Celtic

Charlotte Cohen
BBC Sport Scotland

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As Celtic venture into the new era of Champions League football, fans may be breathing a sigh of relief at the draw.

Although there's never an easy game in Europe's top competition, and Celtic and Brendan Rodgers know that more than most, the list of opponents looks pretty favourable for the Glasgow club.

With home games against RB Leipzig, Club Bruges, Young Boys and Slovan Bratislava, there's not really a stand-out "watch from behind the couch" match.

The away games against Borussia Dortmund - who were runners-up to Real Madrid last season - Dinamo Zagreb, Atalanta and Aston Villa look more nerve-racking.

Celtic have avoided some of the big guns in pot one though, the likes of Man City and serial winners Real Madrid. Instead, it's a home game against RB Leipzig and an away trip to Borussia Dortmund.

That visit to the Westfalenstadion will be popular among the support as Celtic face Dortmund for the first time since 1992.

Celtic have never come up against Club Bruges, Slovan Bratislava, Atalanta or Aston Villa in European competition.

The 'Battle of Britain' with Villa could prove to be the most interesting of the lot.

Rodgers' side already boast friendly victories over Man City and Chelsea this summer, but now comes the real thing when they travel to Birmingham.

Rodgers had already stated his aim was to get Celtic in the play-offs to reach the last 16, which means they need to finish from ninth to 24th in the new 32-team league.

On paper Celtic's more favourable fixtures all come at home.

RB Leipzig, who beat the Scottish champions twice two seasons ago, came out of Pot 1 after finishing fourth in the Bundesliga last season, 25 points adrift of title winners Bayer Leverkusen.

Young Boys of Switzerland and Slovan Bratislava of Slovakia both won their domestic titles comfortably last season, with the latter making their debut in this competition.

And Club Bruges narrowly won the Belgian top flight last season, having managed to reach the Champions League knockout stages in 2023.

Away from home, though, Celtic's fixtures appear more daunting.

A trip to the Westfalenstadion to face Borussia Dortmund will provide a stern test, although the German giants are now under new manager Nuri Sahin having lost the final to Real Madrid at Wembley under Edin Terzic in June.

Unai Emery's Aston Villa finished fourth in the Premier League to qualify for this competition for the first time and have a strong home record.

Serie A club Atalanta claimed their first European trophy by ending Bayer Leverkusen's long unbeaten run in the Europa League final.

And Dinamo Zagreb are the reigning Croatian champions and are unbeaten since March, when they exited the Conference League after a heavy defeat by PAOK.

Celtic now know their Champions League opponents.

Home ties against RB Leipzig, Club Bruges, Young Boys and Slovan Bratislava and away trips to Borussia Dortmund, Atalanta, Dinamo Zagreb and Aston Villa await Brendan Rodgers' side

What do you make of the draw? Can Celtic qualify for the knockout phase?

Give us your thoughts here, external.

As Friday's 23:00 BST transfer deadline edges closer, where do Celtic still need to strengthen and what deals would you like completed before the window closes?

Give us your thoughts here, external.

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• Celtic have lost just one of the last 12 Old Firm derbies in all competitions (W8 D3), going down 3-0 in May 2023. The Hoops had lost seven of their previous 10 meetings with Rangers before this (W2 D1).

• Since the start of 2022-23, Rangers have lost all four of their away league games against Celtic. The Gers last lost five league games in a row against the Hoops at Celtic Park in April 1980.

• Celtic have won the first league Old Firm derby in six of the eight seasons since Rangers’ promotion in 2016 (L2), including the last two in a row (4-0 in 2022-23, 1-0 in 2023-24).

• Celtic have won all three of their Scottish Premiership matches this season by an aggregate score of 9-0. The last side to win and keep a clean sheet in each of their first four matches of a top-flight campaign was Celtic in 2010-11.

• Rangers have only won one of their last six away league games (D3 L2), and are winless in their last three (D2 L1) – their longest such run on the road since February 2022 (run of 4).

• In all competitions, Brendan Rodgers has lost just one of his 18 Old Firm derbies as Celtic boss (W14 D3), a 1-0 defeat to Steven Gerrard’s Rangers in December 2018. His 78% win rate in this fixture is the highest of any manager for either club in major competitions.

• Philippe Clement is yet to win an Old Firm derby in four attempts in all competitions (D1 L3); only two Rangers managers have ever failed to win their first five against Celtic – Graeme Murty (5) and William Wilton (8).

• Each of the last 11 Scottish Premiership Old Firm derbies have seen at least one first-half goal, with six of these seeing a goal in the opening 10 minutes. Of those last 11 league meetings between Celtic and Rangers, the Hoops have opened the scoring in nine of them.

Kheredine Idessane
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

There are times as a journalist when you need to react quickly, especially when you're broadcasting live to the nation.

I had that kind of moment a few days ago with Brendan Rodgers when he actually burst out laughing at my enquiry as to whether he'd be able to spend the money the club was about to bank for Matt O'Riley's move to Brighton.

I have been covering Celtic long enough to know there's not really much life in that question, he replied.

I wasn't suggesting he spends it on one player, but are they not trying to bring in several new acquisitions who may cost around the £7m or £8m mark?

Let's see what happens was the response of the Celtic manager, who added that his squad will definitely be stronger come the end of the window.

His initial reaction spoke volumes. He was incredulous. The implication being it was ridiculous to suggest the club would spend over £20m in the remaining days of the transfer window and that I've been around long enough to know that.

He’s right, of course. In all my time covering Scottish football, I have never known Celtic's finances to be in such rude health.

Even allowing for their normal tendency towards prudence, they have so much money in the bank from previous player trading, excellent season-ticket sales and regularly competing in the Champions League that they actually are in a position to give the manager all of the O'Riley money.

The proof will be in the pudding. My enquiry may not look all that silly if - in addition to splashing out on Adam Idah - the club pays significant fees on one or two midfielders, a defender and possibly another forward.

The model the club has used has worked very well, the profit of O'Riley being the prime example. What Rodgers is asking for now is to reinvest that money in the team in a way the money men may be slightly uncomfortable with.

If Rodgers gets his way, his culture change will take another significant step forward.

Celtic have agreed to sign Augsburg midfielder Arne Engels, 20, for £11m. (Sky Sports Football on X), external

The Scottish champions are preparing to break their record outlay to sign Engels. (Scotsman - subscription), external

Celtic are in talks to sign Engels and Sheffield United defender Auston Trusty, 26, and the duo could cost a combined £16m. (Sun), external

Meanwhile, Celtic are interested in Lausanne midfielder Alvyn Sanches, 21, after seemingly dropping out of the race to sign LAFC midfielder Mateusz Bogusz, 23. (Record), external

Celtic say midfielder Reo Hatate, 26, is not for sale after turning down a £10m offer from France for the Japan international. (Mail), external

Burnley and West Brom are competing to sign 25-year-old Celtic winger Mikey Johnston, who was on loan at the Baggies last season. (Express and Star), externalRead Thursday's Scottish gossip

Tino
Fan writer

Celtic's season is now four games old, but despite the 100% win record in those opening fixtures, all the noise in recent weeks has been centred around the club's summer transfer activity.

Or more specifically, the lack of it.

However, it seems that moves are afoot to bring some welcome additions to Brendan Rodgers' squad, with the manager himself sounding fairly confident about that following the weekend win over St Mirren.

With confirmation on Wednesday of Alex Valle's loan move from Barcelona and talks intensifying over our pursuit of both Arne Engels and Mateusz Bogusz, it seems we may well get the players we need by Friday's deadline - definitely, maybe.

New signings aside, we're also just days away from the first derby of the season as Celtic get set to take on Rangers, where once again there'll be no away fans in attendance.

It's a situation that may well resolve itself in the latter half of the season, but for now we can expect a roaring home crowd to play their part as Celtic look to go five points clear of their Glasgow rivals.

We'll be doing so without Matt O’Riley, who has moved on to Brighton with everyone's best wishes following two-and-a-half excellent seasons in green and white.

Someone who will play a part, though, is the evergreen James Forrest, with the one-club man set to make his 500th appearance for Celtic in Sunday's game.

He's also our second-most decorated player with an incredible 24 trophies - just one behind Lisbon Lion Bobby Lennox - and though he won’t say it out loud, he'll have the great man's record in his sights.

A win this weekend - even at such an early stage in the campaign - will move him one step closer to doing so.

Tino can be found at The Celtic Exchange, external

Celtic will make an improved £9m bid for Augsburg's Arne Engels. The Bundesliga club hope to keep the Belgian midfielder but the 20-year-old is keen on a move. (Sky Sports), external

Celtic have launched a £5m bid for Sheffield United and USA defender Auston Trusty. (Daily Record), external

Sheffield United have agreed a £2.5m fee for Celtic winger Mikey Johnston, but other English Championship clubs are interested in the 25-year-old. (Alan Nixon, external - subscription required), external

Read the rest of Wednesday's Scottish Gossip

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Left-back Alex Valle is confident his playing style is well suited to Celtic and manager says Brendan Rodgers "gave me a lot of confidence to come here".

Valle, 20, has arrived on loan for the season from Barcelona, where he has featured for the B side and was on the first-team bench for the first two La Liga games of this season.

"I’m very excited, it’s a great opportunity to come to this historic club," Valle told Celtic TV.

"They have given me a lot of confidence to come here, so I will try to do my best to return the confidence.

"I’ve heard a lot about the fans and and what we can experience in this stadium, so I’m just excited to see it in real life.

"The manager gave me a lot of confidence to come here. He told me that he has watched some games in Barca and Levante, so I’m really happy to be here and looking forward to training with the team.

"I would say this way of playing is the best for my style and for what I like. I’ve been learning it in the Barca academy, so I’m looking forward to playing."

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Alex Valle has "tremendous attributes" and will bolster Celtic's defence and attack after joining on loan from Barcelona, says manager Brendan Rodgers.

The 20-year-old left-back, a product of Barca's famed La Masia academy, spent last season on loan at Levante in Spain's second tier, making 29 appearances.

"We’re delighted to have landed Alex as we continue to strengthen the squad for the season ahead," said Rodgers.

"His footballing style will complement our attacking play as well as giving us more options in our backline.

"Alex has been brought up in a real high-quality footballing environment learning all the good habits and skills associated with any top team. He is a player with some tremendous attributes.

"He has performed really well for Levante last season, been around Barcelona's first-team this year already and he is a welcome and quality addition to our squad.”

We asked for your views on Matt O'Riley's Celtic exit and how he might be replaced.

Here's what some of you said:

George: It's a good bit of business from Celtic but to replace him is going to be hard and that means the purse-strings must open and get a player in ready to take over from him, even a club record buy.

Alec: Sad to see him go but wish him all the best. The guy was a complete professional and will only get better, hopefully there is a percentage of any future transfer fee to come.

Paul: Sorry to see O'Riley sold but he deserves a bigger stage for his talents. Hope he becomes a regular starter for Brighton and not a bit-part player. Without doubt it's tremendous business for Celtic, but would have liked the fee to be a few more million up front. Hope there is a sell-on clause, alongside the add ons.

Gordon: A great deal for both the player and club, one of the best deals in Celtic's history.

Billy: We've got a great fee for O'Riley, which we knew was coming. With all the money in the bank why have Celtic left it to the last week of the transfer market to do business to bring in cover. Other clubs know we need recruitment and will put their fees up now for whoever we go for. Very bad management, business should have been done a lot earlier.

Neil: A sad inevitability but obviously a great piece of business for a club who can't afford to resist offers and deals like this. Our worry is having let him go, who comes in? I am still astonished we are not tracking a centre-back. I would have spent the money we paid for Adam Idah on a good quality centre-half as we will be brutally exposed in Europe.

Ged: His leaving was an inevitability. Signing him served up a stroke of genius! Thanks for the service, you will forever be part of the Celtic story Matt. Good luck in your future career.

Gordon: I'm sorry to see Matt go, I don't think Brighton are the right club for the next part of his development, but I wish him well.

Gordy: Matt was a wonderful signing, £1.5m and selling for over £25m is a great piece of business. However, I am sad to see him go as he was a great footballer and professional, he always gave 100% and gave Celtic supporters some great memories, especially against Rangers.

Eric: My overriding emotion is frustration. Talent is bleeding from the club, but there's nothing being done to stem the flow. How can a club of the stature of Celtic have such a badly organised transfer policy with just five days to deadline and everything is just speculation.

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Celtic captain Callum McGregor is heading into Sunday's meeting with Rangers knowing "talk is cheap" in the Old Firm derby.

The Ibrox side head to Parkhead at the weekend two points behind their city rivals after three league games.

Brendan Rodgers' men continued their winning start to the season with a comfortable 3-0 victory at St Mirren on Sunday, a day after Rangers put six goals past Ross County at Hampden.

Following the 6-0 win at the national stadium, manager Philippe Clement said his team will travel to Celtic Park with a front-foot mindset.

"It's just talk isn't it, talk's cheap," McGregor said. "It's a big game. I think when you come to these games, especially at home, you have to try and maximise it as much as you can and, first and foremost, that means three points.

"And if you can match it with a strong performance, then of course, that would be the ideal world for everyone, but we know it's never as easy as that.

"Everyone knows how big the games are and when they come around, you probably don't need any added motivation for it.

"Rangers are a good side, obviously a really good result on Saturday, so we know it will be a tough game."

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John Beaton has been appointed referee for the opening Old Firm derby of the season at Celtic Park on Sunday.

He will be assisted by Daniel McFarlane and Jonathan Bell, while Andrew Dallas is the VAR official, assisted by Graeme Stewart.

Beaton last took charge of an Old Firm game in April when the sides drew 3-3 in a an epic contest at Ibrox in which both teams were awarded penalties after VAR intervention.

Rabbi Matondo then scored a stunning stoppage-time equaliser, but the draw kept Celtic a point clear and they went on to secure their 12th title in 13 seasons.

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The post-Callum McGregor Scotland era begins with three of his Celtic team-mates included in Steve Clarke's squad for the opening Nations League double-header.

Full-backs Greg Taylor and Anthony Ralston and winger James Forrest have all retained their places after being part of Scotland's squad at Euro 2024 this summer.

That tournament proved to be McGregor's last international action, with the Celtic captain retiring from Scotland duty earlier this month after 63 caps.

Clarke's side host Poland in their Nations League opener on 5 September than visit Portugal three days later.

Amy Canavan
BBC Sport Scotland

Cast your mind back to January 2022 and Celtic were pursuing Australia international Riley McGree.

The then 23-year-old was of interest to Ange Postecoglou, but when the midfielder made it clear he preferred a move to the bright lights of the English Championship, Postecoglou said it was a closed case. His attention turned elsewhere.

Middlesbrough and McGree couldn't resist a dig at Celtic, announcing the playmaker's signing in their green away kit with the caption, 'some people prefer red to green'.

Some people preferred green, though, and one of those people was Matt O'Riley.

'Who?' Was the question at the time.

This second-choice chap who'd been training with his dad during the Covid pandemic to stay fit after turning down a contract extension with boyhood club Fulham, was plying his trade at MK Dons and cost Celtic just £1.5m.

What was he going to bring to a league-chasing side? We all know what happened next.

Through his mightily successful and special two-and-a-half years at the club, O'Riley kept his head down. He truly let his football do the talking.

When he did talk, he talked openly and with a purpose. He prioritised his mental health, shared his struggles and expressed his love for meditation. O'Riley the player was fantastic. O'Riley the person was fascinating.

It was inevitable from fairly early in his four-and-a-half-year deal the now Denmark international would not see out his spell.

A big-money move was always on the cards, but his performances never dipped, his desire never diminished, and he danced after each and every goal right up until his last.

He leaves Celtic in a better place than he found it, financially for sure, and a better player than when he arrived.

He'll be fondly remembered by those in Glasgow's East End. They might not have known him when he pitched up as the alternative to Riley McGree, but they know him now as the most expensive asset the club have cashed in on.

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Celtic defender Gustaf Lagerbielke has joined FC Twente on a season-long loan.

The Sweden international made just 10 appearances for Brendan Rodgers' side last term following his move for around £3m from Elfsborg.

Lagerbielke, 24, is now looking for more game-time having joined the side who finished third in last season's Eredivisie. The deal does not include an option to buy.

"When I heard about FC Twente’s interest, I was immediately interested," Lagerbielke told the Dutch club's website.

"I hope to play as much as possible, to finish as high as possible with FC Twente in the competition. Of course, I am also looking forward to the matches in Europe."