Celtic

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Kyogo Furuhashi scored Celtic's goal as the Scottish Premiership champions began their pre-season programme with a 1-1 draw at Ayr United.

Odin Thiago Holm was brought down in the area and the Japan striker made no mistake from the penalty spot to give the double winners - led by Stephen Welsh - the lead after 24 minutes.

Anton Dowds equalised just 10 minutes later though - also from the penalty spot after George Oakley had been fouled - and there were no further goals in the second period, where Celtic fielded almost a completely new side.

The only reason it was not a totally new XI was that defender Maik Nawrocki was taken off midway through the opening half and had to be replaced by Lenny Agbaire.

After the break, Oh Hyeon-gyu's glancing header from a corner went wide while Mitchel Frame's shot from distance was well held by Harry Stone as Brendan Rodgers' youthful side searched for a winner.

Josh Clarke made a fine save to deny Scott Brown's side a late winner.

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The first Old Firm meeting of the season has been confirmed as a 12:30 BST kick-off on Sunday, 1 September.

Celtic welcome city rivals Rangers on matchday four to Celtic Park and the meeting has also been selected for TV coverage.

The Scottish Premiership fixture was originally scheduled to be played a day before.

Brendan Rodgers takes his side to Paisley to face St Mirren seven days before the derby, and that game - kicking-off at 12:30 - will too be televised.

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Watford have signed Rocco Vata from Celtic on a four-year deal, the English Championship club have announced.

Celtic will receive training compensation for the 19-year-old, who has been with the Parkhead club for 12 years.

Vata scored one goal in six first-team appearances for Celtic, following in the footsteps of his father Rudi, who featured in four seasons for the club in the mid-90s.

Celtic have seen an initial bid of around £4m to £5m for Adam Idah rejected by Norwich City.

We asked whether you would be happy to see him back on a permanent deal after last season's loan spell. Here's what some of you had to say:

Graham: I'm pretty sure we already knew the asking price for Adam Idah and that's why there was no right to buy clause in the loan deal. We either stump up the money for a player we have already bedded and has made an impact. Or we gamble the £4million we had rejected on an unknown. Surely £7m would get Idah?

Linzi: Sign him. Whatever the asking price, he’s gonna be worth it. A Celtic man; he’s going to have that passion, he’s a player who will show up in the big moments you need and he’s got a physical presence. We’re not a team who have a lot of height, I think he’ll be crucial in the box for crosses. Pay what they want, it’ll pay off tenfold!

Peter: Idah is a known quantity for us, and would surely be good value even at £6m/£7m... and it is a fee we can afford.

Alan: Well he's proved to be a pain in the backside of team defences, and can score goals and to be honest Celtic aren't short of money! Another option would be Aberdeen's Bojan Miovski, he looks a good option and I presume would be cheaper.

Anon: Forget Idah and [Paolo] Bernardo and look elsewhere. Being held to ransom as everyone knows the needs and the finances.

Iain: Why are Celtic not utilising the young players like Rocco Vata? We have let Ben Doak go to Liverpool, in what direction are Celtic going? Surely the youth team is the future of any club.

Craig: We're focusing on a second fiddle striker. who couldn't get a game for Norwich, and they have now lumped up their asking price because of the support, hard work and dedication of the Celtic management team to get the boy ticking again.

Peter: Celtic need to get Idah signed up. He proved his worth while on loan, remember the Cup final? The club has got the money and if he is not signed the board will have to be aware of the fallout with the supporters. Just get it done.

Alex: We need to up the price for Adam Idah. He was one of the best last season. Stop all the rumours and links to players and clubs. Action needed now. Free the funds.

Celtic's title success last season may not always have been plain sailing, but former skipper Scott Brown says he had "full faith" Brendan Rodgers would deliver on his return to the club.

Brown, who goes toe to toe with his former manager on the touchline on Friday night as his Ayr United side host Celtic in a friendly, told BBC Scotland: "It's the standards he sets, what he expects and the detail that he goes into with the players as well.

"He's got Callum [McGregor] there, who’s a leader and understands the way he wants to play from before. That's been obviously a huge help from him as well, and you can see the further on the season went, the stronger they got.

"For him to come back, it was obviously going to be hard, but he's managed to get through that little storm and showed what he can do at the end.

"I had full faith in Brendan doing a fantastic job at Celtic [again]. He has done it before, you know what he's all about, how well he works and how much he wants to be at the club."

We asked who you are backing to be Celtic's breakout star in the new season.

Here's what some of you had to say:

Adam: I think Daniel Kelly will be a breakout star. Any injuries in midfield and he will come in to start.

Hugh: The lack of activity so far makes it difficult to pinpoint a potential breakthrough. I do expect to see a lot more from Nicolas Kuhn now that he has settled in, I believe he will step up and become a key player this season.

John: [Odin Thiago] Holm. I think he will make big impression next season

Kevin: Bosun Lawal will be the breakthrough talent from the academy this season.

David: Daniel Kelly for me. He could be coming through at just the right time if he's looked after well and given the chance. Certainly didn't look out of place last season. Also has the attributes to be a leader. Might be perfectly timed if Callum McGregor slows down in the same way he was placed to take over from from an ageing Scott Brown.

David: Don’t think Celtic will really have a breakthrough star this season but the team is what makes star players. They have always had the strength in depth with senior players that are always trying to teach the young Celtic players coming through the ranks.

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Liam Scales says the Celtic dressing room would "love" to have Adam Idah back at the club permanently.

The Norwich City striker enjoyed a successful spell at Parkhead in the second half of last season, netting nine goals in 19 appearances including the late winner in the Scottish Cup final against Rangers.

"We would love to have him back," defender Scales said of his fellow Republic of Ireland international.

"He’s obviously a brilliant player but to have him in the changing room as well, he’s a good guy, he’s brilliant, he’s funny, everyone got on well with him and we would all love to see him back.

"He was massive for us, he scored massive goals and put in massive performances and we would all love him back. It is obviously out of our control but hopefully it happens.

"He’s obviously very different to Kyogo [Furuhashi], who is brilliant.

"He’s bigger, a more physical threat and that worked in our favour because he could come on and really physically challenge these defenders and a lot of the times he would beat them to the ball and score brilliant goals.

"He was quality. I don’t think it could have gone any better for him."

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"If he is anywhere near a manager as he was a player, then he's going to be a fantastic manager."

Brendan Rodgers has heaped praise on former captain Scott Brown before meeting with the now Ayr United manager on the touchline in Celtic's first pre-season outing on Friday night.

The Scottish Premiership champions have five friendly matches scheduled before their title defence begins and the manager is buzzing to be back in the building.

"It's absolutely brilliant to be back," he told Celtic TV.

"We had a great end to the season and I think everyone enjoyed the off-season but it's really nice to be back and good to see the players and staff again."

Rodgers has already caught up with Brown, running into the former midfielder on holiday.

"I bumped into him in Majorca and I invited him round to my house so we had a nice few wee hours there talking about everything football, Celtic and management," he added.

"It was great to see him and I look forward to seeing him again. These are the early steps in Scott's career and he's still in that process of learning but he has so much to bring to the game as a manager."

Norwich City have turned down a Celtic bid for Adam Idah understood to be around £4m to £5m.

Given the Republic of Ireland forward's heroics last season, and that no new signings have been unveiled yet at Celtic Park, we want to know what you're thinking.

Should Celtic increase their offer for Idah or is there another goalscorer you'd like to see pictured with the scarf above his head?

Give us your thoughts here., external

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Norwich City have rejected an offer of £4m plus add-ons from Celtic for striker Adam Idah, 23, who was on loan with the Scottish champions last season. (Football Scotland), external

Adam Idah is expected to be given permission to hold talks with Celtic after making it clear to Norwich City that he wants to return to Glasgow. (Daily Record), external

Celtic may have to double their £4m initial offer to secure Adam Idah from Norwich City, who are open to selling the striker. (HITC), external

Celtic have the chance to act on their long-time interest in Wilfred Ndidi as the midfielder has become a free agent this summer after leaving Leicester City. (Daily Mirror), external

Read the rest of Thursday's Scottish gossip.

Who do you think will be Celtic's breakout star in the coming season?

Is there one particular youngster you are backing to impress or perhaps a fringe player who will come to the fore?

Have your say here, external.

Southampton are £10m short of the fee Celtic want for Matt O’Riley, with Premier League rivals Brentford, Everton, Fulham and West Ham United having held talks with the 23-year-old Denmark midfielder. (HITC), external

Celtic value Adam Idah at £5m, while Norwich City are looking for closer to £8m for the 23-year-old who was on loan to the Scottish champions last season, but new Canaries manager Johannes Hoff Thorup will assess the Republic of Ireland striker in pre-season training before a decision is made on his future. (HITC), external

Herediano's vice-president says the club would want £4m for Costa Rica forward Andy Rojas and that he expects plenty of European interest in the 18-year-old for whom Celtic have been linked with a £900,000 move. (The National), external

Celtic and Rangers were among many clubs interested in Arsenal midfielder Albert Sambi Lokonga, but the 24-year-old has agreed terms with Sevilla after his loan to Luton Town. (HITC), external

St Johnstone youth defender Callan Hamill is training at Arsenal’s academy with a view to a potential transfer next summer, with Celtic and Rangers also interested in the 15-year-old right-back. (The Athletic), external

Read Wednesday's Scottish Gossip in full here.

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Shaun Maloney says Brendan Rodgers' influence played a big part in shaping his managerial career.

The former Celtic forward took his first steps into coaching in the club's youth set-up in summer 2017 during Rodgers' first spell in charge before leaving to join Roberto Martinez's Belgium backroom staff.

Maloney ended up back in Scotland for an ill-fated stint as Hibs manager and is now at the helm of Wigan Athletic.

"The opportunity to meet Brendan Rodgers over breakfast to discuss joining his staff had come out of the blue," Maloney told The Coaches Voice., external

"Celtic had drawn 0-0 with Rosenborg in the Champions League the night before and Brendan asked me some questions about the game before explaining the role he saw for me with their B team.

"By then he had already completely changed the professionalism and culture of the club. That made it the perfect first step for me as a coach, and at the perfect time.

"Brendan’s coaches – Chris Davies and John Kennedy were among them – shared the same offices, and he was always really clear on the culture and standards he sets, and how he wanted his team to play.

"He’s a brilliant manager – tactically very good, particularly whenever I went to him with a query.

"We’ve stayed in touch, and he was brilliant to speak with before I took the manager’s job at Hibernian – as he was during my time there and after I left.

"Some of the best managers are really, really gracious with their time."

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New £30m Tottenham signing Archie Gray says he is a "massive Celtic fan" and admits the chance to work with Ange Postecoglou was a big factor in his move.

The teenage midfielder, who is the grandson of former Scotland player Frank Gray and great-nephew of Leeds legend and ex-Scotland winger Eddie Gray, has left Elland Road to join former Celtic boss Postecoglou's Spurs on a six-year deal.

"I’m not going to lie to you, I’m a massive Celtic fan so I love him [Postecoglou] and my whole family loves him. I haven’t really said this to be fair," Gray, 18, told club media in his first interview since the move was confirmed.

"He’s also a massive factor because playing under a really good manager is really important for me as well. I've still got loads to learn as I'm only 18."

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Cameron Carter-Vickers' Copa America adventure is over after hosts the United States were knocked out at the group stage.

The Celtic defender was an unused substitute in the 1-0 defeat by Uruguay that left the US third in Group C with only the top two advancing.

Uruguay claimed top spot to secure their quarter-final place, while Panama beat Bolivia 3-1 to progress to the last eight as runners-up.

Uruguay won each of their three group games, with Mathias Olivera scoring the decisive goal against the US in Kansas City.

Carter-Vickers' only game-time across his team's three matches came as a half-time sub in the 2-1 loss to Panama.

While the 26-year-old is heading home, fellow Celtic defender Alistair Johnston is through to the quarter-finals with Canada, who face Venezuela on Saturday (02:00 BST).

Personal terms would be the biggest stumbling block to Southampton's proposed move for Celtic midfielder Matt O'Riley, 23. (Southern Daily Echo), external

Celtic are keen on Burnley's Republic of Ireland defender Dara O’Shea, 25. (Record), external

A rival Portuguese bidder has made a move to sign Costa Rica winger and Celtic target Andy Rojas from Herediano. (Football Scotland), external

Midfielder Callum O'Hare, who has been linked with Celtic, is a free agent after the 26-year-old's contract at Coventry City expired. (Glasgow Times), external

Sean Haksabanovic, 25, believes Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers forced the club's board to sell him to Malmo this summer. (Sun), external

Martin Dubravka, the 35-year-old Newcastle United goalkeeper linked with Celtic, is seeking answers on his future at St James' Park. (Record), external

Read Tuesday's Scottish gossip

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Alistair Johnston's Canada will face Venezuela in their first ever Copa America quarter-final on Saturday (02:00 BST).

After finishing second in Group A behind Argentina in their maiden foray in the tournament, they will now take on the undefeated Group B winners.

The Celtic right-back played every minute for his country in the group stages and will look to keep his spot in the side as they aim to create more history.

Southampton are prepared to bid £20m for Celtic midfielder Matt O'Riley, 23. (Record), external

Celtic would be expected to pay a fee of around £800,000 for Herediano forward Andy Rojas, 18. (Football Scotland), external

Read Monday's Scottish gossip

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Celtic's Alistair Johnston played the full 90 minutes as Canada qualified for the knockout stages of the Copa America for the first time after a nervy 0-0 draw against 10-man Chile.

Chile, the two-time Copa America winners, needed to beat Canada to progress to the last eight.

But their task was made more difficult in the 28th minute when Toulouse defender Gabriel Suazo was shown a second yellow card for bringing down Richie Laryea.

Despite their numerical advantage, Canada lacked creativity in attack and instead focused on keeping a clean sheet after Argentina ended any hopes that they could finish as Group A winners.

The result means Canada, who are competing in their first ever Copa America, have qualified for the knockout stages at the first time of asking.

Chile, back-to-back winners of the tournament in 2015 and 2016, failed to qualify for the last eight for the first time in 24 years.

Canada will face the winner of Group B in their quarter-final clash on Saturday at 02:00 BST.

Celtic would be willing to accept a £35m bid for 23-year-old midfielder Matt O'Riley should one be tabled this summer. (Football Insider), external

Sources in his homeland suggest Celtic are one of several European clubs eyeing up 18-year-old Herediano forward Andy Rojas, who became the youngest player to represent Costa Rica at the Copa America with a late substitute appearance in Friday night’s 3-0 loss to Colombia. (Scottish Sun On Sunday), external

Asmir Begovic says he is "really excited for the next challenge" after the Celtic-linked 37-year-old goalkeeper rejected a new contract with Queens Park Rangers because he was told he would be second choice after Paul Nardi's arrival from Gent. (Sunday Mail, print edition)

Celtic have not yet agreed a deal to sign Fenerbahce goalkeeper Dominik Livakovic, with the 29-year-old's wage demands a major hurdle to overcome. (Football Insider), external

Read Sunday's Scottish Gossip in full here.

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Some people might fear the prospect of a penalty shootout at Euro 2024, but I have relished them ever since I was kid.

Whenever any tournament reaches the knockout stages, I cannot help getting excited about the possibility we might see one. They are an amazing way to finish a game.

I love the drama, the excitement and the mind games that go into them, and I always want to see how all of that is dealt with and executed by the goalkeeper and the penalty taker.

I have been both, so I know how every aspect of the situation feels with success, and failure.

I took a penalty for Celtic in a shootout to decide the Scottish Cup semi-final against Aberdeen in April. I hit the post but I made up for it immediately with the save that sent us through.

That was the first competitive spot-kick I had taken since 2009.

As a goalkeeper I know what is possible when you are standing on the line, in terms of what you can and cannot cover. With the right practice, I always felt I should be able to put it somewhere it cannot be reached.

Read Joe Hart's column in full here