Brighton preparing for O’Riley signing, Celtic’s asking price is not a problem

Brighton preparing for O’Riley signing, Celtic’s asking price is not a problem

Celtic always made it clear that they were not prepared to sell Matt O’Riley for less than the club received for Jota from Al-Ittihad last summer and for Kieran Tierney from Arsenal a number of years before.

Italian side Atalanta tested Celtic’s resolve while Brighton sat on the sidelines and waited. Eventually after five attempts, all below the asking price, the Europa League holders, turned their attention elsewhere and Brighton made their move. Atalanta’s highest bid was £23.5m (including add-ons), and that was still well short of the Celtic asking price.

The Seagulls aren’t messing around and have already submitted a bid to Celtic, as we reported yesterday.

And it appears that the English Premier League side have reached the threshold that Celtic set as negotiations on the deal continues, with this one looking like being more that Atalanta’s bargain hunting.

Daily Mail reported  that Napoli want to sign Billy Gilmour from Brighton but they want to have the O’Riley deal concluded before allowing the Scotland midfielder to leave.

And Stephen McGowan writing in Daily Mail today reports that Brighton have taken heed and that they are prepared to meet the asking price with sources informing him that the £25m price tag is NOT an issue from the Brighton end of the deal. Accordingly they are confident that a deal can be agreed and that Matt O’Riley will leave Celtic to sign for Brighton.

That fee will be subsided by the sale of Gilmour, while Brendan Rodgers will activate his own plans to recruit two midfielders before the window closes, with multiple names being mentioned as possible Celtic signings over the past few weeks. A left-back and a central defender are apparently also on the Celtic manager’s shopping list.

Matt O’Riley of Celtic arrives prior to the Premier Sports Cup match between Celtic and Hibernian at Celtic Park on August 18, 2024. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

After the 3-1 win over Hibs at Celtic Park on Sunday afternoon, Matt O’Riley stayed around outside the stadium much longer than any of his teammates, signing autographs and having selfies taken with supporters. It looked very much like he was savouring the moment ahead of an expected exit this week.

Meanwhile the news yesterday about Leicester City interest in Reo Hatate seems to have been wide of the mark. Hatate is going to have to deliver an impress season and stay injury free if he is going to fulfil his own ambitions and make a similar move to the one that Matt O’Riley is likely to make shortly.

The very best of luck to Matt when he goes. He’s been top class on and off the park during his time at Celtic. Presumably MK Dons will have a sell-on clause in their deal with Celtic so they could be in for a windfall from this transfer deal.

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Brendan Rodgers read a Liverpool riot act as Celtic boss accused of £32m ‘obsession’ + vetoing transfers

The boss is now with Celtic | Getty Images

The Celtic boss’ time at Liverpool has been revisited.

A former Liverpool staffer has accused Brendan Rodgers of not listening to transfer advice as his Anfield spell is revisited.

The Irishman has won round fans at Parkhead after coming back for a second go in the Hoops hotseat last summer, following a controversial move to Leicester City in 2019. A Premiership and Scottish Cup double has sweetened relations and punters want to see their gaffer backed in the transfer market.

Adam Idah’s £9.5m to Celtic from Norwich City is a sign of said backing, with Rodgers making it clear the striker was a man he desired. Back in 2012, he is said to have been casting those same type of recruitment wishes at Liverpool when taking over as manager from Sir Kenny Dalglish.

He lasted until 2015 and as director of research for over a decade at Liverpool, Ian Graham watched his reign first-hand before taking a role in successor Jurgen Klopp’s success in the market. Initially appointed by Michael Edwards in 2012 after they had worked together at Tottenham, A feature in The Athletic claims “Rodgers’ refusal to work with a sporting director meant that a transfer committee was formed compromising of the manager, CEO Ian Ayre, Edwards (then technical director), head of recruitment Dave Fallows and chief scout Barry Hunter.”

Graham was an unofficial member who put data into the decision making process but “friction” occurred when opposing Rodgers plans to sign Joe Allen and Gylfi Sigurdsson, two players he worked with at Swansea City. Signing players he’s worked with previously has been a theme in Rodgers’ recruitment in the past, which continued this summer when signing former Leicester goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel for Celtic.

Allen was eventually signed alongside striker Fabio Borini but other members of the committee were of the opinion that Chelsea’s Daniel Sturridge was a better option, signing him six months later. Then there was the pursuit of Ashley Williams and Ryan Bertrand but the Celtic boss ended up with Mamadou Sakho and Alberto Moreno.

Graham claims he “begged” Liverpool’s owners not to sanction a move for Aston Villa’s Christian Benteke in 2015 due to him not being a fit for the style at Anfield, but signing the striker was an “obsession” of Rodgers’ and FSG paid Benteke’s £32.5million release clause. He scored 10 times in 42 Liverpool games and left a year later for Crystal Palace.

The ex-director of research has opened up on working with the Celtic boss at Liverpool. He explained: “The typical experience of a data person going into a club back in the early 2010s was you come in with some bright ideas straight out of university and some old football guys think, ‘This is all rubbish; we’re not going to listen to this stuff.’

“There was resistance – and there was certainly resistance from Brendan. Tough as that was, I knew it was a much better position to be in than at most clubs because I had buy-in from the owners and from Michael who was my direct manager.

“In the first few years of the transfer committee, those failed signings, most of them were because the players we wanted to bring in Brendan vetoed. And the ones Brendan wanted to bring in we vetoed. So at times we ended up with fifth- or sixth-choice players. We just weren’t getting our top targets.

“The difference was Jurgen’s open-mindedness. The data gradually became more sophisticated and the models improved, but there wasn’t a step-change in the quality of our analysis when Brendan left and Jurgen arrived. It was the same processes and the same people. Jurgen saw players in the same way as Michael Edwards, whereas Brendan didn’t.”

Norwich City working to sign Rakow striker Ante Crnac

Norwich City are working on a deal to sign Ante Crnac. (Image: Alamy Stock Photo)

Norwich City are working on a deal to sign Rakow Częstochowa’s Croatian striker Ante Crnac. 

Hope is growing that the 20-year-old could become their fifth summer signing and end their pursuit of a striking addition after Adam Idah’s departure.

The deal for the highly rated youngster is around similar numbers that Idah departed Carrow Road to join Celtic permanently last week, and there is growing optimism that a deal could be struck this week.

Crnac, a striker, can also operate across the front line and netted eight goals in 26 matches last season, recording five assists. He has started the current campaign brightly, netting once for Rakow in their opening five games.

He has previously been heavily linked with Bundesliga side Werder Bremen, but City appear to have timed their run to perfection.

The Croat began his career at Moslavina before signing for Dinamo Zagreb where he developed as a teenager without making a senior appearance. He then joined Slaven Belupo in 2022, where he made 56 appearances.

Crnac’s performances then earned him a move to his current club, Rakow, in September 2023 for a fee of €1million. Norwich’s interest in the youngster has been longstanding, and they’ve made their move after a deal to sign Rennes striker Bergot Yildirim fell through last weekend.

Norwich currently have Josh Sargent as their only fit and available natural striking option with Ashley Barnes still sidelined and Ken Aboh poised for an EFL loan to continue his development.

Josh Sargent is Norwich City’s only fit striking option. (Image: Andy Sumner/Focus Images Ltd)

That has upped the intensity of their striker search, with Crnac now their primary target. Johannes Hoff Thorup confirmed at the weekend that their work was continuing.

“I don’t think we are there yet, but we are working on some different options for us,” said Thorup, speaking after Saturday’s 2-2 league draw against Blackburn. “So again, I hope it can be before the next game (Sheffield United). You never know.

“In football, it takes more than just one or two parts to agree when it’s a transfer deal. We have to wait and see, but I’m positive that we can bring quality into the group.”

 

Celtic transfer news latest as Gustaf Lagerbielke set to go Dutch and Kasper Schmeichel reveals Premier League snub

The Swede has failed to make an impact and Dutch side Heerenveen have reportedly held talks over a move

Heerenveen are the new favourites to sign Celtic defensive misfit Gustaf Lagerbielke after reportedly holding talks on Monday.

The Swedish stopper is free to leave Parkhead just a year after joining from Elfsborg and Belgian outfit KV Mechelen were linked. But a report in Germany claim that Dutch outfit Heerenveen have stepped up their pursuit to sign the 24-year-old, who has been capped twice for his country.

Lagerbielke was unable to make the breakthrough under Brendan Rodgers, although he did score the winner against Feyenoord in the Champions League. And, with just over week left of the transfer window, the report by Fussball Transfers said everyone involved is working hard” to take the defender to the Eredivisie. Elsewhere the defender’s fellow Scandinavian, Denmark international keeper Kasper Schmeichel, has revealed how he rejected English Premier League interest to seal his move to Celtic in the summer after leaving Anderlecht.

Speaking to Tipsbladet, he said: “It is true that there was some interest from the English Premier League, and it is always a pat on the back with interest from clubs from such a big league, but I must also be completely honest and say that it was not about clubs at all up at the top of the English table.

“In Anderlecht, I was reminded of how great it is to play for a championship, when last season we lifted the old big club from 11th place and to play for the championship until the last round of play. Such as I also tried with success in Leicester. It’s just me. In a top club like Celtic, who are always chasing trophies, there is a lot at stake in each and every match, and I love the demand that every time you go on the pitch, you must only win.

“Perhaps the coolest thing has been the winning mentality in Celtic, where the biggest point is that we must maintain the hunger to win again and again and again – and I feel that hunger, seriousness and ambition every single day.

Kasper Schmeichel celebrates

“The club’s mindset permeates everything: We have to win the next game – and the next trophy.

“Celtic is just one of the absolute biggest clubs in Great Britain, and when they came on the field, I could immediately feel that I wanted to be here. It is a huge club in so many ways: The history, the trophies, and the aforementioned winning mentality, where it is only about winning – a draw is never enough.

“There is the support at home at Celtic Park with an average of 60,000 and a gigantic passion for the club. And then we noticed in the US this summer that Celtic is a global brand with fans everywhere. At the same time, we are directly in the Champions League, which is the highest level in football.”

Meanwhile, new Motherwell recruit Tawanda Maswanhise will relish being reunited with his old Leicester boss Brendan Rodgers. And the winger hopes to showcase what he learned under the Celtic manager. The 21-year-old had been with the Foxes youth set-up since Under-9s and came through the academy to make his first-team debut in January. He was released in the summer and didn’t play in their first team for Rodgers. But he loved training under the Irishman and is looking forward to seeing him again when their sides meet at Fir Park in October.

He said: “I was always in and out but it was good when I was getting coached by Brendan. He taught me a lot. I’ll have a word with him. Hopefully it’s positive and a little catch-up would be nice. I was a young 18-year-old when he brought me into the team and now I’m 21 I’m a lot faster and a bit smarter.

“It’s been a long process over the summer, training by myself. It’s not been easy going into full-time after having a big break. But it’s been good. I’ve been keeping up with the lads and getting to know them as well.”

Norwich Star Wanted By Celtic, Hull And Portsmouth Slaps In Transfer Request

Celtic, Portsmouth and Hull City target Abu Kamara has handed in a transfer request to force his way out of Norwich City this summer, according to the BBC

The 21-year-old striker made two substitute appearances on the opening weekends of the Championship season.

He spent last season on loan at Portsmouth and played a key role in getting them promoted to the Championship.

John Mousinho is interested in taking him back to Fratton Park and he has also attracted interest from Hull and Celtic.

It has been claimed that the forward is now trying to force his way out of Carrow Road this summer.

He handed in a transfer request with Norwich to try and get out of the club before the window closes.

Kamara wants to move on and he is now putting pressure on the club to agree on a deal to sell him.

He still has a year left on his contract with Norwich holding an option of extending it by one more year.

Rodgers could forget about Kelly in record Celtic swoop for £10m star

The summer transfer window officially slams shut on Friday of next week and this means that Celtic still have a bit of time left to complete their business.

It also means, however, that they are still at risk of losing some of their top talent. In fact, Sky Sports reports that Brighton & Hove Albion have made an offer to sign Matt O’Riley from the Hoops.

In Rodger I trust it’s our wage structure now that’s a the thing that eats into profit big way and can upset the team togetherness you buy a player for ten or more millions the wages for up to £1,000,000 and more we are in spl no big tv money which dwarfs champions league money if a team like Brighton can bid for one of our top players I mediocre club with 20,000 season tickets if that but due to maga bucks tv money ok if O’Riley goes to a team that defends more than open play to be it but I thought he would have fave champions league one more chance cause it might be his last chance I wish him well but thought his aspirations was higher

Celtic held Glasgow talks on Monday over Bhoys exit – Transfer now looking likely

As we edge into the final ten days of the transfer window, it feels like there’s still an awful lot of business possible, and that’s the case with Celtic and others in the Scottish Premiership.

There’s expected to be incomings and outgoings at Brendan Rodgers’ side, and one of the latter is likely to be Gustav Lagerbielke.

Fussball Transfers reports, making it clear it’s according to their own information, that Celtic will ‘most likely’ let the 24-year-old leave before the the window is closed.

SC Heerenveen are very keen, and KV Mechelen also hold an interest, although it’s thought the Eredivisie side are ahead of their Belgian competitors.

According to the report, talks took place in Glasgow on Monday between Lagerbielke, and likely his representatives, and Celtic.

Now there’s an effort on to get the Swedish defender to Dutch football before the window slams shut. Whether he’ll be leaving on a permanent transfer or loan deal is yet to be seen.

That two clubs are tussling for the move can only be a good thing for Celtic.

Celtic could land dream signing for Idah in swoop for “invisible” £10m star

Celtic will be competing in the quarter-final of the League Cup later this year after they beat Scottish Premiership rivals Hibernian 3-1 at Parkhead on Sunday.

The Hoops had already beaten their cup opponents in the top-flight the previous weekend at Easter Road, with goals from Nicolas Kuhn and Callum McGregor securing the win.

Daizen Maeda was tasked with leading the line in the League Cup tie on Sunday and struck twice inside the opening 20 minutes to put his side 2-0 up, before Kuhn scored against them for the second time in as many games to make it 2-0.

One good moment from the second half was the reception the Parkhead crowd gave Adam Idah when the striker came on as a substitute to make his second debut for the club.

The Ireland international recently joined the Bhoys on a permanent deal from Norwich City for a reported fee of £8.5m with a further £1m in add-ons.

He did not get himself a goal in that cameo but it was a little run-out to re-introduce himself to the crowd after his loan spell in Glasgow during the second half of the 2023/24 campaign.

Adam Idah’s loan form for Celtic

It is fair to say that Idah did not arrive at Celtic to much fanfare when the club announced his arrival on a loan from the Canaries at the end of the winter transfer window earlier this year.

The 23-year-old attacker had only scored 17 goals and provided four assists in 115 appearances for Norwich as a centre-forward, which may not have filled supporters with bounds of excitement.

However, you should never judge a player before they have played for their new team and Idah quickly showed that his goalscoring record with the Yellows may have been more to do with his situation there, being behind Teemu Pukki and then Josh Sargent in the pecking order, rather than his quality.

The 6 foot 3 marksman produced an assist on his debut as a substitute against Aberdeen, teeing up Kuhn for an equaliser in a 1-1 draw, and then scored twice in a 2-1 win over Hibernian on his full debut in the next match.

23/24 Premiership

Adam Idah

Appearances

15

Starts

5

Goals

8

Big chances missed

7

Conversion rate

27%

Minutes per goal

76

Stats via Sofascore

As you can see in the table above, Idah went on to rack up eight goals in 15 appearances in the Premiership, despite only starting five of those games.

The Irish forward proved that he can find the back of the net on a regular basis in the Scottish top-flight, using his physicality, his movement, and his quality in front of goal to be a constant threat to opposition defences.

Idah also popped up in big moments for the club with a goal in a 3-3 draw with Rangers and a 90th-minute winner in the League Cup final against the Gers at Hampden Park.

Hopefully, the Norwich academy graduate will now enjoy a successful time at the club on a permanent basis and Brendan Rodgers could make a dream signing for Idah by swooping for one of Celtic’s reported transfer targets.

Celtic’s interest in MLS magician

Earlier this month, Sky Sports journalist Anthony Joseph claimed that the Hoops have Philadelphia Union central midfielder Daniel Gazdag on their radar.

The reporter claimed that the Bhoys have a list of targets to improve their midfield options, potentially to replace Matt O’Riley if he moves on before the end of the month, and the MLS star was one of three named.

Southampton’s Shea Charles and Venezia’s Tanner Tessmann are the other two players who are said to be on the shortlist alongside Gazdag.

The summer transfer window slams shut at the end of this month and this means that the Scottish giants have less than two weeks to get a deal done for a new midfielder.

Sky Sports went on to post an update on Celtic’s pursuit of Gazdag, as they revealed that Turkish side Trabzonspor have held talks over a potential swoop for the Hungary international.

The outlet added that it would also take an offer in the region of £10m to tempt Union into parting ways with the midfield magician this summer.

Why Daniel Gazdag would be a dream for Adam Idah

The 28-year-old star would be a dream for Idah at Parkhead because he is a quality midfielder who can create chances for his teammates whilst also providing a goal threat.

Gazdag produced 1.4 key passes per game and created four ‘big chances’ in 19 starts in the MLS this year, having made 1.7 key passes per match and assisted six goals in 35 outings in 2023.

His creativity has been on show in the Leagues Cup over the last month or so, with three assists – and one goal – in five appearances in the competition.

These statistics show that the right-footed whiz has the quality to be an excellent provider from the middle of the park, which means that he could create plenty of chances for Idah to find the back of the net at Parkhead this season.

Another reason why Gazdag would be a dream signing for the Irishman is that he is a terrific goalscorer from midfield, and that could take a lot of the pressure off the striker to be a consistent scorer – particularly in his first full year at the club when patience may be required.

Daniel Gazdag

2023 MLS

2024 MLS

Appearances

35

21

xG

14.68

13.07

Goals

15

14

xA

6.32

2.66

Stats via Sofascore

As you can see in the table above, the Hungarian maestro has fired in an eye-catching 29 goals in 56 appearances in the MLS since the start of 2023, from a central midfield position.

This shows that the Union star, who was described as being “invisible” in the way he ghosts into goalscoring positions by manager Jim Curtin, can provide a huge threat in the final third for the Hoops if he can translate that form over to Scotland.

Therefore, Gazdag would be a dream signing for Idah due to the creativity he could bring to the table to create chances for the striker, as well as the pressure the £10m-rated ace could take off the forward with his goalscoring quality.

What Matt O’Riley has told Celtic as Brighton open talks for club-record deal

EXCLUSIVE from Graeme Bailey

HITC understands that Brighton have opened talks with Celtic over a deal for midfielder Matt O’Riley.

The Premier League club are looking to push forward and thrash out a deal for the 23-year-old Denmark international.

HITC understands that personal terms have already been discussed and are agreed in principle. Both clubs are now in negotiations over a fee for the midfielder.

Brighton have already submitted an offer for O’Riley this summer but the Seagulls have returned to try and finalise an agreement.

Brighton are confident they are now in pole position for his signature after Atalanta dropped out of the race for O’Riley by refusing to meet their demands. Instead, they struck a £17million deal for Lazar Samardzic.

Matt O’Riley’s stance on leaving Celtic

Despite the interest in his signature, Matt O’Riley has played a part in all three of Celtic‘s matches so far this season, including their 3-1 win over Hibernian on Sunday afternoon.

However, HITC is told that O’Riley has made it clear to Celtic that he wants the chance to leave this month.

Celtic rejected two offers from Atalanta for O’Riley worth around £15million as they were holding out for a bigger fee.

It is understood the Glasgow giants want a club-record fee of £25million plus an additional £5million in add-ons to part ways with O’Riley.

O’Riley has a contract at Celtic Park until 2027 so they are under no pressure to lower their asking price.

Brendan Rodgers told to make 2 Celtic transfer moves but heir to Scott Brown’s throne is at Parkhead right now

Celtic transfer moves have been made already this summer.

A Celtic legend says two positions in particular should be targeted this summer window – but a Scott Brown-style player is already in the ranks.

Frank McAvennie has been watching on this summer, with his former side signing four players in Viljami Sinisalo, Kasper Schmeichel, Paulo Bernardo and Adam Idah. Boss Brendan Rodgers wants more before the end of the window though with the likes of Liverpool’s Ben Doak and Dundee’s Luke McCowan linked.

Ex-striker McAvennie believes a midfielder is one area needing bolstered, but he believes current enforcer Tomoki Iwata can play a role similar to what former captain Scott Brown did at Parkhead. He told Football Insider: “I don’t know about him (McCowan).

“Kuhn has come in so he’s that right-wing option, Matt (O’Riley) is is playing central midfield, further up the park. I would still like to see a number six coming in and just holding. Scott Brown and the Australian boy Aaron Mooy who both did a good job for the club.

“I was hoping Iwata would be that and I think Brendan (Rodgers) is looking at that because he’s a good player. He doesn’t lose the ball and he doesn’t mind putting his foot in so I think he could develop into the player that the club need.”

Liam Scales has been the centre-back of choice alongside mainstay Cameron Carter-Vickers. McAvennie reckons another player is needed for the heart of defence, adding: “He’s come in and he hasn’t let Celtic down. For me as a striker, I notice things and he gets too close to the strikers and if somebody gets too close to me I turn them, I can turn them easily.

“He’s got to learn when to go close and when to hang off. But he’s only young, he’s going to learn but I do think we should get a good centre-back in to replace him. We’ve got plenty of games so he will still get a lot of game time.

“I just don’t think he’s ready for the step up yet but that’s not to say that he won’t be six months down the line, a year down the line. At the moment he’s all we’ve got (Maik) Nawrocki keeps getting injured. He’s a good player, you don’t become a Polish international unless you’re a good player but I still think we should bring someone in.”

Celtic linked with free transfer move for Ireland striker

Celtic are reportedly keeping tabs on Ireland Internationalist Aaron Connolly. The ex-Brighton forward is available after his contract at Championship side Hull City expired.

According to Football Scotland, Brendan Rodgers is keeping an eye on the availability of the 24-year-old.

It remains to be seen whether Celtic would sanction a move for a player with the profile of Connolly. Given that he’s spent the vast majority of his playing career in England, he would likely have wage expectations that would make a deal unrealistic given his role.

Celtic signed Adam Idah in a deal worth £9.5m last week but the Irishman started from the bench with Daizen Maeda leading the line in the win over Hibs. Kyogo was sidelined with an injury to his shoulder but it appears that the club are comfortable using Maeda through the middle when required.

The manager of the Champions has said that he would like to have three striking options with two first pick players supplemented by a third player for development. Given that Connolly is a year older than Idah, it is unlikely that he would fall into the category of a development player.

Clubs line up to sign former Celtic £25m export

A number of clubs are vying to sign former Celtic star Jota in the final weeks of the transfer window. The 25-year-old has struggled since swapping Scotland for Saudi and it appears that both he and Al Ittihad are keen for parties to part ways.

Reports from France have suggested that a number of teams are keen on the player, namely Rennes and Marseille. However, the major stumbling block for any suitor is the attacker’s wage packet, which is reportedly close to £200k.

🚨 Marseille and Stade Rennais are both targeting a deal to sign Jota from Al-Ittihad. 🇵🇹

(Source: @MohamedTERParis) pic.twitter.com/VOs2XP2Rgw

— Transfer News Live (@DeadlineDayLive) August 19, 2024

French outlet SportZone claims that Wolves and Sporting Lisbon are vying for the signature of the player with Jorge Mendes pulling the strings.
Jota has made just 22 appearances in all competitions in Saudi, scoring four goals and assisting once. The form and (lack of) adulation in the Saudi Pro League is a far cry from his time at Celtic, where he produced extraordinary moments in the Hoops. During a recent meeting with Celtic fans in Lisbon, Jota said that he wasn’t sure but that he loved Celtic when asked if he was coming back.

During two years in Glasgow, Jota 83 appearances for Celtic as they won five trophies. In those games, he scored 28 goals and assisted on 26 occasions, which resulted in links to a number of clubs.

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.

Motherwell signing plans chat with Celtic boss Rodgers after prior praise as Rangers hero provides move advice

Tawanda Maswanhise | Motherwell Times

He has signed for Motherwell after time at Leicester City.

Tawanda Maswanhise hopes to catch a word with Celtic boss Brendan Rodgers after his move to Motherwell – as he opens up on the potential of an extended Fir Park stay.

The attacker impressed off the bench against Kilmarnock in a 1-0 Premier Sports Cup last 16 win on Sunday, providing a cross for Moses Ebiye to head an extra-time winner home. He joins Stuart Kettlewell’s team after time in the Leicester City academy, where Celtic boss Rodgers was impressed during his time in charge of the Foxes.

Rodgers said in 2021 after including him in his Premier League squad for a match against Man Utd: “He’s a young player I like. I’ve seen him playing for the Under-18s. He’s quick, he’s direct. He’s got a lot of strengths and he’s got a lot of potential, but a lot of work to do.

“Bringing in young players, like we’ve done with Luke before, it gives them the experience. To feel the preparation, to sit on the bench, to see the quality of the players, it gives him a flavour of the level and preparation he needs to be here. That was the idea.”

Motherwell don’t face Celtic until October but Maswanhise wants to show his ex-gaffer how much he has improved while in claret and amber. He said: “I was always in and out but it was good when I was getting coached by Brendan. He taught me a lot to be fair.

“I’ll have a word with him. Hopefully it’s positive and a little catch-up would be nice. I was a young 18-year-old when he brought me into the team and now I am 21. I am a lot faster, stronger and a bit smarter.”

Another helpful voice in helping him get a handle on life at Motherwell was Calvin Bassey. The defender joined Rangers fresh out the Foxes academy, going on to become an Ibrox favourite on their run to the 2022 Europa League final. Rangers then sold him in a deal worth almost £23m to Ajax.

Maswanhise said: “I am good mates with Calvin and his story was quite good. His journey, did well at Rangers, got his move, but it’s been good so far. (He told me) be aware of the shouting from behind, the grief, the physicality here is quite strong. I’ll get used to it.”

Kettlewell was impressed by the forward in bounce matches and training, before handing him a six-month deal with the option to extend. When asked if he wanted to stay at Fir Park past his initial terms, Maswanhise left that in the hands of the manager, as he opened up on his move and a tough introduction in a friendly vs Everton.

He added: “It’s the gaffer’s choice. If he wants to keep me in the team, I want to assist and score goals etc. Hopefully that can go through. It’s been a long process over the summer, training by myself. It’s not been easy coming in, going into full-time after having a big break. But it’s been good, I’ve been keeping up with the lads and getting to know them as well. It’s been good.

“There was a friendly against Everton last week. I got the call the night before the game, playing against top Premier League players. Idrissa Gana Gueye and Abdoulaye Doucouré just running me about, but got there in the end!

“I don’t think Scotland was in mind. I wanted to stay in England, but the options were getting wider as the transfer window opened. My first day or night was that first game so it was a nice welcome. All the players are nice. It’s been good, nobody has given me grief yet so hopefully it stays like this.”

Celtic transfer news bulletin as Matt O’Riley replacement lined up and Hoops ready to resist late Hatate swoops

The latest on O’Riley as Brighton accelerate their interest in the Celtic playmaker

Celtic are braced for Matt O’Riley’s exit after Brighton ramped up the bidding war for the Parkhead playmaker – and they have a contingency plan in place if he does leave.

The English Premier League outfit have made their move to open talks over a £25m plus move for the Denmark international. Celtic won’t allow O’RIley to leave on the cheap after seeing off several attempts rom Serie A Atalanta – with the Italians eventually giving up the chase following a final bid of around £20m. Brighton will have no problems meeting the asking price and the Hoops understand it will be difficult if the 23-year-old is sweet on the switch.

O’Riley has insisted he is in no hurry to leave Celts but has long term ambitions of playing in one of Europe’s major leagues, having already attracted serious attention from Italy, Spain and Germany. Several other clubs in England are also in the hunt but Fabian Hurzeler’s Seagulls have shot to the front of the queue with less than a fortnight remaining in the window. Celts have been anticipating a major move for the star man – and have several alternatives lined up if the midfielder does depart.

Augsburg sensation Arne Engels is near the top of the list and the Hoops have already held tentative talks with representatives of the 20-year-old – who could cost up to £10m. Parkhead chiefs won’t baulk at the fee having already coughed up £8.5m up front for Adam Idah to return to Glasgow, with boss Brendan Rodgers admitted he is determined to channel his transfer kitty into quality rather than quantity.

The Irishman is also looking to hold on to other key men in his squad and the club are looking to resist any offers this summer for Reo Hatate, despite talk down south of interest from Leicester City. The Japan star also has long term hopes of playing in England but is understood to be focused on building his fitness this term after an injury hit campaign last time out. Meanwhile Hoops defender Cameron Carter-Vickers is looking to maintain Celtic’s blistering start to the season and fight for a clean sweep this term.

The USA cap was part of the Treble winning side under Ange Postecoglou and bounce back from injury to claim the Double last time out. Celts roared into the last eight of the Premier Sports Cup wit their win against Hibs at the weekend and Carter-Vickers is out to add the trophy to his collection after missing out 12 months ago.

He said: “Obviously, last season was disappointing in this competition, but every season you want to win every competition. The aims are no different to what they were last season or previous seasons, but it’s definitely one that we want to win this year.

“I think we’re definitely capable of more. We’ve started well, it’s kind of been a continuation from pre-season, but hopefully as the season goes on and we continue to work together, we’ll improve and get better. I

“It’s all good doing it in the first three, four, five games, but I think the key is consistency. If we can maintain that level and improve a little bit throughout the season, then that would be great.”

Carter-Vickers has been thrilled by Celtic’s blistering start to the campaign but warned there is more to come from Rodgers’s men.

He said: “I think so. Our performance so far have been good, as well as the ones in pre-season. It’s early, so for us it’s just about continuing to try to work and try to improve. That’s what we’ve been doing so far, and if we continue doing that we’ll be in a good place.

“Since it’s the manager’s second year now, I think it’s only natural that the more time he gets with the group, the more he can implement the way he wants to play and the way he wants to train and work.

“I think we’re in a good place. We haven’t had any injuries yet, we’re just continuing to crack away and try to get better.”

 

Celtic midfielder Daniel Kelly will move to Millwall this week, with a fee now agreed between the two clubs.

According to the Daily Record, Kelly is set to move to the Lions despite being offered a new deal to stay. Brendan Rodgers is believed to have been willing to increase the teenager’s wages by £5,000 per week, but that won’t be enough to convince him to stay in the SPFL.

It was revealed earlier this week he had agreed a move to Millwall in January. “Dan has agreed to join the club. A deal has been agreed and he has signed. He officially joins us in January,” Lions boss Neil Harris said on Tuesday. “He is a young player that we think has got huge potential. He is a very good player. When Dan first walks into the building he is not going to be someone that everyone should expect to go straight into the team.”

Instead, he’s now set to move to London this week, where the struggling Lions will pay around £400,000 plus add-ons to secure his early release. While the youngster signed a pre-contract with Neil Harris’s side this week with a view to a January move, he was set to play out the rest of his contract in the Lowland League with Celtic B. Millwall now want to speed up the process, hence the freshly-agreed terms.

After a tough start to the season, Harris clearly feels he needs the player sooner rather than later. It’s reported he is now in London, with a medical scheduled for the next couple of days. Representatives of the Lions are hoping that Kelly will be able to face Hull City in the Championship next weekend.

It’s been a frustrating summer for the player. He came through the youth ranks at Parkhead and has played for Scotland’s Under 19 side, but he turned down a fresh deal and was farmed out to play for their B team. This came after he broke into the first team picture last season, scoring in the 7-1 victory against Dundee in February.

Writer’s View

Kelly is a special talent who has had to make a big decision around his future. Hailing from East Kilbride, you could be forgiven for thinking that Celtic and Scotland would be the best place for him to develop, but he’s seemingly set on the bottom end of the Championship with Millwall.

They’ve made a big call also. £400,000 is not a small amount of money for a player they would have got much cheaper in January, but Harris might be a manager under pressure right now, given their poor start to the season. Perhaps he sees the central midfielder as a key part of his battle against relegation, which is where it feels the Lions might be fighting this season.

Millwall are now set to have a medical for Tottenham Hotspur defender Japhet Tanganga, according to a report from Football Insider. The Spurs defender was recalled from his loan spell at German club Augsburg today and is now set to spend the remainder of the campaign at Millwall after a…