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Celtic feature in top 10 list of most valuable squads

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Celtic feature in top 10 list of most valuable squads

Celtic players in the huddle (Image: SNS Group)

Celtic have the ninth most valuable squad in the world, excluding UEFA’s top 10 ranked associations.

Analysed by Football Benchmark, it has been found that the Scottish Premiership champions rank highly in the remaining top divisions from nations across the globe in terms of the total value of their players.

Estimated in Euros, the site forecasts Celtic to have a squad value of a whopping €137m. The average age of the squad is 26.

They are joined by some pretty big European and South American clubs on the list, including; River Plate, RB Salzburg, Palmeiras, Shakhtar Donetsk and Flamengo.

💰 Looking at the most valuable first division club sides outside of leagues from UEFA’s top 10 ranked associations, following the September update of our valuation tool, it is clear that multiple clubs with the highest total squad values are from Saudi Arabia 🇸🇦👀#football pic.twitter.com/4Xpq6rCxbc

— Football Benchmark (@Football_BM) October 7, 2024

The other four clubs are all from Saudi. This includes Jota’s former club Al-Itthad, as well as Al-Hilal, Al-Ahli and Al-Nassr – the team Cristiano Ronaldo plays for.

The club ranked top of the list is famous Brazilian side Flamengo. Their squad is valued at €210m.

When you take away Europe’s biggest leagues, such as the Premier League, La Liga and Bundesliga, it seems little surprise that Celtic make the top 10.

Brendan Rodgers spent the guts of £30m in the summer, with big money arrivals in the shape of Arne Engels for £11m and Adam Idah for £9m.

Of course, Matt O’Riley left to join Brighton for a fee in excess of £25m, which helped to allow the Hoops to spend bigger than they usually would in the market.

Meanwhile, The table-topping Scottish Premiership clash between Celtic and Aberdeen will not be on TV.

The league contest was not selected by Sky Sports for coverage when the television picks were made back at the start of September.

On September 12 the TV picks were announced for the weekend of October 19/20 with Celtic and Aberdeen’s meeting snubbed.

Sky Sports will instead broadcast the league match between Kilmarnock and Rangers.

Jack MacKenzie set for surprise Scotland call as Aberdeen star ready to replace Celtic’s Greg Taylor

The 24-year-old is set to join Steve Clarke’s squad alongside Dons pal Nicky Devlin for the Nations League double-header

Jack MacKenzie is set to join Aberdeen team-mate Nicky Devlin in the Scotland squad.

The left-back is about to be called in with Celtic’s Greg Taylor about to drop out. The 24-year-old will now team up with Steve Clarke’s squad for the Nations League clashes with Croatia and Portugal. Aberdeen have made an impressive start to the season. They have won all 13 games under new boss Jimmy Thelin and currently sit joint top of the Premiership with Brendan Rodgers’ Hoops.

Right-back Devlin was named in the initial squad but now MacKenzie looks set to join him. It is a remarkable rise for the pair who have never represented Scotland at any other level before. Kilmarnock’s Robby McCrorie is also set to be recalled with Norwich City keeper Angus Gunn likely to drop out. The keeper was in the last squad but was only coming back from injury when his squad was named.

McCrorie played 90 minutes in the weekend win over Dundee. Gunn’s injury means Craig Gordon is likely to get the nod to start against Croatia. The Hearts keeper only returned to the squad after missing out on Euro 2024.

Alex Valle Addresses Celtic Fans After Ross County Comeback

Celtic left-back Alex Valle took to social media to reflect on Celtic’s dramatic 2-1 comeback win against Ross County, sharing his thoughts with fans and followers.

The young Spaniard, currently on loan from Barcelona, stepped up in place of the injured Greg Taylor and delivered a solid second-half performance as Celtic clawed their way back to victory. The first forty-five was poor from all Celtic players.

6th October 2024; Victoria Park, Dingwall, Scotland: Scottish Premiership Football, Ross County versus Celtic; Alex Valle of Celtic warms up

Posting on Instagram, Valle wrote: “We fought until the end to get the comeback! See you after the break,” showing his determination and appreciation for the team’s fighting spirit. It was a key moment for both the club and the defender, as Valle continues to settle in during this early part of the season.

The win maintained Celtic’s 100% start to the league campaign, and for Valle, it was another positive step in his journey with the club. As Celtic head into the international break, the young full-back will have time to regroup and recharge ahead of what promises to be a busy run of fixtures.

Valle has impressed in his limited appearances so far, and with Greg Taylor working his way back to fitness, the competition for the left-back slot is heating up. For now, though, Valle can enjoy the break with another win under his belt as he navigates life as a Celtic player.

After the break, the bhoys have a top of the table clash against Aberdeen with at least one club’s 100% record set to come to an end.

The Greg Taylor silver lining for Celtic as safety-first stance could hold Champions League carrot

Celtic defender Greg Taylor missed out on Sunday as the Bhoys left it late in Dingwall to record a dramatic 2-1 victory against Ross County.

The Scotland international was withdrawn against Borussia Dortmund last week and was replaced by Alex Valle, who kept his place last weekend.

Brendan Rodgers gave an update on Greg Taylor’s Celtic fitness post-match, stating: “Greg will just have to wait and see. On that, I thought young Alex Valle had done well today.

“Especially in the second half, his positioning was a little bit better. But Greg, we hope he’ll be back. If he’s not for Aberdeen, then not long after that.”

🍀”He’s a fantastic player for us. How he makes that position work how we want it to look, he’s first class…”

Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers says a new contract for Greg Taylor is a “priority” ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/3gtgu8y5lG

— Sky Sports Scotland (@ScotlandSky) September 13, 2024

Since then, Taylor has been ruled out of Scotland’s squad for their upcoming Nations League double-header against Croatia and Portugal [BBC Sport].

With Celtic’s Champions League clash against Atalanta visible in the distance, all parties appear to be taking a common-sense approach.

Greg Taylor’s importance to Celtic can’t be diced with

Valle’s emergence at left-back has been positive for Celtic. However, Taylor’s importance under Rodgers can’t be diced with amid a crucial run of fixtures for the Bhoys on the other side of the international break.

Keeping that in mind, it makes sense for the former Kilmarnock man to take a rest while Scotland are in action. In all likelihood, it is hard to imagine he would’ve played over Andy Robertson, but Steve Clarke clearly has trust in the 14-cap international as a squad member.

Saturday 19th October

Premiership

Celtic

15:00

Aberdeen

Wednesday 23rd October

UEFA Champions League

Atalanta

17:45

Celtic

Sunday 27th October

Premiership

Motherwell

14:00

Celtic

Wednesday 30th October

Premiership

Celtic

19:45

Dundee

Tuesday 5th November

UEFA Champions League

Celtic

20:00

RB Leipzig

Casting your eye over Celtic’s upcoming challenges, it would be ideal if Taylor’s period of recuperation could lead him to become available against Atalanta on October 23rd, in line with Rodgers’ comments on his potential return timeline.

Making ten appearances this campaign, the Greenock-born defender has already claimed three assists alongside striving in his inverted role by helping to flood the midfield in possession.

What Valle has in youthful exuberance and athleticism, Taylor has in experience and keeping a cool head, which is why the Bhoys are determined to tie him up on a new contract.

Greg Taylor’s Celtic contract situation is still unresolved

Despite speculation being widespread on his future, Celtic are no closer to solving Taylor’s contract situation.

While he continues to perform on the pitch, there is little information in the public domain on whether he will remain in Glasgow beyond next summer.

Hopefully, quiet negotiations are going on in the background. It would be a shame for Celtic to run the risk of losing someone who has played a critical part in their recent success.

For now, the focus is Taylor’s recovery from injury, where he at least has the international break to get up to speed ahead of club football’s resumption.

Sir Rod Stewart celebrated Celtic’s win at plush Dumbarton club

Rod Stewart all smiles as he celebrated Celtic’s win at plush club (Image: Social Media)

Sir Rod Stewart was all smiles as he celebrated Celtic‘s win against Ross County at a plush club.

The 79-year-old was pictured looking chuffed at Loch Lomond Golf Club in Luss following the match on Sunday, October 6.

The Hoops won 2 – 1, with goals from Alistair Johnston and Nicolas-Gerrit Kuhn.

Following the win, the Maggie May singer posted a picture on social media captioned “Celtic 2, Ross County 1”.

In the image, the legendary musician could be seen donning a Hoops hoodie while holding a flag post on the golf course at the Scots club.

It comes after we reported how Rod was spotted watching the match in a ‘green and white’ room at the lavish golf club.

The iconic musician – who is from London, England – is known for his smash hits including Have You Ever Seen The Rain, Baby Jane, and Sailing.

New strand of Ability Counts for Sligo Rovers and Celtic

To mark the occasion of Sligo Rovers hosting Celtic at the Showgrounds this Wednesday, October 9, Celtic FC Foundation and the community outreach team at Rovers are announcing the launch of a new strand of our Ability Counts project.

This project will offer sports participation and learning opportunities to people with Down’s Syndrome, additional Support Needs/Special Education needs and neurodiverse children and young people.

 Celtic FC Foundation has been active in Ireland for a number of years offering inclusive sports through the Ability Counts project in Dublin, Derry, Donegal and Mayo.

This is the first project of its type that the Foundation has delivered in Sligo and it extends the Foundation’s presence in the town and the county, which currently builds on the Community Games participation programme.

Sligo Rovers has recently launched its own programme focused on disability sport as part of the club community outreach programme and have built relationships with parents, participants and local organisations as part of that process.

This new partnership between Sligo Rovers and Celtic FC Foundation will enhance the offer of disability sports locally – with coaches from both organisations working together to deliver football, multi-sports, physical health sessions and educational activities that will demonstrate how Ability Counts.

CEO of Sligo Rovers, Andrew Feakins said: “Community engagement and equality of access and opportunity is a cornerstone of our diverse activities at Sligo Rovers FC’s football social responsibility.

“The Ability Counts project will form a cornerstone of our portfolio of initiatives that will directly impact a wide range of individuals within a football concept and in general development and learning in Sligo.

“We are proud to be a partner in this programme and the link with Celtic FC Foundation offers us increased learning and development opportunities as a team and brings a fresh sense of purpose and stature to our work in the community.

“I look forward to seeing the Ability Counts programme in action and the continued expansion of our joint offering with Celtic FC Foundation to local communities.”

Chief Executive of Celtic FC Foundation, Tony Hamilton said: “We are delighted to be launching a new strand to Ability Counts in Sligo, building on the excellent work we have already carried out in Ireland.

“Ireland will forever be in Celtic’s DNA and we are fully committed to ensuring the Foundation continues to make a positive difference to the lives of people who are in need, right across the country.”

Celtic Football Club of course has such a strong and proud Irish heritage. It is fantastic that the club is making another visit to Ireland to face Sligo Rovers and already Celtic FC Foundation has a strong presence in Ireland through a number of initiatives.

Community Games Programme

In Ireland, we’ve launched three weekly football-based programmes in Mayo and Sligo, specifically targeting DEIS schools (schools catering to low-income families). This includes girls-only projects and end-of-year tournaments, reaching 300 young people per week.

Holiday Projects for Young People 

Our Community Games Holiday Project also provide free access to activities for young people and families facing poverty across Sligo, Mayo, and Derry. We’ve also introduced a bespoke project for the Traveller community in Mayo.

Ability Counts Ireland 

Our Ability Counts Ireland project supports 100 young people with additional support needs across Mayo, Sligo, Derry, and Donegal. One of our proudest achievements is the success of a team from Donegal, who recently won an Ability Counts football tournament in Glasgow.

At Celtic FC Foundation, we believe that everyone deserves the chance to thrive. By providing free access to leadership training, health and wellbeing support, physical activity and community-building projects, we are committed to making a lasting impact on the lives of those who need it most.

Gutted Ronan Hale shares why scoring against Celtic for Ross County will get him ‘a bit of grief

Whilst a late win always goes down with all Celtic fans, there is one supporter at Ross County who was still gutted at the Dingwall result.

Brendan Rodgers kept his unbeaten Scottish Premier League record intact with a tough Celtic win at Ross County yesterday afternoon.

A late comeback sent the Celtic support who made the trip to Ross County home jubilant and tees up a big top-of-the-table clash with Aberdeen after the international break.

And whilst every Celtic supporter will have been delighted with the result, Ross County’s Ronan Hale shares why he was so disappointed at the Hoops taking all three points back to Glasgow.

Ronan Hale’s Celtic supporting family will rib Ross County hero

Hale must have thought his first-half penalty was going to seal a famous win over Celtic until Alistair Johnston’s deflected equaliser for the Bhoys levelled the scores and then Nicolas Kuhn popped up for the Hoops with the 87th-minute Ross County winner.

And speaking about his penalty, Hale admits that when he took the second chance to bury the spot kick to put County 1-0 up, he will be in for ‘a bit of grief’ back in Ireland.

Hale said, “It was one of them where I was I felt confident going up for the penalty. Obviously, I missed my last one, but I thought I was confident enough to go for it.

“And then, luckily, he was off his line and I just thought, listen, there’s no better way to put it to bed and chance go again. And luckily, I did.

“I didn’t want to give him a chance. And, you know, my first one wasn’t in the corner enough, and the second one was right in it. So it was one of them where I just needed to get a good connection on it, and it’s gone in.”

🗣️ “I’m sure I’ll have got a bit of grief, everyone knows I’m a [Celtic] fan but on the pitch that means nothing.”

🗣️ “I’m enjoying football, results are turning.”

Ronan Hale on Ross County’s 2-1 defeat to Celtic ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/IJhKcVyYyQ

— Sky Sports Scotland (@ScotlandSky) October 6, 2024

A self-confessed Celtic fan, the Ross County striker was asked how his goal would have gone down back home and Hale admitted, “I’m sure I’ll get a bit of grief, but I’m sure they would have been happy for me.

“You know, everyone knows that I’m a fan, but listen, on the pitch, it’s nothing. And I showed that today where I just wanted to win, and I believe I did that.”

Ross County striker Hale admits Celtic ‘blow’

Celtic’s last defeat to Ross County was back in 2021. In fact, in 43 meetings between the clubs, The Staggies have won just five and to get so close to the sixth has left the former Republic of Ireland U21 forward and his Ross County teammates disappointed.

Hale continued, “I think it was a blow coming at the end there. You know, we hung on, Celtic are a great team.

“At 1-0 up it’s never going to be easy. But once we conceded the first, it was just more, ‘Listen, can we hold on for the draw?’

“And it turned out not to be on the day. But I thought the boys were brilliant from minute one. And it’s just one of them days.”

For the Celtic fans, they can sit back and relax knowing that their top spot in the Scottish Premiership table is safe until Aberdeen visits on the 19th of October.

Should Celtic win that game then it will be the first time this season that a points gap has separated Brendan Rodgers’ side from The Dons.

With Celtic’s fixtures coming thick and fast and Rodgers fighting on four competition fronts, any lead that can be gained at the top of the table will be welcomed to open up a bit of breathing space between the rest of the opposition.

Rangers hero laughed at after Celtic red card rant as ‘dear me’ verdict lands after moment ex-ace didn’t like

The Rangers hero wasn’t pleased with the decision on Saturday.

A Rangers hero has been laughed at by a Celtic legend after his Hoops red card claim.

Nicolas Kuhn struck the winner for Brendan Rodgers’ team in their seventh straight Premiership victory on Sunday, beating Ross County 2-1. He celebrated with the away fans in Dingwall, and having already been on a booking, some expected a second yellow to be dished out.

Referee Kevin Clancy kept his cards in his pocket and Rangers favourite Kris Boyd was straight on the case. He told Sky Sports: “Take nothing away from Celtic, it’s a fantastic finish from Nicolas Kuhn. But, obviously you can just run into the crowd and celebrate and nothing happens. The rules must have changed. I thought you got booked if you go into the crowd.”

That had Celtic hero Chris Sutton posting his bemusement over Boyd. He tweeted: “Celtic huffed and puffed and finally got there. The subs changed the game. McCowan excellent, Kyogo’s movement fantastic, Forrest the old stager looked sharp. Kuhn wonderful finish. Kris Boyd didn’t like him celebrating the winner… dear me.”

Sutton followed up his tweet with laughing emojis about Boyd. The IFAB rules state: “Players can celebrate when a goal is scored, but the celebration must not be excessive; choreographed celebrations are not encouraged and must not cause excessive time-wasting.

“Leaving the field of play to celebrate a goal is not a cautionable offence but players should return as soon as possible. A player must be cautioned, even if the goal is disallowed, for: climbing onto a perimeter fence and/or approaching the spectators in a manner which causes safety and/or security issues; acting in a provocative, derisory or inflammatory way; covering the head or face with a mask or other similar item; removing the shirt or covering the head with shirt.”

Celtic hit by ‘dramatic’ financial blow – Stefan Borson

Celtic will always struggle to compete away from home in the Champions League against teams like Borussia Dortmund because of the difference in wage bills.

That is the view of finance expert Stefan Borson, who exclusively told Football Insider the “big disappointment” for the Scottish champions will be the scoreline against Dortmund as opposed to actually losing the game.

Celtic lost 7-1 against the Bundesliga side in their second group stage game on the back of their 5-1 victory over Slovan Bratislava in their opening fixture.

Brendan Rodgers’s side still have to make the trips to Atalanta, Dinamo Zagreb and Aston Villa in the competition, while they will face RB Leipzig, Club Brugge and Young Boys at home.

Celtic to continue facing issues in Champions League away games

Although Borson insisted Celtic should be able to compete in their Champions League home games, he believes they will continue to face problems on the road.

He told Football Insider“There will obviously be a big disappointment on the back of winning the first game convincingly to then have the issue that they had against Dortmund.

“But the numbers are dramatic. If you look at the wage bill, Dortmund’s wage bill is £270million, Celtic’s is £70million.

“They are always going to have an issue in these sorts of games.

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“Maybe at home they can deliver in these sorts of fixtures, but away from home, they are always going to have a problem.

“Their wage bill is the equivalent of some teams at the top of the English Championship. That’s the reality.

“Whereas if you are playing at Dortmund, they have got a wage bill that’s commensurate with Tottenham or Arsenal. There is just no comparison.

“Ultimately, we know the wage bill is a key driver.

“The only thing that’s disappointing from Celtic’s perspective is the scale of the defeat rather than the fact they have lost that game away from home against the finalists of last season’s Champions League.

“That’s just the way it works. It’s very hard to compete and there is no easy solution for it.”

Aston Villa tipped to sign £18m Celtic duo in stunning January raid

Celtic pair Daizen Maeda and Kyogo Furuhashi have been suggested as January transfer targets for Aston Villa.

Former midfielder Stiliyan Petrov, who made a combined 523 appearances across lengthy spells at Villa and Celtic, believes transfer dealings should take place between the two teams in January.

Although the Villans are already succeeding in the Premier League and Champions League, Petrov reckons some extra firepower wouldn’t go amiss. Maeda and Kyogo, who have directly contributed to four and five goals respectively in Celtic’s opening seven Scottish Premiership matches this season, are two players Petrov thinks would suit Villa to a T.

Asked who Unai Emery should be looking at from Celtic, Petrov said: “There’s not one, there’s quite a few. Listen, Celtic at the moment are performing really well, but I would like to see probably two players, Maeda or Kyogo.

“Maeda with his pace, his energy, his ability to push full backs and to press, it’s incredible. Probably one of the best I’ve seen in football. And Kyogo is just a classy player, a great striker with so much ability, really clever and the main thing is he scores goals.”

Japanese attacking duo Kyogo Furuhashi (L) and Daizen Maeda (R) have been combining well for Celtic. | AFP via Getty Images

It’s unlikely that either forward would make it into Villa’s starting lineup at present as the likes of Ollie Watkins, Morgan Rogers and Jhon Duran are flying. That said, extra legs and goals probably wouldn’t be sniffed at by Emery, especially as the fixture list will be busier than ever with the new UEFA Champions League format.

Maeda, 26 and Kyogo, 29, have a current combined transfer value of €21.5 million (£18 million) as per Transfermarkt.

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