Celtic

Watch the best of the opening day action from Celtic Park as the champions rack up a convincing win over Kilmarnock. (Available to UK users only)

Brendan Rodgers was pleased the "fluidity" Celtic showed in pre-season was again on display in their convincing opening Premiership win over Kilmarnock.

Celtic opened their Scottish Premiership title defence in imposing fashion by swatting aside Kilmarnock.

After a game that felt like it was two months into the new season, not two days, Celtic started the campaign as they ended the previous one - at the top of the table.

Having unfurled the title flag amid fireworks and a party atmosphere, Brendan Rodgers' side rose to the occasion with first-half goals from Reo Hatate and Liam Scales before Nicolas Kuhn added a deflected third and Anthony Ralston netted for the first time in two and a half years.

Kilmarnock put up a solid fight but their makeshift defence could not do much against a fully-firing Celtic side.

Celtic fans, what did you make of the performance? Would you still like to see some new singings? How are you feeling about the league season?

Let us know your thoughts here, external.

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Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers: "I thought we were very connected, some of our passing and the speed of our game was very good.

"I thought defensively we were very strong, the first goal came from that counter press. I have to be so pleased for the first game of the season.

"You hope after the pre-season that we had it can come into your first game and it certainly did that.

"Being at the top of the league at the end of the season is what's important but the first steps are critical and we made a really good step today."

Charlotte Cohen
BBC Sport Scotland

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While fans have been crying out for new arrivals, Celtic's performance showed that when it comes to domestic action, they do not really need them.

Kuhn continued his impressive pre-season form to show signs he can make a real impact this season.

And if Celtic can keep sought-after O’Riley, and fellow midfielder Hatate steers clear of injury, it will be a challenge for any team to knock them off the top this term.

The pensive, slow passing of chunks of last season was nowhere to be seen and in its place, a free-flowing, fast moving attacking side that had shades of Ange Postecoglou's Celtic.

There is a lot for fans to like already this season, and Celtic have only played 90 minutes.

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After making his loan move permanent, Paulo Bernardo starts on the bench for Brendan Rodgers' side.

Kasper Schmeichel makes his competitive debut between the sticks while fellow new arrival Viljami Sinisalo is on the bench.

Rodgers makes two changes to the starting line-up from their pre-season friendly win over Chelsea. Alistair Johnston replaces Anthony Ralston at right-back and Nicolas Kuhn comes in for the injured Daizen Maeda.

Celtic: Schmeichel, Johnston, Carter-Vickers, Scales, Taylor, McGregor, O'Riley, Hatate, Forrest, Kuhn, Kyogo

Substitutes: Sinisalo, Palma, Yang, Holm, Tomoki, Bernardo, Ralston, Welsh, M. Johnston

Kilmarnock: McCrorie, Watson, Mayo, Findlay, Bainbridge, Kennedy, Lyons, Polworth, Donnelly, Murray, Vassell.

Substitutes: O'Hara, McKenzie, Armstong, Mackay-Steven, Cameron, Anderson, Wales, E. Brown, Brannan.

Europa League holders Atalanta are confident of agreeing a deal with Celtic for midfielder Matt O'Riley and will step up their attempts to land the 23-year-old after their Super Cup final with Real Madrid on 14 August despite their inability to match the Scottish champions' £22.1m asking price. (Gazzetta dello Sport, external - in Italian)

Celtic midfielder Matt O’Riley is on Chelsea's wanted list as a potential replacement for Conor Gallagher, with the England international set to leave. (Scottish Sun), external

Adam Idah was booed by some Norwich City fans as the striker came on as a substitute in a 3-1 defeat by St Pauli after the 23-year-old missed their previous friendly with Hoffenheim having turned up late for a team meeting amid talks on a return to Celtic. (Football Scotland), external

Read the rest of Sunday's Scottish gossip.

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Celtic expect to be without Daizen Maeda for Sunday's league opener against Killie after he picked up a knock in their pre-season friendly against Chelsea.

Derek McInnes is suffering a defensive shortage as he looks to pick his team for Sunday.

Robbie Deas is suspended for the Premiership opener and Joe Wright is a doubt after going off injured against Cercle Brugge on Thursday.

Killie signed Corrie Ndaba from Ipswich earlier in the week after a successful loan spell last season but the full-back has a minor injury and is not expected to make it tomorrow.

Celtic would prefer a permanent deal for Liverpool left-back Owen Beck, while QPR favour a loan for the 21-year-old. (Anthony Joseph on X), external

Michel-Ange Balikwisha finds himself in a transfer stalemate with Royal Antwerp's asking price currently too high for Celtic, according to a report. (Daily Record), external

Celtic star Kyogo Furuhashi has changed agents on the eve of the new Scottish Premiership season. (Glasgow Times), external

Read the rest of Saturday's Scottish gossip.

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Brendan Rodgers insists transfer speculation won't affect Matt O'Riley's performances for Celtic.

The Glasgow club have rejected several bids for the playmaker after a standout campaign last term.

"I'm very confident it won't affect him," Rodgers said. "It's not easy but he is an ultimate professional, he knows he's in a good place.

"I've said it before, Celtic is a place you can leave but you don't have to. He has seen what the last three years, and particularly last season, has given him.

"He's got another 12 years left in his career so he's investing his time in his development. It's clear he will attract attention.

"You pay for the player and if you want the player, I've known guys who have gone for £30m in this window. The offers we've got in for Matt are nowhere near that.

"We don't have to sell. For us he's a very valuable player."

The Celtic manager also admitted he was happy to see his style of football obviously implemented in pre-season.

“From the tactical aspect, we’ve worked on some things over the the pre-season, especially in America, against some really good opponents," Rodgers said.

“And it was interesting because one young player of mine who played for Chelsea, a former player, he said after the game that ‘it’s a Brendan team we’re playing’.

“So that was a good sign for me on a personal level because he has played for me before and knows what I expect and demand and he can see it in a different team, but playing the same way.”

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Brendan Rodgers has been speaking to the media as his side prepare for their league opener against Kilmarnock on Sunday.

Here are the key points:

• Rodgers says his side's objective is still to win every single domestic trophy and get to the Champions League play-offs but he's also looking for good performances and consistency.

• On Paulo Bernardo signing, the manager stressed the importance of having good squad depth and adds that Bernardo is a "fantastic" addition.

• When asked about more arrivals, Rodgers wouldn't get caught up in "toxic" energy around signings but says the board knows they want to improve and expects to be stronger by the time the window closes

• Adds that he's confident transfer speculation won't affect Matt O'Riley who is the "ultimate professional".

• Says the squad is looking good apart from Daizen Maeda who might not make it for the weekend and adds they'll wait until last moment to make a decision.

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Celtic have been widely backed to retain their Premiership crown by our BBC Sport Scotland reporters. Here's a quick look at their predictions...

Tyrone Smith, our man in the north-east:

In terms of the league, in recent history Celtic have proved too strong for the rest, and I have seen little to suggest that will not be the case again.

Key players come and go, but a constant appears to be that they always seem to retain a mentality, whoever the personnel are, of being able to get the job done domestically.

Kheredine Idessane, asking all the big questions pitch-side:

The champions are aiming for four-in-a-row and operating from a position of strength. The wobbles of last mid-season seem a long way off now, especially when you look at the recent transatlantic friendly wins over Manchester City and Chelsea.

They’ve signed a proven international goalkeeper in Kasper Schmeichel and it remains to be seen in which other departments Brendan Rodgers will be allowed to strengthen, with midfield and striking options currently being explored.

If the transfer window closes with Kyogo Furuhashi, Reo Hatate and Matt O’Riley still in the building (or even two of the three), it will take an almighty improvement from Rangers to stop the Celtic steamroller.

Alasdair Lamont, one of the men behind the commentary mic:

Nothing has happened over the course of the summer to suggest the Premiership trophy is going anywhere.

Pre-season results should normally be taken with a pinch of salt but it’s difficult to disregard how well Celtic performed against top English opposition in their tour of the States and there’s every chance they will strengthen their squad before the end of the window.

Tom English, always paying attention and ready to comment:

Great pre-season, strong financials, new signings surely on their way. Should be a lot easier for them this season.

Andy Campbell
BBC Scotland

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After a close season of speculation and reports of rejected bids, Matt O'Riley remains a Celtic player for the time being at least.

Atalanta and Southampton are the clubs linked most heavily with the midfielder, with the Serie A outfit headed for the new Champions League 'league phase'.

But so are Celtic after winning last season's Premiership and thanks to Scotland's co-efficient still being favourable.

It would appear there is no urgency from club or player to make a sale happen and, while O'Riley is an option for manager Brendan Rodgers, opposition teams will have their work cut out combatting the 23-year-old, who contributed 18 goals and 13 assists in the league last time.

Kilmarnock are the first team to face Celtic in a competitive fixture this season, Derek McInnes' side travelling to Glasgow for Sunday's match that will be preceded by the unfurling of the Premiership flag.

The Rugby Park side already have two Europa League qualifiers under their belt and will need every ounce of fitness they have to quell Celtic's party.

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Brendan Rodgers insisted Kilmarnock will be 'equally tough' as pre-season opponents Manchester City and Chelsea as they prepare to host Derek McInnes' side on Sunday.

Celtic's pre-season tour of America saw them score freely against the two English Premier League giants but Rodgers believes domestic duties will be just as tricky.

"Kilmarnock will be a different challenge, and just as difficult," the manager told CelticTV. "We have to turn up and play our game, and the level of our game can give opponents real difficulties.

"We want to continue with how we finished the season, how we've gone into pre-season, playing with that intensity, purpose. That all comes from our defensive mentality and that attitude.

"We do that, be super aggressive, and see how difficult we can make it for Kilmarnock.

"But Kilmarnock under Derek [McInnes] will always be a tough opponent and although we've played high-progile games in America, this will be equally as tough."

Reflecting on the pre-season trip to the States, the boss admitted his pre-season plans had gone perfectly.

"We're all very keen," Rodgers added. "The pre-season has gone really well for us. The American trip went as well as it possibly could - in performances on the pitch and our work off the pitch with supporters and local communities.

"Really glad to be back, we've had a positive week and we're looking to take that into the first game of the season.

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Paulo Bernardo is excited to lift more trophies with Celtic after penning a permanent deal.

The midfielder spent last season on loan at Parkhead and has now signed a five-year contract with the club.

"It's amazing for me," he told CelticTV, external.

"It's a big step in my career. I really enjoyed last season, it was great for me to get my first two titles in my career too.

"I love the club, I love the fans, I love the city so it's great to be here again.

"I want to become champion again and I think we can do that. I'm very excited to be here and do that again."

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Former Scotland striker Lee Miller believes Kasper Schmeichel is Celtic's most impressive signing so far this summer, despite the addition of Bernardo.

The Portuguese midfielder was on loan from Benfica last season but after much speculation he has returned to Glasgow's East end on a permanent basis.

"It's a really good signing, Bernardo," Miller told the Scottish Football Podcast. "We all know what can do. He contributed, although it was off the bench quite a lot of times, with assists and goals.

"He did score big goals last season so he's a great signing, but [Kasper] Schmeichel's the big one for me."

The Danish captain has spent the last two seasons at Nice and Anderlecht after over a decade at Leicester City, where he famously won the Premier League.

"Schmeichel's an incredible signing to get over the line, and he's such a good fit for Celtic. I think he'll do incredibly."

Brendan Rodgers' side head into the opening weekend of the Premiership in high spirits after high-scoring wins over Manchester City and Chelsea during their pre-season tour of America.

"If you look at the results they've had in pre-season - I know you can't look too much into pre-season - but seeing the goals that they scored and the quality they had and the teams they were playing against as well, the Celtic fans are really on a high.

"They'd probably want a couple more signings in, that's a given, but that'll probably happen before the end of the transfer window.

"They'll be really looking forward to the game and wanting to kick on and defend their title."

• Listen to the Scottish Football Podcast on BBC Sounds or by clicking here.

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Kasper Schmeichel admitted Brendan Rodgers, who managed him at Leicester City, was a big draw when it came to signing for Celtic.

Even though the Danish goalkeeper won the Premier League title at the Foxes under Claudio Ranieri, he remembers the Rodgers era as his 'happiest' at the club.

“I look back at my career and the times I was probably at my best and happiest as a footballer was under Brendan at Leicester," Schmeichel said.

“It was certainly the time I enjoyed football the most. I have a lot of positive memories so the chance to work with him again is obviously a big thing.

“Through the years, there has been a lot of different people coming along at different times when you have needed them.

“There has been coaches like John Hughes who gave me the chance in the top league, Sven-Goran Eriksson gave me my Premier League debut, Nigel Pearson gave me the confidence to think I could be a Premier League goalkeeper for a long time and obviously Brendan coming in helped to elevate me and made me believe.

“We got to an FA Cup final and won it which had never been done in Leicester’s history.

“You meet these people along the way and Brendan is a really important person in my life.”

The 37-year-old, who captained his country at the recent European Championships, also revealed an affinity for Celtic.

“There was always something with Celtic for some reason. Very recently we had Thomas Gravesen and Morten Wieghorst [former Denmark internationals] playing here.

“It is just a club that always appealed to me in some kind of way and particularly these last few years, with Joe coming here, I followed it a lot closer than I ever did and having played here as a youngster, you get a real impression."

Owen Beck is back on the Celtic radar but Liverpool would prefer a sale for the 21-year-old defender rather than a loan. (Daily Mail, print edition)

Celtic have not tabled a bid for Philadelphia Union playmaker Daniel Gazdag following reports of interest in the 28-year-old Hungarian. (Football Scotland), external

Southampton manager Russell Martin insists there is "not a chance" he would sanction the departure of Celtic-linked Shea Charles without reinforcements. (Daily Echo, external , external- subscription required)

Celtic goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel says "I’m trying everything" to persuade fellow Danish international Matt O'Riley to remain at Celtic. (Glasgow Times), external

Read the rest of Friday's Scottish gossip.