So Apparent’ – Scottish Premiership Star Makes Celtic Team Observation

Peter Lawwell’s Celtic statement just not good enough and I’m simply not buying transfer excuses – Chris Sutton

 

The chairman’s statement has brought up more questions than answers says the Celtic legend.

Celtic non-executive chairman Peter Lawwell (Image: SNS Group)

Peter Lawwell didn’t have anywhere to go with Celtic’s interim report. He knew it, everyone knew it, he basically admitted as much and a fair few of his comments didn’t cut it for me.

I’ll be honest, I’m not sure there were enough satisfactory answers in there to key questions. Mainly, the disappointment of failing to further add to the squad. Collective responsibility was taken, but it doesn’t change anything and the big question is why were these mistakes made? Who is to blame? If funds were available, there’s a culpability somewhere and, although they’ll never actually say, that’s the point and it leaves Celtic wide open to criticism and speculation.

Identified targets were unavailable. Well identify more or some alternatives. Because, quite simply, are you telling me there wasn’t a single left-back out there available as better cover to Greg Taylor than Alexandro Bernabei? Come on. Also, I’m not entirely sure what transfer activity being at its lowest in England for 10 years has to do with Celtic. Regardless of happenings in England, given Brendan Rodgers talked about needing to be braver in the market, would they have spent big to buy from the Premier League down south anyway?

In any case, what about the summer that really mattered for Celtic. Odin Thiago Holm, barely kicked a ball; Marco Tillo; gone. Kwon, gone; Hyun-jun Yang, project; Gustaf Lagerbielke, told he could have gone in January; Maik Nawrocki, now behind Stephen Welsh in the queue.; Luis Palma, done okay but has faded and needs to get fitter; Nat Phillips, been and gone; Paulo Bernardo, took time to get going and lost his place in the side when he did.

The reason Celtic were scrambling in January is because of those mistakes last summer and the two arrivals Nicolas Kuhn and Adam Idah aren’t automatic starters, which says it all. There was some good chat. Talk of renewing contracts such as those of Matt O’Riley and Cameron Carter-Vickers is correctly pointed out. That’s excellent business, brings stability and adds and protects value to the individuals.

Words about Celtic’s new Barrowfield facility also struck a positive chord. This is a good investment. Producing top talent from the academy squads is vital because the club has to unearth their own gems.

Bettering Lennoxtown is also of benefit to current senior stars with enhanced medical and sports science facilities hopefully preventing the type of situations which sees Reo Hatate miss most of the season.

But, just like the transfer talk, the European comments baffled me. The chairman’s statement talked of taking consolation from a number of good performances which will serve our squad well.

How does finishing bottom of a gentle group serve a squad well? Am I missing something? This season’s Champions League was a wasted opportunity and would have done more harm than good, I suspect.

Under-fire Celtic were knocked off the top of the Premiership table at the weekend as rivals Rangers took over (Image: SNS Group)

In terms of an exciting new format in European football, Celtic fans are looking at their club, with cash in the attic, having their automatic place in next season’s major competition put into jeopardy from a position of strength. I don’t feel there was enough in there to satisfy a support which is deeply unhappy at the events of the past few months.

I did note Lawwell saying that there remains a long way to go, all to play for and it being about uniting behind the team for these purposes. That I do agree with wholeheartedly for their sake. They have to draw a line under the chaos and unrest.

If it rumbles on, they’d be as well handing Rangers the title right now. Rodgers has spent his entire two-spell Celtic career as the hunted. Now he’s going to be the hunter.

You have to ask yourself one massive question. Does he or his team right now look like they have the killer instinct?

Not to my eye and that has to change. And it has to change immediately.

If Celtic are going to chase this title down, they need everyone on board. The manager has to find a way and stick with it and find the right personnel for it.

My instant feeling would be to revert back to the 4-3-3 system with Kyogo Furuhashi up top. That’s no big criticism of Adam Idah, but the system that has brought Celtic success in the past couple of years has worked this season. Just look back to the Rangers game at New Year.

It’s not the system that was broken. It was the work that was taking place within it. Pick two wingers and stick with them. For me, they would be Daizen Maeda and Luis Palma.

Get back to three in midfield with Bernardo filling until Reo Hatate gets back and the back four almost picks itself with Cameron Carter-Vickers due to return. Joe Hart’s announcement of retirement should finally make any lasting doubters realise what a good signing he has been.

He’s made mistakes and isn’t perfect, but he’s been huge in recent weeks and is nowhere near as bad as some critics were making out last season or the start of this. Hart is going to be vital for the run-in because, again, Celtic didn’t buy a proper back-up for him in the last window.

Celtic simply cannot afford to be making any more mistakes at this stage of the season. Rangers aren’t perfect, yet Philippe Clement is getting a tune out of them.

I keep hearing people say that Celtic still have an upper hand because they have players who have been over the course before, but the issue is the ones in the squad who now have not. As was shown against Kilmarnock last weekend, your senior boys can only do so much.

It is not lost. Far from it. But it will take a unified effort and it is time to draw a line under what has gone before. That can, come May, give the the right and definitive title answer.

Brendan Rodgers gets Celtic the tin hat on as boss insists he hasn’t ripped up Angeball

 

The Hoops manager’s tactics have come under fire as his side surrendered the lead in the title race.

IT’S not just Alistair Johnston who might need protective headwear for Celtic this week.

One of the Canadian’s old ice hockey helmets might come in handy for Brendan Rodgers with so much flak flying around and questions over his tactics and changes to the way Celts are playing. “I might need to borrow it!” The Hoops boss quipped.

Rodgers laughed it off but the Irishman has been irked by some of the suggestions he’s ripped up the Ange Postecoglou Treble winning game plan and replace the gung-ho relentless running with a slow build up passing game. It’s simply not true, is the claim. In fact, Rodgers is adamant nothing has changed when it comes to the way he wants Celtic to play. He said: “I’ve heard the bits and pieces around about slower build up. But that’s not the instruction. The instruction is to get through the pitch with speed quickly.

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“There is absolutely nothing asked of the players any different to what they have done before. I’ve heard how the style has changed and how the system has changed.

“But the system hasn’t changed one iota. Not one. The full-backs you see here are still coming inside. The wingers still go on the outside.

“Runs, when they happen, on the inside. That’s always the challenge when you come into a winning team and I am obviously conscious of that.

“But also knowing that the philosophy isn’t too dissimilar to how I’ve worked before. Whether that’s 3-4-3 or adjusting it.

“So the system hasn’t changed, the style hasn’t asked to be changed – because my teams are fast and dynamic – but what we most definitely have missed are the players who bring that element to the game.”

The tactics are the same but the personnel has changed. Rodgers lost Jota, Aaron Mooy and Carl Starfelt in the summer. Reo Hatate has been out pretty much all season, as has Cameron Carter-Vickers – who will return at Motherwell tomorrow.

Daizen Maeda missed matches through injury and internationals and Johnston has also been absent for chunks of time. The ones who have come in have also suffered a knock in confidence of late – and that is what Rodgers is convinced has let to the slower, safety-first nature of the passing game.

And it’s his task to bring it back now Celtic have been usurped at the top of the table. Rodgers knows they’ll need to find their mojo quick and if they are feeling the tension now, they ain’t seen nothing yet.

He said: “That’s the job, to try to give that to the players. We are not even at the pressure point, you know.

“So you have to help the players rather than play sidewards to make that forward pass. Listen, not every single pass in the game can go forward.

“Sometimes you have to change your attack to attack better by making one pass but our game is about progression through the field to score goals and create opportunities. That has never, ever changed. And, of course, in that pre-Christmas period, getting through the pitch with speed, everything was there.

“It’s the ability to maintain that mindset and aggression which is key. The players coming back can really make the difference, but our job is to help the players, support the players and guide them so that when they do cross the line they can play with that confidence and also manage the pressure.

“There have been so many games when it should have been dead and buried and we’ve created anxiety in the stands with our play.”

It’s now over to rivals Rangers to see how they cope with sitting on top of the table and having someone breathing down their necks. The hunted have become the hunters, but Rodgers doesn’t think the switch in positions will tip the tension towards the other side of the city and ease it on his men.

He said: “I don’t really look at it that way. The team that is top of the league after 38 games deserves to win it.

“We were in front at the beginning of the season and had been up until last week, but for me nothing changes. Being in front was never going to change the preparation for this game.

“We want to play creative, attacking football with intensity. So nothing changes. So first or second? Those are pressures which come from elsewhere.”

Alistair Johnston and Cameron Carter-Vickers

Carter-Vickers slotting back into the side will help. The big defender is a dominating figure and an inspirational presence. The campaign has almost been a write off for the centre back and Rodgers knows his fitness over the remaining months of the season will be crucial after breaking down on previous comebacks.

He said: “It has happened a few times for the likes of Cam. So we have just got to assess him in training and he feels good and he feels fine. It’s then about managing the minutes really.

“But him staying fit can be a key factor for us, so keeping him fit now will be him until the end of the season hopefully and maybe then he can get a really good pre-season. And the base that he never had. Carter-Vickers will wrap the ball forward quickly with confidence. The dynamism in midfield which, instead of playing backwards, will get on the half turn and play the forward passes.

“So that definitely changes how the team might look. There’s no magic formula to it, it’s hard work, it’s mentality, and take that into your games and see where it takes you.”

When special guest pictured at Lennoxtown and key duo return and Rodgers gets fired up, Ten (10) Celtic training headlines

10 Celtic training headlines as special guest pictured at Lennoxtown and key duo return and Rodgers gets fired up

 

 

The Hoops face a massive game at Fir Park against Motherwell as they bid to get their title charge back on track.

Celtic face a huge match on the road at Motherwell this weekend as they bid to get their title charge back on track.

Brendan Rodgers watched on as his troops dropped last-gasp points at home to Kilmarnock last weekend with Rangers taking full advantage 24 hours later as they dumped St Johnstone in Perth to open up a two point gap at the top of the standings. Philippe Clement’s got the Ibrox men flying at the moment and they are in action first this weekend against Hearts and victory would heap further pressure on the champions ahead of their match on Sunday.

Rodgers and the supporters will be boosted by the presence of top defender Cameron Carter-Vickers in full training and he could make his return. Alistair Johnston was also on the grass as key men begin to make their way back. The squad looked relaxed as they went through their paces at Lennoxtown with Joe Hart all smiles after his big retirement announcement yesterday.

Joe Hart issued loaded Rangers warning by Alan Brazil as Celtic diehard derails retirement chat to sound title alarm

Record Sport takes a look at the best images from the Celtic training ahead of their Fir Park test this weekend. Here’s our top 10..

A fired-up Brendan Rodgers gets his point across on the training ground as he looks to get back on track. Celtic are on the road to Motherwell in a must-win.

Joe Hart hard at work as he bids to retire on an almighty high at Celtic in exciting season finale. His big news could provide extra motivation to the squad starting this weekend.

Maik Nawrocki has been on the fringes as he takes in instructions from Brendan Rodgers. Could he force his way in this weekend? Celtic fans will probably hope the man mentioned underneath does instead.

A welcomed sight for the Hoops support as Cameron Carter-Vickers returns to training. The key defender has had his injury issues but is ready to return to the backline in a major boost.

Sean Markus Clifford

Celtic have struggled to find a clinical edge over the last few weeks under Brendan Rodgers amid their ongoing title fight.

In the Bhoys’ past four Scottish Premiership matches, they have managed to net just three times from open play, which is goalscoring form that won’t suffice as they try to claw back a two-point deficit at the summit.

Nevertheless, one minor silver lining has been Kyogo Furuhashi getting back to his best, with the Japanese striker netting in back-to-back league and cup matches against St Mirren and Kilmarnock.

The 29-year-old now has 13 goals and three assists in 35 appearances across all competitions this campaign, which is still a credible total, even if his tally isn’t as prolific as 2022/23 [Transfermarkt].

Hoops boss Rodgers has recently fielded Furuhashi in a two-man attack with Adam Idah, helping the former to find more space and work his magic.

Speaking about the process behind the tactical switch, the Irishman stated: “Whenever you have someone like Adam who can run in behind, and he can be a reference for you, it gives Kyogo that bit more freedom to drop underneath if he wants to.”

By design, playing with two frontmen may not be the most aesthetically pleasing style of football; however, if it yields results, nobody is going to ask too many questions.

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Peter Grant drops glowing verdict on Celtic’s Kyogo Furuhashi

Former Celtic man Peter Grant has paid Furuhashi some very complimentary praise while discussing the Hoops’ lack of creative ingenuity in recent weeks.

Speaking on the Go Radio Football Show, the 58-year-old explained: “Teams are making it difficult. They’re boxing off certain areas of the pitch. So, the hardest ball to defend is balls coming in behind you. It’s so difficult.

“And there’s one guy in Scottish football who I’d say is the best at it. He plays for Celtic. It’s Kyogo. He loves crosses coming in because he plays that half-yard offside anyway. And that’s what he loves. And that’s why I disagree with people when they say he’s out of form; I just say, ‘Put the crosses in.’”

Why the goals have slowed for Furuhashi this campaign isn’t an exact science, though he is a talismanic figure and it is encouraging to see him hit his stride as the run-in approaches.

Motherwell await this weekend at Fir Park, and his elite movement and anticipation levels will be crucial to ensure we travel home with three points.

Regardless of what has gone before, the 29-year-old still has a key part to play and could hold the key to winning a domestic double.

Chris Sutton reacts to surprise Celtic announcement

Chris Sutton was quick to react to Joe Hart announcing his retirement from goalkeeping- fortunately it will be at the end of this season and not immediately!

The former England keeper has been a key factor in two seasons of unexpected success at Celtic with hopefully further trophies and acclaim to come before this season is completed.

After 138 Celtic appearances Hart has decided that this will be his final campaign, when July comes around there will be no pre-season slog of throwing his body into another gruelling campaign.

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Turning 37 in April it will be all over for Hart at the end of this campaign which will hopefully be concluded at Hampden in the final of the Scottish Cup.

Sad to see Joe Hart retiring at the end of the season. He’s had a brilliant career. Top goalkeeper, top guy??

— Chris Sutton (@chris_sutton73) February 22, 2024

After the disasters of the 20/21 season when Vasilis Barkas, Scott Bain and Conor Hazard shared goalkeeping duties without and sense of conviction Ange Postecoglou turned to Hart after Barkas and Bain had played in his three opening matches with defending a clear issue.

From third choice at Spurs Hart brought authority and leadership to a Celtic side that lost three of their first seven SPFL matches but ended up lifting the SPFL title as well as the League Cup.

Last season Hart made it a clean sweep of honours with a domestic treble to match his medal collection from Manchester City.

There will now be no speculating over Hart’s intentions with the guessing game centred on Celtic’s Recruitment Team to see who they come up with the take Hart’s place with Bain or Ben Siegrist highly unlikely to be contenders.

Queen’s Park have added far-travelled striker Cillian Sheridan to their ranks with the three times capped Republic of Ireland internationalist signing on until the end of this season.

Sheridan, who has scored more than 100 goals in his career, made his debut as a Celtic player in 2007 and stayed with the Parkhead club until 2010 with the now 34-year-old having spells on loan at Motherwell, Plymouth Argyle and St Johnstone during that time.

After Celtic Cillian moved to Bulgaria where he joined CSKA Sofia before having a second loan spell at St Johnstone in 2011/ 12 where he was a team-mate of Assistant Head Coach Liam Craig.

Season 2012–2013 was spent in Kilmarnock before spells in Cyprus, Poland, New Zealand and Israel came to end with a return to Scotland with Dundee in 2021. After two years on Tayside Cillian moved north to Inverness Caledonian Thistle on a short-term deal last summer.

Head Coach Davidson said: “We have been looking to get more experience on board and we have that now in key positions. We will always be a club that is looking to develop players and players like Cillian will help us with that as he knows the game so well.

“He gives us more of a physical presence up front and the threat of getting in behind defences.”

Cillian said: “I have been in training with the club for a couple of weeks now and both the people and the facilities have been terrific. I am looking forward to being involved between now and the end of the season.”

Club President Graeme Shields said: “Cillian is an experienced player who gives us another option to our attack. I look forward to seeing him play.”

Sponsorship of Cillian’s home and away kit is available – full details are HERE

The registration of recent signing Josh Hinds has unfortunately not been able to completed by the Scottish Football Association due to outstanding issue with a club in England and Josh has left Queen’s Park.

Celtic target ex-Hibs ace, Liel Abada update, Rangers set for £2.5m exit, SFA apologise to Hibs – football news

The latest news and rumours around the Scottish Premiership on Tuesday, February 20
Matthew Elder
By Matthew Elder

Celtic target ex-Hibs ace
Celtic have been linked with another winger with a report claiming the club are interested in signing Qarabag’s Abdellah Zoubir.

The 32-year-old is no stranger to Scottish football having spent a season on loan at Hibs from French club Istres a decade ago, making 16 appearances and scoring one goal in the 2013-14 campaign that ended in relegation to the Championship.

He went on to play Petrolul Ploiești in Romania before returning to France for two seasons at Lens. Zoubir has been with Qarabag since 2018 and is one of their star players.

He has contributed 11 goals and 10 assists this season, including scoring a double in the 4-2 win away to Braga in the Euopa League play-off first leg last week. According to L’Equipe, Celtic are ‘assidiously courting’ the player with a view to a summer transfer along with Bundesliga outfit Augsburg and an unnamed French club.
Liel Abada update

Celtic are reportedly interested in signing Qarabag winger Abdellah Zoubir, pictured in action for Hibs in 2013.

Celtic are reportedly interested in signing Qarabag winger Abdellah Zoubir, pictured in action for Hibs in 2013. Celtic are preparing to hold talks with the agent of Liel Abada in a bid to seal a move away for the unsettled winger.

Abada is likely to have played his last game for the club after manager Brendan Rodgers revealed the 22-year-old is no longer in the right frame of mind to play.

The pro-Palestine stance of sections of the Celtic support has created tension between Abada and the Israel national side amid the ongoing war in Gaza and the player is now set to move on.

According to The Sun, several clubs in the US, where the transfer window is still open, are ready to pounce but any quick transfer could be complicated by the MLS Designated Player rules.

Abada is keen to get back playing as soon possible to boost his chances of featuring in Israel’s Euro 2024 play-off against Iceland next month.
Rangers set for £2.5m exit

Rangers flop Sam Lammers could make a permanent move away from Ibrox this summer amid reported interest from the Netherlands.

The Dutch striker was shipped out to Utrecht on loan after a disappointing start to his Rangers career following his £3.5m summer arrival from Atalanta.

He is enjoying a more fruitful spell in his homeland having helped Utrecht to a club-record 14-match unbeaten run with one pundit describing him as a “fantastic asset”.

The move does not include an option to buy, however, according to reports in Netherlands, another Eredivise side, Twente Enschede, are readying a £2.5m bid for the 26-year-old this summer.

It is claimed the club tried to sign Lammers last year but lost out to Rangers. Twente are currently third in the Dutch top flight and on course to qualify for the Champions League qualifiers next season.

SFA apologise to Hibs
Hibs have received an apology after VAR failed to award them a penalty during Saturday’s 2-2 draw at Aberdeen.

The club held a meeting with Scottish Football Association representatives on Monday after they felt a “serious error” occurred in the first half of the cinch Premiership fixture.

Jordan Obita’s cross hit the arm of Aberdeen defender Nicky Devlin and, while the incident was reviewed by VAR, the on-field decision of no spot-kick remained and the hosts subsequently had to settle for a point.

“The club held meetings with the Scottish FA at Hampden earlier today (19 February) to challenge the decision,” a Hibs statement read.

“The governing body outlined that the Referee Department agreed that the incident should have been referred by VAR for On-Field Review, and therefore an error was made.

“This is not the first time the club has received an apology for a VAR error and the club will continue to work with the Scottish FA in relation to refereeing Scottish matches.”

Dominant star has Celtic ‘credentials’ as Rangers hero tells ‘quality player’ he’s bound for Parkhead heroics

The defender is contracted to Celtic and is now being backed for a big future.

By Ben Banks
The defender is currently in the English Football League
Charlie Adam has backed Bosun Lawal to star for Celtic in the years to come.

The Rangers and Dundee favourite is currently manager in England’s League One, where he has the Celtic defender on loan until the end of the season. Lawal has impressed and scored in a 2-1 defeat against Barnsley on Saturday.

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The 20-year-old has built plenty of experience, starting 27 times in the third tier and playing 29 of the 33 games. They are fighting for survival, currently 23rd and six points off safety.

Amid that fight, former Rangers midfielder Adam has taken time to praise the Celtic defender. He anticipates a big Parkhead future waiting for him.

Adam said post-match: “He was the best player on the pitch. Unfortunately, he’s not our player, he’s a Celtic player, but it’s a real privilege to have him.

“He’s a quality player; he dominated the game. His strength, his power, and it was an unbelievable strike. The longer he’s in the building for us, from now until the end of the season, he will definitely make a difference to our team.

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Celtic ‘united as one’ says defender as Rangers title race pressure mounts after Kilmarnock draw
Celtic receive incredible transfer offer as Ajax academy product declares what he’d do to play for Hoops
Celtic receive incredible transfer offer as Ajax academy product declares what he’d do to play for Hoops
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“He’s a top talent, but hopefully, with the journey we’re on and the support that we can give him, he goes back to Celtic next season, and he goes and competes for a position because I believe he’s got the right credentials to be a Celtic player.”

There’s plenty of competition in the way of Lawal. Cameron Carter-Vickers, Stephen Welsh, Liam Scales, Maik Nawrocki, Gustaf Lagerbielke and Yuki Kobayashi are amongst the senior options at Brendan Rodgers’ disposal.

Exclusive: Celtic transfer collapses after 23-yr-old jets out for exit talks

Pete O’Rourke, Transfer Correspondent

Celtic defender Yuki Kobayashi’s loan move to HJK Helsinki has collapsed, sources have told Football Insider.

The 23-year-old had flown out for talks with the Finnish club after being given the green light by the Glasgow giants to move.

HJK were keen to sign Kobayashi with their transfer window open from now until April and negotiations were progressing.

But the move is currently off with the player now returning to training with his Hoops teammates.

Kobayashi is well down the pecking order at Celtic and has yet to feature for Brendan Rodgers’ side this season.

Celtic forgotten man Kobayashi sees out-of-window transfer collapse
He has featured in just one matchday squad so far in the 2023-24 campaign.

Join the Football Insider WhatsApp channel to get all our exclusives and the breaking transfer news FIRST.
The centre-back joined Celtic from Vissel Kobe in January 2023 and signed a deal running until May 2028.

He turned out seven times in the second half of last season under former boss Ange Postecoglou but has been deemed surplus to requirements by new boss Rodgers.

Kobayashi is just one of the Japanese contingent at Celtic – with Tomoki Iwata, Daizen Maeda, Reo Hatate and Kyogo Furuhashi also on the books at Parkhead.

The Hoops have recently fallen behind rivals Rangers in the race for the Scottish Premiership title.

Celtic
Celtic sit two points behind the Gers in the table following their 1-1 draw against Kilmarnock on Saturday (17 February).

Football Insider revealed on Monday (19 February) that the club are not set to make a knee-jerk reaction on the future of Brendan Rodgers despite this new development.

In other news, expert claims Celtic and Rangers are untouchable as uncovered documents reveal £26million payout.

Celtic fans’ Why Anwar El Ghazi Won’t Play For Celtic This Season

 

By Josh McCafferty -February 19, 2024
Free agent winger Anwar El Ghazi offered to play for Celtic for free at the weekend after the Green Brigade’s show of support for the Palestinian cause. He can’t do so, however.

Already this season, El Ghazi has turned out for two clubs. FIFA rules state that players can only play for a maximum of two in one campaign.

At the beginning of 2023/24, the Dutch international winger played twice for Feyenoord in the Eredivisie and Johan Cruijff Schaal.

He then moved to German side Mainz at the end of the summer window where he made three Bundesliga appearances before having his contract terminated in November.

Celtic Fans Palestine Display

Currently a free agent, El Ghazi cannot play for any more teams this season but could sign for Celtic. This is because players can be registered with three teams, yet can play for only two in a single season.

A move for El Ghazi is potentially something to watch come summer. The Celtic hierarchy would be rubbing their hands at a player offering to play for free, but El Ghazi does have the quality to boot.

Still 28 and adept on both the left and right wings, he has over 100 Aston Villa appearances to his name, and he turned out exactly 100 times for Ajax.

Having played countless games in the English, French, and Dutch top flights along with having Europa League and Champions League experience, El Ghazi would offer quality that some of Celtic’s current wingers perhaps don’t.

Brendan Rodgers: Big update on manager’s future at Celtic after dramatic twist – sources

O’Rourke Exclusive: Big update on Rodgers & Celtic

Pete O’Rourke, Transfer Correspondent

Celtic are not set to make a knee-jerk reaction on the future of Brendan Rodgers despite falling behind Rangers in the Scottish Premiership title race, sources have told Football Insider.

The Gers are now in the box seat to lift the title after moving two points clear of their Old Firm rivals on Sunday (18 February) following a series of dramatic results.

Celtic drew 1-1 against Kilmarnock on Saturday (17 February) to give Rangers the upper hand in the fight for the title.

That development has prompted an inquest at Parkhead as Rodgers as club chiefs try to determine the cause of their recent slump.

Rodgers facing Celtic sack after Rangers title resurgence?
A well-placed source has told Football Insider that there is not likely to be any movement on the 51-year-old’s role before the end of the 2023-24 campaign.

Two more Old Firm clashes remain this term and Celtic will be confident about their chances having won the first two encounters last year.

Join the Football Insider WhatsApp channel to get all our exclusives and the breaking transfer news FIRST.
Rodgers replaced now-Tottenham boss Ange Postecoglou in the Parkhead hot seat last summer (2023).

He returned to Glasgow after a hugely successful first stint at Celtic – during which he won trebles in back-to-back seasons.

The Northern Irishman has won 22 of a possible 35 games in all competitions since his return.

Celtic bowed out of the Champions League this term with just one group-stage win and are without European football for the remainder of the campaign.

Rodgers’ side are next in action against Motherwell on Sunday (25 February).

The next clash with Rangers is scheduled for 7 April.

In other news, expert claims Celtic and Rangers are untouchable as uncovered documents reveal £26million payout.

Celtic make transfer demand over star heading for Parkhead exit as agent jets in with departure ‘close’

The Celtic star looks poised to leave the club after a Brendan Rodgers transfer admission.

Celtic have made their transfer intentions clear over Liel Abada, according to reports.

The winger looks set to leave the Hoops, having been with them since the summer of 2021. Boss Brendan Rodgers has confirmed the Israeli star is not in the right frame of mind to compete for Celtic right now, amid the conflict between his homeland and Hamas.

Reports had emerged that MLS clubs are keen to sign him, with Rodgers also admitting Abada might need to move. And Sport5 claim Abada’s agent is jetting into Glasgow for crucial talks, the outlet insisting ‘there is a problem with the transfer fee that Celtic demands.’

The Hoops are not said to be interested in a loan move but a departure ‘is indeed close.’ Rodgers said last week: “I’m really empathetic towards the issue that he has.

“It’s more than football, it’s at a human level and we have to respect that.

He’s training, he’s working but as I said it’s all about the mind and if you’re not quite right or ready then I can’t take any risk with him and protect the squad as well.

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“People can talk about what’s going on there and then forget about it but that’s the reality for him – that’s his life. Every day and night, families in a war. So it’s a really tough situation for him and on a human level I have empathy for him.

“It’s my job and we’ll do that as I have with a number of players before, take the human aspect, and look after him. When he’s ready, if he’s ever ready, he’ll give us everything.

“Might he have to look for a move or a loan? It’s a possibility, we’ll see. We’ll work together on it.”

Brendan Rodgers and Graeme Stewart will go head to head Today at Celtic Park.Brendan

Rodgers and Graeme Stewart will go head to head on Sunday at Celtic Park.

And what every part-time player in senior football dreams of.

An away draw in the cup at the home of one of the two biggest clubs in Scotland. (I am not going to differentiate between Celtic and Rangers for the fear of ‘reprisals’)

For the players, there is the buzz and adrenaline rush of walking out in front of more than 30,000 fans, possibly more, at Celtic Park, one of the iconic stadiums in the country.

Thousands Swear By the Productivity Principle in “The 80/20 Principle” Book. I Gave It a Go.

Thousands Swear By the Productivity Principle in “The 80/20 Principle” Book. I Gave It a Go.

Thousands swear by the tips in the “80/20 Principle” book. I gave it a go to see what all the fuss was about.
Blinkist: 29 Million Users. 4.8 Star Ratings. 7 Day Free…

Many of the Buckie players are Celtic fans and will be going toe to toe with their heroes.

But for 90 minutes they will put their adulation to one side and look to give the Scottish giants a real fright.

At the end they will look to swap shirts with the players they have, for so long, admired from afar, as supporters and TV watchers.

For the fans who watch their team week in, week out in the Highland League, this is a reward for their loyalty, and it is a great day out for others who will make the journey to cheer on the Jags, maybe for the first time, or the first time in years.

For the directors, committee members and volunteers who have kept the club running over the years, decades for some individuals, this is a day to relax, soak up the warm welcome they will undoubtedly from Celtic, maybe enjoy a little well-earned hospitality, and see their team on the big stage.

It is a well-worn cliché, but the club are ‘Already winners’ in a financial sense, with more than £200,000 set to bolster the Victoria Park coffers.

If Buckie can score, the noise from the 3,000 or so Buckie fans will reverberate around Celtic Park.

And if the Jags ‘go steaming in’ and give Brendan Rodgers side a real scare on the day, or cause one of the biggest upsets in Scottish Cup history, they will be dancing in the streets of Buckie for years to come.

The odds are that Celtic, like they have done so often this season to teams in the Scottish Premiership, will dominate in their own backyard and Buckie Thistle’s players will have to work like Trojans, and run and battle all afternoon to repel the threat.

Buckie are one of the most attack-minded teams in the Highland League and it is unlikely that manager Graeme Stewart will completely abandon his attacking principles just because they are playing Celtic.

Neither will he abandon his animated style of management from the technical area. The Celtic fans closest to the dugouts are in for a treat.

However, reality and the natural order of things, will ensure the Jags will spend much of the time in defensive mode, while trying to hit Celtic on the counter attack.

Buckie will look to stay in the game for as long as possible and frustrate the champions.

The Celtic players are not superhuman, they are all very good footballers, but they are there to be shot at.

Buckie fans – dare to dream. Why not?

Our editorial team of Craig Christie, Jonny Clark, Daniel Forsyth and Beth Taylor will be there to cover the match and the occasion for The Northern Scot and our sister paper The Banffshire Advertiser.

I will be in the away end with the Buckie fans, looking to enjoy the experience and soak up the joy from the travelling green and white army.

I have enjoyed visiting Victoria Park for more than three decades through good times and lean years too.

They are a smashing club and under the leadership of Graeme Stewart and Lewis MacKinnon have become one of the top teams in the Highland League and they are certainly the best supported.

Rab Douglas recalls Celtic magic of the cup ahead of Buckie

Ange Postecoglou was impressed by how £164,000-a-week Tottenham star played vs Celtic

Ange Postecoglou did not hesitate when Tottenham Hotspur had the chance to sign Timo Werner, having watched him in action against his former club Celtic.

That is according to Football.London, which has shared how receptive Tottenham head coach Postecoglou was to the idea of bringing former Chelsea forward to Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

So, what has been reported about Timo Werner and Ange Postecoglou? Let’s take a look.

Ange Postecoglou rates Timo Werner highly
Well, earlier this month, Tottenham Hotspur signed Timo Werner from RB Leipzig.

The North London club secured the services of the £164,000-a-week (SalarySport) Germany international forward on loan until the end of the season.

Werner has already made his debut for Tottenham, who have the option to make his loan deal permanent in the summer of 2024. The 27-year-old started against Manchester United and impressed Spurs head coach Ange Postecoglou.

Football.London has now reported that Postecoglou did not hesitate when Spurs Technical Director Johan Lange pushed the signing of Werner.

Timo Werner
Photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty Images
The report has claimed that Postecoglou “agreed that he would fit into his system well after seeing first hand how the 27-year-old had given his Celtic team all kinds of problems with RB Leipzig”.

MORE TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR STORIES

On October 5, 2022, RB Leipzig beat Celtic 3-1 in Germany in the UEFA Champions League. Werner started the match for the German club.

Then the following week, Leipzig won 2-0 against Celtic at Celtic Park. Werner scored in the 75th minute.

My View: Timo Werner a no-risk signing for Spurs
In my opinion, Timo Werner is a ‘no-risk’ signing for Tottenham Hotspur.

It is a loan deal, so if the former Chelsea forward fails to make a huge impact at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in the coming weeks and months, then the North London club could just send him back to RB Leipzig at the end of the season.

I do not think that Werner should be used as a central striker. He is not prolific and misses chances. The German is best used out wide.

Tottenham are very much in the running for the Premier League top four and could even challenge for the title this season.

BBC man reacts to Celtic target who “ticks all the boxes” at Parkhead

Celtic, top of the Scottish Premiership and on course to seal yet another league title under Brendan Rodgers after he returned last summer, have the opportunity to strengthen even further this month. And whilst they’re reportedly unlikely to land one particular deal, pundit Alan Hutton believes that the Scottish giants should be optimistic ahead of the summer.

Celtic transfer news
With the January window well underway, Celtic have been linked with reinforcements that could help them on their way to a third consecutive league title.

According to reports, Celtic have held talks with Gwangju FC midfielder Jung Ho-Yeon in what could prove to be a shrewd piece of business if all goes well. Meanwhile, the Bhoys have already sealed a deal from elsewhere this month, welcoming Nicolas Kuhn from Rapid Vienna.

After signing on the dotted line, Kuhn said: “Celtic is one of the biggest clubs around and I’m really happy to be here. At Celtic, it’s about doing all we can to win every game, so that is the challenge here. I can’t wait to get going and do my very best for our supporters.”

Tommy-conway-bristol-city

Celtic are now interested in winning race to sign Tommy Conway
A player that Rodgers may not be able to welcome with open arms this month, however, is Caoimhin Kelleher.

According to reports, Liverpool will reject any bids for Kelleher this month, but Hutton believes that Celtic should be optimistic about their chances to secure a summer deal for the target.

Talking to Football Insider, the former Premier League full-back and BBC pundit said: “He’s an outstanding goalkeeper. We don’t see too much of him at Liverpool, but when it comes to the cup games, Jurgen Klopp obviously trusts him a lot for him to go and play. Every time I’ve watched him, I think he’s been amazing.

“He’s only 25 years old at this stage, so obviously with the Joe Hart situation, the fans always wanted to see somebody come in and put pressure on him.

I can’t see it happening in January, to be honest, but fans should be more optimistic about it happening in the summer. With his experience at a big football club, he ticks all the boxes. They’ll be looking at him as the long-term replacement.”

“Outstanding” Kelleher could be the perfect Hart replacement
With Hart’s contract set to expire this summer as things stand, Celtic may have no choice but to turn to the market for a fresh face in between the sticks. And they should look no further than Kelleher.

Rooted behind Alisson Becker in the pecking order at Liverpool, mainly thanks to how incredible the Brazilian is, rather than anything against the Celtic target, Kelleher is at somewhat of a crossroads in his career.

kelleher-liverpool-celtic-transfer-gossip-livakovic
At 25, it could be the perfect time to bring an end to his Anfield career and instead move on and take a number one spot over a backup role. With experience in cup finals, the Champions League and the Premier League already under his belt, he could be the perfect long-term replacement for Hart.

Although a deal seems unlikely this month, Celtic should swoop in this summer to sign the Liverpool shot-stopper, whose need for a number-one spot is growing more and more desperate with each season.

SCOTTISH PREMIERSHIP
TRANSFER RUMOURS

Tom is a football writer who has written for a number of websites and newspapers, creating content on everything from non-league, the Premier League and the top five European leagues over the last four years.

Tom is also a Liverpool fan and a University of Brighton student who can often be found on Twitter talking about the Reds.

Rangers stance shared as Leeds eye move to sign “magic” player
A reliable reporter has provided a key update.

borna-barisic-rangers-europa-league-clement
Rangers could lose a “special” player during the January transfer window, with a new transfer report claiming a big English club are eyeing a move for him.

Rangers transfer news
The Gers could delve into the transfer market this month, as Philippe Clement looks to further perfect his squad between now and the end of the season.

A host of different left-backs have been linked with moves to Ibrox, ahead of the possible exit of Ridvan Yilmaz, with Liverpool youngster Owen Beck and Benfica ace David Jurasek among those in the mix to come in.

That isn’t the only position that is being focused on, however, with West Ham right-back Ben Johnson someone who Rangers are fighting other clubs for, as he looks increasingly likely to leave the London Stadium before the month comes to an end.

Leeds want Rangers ace Borna Barisic
According to a new update from Football Scotland’s reliable reporter Mark Hendry, Leeds United are among the clubs interested in signing Rangers left-back Borna Barisic, however, a new contract at Ibrox is also not ruled out. Yilmaz’s exit is also possible, ahead of a potential switch to Galatasaray.

borna-barisic-rangers-scottish-premiership
“Borna Barisic has suitors this month in Leeds United and around Europe in France, Spain and Germany but Gers want him to sign a new contract and have put the question forward for the left-back to consider. Meanwhile another left-back, Ridvan Yilmaz, is still having his future discussed with Hellas Verona wanting the player. Galatasaray reportedly had a bid rejected as Gers look to move him on.”

Barisic has been a brilliant player for Rangers over a significant period of time, racking up a total of 224 appearances for the Scottish Premiership giants, so losing him midway through the season could be a blow, given his experience of title races in the past.

The 31-year-old is also someone who was lauded by Steven Gerrard during his time as Gers manager, with the Liverpool legend hailing a brilliant goal he scored back in 2019:

“It’s a moment of magic. I always felt that it would take a moment of brilliance from one of the front men or wide men, or a really well-executed free-kick. Thankfully Borna stepped up and he deserves all the credit that he gets. I’ve seen him do that many times on the training pitch but it’s alright doing that when nobody’s there. You’ve got to do it in big moments so fair play to him.”

This season, Barisic has started nine league games, invariably sharing playing time with Yilmaz, also winning an average of 1.8 aerial duels per game, and it would be better to keep hold of him for the time being, especially if his fellow left-back moves on.

cameron-pring-bristol-city
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Rangers now weighing up offer to sign “really good athlete”
At 31, his best days could be behind him, or may well be in the relatively near future, but he should be seen as a player who can contribute positively between now and May, potentially leaving at the end of the season instead.

RANGERS
BORNA BARISIC
TRANSFER FOCUS

Henry is an experienced football writer with a huge passion and knowledge of the game.

With over a decade of writing under his belt, he has been part of Snack Media’s freelance team since 2020. He is also a main contributor for This Is Anfield, one of the world’s biggest Reds-related sites, where he writes features and news, and covers matchday content, from live blogs to the dreaded Player Ratings.

Henry is a Liverpool fan, which you may have guessed, and has also written articles for the Times and the Guardian, as well as featured on the radio on BBC Radio 5 Live and LBC.

Over the years, he has also accumulated nearly 30,000 followers on Twitter and become a known voice on all things Reds.

Celtic 2 Rangers 3: Instant reaction to the burning issues

Rangers claimed a late win over Celtic in the Sky Sports Cup semi-final..

Rangers sealed their spot in the Sky Sports Cup final after a breathless victory over rivals Celtic.

A bonkers cup tie saw three penalties awarded and a stoppage-time winner in front of enthusiastic split support.

Celtic snatched a lead against the run of play in the second half with Chloe Craig firing home a penalty after a handball against Kathryn Hill.

The Rangers defender made up for her error shortly after though as she forced over the line after a stramash in the box.

With ten minutes left Rangers turned the match on its head as Rio Hardy cut back for Kirsty Maclean who coolly slotted into the bottom corner.

With one minute left, though, Celtic were awarded a second penalty, this time Tessel Middag was adjudged to have fouled in the box even if TV replays suggested she got more than a fair touch on the ball. Craig made no mistake to level again.

But Rangers would have the last laugh to seal the win with a penalty of their own after 95 minutes. Caitlin Hayes had pulled down Hardy in the box and the Rangers striker blasted home to win and send her side into the final.

Cruel start for Elena Sadiku

It was always going to go one of two ways for new Celtic boss Elena Sadiku.

Either, a memorable triumph over rivals Rangers in her dugout debut, or a cruel defeat.

However, no one could have called such a difficult defeat with a losing goal coming with seconds left in added time.

Sadiku wants to be the Queen of Queens for Celtic and that could still come to pass, but as evident at the Excelsior there will always be bumps along the way.

Rangers get the job done

With 12 goals in their previous two outings, it was always expected Rangers would score.

Perhaps less predictable would be the somewhat blunt attack as Jo Potter’s side struggled to find a cutting edge.

Multiple opportunities were passed up, and more denied by the impressive Kelsey Daugherty and the Celtic defence.

Importantly, though, Rangers found a way. First, forcing over the line with Hill and then a terrific finish from Maclean.

And when it came to the crucial moment, Hardy made no mistake.

Incredible entertainment

Three penalties, end-to-end stuff no VAR and an intense rivalry thrown into the mix – that sounds like a recipe for entertainment.

Thankfully, that was exactly the case at the Excelsior as Rangers toppled Celtic in a crazy 97 minutes of action in the Sky Sports Cup.

There was a healthy dose of nerves, quality and dubious decisions all making a great advert for women’s football in Scotland with BBC Alba covering the contest live.

Our women’s game is not in the limelight as often as it should be, and an incredible cup tie was just another statement that the product is there.

“I Would Expect” – Dundee Loan Star Tipped for Celtic Move

Kenny Miller has suggested that Celtic should consider Dundee’s Owen Beck for a potential transfer.

26th December 2023; Dens Park, Dundee, Scotland; Scottish Premiership Football, Dundee versus Celtic; Paulo Bernardo of Celtic celebrates with his team mates after he shoots and scores to make it 1-0 in the 52nd minute

Beck, currently on loan from Liverpool, has made a significant impact in the Scottish Premiership, catching Miller’s attention with his performances.

Miller’s endorsement comes at a time when Celtic Rangers are reportedly in the market for reinforcements in the left-back position. Celtic is looking for a player to challenge Greg Taylor, with it clear that Alexandro Bernabei is not of the desired quality. The Portuguese left-back, Arujo, has been heavily linked with the Hoops over the past few weeks.

Speaking on BBC Radio, quoted by Football Scotland, Miller said, “I’m looking forward to seeing Owen Beck today. The games that I’ve seen him this year he’s been absolutely outstanding. This goes again to show the loans and opportunities that can be presented, from the big clubs in England up to Scotland to play.

“I would expect, for me, maybe the big two up here to be having a look at this player. Both of them could do with a player in that area of the pitch and he’s been outstanding.”

He didn’t impress too much during the ninety minutes on boxing day, but he did make the most tackles in the match, playing on the left of a back 5. He looked comfortable enough defensively, but Celtic are looking to add experience and quality to the squad, I don’t think the 21-year-old will fall under that bracket.

Great celebration time “But bad news” Celtic’s best player is seriously injured in…

What a great Win “But bad News” Celtic Top player is seriously injured during…

Glasgow Derby Injury Concern for Celtic

Celtic emerged victorious with a 2-0 win over Livingston, a welcome relief following back-to-back defeats.

However, the triumph came with a tinge of concern as right-back Alistair Johnston appeared to suffer an injury towards the end of the match.

He looked to have pulled up injured, making him a concern for the Glasgow Derby next week.

The game saw Kyogo breaking his goal drought. Kyogo found the net, marking an end to his recent period without goals. This strike set the tone for Celtic’s dominance in the match.

Liam Scales doubled Celtic’s lead by heading in a corner from Palma.

Impressively, Palma also played a crucial role in setting up Kyogo’s goal, showcasing his ability to orchestrate key plays.

The Green Brigade returned to the stands for the win. The group made their presence felt for the first time in 13 games after being absent due to a ban.

Hopefully Brendan Rodgers can provide a positive update on the right back.

There’s a lot of frustration”-journalist react to “strange” involving Celtic star

Kyogo Furuhashi now in ‘strange situation’ at Celtic

Celtic forward Kyogo Furuhashi looks to have been asked to play a different role under Brendan Rodgers at Parkhead.

HIGHLIGHTS

 Celtic forward Kyogo Furuhashi’s goalscoring form under Brendan Rodgers has been “a bit strange” at Parkhead.

 The Japan international has been asked to play a different role, drifting wide and dropping back, affecting his goalscoring form for the Hoops.

 Celtic could look to trim their squad during the 2024 winter transfer window, with Nat Phillips and Alexandro Bernabei preparing for exits.

Celtic star Kyogo Furuhashi’s lack of goalscoring form under Brendan Rodgers has is “a bit strange” and has caused “a lot of frustration”, as journalist Dean Jones considers his performances as a whole at Parkhead.

The Hoops have enjoyed a positive start to the 2023/24 Scottish Premiership season, but a recent wobble in results will have created a sense of unease around Celtic Park.

Furuhashi has been operating across the front three for Rodgers’ outfit but hasn’t been utilised as the out-and-out striker he has been used to over the past two seasons. Celtic hope to recover from their early European exit and storm to a Premiership and Scottish Cup double.

Kyogo Furuhashi’s career at Celtic

In the summer of 2021, Celtic signed Furuhashi in a deal worth £4.6m from Vissel Kobe, as then-head coach Ange Postecoglou looked to develop a side capable of challenging for the Scottish Premiership title.

The Hoops had been beaten to the post by Rangers at a canter during the 2020/21 campaign and needed a rebuild to topple their Glasgow neighbours.

The Japan international would score 12 Premiership goals in 20 appearances during his first season at Celtic, helping them win the league title alongside a Viaplay Cup triumph.

Having had issues with his fitness during his debut campaign at Parkhead, Furuhashi would find full fitness in his second, hitting the back of the net 27 times in 36 top-flight outings.

The 28-year-old’s goal contribution led to Postecoglou’s side securing a domestic treble during the 2022/23 campaign before the respected head coach departed south of the border to take the vacant job at Tottenham Hotspur.

During the 2023/24 campaign, Furuhashi has struggled to reach the same levels in front of goal. Before Celtic’s trip to Livingston on 23rd December, the centre-forward had scored eight goals and registered three assists in 25 outings for the Bhoys.

However, Furuhashi has been asked to drift into wide areas and drop back to retrieve the ball under Rodgers, operating differently from how he played under Postecoglou.

In November, Jones told GIVEMESPORT that Celtic would not be concerned by exit rumours surrounding Furuhashi after it emerged that Tottenham had sent their top scout to check on players at Postecoglou’s former club.

Kyogo Furuhashi – Celtic stats (23-12-23)

Appearances

109

Goals

62

Assists

13

Yellow cards

8

Stats according to Transfermarkt

Dean Jones on Kyogo Furuhashi

Jones has suggested that Furuhashi can play a different role under Rodgers but that his goalscoring form will suffer. The journalist claims “a lot of frustration” surrounds the change. Asked about Furuhashi’s form, Jones told GIVEMESPORT:

“It is a bit strange. There’s a lot of frustration around this because you’d wonder why it hasn’t happened for him so far. But I feel like he’s being asked to play differently now. While he does seem capable in football in terms of being decent in the wide areas that he appears to be being forced into a bit more, it’s starting to reflect badly on his stats. That’s the first thing people will point out when looking for somebody to blame.

“I think he is a clever player and can play in the way he’s being asked, even though it might not be natural to him. But when you’re used to scoring or seeing someone score goals, it’s tough to accept a role change in which they’re not doing that as often.”

Celtic transfer news on Nat Phillps and Alexandro Bernabei’s future

 

With the 2024 winter transfer window approaching, Rodgers must consider the future of some of his squad members, who may feel they aren’t getting the opportunities required to stick around at Parkhead.

According to Football Scotland, centre-back Nat Phillips will return to Liverpool following his loan at Celtic next month.

The 26-year-old joined the Glasgow giants on a short-term deal at the end of August but has looked out of sorts, having built up his match fitness.

Phillips, now a fringe player at Celtic Park, won’t see his loan extended further, and another move away from Anfield could be on the cards in January.

Meanwhile, The Sun reports that Alexandro Bernabei is poised to make a winter exit from Celtic in 2024.

The 24-year-old has failed to establish himself under Rodgers and has attracted interest from Italian clubs and outfits from his homeland in Argentina.

The Hoops are keen on signing Estoril’s Tiago Araujo, valued at £4m, to offer competition to Greg Taylor, with Bernabei likely to be the victim in his arrival.

Meanwhile, Football Scotland claims that Celtic have enquired with Austrian outfit Sturm Graz about the possibility of signing former target Szymon Wlodarczyk. However, his value has sky-rocketed to £15m, making a deal financially unviable for the one-time European Cup winners.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Harry Whittingham(1846 Articles Published)

Harry is a football writer with multiple years of experience in the field, having worked as an intern at Port Vale Football Club whilst graduating with a BA Hons degree in Sports Journalism from Staffordshire University in 2021, before coming through the ranks at the O&O Academy at Snack Media.

Having worked as a freelance writer on This is Futbol from July-November 2022, he now works as a freelance writer for the Exclusives team at GIVEMESPORT, mainly covering Premier League football as well as Celtic and Rangers.

Harry has interviewed a range of footballer’s during his career, including ex-Premier League and Republic of Ireland winger Stephen Hunt and Port Vale legend Tom Pope.

Football dominates Harry’s life and when he’s not writing about the sport, he is often found following his beloved Wolverhampton Wanderers home and away, whilst also being an ardent follower of the Pittsburgh Steelers.

CELTIC’S £1m MYSTERY MAN

MYSTIFIED Celtic fans are still awaiting their first glimpse of South Korean midfielder Kwon Hyeon-kyu in competitive action.

Lazio 2-0 Celtic: Brendan Rodgers press…

The anchorman arrived in a £1million move – an initial £850,000 plus add-ons – from K-League outfit Busan IPark in July along with winger Yang Hyun-jun.

Under-21 international Kwon, with the reputation of a determined ball-winner in the middle of the park, played for 45 minutes in James Forrest’s Testimonial Match against Athletic Bilbao at Parkhead at the start of August on an evening Brendan Rodgers utilised 22 players of his first-team squad.

NOW YOU SEE ME…new Bhoy Kwon Hyeon-kyu proudly holds his Celtic jersey on July 25, the day after his arrival.

The 22-year-old enforcer also came on for Matt O’Riley in the 61st minute of the 1-1 draw with Wolves at Dublin’s Aviva Stadium a few days earlier.

Apart from that, there has been no sign of the Hoops’ mystery man although he was named in last weekend’s matchday squad for the home match against Hearts. That was only the fourth time time he has been stripped for action, but has yet to play a solitary minute for the Hoops.

Rodgers also ommitted Kwon from his 25-man squad that was registered with UEFA before the Champions League Group B meetings with Atletico Madrid, Lazio and Feyenoord.

It has become a bewildering situation without any likelihood of the midfielder, who signed a five-year contract in summer, edging closer to a first-team breakthrough.

Possibly next month’s transfer window will provide a solution.

BREAKING: Insane Russell Wilson News Has NFL Fans In Disbelief

Denver Broncos quarterback Russell Wilson has been having an up-and-down season in 2023. Although his 2022 debut with the team was one to forget, he has shown promise this season and has Denver in the mix of the playoff picture.

However, massive news has come out about the veteran quarterback regarding his playing time for the rest of the regular season, and it has put the NFL world into complete shock.

Sources: The #Broncos are, in fact, benching Russell Wilson for the final two games, preserving their financial flexibility for the offseason.

Jarrett Stidham starts. pic.twitter.com/8sh7ORek5Q

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) December 27, 2023

NFL Fans React

Dec 16, 2023; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Denver Broncos quarterback Russell Wilson (3) warms up before a game against the Detroit Lions at Ford Field. Mandatory Credit: Lon Horwedel-USA TODAY Sports

The Broncos have announced that Wilson will be benched for the rest of the 2023 season, and backup Jarrett Stidham will take the starting spot. This decision has already stirred up a ton of controversy amongst NFL fans, some saying that head coach Sean Payton is making a horrible decision, while others are saying that Wilson’s time in Denver is over.

That’s actually crazy lol I know they essentially blew their chance last week at the playoffs, but they’re still very much alive.

— Jacoby (@JacobyFC) December 27, 2023

What does that mean? How is the financial flexibility affected by this?

— Zak🔥🐬 (@ThaCreekFreak) December 27, 2023

This marks the end of Russell Wilson’s time in Denver

Broncos will release him prior to the 5th league day of 2024 and will take a massive dead cap hit

Broncos will then look for a new signal caller and Russ will have a similar treatment to Derek Carr last year

— FrontOfficePros (@FrontOfficePros) December 27, 2023

More like they’re trying to save themselves from paying Wilson his bonus 🤣🤣

— khani (@1khan09) December 27, 2023

Russell Wilson’s Career In Denver

Sean Payton needs the Denver Broncos to keep wide receivers for quarterback Russell Wilson

The veteran quarterback has had a drastic improvement in 2023 compared to his debut with the team in 2022. He has amounted to 3,070 passing yards, 26 touchdowns, and just eight interceptions this season.

In 2022, he went for 3,524 passing yards, 16 touchdowns, and 11 interceptions. Wilson has not been as productive in the last two years as he was with the Seattle Seahawks for the vast majority of his career. He has proven that he is an elite quarterback over the years, but his stint with Denver has many thinking his career is coming to an end.

The Broncos are 7-8 and in third place in the AFC West division. While their playoff chances this season are slim after their heartbreaking loss to the New England Patriots this past weekend, benching Wilson seems like a weird move by the team at this point in the season. Will the veteran quarterback be on a different squad by the 2024 season, or will he decide to hang up the cleats after being benched?