Celtic

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With the new season fast approaching, we asked for your views on how prepared Celtic are for next campaign.

Here's what some of you said:

Tony: An uninspiring summer so far! We are far weaker than this time last year, both in quality and depth. I don't think any Celtic fan expects excess spending but going in for players with lame bids is poor given the financial position the club is in.

Malcolm: The players we've brought in will cope with our league and cup competitions, but I would like to see two or three players who have European quality and experience, even if we get them on loan.

All would help our up and coming squad players. If we build a team for a good run in Europe, the league should take care of itself.

Joe: At this moment in time, I'm very concerned. More 'project' players coming in but we need a proven goalscorer and a ready-to-play midfielder. Defence is still thin and when one considers how we looked in the last quarter of the season gone, there's not much to feel positive about. Yet.

Peter: Celtic are not ready for the new season. Where are all these big buys we have been led to believe are coming through the door? Get them in NOW to prepare them for what's expected of them.

John: Brendan Rodgers knows exactly what he is doing. 100% faith in him and the board.

Celtic fans complain all the time it's never enough. Our board pull it out the bag every time. 100% faith.

Chris: I sincerely hope we secure Lennon Miller before someone else does. In the bigger picture, £5 million is good value. We're signing for the future so we should be looking at a Callum McGregor's successor and hope it's not another John McGinn scenario. We have to be happy with the smaller deals we've done until now though!

Bill: I doubt very much Celtic will sign anyone of any significance during this close season. It's the same old, hope that Rangers remain poor and sign no one, it's cheaper!

Des: Nygren and Osmand are very good signings for Celtic, and should be immediate first-team starters. Unresolved problems exist in the left side of defence, which are aggravated by Rodgers' midfield trio formation.

Michael: I'm still waiting for the 'big signing' as there hasn't really been anything that's caught my eye or made me think wow in this transfer window which to me has been very disappointing especially with the money Celtic have to spend on big players.

Sean: Overall, the signings have been good so far, in adding strength in depth, and they have done a good bit of business in selling Nicolas Kuhn. Although, Celtic may have shot themselves in the foot a little by not managing to keep Greg Taylor, but not a lot they can do if a player wants away.

I am looking forward to seeing how the more inconsistent players react this season, mostly Arne Engels and Adam Idah who show that they can be top, top players but it's the consistency that has let them down last season.

David Strelec says he is only concentrating on playing for Slovan Bratislava for the new season and is over the disappointment of a January move to Celtic collapsing after the Slovakian club slapped a £9m price tag on the 24-year-old striker. (Herald - subscription required), external

Dunfermline Athletic are close to signing freed Celtic centre-half Alasdair Davidson, 19. (The Courier - subscription required), external

Como have 18-year-old Motherwell midfielder Lennon Miller on their transfer wish list in addition to their £17m move for Celtic winger Nicolas Kuhn. (Sun), external

Read Friday's Scottish gossip

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In just over three weeks, Celtic start the defence of their Scottish Premiership title at home to St Mirren on 3 August.

Across the opening month of their campaign, Brendan Rodgers' side will also have to navigate a Champions League play-off.

Trips to Aberdeen and Rangers are also included in a tricky looking introduction to the 2025-26 season.

Here, BBC Scotland looked at where Celtic stand less than a month before they start their competitive action - but we want your views.

Left-back Greg Taylor has departed the club, while winger Nicolas Kuhn is also poised to exit in a big-money move.

Rodgers' squad has been strengthened by the return of Kieran Tierney, as well as the arrivals of Benjamin Nygren, Hayato Inamura, Callum Osmand and goalkeeper Ross Doohan.

But how much more work needs done in the transfer market? Which areas need to be addressed? And do you have your eye on anyone in particular?

Send us your thoughts

Kawasaki Frontale striker Shin Yamada has agreed a £1.5m transfer to Celtic and the 25-year-old will arrive in Scotland after Japan face South Korea on 15 July. (Sports Hochi via Herald - subscription required, external)

Nice are closing in on the signing of Rapid Vienna winger Isak Jansson, for whom Celtic had made an enquiry but decided was too expensive, after the clubs agreed a fee of £9m for the 23-year-old Swede. (Sky Sports), external

Celtic have been offered renewed hope of signing Michel-Ange Balikwisha, who was targeted by the Scottish champions in January, after the 24-year-old forward missed Royal Antwerp's training session amid transfer negotiations. (GVA via Daily Record, external)

Johnny Kenny is keen to sign a new Celtic deal, but the 22-year-old striker, for whom an offer from Bolton Wanderers was rejected, is also happy to then head out on loan if that is what manager Brendan Rodgers wants. (Herald - subscription required), external

West Bromwich Albion are hoping to sign Jeffrey Schlupp after the 32-year-old left-back was released by Crystal Palace following his loan to Celtic. (Football Insider), external

Girona will only sell 26-year-old out-of-favour former Aberdeen striker Bojan Miovski, who has been linked with Celtic, Freiburg and Hamburg, if they bring in another striker this summer. (AS), external

Scott Allan, formerly of Celtic, has joined SPFL newcomers East Kilbride's coaching staff. (Sun), external

Read Thursday's Scottish gossip

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Brendan Rodgers hailed his side's determination to "still find that Celtic mentality to keep going right to the very end" in their pre-season victory over Cork City.

Eighteen-year-old Colby Donovan scored a late goal in the 2-1 win at Pairc Ui Chaoimh.

Manager Rodgers described the match against the League of Ireland outfit as a "really good exercise" for his side, which was far from full strength and was much changed by the final whistle.

"First half, really good," the Celtic boss said. "We obviously changed the team and a lot of the young players in the second half will have learned from that.

"We didn't quite keep the ball so well and gave up the ball too cheaply.

"But overall, still find that Celtic mentality to keep going right to the very end and I've always said there's never a friendly when you play for Celtic.

"It's always a test because every team will want to always beat you. So we kept going right to the very end and Colby, who's been excellent, got the winning goal."

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Rapid Vienna expect forward and Celtic target Isak Jansson, 23, to leave this summer and the Swede has been ordered to sit out pre-season training. (Herald - subscription required), external

Read Wednesday's gossip in full.

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Gustaf Lagerbielke has departed Celtic to join Portuguese club Braga, the Scottish champions have announced.

The Sweden defender, 25, had been on loan to Twente Enschede last season, having joined Celtic a year earlier from Elfsborg.

Ten of Lagerbielke's 168 club appearances so far came at Celtic, with his only goal for the club coming in a 2-1 Champions League win over Feyenoord - an added time winner.

"Everyone at Celtic thanks Gustaf for his contribution to the club and we wish him every success in the future," Celtic said on their website.

New signings Hayato Inamura, Callum Osmand and Ross Doohan featured as Celtic defeated Cork City 2-1 in a pre-season friendly.

Inamura, 23, started at left-back at Pairc Ui Chaoimh, in a side that featured first-team regulars Arne Engels, James Forrest, Callum McGregor and Auston Trusty, with Viljami Sinisalo in goal.

Luke McCowan struck the Celtic opener in the first half and the Scottish champions changed their entire XI at the break, with new forward Osmand and goalkeeper Doohan among the replacements.

Matthew Murray levelled for Cork after the break and Colby Donovan headed a late Celtic winner.

Celtic, who beat hosts Queen's Park 1-0 last week, continue their pre-season programme in Portugal with games against Estrela da Amadora (Saturday) and Sporting (next Wednesday).

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Captain Callum McGregor believes Celtic's Irish players have done "amazingly well" to "accept the pressure" that comes with representing the club.

Liam Scales, Adam Idah and Jonny Kenny are all in line to feature in their homeland tonight (Tuesday, 8 July) as Celtic take on Cork City at GAA stadium Pairc Ui Chaoimh.

It's the first time the Scottish champions have faced the League of Ireland side in 16 years and McGregor is looking forward to the "special occassion".

"It's been a while since we've been in that part of Ireland," the formed Scotland international said.

"It feels so nice to come over and see the fans, let everybody see us in the flesh and hopefully give the best version of ourselves while we prepare for another long season.

"We're all looking forward to it. It's a special stadium and we want to go there and put on a show, just show the best of ourselves and hopefully have that connection with the supporters as well.

"When we get to come over and see everyone in person, then it's always a special occasion. We just want to come over and try and give the best."

It's the second pre-season friendly game for Brendan Rodgers side after they narrowly beat Championship outfit Queen's Park on Friday, thanks to Sligo-born Kenny, who began to break into the squad at the tail end of last season.

His fellow striker Idah has been subject to criticism from sections of the support since his reported £9.5 million, but captain McGregor insists they handle the "demand" enforced on them.

"The expectation at Celtic is enormous for the local lads and for the Irish lads as well that come over, there's a huge expectation," added McGregor.

"I think everyone in Ireland would give their right hand to play for Celtic so straight away there's a huge expectation, a huge demand on the guys that come.

"They need a little bit of time to adapt and accept that pressure but I think the boys who have done it have done it amazingly well and are a really strong part of the squad, so that's testament to them."

Celtic have made an enquiry about a loan deal, with an option to buy, for Napoli and Italy Under-21 striker Giuseppe Ambrosino. (Sky Sports), external

Celtic want Giuseppe Ambrosino, who has a year left on his Napoli contract, while a £1.5m deal with Kawasaki Frontale for Japanese attacker Shin Yamada has moved closer. (Scottish Sun), external

Le Harve centre-back Etienne Youte is being tracked by Celtic, with Anderlecht and Besiktas also keen on the 23-year-old. (L'Equipe, external - in French)

Royal Antwerp winger Michel-Ange Balikwisha is closer to sealing a switch to Celtic, with the 24-year-old entering the final year of his deal at the Belgian club. (Voetbalkrant, external - in Dutch)

Manchester United and Netherlands left-back Tyrell Malacia is available to Celtic for around £3m. (Daily Record), external

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Luke McCowan is hopeful a Scotland call-up will "come along" if he takes his game to a "bigger level" with Celtic.

Midfielder McCowan, 27, earned a move to Parkhead last summer after excelling for Dundee and has been touted for international recognition in recent seasons.

Despite featuring in 41 matches for the Scottish champions last term, McCowan has yet to be called up by Steve Clarke.

"If it comes along, I'd be absolutely honoured to go and put that top on and represent my country," McCowan said.

"Just now, it's not happening, but if I play well enough in the times ahead, I'm sure it'll hopefully come along.

"It's not something I'm totally focused on, I'm focused on Celtic, but if that was to come along, I'd be absolutely delighted."

McCowan believes a Scotland call-up is well within his grasp if he can build on his first season at Celtic.

"It's an aim for anybody playing at a club this size, to go and play for your national team," he added. "I have something to offer at Celtic, so why can't I do it with Scotland?

"I'm sure at some point, if I was to keep the level I have been doing here, it'll come along, and if it does, then I'll come out with open arms and be delighted with it."

McCowan, who started 14 games for Celtic last term, is confident he can show further improvement in his game and feature more prominently in the season ahead.

"If you don't think like that, there's no point in continuing," he said. "I just need to keep learning. I need to keep doing it and hope that this season can be even bigger than the one last year.

"It's about repeating it and probably doing better than what I did again. Adding more numbers again and more creativity, whatever it may be.

"It's about using the good of last year and then trying to improve the bits that maybe weren't so good for myself and getting them better for the season ahead."

Celtic are considering a £3m move for Dutch central defender Justin de Haas, who is at Portuguese club Famalicao. (The Herald), external

Celtic remain in talks with Royal Antwerp over Michel-Ange Balikwisha and are also interested in Rapid Vienna's Isak Jansson as they seek two new wingers. (Daily Record), external

Rapid Vienna are asking for a fee in the region of £10m for Swedish winger Isak Jansson. (Sky Sports), external

Celtic defender Gustaf Lagerbielke has completed a medical with Portuguese side Braga before a prospective £2m move. (Anthony Joseph on X), external

Norwich City have reached an agreement to sign long-term Celtic target Mathias Kvistgaarden from Brondby. (Tipsbladet, external - in Danish)

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Celtic winger Nicolas Kuhn's future was a topic of conversation on Saturday's BBC Sportsound programme.

Brendan Rodgers has confirmed the German forward is poised to join Serie A club Como, with the Scottish champions' manager calling it "great business all round".

Here's the best of what the pundits said:

Former Scotland midfielder Leanne Crichton: "Looking at his performance levels, Kuhn's blown hot and cold at points. At the tail end of last season, he looked like a player who was ready to go.

"I don't think Rodgers is the type of manger who would wait about and try to encourage you to stay at Celtic and apply yourself.

"For both parties it looks like it could be a pretty fair deal. He's not irreplaceable."

Former Scottish Premiership striker Rory Loy: "If you are Celtic and you have a player there blowing hot and cold, managers want players they can trust.

"If you don't have that unwavering trust that he's going to the the same player next season as he was last season, you grab Como's hand off at £15m."

Former Scotland striker Billy Dodds: "Money wise, it's the best time to sell. Matt O'Riley, now it's Kuhn. If you buy low and sell for a lot of money, it's no-brainer [to sell now]."

We asked for your views on the signing of Hayato Inamura after the Japanese centre-back joined Celtic on a four-year contract.

Here's what some of you had to say:

Kevin: He should be a great improvement on the combined efforts of Liam Scales and Auston Trusty.

Hugh: Based on his playing record, this signing is either a masterstroke by our scouting and recruitment team or an act of sheer folly - time will tell. Either way for £250,000 it is probably a risk worth taking. Key to it all will be how much game time he will be given?

John: Was hoping to sign a better known centre-half but will see how he turns out. Signing him from a team that's near bottom of the J League, doubt he's used to our standard.

Ray: Four-year deal for a reason - to make money on him if it works out like many others. Won't be a first-team pick initially but will be tested to see if he has physical presence at the back, which is an Achilles heel clearly shown last season. Bit of a gamble but worth taking. Most of our Japanese players have delivered to date.

Alec: All we hear is about 'the model' and it's hard to comment on players when you have not seen them play or they play at a lower standard. However, we need proven talent through the door, not projects. The squad is beginning to look bare and untested with little sign of it being strengthened.

John: Could be a decent signing for the money paid, hopefully a step up from error-prone Trusty, who doesn't fill me with confidence any time he plays.

Celtic are eyeing £3m-rated Swedish winger Isak Jansson after the 23-year-old's impressive campaign with Rapid Vienna. (Scottish Sun On Sunday), external

Former Celtic winger Mikey Johnston is travelling to Rio after West Bromwich Albion accepted a £5m offer from Flamengo, for the 26-year-old, with the Scottish champions having a sell-on agreement for Glasgow-born player. (Barry Anderson on X), external

Dunfermline Athletic head coach Neil Lennon says they are closing in on a deal for 19-year-old defender Alasdair Davidson, who has been on trial after leaving Celtic, but he has decided not to pursue former Cove Rangers goalkeeper Balint Damus. (Sunday Mail), external

Read Sunday's Scottish Gossip in full.

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Celtic defender Maik Nawrocki has completed a season-long loan move to Hannover 96, which includes an option to make the move permanent in 2026.

The 24-year-old Pole moved to the Scottish champions from Legia Warsaw in the summer of 2023 but managed just 18 appearances, making three Premiership starts last season.

Discussing the arrangement on Friday, Celtic boss Brendan Rodgers said: "Maik's never really consistently been able to stay fit and really take that spot.

"He's had a couple of years where he hasn't quite got the games that he would have liked. So it's important that he goes out and plays."

Nawrocki becomes Hannover's 14th new signing of the summer as they look to improve on their ninth place finish in Bundesliga 2 last term.

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Celtic will make a decision over Johnny Kenny's future during pre-season with "a host of clubs" keen on taking the 22-year-old striker on loan.

Kenny scored the only goal of the game as the Scottish champions overcame Glasgow rivals Queen's Park in Friday's pre-season friendly.

Following the match at City Stadium, Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers revealed: "There's been a host of clubs that want to take him on loan.

"So I just want to have a look in pre-season just to see where we're at and see what's going to be the best for his development."

Kenny had a loan spell with Queen's Park shortly after joining Celtic from Sligo Rovers and has spent 2023 and 2024 back in his homeland with Shamrock Rovers.

The Republic of Ireland Under-21 international scored 20 goals in 38 appearances last year for the side who finished runners-up in the League of Ireland Premier Division, finding the net four times in the Conference League, before nine games and one goal for Celtic at the end of last season, eight as a substitute.

"We obviously want him to be a Celtic player," Rodgers added. "He's a goalscorer. There's absolutely no doubt about that.

"It's what's going to be the best for him and Celtic and whether that's going to be here or whether it's just go away and get some more games and play. But I'll assess that over pre-season."

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Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers has no concerns about key centre-half Cameron Carter-Vickers being fit for the start of the season.

The 27-year-old Englishman underwent minor surgery in the close-season to deal with a knee issue that was bothering him towards the end of last term.

Rodgers reported that Carter-Vickers has been undergoing light training and expects him to be ready in good time for the Scottish Premiership opener at home to St Mirren in four weeks.

"He had some issues around the end of last season," he said after a 1-0 pre-season friendly win over Queen's Park. "But we decided this was really important for him - he needed to get the operation.

"We knew then the recovery time would just be the week or so. He'd miss a week. But he's back working again and he'll hopefully be ready within the next few weeks."

Rodgers, who is phasing his players back into pre-season on a staggered basis, also gave a positive update on the fitness of Japan midfielder Reo Hatate, who missed last season's Scottish Cup final through injury.

"I gave him an extra few days to come back in and he'll be fine," he added.

The transfer fee agreed with Como for Celtic winger Nicolas Kuhn is £16.5m, with the clubs ironing out the finer details of potential add-ons. (Anthony Joseph on X), external

Brentford, Fenerbahce, Tottenham Hotspur and West Ham United are all keen on Celtic forward Daizen Maeda, but they will have to pay more than £25m to persuade the Scottish champions to part with the 27-year-old Japan international. (Football Insider), external

Celtic centre-back Maik Nawrocki has completed a medical with Hannover 96 as the 24-year-old prepares for a season-long loan to the Bundesliga 2 club. (Sky Sports), external

Read Saturday's Scottish Gossip in full.