Sky Sports: Celtic now eyeing “incredible” £10m Matt O’Riley replacement

Sky Sports: Celtic now eyeing “incredible” £10m Matt O’Riley replacement

With Matt O’Riley‘s future still in doubt, Celtic are reportedly eyeing a new midfielder to replace the Dane this summer in a deal that could be worth £10m for Brendan Rodgers‘ side.

Celtic transfer news

The Bhoys have so far endured a relatively quiet summer transfer window, finding their replacement for Joe Hart in Kasper Schmeichel whilst also signing a backup in Viljami Sinisalo and welcoming Paulo Bernardo on a permanent deal. Rodgers’ side, with those three fresh faces, will be looking to retain their Scottish Premiership crown once again.

After finally turning last season’s loan move permanent, Bernardo told Celtic’s official website: “It’s amazing for me and it’s a big step in my career. I really enjoyed last season when we won the championship and the cup, so it was great for me – my first two titles in my career, too.

“I love the atmosphere at Celtic Park and away in all the games. Celtic is a big, big club. The fans feed us in the game so we can score one more goal or win the game in the last minute.”

Bernardo may well just be the start when it comes to further arrivals too. According to Sky Sports, Celtic are eyeing a move to sign Daniel Gazdag from Philadelphia Union in a deal that could be worth a reported £10m, should O’Riley leave this summer. The Dane has been the subject of significant interest, including from Atalanta, who have reportedly submitted as many as three bids for the Celtic star.

Losing O’Riley would undoubtedly be a major blow, but it seems as though those in Glasgow are wisely preparing to replace their midfielder in the event that he does depart.

“Incredible” Gazdag could replace O’Riley

Whilst replacing O’Riley will be no easy task if he does depart this summer, signing Gazdag could be an intelligent move from those at Celtic Park. For just £10m, the Bhoys could sign a surprise O’Riley replacement who has starred in the MLS. The main concern if Rodgers loses O’Riley is replacing his output, given that the Dane managed 13 goals and 11 assists last season, but Gazdag has more than proven his eye for goal.

The Hungarian scored 14 goals and assisted one in 21 MLS appearances last season and may well get the chance to replicate that in the Scottish Premiership. Earning plenty of praise as a result, Philadelphia manager Jim Curtin told the official MLS website: “Dániel does so much work defensively for us that a lot of players can’t match. His goals and assists are incredible – the way he links our back four to our forwards is great – but I love the defensive work he does.”

So, if Celtic can make a profit by selling O’Riley and then pursuing Gazdag, Rodgers’ side may still be well placed to win yet another Scottish Premiership title in the forthcoming campaign.

£15m star to Celtic transfer lands unflinching verdict from boss as former Rangers star sends a home truth

A former Rangers defender manages the Celtic transfer target currently.

Shea Charles has been told there’s no way he can complete a Celtic transfer as things stand.

The midfielder made a move to Southampton from Manchester City in a deal reported to possibly reach £15m last summer, helping them to promotion in season 23/24. Heading into the new Premier League season, former Rangers defender and Saints manager Russell Martin has identified Celtic midfielder Matt O’Riley as a man he wants.

Charles could head the other way but it’s not known whether he could be included as part of a package for the Danish international. Martin was probed on Charles after a friendly versus Oxford United and left no doubt over the current stance.

He wants to add more players to his squad before others can be allowed to leave, lamenting that the transfer window goes on until the end of August. Celtic have sealed a deal for Paulo Bernardo to bolster their midfield, and another reported target has impressed in pre-season action.
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Martin told the Daily Echo of Charles: “With the squad as it is right now, not a chance. We need some reinforcements, I think. Ben Brereton Diaz is a good one but we need to make sure we get a few more in the building before the start (of the Premier League) if we can.

“Obviously, the transfer window stupidly, annoyingly and madly goes on until the end of August, which gives all the bigger clubs a massive advantage. It is what it is. So, yeah, we will bring some people in and assess the situation – but Shea was good tonight (against Oxford United).”

Celtic ace brutally sent ‘just go’ message in transfer address as Rangers told they can’t afford summer target

Mikey Johnston faces an uncertain future at Parkhead this summer. | Getty Images

The latest transfer headlines from Rangers and Celtic ahead of the new Scottish Premiership season

Celtic winger Mikey Johnston has been advised to leave Parkhead this summer after failing to establish himself as a first team regular.

Former striker Frank McAvennie, who represented the Hoops in two stints in both the 1980s and 1990s, claims he will be disappointed if the 25-year-old is still on the books at the start of the season and believes the winger has now had ample opportunity to prove himself.

In a brutal summary, via Football Insider, McAvennie explained: “I’m not wanting to have a go at Mikey or nothing, but go, just go. ou’re not going to get a game; how many chances has he had?

“He’s been here seven years and he’s not been in the first team, come on, it’s time to move on Micky. There’s no doubting his talent, and he scores wonderful goals, but he doesn’t do enough the rest of the game.”

Johnston progressed through the Celtic academy in 2017 and has managed to sporadically make 60 league appearances in that time, scoring nine goals. After a season-long loan spell at Vitoria in Portugal during the 2022/23 season, he was reintroduced to the first team by Brendan Rodgers upon his arrival but was once again sent out on loan six months later after making just nine appearances.

Over the last six months, Johnston has registered seven goals and two assists in 20 league appearances at English Championship level, marking a career hot-streak for the Republic of Ireland ace. But McAvennie is adamant that his recent run of form is not enough to earn him a place at Parkhead.

“All we’ve seen up here was the goals that he scored down at West Brom, but talking to people down there they’re saying he didn’t do anything else, that’s why they didn’t buy him.” McAvennie added.

“There’s a reason why they didn’t buy him. Everyone’s raving about, ‘What a goal,’ brilliant, but you’ve got to do more than that, you’re not even a centre forward you’re a winger.

“You’re scoring goals but you don’t do anything else, that’s something that I guarantee you Brendan won’t have in the team. I’ll be disappointed if he plays for Celtic and it’s not a reflection of the boy.

“Celtic’s jersey is too heavy for Micky, so go and make a name for yourself somewhere else. I don’t know where he’s going to go in the team.”

Johnston has so far enjoyed an impressive start to pre-season after scoring a goal against DC United but it remains to be seen if he will be introduced to the setup next term by Rodgers.

Rangers ‘unlikely’ to strike huge summer deal

Former Rangers forward Kevin Kyle claims that there is little chance of the Gers landing Lawrence Shankland this summer.

Speaking on the Open Goal YouTube channel, he explained that if Rangers were unable to afford his price tag in January then there is little chance of Hearts settling for anything less in the summer.

Shankland, who fired in 31 goals across all competitions last season, is in the final year of his contract in the capital and is free to speak to other clubs in January once he enters the final six months.

However, Kyle believes that this will not be a factor that affects his valuation this summer:  “If you couldn’t afford Lawrence Shankland in January, you’re not going to be able to afford him in the summertime because Hearts simply won’t sell for the sake of six months.

“I know in January he could go and agree a pre-contract somewhere, but that isn’t going to happen now Lawrence Shankland going to Rangers. It isn’t going to happen.”

Another Liverpool player appears on Celtic transfer radar after glowing seal of approval from Jurgen Klopp

A Liverpool man has Celtic transfer appeal, it’s claimed.

Owen Beck is reportedly back on the Celtic agenda as Brendan Rodgers hunts left-back reinforcement.

The Liverpool talent was reportedly wanted by the Premiership champions in January after an impressive six-month loan deal at Dundee, who he returned to for the second half of last term. He has been out in the US with Arne Slot’s team as part of the Premier League side’s pre-season camp.

It is reported by the Daily Mail that Celtic maintain their ‘interest’ in the defender with Liverpool said to prefer a sale over another loan for the left-back, according to a report. They are not the only side on the scene for Beck, however, with QPR also a suitor, and Celtic are also rumoured to have held an interest in Liverpool goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher before they signed Kasper Schmeichel plus Viljami Sinisalo.

Birmingham City were mentioned with him earlier in the transfer window but they have since signed Alex Cochrane from Hearts. Greg Taylor is the only senior left-back at Celtic and so far, they have been thwarted in their attempts to sign Hugo Bueno on loan from Wolves.

Speaking in January of Beck, former boss Jurgen Klopp spoke glowingly of the defender, giving him his Liverpool seal of approval as someone that hopes were high for at Anfield.

Klopp said at the time of the left-back: “Owen previously had difficult loan spells. We really think highly of him, he goes to Scotland, is playing there and that gives him a massive boost. He arrived here and looked like a man. Ready to go, now the other boys are coming back, we have the opportunity to give him that time again.

Why this Celtic signing will make the difference – video

Ryan McGinlay and Tony Haggerty joined Hamish Carton on a special edition of The Celtic Way’s morning briefing for August 2, sponsored by MPH Group.

On a bumper show, the boys spoke about the permanent transfer of Paulo Bernardo to Brendan Rodgers‘ side, as the Portuguese midfielder returned to the club he was loaned out to last season on a five-year deal.

Elsewhere, it was predictions time, as the panel mulled over who would shine brightest for Celtic in the new campaign, both domestically and in Europe. Tony went for the club’s biggest signing of the summer, whilst Hamish and Ryan both mentioned a certain Canadian right-back as the player to have a standout campaign this term.

As always, you can keep up to date with our briefings by clicking PLAY on the video player at the bottom of this article. A reminder to subscribe for FREE on our YouTube channel, and gain access to our busy comments section, as well as notifications when we next go live.

Director opens exit door for £3m Celtic man with ‘dream’ transfer a possibility

Earlier this week, Celtic boss Brendan Rodgers set out his stall on the future of Matt O’Riley.

The Scottish Premiership champions have turned down offers from Atalanta, HITC understands, while remaining firm on their valuation. Celtic want a minimum of £25 million.

A fee that would make Matt O’Riley – who also remains a target for his former MK Dons boss Russell Martin at Southampton – the most expensive sale in The Hoops’ entire history.

But when quizzed about the future of another Celtic player, Rodgers was not quite so steadfast in his response.

Gustaf Lagerbielke, a £3 million signing from Elfsborg just last summer, may be allowed to pursue a fresh start of his own if the price is right.

Celtic open to selling defender Gustaf Lagerbielke

“It just all depends,” Rodgers says, via Football Scotland. “Gus has shown a terrific attitude. He didn’t get so much game time last season but he’s got his head down.

“He had the chance to go on loan in January but we needed to keep him due to the injuries we had in that position. But he’s worked very hard over pre-season and we’ll see what happens.

“You see the players are happy and working well, but all players want to play. If they can’t get the game time with us, they may look elsewhere. In this moment, he’s working very hard and when is asked. He comes in and does well.”

The Stockholm-born Lagerbielke started only four Scottish Premiership games as Celtic secured yet another domestic title. In total, he was on the pitch for just over 400 league minutes.

Despite impressing Rodgers with his mentality and spirit, Lagerbielke heads into the new campaign behind Cameron Carter-Vickers, Liam Scales and arguably Stephen Walsh in the pecking order. Celtic also still have Maik Nawrocki and Yuki Kobayashi at their disposal.

A potential move to Italy for the 23-year-old Swede, meanwhile, continues to linger.

Lagerbielke confirmed back in January that he would be interested in following in the footsteps of many a Scandinavian player at Lecce while informing Sky Italia of his Serie A ‘dream’.

Lecce director Pantaleo Corvino would later admit that the Giallorossi do indeed hold an admiration for the Parkhead misfit. However, due to the array of centre-halves already at the Stadio Via del Mare at the time, Lecce opted against pursuing a deal during the winter.

Seven months on, things may have changed. Lagerbielke’s Serie A ‘dream’ may yet become a reality.

Speaking to Tuttomercatoweb, Corvino confirms that Lecce are now in the market for not one but two central defenders before the window closes.

Serie A move is still on the cards with Lecce

The Italians have lost former loanee Ahmed Touba while Marin Pongracic has sealed a £13 million move to Fiorentina to replace Nottingham Forest newbie Nikola Milenkovic.

“We are looking for potential players who are up to the task,” Corvino explains. “We cannot stay with two central defenders. We will sign two more.

“We gave away Pongracic, who was a starter.”

Ahead of Sunday’s Premiership opener at home to Kilmarnock, Celtic have completed only three signings this summer. Paulo Bernardo returns on a permanent basis from Benfica, while goalkeepers Kasper Schmeichel and Viljami Sinisalo both arrived.

In addition to retaining O’Riley’s services, Rodgers is keen to bring in a new centre-forward.

A potential deal for Norwich City striker Adam Idah continues to drag on, with HITC understanding that Celtic have now lodged an enquiry for Hearts captain and Golden Boot holder Lawrence Shankland.

Celtic preparing bid to sign £15k-p/w ace who was in advanced Rangers talks

Celtic are reportedly preparing an offer to sign a £15,000-a-week player who was recently in advanced talks with rivals Rangers.

Celtic and Rodgers eyeing “ready-made” player

The Hoops and Brendan Rodgers are yet to complete an outfield signing this summer, with goalkeepers Kasper Schmeichel and Viljami Sinisalo the only two official arrivals at Parkhead.

Celtic are expected to secure the permanent services of midfielder Paulo Bernardo, though, following a successful loan spell from Benfica last season.

There could be more to come after Bernardo, with Rodgers admitting back in February that the club want to be “brave” and target “another level of player” who is “ready-made”.

“I would go with supporters thinking we could maybe be a little bit braver in terms of bringing in another level of player. But that’s up to me to try and fix that over the course of my time here. You look at the strategy here and you have to be careful because in some ways it has worked. You bring in players for a minimal fee and then they go out and make the club a lot of money.

“What I want to hopefully balance in my time here is that we can still do that, because it is an important part of the modern game. But we also want to be brave enough to hang our hat on a ready-made player.”

Recent targets linked with moves to Celtic Park are Hearts striker Lawrence Shankland after his prolific form in front of goal, whereas Wolves full-back Hugo Bueno is also wanted on loan.

Now, it appears as if Celtic are readying a permanent offer to sign a Manchester United midfielder.

Celtic preparing Hannibal Mejbri offer

According to reports in Tunisia, relayed by Sport Witness, Celtic are ‘preparing to make an offer’ to sign Man Utd’s Hannibal Mejbri. The offer in question is expected to be a permanent bid, with the 21-year-old into the final 12 months of his Old Trafford deal.

Should Celtic sign Mejbri, on £15,000-a-week, they could deal rivals Rangers a real blow, with reports recently claiming that those at Ibrox were in advanced talks to sign the Tunisia international who was a priority target for Philippe Clement.

Mejbri, who can play as a central midfielder, attacking midfielder or right-winger, could be on the way to Parkhead instead, going off the recent update, although he is on United’s pre-season tour in the USA.

The Red Devils man recently went on loan to Sevilla and prior to that, impressed with Birmingham City, where former manager John Eustace said: “The way he has played in the last couple of games has been phenomenal. He has broken records for total distance [covered], all that kind of stuff.”

A move could be one to keep an eye on, with Mejbri potentially offering Rodgers a versatile midfield option who could go from strength to strength in Scotland.

Celtic Identify Matt O’Riley Transfer Replacements

HIGHLIGHTS

Celtic consider Shea Charles, Tanner Tessmann, and Daniel Gazdag to replace Matt O’Riley.

Paulo Bernardo is already set to join, but club will target a new midfielder if O’Riley leaves.

Celtic also eye Shankland as an alternative to Idah for attacking options.

Celtic have identified a number of targets to replace star midfielder Matt O’Riley should he leave the club this summer, according to Sky Sports News.

The Hoops have seen a host of clubs show an interest in Denmark international O’Riley this summer, with Atalanta having three bids rejected and Premier League new boys Southampton failing with their own attempt for the midfielder.

But they are expected to receive more bids before the transfer deadline on August 30th, and the club have put a plan in place for potential replacements should he end up moving on from Parkhead.

Celtic eye Daniel Gazdag to replace Matt O’Riley

Shea Charles and Tanner Tessmann also targets

A deal is already in place with Benfica to sign midfielder Paulo Bernardo on a permanent basis following his successful loan spell last season, with personal terms also agreed and a medical done.

But if O’Riley is to move on, the Hoops will look to bring in another central midfielder to replace him and they have identified three options as targets to be brought into the club.

Matt O’Riley and Daniel Gazdag Comparison

Stat

Matt O’Riley

Daniel Gazdag

Games

37

19(2)

Goals

18

14

Assists

13

1

According to Sky Sports News, it is understood that Philadelphia Union midfielder Daniel Gazdag is among the top of their shortlist to replace 23-year-old O’Riley, with the Hungary international earning a reputation as a goalscoring midfielder who is the franchise’s top goalscorer of all-time.

The MLS club will demand £10million to let him leave, however, and that has seen them also shortlist current Southampton starlet Shea Charles and Venezia star Tanner Tessmann as alternative options.

It’s believed that Charles, who is a Northern Ireland international, could be made available on loan for the 2024/25 season and there has been a suggestion that he could be included in a swap deal with the Saints to take O’Riley to St Mary’s.

GIVEMESPORT key statistic: Daniel Gazdag is the all-time top scorer in Philadelphia Union history with 54 goals in 110 games.

Celtic eye Attacking Reinforcements

Lawrence Shankland and Adam Idah have been linked

While midfield is an area that Celtic will target in the transfer market should O’Riley leave, they are already in the market to bolster their attacking options.

Adam Idah is the top target up front after his successful spell on loan with the club in the second half of the 2023/24 season, but currently Norwich’s asking price is proving prohibitive to any deal.

That has seen Celtic look at alternative options, with Hearts captain Lawrence Shankland a target. The Scotland international is in the final year of his contract at Tynecastle and also has interest from fierce rivals Rangers, but Celtic have more funds and could be better placed to agree a deal.

How Celtic’s big signing came out of the blue and the key men behind it

Veteran Danish goalkeeper delighted to be part of champions’ squad for this season

Kasper Schmeichel watched good friend Joe Hart bow out at Celtic with league and Scottish Cup medals around his neck and never thought just a few months later he would be succeeding him.

The genesis of this particular goalkeepers’ union can be traced back to 2006 when Schmeichel was on loan at Bury from Manchester City and Hart still at Shrewsbury Town.

The Dane remembers thinking City’s goalkeeping coach had turned up for that day’s League Two clash to check on his progress, only for the truth to dawn a short while later when Hart joined him on the books at City.

New Celtic goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel is unveiled to the media during a press conference at Celtic Park.

Both young and eager to impress, that competitive streak in the race for first-team football didn’t stop the pair from forging a close friendship that endures to this day.

When a text arrived out of the blue from Brendan Rodgers last month asking Schmeichel if he was free for a chat, Hart was one of those the goalkeeper consulted when it became apparent a move to replace him at Celtic was on the cards.

“I hoped [the chance to succeed Hart might happen] but I had absolutely no indication or inkling,” says the 37-year-old. “It was a very nice surprise and very unexpected.

“I’d literally just gone on holiday with my family having finished the Euros, and I was thinking: ‘When is something going to happen?’ And then all of a sudden, I got a text from Brendan and we agreed on it quite fast. He asked: ‘Do you have time for a quick chat?’ After that it was a very easy decision.”

Schmeichel watched the way Hart quickly worked his way into the Celtic fans’ affections with his performances over the past three seasons, pleased to see his friend rebound from a tough few years when he seemed to have lost his way. Now that the former England goalkeeper has chosen to call time on his career, Schmeichel is thrilled at the prospect of following in his footsteps.

“Who would have thought?” wondered the former Falkirk player about the way this whole scenario has unfolded. “Mine and Joe’s history is well documented. I was at City before him. I was on loan at Bury and we played against each other when he was at Shrewsbury. The goalkeeping coach was in the stands. I thought he was watching me. Obviously he wasn’t – he was watching Joe!

“The three or four months later, Joe bowled in the door. We instantly hit it off. We’d very compatible personalities. We wanted to win and to be the best. At that time neither of us were number ones.

“We were just kids trying to be better, trying to figure out how we get to that point. We’d spend so much time watching goalkeepers, trying things out. We’d watch clips of Buffon, Casillas, Kahn, whoever. And we’d go out and try to emulate them in training and see if it would help us and work for us.

“We’d go and play tennis or whatever after training because we felt that would help with our footwork. We did anything we could to be better. We pushed each other.

“Joe at the time was probably ahead of me in many respects. He was the one who got the debut in front of me. I think it was Sheffield United at home.

“We’ve always been very close friends. When I had my chance in the Premier League, Joe was nothing but supportive. We’ve followed each other. Our families are friends. We see each other outside of football. I honestly didn’t expect him to retire before me being younger than me. But it’s crazy how football works sometimes.”

Schmeichel, like Hart, arrives at Celtic as a decorated international, a leader in the dressing room and someone with a welter of club experience. A key figure in the Leicester City Premier League-winning miracle of 2016, he also won the FA Cup [when Rodgers was the manager] and played in the Champions League. Most recently he has played in Europe with Nice and Anderlecht and, even at 37 years old, the chance to help Celtic land further silverware in the season ahead evidently holds huge appeal.

“I think the difference between a club like Leicester – and I love Leicester – we didn’t have the history of winning like Celtic has had,” he added. “To come into a club this size that has won so many things, and also has a history of winning – not just an old history of winning but also a new one – that was really appealing to me. That was something that I hadn’t tried before. To get the opportunity to be a part of that history is massive. With Joe I saw the love he had for it and the love the fans had for him and if I could emulate just half of what he did then I’d be happy with that.”

It all starts at home to Kilmarnock on Sunday when Celtic unfurl the Premiership title flag. But Schmeichel made clear the day for him will be more business than pleasure.

“You’ve got to remember that football is also a job for me so you sometimes have to remove the emotion of the occasion and make sure you’re actually focused on the job in hand,” he added. “We’ve had two really good games in the States that I was involved in and another against Washington as well.

“But it’s a completely different thing when you go into competitive games so we have to make sure that we’re grounded, stay humble and hungry. When you win you can either go one of two ways; either become happy and complacent or be inspired by it. And that’s what we need to keep doing.”

Bernardo signs but how do Celtic compare to peers in transfer market.

Paulo Bernardo scores against Rangers at Hampden

Yesterday evening, Celtic announced their third signing of the current summer transfer window in Paulo Bernardo.

From the outside looking in, the five-year deal took some time behind the scenes to be completed. Between times, one numbers-savvy supporter explored how the Parkhead side’s business compares on a broader scale to similarly-structured clubs with similar resources.

Using Transfermerkt data, Reddit user Own_Detail3500 admits the research should be taken with a pinch of salt but makes comparisons between Celtic and the likes of Porto, Benfica, Ajax and Rangers.

“My criteria is teams that have a similar wage budget, but aren’t in the top 5 leagues, or aren’t uber wealthy,” they said. “Teams that fancy themselves as getting a run in CL/Europa.

“In terms of wages, Ajax/Benfica actually far exceed most teams (probably twice what Celtic can muster) and Bodo a lot lot less.

“I deliberately tried to get Celtic as a ‘mid table’ point in terms of spending power based on the Swiss Rambles wage figures (who apparently gets it from annual reports, so should be accurate, if out of date at times).

“Of course, there are other factors when it comes to spending power and indeed undoubtedly teams I’ve missed out, so go easy. Anyway, here’s the numbers ordered by spend.”

With that, the Redditor concludes, suggesting Celtic are “vastly” underspending in their view. By their assessment, few left-backs are changing hands in the market, despite Benfica having signed two in this position, and the user believes there are “several” centre-back options Celtic have missed out on over the course so far.

Own_Detail3500 added: “Final caveat, spending will also be influenced by the state of your squad + appetite to rebuild. Ajax, Porto (kind of) and Salzburg just have a new manager so expect business there yet.

“The two things that I’ve found most interesting is that some teams are not doing that much business yet either despite (from what I’ve read) fans demanding more, [for example, Ajax and Salzburg].”

Celtic braced for £23m bid, Rangers deal explained, Hearts raid Colombian market – Scottish transfers

The latest transfer stories across Scottish football as Celtic, Rangers and Hearts are busy

Another O’Riley bid ‘prepared’

Celtic’s resolve over Matt O’Riley is set to be tested again, with Italian media reports suggesting that Atalanta will return with an improved bid for their Danish playmaker. The Serie A outfit have already failed with two attempts for the 23-year-old, but Gazetta dello Sport claim that last season’s Europa League winners are readying another in the region of £23million.

When quizzed directly about interest in O’Riley, Atalanta chief executive Luca Percassi said: “We follow and have the responsibility to follow many players in all roles.” The Bergamo-based club see O’Riley as the ideal replacement should they lose their own midfielder Teun Koopmeiners, who is wanted by Juventus.

Celtic strengthened their midfield options last night by signing last season’s loanee Paulo Bernardo on a permanent deal from Benfica and have been linked with Southampton’s Shea Charles.

Matt O’Riley is wanted by Atalanta | SNS Group

Hearts eye Colombian

Hearts are set to make their eighth summer signing of this transfer window, with Colombian defender Andres Salazar on his way to Tynecastle from Atletico Nacional in his homelad.

Hearts are keen to strengthen their options at left-back following the sale of Alex Cochrane to Birmingham City and Salazar, who has been capped by Colombia, has been identified as the player to challenge James Penrice for that position. Multiple reports claim that he will arrive in Edinburgh this morning to seal the move.

Hearts are also working on a deal for Crystal Palace midfielder Malachi Boateng, who spent last season on loan at Dundee.

Propper explains move

Robin Propper has become Rangers’ ninth signing of the summer as Philippe Clement continues his squad revamp, and the 30-year-old Dutch centre-half said he was sold on the move by two current Rangers players.

Propper told RangersTV: “Rangers is a big club and it feels really good to be here. I was glad to hear about the club wanting to sign me. I always said I wanted to have a new adventure in another country and when a club like Rangers comes in for you it feels surreal. This club breathes football and you want to play your football here.

“I spoke to Cyriel Dessers and Vaclav Cerny and they only had nice things to say about the club. It’s nice to see some familiar faces. You hear about the Rangers fans and how it is here and I am really happy to be here.”

Scott McTominay is in demand | SNS Group / SFA

McTominay bid rejected

Manchester United have turned down a bid of £20million for their Scottish midfielder Scott McTominay, according to Sky Sports. The 27-year-old’s future remains up in the air and despite manager Erik ten Hag stating last month that he wishes to keep McTominay at the club, the Cottagers are keen to add him to their squad.

McTominay, who scored Scotland’s only goal at this summer’s European Championships, has also been linked with West Ham and Turkish side Galatasaray. He has spent his whole career at Old Trafford.

Inside Kasper Schmeichel to Celtic transfer as Dane reveals speedy Brendan Rodgers exchange that sealed the deal

One minute you’re on holiday, the next you’re agreeing to sign for Celtic via text

Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers with new signing Kasper Schmeichel

Kasper Schmeichel should be perfectly used to this by now.

Come to think of it, he’s made a habit of following in the glove prints of Joe Hart since the pair of them were competing for a first team game at Manchester City. So perhaps it was written in the stars all along that the Dane would pick up the mantle that Hart left behind when the veteran called time on his professional career and stepped down as Celtic’s No.1 at the end of last season with a league and cup double for a retirement gift.

Schmeichel was watching his old pal’s glittering goodbye from afar. Not realising that he was about to become his successor. Again. But knowing deep deep down that he wanted a bit of the good life that Hart had just experienced. So when he pitched up at Parkhead for his official unveiling as Celtic’s new first choice keeper, the 37-year-old was already eagerly anticipating an Indian summer of his own.

“I hoped it’d happen but I had absolutely no indication or inkling,” Schmeichel said from behind a beaming smile. “It was a very nice surprise, it was very unexpected and I’d literally just gone on holiday with my family having finished the Euros and I was thinking: ‘When is something going to happen?’

“Then, all of a sudden, I got a text from Brendan and we agreed on it quite fast. He asked: ‘Do you have time for a quick chat?’ After that it was a very easy decision.”

And it was at that moment the Denmark skipper realised he was about to set off on Hart’s journey – almost two decades after the pair were students at City’s goalkeeping school, glued to videos of the greatest goalies in the game.

“Who would have thought it?” he grinned. “Mine and Joe’s history is well documented. I was at City before him. I was on loan at Bury and we played against each other when he was at Shrewsbury.

“City’s goalkeeping coach was in the stands for that game. I thought he was watching me when, obviously, he was watching Joe instead!

“Three or four months later, Joe bowled in the door and we instantly hit it off. We had compatible personalities. We both wanted to win and to be the best.

“At that time neither of us were No.1s. We were just young kids trying to get better, trying to figure out how we get to that point. We’d spend so much time watching goalkeepers, trying things out.

Joe Hart and Kasper Schmeichel share a joke

“We’d watch clips of Buffon, Casillas, Kahn, whoever, and we’d go out and try to emulate them in training, see if it would help and work for us. We’d go and play tennis or whatever after training because we felt that would help with our footwork. We did anything we could to be better. We pushed each other.

“Joe was probably ahead of me in many respects. He was the one who got the debut in front of me.

“We’ve always been very close friends. When I had my chance in the Premier League, Joe was nothing but supportive. We’ve followed each other. Our families are friends. We see each other outside of football. I honestly didn’t expect him to retire before me, being younger. But it’s crazy how football works sometimes.

“It’s well documented the period Joe went through with Torino, West Ham, Burnley and Tottenham. They were difficult spells. Having been the best goalkeeper in the country, to have a difficult spell then come to a place like this and feel the love. That’s exactly what he deserved.

“He deserved to have that send-off and I’m really happy that he got to experience that. He won four golden gloves and only Pepe Reina’s matched that. A ridiculous stat. To have that then go out on top is amazing.”

Now it’s Schmeichel’s turn to be thrown into Celtic’s firing line and, even though he’s only signed on an initial one-year deal, he gives off the vibe of a man who plans on making the most of it having developed a taste for trophies during his time at Leicester City.

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He said: “The difference between a club like Leicester – and I love Leicester – is we didn’t have the history of winning like Celtic has had.

“To come into a club this size that has won so many things, and also has a history of winning, not just an old history of winning but also a new one, that was really appealing to me. That was something that I hadn’t tried before. To get the opportunity to be a part of that history is massive.

“With Joe, I saw the love he had for it and the love the fans had for him. If I could emulate just half of what he did, I’d be happy with that.”

Schmeichel will make his home debut in Sunday’s title celebration party against Kilmarnock. But he has an idea of what he’s about to experience, having once sneaked into an Old Firm game during his early days on loan at Falkirk.

He said: “I can’t remember the scoreline – it was 18 years ago! And I didn’t need the baseball cap because no one had a clue who I was. I just remember some of the lads at Falkirk saying you’ve got to experience it. It was one of them that helped me get a ticket. Now I can’t wait to experience what it feels like out on the pitch.”