Celtic

Image source, SNS

Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers has been talking to the media before his side's Premiership match away to Hibs on Sunday.

Here are the best bits from his press conference:

• Rodgers remains hopeful of signing striker Adam Idah before the end of the window, with discussions continuing between Celtic and Norwich City.

• Praised captain Callum McGregor's Scotland career after the midfielder retired from international football, but said: "From a selfish perspective it's good news", because McGregor will play fewer games in a season and can recover better.

• Rodgers was "excited" for David Gray when he was appointed Hibs manager earlier this summer, but wants Celtic to build on an excellent team performance against Kilmarnock last weekend.

• Says recruitment before the end of the transfer window is "crucial" if the club are to "elevate their game" in the Champions League, and said he would like "some others" to come through the door alongside Idah.

• Matt O'Riley has been "exemplary" in training amid intense speculation over his Celtic future. Rodgers says the club will only sell the Danish midfielder if the price is right, stressed there is "no rush" to do so, and insists O'Riley is happy at the club.

Celtic captain Callum McGregor has announced his retirement from international football.

He won 63 caps for his country and was part of Steve Clarke's squad at Euro 2024 and Euro 2020, scoring Scotland's only goal of the Covid-delayed tournament at home to Croatia in the final group game.

Despite turning 31 in the summer the announcement has stunned many, but what do you make of it as a Celtic fan?

He's set to compete on four fronts again this season with the defending Scottish Premiership champions, so was it the right time to call it a day on the international front?

Will this ultimately help his club, with McGregor now guaranteed periods of rest in the season, or are you gutted he'll no longer pull on a national team's jersey?

Click here to let us know your thoughts on your captain's decision., external

Image source, Getty

Steve Clarke has paid tribute to "coach's dream" Callum McGregor following the midfielder's international retirement.

Celtic captain McGregor, 31, represented the national team 63 times, scoring three goals, and playing at back-to-back European Championships.

"Callum’s consistency of performance and leadership qualities have been a real catalyst in the team’s return to major tournaments," said Scotland head coach Clarke.

"He has been a driving force in the middle of the park and in many ways is a coach’s dream: he is low maintenance, leads by example and sets the highest standards every day in training and in matches.

"That professionalism and dedication has been a huge influence in our squad. We had a very good chat and while I am disappointed to lose Callum’s qualities I can understand the rationale behind his decision.

"He will be missed by his team-mates, the coaches, the backroom staff and, of course, the fans. I would like to thank him for all that he has contributed and helped us achieve."

Image source, Getty Images

Celtic captain Callum McGregor has described his 63-cap Scotland career as a "huge honour" after retiring from international football.

The 31-year-old made his debut against the Netherlands in 2017 and bows out having played at two major tournaments - Euro 2020 and 2024.

McGregor, who started all three games in Germany at this summer's finals, said: "I have made a decision which was very difficult, of course, but a decision which I feel is the right one at the right time.

"It was very important I spoke to [Scotland manager] Steve [Clarke] and I did that this week to make him aware of my intentions. As I said to Steve, I just felt the time is right for me to move on from international football.

"It has been a huge honour to achieve 63 caps for my country, as appearing just once would have been a dream come true, so to achieve 63 and be inducted into the Roll of Honour at 50 caps is something I could only have dreamed of as a young kid."

McGregor's goal against Croatia at Hampden in June 2021 made him the first Scotland men's player to score at a major tournament in 23 years.

His two other Scotland goals came against Ukraine in a World Cup play-off and against Georgia during the successful Euro 2024 qualification campaign.

"Playing for Scotland always meant so much to me and reaching two major tournaments will always be a source of real pride, and scoring at Hampden in the Euros in front of our fantastic supporters will always be a special highlight for me," added the midfielder.

"Of course, like many others I wish we could have gone further in these competitions but, nonetheless, it has been a privilege to have played for my country on such a stage and to have represented my country for such a long period."

Kheredine Idessane
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

The news that Brighton are finalising a big bid for Celtic's Matt O'Riley might be the sign the transfer business is about to kick off properly in the East End of Glasgow.

If the mooted figures are correct - in the region of £25m - it's very unlikely the Scottish champions will be able to resist cashing in on their best player of last term.

He'll be a big loss but that kind of money is quite the return on the couple of million they paid to entice him north of the border.

That money will also set a few other things in motion. The renewed bid to Norwich City may need an additional top up to get Adam Idah back up the road.

It very much looks like Idah will be a Celtic player on a permanent basis shortly, which gives Brendan Rodgers a nice foil for Kyogo Furuhashi who, like compatriot Reo Hatate, already looks in good form in this early part of the season.

That would leave Celtic's summer checklist with fewer lines to score out: goalkeeper, check; striker, check; top dollar for O'Riley, check. A left-sided player and a central defender - and possibly another midfielder to complement the return of Paulo Bernardo - and Rodgers will be roughly where he wants to be with a new Champions League format to look forward to.

The other thing that won't have gone amiss in the mind of the manager is his side are on quite a roll, now that his methods and style have fully been taken on board.

Not only was the double delivered last season but even the most superficial dive into the stats reveals quite a shift in momentum.

Celtic haven't lost a game of football since the beginning of March at Tynecastle. A dozen domestic match since then, with 11 wins and a draw at Ibrox.

If they're about to splash the cash when the existing squad is already looking in pretty good nick, the gap between the country's top team and the rest will become ever more difficult to bridge.

Brighton & Hove Albion have now submitted a £25m-plus offer to Celtic for midfielder Matt O’Riley and have agreed deals to sell Facundo Buonanotte to Leicester City and Deniz Undav to Stuttgart to fund the purchase of the 23-year-old Denmark international. (HITC), external

Despite reports suggesting Facundo Buonanotte as a potential makeweight in the sale of fellow midfielder Matt O'Riley from Celtic to Brighton & Hove Albion, the 19-year-old Argentine is heading to Leicester City on a season-long loan. (Daily Mail), external

Celtic are one of the clubs who have inquired about signing on loan Liverpool winger Ben Doak, the 18-year-old who moved to Anfield from the Scottish champions in 2022, and they are also interested in the Premier League club's 19-year-old midfielder, Bobby Clark, along with Rangers. (Paul Gorst via The Redmen TV), external

Both Celtic and Rangers are set to miss out on long-term target Tommy Conway as Bristol City's 22-year-old Scotland striker is closing in on a £5m-plus transfer to Middlesbrough, with the clubs haggling over the structure of the fee. (The Scotsman), external

Former Celtic striker Frank McAvennie says he has been told by insiders that the Scottish champions hope to hijack Rangers' bid to sign 21-year-old Manchester United midfielder Hannibal Mejbri. (TeamTalk), external

Queen's Park are close to signing 21-year-old Celtic centre-half Dane Murray on loan. (Daily Record), external

Read Friday's Scottish Gossip in full here.

Image source, SNS

Image source, SNS

Paulo Bernardo says he "always thought about coming back" to Celtic and kept his belongings in Glasgow this summer while waiting patiently for a deal to be completed.

The Portugal Under-21 midfielder, who scored four goals in 33 appearances during his loan spell last season, got his wish last week when Celtic signed him permanently from Benfica.

Bernardo, who has agreed a five-year contract, said: "These things can take a little bit longer than we thought. I had to be patient, but I'm really glad I'm here again.

"I didn't get involved so much because the people did their job, I was a little bit patient.

"I always thought about coming back to Celtic, it was easy for me because I loved the whole season and the club treat me really well, so it's a pleasure for me to be back.

"When you are on the pitch you feel like home and the club is huge here in Scotland and around the world, so I had this opportunity and I took it.

"I brought lots of clothes and things last year that I kept in storage too, because I didn't know if I was coming back or not, so this year it's a little bit easier, I have the things here in Scotland.

"Everything that's easier for me, it's helping me on the pitch. If I don't have to worry about these things again, it's easier for me on the pitch because my head is clean."

Having helped Celtic to a league and Scottish Cup double last term, Bernardo is confident there is more to come from himself and the team.

"Last year was really good, but I need to improve and I know that it will be a better season for me," he said.

"The sky is the limit for us, we are improving, last year we were improving all season so it will be a continual work for this year."

Image source, SNS

Former Celtic defender Charlie Mulgrew believes sought-after midfielder Matt O'Riley is destined to depart the club this summer.

Brighton are the latest to be linked with a move for the Denmark midfielder, who was the subject of failed bids from Atletico Madrid and Atalanta, with Celtic reportedly wanting a fee north of £20m.

"That would be brilliant but I don’t know how realistic it is for Celtic," Mulgrew said, when asked if Brendan Rodgers could keep hold of the 23-year-old.

"The way Celtic have operated in the past is that when players come and excel, Celtic have sold when teams come calling. You would imagine at some point in the window, he will go.

"Everyone at the club would love to keep hold of Matt O’Riley if they could, but money talks. If the right offer is made, which I imagine it will be, then he would need to go. That’s maybe why [Paulo] Bernardo is there and they’ll be looking for other players to come in.

"You look at his age, he’s an international, he’s a top player - proven at CL level - so you’d imagine £20m would be minimum."

Image source, SNS

• Hibs have won just one of their last 21 meetings with Celtic in all competitions (D7 L13), a 4-2 league win in May 2023.

• Since the Scottish Premiership began in 2013, Celtic have won just four of their 15 away league games at Hibs (D8 L3), a win rate of 27% - their lowest away from home against any league opponent in this period.

• After losing 3-2 to St Mirren last season, Hibs could suffer defeats in their first home league match of successive top-flight seasons for the first time since 2010-11/2011-12 – with Celtic their opponent in the second such match on that occasion (lost 2-0).

• As well as having 32 shots and 13 shots on target in their 4-0 win over Kilmarnock on matchday one, Celtic enjoyed 82.1% possession. It was the most by a team in a Scottish Premiership match since Celtic had 82.2% against St Mirren in March 2023.

• Since the start of the 2022-23 Premiership season, Celtic’s Matt O’Riley has 26 assists in the competition, seven more than any other player. O’Riley has registered at least one assist against 11 of the 12 sides he has faced in the league; the only side he hasn’t is Hibs in eight games.

Brighton & Hove Albion are poised to bid £25m, plus add-ons, for 23-year-old Celtic midfielder Matt O’Riley. (Scottish Sun), external

Celtic are battling it out with Southampton to sign Brighton & Hove Albion midfielder Facundo Buonanotte after Feyenoord failed to negotiate a loan move for the 19-year-old. (Algemeen Dagblad), external

Brighton & Hove Albion are ready to offer 19-year-old Argentine attacking midfielder Facundo Buonanotte as part of a deal for 23-year-old Denmark international Matt O’Riley, for whom Celtic want a Scottish record fee of around £25m. (HITC), external

James McCarthy, the 33-year-old midfielder who has not played for Celtic since October 2022 but is under contract until next summer, was recently removed from the club's official website. (Glasgow Times), external

Celtic are likely to miss out on one of their key summer targets after Brentford made an improved bid of £7m for 25-year-old Burnley centre-back Dara O’Shea. (The Scotsman), external

Darren O'Dea is wanted by Raith Rovers as their new manager, but the 37-year-old former Republic of Ireland centre-half is unlikely to be lured away from Celtic having been recently promoted to the role of professional player pathway manager. (Scottish Sun), external

Read Thursday's Scottish Gossip in full here.

Image source, SNS

Spanish club Las Palmas are closing in on the signing of Scotland defender Scott McKenna, the former Aberdeen centre-back who had been linked with Celtic. (Sky Sports)

Team GB athlete Rebecca McGowan, the first Scot to compete in taekwondo, says pursuing her Olympic dream has restricted opportunities to watch her beloved Celtic. (The Scotsman)

Read the rest of Wednesday's gossip.

Tino
Fan writer

Domestic dominance, mixed with European mediocrity.

That’s been the report card across most of Celtic’s seasons in the last decade, and as it stands we’re bang on track to repeat the pattern in the 2024-25 campaign.

So while the 4-0 win over Kilmarnock has laid down an early marker to our Scottish Premiership rivals, our lack of investment to date in key areas of the squad will hardly have our Champions League opponents quaking in their boots.

As winners of the title in twelve of the last thirteen seasons, I’m aware of just how entitled such a statement sounds, but I stand by it, as every fan is entitled to expect the very best from their club – whatever that looks like – so long as it’s done within their means.

With whatever resources available – and we have substantial resources at this time - all football clubs should look to strengthen their side across any given transfer window, whether that’s Real Madrid, Ross County or Raith Rovers.

Celtic are no different.

With just a few exceptions Celtic have shown themselves to be the strongest team in Scotland by some distance since the turn of the century.

The opposite applies however when we step into the very different environment of European Football.

It’s been a long time since we beat Barcelona or found ourselves in the Champions League last 16.

And whilst no-one seriously expects us to threaten the European elite, it’s our inability to even compete with any real credibility on the continent which is the most galling of all.

The club, of course, have at least another three weeks to bolster Brendan Rodger’s squad accordingly – and heshould be given the opportunity to do so – but fans are growing increasingly anxious as the days and weeks pass by.

That tension seems to have reached fever pitch in recent days, with the manager himself referencing the “negative and toxic energy” around transfers at this time.

By contrast, Rodgers himself seems fairly relaxed about the whole thing – at least on the surface - and that in itself should give some confidence that the right moves will be made in the market.

The early signs are there that the current group of players are responding extremely well to his methods, and this was reflected at the weekend as well as in the impressive pre-season tour of the US.

Just think what he could really do with some high quality first team ready signings.

We, as always, wait in hope.

Tino can be found at The Celtic Exchange, external

Jonathan Sutherland
Sportscene presenter

Four goals, four Celts in my first team of the week of the new season.

Liam Scales picked up where he left off last season at the heart of an unruffled Celtic defence and capped his display with a goal, Greg Taylor got forward to great effect and provided the assist for Reo Hatate’s opener.

Speaking of the Japan midfielder, Hatate was the pick of a superb Celtic midfield performance.

Up front no goals for Kyogo this weekend, but he was outstanding in movement and ability to make things happen in the final third and an assist for Nicolas Kuhn.

Image source, SNS

Nicolas Kuhn believes the Celtic squad have grown even closer over the summer... to the degree he's questioning Anthony Ralston's dancing ability.

After a self-professed "difficult" start, coming in mid-season, the wiry winger is enjoying his football after a fruitful pre-season and a goal on flag day against Kilmarnock.

“It was really important to start well,” Kuhn said. “We continued what we did in the pre-season games. We scored four goals every game, so we hope it’s going to keep going like that.

“We got even closer together in pre-season. You can’t hide from each other. You have to see everyone each day. So it was a really good pre-season and now we’re happy to be back in Glasgow.

“It was a little bit difficult for me coming in the winter, but now I’m getting used to the team. They know what I’m able to do so I’m just happy.”

The team spirit was on show on Sunday as Kuhn celebrated his goal with a choreographed dance with Kyogo Furuhashi and Matt O’Riley.

“One of us had to score to do the celebration," Kuhn said. "We knew before what we wanted to do. So I’m happy that I scored.

“We listened to some Japanese music in the dressing room, and then Kyogo came up with the dance, and so we said we’re going to do the dance.

“There’s a group of really, really nice boys and I’m just happy to be here."

That happiness was apparent when he and the rest of the team celebrated Ralston's first league goal in more than two years.

“We were really happy for Tony that he scored at the end," he added. I think it just shows that we share the joy and are happy for everyone."

But why was there no dance routine then?

“I don’t think Tony can dance. I think he has to score some more goals and then maybe he gets into dancing.”

Image source, SNS

Brighton are prepared to exceed the Scottish transfer record to sign Celtic's Denmark midfielder Matt O'Riley, 23. (Sun), external

And Brighton have asked Celtic how much they want for O'Riley. (Mail), external

Neither Brighton nor fellow prospective suitors Southampton are getting close to Celtic's O'Riley valuation. (Record), external

Read Tuesday's Scottish gossip

Image source, SNS

Celtic got their title defence off to the best possible start as they thrashed Kilmarnock 4-0 in the Premiership's opening weekend.

Thanks to Opta Stats, we delved a little closer into the numbers behind that statement victory.

• Celtic have won their last seven games in the Premiership - their last longer winning streak was from 7 January 2023 to 16 April 2023, a run of 12 games.

• Celtic attempted 824 passes in this game, their highest total in a single match in the Premiership since the start of last season. It is also the highest total by any team in the Premiership since the start of last year.

• Celtic have scored in each of their last 10 games in the Premiership, scoring 31 goals in that run.

• Matt O'Riley has contributed to goals in his last five games in the Premiership (five goals, three assists).

• Celtic have scored in their last 10 games in the Premiership - their longest run of games with a goal in the competition since a run of 10 games from 23 December 2023 to 28 February 2024.

• Reo Hatate attempted eight shots, his highest total in a single match in the Premiership.

• Celtic are unbeaten in their last 12 Premiership matches when leading at half-time (W10, D2) dating back to 10 December 2023 against Kilmarnock (L1-2).

We asked you for your views following Celtic's comfortable win against Kilmarnock on Sunday which kicked off their title defence.

Here's what some of you had to say:

Paul: Celtic were at their absolute dynamic best against Kilmarnock at the weekend, moving into top gear from the get-go.

There was free-flowing football, brilliant passes and movement and goals abound, orchestrated by the majestic Reo Hatate and Matt O'Reilly. A few more marquee singings will see this Celtic team well out of sight long before the season ends.

James: Celtic played awesome for the first match of the season. Really chuffed to bits with that level of play.

John Paul: Absolutely stunning, we hit the ground running! Even though Kilmarnock had a few key players missing, we’d have beaten them easily at full strength. The midfield of McGregor, Hatate and O’Riley and the performance of Kuhn and Kyogo were outstanding.

Gordy: Very impressive, started with great pace and desire and Hatate will be very important this season on both fronts. Now if we get our signings right we can make an impact in Europe as well as domestically,

Patrick: Totally dominant, only one set of players showed up today. Celtic signed two goalkeepers and could have played without either.

Joe: Hatate and O’Riley are on another level. Kuhn feels like a whirlwind new signing and the James Forrest of old is in town. Schmeichel brings even more than Hart ever did and could be a match winner in more testing ties on the continent. Promising times.

Idah in and another centre back to bolster us for Europe and I think we are in for a great season.

Image source, SNS

Aiden McGeady hopes Celtic can "compete and not just participate" in European football this season.

Brendan Rodgers' side backed up an impressive pre-season - which saw wins against Manchester City and Chelsea - by comfortably beating Kilmarnock in their Premiership opener.

And while the former Celtic winger said he "expects" his old side to put a few by Kilmarnock, the challenge and expectation among fans is now to see that replicated in Europe.

"From the first five minutes, they were totally dominant and never wavered from that," McGeady said on the BBC's Scottish Football Podcast.

"It was a routine and totally dominant display, and they've carried on from what they done in pre-season. There was a lot of really good performances then.

"You can never get carried away with games in pre-season because it's not competitive football but they've taken that form into the first game, and that's all you can hope for as a fan.

"The league doesn't really worry me about Celtic, but the onus is on them this season, I think, to take that form in to the Champions League."

Celtic will go directly into the new-look league stage of Europe's elite competition, and McGeady stressed the importance of the Glasgow side making a noise on the biggest stage.

"I think you'd still be hoping for a few additions, but Celtic are in a really good place just now," he added.

"But, I think just about every fan will want to see that form replicated in Europe and actually go to that next step and not just be part of it in Europe, but to actually compete."

You can listen and subscribe to the Scottish Football Podcast here to make sure you never miss an episode.

West Ham and Leicester are interested in Celtic midfielder Matt O'Riley, 23, but are hesitant about meeting the Scottish champions' £25m price tag. (Caught Offside), external

Read Monday's Scottish gossip