Celtic

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Johnny Kenny's first-half strike was enough for Celtic to pick up a win in their first pre-season friendly against Queen's Park.

First-team regulars Auston Trusty, Callum McGregor, Arne Engels and Luke McCowan all started for Brendan Rodgers' side against the Championship outfit.

Kenny, who worked his way into the matchday squad at the tail end of last season, fired the Scottish champions into the lead from close range.

Rodgers rotated his side at the break, handed minutes to youth players with Stephen Welsh the most experienced of the bunch and with the captain's armband.

Summer signing Ross Doohan played 63 minutes between the sticks.

Celtic now travel to Ireland to take on Cork City in four days.

Celtic have signed Hayato Inamura on a four-year contract after the Japanese centre-half left Albirex Niigata in his homeland.

The 23-year-old said he "used to imitate" fellow countryman and Celtic legend Shunsuke Nakamura.

After much speculation, he is finally here. Celtic fans, what do you make of his signing?

Give us your take here.

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New defender Hayato Inamura "used to imitate" fellow countryman and Celtic legend Shunsuke Nakamura, and will wear number 25 like his hero did.

Inamura, 23, has joined on a four-year deal from J-League club Albirex Niigata and wants to add to the success enjoyed by previous and current Japanese stars alike.

"Many Japanese players have had success at this club," he told the club's website.

"Across the world, this is a massive club and it's really well known. I am truly excited to be joining Celtic. It's a huge opportunity for me.

"So far, even the current Japanese players have been performing at a high level. I think that is why there are expectations on Japanese players. I really want to live up to those expectations and do my best.

"The reason why I chose 25 is because out of the options I was given, that one really stood out to me.

"As for Nakamura, I used to imitate his kicking style when I was a kid. He was one of my favourite players."

Listen as Martin Dowden previews the season ahead for Celtic with podcaster Paul John Dykes and comedian Marc Jennings.

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Celtic have agreed to sell winger Nicolas Kuhn to Como for €19m, with the 25-year-old German poised for a medical with personal terms having been agreed in principle with the Serie A club. (Fabrizio Romano on X), external

Nicolas Kuhn will miss Celtic's friendly with Queen's Park after agreeing a lucrative long-term deal with Como, who are now ironing out the final details. (Daily Record), external

Celtic will make a profit of around £14m from the sale of Nicolas Kuhn, who they bought for £3m from Rapid Vienna 18 months ago. (The National), external

Celtic are preparing a bid for 22-year-old Liverpool midfielder Tyler Morton, who is valued at £15m, amid competition from other clubs. (Sportsboom), external

Brondby are close to selling striker Mathias Kvistgaarden, in whom Celtic have previously shown interest, to Lens, according to Tipsbladet. (Tipsbladet via Glasgow Times), external

Rennes are in advanced negotiations with Birmingham City over Japan forward Kyogo Furuhashi and the deal could match the £10m the French club paid Celtic for the 30-year-old in January. (L'Equipe), external

Read the rest of Friday's Scottish gossip.

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Leaving Celtic was "the toughest decision" Greg Taylor has made in his career as the Scotland defender signs with Greek outfit PAOK.

Manager Brendan Rodgers wanted to retain the 27-year-old's services despite agreeing in January the return of fellow Scotland defender Tierney once his contract ran out this summer with Arsenal.

While Taylor said it would be "unfair" to pin his international teammate's return as the reason he moved on, the left-back admits there were "a million things to weigh up".

"It's probably the toughest decision I've had in my career, definitely," he told Sky Sports.

"When I left Kilmarnock back in 2019, it was that bit easier because I was progressing. I wanted to go and try and play for the biggest team in Scotland.

"I think at that time there wasn't many that believed I would play as many games as I did, but the one person that really did was myself.

"I was lucky to go and play 200 plus games for Celtic, which was unbelievable.

"It wasn't easy. There were a million things to weigh up, but I just felt it was the right time to do it. I wanted to play regularly and that's probably the big factor."

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Callum McGregor believes Celtic's uplifting campaign in last season's Champions League will "stand us in good stead" for the play-off round next month.

After qualifying automatically for the Champions League in each of the previous three seasons, Celtic - who reached the knockout phase last term - will have to come through a play-off round in August to reach the main phase of the tournament due to a drop in Scotland's position in UEFA's association ranking for the five-year period from the 2019-20 to 2023-24 campaigns.

Celtic came agonisingly close to their stay in last season's tournament - for an extra 30 minutes at least - but conceded a 94th-minute goal in Munich to lose on aggregate to the German giants.

"Of course, if we had our way then we would want to be straight in but we have to understand that that is just part and parcel of it," McGregor said.

"We've been here a number of times throughout the years. We believe that when we've been in the competition, especially last season, we've done well but no-one has the God-given right to be put in there right away.

"You have to earn your place. For the play-off games, there'll be five or six, seven or eight teams who all think they're good enough to be there but you have to earn the right.

"It's an amazing competition and I think we saw great growth in the team last season throughout the 10 games to the point there where we went away to Bayern Munich and were so close to getting a result.

"That should stand us in good stead but I don't want to take anything for granted so let's get in there first and hopefully we can have a similar campaign and even improve on that as well."

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Como will make one last attempt to sign winger Nicolas Kuhn from Celtic, but if they are not successful, they will turn their attentions to Jayden Addai from AZ Alkmaar. (Gianluca di Marzio), external

Albirex Niigata centre-back Hayato Inamura is on his way to London to complete a medical with Celtic, who have agreed a transfer fee in the region of £250,000 for the 23-year-old. (Sky Sports), external

Braga are close to agreeing a deal worth £2m for 25-year-old Celtic centre-back Gustaf Lagerbielke. (Sky Sports), external

Read Thursday's Scottish gossip in full.

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Captain Callum McGregor will use May's painful Scottish Cup final defeat to "fuel the fire" for more success with Celtic.

The former Scotland midfielder endured what he described as "the worst moment I've ever had in football" after his penalty was saved by Aberdeen keeper Dimitar Mitov in a surprise shootout defeat to the Dons.

More than five weeks on from his Hampden agony, McGregor is revitalised, refocused and "hungry" to lead Celtic towards more silverware.

"It was a tough moment, there's no shying away from that," the 32-year-old said. "I think what that does is it gives you more motivation to go and achieve even more.

"It's the ones you don't win that stay with you and fuel the fire for you, so I had a couple of weeks off to digest it and try and find a positive somewhere in it.

"I've been here a long time, there's highs, there's lows and you have to try and find an even keel and keep yourself in a nice balanced headspace.

"There's been ups and downs throughout my career and I've always managed to bounce back, so I don't see this being any different."

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We asked for your views on Greg Taylor's Celtic exit after the left-back departed to join Greek top-flight side PAOK.

Here's what some of you said:

Pat: It's a big mistake letting Greg go. While he did lack a bit of physicality in Europe, he made up for it with 100% contribution to the jersey. Hope he does fine in his new adventure, he will be missed.

Andy: Good luck to him. While he's always given 100%, he is a defensive liability. The majority of goals lost come from the left-hand side of the defence so in my opinion he's no great loss. We have strengthened with Kieran Tierney so just need cover for him. We also need a left centre-back as Liam Scales is a back-up at best.

Billy: Biggest mistake Celtic have made in 10 years - signing an injury-prone player who hasn't completed a season in six years to let the best left-back in Scotland go for nothing is criminal. This decision will haunt Celtic for the next five years.

Mark: Absolute travesty he's been allowed to leave. Tierney might be a great player but he's not reliable. Taylor played near enough every game, he should have been kept and assured a fair crack of the whip. Great wee player and totally undervalued by a huge portion of the so called fans. Thanks for everything Greg, you're a hell of a lot better than folk credit you for and were key to our dominance. Well played and good luck!

Paul: Greg was a great servant to the club. I'm sad to see him go. However, I think he's left due to the continued criticism from some fans. I wish him every success in the future. He's always welcome back to Paradise.

Colin: Real shame to see Greg go. He's been excellent for us. Often overlooked but always ended up proving to be the best player in his position. Peaked under Ange Postecoglou in an inverted role, which suited him and unlocked new possibilities for our attack. He will be missed by all, including those who still doubt him.

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Manager Brendan Rodgers has reiterated that Celtic are "getting a top player back" at an exciting age in Kieran Tierney.

The Scotland defender has returned to Parkhead six years after his big-money move to the Premier League with Arsenal.

Despite injury troubles and a lack of game time in recent seasons, the left-back could be set to enter his peak years having just turned 28.

Rodgers says the fact Tierney and fellow returning player Ross Doohan have come through the Celtic academy is "so important" as they "understand the values" and help maintain "the culture that's created" at the club.

On Tierney specifically, Rodgers added: "I'm absolutely delighted. We're getting a top player back. Sometimes top players like that might come later on in their career.

"But we're getting Kieran at 28 years of age. I was with him during the summer so I know first hand how excited he is to be here."

Legia Warsaw have made an enquiry for 23-year-old Celtic winger Hyun-Jun Yang, who has three years to run on his contract with the Scottish champions. (Sky Sports), external

Reports indicate Celtic have told RB Leipzig the asking price for winger Nicolas Kuhn, 25. (Record), external

Read Wednesday's Scottish gossip

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Announcing his exit, Celtic thanked "key figure" Greg Taylor for his "vast contribution" to the club.

The Scotland left-back has signed for Greek top-flight side PAOK after rejecting a new contract to remain with the Scottish Premiership champions.

Signing from Kilmarnock in 2019, the 27-year-old went on to win five league titles, three Scottish Cups and three League Cups, including the treble in 2022-23.

In a statement, the Parkhead club said: "Over the past six years [Taylor] has been a key figure in the success that the club has enjoyed.

"Everyone at Celtic thanks Greg for everything he did for Celtic over the past six years and wish him and his family every success in the future."

Celtic fans, how do you feel about Taylor's exit? Who could the club target to replace him? Or is an academy talent ready to step up? Send us your thoughts.

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West Ham have signed Scotland youth international Daniel Cummings, following the expiration of his contract Celtic.

The 19-year-old has signed a long-term deal and will join Mark Robson's under-21 development squad.

Cummings signed his first professional contract with Celtic in the summer of 2022 and scored 29 goals in 37 appearances for the club's B team last season.

He made his senior debut for Brendan Rodgers' side at Aston Villa in the Champions League in January 2025.

"It feels amazing to join West Ham United, and it's a dream come true," said Cummings.

"When West Ham came calling, it was too good to say no, and I'm looking forward to getting started.

"Since day one, when Mark [Noble] was on the phone, he spoke so highly of everyone here and sold the club to me.

"I did a lot of research about the club and there's a pathway to the first team, and that's all you can ask for as a young player."

Reported Celtic target Hayato Inamura has left Albirex Niigata to complete a "transfer to an overseas club", the Japanese side have announced.

The 23-year-old centre-back, who has played 36 games for his current team, is reportedly closing in on a move to the Scottish Premiership champions.

In a club statement, the J1 League outfit said Inamura "left the team on 29 June in order to complete the necessary procedures and preparations" to seal a deal away from his homeland.

The defender, who leaves with his side second bottom of the league table, added: "I have decided to transfer overseas. As a result, I will be leaving the team. First of all, I am sorry to have made this decision when the team is in a difficult situation.

"I know not everyone will be happy to see me off, but I will fight with all my might so one day everyone will think this decision was the right one and feel proud."

Greg Taylor was due to arrive in Thessaloniki on Monday to sign a three-year contract with PAOK pending a medical after the 27-year-old Scotland left-back rejected a new contract from Celtic and offers from other clubs. (Nova Sports), external

Albirex Niigata have confirmed that Hayato Inamura has left the Japanese club and it is understood the 23-year-old centre-back, who has apologised for leaving them at this stage, is set to undergo a medical and finalise the paperwork this week for his transfer to Celtic. (Sky Sports), external

After playing in Albirex Niigata's weekend 4-0 defeat by Machida Zelvia, Hayato Inamura has confirmed he has "decided to transfer overseas" and he is expected to arrive in Scotland this week to join Celtic. (The Herald), external

Royal Antwerp head coach Stef Wils has told Belgian media he is determined to keep a hold of 24-year-old winger Michel-Ange Balikwisha, who has been on Celtic's agenda since January. (The Herald), external

Read Tuesday's Scottish Gossip in full.

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BBC Sport has taken a look at which players will be free agents on 1 July.

The majority of major football leagues run from late summer to late spring, with pre-season in June and July. Therefore, contracts across most divisions typically expire at 23:59 on 30 June each year.

Those whose contracts are expiring but have already agreed transfers to new clubs are not included, as they will not become free agents.

Some Scottish Premiership contracts expire on 31 May rather than 30 June - the below players either already are or will become free agents.

Aberdeen: Tom Ritchie

Celtic: Greg Taylor

Dundee: Scott Fraser, Antonio Portales, Joe Shaughnessy

Dundee United: David Babunksi, Allan Campbell, Lewis Moult, Bryan Mwangi

Falkirk: N/A

Hearts: Jorge Grant, Barrie McKay, Lawrence Shankland

Hibernian: Maksymilian Boruc, Junior Hoilett

Kilmarnock: Kyle Magennis, Kieran O'Hara, Kyle Vassell

Livingston: N/A

Motherwell: Moses Ebiye, Harry Paton, Dominic Thompson, Davor Zdravkovski

Rangers: Adam Devine, Tom Lawrence, Ianis Hagi

St. Mirren: Dennis Adeniran, Elvis Bwomono