Celtic confirm 'Como Cup' plans as pre-season takes shape
Brendan Rodgers' team are already set to face Cork City and Newcastle United in July friendlies.
They could come up against former loanee Alex Valle in Italy after he completed a permanent transfer to Como from Barcelona.
Read more: Former Celtic misfit linked with move to Hearts
Celtic drop pre-season hint as former player seals permanent move
The left-back ended his Hoops loan early to head for Serie A in January and has now made that switch permanent.
Valle said on the club's website: "It's been a great six months.
"I've settled in really well and I'm very happy here.
"Obviously, the prospect of continuing here in Como fills me with joy and pride.
"I can't wait to start next season and give my all for this club."
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Record
37 minutes ago
- Daily Record
Slovan Bratislava boss suffers touchline meltdown as hopes of landing jackpot Celtic clash left looking bleak
Vladimir Weiss is in hot water with UEFA after a furious outburst with the officials Slovan Bratislava's chances of setting up a Champions League play-off showdown with Celtic are already looking bleak after their third round first leg qualifying defeat to Kairat Almaty. And the Slovakian league champions will now have to try and overturn the deficit next week without their manager on the touchline after he saw red for berating the match officials. Despite playing the final 25 minutes with 10 men after Rahim Ibrahim was sent off, Slovan looked set to claim a valuable 0-0 draw in Kazakhstan until the last minute of the game, where Dastan Satpaev stepped up to bag the winner from 12 yards after Kairat were awarded a penalty kick. And boss Vladimir Weiss Snr - who's son and former Rangers midfielder Vladimir Weiss Jr captains his team - couldn't hide his fury at the performance of the officials. The livid Czech coach stormed onto the pitch to give match referee Serdar Gozubuyuk a mouthful, to which the Turkish whistler quickly responded by giving Weiss a second yellow card. The veteran boss reacted by marching towards the fourth official on the touchline to let rip with another tirade before he was ushered away by a member of his coaching team. UEFA regulations dictate that Weiss will now serve a one-game touchline ban in the return fixture in Bratislava next Tuesday, with his side needing to score at least once without reply to force extra-time. However, the severity of his dismissal could see the Champions League' s governing body hand out further punishment which could prevent Weiss leading his team from the side-line if they were to overturn the deficit and progress to the play-off round. Brendan Rodgers' Hoops await the winners of the tie later this month for a place in the money-spinning league phase of Europe's most prestigious competition. The Hoops will play host at Parkhead in the first leg on August 19/20 with the the return fixture away from home then comes six days later. The side that loses over two legs will drop into the revamped group section of the Europa League, giving them a guarantee of continental football until next January at the earliest. 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. here.
Daily Mirror
41 minutes ago
- Daily Mirror
What Benjamin Sesko arrival means for four Man Utd stars as Newcastle beaten to transfer
Benjamin Sesko appears to have chosen Manchester United over Newcastle United and his arrival at Old Trafford could have a big impact on several new team-mates Benjamin Sesko is heading to Manchester United after snubbing Newcastle United, a decision that sees the Slovenian forgo an opportunity to play in this season's Champions League. And while that should be seen as a coup for Old Trafford decision-makers, evidence that despite their decade of decline they remain a bigger draw than a side that finished in the top five last season, it is a huge blow for the Toon who still fear the sale of Alexander Isak to Liverpool. But there are also knock-on effects for the dressing room Sesko is heading towards in the north west with his impending arrival set to alter the roles of team-mates - and leave the future of at least one star in serious jeopardy. Here is how United's latest arrival could impact Rasmus Hojlund, Joshua Zirkzee plus new arrivals Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo. Rasmus Hojlund After two frustrating seasons in which he has struggled to score consistently with the confidence draining slowly from him, speculation for much of the summer to date has surrounded the Denmark striker being sold. Sesko's arrival will increase the likelihood of that happening significantly with United willing to accept a fee in the range of half the £72m they paid Atalanta for Hojliund in the summer of 2023. A number of Serie A sides have been linked but no interest has translated into a formal offer yet. Hojlund himself is determined to transform his fortunes and was unfazed about transfer speculation with the likes of Sesko: "I think my plan is very clear and that's for me to stay and fight for my spot, whatever happens." Joshua Zirkzee Injury problems may have hindered an average debut season at the club but he does have the size and skillset that could provide Ruben Amorim with scope to mix things up. Expect him to be an impact sub behind Sesko, which may see the pressure be taken off the big Dutchman and United fans will hope that can allow him to play with a bit more freedom when given the opportunity. Matheus Cunha The Brazil star thrived cutting in from the wing while at Wolves and Sesko being the central member of the front three will surely bring the best out of Cunha. He linked up impressively with Jorgen Strand Larsen as the middleman at Molineux and Amorim will expect similar with Sesko. Bryan Mbeumo United's other big summer arrival is in a similar boat to Cunha. At Brentford last season he spent a lot of time operating more centrally but arguably his best work in West London came when providing more width, stretching opposition defences and simultaneously hurting them himself by switching inside or ensuring more space for his team-mates to thrive.
Scottish Sun
3 hours ago
- Scottish Sun
Serie A rising star ‘wanted by Celtic' but Premiership champions ‘unwilling to meet asking price'
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) CELTIC are reportedly tracking one of Serie A's rising stars. The Scottish Premiership champions have just completed the signing of Manchester City defender Jahmai Simpson-Pusey on loan but Brendan Rodgers will still be keen to add to his squad. Sign up for the Celtic newsletter Sign up 1 Adam Obert (left) in action for Slovakia Credit: Getty Rodgers has so far welcomed Shin Yamada, Hayato Inamura, Benjamin Nygren, Callum Osmand, Ross Doohan and Kieran Tierney to Parkhead this summer. But reports in Italy are claiming the Hoops are interested in another defender, one with international experience too. Adam Obert played 23 times for Cagliari last season across all competitions and has picked up 23 caps for the Slovakia national team since making his debut in 2022. The 22-year-old has a contract with the Islanders until 2029, having only signed an extension back in January. According to L'Unione Sarda, Celtic are keen on the player but the two clubs have been unable to agree on a fee. They report that the Hoops would need to increase their offer in order for them to consider a sale. The exact figure being debated is unknown but Obert is valued at £2.6million (3million euros). Obert is a left-sided centre-back who can also operate at left-back. Celtic may see him as an upgrade on Liam Scales, who has been similarly used in both positions. New signing Simpson-Pusey is right-sided and has primarily been used in the centre of defence whilst coming through at City. I'm a Celtic-daft bride – I called off the big day but I still celebrated in my wedding dress at Parkhead Obert came through the ranks at Zbrojovka Brno in the Czech Republic before moving to Sampdoria's academy in 2018. After three years with the Genoa-based side, he moved to Sardinia with Cagliari. He has since made 77 league appearances, playing a key role in their latest promotion-winning campaign in Serie B (2022-23). Keep up to date with ALL the latest news and transfers at the Scottish Sun football page
