Celtic

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Amid a transfer window of mild distress within the Celtic fanbase, Kieran Tierney's display at Pittodrie on Sunday reminded supporters that their team has already recruited some serious talent this summer.

When the Scotland left-back re-signed from Arsenal, nobody doubted the calibre of player the club were bringing back. There were, however, concerns about the defender's fitness and match sharpness following injury-hit spells.

But after just 132 minutes of football back in his beloved green and white, Tierney looks every bit the player Celtic sold for £25m six years ago.

At Aberdeen on Sunday, the 28-year-old was at his explosive best to turn and burst to the byeline before providing fellow summer signing Benjamin Nygren to finish the opener.

That goal was one of three chances Tierney has created from left-back in just two Scottish Premiership appearances this term. He has also completed 30 passes in the final third.

Defensively, he has been part of the only backline in the league that is yet to concede a goal, while winning possession back for his team on nine occasions.

In terms of his numbers for this season, we are clearly dealing with a small sample size, but the early indications show Celtic have brought back the "elite player" Rodgers promised.

West Ham have rejected an opening bid from Celtic for Andy Irving, with the London club demanding £3.5m for the 25-year-old Scot. (Hammers News), external

Celtic will bring in up to four new signings before the end of the window if they qualify for the Champions League group phase. (Football Insider), external

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Celtic's Benjamin Nygren wasn't for waiting in the wings to make his debut.

The summer signing from Nordsjaelland was fast-tracked into the side for their trip to face Aberdeen on Sunday and scored his first goal for Brendan Rodgers' side on the end of Kieran Tierney's cross.

The 24-year-old hit the bar on his debut against St Mirren the previous weekend after being preferred to the likes of club record signing Arne Engels, Luke McCowan and Paulo Bernardo in Brendan Rodgers' starting line-up.

"I didn't come here to not play," Nygren said. "So of course I came here to try to come in fast and also show my abilities in training and training games. So of course I came here to help the team win games."

Nygren knows there is a demand to contribute when he gets game time for Celtic, given the strength in depth in Rodgers' midfield.

"It's part of football, that's how it is in big clubs," the former IFK Gothenburg player said.

"It would be weird if there were only 11 good players in such a big team as Celtic. I think we have, I don't know how many, 25-30 good players in Celtic, but only 11 can start the game.

"It's a very long season and now we've only played our two first games, so we will need a lot of players and a lot of good quality players. I think we have that."

"That's also why I scored many goals last season, because I can run a lot.

"I always come a little bit from behind."

Nygren started in the middle of the park but finished up out wide, and he's happy to show his versatility to the manager.

"I think it's preferably like I started the game, but I'm a player that has played a lot of positions, so for me I don't think too much of the positions, it's football," he said.

"You need football intelligence. It's all football."

We asked for your views on Celtic's 2-0 victory over Aberdeen.

Here's what you said:

Tony: Adam Idah should be dropped and transferred. He's the blunt edge of the attack. James Forrest, Daizen Maeda and Benjamin Nygren should start, with Callum Osmand in reserve. Jahmai Simpson-Pusey should start in defence beside Cameron Carter-Vickers. Brendan Rodgers shouldn't overlook or waste existing talent at the club.

Stuart: Celtic are four points clear already of the only other team to win the title in over 40 years. This season is already over.

Dillon: Great strike by Reo Hatate! Early contender for goal of the season perhaps? Looking forward to seeing us grow more as a team as the season goes on.

Tommy: I think one thing learned from this game is that Adam Idah should never be first-choice striker. This board should hang their heads for not replacing Kyogo, every penny is a prisoner with them. Their arrogance will be their downfall.

Gordon: Absolutely just what I expected.

Peter: Job well done. Some players need to polish up their passing, too many are going astray, and you cannot do that in European competition. Just get that sorted and get a centre forward in, and we should be OK.

Moz: Still need to sign a striker! Good win three points in, though.

John: Very accomplished team performance in a typical Rodgers-esque control. If we win our next two games, we go 10 points clear.

Jackie: Well played Celtic keep it up. Not an easy stadium to go to but another three points. We still need to sign quality players, though.

Jonathan Sutherland
Sportscene presenter

Reo Hatate: Class personified at times. His goal at Pittodrie a perfect example of his quality.

Highlights of Aberdeen 0-2 Celtic in the Scottish Premiership.

Celtic have joined Anderlecht and Besiktas in the race to sign 23-year-old Le Havre centre-half Etienne Youte at a price of £4.3m. (Paris Normandie via Daily Record), external

Manager Brendan Rodgers has admitted Celtic will look to do transfer business ahead of this week's Champions League deadline. (The National), external

Read Monday's Scottish Gossip in full.

Celtic maintained their 100% start to their Scottish Premiership title defence with a comfortable victory at Aberdeen.

What did you make of that, Celtic fans?

Have your say on the game.

Read the match report here.

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Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers tells BBC Scotland: "Very pleased. This was always going to be a challenging game in the context of how the last season finished and coming here so early in Aberdeen's first [home] game.

"But I thought we controlled it really well. We had a lot of really good moments in the game, scored two outstanding goals. Had a few other opportunities to score. Their keeper makes a great save.

"And then when we had to defend, which you do, you can never dominate 100% of the game. But in those moments we defended very, very well and were strong.

"I'm so pleased for the players. The last season would have hurt them. They had a fantastic season last season.

"But we come here today, we play with quality, we play with heart and we get the result.

"I'm really pleased for Benji [Nygren]. That's why we signed him. He's a player with a record of scoring goals from midfields or wide areas. But we see him very much as an eight. He can move well, he can take the ball in tight spaces and he can get in the box. It's really nice for him to get that goal.

"And the second goal, we played out the pressure really well. And then we've done what we've done up here a few times."

On Kieran Tierney's second-half subsitition: "He was actually sick at half-time, but he wanted to give it a go. But he's given us a really good hour in the game, created the first goal, and we know that it's just about building his football fitness up, and then you can really see the qualities he gives us."

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Aberdeen manager Jimmy Thelin reported no fresh injury concerns, but summer signing Emmanuel Gyamfi and Latvian defender Kristers Tobers remain sidelined.

Celtic winger Jota is a long-term absentee but loan signing Jahmai Simpson-Pusey, who joined from Manchester City through the week, could be in the squad.

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Brendan Rodgers thinks players like Callum McGregor "get taken for granted" as he insisted the Celtic captain is "extra motivated" following the Scottish Cup heartbreak last season.

The midfielder missed a penalty as Celtic were beaten by Aberdeen in last season's Scottish Cup final, although he did captain the side to another domestic double as they bagged the League Cup and Scottish Premiership title.

"I was with him over the summer, it was hurtful for us all and for him," Rodgers said of the defeat.

"Being the captain and [missing] the penalty, that will sit deep with him but this is a guy who stands on his own in terms of what he brings to this team - his vision, his technique, his skill, his vision of the game, his will to win, his desire.

"He's an incredible player, if nothing else it will give him that extra bit going into this season.

"Players like Cal get taken for granted. He's a playmaker in this team who knits the game so well, an incredible talent and a brilliant leader of his changing room.

"He'll only be extra motivated this season to have a successful season."

With Rodgers' side heading to Pittodrie on Sunday for their first game against the Dons since that final, the manager insists his side are fully focused on making amends.

"If you win a Scottish Cup final for the first time in 30-odd years then of course you're going to be excited," he added.

"We have to look beyond that. When you lose a game like that it's ensuring your attitude is right, your playing style is right, your football is right.

"It doesn't change anything for us, it might do for them but we are the team that wants to dominate and impose ourselves in the game, nothing changes for us."

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Brendan Rodgers has explained his decision to leave striker Shin Yamada on the bench as Celtic searched for a goal in their Premiership opener against St Mirren.

The Celtic boss made a triple change in the 78th minute, bringing on striker Johnny Kenny and midfielders Arne Engels and Luke McCowan, who made the late breakthrough as Celtic won 1-0.

Yamada, 22, joined from Japanese side Kawasaki Frontale this summer and will now hope to make his debut in this weekend's trip to face Aberdeen.

"I put Johnny Kenny on," Rodgers said when asked about Shin's omission.

"You can only put 11 players on. We have a big squad so we took Adam [Idah] off and put Johnny on then in that period we scored.

"We put two eights in to freshen the team and one of them scored. I can only play 11 players and I know in football people's values grow when they're not playing, but I always decide who I think is ready for the game.

"If Shin or somebody doesn't go on, it's because in that moment I felt the game needed something else.

"Johnny Kenny has done well for us in pre-season, he's worked hard and created goals, but if I'm to answer every question of the player I don't play I'd be sitting here all day and night."

Charlotte Cohen
BBC Sport Scotland

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Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers has been speaking to the media before Sunday's Premiership trip to face Aberdeen.

Here are the main points:

• Rodgers says there's "nothing new" to report on incoming transfers, adding: "It's very clear where we need to improve and a lot of work is going on."

• But the Celtic boss hopes the club "can conclude some deals and improve the squad" before the window shuts.

• Rodgers "really doesn't know" if Celtic will get signings in before the Champions League play-off on 20 August but will be working hard with the existing players at the club "to make them the best they can be".

• In response to fans' criticism over a lack of transfers: "I think the board have shown over many years and numbers of years that the work will get done."

• On Johnny Kenny's new deal, Rodgers says the striker can be "a really good asset for the club in the future", adding the 22-year-old "is very much in our thinking" for the squad this term.

• Celtic will "definitely" opt not to postpone their Premiership game with Livingston on the weekend in between the two legs of their Champions League play-off.

• Rodgers expects a "tough game" against Aberdeen, who crushed Celtic's treble bid in May. Reflecting on that Scottish Cup final loss, Rodgers says "sometimes it's your day to lose" but admits his side learned a lot from the defeat.

• The Celtic boss adds Callum McGregor is "extra motivated" this season after he missed a penalty in the cup final defeat.

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Irish striker Johnny Kenny has been tipped for a "big future" at Celtic after signing a contract extension until summer 2029.

The 22-year-old joined from Sligo Rovers on a five-year deal in January 2022 before loan spells with Queen's Park and Sligo Rovers, where he netted 25 goals last year.

Kenny made his Celtic debut in January this year and marked his first start with his maiden goal for the club in the 5-1 win over Aberdeen at Pittodrie in May.

Manager Brendan Rodgers added: "I am really pleased that we have agreed this new contract with Johnny.

"He is a young player who I believe can have a big future with Celtic.

"He loves the club and is really hungry and focused on doing well for us, developing further and making an important contribution to the squad, so we look forward to working with him moving forward."

Kenny aims to repay Celtic's faith in him, saying: "I feel really proud. I spoke to the manager at the start of the summer and it was a case of tying it all together.

"I like to think that I can score goals and the manager believes in me too, so that helps when I'm in and around the box, knowing that the manager backs me.

"I want to achieve everything possible at this club. I want to play Champions League football, win every trophy available and score goals. That's my aim.

"It's a proud moment and I have to thank the club for giving me this opportunity. I just want to repay them on the pitch over the next few years."

Charlotte Cohen
BBC Sport Scotland

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With a Champions League qualifier on the horizon and the domestic campaign already under way, there is growing frustration among Celtic supporters about a lack of transfer business.

While they've seen seven new faces permanently through the door, only three were part of the squad for last weekend's Premiership opener.

Kieran Tierney made his first competitive start since returning to the club while Benjamin Nygren started and Shin Yamada was an unused substitute. Centre-back Jahmai Simpson-Pusey was spotted in the stands at Parkhead before his loan deal was announced the following day.

But how does Celtic's lack of business compare with the same stage of last year's transfer window?

On 8 August 2024, Celtic had added Paulo Bernardo plus goalkeepers Kasper Schmeichel and Viljami Sinisalo but still hadn't completed deals for Arne Engels, Auston Trusty, Luke McCowan or Adam Idah.

Striker Idah, who had spent the 2023-24 season on loan, arrived at Celtic on 15 August for a reported fee of around £9.5m.

Alex Valle joined on loan in late August and Engels wouldn't arrive until deadline day for a club record fee of £11m alongside centre-back Auston Trusty and midfielder Luke McCowan.

While that timeline shows Celtic's tendency for late business, there's one big difference between where the club sat last summer compared to now - the Champions League play-off.

Celtic went straight into the league phase a year ago, but this season they face a two-legged tie against either Kairat or Slovan Bratislava to secure their spot.

Rodgers will need to name his full squad, up to 25 players, for the play-off round by midnight on 14 August - the day before Celtic signed Idah last year - albeit the club are allowed two late additions that can be made until the day before the first leg on 20 August.

So with the deadline edging closer, will Rodgers have the signings he craves when Celtic bid for Champions League qualification?

Danish winger Jakob Breum, the 21-year-old who remains of interest to Celtic after a £1.5m offer was rejected this summer, has been left out of the squad for Go Ahead Eagles' Eredivisie opener against Fortuna Sittard. (Glasgow Times), external

Celtic winger James Forrest says he is still dreaming of representing Scotland at a World Cup, and won't close the door on his international career. (Daily Record), external

Read the rest of Friday's Scottish Gossip

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Celtic winger James Forrest admits retirement is a "scary" prospect, but the winger will give his all for the club until they "shove him out the door".

Forrest made his Celtic debut in May 2010 and has scored in 16 consecutive seasons as well as eclipsing Lisbon Lion Bobby Lennox as the the club's most decorated player with a haul of 13 titles, seven Scottish Cups and six League Cups.

His current deal runs until the end of the season, but the 34-year-old Scotland international isn't concerned about the situation.

"I just want to keep enjoying it," said Forrest while admitting nervousness at the idea of calling it a day on his playing career.

He added: "I have thought about it a wee bit. I left school at 15, 16 and that's all you have ever done and all you've ever known.

"So I want to keep playing for as long as I can, but yeah, it's scary.

"I've played with players who have retired, and different people go down different paths once they finish, but I don't really know what I'll definitely do after

"But I think it's scary because it's what I've done for 20-plus years, and it's been unbelievable, it's been really really good.

"I have given everything to Celtic and I will continue to do that until my contract is up and they might shove me out the door anyway, so we will see what happens."

Celtic were denied a domestic treble in last season's Scottish Cup final by Aberdeen, but Forrest insists revenge won't be the key motivator when the sides meet at Pittodrie this weekend.

He said: "I don't think it's revenge. Every time we play Aberdeen every season and go up to Pittodrie, it's always hard games and I think that kind of rivalry is there anyway.

"It's early in the season, so we want to continue our form and just keep the momentum going.

"It's all about us, focusing on us and trying to get the three points."

• Aberdeen are winless in regulation time in their past 31 meetings with Celtic in all competitions (D7 L24) since a 1-0 victory at Celtic Park in their final league game of the 2017-18 season. The Dons did, however, win a penalty shootout against the Parkhead side in their most recent clash after a 1-1 draw in last season's Scottish Cup final.

• Celtic are unbeaten in 17 away league games at Aberdeen (W14 D3) since losing 2-1 in February 2016 under Ronny Deila.

• After their 2-0 defeat to Hearts on matchday one, Aberdeen could lose both of their first two games of a league season for the first time since 2003-04 under Steve Paterson – on that occasion, the first such defeat was to Hearts, and the second was at home to defending champions Rangers.

• Celtic have won their opening away game in each of the past three Scottish Premiership seasons, including a 3-1 victory at Aberdeen in 2023-24. Under Brendan Rodgers, Celtic have won four of five such matches (L1).

• Since the start of last season Celtic have scored more goals in the final five minutes of Scottish Premiership matches than any other team (16), with four of those earning the team a draw (two) or a win (two), including Luke McCowan's winning strike last weekend.