Latest news with #ShinYamada
Telegraph
20 hours ago
- Sport
- Telegraph
Scottish Premiership outright odds, season preview and tips
The Scottish Premiership kicks off this Saturday and there are some potentially intriguing battles at both ends of the table on the cards for the 2025-26 campaign. Celtic have their sights set on a fifth straight Scottish Premiership title that would make them champions for a record 56th time and are 2/5 favourites to get over the line, but will they face more of a challenge from last term's runners-up and 2/1 shots Rangers? Our expert tipster takes a look at the outright odds and best bets for the 2025-26 Scottish Premiership season. Want to explore a vast array of online bookmakers? Check out the UK's best free bets and betting sites Scottish Premiership 2025-26 – outright tips Rangers to win Scottish Premiership @ 2/1 with bet365 Dundee to finish bottom @ 11/4 with bet365 Shin Yamada top goalscorer (each-way) @ 16/1 with bet365 Odds correct at the time of publishing and subject to change. Having a bet on the Scottish Premiership outright market? Check out this offer from bet365 Already a bet365 member? Check out more Paddy Power and William Hill welcome offers Scottish Premiership 2025-26 - outright odds Celtic @ 2/5 Rangers @ 2/1 Hearts @ 25/1 Hibernian @ 66/1 Aberdeen @ 80/1 Dundee United @ 250/1 Kilmarnock @ 500/1 St Mirren @ 500/1 Motherwell @ 750/1 Dundee @ 750/1 Falkirk @ 1000/1 Livingston @ 1000/1 Odds courtesy of bet 365 SPL title race poised to heat up Celtic were again the dominant force in Scotland last season, finishing 17 points clear of Old Firm rivals Rangers, but a more competitive title race should unfold in 2025-26. Although Brendan Rodgers may yet bring in reinforcements, Celtic's squad has been weakened over the summer with winger Nicolas Kuhn, who scored 13 league goals last term, Greg Taylor and Jeffrey Schlupp all leaving. Talented forward Jota is set for a long spell on the sidelines with a knee injury. Rangers, meanwhile, have been busy. Russell Martin was not every fan's first choice to be manager but he has been well backed by the club with talented EFL trio Djeidi Gassama, Theo Aasgaard and Emmanuel Fernandez all coming in, along with Bournemouth pair Max Aarons and Joe Rothwell. It could take time to bed in new players and Martin's commitment to his system is not without its faults, but Rangers have a fairly soft start to the season and should arguably be shorter than 2/1 to win the title. Dundee for drop after turbulent summer At the other end of the table, Dundee are 11/4 favourites to finish bottom and it is hard to disagree with the odds-makers. Newly promoted pair Livingston and Falkirk are also expected to be in the mix, but there are strong arguments for both to avoid finishing bottom. Crucially, Livingston have persuaded top scorer Robbie Muirhead to sign a contract extension with the club, which will significantly help their attacking output, while Falkirk have done well to keep the bulk of their squad together after back-to-back promotions. Falkirk will have their takers at 3/1 to finish bottom, but they at least have stability under manager John McGlynn. The same cannot be said for Dundee, who have endured something of a summer exodus with the likes of Scott Tiffoney, loanee Seb Palmer-Houlden and Jordan McGhee departing along with key young midfielder Lyall Cameron. That quartet bagged 24 league goals between them last season, so new boss Steven Pressley could be up against it. Yamada can make striking impact Hearts ace Lawrence Shankland will stand out to many in the Scottish Premiership top goalscorer market at 9/2, but the value in backing him is arguably gone. The composition of the Celtic and Rangers attacks are not set in stone, so going for an outsider could be the way to go and Shin Yamada makes each-way appeal at 16/1. Striker Yamada is a new addition for Celtic, joining from Kawasaki Frontale, where he scored 28 goals in 58 league appearances in the 2024 and 2025 seasons. It could take time for Yamada to adapt, but he joins compatriots Reo Hatate, Daizen Maeda and Hayato Inamura at Celtic, so should feel comfortable and he has already looked sharp in pre-season.
STV News
2 days ago
- Sport
- STV News
Shin Yamada embracing his early days as a Celtic player
Shin Yamada is embracing his early days as a Celtic player as the Japan international gets used to life outside his comfort zone. The 25-year-old forward had spent his entire senior career with Kawasaki Frontale in his homeland prior to joining the Hoops on a four-year contract just over a week ago. Yamada has been in Italy with his new team-mates over the past week training and competing at the Como Cup. 'I'm glad to be a part of this Celtic team,' he said, speaking through a translator, in a club interview. 'This is the first time I have moved to a different club, so I am enjoying that. The quality of the team is very high, so I'm enjoying the football side of things. 'The first league game is coming soon, and we'll play in different competitions, so I would like to score a lot of goals and share good moments with the fans.' Yamada made an eye-catching first appearance for Celtic in Como on Saturday night and scored the winning penalty as his new side defeated Saudi Arabian team Al-Ahli in a shoot-out following a 1-1 draw. 'I'm happy to score the last goal to win the game,' he said. 'I wish I could have scored during the game, but in the end I contributed so it's good.' Celtic captain Callum McGregor believes his side are in good fettle as they prepare to kick off their William Hill Premiership title defence at home to St Mirren next Sunday. 'Pre-season has been good,' the midfielder said before the Hoops flew from Italy back to Scotland on Sunday. 'Every season throws up different challenges of trying to get up to speed, trying to integrate new players and find the rhythm of the team. 'At times it's looked really good and there are always bits we can brush up on. 'It's been a good five or six-week block. The boys have worked really hard. Everyone knows the objectives and we're ready to go. The big test for us will be next week. 'We'll be ready for St Mirren. We know that they always give you a tough game. The start of the week will be nice and chilled, and then we'll ramp it up as we go. 'We've been here a million times, so we know what to expect. The players know what's expected of them as well, so come Sunday we have to be ready.' Get all the latest news from around the country Follow STV News Scan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country
BBC News
2 days ago
- Sport
- BBC News
Winger Breum linked with Celtic
Go Ahead Eagles are waiting to discover whether Celtic return for Jakob Breum after turning down three approaches for the Danish wide man from the Scottish champions. (Herald - subscription required), externalCeltic have raised their offer for Breum to £3m after bids of £1.5m and £1.75m, which included add-ons, were rejected by Go Ahead Eagles for the 21-year winger. (Glasgow Times), externalSarpsborg sporting director Hampus Andersson has revealed Celtic have yet to revive their interest in winger Sondre Orjasaeter this summer after a £4m offer was rejected in January, with the Norwegian club demanding £7m for the 21-year-old. (Record), externalNew Celtic forward Shin Yamada, 25, believes he has superior speed and strength to former club favourite Kyogo Furuhashi. (Sun), externalRead Monday's Scottish gossip
Daily Record
2 days ago
- Sport
- Daily Record
Reo Hatate turns Celtic super agent as key role in transfer drive revealed
Shin Yamada has lifted the lid on the role the frontman played in his move to the Scottish champions It broke Shin Yamada's heart having to say goodbye to his hometown club in Japan. But the hitman is convinced he'll find love again at Celtic. The frontman was in tears after his big send-off at Kawasaki Frontale with fans chanting his name and even holding up Scottish flags ahead of his £1.5m move to Glasgow. Yamada admitted it was an emotional experience that even left him wondering If he'd made the right call to move to the other side of the world. The feeling didn't last long though as he's always had his heart set in being a success abroad. The 25-year-old got his first take of action for Celt's in Saturday's Como Cup penalty shootout win against Al Ahli – who beat Yamada's Kawasaki side in the Asian Champions League Final back in May. A friendly victory couldn't be classed as revenge but the striker was delighted to bury the winning penalty having looked lively during his second half cameo. Yamada is up and running and ready to throw himself into life at Celtic. He said: 'I am 25 now so I'm not really young any more. 'I wanted to challenge myself. I had options to stay in Japan as well but felt the decision I made was good for my career. 'Kawasaki Frontale is the club where I grew up. It's the club that took care of me since I was in their Academy and I always wanted to contribute to the club. 'But I also had another dream I wanted to pursue for my career. It was sad for me to leave – but I had to make that decision. 'It was emotional for me. That is a love I really love but by coming to Celtic I believe I can improve myself more. That's why I made my decision.' Yamada didn't take a blind leap of faith coming to Scotland. He's seen some of his fellow Japanese stars soar with Celts and he fancied getting on board. He revealed he was sold on the move after a chat with midfielder Reo Hatate and he's already got cracking with learning the lingo. He said: 'The staff from at Celtic have told me some things. I have also done some research of my own. 'I have been speaking with Reo and the other guys. I had a video call with Reo before I came over and we had a good chat about everything. 'He gave me some good recommendations. Having Daizen and Ina here as other Japanese players has also helped me. The club even has an excellent interpreter who has helped me on and off the pitch. 'I plan to learn English myself, having started studying in Japan.I will study more when I get to Scotland but at the moment the language seems very fast!' Yamada insisted he's a quick learner though – on and off the park. He knows he's following in the footsteps of several Japanese smash hits with Celts but wants to be his own man. The frontman – who is part of his national squad – has admired the likes of Kyogo and Daizen Maeda at Parkhead. But it's a Frontale legend he looks up to the most. Yamada broke into he first team towards the end of club hero Yu Kobayashi's 14 year stint in Kawasaki, in a period where his side secured promotion and merged as regular J-League winners and Asia Champions League competitors. Yamada picked up a lot from his mentor and he's hoping it pays dividends for the Hoops. When asked about his own heroes, he said: 'There is player called Yu Kobayashi who played for Kawasaki. 'I used to watch him when I played for the academy. When I went to the top teams I used to watch him closely. 'I liked him personally and also his mentality. He's one of the players I admired.' Yamada got a taste for glory in the Asia Champions League – and he'd love a repeat in the European one. Frontale charged all the way to the Final last season, beating top sides from China before running into big spending Al Ahli. It proved to be a step too far as Riyad Mahrez and co were too strong and lifted the trophy with a 2-0 win. Yamada savoured the run though and he's determined to help Celts get to the group stages in Euro version. The Hoops face a perilous play-off in less than a month and the striker admitted it would be special to stroll out against the cream of the continent. He said: 'Obviously the Champions League is something that I have admired. I have been dreaming of playing there. 'If the team is doing well in the tournament then that would be great. And if I can be involved in those great results then that would be something I would be individually grateful for.' Yamada has his own dreams but he is determined to be a team player. It's early days for the attacker but the first impression was positive and he's out to impress more in the coming weeks. The hitman just wants to play his part and he said: 'It's more about the collective of the team. 'I have high confidence I can score goals at that level but without my team-mates I cannot score so I need to improve my connections and communications with the rest of the team. 'That's what I need to improve quickly.'
The National
3 days ago
- Sport
- The National
Celtic learn opponents for Premier Sports Cup last 16
Brendan Rodgers' men will take on Falkirk at home as they aim to retain their crown. The tie will take place on the weekend of Saturday/Sunday, August 16/17. Celtic have two league matches to play out before they begin their defence of the sole cup competition they won last season. Read more: The Parkhead side kick off their Scottish Premiership campaign with a home game against St Mirren next Sunday before travelling to face Aberdeen at Pittodrie a week later. They defeated Al Ahli on penalties on Saturday night in their final pre-season outing. New signing Shin Yamada scored the decisive spot-kick after Auston Trusty cancelled out Gelano's scissor kick for a 1-1 draw in 90 minutes. "He's come in, and it's always different, he's just dropped into a new culture and a new way of working and intensity," said boss Rodgers of striker Yamada post-match. "He's worked very hard in training and obviously sadly didn't get the run out the other night, but it was planned to give him 45 minutes today, and he worked very hard in the game and showed good composure. "He's very quick, he's very strong, he wants to get in behind. He just needs to get in, from the wee bits I've seen of him, better, more decisive positions to score, because we are a team that creates a lot of opportunities."
