Latest news with #BrendanRodgers
Scottish Sun
4 hours ago
- Sport
- Scottish Sun
Key Celtic target spotted at airport as he waves goodbye to friends and family before sealing transfer
He's believed to be en route to the UK JETTING IN Key Celtic target spotted at airport as he waves goodbye to friends and family before sealing transfer CELTIC kick off their pre-season fixtures this weekend - and Brendan Rodgers already has four signings in the door. The Celtic boss looks set to make that at least FIVE in the next couple of days, too, as one of his targets has tonight been spotted on his way to the UK to complete a dream move to Parkhead. Advertisement 2 Brendan Rodgers has been a busy man in the transfer market Credit: Kenny Ramsay 2 One of his targets has been spotted boarding a plane to head to the UK Kieran Tierney was the Hoops' first signing of the summer and he has since been joined by Ross Doohan, Benjamin Nygren and Callum Osmand. Next up seems to be Hayato Inamura as the Scottish champions have returned to the J1 League to land their latest recruit. Inamura, 23, is closing in on a move to Celtic to team up with fellow countrymen Daizen Maeda and Reo Hatate. The Hoops previously had as many as FIVE Japanese players in the squad before but their quota dropped to two following the departures of Yuki Kobayashi, Tomoki Iwata and Kyogo Furuhashi. Advertisement But Inamura could take them back up to three, while Kawasaki Frontale forward Shin Yamada make it a quartet at Lennoxtown once again. Yamada remains a target for Rodgers but Inamura is seemingly already a done deal, according to reports in Japan. The left-sided centre-back has already confirmed he will leave his current club Albirex Niigata this summer. Now the defender has been spotted at the airport donning a club scarf before catching a flight to Europe, believed to be en route to Scotland. Advertisement It's being suggested that the 23-year-old is flying to London initially to complete the deal before heading up north to Glasgow. He looks set to complete the transfer before Celtic's first friendly against Queen's Park on Sunday. Cheeky Celtic supporters hoist Irish flag at site of Scotland's new superjail Keep up to date with ALL the latest news and transfers at the Scottish Sun football page
Scottish Sun
5 hours ago
- Sport
- Scottish Sun
Celtic pre-season fixtures 2025: Full schedule and ticket details as Hoops travel to THREE different countries
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) CELTIC fans have been waiting over a month to get back to winning ways after their shock penalty shootout defeat at Hampden. But the wait for their next victory might be almost over as Celtic are back in action THIS WEEK for the first time since Aberdeen got the better of them on May 24. Sign up for the Celtic newsletter Sign up 2 Brendan Rodgers with the Scottish Premiership title Credit: Kenny Ramsay 2 But Celtic's season ended in heartache Credit: Kenny Ramsay Competitive fixtures are still a while away but Brendan Rodgers will have the chance to judge his players ahead of the new season with as many as SEVEN friendlies scheduled between now and the Premiership opener against St Mirren on August 3. The Hoops kick off their pre-season calendar across the city on Sunday against Championship side Queen's Park - who dumped rivals Rangers out of the Scottish Cup in January. Celtic then travel to THREE different countries before returning to Glasgow just days before their first competitive clash. From fixture dates to ticket details and TV and streaming info - SunSport has everything you need to know. Celtic's pre-season schedule 2025 As aforementioned it all begins this SUNDAY, July 4, as Celtic stay in Glasgow to take on Queen's Park on their home turf. Rodgers and his players will then pack their bags and head to Ireland to face Cork City on Tuesday, July 8. From there it's a flight from Ireland to Portugal as Celtic have two games scheduled on July 12 and July 16 against Estrela Amadora then Portuguese giants Sporting Lisbon. The Hoops will then return to Glasgow to face Newcastle on July 19 in their only home game of the calendar, before jetting back out to the continent to take part in the Como Cup. Celtic will take part in the competition alongside Ajax, Como and Al-Hilal. They will have two glamour friendlies in Italy - an opener against Ajax then either a final against the winner of Como vs Al-Hilal or third-place play-off against the loser. The first game against Ajax will take place on July 24, with the third-place play-off the following day and the final on July 27. How can I watch Celtic's pre-season schedule 2025? Fans based in the UK and Ireland will be able to watch five out of the seven matches live via Celtic TV. The first match in Portugal against Estrela Da Amadora will be played behind closed doors so there will be TV or streaming access for that fixture. UK and Ireland-based supporters won't be able to watch the game against Newcastle either as streaming won't be available. Fans situated outside UK and Ireland will be able to tune in. How can I buy tickets for Celtic's pre-season schedule Tickets for the pre-season fixtures are available for purchase through Celtic's official website. When does Celtic's competitive season begin? Celtic will kick off their campaign against St Mirren on August 3. They will then have the chance to avenge Aberdeen the following week as they face the Dons at Pittodrie on August 10. The Hoops will have a Champions League qualifier to attend to later in the month as they enter the competition as a seeded team in the play-off. The draw for the play-off will take place on August 4 and the two legs will be played on August 19/20 and August 26/27. Celtic's pre-season schedule in full July 4 - Queen's Park vs Celtic (KO 7.45pm) July 8 - Cork City vs Celtic (KO 6pm) July 12 - Estrela Da Amadora (KO 11am) July 16 - Sporting CP vs Celtic (KO 7.30pm) July 19 - Celtic vs Newcastle (KO 3pm) July 24 - Ajax vs Celtic (KO 8.30PM) July 26/27 – Celtic v Como or Al Ahli (KO TBC) Keep up to date with ALL the latest news and transfers at the Scottish Sun football page
BBC News
9 hours ago
- Sport
- BBC News
Rodgers sees Celtic 'doing more' in market
Celtic do not need "a major overhaul", says Brendan Rodgers, but the manager expects to see the Scottish champions "doing more" in the transfer has recruited goalkeeper Ross Doohan, forwards Benjamin Nygren and Callum Osmand, plus defender Kieran Tierney, while left-back Greg Taylor has joined PAOK."We're not needing a major overhaul of the squad, but freshness is so important," Rodgers told club media."Some of these guys have been here a long time. It's so important, even in a winning squad, that you refresh that and reset the competition in the squad. We've done some really good business up until now." However, he stressed: "I see us doing more to get us set up for hopefully what will be a really exciting season."Tierney departed Celtic for Arsenal in a £25m transfer six years ago and the Scotland international has returned Glasgow as a free agent."Sometimes top players like that might come back later on in their career, but we're getting Kieran at 27 years of age," Rodgers said."I was with him during the summer, so I know first hand as well how excited he is to be here and I'm looking forward to seeing this new version of Kieran, having had the experience in the Premier League and playing at a top club like Arsenal."He'll come back here with greater maturity both as a person, as a professional and tactically and now we can really get the benefits of that."Of Sweden cap Nygren, Rodgers added: "He's a leader on the pitch and he produces on the pitch in terms of his goals he scores, what he creates and he's got real good physicality."I'm really looking forward to seeing him adapt to how we play."
Yahoo
10 hours ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
'What a journey': Arsenal fans sent emotional message as summer exit confirmed
Moving on: Kieran Tierney is leaving Arsenal after six years this summer, rejoining former club Celtic (Getty Images) Kieran Tierney has bid an emotional farewell to Arsenal after rejoining Celtic. The Scottish left-back is departing north London this summer after six years following the expiration of his contract, one of 20 players released by the Gunners across their men's, women's and youth teams. Advertisement Tierney had long since been linked with a return to Celtic, where he previously spent 14 years, graduated from the academy and made 170 senior appearances before leaving for Arsenal in a £25million deal in 2019, winning eight domestic trophies in total. That homecoming has now been officially announced, with the defender penning a five-year contract to head back to Glasgow and rejoin a dominant Brendan Rodgers side who almost won another domestic treble this season, only to be dramatically pipped to Scottish Cup glory by Aberdeen in extra time. Tierney has now written a heartfelt goodbye to Arsenal after that move was confirmed, writing on social media: 'Full of emotions these last few weeks! To be part of this special club for 6 years has meant so much to me and I'm grateful for every single second of it. 'To every member of staff and team mate I've had the pleasure of working with, thank you for everything you've done for me. I'm so lucky to have worked with many amazing people who I learned so much from and helped me every day. Advertisement 'To the fans, what a journey these last 6 years have been. All I can really say is thank you for the support and love you've given me through the good and the bad times. 'I appreciated everything and never took any of it for granted. It's been fun. North London forever.' Tierney was initially a mainstay at left-back after joining Arsenal, forming a key part of the side that lifted the FA Cup under Mikel Arteta in 2019/20, their last major trophy, as well as winning two Community Shields as he made 144 total appearances across all competitions. However, he also struggled with injury and ended up slipping down the defensive pecking order under Arteta, who replaced him with Oleksandr Zinchenko as his new first-choice left-back in the summer of 2022. Tierney, who earned his 50th international cap for Scotland last week, spent time out on loan in Spain with Real Sociedad last season, returning to Arsenal and being limited to just 20 outings this term, only four of which were starts.
Powys County Times
11 hours ago
- Sport
- Powys County Times
Celtic eye further signings as Brendan Rodgers bids to ‘refresh' squad
Brendan Rodgers revealed Celtic still have work to do on their squad 'refresh' as they prepare to kick off their William Hill Premiership and Champions League campaigns next month. The Hoops have added four new faces so far in the shape of goalkeeper Ross Doohan, Kieran Tierney, Callum Osmand and Benjamin Nygren. The manager intends to replenish his squad further, with four-and-a-half weeks to go until the league campaign begins at home to St Mirren and seven weeks to finalise preparations for their Champions League play-off first leg. Rodgers explained the fact Celtic do not automatically qualify for the main phase of the Champions League means they are 'trying to get to the end point that little bit quicker because it's something that's very, very important to us'. 📰 Brendan Rodgers: Being back at Lennoxtown gets us excited for the season ahead 💬 "Pre-season is always a tense and difficult period when you're one of the big clubs because there are no pre-season friendlies." #ReturningChampions | #SummerOfCeltic | #CelticFC 🍀 — Celtic Football Club (@CelticFC) July 2, 2025 'We're not needing a major overhaul of the squad, but freshness is so important,' Rodgers said in an interview with Celtic TV. 'Some of these guys have been here a long time. 'It's so important, even in a winning squad, that you refresh that and reset the competition in the squad. We've done some really good business up until now. I see us doing more to get us set up for hopefully what will be a really exciting season.' Tierney and Nygren are Celtic's two main signings so far, with Doohan set to be a back-up keeper and 19-year-old striker Osmand to be assessed in pre-season before the club 'decide what his development needs to look like'. Rodgers reported Tierney is delighted to be returning to his boyhood club following six years at Arsenal. 'Sometimes top players like that might come back later on in their career, but we're getting Kieran at 27 years of age,' said the manager. 'I was with him during the summer so I know first hand as well how excited he is to be here and I'm looking forward to seeing this new version of Kieran, having had the experience in the Premier League and playing at a top club like Arsenal. 'He'll come back here with greater maturity both as a person, as a professional and tactically and now we can really get the benefits of that.' Rodgers is enthused about the arrival of 23-year-old Sweden forward Nygren from Nordsjaelland. 'I was in contact with a friend of mine there (the assistant coach at Nordsjaelland) who was a top midfield player, Michael Essien, and he spoke really, really highly of Benjamin,' said the manager. 'From speaking to him and seeing him play, he's a leader on the pitch and he produces on the pitch in terms of his goals he scores, what he creates and he's got real good physicality. I'm really looking forward to seeing him adapt to how we play.' Rodgers wished Greg Taylor well after the left-back declined the chance to extend his six-year stay at Celtic and instead joined Greek club PAOK. 'I spoke to Greg over the summer, he rang me to tell me what his final decision was going to be,' said Rodgers. 'I've made it clear all the way along I'd love to have kept Greg, a brilliant servant, a brilliant player for the club but also a really good guy off the pitch. 'Really well loved in the changing room and he played for us really big on the pitch. Six great years, he won titles and leaves with the goodwill of everyone and I hope the move really works out well for him.'
