Celtic
Alexandro Bernabei made his first start for Celtic this season and his first start for manager Brendan Rodgers, at home to Ross County on Saturday afternoon.
Alexandro Bernabei made his first start for Celtic this season and his first start for manager Brendan Rodgers, at home to Ross County on Saturday afternoon.
Left-back Greg Taylor is currently out injured with a calf problem and is expected to be missing for several weeks.
That sparked competition for his place on the flank. Contenders included Liam Scales and youngster Mitchel Frame, or perhaps even one of the right-backs such as Anthony Ralston.
However, Rodgers opted to turn to the little-seen Argentinian Bernabei, retaining Scales in central defence alongside the returning Cameron Carter-Vickers.
Brendan Rodgers on Alexandro Bernabei Celtic start
Speaking pre-match, the Bhoys boss explained to BBC Radio Scotland that while there is a “brutal honesty” about his Celtic situation, Bernabei has nonetheless impressed in training.
Rodgers said when asked why the defender was included: “We’ve got players that can play the position but I think just for his balance of being left-sided.
“I think he hasn’t had his best time here, that’s the brutal honesty of it. I just asked him to play in the games like what I’ve seen from him in training at times.
“He’s aggressive, he’s quick but he needs to serve the ball with precision a little better. He has qualities, that’s why he was signed. He’s a guy who can hopefully show his best form because in training I’ve seen lots of good qualities from him. Greg Taylor has played at a really, really good level consistently.
“Bernabei gives us balance on that side of the field being naturally left-footed and he can be aggressive going forward. Hopefully, he can do well.”
Bernabei has been one of the big contenders to leave the club during the winter transfer window given his lack of minutes so far under Rodgers. However, Taylor’s injury may well have changed that.
Even if Celtic sign another left-back in the closing days of the window, Bernabei could be needed for cover while the Bhoys wait on Taylor’s return.
The chances of him being a long-term option for Celtic are slim at this point, but Bernabei could well get a run in the team that boosts his confidence and unlocks a bit of form.
Ange Postecoglou was impressed by how £164,000-a-week Tottenham star played vs Celtic
Ange Postecoglou did not hesitate when Tottenham Hotspur had the chance to sign Timo Werner, having watched him in action against his former club Celtic.
That is according to Football.London, which has shared how receptive Tottenham head coach Postecoglou was to the idea of bringing former Chelsea forward to Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
So, what has been reported about Timo Werner and Ange Postecoglou? Let’s take a look.
Ange Postecoglou rates Timo Werner highly
Well, earlier this month, Tottenham Hotspur signed Timo Werner from RB Leipzig.
The North London club secured the services of the £164,000-a-week (SalarySport) Germany international forward on loan until the end of the season.
Werner has already made his debut for Tottenham, who have the option to make his loan deal permanent in the summer of 2024. The 27-year-old started against Manchester United and impressed Spurs head coach Ange Postecoglou.
Football.London has now reported that Postecoglou did not hesitate when Spurs Technical Director Johan Lange pushed the signing of Werner.
Timo Werner
Photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty Images
The report has claimed that Postecoglou “agreed that he would fit into his system well after seeing first hand how the 27-year-old had given his Celtic team all kinds of problems with RB Leipzig”.
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On October 5, 2022, RB Leipzig beat Celtic 3-1 in Germany in the UEFA Champions League. Werner started the match for the German club.
Then the following week, Leipzig won 2-0 against Celtic at Celtic Park. Werner scored in the 75th minute.
My View: Timo Werner a no-risk signing for Spurs
In my opinion, Timo Werner is a ‘no-risk’ signing for Tottenham Hotspur.
It is a loan deal, so if the former Chelsea forward fails to make a huge impact at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in the coming weeks and months, then the North London club could just send him back to RB Leipzig at the end of the season.
I do not think that Werner should be used as a central striker. He is not prolific and misses chances. The German is best used out wide.
Tottenham are very much in the running for the Premier League top four and could even challenge for the title this season.
BBC man reacts to Celtic target who “ticks all the boxes” at Parkhead
Celtic, top of the Scottish Premiership and on course to seal yet another league title under Brendan Rodgers after he returned last summer, have the opportunity to strengthen even further this month. And whilst they’re reportedly unlikely to land one particular deal, pundit Alan Hutton believes that the Scottish giants should be optimistic ahead of the summer.
Celtic transfer news
With the January window well underway, Celtic have been linked with reinforcements that could help them on their way to a third consecutive league title.
According to reports, Celtic have held talks with Gwangju FC midfielder Jung Ho-Yeon in what could prove to be a shrewd piece of business if all goes well. Meanwhile, the Bhoys have already sealed a deal from elsewhere this month, welcoming Nicolas Kuhn from Rapid Vienna.
After signing on the dotted line, Kuhn said: “Celtic is one of the biggest clubs around and I’m really happy to be here. At Celtic, it’s about doing all we can to win every game, so that is the challenge here. I can’t wait to get going and do my very best for our supporters.”
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Celtic are now interested in winning race to sign Tommy Conway
A player that Rodgers may not be able to welcome with open arms this month, however, is Caoimhin Kelleher.
According to reports, Liverpool will reject any bids for Kelleher this month, but Hutton believes that Celtic should be optimistic about their chances to secure a summer deal for the target.
Talking to Football Insider, the former Premier League full-back and BBC pundit said: “He’s an outstanding goalkeeper. We don’t see too much of him at Liverpool, but when it comes to the cup games, Jurgen Klopp obviously trusts him a lot for him to go and play. Every time I’ve watched him, I think he’s been amazing.
“He’s only 25 years old at this stage, so obviously with the Joe Hart situation, the fans always wanted to see somebody come in and put pressure on him.
I can’t see it happening in January, to be honest, but fans should be more optimistic about it happening in the summer. With his experience at a big football club, he ticks all the boxes. They’ll be looking at him as the long-term replacement.”
“Outstanding” Kelleher could be the perfect Hart replacement
With Hart’s contract set to expire this summer as things stand, Celtic may have no choice but to turn to the market for a fresh face in between the sticks. And they should look no further than Kelleher.
Rooted behind Alisson Becker in the pecking order at Liverpool, mainly thanks to how incredible the Brazilian is, rather than anything against the Celtic target, Kelleher is at somewhat of a crossroads in his career.
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At 25, it could be the perfect time to bring an end to his Anfield career and instead move on and take a number one spot over a backup role. With experience in cup finals, the Champions League and the Premier League already under his belt, he could be the perfect long-term replacement for Hart.
Although a deal seems unlikely this month, Celtic should swoop in this summer to sign the Liverpool shot-stopper, whose need for a number-one spot is growing more and more desperate with each season.
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Tom is a football writer who has written for a number of websites and newspapers, creating content on everything from non-league, the Premier League and the top five European leagues over the last four years.
Tom is also a Liverpool fan and a University of Brighton student who can often be found on Twitter talking about the Reds.
Rangers stance shared as Leeds eye move to sign “magic” player
A reliable reporter has provided a key update.
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Rangers could lose a “special” player during the January transfer window, with a new transfer report claiming a big English club are eyeing a move for him.
Rangers transfer news
The Gers could delve into the transfer market this month, as Philippe Clement looks to further perfect his squad between now and the end of the season.
A host of different left-backs have been linked with moves to Ibrox, ahead of the possible exit of Ridvan Yilmaz, with Liverpool youngster Owen Beck and Benfica ace David Jurasek among those in the mix to come in.
That isn’t the only position that is being focused on, however, with West Ham right-back Ben Johnson someone who Rangers are fighting other clubs for, as he looks increasingly likely to leave the London Stadium before the month comes to an end.
Leeds want Rangers ace Borna Barisic
According to a new update from Football Scotland’s reliable reporter Mark Hendry, Leeds United are among the clubs interested in signing Rangers left-back Borna Barisic, however, a new contract at Ibrox is also not ruled out. Yilmaz’s exit is also possible, ahead of a potential switch to Galatasaray.
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“Borna Barisic has suitors this month in Leeds United and around Europe in France, Spain and Germany but Gers want him to sign a new contract and have put the question forward for the left-back to consider. Meanwhile another left-back, Ridvan Yilmaz, is still having his future discussed with Hellas Verona wanting the player. Galatasaray reportedly had a bid rejected as Gers look to move him on.”
Barisic has been a brilliant player for Rangers over a significant period of time, racking up a total of 224 appearances for the Scottish Premiership giants, so losing him midway through the season could be a blow, given his experience of title races in the past.
The 31-year-old is also someone who was lauded by Steven Gerrard during his time as Gers manager, with the Liverpool legend hailing a brilliant goal he scored back in 2019:
“It’s a moment of magic. I always felt that it would take a moment of brilliance from one of the front men or wide men, or a really well-executed free-kick. Thankfully Borna stepped up and he deserves all the credit that he gets. I’ve seen him do that many times on the training pitch but it’s alright doing that when nobody’s there. You’ve got to do it in big moments so fair play to him.”
This season, Barisic has started nine league games, invariably sharing playing time with Yilmaz, also winning an average of 1.8 aerial duels per game, and it would be better to keep hold of him for the time being, especially if his fellow left-back moves on.
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At 31, his best days could be behind him, or may well be in the relatively near future, but he should be seen as a player who can contribute positively between now and May, potentially leaving at the end of the season instead.
RANGERS
BORNA BARISIC
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Henry is an experienced football writer with a huge passion and knowledge of the game.
With over a decade of writing under his belt, he has been part of Snack Media’s freelance team since 2020. He is also a main contributor for This Is Anfield, one of the world’s biggest Reds-related sites, where he writes features and news, and covers matchday content, from live blogs to the dreaded Player Ratings.
Henry is a Liverpool fan, which you may have guessed, and has also written articles for the Times and the Guardian, as well as featured on the radio on BBC Radio 5 Live and LBC.
Over the years, he has also accumulated nearly 30,000 followers on Twitter and become a known voice on all things Reds.
Celtic 2 Rangers 3: Instant reaction to the burning issues
Rangers claimed a late win over Celtic in the Sky Sports Cup semi-final..
Rangers sealed their spot in the Sky Sports Cup final after a breathless victory over rivals Celtic.
A bonkers cup tie saw three penalties awarded and a stoppage-time winner in front of enthusiastic split support.
Celtic snatched a lead against the run of play in the second half with Chloe Craig firing home a penalty after a handball against Kathryn Hill.
The Rangers defender made up for her error shortly after though as she forced over the line after a stramash in the box.
With ten minutes left Rangers turned the match on its head as Rio Hardy cut back for Kirsty Maclean who coolly slotted into the bottom corner.
With one minute left, though, Celtic were awarded a second penalty, this time Tessel Middag was adjudged to have fouled in the box even if TV replays suggested she got more than a fair touch on the ball. Craig made no mistake to level again.
But Rangers would have the last laugh to seal the win with a penalty of their own after 95 minutes. Caitlin Hayes had pulled down Hardy in the box and the Rangers striker blasted home to win and send her side into the final.
Cruel start for Elena Sadiku
It was always going to go one of two ways for new Celtic boss Elena Sadiku.
Either, a memorable triumph over rivals Rangers in her dugout debut, or a cruel defeat.
However, no one could have called such a difficult defeat with a losing goal coming with seconds left in added time.
Sadiku wants to be the Queen of Queens for Celtic and that could still come to pass, but as evident at the Excelsior there will always be bumps along the way.
Rangers get the job done
With 12 goals in their previous two outings, it was always expected Rangers would score.
Perhaps less predictable would be the somewhat blunt attack as Jo Potter’s side struggled to find a cutting edge.
Multiple opportunities were passed up, and more denied by the impressive Kelsey Daugherty and the Celtic defence.
Importantly, though, Rangers found a way. First, forcing over the line with Hill and then a terrific finish from Maclean.
And when it came to the crucial moment, Hardy made no mistake.
Incredible entertainment
Three penalties, end-to-end stuff no VAR and an intense rivalry thrown into the mix – that sounds like a recipe for entertainment.
Thankfully, that was exactly the case at the Excelsior as Rangers toppled Celtic in a crazy 97 minutes of action in the Sky Sports Cup.
There was a healthy dose of nerves, quality and dubious decisions all making a great advert for women’s football in Scotland with BBC Alba covering the contest live.
Our women’s game is not in the limelight as often as it should be, and an incredible cup tie was just another statement that the product is there.
Report: Southampton keen on signing £6.5m-rated Celtic target
Maik Nawrocki during the Cinch Scottish Premiership match between Aberdeen and Celtic at Pittodrie on 13 August 2023. Photo Stephen Dobson PSI
Southampton are ready to make a move to sign Aberdeen striker Bojan Miovski, who is being tracked by Celtic. The 24-year-old has been watched by the Scottish Champions at various points this season with a view to strengthening in attack.
According to Record Sport, Southampton’s talent spotter Darren Mowbray has been telling the hierarchy to make a January move to take the North Macedonian International to the South Coast.
Aberdeen signed Miovski from MTK Budapest in the summer of 2022. Since arriving in the North East of Scotland, Miovski has scored 32 goals and assisted on 6 occasions in 69 appearances. Mowbray was the man that headed up transfers at Pittodrie and now he’s pitching for Miovski to make the move to the English Championship.
Brendan Rodgers has said that he wants to bring quality into the team and it is expected that between two and four signings will arrive in January. Kyogo and Oh have struggled for form, whether by supply or stuttering confidence, so in the attacking third is a priority.
Southampton have enjoyed buying from Scotland in recent years with Stuart Armstrong, Victor Wanyama, Virgil Van Dijk and Fraser Forster all arriving from Celtic. Most recently, Joe Aribo went from Rangers in 2022 and Southampton were relegated.
Born just as Celtic were stopping the Ten, Lubo98 follows Celtic home and away and helps run his local Celtic Supporters Club. He goes to all the games and is a Law Graduate. Has a particular fondness for Tom Rogic among the current Celts and both Lubo and Henrik form his earliest Celtic memories.
“I Would Expect” – Dundee Loan Star Tipped for Celtic Move
Kenny Miller has suggested that Celtic should consider Dundee’s Owen Beck for a potential transfer.
26th December 2023; Dens Park, Dundee, Scotland; Scottish Premiership Football, Dundee versus Celtic; Paulo Bernardo of Celtic celebrates with his team mates after he shoots and scores to make it 1-0 in the 52nd minute
Beck, currently on loan from Liverpool, has made a significant impact in the Scottish Premiership, catching Miller’s attention with his performances.
Miller’s endorsement comes at a time when Celtic Rangers are reportedly in the market for reinforcements in the left-back position. Celtic is looking for a player to challenge Greg Taylor, with it clear that Alexandro Bernabei is not of the desired quality. The Portuguese left-back, Arujo, has been heavily linked with the Hoops over the past few weeks.
Speaking on BBC Radio, quoted by Football Scotland, Miller said, “I’m looking forward to seeing Owen Beck today. The games that I’ve seen him this year he’s been absolutely outstanding. This goes again to show the loans and opportunities that can be presented, from the big clubs in England up to Scotland to play.
“I would expect, for me, maybe the big two up here to be having a look at this player. Both of them could do with a player in that area of the pitch and he’s been outstanding.”
He didn’t impress too much during the ninety minutes on boxing day, but he did make the most tackles in the match, playing on the left of a back 5. He looked comfortable enough defensively, but Celtic are looking to add experience and quality to the squad, I don’t think the 21-year-old will fall under that bracket.
Celtic squad trim begins as Bhoys accept transfer offer
Brendan Rodgers and Celtic are expected to trim several fringe players from the Bhoys squad in the upcoming transfer window.
The Bhoys boss has admitted his playing group is too large and that he wants to reduce overall first-team numbers to around 25 across January and next summer.
Work is already underway and, in fact, the first confirmed exit could come quickly.
The Daily Record reports that Celtic have agreed on a £870,000 fee with Vissel Kobe in Japan to sell midfielder Yosuke Ideguchi, calling time on his ill-fated move to the Bhoys.
Ideguchi arrived in the same transfer window as Reo Hatate and Daizen Maeda during the Ange Postecoglou reign but struggled to make the same impact as his compatriots.
The midfielder picked up an unfortunate injury in a Scottish Cup shortly after joining the Hoops and went on to make just six appearances in total.
He joined Avispa Fukuoka on loan for the 2023 J-League season and impressed in his 32 appearances, even earning a Player of the Year nomination.
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Now it appears that Vissel Kobe have won the race for his signature and will allow Celtic to recoup the fee paid for him in the first place.
The J-League transfer window officially opens in mid-January ahead of their 2024 campaign so expect to hear official confirmation of his permanent transfer over the next couple of weeks.
There are plenty of other big contenders to leave the Bhoys next month too as Rodgers looks to shift players who aren’t currently contributing significantly.
Hopefully, it frees up space to bring in the ‘quality’ that the Celtic manager desires.
Aston Villa want title-winning £26m midfielder who ‘glides about the pitch’
Aston Villa have reportedly set their sights on Celtic’s Matt O’Riley ahead of the January transfer window.
The Villans are flying high in the Premier League and in Europe, and could well look to bolster their ranks further in January to maintain their momentum.
According to Sky Sports, Villa are one of several teams that have been watching O’Riley with a view to a potential approach.
As well as the Villans, the likes of West Ham, PSV Eindhoven, Atletico Madrid and Inter Milan are reportedly eyeing the midfielder.
The Sky Sports report claims Inter are prepared to offer an initial loan until the end of the season with an obligation to buy him in the summer.
In terms of price tag, Fabrizio Romano previously claimed that any team wishing to sign O’Riley would have to break the Scottish transfer record.
This currently stands at £25million, the fee Celtic received when they sold Portuguese winger Jota to Saudi Arabia’s Al-Ittihad in the summer.
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Aston Villa one of multiple teams in pursuit of Matt O’Riley
Villa have struck gold multiple times in the transfer market this year, and O’Riley would be another outstanding addition to the claret-and-blue ranks.
The 23-year-old is on nine goals and eight assists for the season so far, an especially great tally when you consider he’s a central midfielder.
Furthermore, three of his assists have come in the Champions League, showing how apt he is at the highest level.
In October, Sky Sports pundit Kris Boyd backed O’Riley to be “one of the next ones to go in terms of big money” from the Scottish top flight.
Boyd said on Sky Sports: “You could sit and watch Matt O’Riley play football all day. He’s a top-class player.
“He glides about the pitch and Brendan Rodgers has obviously asked him to get forward more this season. He is reaping the benefits of that.”
Villa – or any other suitors – would likely be looking at £26million and over for O’Riley.
It’s a fairly hefty price tag, but considering Declan Rice went for over £100million, it goes to show that an elite midfielder is worth his weight in gold. And O’Riley has the makings of one.
At the same time, the reigning Scottish champions only have a two-point lead at the top over second-placed Rangers, who have a game in hand. They may refuse to sell O’Riley until the summer at least.
Brendan Rodgers tried to sign £35m PL player during first spell at Celtic
News that Celtic could be interested in Wolves striker, Fabio Silva hit the headlines just prior to this weekend.
TBR Celtic told how the £35m striker is of interest to Brendan Rodgers on Thursday and it seems that this isn’t the only time the Hoops gaffer tried to land him in Paradise.
Former Celtic striker, Andy Walker, was speaking about Fabio Silva and he revealed that his old club tried to sign the Portuguese striker back in Rodgers’ first stint as Hoops boss.
Walker said [The Go Radio Football Show], “He was on Celtic’s radar a number of years ago. I remember doing a game down south when he was playing for Wolves and they were all talking about the interest from Celtic.
“I mean he’s got skill, he’s got ability, he’s played at a good level and that was during Brendan Rodgers’ first spell in charge when he was here with Chris Davies.
“But he’s certainly been on their radar before.”
Now, you might ask what’s the point of that? It was five years ago. Well now that Rodgers has been banging on about adding quality and questions have been raised about whether or not he is in charge of Celtic’s recruitment, at least now the club are linked with a player that Rodgers clearly likes.
Fabio Silva Celtic striker?
Could the young 21-year-old forward really do a job for Celtic? The Portugal u21 international has made 159 career appearances at both youth and senior level.
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In that time he has scored just 32 goals and created 18 assists. However his goalscoring rate at U21 International is very impressive.
Ten in 19 appearances for his country, which includes a hattrick against Liechtenstein in July 2022, is not to be sniffed at so clearly, the young man does have an eye for goal. [Transfermarkt]
Obviously, if any deal were to be brokered between Wolves and Celtic it would be with a view to loan. With the EPL club shelling out £35m for the striker, despite being cash-rich, Celtic are in no place to get anywhere near that figure to bring him to Paradise permanently.
Transfer Latest – Celtic eye Ipswich’s Czechia keeper Vaclav Hladky
Celtic have been linked with former St Mirren goalkeeper Vaclav Hladky as the shot-stopper nears the end of his contract. The Czech Republic star is currently at high-flying Ipswich Town in the English Championship and Kieran McKenna is eager to get the ex-Buddies man tied down on fresh terms as they bid to get promotion to the Premier League.
Vaclav Hladky
It’s no secret that the Bhoys will need a new netminder soon as Joe Hart enters the final months of his contract and will be 37 in any case. Joe has been a great servant to the club but I think we can all agree the time has come for him to step down from the number one position at the club and give a younger, fresher body a chance at the role. With Benjamin Seigrist and Scott Bain on the books, Brendan Rodgers will need to move someone on before he signs a new ‘keeper.
Vaclav Hladky
The club have been linked with various shot-stoppers as they try and succession plan for Joe’s potential retirement or if he decides to just move on from Celtic Park and remain in the game somewhere else. Andriy Lunin of Real Madrid has been strongly linked with a move to the Scottish Premiership Champions and there have been links to Kilmarnock loan star, Will Dennis too, although Rodgers has admitted he doesn’t see it as a priority this coming transfer window.
Czech media publication iSPORT have reported that the Hoops have reignited interest in his services and say the sources are from Scotland too. The 33-year-old will be free to speak to potential suitors next month and whilst Celtic do retain an interest, the goalkeeper may view it as his last shot at the big time of the English Premier League and the wages that could be on offer there. However, nothing is set in stone and Ipswich still need to get there so this could also play on his mind. If Celtic win the Scottish League this year it’s direct entry into the UEFA Champions League group stages which is also a very attractive proposition.
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Glasgow Derby Injury Concern for Celtic
Celtic emerged victorious with a 2-0 win over Livingston, a welcome relief following back-to-back defeats.
However, the triumph came with a tinge of concern as right-back Alistair Johnston appeared to suffer an injury towards the end of the match.
He looked to have pulled up injured, making him a concern for the Glasgow Derby next week.
The game saw Kyogo breaking his goal drought. Kyogo found the net, marking an end to his recent period without goals. This strike set the tone for Celtic’s dominance in the match.
Liam Scales doubled Celtic’s lead by heading in a corner from Palma.
Impressively, Palma also played a crucial role in setting up Kyogo’s goal, showcasing his ability to orchestrate key plays.
The Green Brigade returned to the stands for the win. The group made their presence felt for the first time in 13 games after being absent due to a ban.
Hopefully Brendan Rodgers can provide a positive update on the right back.
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There’s a lot of frustration”-journalist react to “strange” involving Celtic star
Kyogo Furuhashi now in ‘strange situation’ at Celtic
Celtic forward Kyogo Furuhashi looks to have been asked to play a different role under Brendan Rodgers at Parkhead.
HIGHLIGHTS
Celtic forward Kyogo Furuhashi’s goalscoring form under Brendan Rodgers has been “a bit strange” at Parkhead.
The Japan international has been asked to play a different role, drifting wide and dropping back, affecting his goalscoring form for the Hoops.
Celtic could look to trim their squad during the 2024 winter transfer window, with Nat Phillips and Alexandro Bernabei preparing for exits.
Celtic star Kyogo Furuhashi’s lack of goalscoring form under Brendan Rodgers has is “a bit strange” and has caused “a lot of frustration”, as journalist Dean Jones considers his performances as a whole at Parkhead.
The Hoops have enjoyed a positive start to the 2023/24 Scottish Premiership season, but a recent wobble in results will have created a sense of unease around Celtic Park.
Furuhashi has been operating across the front three for Rodgers’ outfit but hasn’t been utilised as the out-and-out striker he has been used to over the past two seasons. Celtic hope to recover from their early European exit and storm to a Premiership and Scottish Cup double.
Kyogo Furuhashi’s career at Celtic
In the summer of 2021, Celtic signed Furuhashi in a deal worth £4.6m from Vissel Kobe, as then-head coach Ange Postecoglou looked to develop a side capable of challenging for the Scottish Premiership title.
The Hoops had been beaten to the post by Rangers at a canter during the 2020/21 campaign and needed a rebuild to topple their Glasgow neighbours.
The Japan international would score 12 Premiership goals in 20 appearances during his first season at Celtic, helping them win the league title alongside a Viaplay Cup triumph.
Having had issues with his fitness during his debut campaign at Parkhead, Furuhashi would find full fitness in his second, hitting the back of the net 27 times in 36 top-flight outings.
The 28-year-old’s goal contribution led to Postecoglou’s side securing a domestic treble during the 2022/23 campaign before the respected head coach departed south of the border to take the vacant job at Tottenham Hotspur.
During the 2023/24 campaign, Furuhashi has struggled to reach the same levels in front of goal. Before Celtic’s trip to Livingston on 23rd December, the centre-forward had scored eight goals and registered three assists in 25 outings for the Bhoys.
However, Furuhashi has been asked to drift into wide areas and drop back to retrieve the ball under Rodgers, operating differently from how he played under Postecoglou.
In November, Jones told GIVEMESPORT that Celtic would not be concerned by exit rumours surrounding Furuhashi after it emerged that Tottenham had sent their top scout to check on players at Postecoglou’s former club.
Kyogo Furuhashi – Celtic stats (23-12-23)
Appearances
109
Goals
62
Assists
13
Yellow cards
8
Stats according to Transfermarkt
Dean Jones on Kyogo Furuhashi
Jones has suggested that Furuhashi can play a different role under Rodgers but that his goalscoring form will suffer. The journalist claims “a lot of frustration” surrounds the change. Asked about Furuhashi’s form, Jones told GIVEMESPORT:
“It is a bit strange. There’s a lot of frustration around this because you’d wonder why it hasn’t happened for him so far. But I feel like he’s being asked to play differently now. While he does seem capable in football in terms of being decent in the wide areas that he appears to be being forced into a bit more, it’s starting to reflect badly on his stats. That’s the first thing people will point out when looking for somebody to blame.
“I think he is a clever player and can play in the way he’s being asked, even though it might not be natural to him. But when you’re used to scoring or seeing someone score goals, it’s tough to accept a role change in which they’re not doing that as often.”
Celtic transfer news on Nat Phillps and Alexandro Bernabei’s future
With the 2024 winter transfer window approaching, Rodgers must consider the future of some of his squad members, who may feel they aren’t getting the opportunities required to stick around at Parkhead.
According to Football Scotland, centre-back Nat Phillips will return to Liverpool following his loan at Celtic next month.
The 26-year-old joined the Glasgow giants on a short-term deal at the end of August but has looked out of sorts, having built up his match fitness.
Phillips, now a fringe player at Celtic Park, won’t see his loan extended further, and another move away from Anfield could be on the cards in January.
Meanwhile, The Sun reports that Alexandro Bernabei is poised to make a winter exit from Celtic in 2024.
The 24-year-old has failed to establish himself under Rodgers and has attracted interest from Italian clubs and outfits from his homeland in Argentina.
The Hoops are keen on signing Estoril’s Tiago Araujo, valued at £4m, to offer competition to Greg Taylor, with Bernabei likely to be the victim in his arrival.
Meanwhile, Football Scotland claims that Celtic have enquired with Austrian outfit Sturm Graz about the possibility of signing former target Szymon Wlodarczyk. However, his value has sky-rocketed to £15m, making a deal financially unviable for the one-time European Cup winners.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Harry Whittingham(1846 Articles Published)
Harry is a football writer with multiple years of experience in the field, having worked as an intern at Port Vale Football Club whilst graduating with a BA Hons degree in Sports Journalism from Staffordshire University in 2021, before coming through the ranks at the O&O Academy at Snack Media.
Having worked as a freelance writer on This is Futbol from July-November 2022, he now works as a freelance writer for the Exclusives team at GIVEMESPORT, mainly covering Premier League football as well as Celtic and Rangers.
Harry has interviewed a range of footballer’s during his career, including ex-Premier League and Republic of Ireland winger Stephen Hunt and Port Vale legend Tom Pope.
Football dominates Harry’s life and when he’s not writing about the sport, he is often found following his beloved Wolverhampton Wanderers home and away, whilst also being an ardent follower of the Pittsburgh Steelers.
CELTIC’S £1m MYSTERY MAN
MYSTIFIED Celtic fans are still awaiting their first glimpse of South Korean midfielder Kwon Hyeon-kyu in competitive action.
Lazio 2-0 Celtic: Brendan Rodgers press…
The anchorman arrived in a £1million move – an initial £850,000 plus add-ons – from K-League outfit Busan IPark in July along with winger Yang Hyun-jun.
Under-21 international Kwon, with the reputation of a determined ball-winner in the middle of the park, played for 45 minutes in James Forrest’s Testimonial Match against Athletic Bilbao at Parkhead at the start of August on an evening Brendan Rodgers utilised 22 players of his first-team squad.
NOW YOU SEE ME…new Bhoy Kwon Hyeon-kyu proudly holds his Celtic jersey on July 25, the day after his arrival.
The 22-year-old enforcer also came on for Matt O’Riley in the 61st minute of the 1-1 draw with Wolves at Dublin’s Aviva Stadium a few days earlier.
Apart from that, there has been no sign of the Hoops’ mystery man although he was named in last weekend’s matchday squad for the home match against Hearts. That was only the fourth time time he has been stripped for action, but has yet to play a solitary minute for the Hoops.
Rodgers also ommitted Kwon from his 25-man squad that was registered with UEFA before the Champions League Group B meetings with Atletico Madrid, Lazio and Feyenoord.
It has become a bewildering situation without any likelihood of the midfielder, who signed a five-year contract in summer, edging closer to a first-team breakthrough.
Possibly next month’s transfer window will provide a solution.
BREAKING: Insane Russell Wilson News Has NFL Fans In Disbelief
Sep 17, 2023; Denver, Colorado, USA; Denver Broncos head coach Sean Payton talks with quarterback Russell Wilson (3) in the fourth quarter against the Washington Commanders at Empower Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports

Denver Broncos quarterback Russell Wilson has been having an up-and-down season in 2023. Although his 2022 debut with the team was one to forget, he has shown promise this season and has Denver in the mix of the playoff picture.
However, massive news has come out about the veteran quarterback regarding his playing time for the rest of the regular season, and it has put the NFL world into complete shock.
Sources: The #Broncos are, in fact, benching Russell Wilson for the final two games, preserving their financial flexibility for the offseason.
Jarrett Stidham starts. pic.twitter.com/8sh7ORek5Q
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) December 27, 2023
NFL Fans React
Dec 16, 2023; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Denver Broncos quarterback Russell Wilson (3) warms up before a game against the Detroit Lions at Ford Field. Mandatory Credit: Lon Horwedel-USA TODAY Sports
The Broncos have announced that Wilson will be benched for the rest of the 2023 season, and backup Jarrett Stidham will take the starting spot. This decision has already stirred up a ton of controversy amongst NFL fans, some saying that head coach Sean Payton is making a horrible decision, while others are saying that Wilson’s time in Denver is over.
That’s actually crazy lol I know they essentially blew their chance last week at the playoffs, but they’re still very much alive.
— Jacoby (@JacobyFC) December 27, 2023
What does that mean? How is the financial flexibility affected by this?
— Zak🔥🐬 (@ThaCreekFreak) December 27, 2023

This marks the end of Russell Wilson’s time in Denver
Broncos will release him prior to the 5th league day of 2024 and will take a massive dead cap hit
Broncos will then look for a new signal caller and Russ will have a similar treatment to Derek Carr last year
— FrontOfficePros (@FrontOfficePros) December 27, 2023
More like they’re trying to save themselves from paying Wilson his bonus 🤣🤣
— khani (@1khan09) December 27, 2023
Russell Wilson’s Career In Denver
Sean Payton needs the Denver Broncos to keep wide receivers for quarterback Russell Wilson
The veteran quarterback has had a drastic improvement in 2023 compared to his debut with the team in 2022. He has amounted to 3,070 passing yards, 26 touchdowns, and just eight interceptions this season.
In 2022, he went for 3,524 passing yards, 16 touchdowns, and 11 interceptions. Wilson has not been as productive in the last two years as he was with the Seattle Seahawks for the vast majority of his career. He has proven that he is an elite quarterback over the years, but his stint with Denver has many thinking his career is coming to an end.
The Broncos are 7-8 and in third place in the AFC West division. While their playoff chances this season are slim after their heartbreaking loss to the New England Patriots this past weekend, benching Wilson seems like a weird move by the team at this point in the season. Will the veteran quarterback be on a different squad by the 2024 season, or will he decide to hang up the cleats after being benched?
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