Latest news with #RecordSport
Daily Record
a day ago
- Sport
- Daily Record
Jakob Breum transfer stance made clear to Celtic as timeline set on price drop
The Hoops have already seen offers turned down for the Danish winger this summer Go Ahead Eagles have made it clear that they won't sell Celtic target Jakob Breum for anything less than £5million this summer. Record Sport understands that the Dutch side won't budge on their selling price because they have to pay 25 per cent of a sell-on to his former club, Odense. Go Ahead have also qualified for the Europa Conference League and they want to keep their top stars for that. Record Sport has also learnt that the Danish under-21 cap would be available for a fraction of the price, nearer £2million if he was to remain until next summer. Celtic have made an offer and held further talks but went in at just over £1.5 million that was dismissed. The Hoops have been reluctant to go close to Go Ahead's current fee. Unless they or another club meet the asking price then he won't be leaving Holland in this window. You can get all the news you need on our dedicated Celtic page, and sign up to our newsletters to make sure you never miss a beat throughout the season. We're also on WhatsApp where we bring all the latest breaking news and transfer gossip directly to you phone. Join our Celtic community here.
Daily Record
a day ago
- Sport
- Daily Record
Celtic squad audit as five gaping transfer holes laid bare amid strength in depth concerns
Record Sport runs the rule over the Hoops' full squad and examines where Brendan Rodgers must strengthen The clock's ticking - and not just on the transfer window. Celtic have less than five weeks to get their house in order before the market closes. But Brendan Rodgers faces a far more pressing deadline as the £40million Champions League playoff looms large. The Hoops will discover their opponents when the draw is made on Monday – and the Parkhead boss must submit his initial 25-man Euro squad just 10 days later on August 14. Celts can still add two signings up until 24 hours before the first leg on August 19/20, but Rodgers won't want to leave it to the last minute. He needs fresh faces through the door now. The four-in-a-row champions kick off their Premiership title defence at home to St Mirren this weekend, but all eyes are already on Europe. Rodgers has hinted new arrivals are imminent, and that'll be music to the ears of a restless support demanding the board show ambition and splash the cash. There are gaping holes in key areas, but not every department is in crisis mode. Here, Record Sport runs the rule over the full squad and pinpoints where the Hoops must strengthen. Goalkeepers Kasper Schmeichel isn't getting any younger, but the Denmark captain will start the campaign as No1. Despite that Scottish Cup Final fumble, the veteran - who turns 39 in November - has been an upgrade on Joe Hart with the ball at his feet. If this is to be his swansong season before hanging up the gloves, his replacement may already be in the building. Finland international Viljami Sinisalo proved more than a safe pair of hands in his eight outings last term and will push again for a run of games. Academy graduate Ross Doohan is back at Celtic Park after Scott Bain's departure and helps tick the European quota as third-choice. All in all, the goalkeeping department looks in solid shape. Verdict: Strong Defenders It feels like Kieran Tierney has never been away. The marquee summer signing has slotted straight back in at left-back, and the only question now is whether rookie Hayata Inamura can be trusted as cover. The £250k bargain buy from Albirex Niigata has been the surprise package of pre-season and could save Celts millions. But with Tierney's injury history, can he really be relied upon over a gruelling campaign? Rodgers must make up his mind. On the other flank, Canada star Alistair Johnston is nailed-on as first-choice right-back, with Anthony Ralston a dependable deputy. No issues there. Man mountain Cameron Carter-Vickers remains a vital figure but his recent fitness record is a lingering concern. Fellow American Bhoy Auston Trusty was hit and miss last term but, after impressing in pre-season, could start the campaign alongside the imperious CCV. Liam Scales has his critics but rarely lets the club down, while towering Dane Murray has also caught the eye and looks ready to step in when needed. Stephen Welsh has slipped down the pecking order and has options in Belgium and England after impressing on loan at Mechelen. That leaves room for another stopper - and Manchester City prodigy Jahmai Simpson-Pusey is firmly on the radar. Verdict: Almost there Midfielders The champions have no shortage of bodies here. Callum McGregor, now 32, is showing no signs of slowing down and remains the beating heart of the Celtic winning machine. Some fans were resigned to losing Reo Hatate but the classy Japan playmaker remains on the books for now - and that's a major boost. New Bhoy Benji Nygren already looks like another bargain at just £1.7million. The Swede looks the part on the right of a midfield three and has a touch of the Matt O'Riley about him. But where does that leave £11m man Arne Engels? The club-record signing had a decent debut campaign and chipped in with 23 goal contributions, but now faces a fight for his starting place. Then there's Paulo Bernardo. Entering his third year in Glasgow, Portugal's most capped Under-21 star needs to prove he can be more than a bit-part player. Don't forget Luke McCowan either. The £1m signing from Dundee has been a useful addition and will be targeting more game time with his boyhood heroes. It's a packed engine room full of technicians. But there's still a Victor Wanyama-sized hole. A midfield powerhouse to match the muscle of Europe's elite could be the final piece of the puzzle. Verdict: Overloaded - but missing muscle Attackers This is where Celtic are desperately short of strength and depth. Nicolas Kuhn packed his bags for Como weeks ago and hasn't been replaced. Jota's long-term injury means Rodgers is down to the bare bones in wide areas and lacking in quality. Duracell Bunny Daizen Maeda is one of the first names on the team sheet, but the Hoops can't hang their hat on a 34-year-old James Forrest plus unconvincing pair Yang and Marco Tilio to get them through the Champions League playoff. At least two new wingers are a must. Up top, questions remain too. Kyogo - hailed as the best since Henrik Larsson - has been gone for months. In his place? Fulham apprentice Callum Osmand and £1.5m Japan cap Shin Yamada. With tens of millions sitting in the Bank of Parkhead, that won't wash with punters who've forked out fortunes for season books, merchandise and Celtic TV subscriptions. Johnny Kenny might be one for the future, but the Irishman is raw and would benefit more from another loan spell. Verdict: Urgent signings required Strongest starting XI: Schmeichel; Johnston, Carter-Vickers, Trusty, Tierney; McGregor, Hatate, Nygren; Forrest, Idah, Maeda. Tune in to Hotline Live every Sunday to Thursday and have your say on the biggest issues in Scottish football and listen to Record Sport's newest podcast, Game On, every Friday for your sporting fix, all in bitesize chunks.
Daily Record
3 days ago
- Sport
- Daily Record
Russell Martin facing double Rangers injury blow for Champions League clash as duo sit out training
Thelo Aasgaard and Hamza Igamane were both missing from the final session before flying out to Athens for Panathaikos clash Thelo Aasgaard appears to have lost his battle to be fit for Rangers Champions League showdown with Panathinaikos. And there was no sign of Hamza Igamane either as Russell Martin 's men trained before jetting out to Athens for the second leg of their second round qualifier. Martin had warned that Aasgaard was "touch and go" for last week's game against the Greeks, and the Norwegian missed the first leg 2-0 win at Ibrox with an injury suffered in a closed doors friendly win against Dunfermline. Now it looks as if he won't be available for Wednesday night's encounter in the Greek capital. Hamza Igamane came on as a second half sub against The Shamrock, but he was another Auchenhowie absentee. The Moroccan was in the stands for the weekend friendly draw against Middlesbrough. Martin put that down to a knock suffered against Panathinaikos, but Igamane remains the subject of intense transfer speculation. Record Sport revealed that Feyenoord have the forward on their wanted list this summer, while Lille remain keen but are reluctant to meet Rangers ' £15million valuation. "He picked up a little bit of an injury on Tuesday night, said Martin. "So, I think he missed a lot of pre-season, and he's been really trying hard to catch up fitness-wise. "He's got himself in a good place." However, not being out on the grass with the rest of the squad suggests that this could be a game too soon for Igamane, with Gers heading to Motherwell on Saturday to kick-off their Premiership campaign. Follow Record Sport on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram for all of the up-to-the minute breaking news, video and audio on the SPFL, the Scotland national team and beyond. You can get all the news you need on our dedicated Rangers and Celtic pages, and sign up to our newsletters to make sure you never miss a beat throughout the season. We're also WhatsApp where we bring all the latest breaking news and transfer gossip directly to you phone. Join our Rangers community here and our Celtic community here.
Daily Record
3 days ago
- Sport
- Daily Record
Jahmai Simpson-Pusey to Celtic could prove major coup after what Pep Guardiola said about Man City prodigy
Brendan Rodgers is said to be lining up a loan swoop for the highly-rated England youth international Celtic are said to be lining up a loan move for Manchester City defender Jahmai Simpson-Pusey. And the teenage star has already been tipped as the future of the Citizens' defence by Pep Guardiola. Highly-rated Simpson-Pusey, 19, burst onto the scene at the Etihad last season and immediately caught the eye. The England youth international made six first-team appearances - including two Champions League outings against Sporting Lisbon and Feyenoord. Simpson-Pusey was also crowned EPL 2 Player of the Year after captaining Man City's reserves to title glory, seeing off competition from Hoops new Bhoy Callum Osmand at Fulham. The youngster actually faced Celtic during City's pre-season tour of the USA in 2024, as Brendan Rodgers' side edged out 4-3 winners. He was then called upon by Guardiola throughout the campaign as the dethroned Premier League champions suffered an injury crisis. And the breakthrough talent seriously impressed his manager, with Guardiola hailing him as one for the future after his display in a 2-1 defeat at Brighton. All-conquering Guardiola said: 'The guy played really good, the young lad again, with this composure and duels and everything was good. It's not easy for him. 'Normally the young lads, they must come in with support from the team, with Rodri in front of them, right? With the best Kyle [Walker], and defenders, and now we support him. 'Now he's playing in a position that is difficult for him, but he performed unbelievably. We have a central defender to help us for the future, for the next years. I'm really pleased. Always there is good news when the situation goes bad, and this is one of them.' Guardiola revealed in December that he was tempted to throw in the rising star in the heat of a Manchester derby. He added: 'For example against (Manchester) United I thought to put Jahmai (Simpson-Pusey); he's played really good, but that pressure in that situation, it's a little bit…' Having offloaded Gustaf Lagerbielke and Maik Nawrocki, Celtic are in the market for more defensive cover. At least one winger, midfielder and main striker are also on Rodgers' wishlist as the champions kick off their title defence this weekend. Follow Record Sport on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram for all of the up-to-the minute breaking news, video and audio on the SPFL, the Scotland national team and beyond. You can get all the news you need on our dedicated Rangers and Celtic pages, and sign up to our newsletters to make sure you never miss a beat throughout the season. We're also WhatsApp where we bring all the latest breaking news and transfer gossip directly to you phone. Join our Rangers community here and our Celtic community here. Tune in to Hotline Live every Sunday to Thursday and have your say on the biggest issues in Scottish football and listen to Record Sport's newest podcast, Game On, every Friday for your sporting fix, all in bitesize chunks.
Glasgow Times
5 days ago
- Sport
- Glasgow Times
Chris Sutton questions Celtic after what Brendan Rodgers recently said
The Celtic boss said the South Korean winger couldn't be sold because he is a starter. Sutton said [RecordSport]: "It was an honest answer to a straightforward question. "And it highlighted just where Celtic are right now. "Brendan Rodgers was asked the other night about Yang's future with Norwich City looking to land the winger on loan. Read more: "He said he can't even think about letting him go right now because Yang is a current starter. "Think about that. "No disrespect to the player. "He's shown some positive signs that he can be a decent enough squad player at Celtic. "But let's be honest, if you'd said a few months ago he'd be going out on loan, there wouldn't have been too many folk complaining. "Yet now he's a starter. "If that isn't a warning, then I don't know what is." Sutton also said the team is weaker than the one that finished the season, questioning why Nicolas Kuhn was allowed to leave without a replacement being lined up. He added: "What is going on here with Celtic? "The new season is a week away. "The Champions League play-off is just over four weeks away. "And the team is far weaker than the one that finished the season." Celtic kick off their league campaign next weekend with a clash against St Mirren. Before that, Rodgers' men take on Al Ahli in their final pre-season friendly this evening.
