Eddie Howe in honest Celtic confession as Hoops given tip over No.9 who would 'thrive massively'

Daily Record

a day ago

It's your latest news regarding the Hoops all in one place as Brendan Rodgers and Co continue building up to the new season
Eddie Howe has made a telling confession over Newcastle's pre-season defeat to the Hoops.
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Brendan Rodgers and his troops dumped the Champions League bound EPL outfit 4-0 in Glasgow's east end.
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Arne Engels, Johnny Kenny, Yang and Liam Scales were all on target for the Scottish champions last weekend against the Toon Army, and reacting to the heavy defeat, Howe told the Chronicle Live: "This Celtic game will help us get there quicker.
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"Certainly a lot to work on, but we've covered a lot already, and there were some good bits in there despite the scoreline. We take a load from that. That was a really good test for us.
"The pre-season is designed to really stretch us. This was a test that maybe came a little bit too early for us. We have had a long week in Austria.
"Not making excuses, by the way, but the lads came into the game jaded, slightly, but it was a great workout for us."
Elsewhere, Richard Kone has been told he would hit new levels at Celtic. That's the view of Don Goodman who reckons the Wycombe star would thrive massively under the guidance of Rodgers.
The Hoops boss is in the market for a new striker as he seeks to add more firepower to his attacking line.
Forward Shin Yamada has just joined the Scottish champions with Adam Idah and Kenny on the books while Daizen Maeda proved he is more than capable of filling the No9 role when required after a stunning season last term.
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Kone has burst onto the EFL scene with his form attracting plenty of interest and Sky Sports pundit Goodman tipped him as one who would take a move to Celtic in his stride as he spoke to Football League World.
He said: 'What a story this is, from where he came from. He was highly sought-after, particularly from Luton, in January after his manager Matt Bloomfield went to the Hatters.
'But, it's no surprise to see him being linked with a decent opportunity, a move to Scotland. I feel he would thrive massively at that level, with a Celtic team that dominates games and creates chances, and from a personal point of view, I would imagine he would earn way more money than he does at Wycombe.
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'So, if the opportunity arose, I could see that as a good move for him.'
Meanwhile, Jeffrey Schlupp has found a new home.
The former Celtic loanee has put pen to paper on a one-year deal at Norwich City following his exit from Crystal Palace.
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Rodgers moved for him on loan in January but didn't seek to bring him back north for keeps on a free.
That allowed a swoop from the Canaries and the versatile 32-year-old has made his main target at Carrow Road loud and clear.
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He said: "Obviously, we want to have a great campaign, it's no secret. The goal for everyone in this league is probably going to be the same, to make play-offs and try to get promoted.
"You have to start somewhere, obviously I'm coming into somewhere new so it's going to take a little bit of time to find my footing. Hopefully, I get to gel quickly with the players."
On the move itself, he added: "I'm really excited, it's something new again but a lot to look forward to back in the Championship at a big club. We want to do well this year and hopefully, we can have a good season.
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"I've talked to the manager about the plan for this year, his tactics and style, and I'm really looking forward to getting involved in it and being a part of it all.
"Hopefully, we can get off to a good start and I'm looking forward to meeting all the players and creating something special this year.
"I've been to the stadium a few times as a player. It's obviously a big club, I've always had some tight games here over the years.
"There's obviously been a lot of success over recent years, in terms of promotion from the Championship into the Premier League, which hopefully we can add to this year."