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BBC News
28 minutes ago
- BBC News
Are Celtic ready for fight on all fronts?
With Celtic about to begin the defence of their Scottish title and facing a crunch Champions League qualifying play-off, just how equipped are they to build on recent success and progress again this season?Recruitment, aligned to key departures, has been a central theme of Celtic supporter conversation of late, with apparent concern that the squad is lacking in a number of areas that was echoed by manager Brendan Rodgers saying on Friday that there are "gaps in the squad that are very clear".There is still a long way to go in the transfer window, but with the expectation of a stronger title challenge from Rangers and a clear desire for continued participation at European football's top table, are Celtic ready to take on the immediate challenges ahead?Rodgers targeted improvement in Europe as a key aim on his return to the club and got that last season, pushing Bayern Munich in the Champions League play-off stage to narrowly miss out on a last 16 spot. Participation on that stage this season will be determined by a play-off in just under a month and missing out would be a significant just one year left on Rodgers' three-year contract, what happens over the coming weeks may go a long way to determining if he believes he can continue such despite saying he is "very happy" at Celtic, the 52-year-old Northern Irishman stressed he is "not the type of manager" to stick around if a club is merely treading water and that there was "no update" on a new contract. Tale of two Rodgers tenures With Rodgers entering a third season in charge of Celtic for the second time, it has been almost undiluted domestic success across both domestic trebles in his first two seasons came alongside challenging Champions League Cup victory in 2018 meant a seventh straight domestic trophy, but a perceived frustration that he had hit a ceiling with Celtic and the lure of the English Premier League sparked fury among a previously adoring support as Rodgers left for Leicester return four years later was met with a lukewarm response. He stated he would be there for the full three-year contract and quickly started winning trophies again to win over the support. He has won two league and cup doubles in two seasons, but it is the clear improvement at Champions League level that showcases Celtic's progression under that to continue, he has repeatedly stressed the need for quality additions to his squad. That need has become acute with the exit of Nicolas Khun, the long-term injury to fellow winger Jota and the lack of a direct replacement for Kyogo Furuhashi since the Japan forward left in January. The question is whether Celtic's recruitment ambitions match Rodgers' desire to continue driving the club forward and what that means moving forwards? Reluctance to spend a fair accusation as Celtic seek quality? Rodgers has repeatedly used the word "quality" when describing what his squad needs. He's also been clear that he wants more firepower and is short on natural wingers. Scotland defender Kieran Tierney's return adds undoubted talent and Sweden winger Benjamin Nygren appears to be good business on early evidence. Other new faces appear to be mainly for is clear is a significant section of the Celtic support feel a reluctance to spend significant sums is putting not only European ambitions at risk but also their domestic that fair? FThe former Celtic midfielder Scott Allan understands fan frustration but points to the return of Tierney on a free transfer as an example that is being somewhat overlooked."The fact that they were able to get Tierney on the free papers over the fact that he's a player of immense quality," he told BBC Scotland. "The only concerning thing is the fact that Brendan Rodgers actually spoke about players coming in and not necessarily getting in as starters. "I think Celtic fans are looking at players who can come in and affect the team now and that's where the concern is growing from." Long-term transfer strategy paid off, but should Celtic bow to fan demands? Celtic's long-term transfer strategy has delivered time and time again and must be the envy of many clubs. Huge profit has been brought in for the likes of Matt O'Riley, Jota and spent big last summer on midfielder Arne Engels and striker Adam Idah. With hindsight, some fans feel they may have overpaid, but that view may change over the coming months.A rough estimate of receipts this summer alone suggests a figure of around £20-25m has come in against a spend a fraction of that. A reminder of the first window of Rodgers' second spell is notable in terms of fan satisfaction. Celtic recruited widely and supporter reaction at the time seemed overwhelmingly positive. A look through that list of names might provide some caution. Luis Palma, Gustaf Lagerbielke, Kwon Hyeok-kyu, Marco Tilio, Odin Thiago Holm and Maik Nawrocki have all failed to make the grade after an outlay of close to £ and care over fees may bear more fruit than the examples above. How will Rodgers feel right now? Rodgers has repeatedly indicated that he expects his squad to be stronger come the end of August and there is likely to be movement in the coming days and weeks. The question is whether that will be enough to satisfy him and a support desperate to enjoy continued domestic success and see their team build on a successful Champions League campaign last term, with that play-off hurdle crucial."I can totally understand his Rodgers' frustration," Allan said. "He spoke after the Bayern Munich exit about evolving every year. That was probably looking ahead to this window."There were a lot of questions asked when Kyogo left. Daizen Maeda did a job as number nine, but I think there's no question Brendan Rodgers prefers him on the wing. "He's wanting to evolve the team, he's wanting to go longer in Europe and that comes down to getting quality in."In Rodgers' own words, Celtic have work to do in this window with significant challenges coming over the horizon.
Daily Mail
an hour ago
- Daily Mail
Former Liverpool star pays touching Diogo Jota tribute in 'mark of respect' for his late friend following the Portuguese forward's tragic death
A ex-Liverpool star has adopted Diogo Jota 's shirt number as a tribute to his former team-mate. On July 3, Jota and his brother, Andre Silva, died when their car crashed in the early hours in northern Spain. The 28-year-old forward had recently married his childhood sweetheart at a ceremony in his native Portugal following a campaign culminating in trophy-winning successes for both club and country. After the incident Liverpool announced that Jota's No 20 would be immediately retired for all levels following consultation with his widow and his family. Meanwhile former Liverpool midfielder James Milner has opted to adopt the shirt number as a way to pay tribute to his late friend. On Friday Brighton announced on Friday their shirt numbers for the 2025-26 campaign, but the veteran midfielder Milner was not occupying his usual No 6. The lowdown on our new 25/26 numbers... 💬 — Brighton & Hove Albion (@OfficialBHAFC) August 1, 2025 Instead, after Carlos Baleba's switch to No 17 freed up the No 20 shirt, Milner decided to adopt it as a mark of respect to Jota. 'Once I heard Carlos was looking to change his number and 20 was available, I wanted to do it as a mark of respect and pay tribute to Diogo Jota,' Milner told the club's social media. 'He was an amazing player who I was fortunate to play with and a great friend as well. 'It will be a great honour to wear his number in the Premier League this year.' Milner and Jota played together at Anfield between 2020 and 2023, when the former England international joined the Seagulls. The 39-year-old - who signed a new one-year deal on the South Coast in June - needs 16 more Premier League appearances to overtake Gareth Barry as the league's all-time leader on 653 games.
Daily Mail
an hour ago
- Daily Mail
McGlynn keen to emulate PSG's template for success as Falkirk return to the top flight after 15-year absence
John McGlynn is surrounded by paperwork, pens and computer kit as he sits in an unassuming office deep in the bowels of the Falkirk Stadium, contemplating what can only be described as a seismic season ahead. Fresh from a getaway to Torremolinos, the 63-year-old manager is clearly champing at the bit as he gets ready for the Bairns' return to the Scottish top flight after a 15-year absence. Preparations have been full-on since the Championship winners returned to pre-season training. There was a 'wake-up call' when they were defeated 3-2 by Edinburgh City, followed by a successful League Cup campaign which saw them top their section with three wins and a draw. Now McGlynn is in reflective mood as he sets out his stall for the forthcoming campaign, starting with the visit of Dundee United on Sunday. His inspiration for the club's big-time comeback comes as something of a surprise. 'We've actually been looking at Paris Saint Germain a lot, because PSG are the team of the moment,' he tells Mail Sport. 'We look at the way they play and how we can replicate that, do what they do. We show some videos to the lads, virtually every morning, particularly in pre-season, so you're laying down the mantle in terms of how you're going to go on.' The notion of Falkirk seeking a template from this year's Champions League winners is maybe not as daft as it sounds. Naturally devoid of big names, it all boils down to this for the Bairns; how, realistically, can a team that has risen exponentially from the lower ranks, without the 'star' players associated with the likes of Celtic and Rangers, take on the might of the Premiership? Looking to PSG may actually provide some answers. When Luis Enrique's men secured their European title following an emphatic 5-0 thrashing of Inter Milan, it was a huge statement of intent and proved that teamwork was greater than 'star power' for a side who had previously boasted the likes of Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappe and Neymar. 'PSG had just won the Champions League,' muses McGlynn. 'And, me being me, I'm looking at how they won it, when the team that had Messi in it, had Mbappe in it, had Neymar in it, a little bit further back had Angel Di Maria in it, were not able to do so. 'They're all superstars, so what's the difference between that team and the one that just won it? This team work together. They're not relying on an individual. It's the whole team that's synchronised, the way they press. When one goes, they all go. And they do it so quickly, with speed, energy, commitment, aggression. They press and they win the ball back high. And when they don't and they get broken, their recovery is incredible. 'If you look at the manager, he has done an amazing job so quickly, to turn that team around. Younger players and more of a team, rather than just individuals. This is a key point I'm now trying to put across. ' McGlynn is a huge fan of his Spanish counterpart. 'Enrique is absolute class,' he continues. 'He's on another level. And to come through that route where loads have tried, lots of PSG managers have tried to do that job, and he has done it in a way that has been so exciting to watch. 'I just think he has controlled them better. I think it might be quite difficult to control Messi, arguably being the best player in the world. Mbappe may be the best player for others. 'They're probably such superstars that they get away with just their individual ability. 'The manager now has this team working as a whole unit, he's got more control of them. They're younger, they're more likely to listen and take things on board. rather than think: 'Well, give me the ball and I'll score a goal' — which does happen. 'Messi, for example, is incredible, but if your team doesn't have the ball, then you're a man down. I'm sure there will be people who criticise that, because how can you criticise Messi? But then I'm looking at that and thinking: 'Well, in 2022, 2023, they couldn't win the Champions League'. 'They've done it now, through the organisation, the work rate, the tempo, the intensity with which they played. Inter Milan were steamrolled. 'Now, I know, I'm just John McGlynn, manager of Falkirk football club. We've been five years in League One. But that's just the way I look at it. 'I don't expect everyone to agree with me, but you have to look at the top. 'See how they do it at the top level and see what's working. If you can put that across to the players, that's what counts.' McGlynn's enthusiasm for the game is infectious. It's easy to see why the former Hearts, Livingston and Raith Rovers boss commands the respect of his players wherever he goes. He's straight-down-the-line, salt of the earth. His fundamental principles are borne out of ambition, of an understanding that working hard, fostering a winning mentality and showing humility, will eventually lead to your ultimate goal. Realism, though, is key. As a fan-owned outfit, Falkirk simply can't compete financially against the top-flight's clubs — some of whom are backed by a new cohort of wealthy American owners. An alternative approach with attainable goals is essential should they hope to retain their status and not simply drop back down into the second tier after one season. 'I look at Rangers with the 49ers now and the money that's going to be pumped in there,' says McGlynn. 'Tony Bloom coming in at Hearts and the money that's going to go in there. The Gordon family, along with the Black Knights, there's a lot of money involved there for Hibs. 'Celtic are obviously going to try and beat them all. Then you've got the two Dundee teams who have American owners who are not scared to put their hands in their pockets. So there are a lot of teams who could be going out and spending a lot of money and the boys here could be going up against superstars. 'If we work as a team, maybe we'll be able to do a bit of what PSG are doing against others. This is my mindset, that if we can outwork them and organise, we can come out on top. 'We're a front-foot team, we press high. We've done that in League One, in the Championship, in Scottish Cup ties and League Cup ties. That's the way we want to try and set up. We will have to adjust accordingly, of course, if we have to. 'We'll just go from week to week and look at the opposition. We won't change our philosophy, but we may need to be more aware of certain aspects that might crop up. By that, I mean almost playing the game before you play the game. 'Ultimately, this is a special dressing room. The team spirit is amazing, there's good banter every day. They enjoy their work and they enjoy winning. 'Over the past two or three years, we've done a lot of winning. We'll need to be strong, because I can't see us winning as many games as we have done. That's just the reality. 'As long as we win enough games to be in a good position, however, then it will be another feather in our cap. 'We've now got 5,600 season ticket holders, which is a phenomenal amount for Falkirk. It's certainly a good time to be here, and we're delighted with the job that we've done. 'One thing's for sure, that job is not finished yet.'
