.

Celtic have sold 30-year-old Japan striker Kyogo Furuhashi to Rennes for a fee in excess of £8.44m, with 25-year-old Spanish winger Jota heading in the opposite direction for £8.44m plus a 10% sell-on clause. (Fabrizio Romano on X), external

Celtic striker Kyogo Furuhashi has been photographed leaving Glasgow on a private jet then touching down in Brittany to seal his move to Ligue 1 club Rennes. (The National), external

Negotiations on a deal worth £8m between Celtic and Rennes for Jota have reached an advanced stage, with the Portuguese winger keen on a return to the Scottish champions. (Sky Sports), external

Celtic striker Kyogo Furuhashi has flown out to France for a medical and to hold talks with Rennes as the 30-year-old prepares for a transfer to the Ligue 1 club. (Football Insider), external

Scotland defender Kieran Tierney has signed a pre-contract agreement with Celtic and the 27-year-old will return to the Scottish club once his Arsenal deal expires this summer. (Mirror), external

Celtic are set to rekindle their move for £8m Danish striker Mathias Kvistgaarden after they failed to agree a fee with Brondby for the 22-year-old last summer, but he is also on Eintracht Frankfurt's radar. (Scottish Sun), external

Mathias Kvistgaarden is keen on a transfer to Celtic and Brondby are open to doing a deal to sell the striker. (TeamTalk), external

Celtic have held initial talks over a possible deal for winger Louie Barry, but Aston Villa remain reluctant to sell the 21-year-old and have offered him a new contract with the plan to send him out on loan. (Sky Sports), external

Portsmouth are keen on Celtic striker Daniel Cummings, with the Championship club exploring the possibility of a pre-contract agreement with the 18-year-old, whose current deal expires in the summer. (Sky Sports), external

Celtic have earned a guaranteed £38m after securing their place in the Champions League knockout round play-offs. (Football Insider), external

Read Friday's Scottish Gossip in full.

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Defender Auston Trusty insists Celtic are "full of confidence" as they prepare to face Aston Villa in their final Champions League game next week.

After three disallowed goals and a missed penalty against Young Boys on Wednesday night, it took a late own goal to secure the win for Celtic at Parkhead.

The victory also books their place in the play-offs for the round of 16 ahead of their trip to Aston Villa.

"I don't think we're ever satisfied," Trusty said.

"That's the mindset. Go there and get points and play our game. At the end of the day, whatever happens, as long as we play our game, we'll be happy and it's up to us.

"We have the mindset, we have the personnel, we have the camaraderie and we have the chemistry, so you create your own luck and it's really up to us.

"I don't really feel any pressure come off. I think you approach every game the same way and I haven't got that vibe from anybody, the coaching staff or players, that you settle down.

"I think it's just really the Celtic way to approach every game the same way and that's why you see results."

Kasper Schmeichel believes the lessons learned from Celtic's hammering in Dortmund provided the springboard for their surge to the Champions League play-off round.

Brendan Rodgers' side rebounded from that 7-1 drubbing by going five games unbeaten, culminating in Wednesday night's 1-0 win over Young Boys which sent the Scottish champions through with a game to spare.

Goalkeeper Schmeichel, who made a crucial double save in the second half against the Swiss, said: "I think we learned our lesson in Dortmund.

"We've bounced back and recovered really well from that and that's what you need to do. Sometimes, it's not about success, that's not when you really learn.

"You learn when you have a tough time and I think we've come out from that really well. We went to Atalanta, one of the highest scoring teams in Europe, and kept them from scoring, which I think is an impressive thing. We've kept learning.

"I think that's the mark of the squad. We're never getting carried away. We stay humble and we keep learning."

Schmeichel, who signed a new contract on Wednesday to summer 2026, hailed Celtic's "massive achievement" in reaching the Champions League knockout rounds for the first time since 2013.

"For a club of this size, that's where we should be," the Dane said. "That was the goal, that was the aim from the start of the season. It's a huge achievement."

We asked for your views on Celtic's 1-0 win against Young Boys which secured a place in the Champions League play-off phase.

Here's what some of you said:

Clem: First half we were positive and looking to get in behind, could and should have been out of sight. Second half we didn't adapt to their tactical changes. Our wingers just couldn't get on the ball and never looked like getting in behind. The midfield again ran out of legs and basic passing disappeared. However, we dug out the result and qualified.

John: Well-deserved win. We seemed to have blown ourselves out after that brilliant first half. Second half, once again, quite predictable moves. We are going to need a Plan B against Aston Villa as we will be without Daizen Maeda.

Gordy: In the end we made it hard for ourselves, we started brilliantly but were too keen and it all seemed a bit rushed, hence the three offside goals. Penalty misses happen but that would have really settled us and set us up for the second half. Young Boys were always going to have a go and Kasper Schmeichel was brilliant, got the result in the end and onward to the play-offs.

Edward: Good team performance, we never gave up and kept going right up to the end. Just a pity we didn't win by more, the only blemish was a stupid sending off of Maeda, otherwise a very good performance.

Paul: Epic European night at Parkhead saw Celtic grind out a steely, resolute performance, especially from Schmeichel, to advance to the knockout out stages. You definitely need a bit of luck in the running, Loris Benito's fortuitous stunning late own goal proved to be the decisive turning point in the match, no more than what Celtic deserved in the end.

Jimmy: Celtic were very unlucky to have scored three goals in a game and they've all been disallowed, then have a penalty saved and at that point you're thinking it's not going to be our night, but we get a lucky goal and for once things go our way.

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If Celtic's dramatic 1-0 win over Young Boys felt eerily familiar then you are old enough to remember the mists of a 1993 Uefa Cup tie.

Back then, the Swiss side provided stubborn opposition before a late own goal - from Alain Baumann in extra time - edged Celtic through 1-0 on aggregate to the second round.

It also proved to be 'Tiger' Tim Stevens' last game as Celtic's stadium announcer after he asked fans for a minute's silence "in memory of Rangers' European Cup campaign" following their exit that night.

Thirty two years on, the stakes for Celtic were considerably higher but the on-field outcome similar as a late own goal - this time from Loris Benito - made the crucial breakthrough at a racuous Parkhead. Cue bedlam.

Celtic are now guaranteed a spot in the Champions League play-offs and it seems lightning does indeed strike twice.

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Is Kyogo Furuhashi edging towards a Celtic exit?

Rumours continue to swirl over the Japan striker's future and the latest links suggest Rennes are closing in on a £10m move, external.

Kyogo, 30, has been a huge player for Celtic since joining from Vissel Kobe in summer 2021 and captain Callum McGregor hopes the club can hang on to him.

After the 1-0 win over Young Boys - in which Kyogo had a first-half hat-trick disallowed - secured Celtic's place in the Champions League play-off phase, McGregor said: "I understand there is a lot of speculation.

"But he's a Celtic player at the minute and obviously we want to keep him for as long as we can.

"He's a top player. Again, you see his quality tonight, his movement, the way he sets the tone for the team.

"All our good players, we want to keep them for as long as we can. Generally, when there's speculation, then people have done well.

"We want that as well. It gets people talking about Celtic and the players that we've got. I'm sure the club will do everything they can to keep him because he's a top player and a top person as well."

As he reflected on a "brilliant" European night, McGregor praised striker Adam Idah, who has struggled for form this season but forced the late own goal against Young Boys after latching on to Reo Hatate's exquisite pass.

"He's a key part of the goal. He's done a lot of good work probably without the rewards of the goals," the skipper added.

"I know from playing with strikers they value themselves on goals so he'll feel amazing about that. But he's actually done some really good work for the team in the last few months since he's come back in. His value to the team is more than just goals."

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• Celtic are undefeated in their last five games in the Champions League, their longest unbeaten streak in the competition (since at least 2004/2005).

• Celtic are now 30 games unbeaten at home in all competitions (W27 D3), their longest such run since March 2007 (33).

• Young Boys have lost their last eight games in the Champions League, their longest losing streak in the competition (since at least 2004/2005).

• Celtic benefited from an own goal in a Champions League match for the first time since September 2016 v Manchester City when Raheem Sterling put the ball in his own net.

• Arne Engels' penalty miss was the first time Celtic had failed to score from the spot in a Champions League match at Celtic Park since Barry Robson v Aalborg in September 2008.

• Georgios Samaras (12 vs Aalborg in September 2008) was the last Celtic player to register more touches in the opposition box in a Champions League game than Daizen Maeda in this match (10).

Celtic are eyeing a move for former winger Jota - as Rennes close in on a £10m deal for Japan forward Kyogo Furuhashi. (Scottish Sun)

Officers from Police Scotland were given special permission to monitor Glasgow's CCTV before the Rangers v Celtic game earlier this month in order to avoid a repeat of the street violence seen late last year. (The Herald)

Read the rest of Thursday's gossip.