Celtic transfer news bulletin as Owen Beck high on wish list, 3 more positions targeted and Kuhn relishes Idah reunion

Celtic transfer news bulletin as Owen Beck high on wish list, 3 more positions targeted and Kuhn relishes Idah reunion

Owen Beck is still a live option while the Hoops have 3 other positions they want to strengthen

Owen Beck of Liverpool (Image: Liverpool FC via Getty Images)

Celtic remain on the trail of Liverpool’s Owen Beck.

The Hoops have been in talks over signing the Welsh defender they tired to get on board in January. Beck, who impressed on loan at Dundee in the first half of last season, remains one of the main names on boss Brendan Rodgers’ wish list for the left-back slot. Liverpool could be willing to sell Beck if the price is right although a loan also remains an option for the Hoops. Rodgers is keen to provide a challenge to Greg Taylor at left-back and tried to land Beck in January. But his move was scuppered by then Anfield boss Jurgen Klopp.

The German gaffer recalled Beck from his loan at Dundee at the turn of the year when he faced a defensive injury crisis. Klopp then gave the 22-year-old his Liverpool debut, which meant he could not play for a third club in the season.

Beck, instead, returned to Dens Park but his second spell with Tony Docherty’s side was wrecked by injury. However, Celtic would face competition to land Beck from English Championship sides Middlesbrough and Leeds. Celtic have expressed an interest in Ajax defender Owen Wijndal, who is also a target for Werder Bremen

Augsburg midfielder Arne Engels is also on Celtic’s wanted list but it is more likely to happen if Matt O’Riley is sold. So far no one has come close to his valuation. A winger, left-sided centre half and another striker is also on Rodgers’ wanted list.

Meanwhile Nicolas Kuhn says Celtic want to make amends for their League Cup slip-up last season by lifting the trophy – along with the Treble. The German winger wasn’t at the club when Brendan Rodgers’ men crashed out at the hands of Kilmarnock a year ago.

After arriving in January, Kuhn played his part in the Double as the Hoops won the Premiership and Scottish Cup. But ahead of Sunday’s second-round clash with Hibs at home, the 24-year-old insists Celtic want all three pieces of silverware.

Kuhn said: “There is a lot of motivation within the squad to do well in every competition this season – starting with this one. That’s the target for us. We’re looking forward to going into this game with a lot of energy and hopefully getting a win.”

Celtic have been boosted by the return of Adam Idah, who signed on loan at the same time as Kuhn last season. The Irish striker is back on a permanent deal after a £9.5million move from Norwich City.

He’s set to start against Hibs, with Kyogo Furuhashi injured. Kuhn said: “I’m so happy to see Adam back because we had a good time together last season. We all hoped he would return and it’s great to see him make the move permanently. Adam offers a lot to us. He is a different type of striker and he scored so many big goals in important games for us.

“It’s always good to have more quality in the squad and he is also a big character in the changing room. Adam is fun to be around.”

Kuhn has started the domestic campaign superbly but admits he can’t wait for the Hoops’ Champions League bid to get underway next month. And the former Bayern Munich and RB Leipzig wide man said: “There are a lot of great teams we could draw. I wish we could play them all. But it would be nice to maybe play against Leipzig or Bayern Munich, two of my former clubs.”

Hannibal transfer update as Celtic targets wants to leave Man Utd

Rumoured Celtic target Hannibal Mejbri has requested to LEAVE Manchester United, according to reports in Tunisia.

Ethan Nwaneri of Arsenal controls the ball against Hannibal Mejbri of Manchester United during a pre-season friendly match at SoFi Stadium on July 27, 2024 in Inglewood, California. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

The midfielder hit out at his contracted club in an interview last week, demanding more game time and indicating that he would like to seek a move.

It now appears that the Red Devils are willing to let the midfielder leave, but only on a permanent deal, and with his transfer value sitting at around £7.5m, could the deal be off the cards for the Scottish champions?

Last season, he left for Sevilla on loan in January but his spell in La Liga didn’t go as planned. They had an option to buy the midfielder for £20m up front but declined to make an offer after the loanee reportedly got into a bust-up with one of his team-mates.

Since returning to Manchester, he has still been searching for a move. With him failing to make the United squad against Fulham on the opening day of the Premier League season, time looks to be running out if he is to find regular football this campaign.

Celtic reportedly remain interested in the 21-year-old, with theRangers also keen on him. Considering Sevilla were being asked for upwards of £20m in total for a permanent deal just a few months ago, that £7.5m may now look like a fantastic bargain for the Scottish clubs.

United are not interested in sending him out on another loan, as with just a single year left on his contract, they now look to be attempting to cash in before he can leave for free.

Meanwhile, Elena Sadiku says that she is looking forward to being tested in Celtic FC Women’s game against Glasgow City.

Fabrizio Romano – Atalanta sign midfield star, fee in excess of €20m plus add-ons

Keeping hold of Matt while adding a few more faces would see this go down as our most successful window in years.

First things first, we need new signings, a minimum of three new faces is required. A centre back, a left back and a versatile attacker would be ideal and would help us greatly in the challenge ahead this campaign, particularly in Europe.

However keeping Matt O’Riley would prove to be just as important as any new face arriving at Celtic Park. I’m not saying that would excuse a lack of transfer activity from our custodians, as it wouldn’t. We desperately need fresh faces in the squad, and if we managed to do just that and keep Matt it would have to go down as a very successful window, our best in many a year.

Matt is a superb player and will only get better. He’s a vital part of our team and fits well into Brendan’s system and keeping him will only make us stronger in our quest to be successful this season. And by that I don’t just mean domestically, but in the Champions League also.

I’m not saying we will go far in the Champions League, that would be somewhat ridiculous, but maybe just maybe we could compete a little better than we previously have and actually getting through the group stages. That would have to be seen as major progress.

Keeping Matt is just as important in our ambitions of competing in Europe, do just that and add a couple of new faces and things will be looking a little rosier. If the lowballing tyre-kickers from Atalanta have moved onto other targets after having FIVE lowball bids rejected – none ever meeting the asking price – then they have proved themselves to be time-wasters. Not that we are complaining.

Matt can increase his valuation this season by starring in the Champions League for Celtic. That will also get him a move to a bigger club than Atalanta who have won two trophies in total since the early 1960s.

Fabrizio Romano this evening reports that “Atalanta are set to sign Lazar Samardzić! Deal being sealed as revealed earlier today. Fee in excess of €20m plus add-ons as Samardzić will not travel with Udinese this weekend to undergo medical as new Atalanta player.

⚫️🔵🇷🇸 Atalanta are set to sign Lazar Samardzić! Deal being sealed as revealed earlier today.

Fee in excess of €20m plus add-ons as Samardzić will not travel with Udinese this weekend to undergo medical as new Atalanta player. pic.twitter.com/rSifRUUNkw

— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) August 17, 2024

Chris Sutton says £11m Premier League deal shows Celtic have secured a bargain

Depending on who you ask, Celtic have either massively overpaid or completed a fine piece of business.

Was nine goals in 19 games enough to justify a potential £9.5 million outlay. One that could make Adam Idah, presuming those add-ons can be met, the most expensive signing in Celtic’s history?

Well, maintain the form of his ‘immense’ first spell at Parkhead and the answer to that question will be a resounding yes. It wasn’t just the sheer number of goals – Idah averaging one-in-two during his loan spell from Norwich City – but the timing of them that made the Republic of Ireland international such a hit north of the border.

Stoppage time efforts against Hibernian and Motherwell. That dramatic last-gasp winner in the Scottish Cup final against Old Firm rivals Rangers. Without Idah’s intervention, a season which ended in two trophies for Brendan Rodgers’ side could realistically have culminated in none at all.

So former Celtic hitman Chris Sutton – who previously described the slow pace of negotiations as ‘baffling’ – is delighted to see Idah return.

Late, after all, is infinitely better than never.

Chris Sutton delighted by Celtic’s Adam Idah deal

“Idah’s return is a major positive,” Sutton tells the Daily Record. “It’s funny seeing some fans complaining about the £9.5 million fee after demanding the Parkhead board open the purse strings all summer.

“I don’t think it’s a lot of money in the grand scheme of things. If you think back to 2000, the deals for the likes of myself, Neil Lennon and John Hartson would be worth about £13 million when you consider inflation.

“If you look at football inflation, I’d cost about £150m these days!”

Sutton does have a point.

Pretty much every club you could think of have broken their transfer record in the last few years. The game has changed considerably, even in the five years since Celtic stumped up £9 million for Odsonne Edouard.

And after banking considerable sums following the sales of Jota, Liel Abada and Carl Starfelt – and with Matt O’Riley potentially on his way too – it is surely only a good thing that The Hoops are reinvesting those funds back into the playing squad.

Sutton also highlights the £11 million fee Ipswich Town are paying for another striker based in England’s second-tier.

Yes, Sammie Szmodics won the Championship Golden Boot last season with Blackburn Rovers. But, five years older than Idah and with considerably less re-sale potential, Celtic’s deal may represent better pound-for-pound value.

“The money paid for Idah is just the market right now,” adds Sutton, who spoke in similarly positive tones about the return of Paulo Bernardo. “Ipswich Town are shelling out up to £11m to Blackburn Rovers for Idah’s Ireland teammate Sammie Szmodics.

“Idah is younger and has more potential. And you have to think (he) would flourish under a manager like Rodgers, who is renowned for developing players.

“You only have to look at the improvement of Matt O’Riley under his charge.”

Idah was hugely important in double win

Sutton, by his own admission, was not convinced by Idah initially. But after watching him dominate defenders in the Premiership and showcase his new-found heading ability, those concerns quickly dissipated.

“I had concerns about him not using his physical attributes,” the former Aston Villa man explains. “But he came up with the answers. It was telling he started the decider down at Kilmarnock last term and it was one of the best all round centre forward performances I’d seen in a long time.

“Kilmarnock are a big, strong, organised team under Derek McInnes. Yet Idah absolutely bullied them. His hold up play and movement was always okay but I felt he made great strides, even in just a few months under Rodgers, especially in the air.

“Look at his thumping header at Motherwell. He scored another cracker with his head for Ireland in the summer. It’s another part of his game he has improved and will keep improving under Rodgers because there is still scope to get better.”

Celtic have started the Premiership campaign with two wins, six goals and a pair of clean sheets. Rodgers’ side face Hibernian in the Scottish Cup on Sunday

Celtic make first enquiry to sign “top-class” ace; club now open to offers

After an excellent start to their Scottish Premiership campaign, Celtic have reportedly continued their search for a new left-back, making their first enquiry to sign an alternative to Owen Beck.

Celtic transfer news

The Bhoys have started their title defence in style, securing an opening-day thrashing of Kilmarnock, before a 2-0 victory over Hibernian. Even after winning two from two, however, Celtic could still strengthen in the remainder of the transfer window, with doubts over Matt O’Riley’s future potentially leading to a replacement in the next two weeks. If one does arrive, they will join Adam Idah in reinforcing Brendan Rodgers’ attack.

Welcoming the forward, Rodgers told Celtic’s official website: “We are delighted to welcome Adam back to Celtic on a permanent basis and we are so pleased that he has agreed this new five-year contract with the club.

“The club has done brilliantly to secure this long-term deal. We are investing in a player of real quality who will be crucial for us over the next few years. He is a player who already has given us so much, performing fantastically for us on loan and really delivering for the club and our fans last season.”

Now, having solved their striker problem, those in Scotland have reportedly turned their attention towards a left-back reinforcement. According to Sky Sports, Celtic have made their first enquiry to sign Owen Wijndal, with Ajax open to selling the 24-year-old, in what could be an ideal alternative to rumoured target Beck.

The Bhoys have been linked with the Liverpool youngster, but given competition from Leeds United in the race for his signature, Wijndal could emerge as an ideal option.

“Superb” Wijndal would be an impressive coup

Now 25 years old, Wijndal should be in the prime of his career and may now get the chance to finally realise his potential courtesy of Celtic. After spending last season on loan at Royal Antwerp, it doesn’t seem as though the Dutchman has a place in Francesco Farioli’s Ajax side, allowing the Bhoys to potentially swoop in and secure his signature.

If Wijndal does arrive, meanwhile, he will have the job of competing against Greg Taylor to earn a place in Rodgers’ starting side in what would be excellent defensive depth. Described as a “top-class left-back” by Football Talent Scout’s Jacek Kulig back in 2021, those in Scotland have just two weeks to seal an impressive coup.

A defender capable of making an attacking impact, Celtic would be sealing their transfer window in style by signing Wijndal.

Clubs declare interest in signing Celtic star as key Rangers exit backed on one condition

Latest Celtic and Rangers transfer news and rumours this weekend

Celtic are hoping to win the title once again this season under Brendan Rodgers. They are also aiming to do better in Europe.

As for Rangers, they want to pip their rivals to top spot. Here is a look at some of the latest news and rumours regarding the pair…

Celtic boss Rodgers has said winger Mikey Johnston is attracting interest from elsewhere at the moment. The Hoops have a big decision to make regarding his long-term future at Celtic Park.

In this latest update regarding his situation, the manager said: “I’m open at the moment in terms of where things are at. I gave Mikey his debut back when he was 18 and played him so we’ve got a good relationship and we talk openly.

“I think he’s at the stage, Mikey, where he’ll probably want to play more. But he’s worked hard over pre-season and put himself in a really good position. There are some clubs that have shown interest in him, but we’ll see what happens over the next couple of weeks.”

He added: “He won’t be available for the weekend. He’ll rejoin the training group fairly soon. He had a little problem with his eye socket up a bit deeper back in his face, but hopefully, he’ll be okay fairly soon.”

Johnston, who is 25-years-old, has been on the books at Celtic for his whole career to date. He rose up through the academy ranks of the champions and represented them at various different youth levels as a youngster.

The Republic of Ireland international has made 93 appearances in all competitions and has scored 13 goals. He has also been loaned away to Vitória de Guimarães and West Brom to get game time.

Johnston was a hit with the latter during his temporary spell in England during the second-half of the last campaign. He fired seven goals in 21 matches for the Baggies as they made the play-offs. However, they lost at the semi-finals stage over two legs to eventual winners Southampton and he has since returned to his parent club with his future up in the air now.

Rangers exit verdict

Pundit Leanne Crichton are ‘not in a position’ to sell James Tavernier this summer. The right-back has been a key player at Ibrox over recent years but has been linked with an exit in this window.

Crichton has delivered her verdict on the player on The Go Radio Football Show: “The chat around James Tavernier for example has gone quite quiet. There was a lot of chat about whether he would move on or not, can you imagine before the end of the transfer window that Rangers sell James Tavernier as well?

“At a point where the players on the pitch are not quite good enough and the players that are on the bench are not fit and available, the players that are sidelined don’t appear to be back anytime soon and then you’ve got a player in James Tavernier who’s always fit, always available and always on the teamsheet.

“You can see it happening because that’s the type of decision that would not surprise you at Rangers just now. They’re not in a position to sell him, but they would sell him perhaps to take the money into the club.”

 

Atalanta admit Matt O’Riley transfer defeat as Italians ‘lose patience’ over Celtic star pursuit

The Serie A side identified the Hoops star as their top target but are said to have now given up

Matt O’Riley

Atalanta have reportedly finally admitted defeat in their bid to land Celtic midfield star Matt O’Riley with the Serie A side said to be on the verge of concluding a deal for their alternative target, Udinese’s Serbia international Lazar Samardzic.

The Italians made FIVE bid for the former Denmark international with the most recent said to be in the region of £23million but the Parkhead side are holding out for more than that. That has seen the Europa League champions “lose patience” with Parkhead powerbrokers and end all interest in the 23-year-old former MK Dons star.

A report on Football Italia claims Atalanta “have decided to drop Celtic midfielder Matt O’Riley and instead can conclude their swoop for Udinese and Serbia international star Lazar Samardzic”. O’Riley had been Atalanta’s first choice to replace Juventus-bound Teun Koopmeiners. Samardzic, at 22 – a year younger than O’Riley – is well known to the Bergamo-based club given his time in Serie A.

Samardzic is said to have been left out of Udinese’s squad for their league opener against Bologna with a move imminent. The initial fee is reported to be in the region of £17m but will rise to £23m with various add-ons, making him a cheaper option than O’Riley.

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Rodgers defends Idah price tag and hails ‘great deal’ for striker 

Ireland frontman has re-joined Celtic from Norwich for a fee reported to be worth £8.5million with the potential to rise by £1million more

GOT HIS MAN: Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers (left) gives instructions to Celtic’s Adam Idah (centre) during the cinch Premiership match at Tynecastle Park, Edinburgh. Pic: Andrew Milligan/PA Wire

Brendan Rodgers believes Celtic secured a “great deal” with the purchase of Adam Idah as he thanked the board for showing faith in his call.

Idah has re-joined Celtic from Norwich for a fee reported to be worth £8.5million with the potential to rise by £1million more, after hitting nine goals in 19 matches on loan including a Scottish Gas Scottish Cup final winner.

The figure puts Idah’s transfer in a similar bracket to the club-record fee paid for Odsonne Edouard in 2018 during Rodgers’ first spell in charge.

Many Celtic fans had been concerned over the club’s summer transfer business, which has now seen them replace Joe Hart with Kasper Schmeichel and bring back Idah and Paulo Bernardo following loan spells.

But questions have now been raised over the fee paid to the Canaries.

Rodgers said: “You can never win, can you? I mean, ‘you don’t spend money’, you do spend money, ‘you spend too much’?

“We’ve got a great deal. I know the player that we have here and for me it’s just a case of just getting him moving in the direction that I believe he can move in. He has all the talent, he’s 6ft 3in, quick, strong, his touch is good, he can score goals and he has big moments in big games.

“For me there’s still areas that he can improve on, of course and as a young player that’s what you’d expect, but I really think that whatever money we paid for him, he’s worth every single penny of it. And he’ll demonstrate in the next 24 months that he will be worth a lot more than that.

“I wanted to do everything I could and I thank the board for reaching out and getting Adam here because I think he can really flourish.”

Rodgers had stressed the need for quality over quantity after returning to Celtic last summer while recruitment plans were in place that saw eight players arrive. None of them started in the cup final or in the opening two matches of this season.

“It’s just the attitude to risk,” Rodgers said. “You can sign a player for one, two million pounds, fine. And you might sell them for £10million. But you can sign a player for seven or eight, maybe sell them for 30 to 40.

“It’s the same thing but it’s really trusting the process and trusting a team of people that can work very, very hard and then allowing you to get the players in.

“For example, if you spend £18million and you spend it on nine players, I would hope there’s a possibility to spend £18million on three players.”

Celtic remain in the hunt for new players and their plans will not hinge on the future of Matt O’Riley, who remains the subject of serious interest from Atalanta.

Rodgers said: “We don’t want to lose Matt O’Reilly. But still, we need to strengthen in certain areas. And we have the resource to do that. So, selling players won’t determine what we can bring in.

“The guys here have absolutely been brilliant and as we’ve moved on and connected, it’s been great. But you always have to look to improve.

“Not only that, there are some gaps in our squad where we’re light in terms of numbers, and cover and competition. So, that’s what we have to work very hard to try and achieve by the end of the window.”

Celtic will make a late decision on the fitness of Kyogo Furuhashi for Sunday’s Premier Sports Cup tie against Hibernian after the Japanese striker suffered a shoulder problem in last week’s league win at Easter Road. Mikey Johnston will miss out with a facial injury.

 

Why Idah’s homecoming for Celtic could bring League Cup home

GLASGOW, SCOTLAND – MAY 23: Celtic Manager Brendan Rodgers shakes hands with Adam Idah during a Celtic training session at Lennoxtown Training Centre, on May 23, 2024, in Glasgow, Scotland. (Photo by Craig Williamson / SNS Group) (Image: Craig Williamson – SNS Group)

All eyes will be trained on one man this weekend at Celtic Park.

For once it won’t be Kyogo Furuhashi or Matt O’Riley or even Brendan Rodgers himself. Nope, that honour belongs to the £9.5 million man Republic of Ireland and Celtic striker Adam Idah. It’s official Idah is a Celtic player. Did anybody ever doubt, he would be? O ye of little faith.

Idah’s long-awaited homecoming will take place on Sunday at Parkhead against Hibernian in the League Cup as Rodgers’ men go in search of the one piece of silverware the club meekly surrendered last season at the first time of asking in a horror show at Rugby Park against Kilmarnock.

An injury to Japanese talisman Kyogo had the Celtic supporters running around with their heads on fire last weekend, especially after his replacement Mikey Johnston also left the field injured. The 23-year-old attacker is at long last in the building ready to pick up from where he left off last season after his nine goals from January onwards propelled Celtic to a Scottish Premiership and Scottish Cup double.

Never fear, Idah is here.

Rodgers said: “As if by magic! I’m absolutely delighted. People talk about transfer fees and everything else – this is a guy who paid that last year. I’m delighted for him because I think that he’s got huge potential and he showed that last season.

“I was so relaxed when he signed because I knew what his talent was. What you never know sometimes in recruitment is mentality. I think what I have seen in my time here is that he proved to me that he has that big-club mentality. I wanted to do everything that I could – and I thank the board for reaching out and getting Adam here – because I think that over the next two to three years he can really flourish and show all of the quality that he has.

“He’s in an environment where he will improve, he’s shown he can deal with pressure in big moments and I’m really excited for him and for the supporters and team. We’ve got someone back who can help us going forward.”

The player revealed that the humungous transfer fee won’t be an albatross around his neck. His manager feels the same. Rodgers believes that Idah has already repaid the multi-millions by scoring the goals that guaranteed Celtic entry into the Champions League league phase proper. Now Rodgers can’t wait to see what value will be placed upon the players in two years. He also reiterated his plan to have two number-one strikers occupying the number-nine role for Celtic.

Horses for courses? You best believe it. The Irishman said: “You can never win, can you? You don’t spend money, you do spend money or you spend too much money. We’ve got a great deal, and I know the player that we have here. It’s just the case of getting him moving in the direction that I believe he can get to.

“He has all the talent, 6 foot 3, quick and strong, his touch is good and he can score goals. Like I said, he has big moments in big games. For me, there are still areas where he can improve, of course, but you expect that as a young player. I do think whatever money we paid for him, he’s worth every single penny of it. He’ll be worth a lot more than that in 24 months.

“I’ll make it clear that I see both of them as number-one strikers. Kyogo in his time here has been brilliant, he has started the season really well. You cannot rely on someone to play to the highest level 55-60 games a season. We want to go deep in as many competitions as we can. That will take us to that number of games. You can’t have just one striker to do that.

“I felt that I wanted another guy who I could call a number-one striker. That’s what I feel I have, it just depends on the game, the energy, the team and the circumstances around the fixture list. Having those two is a big asset for us.”

Idah’s capture is a sure-fire sign yet that the club means business. Yet as the August 30th transfer deadline looms Rodgers insists there is still so much to do. It’s all about the risk and reward for the Irishman. He revealed that he is targeting signings in the Idah and Nicolas Kuhn ilk as they have speed and power which is vital for the club if they are going to be successful in the new Champions League format.

The 51-year-old explained: “I think for supporters and you look at it from their perspective then what they want from the club is two things. One, is your club well run? So, there is no doubt that Celtic is super well run as a club. The organisation is very good. Two, supporters want to have the best team possible on the pitch. That allows them to skip back to each game and be really excited about watching their team.

“I always think that’s the challenge. That is our challenge. To get to the end of this window and have the very best team that we can possibly have on the field. That’s what we want. That’s what the Celtic supporters want. Hopefully, we can do that. I say hope, I want us to be able to do that.

“It is the attitude to risk. You can sign a player for one or two million and you might sell them for 10 million. You can buy a player at seven or eight million and sell him for thirty or forty million. It’s the same thing. It is all about trusting the process and the team of people who work really hard and allow me to get the players in. The Celtic supporters are deserving of that.

“What they invest worldwide in this team in terms of merchandise and everything is incredible. It is our duty to try and get the best team we possibly can on the field. That inspires them to come and watch their team. That’s what we try to do with the style of football that we play but that will always be elevated by the level of player that you have. That is our notion over the final weeks of the window to look to have a really strong team.

“I think I’ve said before but, for example, if you spend £18 million, and you spend it on nine players, I would hope there’s a possibility to spend 18 on three players. Our model is to bring in young players to develop and improve, but you can bring young players in to develop and improve but at a higher level and then you know a little bit more of what you’re getting maybe and there’s maybe a higher ceiling. You might be able to bring in one more or two more at that level. I think we can do that, it’s just about getting the right player.

“If you look at Adam (Idah) and Nicolas Kuhn in particular then two of the key attributes they possess are power and speed. At that level, it is very important. You can have all the tactical ideas in the game and whatnot but at that level speed and power alongside the technique. That is certainly some of the attributes we would look at in the players we bring in.”

The one blip on Celtic’s campaign last season was the concession of the League Cup trophy on that fateful August day at Rugby Park. Rodgers’ Celtic have come a long way since then. A very long way. It still irks him though that the club coughed up a piece of silverware that shattered his unblemished record of never having lost in a cup competition during his spells as Celtic boss.

Rodgers said: “We were disappointed last season and I think I mentioned it before from my first season I sort of had a ball and chain wrapped around me in terms of winning trophies and everything else. That probably allowed us to break free from that in an indirect way even though we would love to have won it.

“Certainly from that point, we have progressed and developed. The team is in a much better place now. My compass is always looking at training. I look this season at how we’ve been training and how we’ve been working and we’ve been able to take that onto the games.

“This is the next game and it is the most important one. We want to get through. There is no doubt, I’ve always said it and we should set that mentality and target that we want to win every trophy. That is something we know we have to work very hard to do. That starts on Sunday.

“I enjoyed winning the League Cup the first time I was up here. It brings a nice edge early on in the season rather than having to wait until later on in the campaign to win trophies. I thought it was really good. It is an opportunity for you to get your hands on a trophy and be a great part of the history of this club. We want to challenge in every competition that we are in. This is our first one here and I am excited by it.”

Rodgers wants the League Cup trophy to come back home. A glorious debut from Idah on his Celtic Park second homecoming on Sunday could very well see that reality move a step closer.