Celtic transfer target Youssef El Kachati makes exit vow with 'fantastic step' tease as Lagerbielke stay ruled out
The Telstar frontman has been touted as a potential option for the Hoops this summer
Reported Celtic target Youssef El Kachati is supremely confident of a big move this summer amid interest from several clubs in the Dutch forward.
The 25-year-old - who has also been linked with Hannover and Schalke - has scored 13 goals in 29 appearances this season for the Dutch second tier side and netted in Thursday's 2-2 draw with Willem II in their relegation play-off final to win promotion to the Eredivisie.
Brendan Rodgers is the market for a new frontman this summer and has been linked with a host of names including Brondby's Mathias Kvitsgaarden and Slovan Bratislava striker David Strelec.
And while he is focused on helping Telstar reach promotion to the Eredivisie for the first time in their 61-year history, El Kachati is '100 per cent certain' he will be on the move when the window officially opens next month.
Speaking after the draw with Willem II, he said: "I think it is 100 percent certain that I will make a fantastic step this summer.
"But first I want to leave something behind at Telstar that will make them never forget me.
"I think it is very important that I end my time here well. If I can shoot Telstar to the Eredivisie, then I will do that."
Elsewhere, Gustaf Lagerbielke is set to head back to Celtic this summer, with FC Twente's departing transfer chief admitting a permanent deal for the centre back is unlikely.
The Sweden international made 32 appearances in all competitions to help his team to a sixth place finish in the Eredivisie.
Former technical director Arnold Bruggink confirms the likelihood of Lagerbielke remaining in the Netherlands beyond the end of his loan is not high, despite the side's need for defensive reinforcements.
He said: "Lagerbielke will most likely go back too. That's what it looks like at the moment.
"Two central defenders, one of whom has to be a real leader, as far as I'm concerned.
"The profile you're looking at is that of Robin Pröpper.
"You need a leader from the back, which will give you a lot more stability.
"You need players who can also make others play better football. That's what you need in that position."
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Press and Journal
3 hours ago
- Press and Journal
REVEALED: The English Premier League star Aberdeen winger Shayden Morris watches before games for inspiration
Aberdeen winger Shayden Morris has revealed he studies footage of an England international and Premier League legend in a bid to further improve his game. Morris played a pivotal role in the Dons' Scottish Cup final win against Celtic as the Reds won the trophy for the first time since 1990. The 23-year-old made an explosive impact off the bench when his cross was parried into his own net by Celtic keeper Kasper Schmeichel. In a memorable season, Scottish Cup-winning hero Morris also scooped the Aberdeen Player of the Year award – voted for by supporters. However, he is constantly striving to improve his performances and watches footage of Raheem Sterling for inspiration before matches. Sterling, 30, won four Premier League titles, an FA Cup and five League Cups with Manchester City. Currently at Chelsea, the winger – capped 82 times by England – has scored 174 career goals and spent last season on loan at Arsenal. Morris said: 'I still watch clips of Raheem Sterling from his Manchester City days to study his movement. 'Of course, at Arsenal he hasn't been the same as he was before at City, but it's him as a person I look up to. 'I want to improve so even before games sometimes I'll study Sterling online. 'He has pace, but he's also got the skill to make the most of that, so I'm trying to add stuff that he did. 'I like to think I'm slowly getting better at that so I can help the team as much as possible.' Signed from Fleetwood Town in summer 2022, Morris endured a frustrating first two seasons at Pittodrie due to injury. In his debut season, the winger suffered a hamstring tear which ruled him out for four months. There was a further injury setback in the 2023-24 season when Morris was ruled out for three months with another hamstring injury which required surgery. However, under manager Jimmy Thelin, the wing star has delivered a breakout season with five goals and 13 assists. In his constant pursuit of improvement, Morris has also sought advice from former Scotland international winger Robert Snodgrass. Former Leeds United, Aston Villa, West Ham and Norwich City star Snodgrass is now an agent. Capped 28 times, Snodgrass is with the same agency as Morris' representative. Morris hopes guidance from Snodgrass can help him develop into 'something really special'. He said: 'I've also got a good support system around me with my agent Joe Bolger, as we do a lot of analysis. 'Robert Snodgrass is also part of the agency and we do a lot of stuff together as well. 'He was a winger and quite a technical player – although he didn't have as much pace as me. 'In fact, he told me: 'I didn't have your pace, but I've got the other side of the game'. 'So if he can help me with that other side then hopefully I can merge into something really special.' Morris may have been seeking advice from Snodgrass and inspiration from Sterling on how to elevate his game to the next level. However, he has also been passing on his own knowledge to help younger players develop. Morris helped fellow Londoner Alfie Dorrington during his loan spell at Pittodrie from Tottenham Hotspur. Centre-back Dorrington started the Scottish Cup final win against Celtic at Hampden. The 20-year-old has now returned to his parent club. Prior to joining Aberdeen on loan. Dorrington signed an extended contract with Tottenham until summer 2029. Morris said: 'When Alfie first came up, I knew he hadn't played much first-team football so I really tried to help him. 'I told him how things were really different compared to London, and he settled in well. 'Alfie showed he's a really good player technically and built on that physical side. 'I think he's only going to get better and better – you can see why Spurs rate him so highly.'
Daily Record
4 hours ago
- Daily Record
Neil Lennon lifts the lid on Premiership job snub and dugout chaos as ex Celtic boss targets history with Dunfermline
The former Hoops manager was linked with a string of top flight positions but explained on why he's up for Pars adventure Premiership manager jobs have become like buses. You wait for months for one to turn up then about five appear all at once. Neil Lennon could have hopped on board most of them – but the ticket to Dunfermline was the only one he wanted. The former Celtic and Hibs boss could easily have been facing the media this week wearing the colours of Dundee, Motherwell or Kilmarnock. Rangers or Hearts would have been a turn up for the books, but a fair amount of fans of the other three clubs would have welcomed Lennon in a heartbeat. But the man himself didn't give those gigs a second's thought. The seven-week stint as caretaker boss in these parts was enough to convince him to stick around for the long term. Lennon penned a two year deal this week and rather than managing back in the Premiership, his dream is to lead the Pars to the promised land. The Northern Irishman said: 'It's just because of the owner (James Bord) here. I really enjoyed the seven weeks and then enjoyed speaking to him about what the plans are. 'I got a good feel about it as well. I've always had a bit of loyalty in my career and felt I owed him that as well. 'My mind was made up weeks ago. I didn't speak to any other clubs or entertain it. 'I am really focused on the job in hand. I don't get excited very much at my age but this is really exciting me.' It must do, as Lennon could easily have settled for the quiet life, working as a respected and engaging pundit, watching the game from the sidelines. It's not how he's wired up though. Lennon – who admitted the door is open for Victor Wanyama to return – said: 'I know, but I would miss the edge. Talk to all coaches, they have that inner competitive edge, we all have it. 'You go and do the games as a pundit and then you get in the car afterwards and that's it. 'If you are a coach you are thinking about what is happening, what you need to do and so on, it's very stimulating. 'Yeah, some might like that it's done and dusted after the game when you are a pundit but I like that it's not. 'You need that edge. In a perverse sort of way I enjoy the chaos. You miss it. I wouldn't be doing it if I didn't think I still had plenty left in me and if I thought I couldn't make an impact. 'I had to ask all those questions of myself. I have liked the last couple of months. The football wasn't sparkling but we got the job done. Now we have a new page to write.' The book is already bursting at the seams though. Lennon has experienced the lot in the dugout, from the trophy laden joys of two spells with Celtic, promotion with Hibs and cup and Europa League success abroad. Then there were the struggles. The mayhem of the covid season and the failed 10-in-a-row bid with the Hoops, the shock sacking by Omonia and the brief crazy spell with Rapid Bucharest. It's been a wild ride but some things never change as Lennon said: 'You get all experiences as a manager. Sometimes you take the good ones for granted and that's what you learn as you get older, you have to enjoy the wins and enjoy the good times. 'The tough times, everyone experiences them. All the great managers have had big games where they've lost cup finals. 'What you want to do is go back, go again and rectify that. 'This one's different for me, no question and something I'm really looking forward to. 'So I've still got that experience and I think I can bring that to Dunfermline. 'I want to excite people. 'I might get into a few conflicts along the way….just to get the crowd going, the players going, more than anything. 'But it won't be dull!' It won't be easy either. Lennon is well aware the Championship is brutally tough to escape, especially next term with relegated St Johnstone and Ross County around. It might take a couple of seasons but he's in it for the long haul – and he'd love to secure a place in the club's illustrious history along with former heroes such as Jock Stein and Alex Ferguson. Lennon said: 'I see Fergie's face every day! I saw him a couple of weeks ago at the Airdrie game and told him I was sick of seeing him! 'Obviously there is Jock as well. I like it. There's a great history and tradition here. 'The owner now has good ideas. He said the club is under his skin now and it took him four goes to convince me but in the end he sold it to me. 'I felt I owed him something back. We want to make an impact and have people remember you for the right reasons – and that's what I am aiming to do. 'Going up is the ultimate objective. I have a two year contract and I think it will be difficult but not insurmountable to do that. 'Every other club in the league will be thinking the same.' 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.
Scottish Sun
4 hours ago
- Scottish Sun
Ex-Rangers and Celtic title winners to go head-to-head in unique USA tournament with football icons for $1million prize
Champions League and Premier League winners will also compete CASHING IN Ex-Rangers and Celtic title winners to go head-to-head in unique USA tournament with football icons for $1million prize THEY didn't meet each other on the pitch in an Old Firm clash. But this former Celtic star and these ex-Rangers players could battle it out in a unique seven-a-side clash in the USA over the next few days, with a grand prize of $1MILLION on the line. Advertisement 2 This former Rangers player will wear a new team's colours over the next few days 2 He could face a former Celtic player in a unique tournament Credit: Kenny Ramsay - The Sun Glasgow The Soccer Tournament (TST) is a thrilling 7v7 tournament based in North Carolina which sees former professionals and even football legends come together to battle it out for the winner-takes-all kitty. It was founded in 2014 and this year's event is taking place at WakeMed Soccer Park in Cary from June 4-9. Many big names have agreed to part, including the likes of Sergio Aguero, Diego Godin, Andy Caroll, Nani and Sebastian Giovinco. But also in the lineups include several players who Scottish football fans will be familiar with. Advertisement Among those include Dedryck Boyata and Brandon Barker who both won league titles in Scotland, with Celtic and Rangers respectively. The Belgian defender was part of Brendan Rodgers' Invincible team, while Barker helped Rangers go a full league season unbeaten under Steven Gerrard to stop the Hoops' 10-in-a-row bid. Boyata has been selected to play for the Socceroof team and Barker will represent Wrexham Red Dragons, despite never playing for Wrexham A.F.C in his career. Wrexham are one of many professional teams to have a side competing in the event. Advertisement Atletico Madrid, Borussia Dortmund, Bournemouth, West Ham, Plymouth Argyle, Villareal, Cagliari and Club America are some of the other clubs involved. Former St Johnstone, St Mirren and Ross County star Graham Carey - who was also a youngster at Celtic - will compete for Plymouth. Manchester United legend Nani has his own team called Nani FC, and he has called upon ex-Rangers defender Bruno Alves. Across both the men and women tournaments, there will be 64 teams competing with 134 matches on the calendar and the winners will be crowned on June 9. Advertisement In the men's, 48 teams will battle it out in a World Cup style format, with 12 groups of four and the top two from each - plus the best-placed third-finishers - progressing to a last 32 knockout stage. Keep up to date with ALL the latest news and transfers at the Scottish Sun football page
