Alexander Isak sent home from Celtic game as Eddie Howe swoons over the brilliance of Brendan
Eddie Howe lavished praise on Celtic and insisted Brendan Rodgers side look Champions League ready.
League Cup champions Newcastle are preparing for a return to the top tier of European football but the Hoops face a play-off next month to secure their spot back at the top table. However, after watching his side concede four without reply at Parkhead, Howe admitted his side were second best.
The Magpies boss, who looked set to replace Neil Lennon as Celtic boss four years ago only to pul out when he couldn't get his backroom team in place, said: 'We've had an intense week and we looked a little bit jaded. But it was great for our preparation. Celtic were way ahead of us fitness-wise and sharpness-wise.
'It was a great atmosphere and stadium to play in. It was a good standard of football for so early in pre-season. Whoever Celtic draw in the Champions League will be in for some tough games.'
Liverpool-linked Alexander Isak travelled then was sent home. But Howe insists there's been no approach for the £150m-rated Sweden striker.
He said: "He travelled to Glasgow with us but I decided to send him home due to the speculation around him. The last thing he wanted was to be sat in the stand watching - that wasn't fair to him. But I'm confident he will be a Newcastle player come the end of the window."
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.
We're also WhatsApp where we bring all the latest breaking news and transfer gossip directly to your phone. Join our Celtic community here.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Metro
16 minutes ago
- Metro
Man Utd target signing PSG star with £35m transfer lined up
Manchester United are competing with Manchester City and Juventus to sign Paris Saint-Germain goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma, according to reports in France. Donnarumma has just finished his fourth season with PSG, helping the club win the French league and cup double as well as the Champions League. However, the Italy international has just a year remaining on his contract with PSG and has failed to reach an agreement over a new deal. According to L'Equipe, PSG have now taken 'concrete steps' to sign Lille goalkeeper Lucas Chevalier, who is viewed as a long-term successor for Donnarumma. The report adds that Lille will demand a €40 million (£35m) transfer fee for Chevalier, which PSG are happy to pay. Wake up to find news on your club in your inbox every morning with Metro's Football Newsletter. Sign up to our newsletter and then select your team in the link so we can send you football news tailored to you. Lille are said to be resigned to losing Chevalier before the end of the summer transfer window, which throws Donnarumma's future at PSG in doubt. Donnarumma, meanwhile, has privately discussed the idea of leaving PSG and has attracted interest from United, City, Juventus and Galatasaray. Speaking earlier this year, Donnarumma made it clear that he wanted to sign a new deal with PSG. More Trending 'There are so many rumours. The truth is that I feel good here and that everyone likes me and holds me in esteem,' the 26-year-old told Sky Italia. 'I am feeling very good, settled and my priority is to extend [my contract] here.' United are in the market for a new goalkeeper due to Andre Onana's inconsistent performances in his two seasons at the club. Ruben Amorim's side have already failed with an attempt to sign Aston Villa goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez on loan. City, meanwhile, are set to re-sign James Trafford for £27m, two years after he left to join Burnley. For more stories like this, check our sport page. Follow Metro Sport for the latest news on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. MORE: Viktor Gyokeres reveals why he rejected Manchester United to join Arsenal MORE: Newcastle United plot move for £50m Chelsea striker to replace Alexander Isak MORE: Everton make surprise £31m offer for Chelsea and Liverpool transfer target
Daily Mirror
17 minutes ago
- Daily Mirror
Newcastle draw up four-man shortlist to replace Alexander Isak as Liverpool sent message
Alexander Isak has informed the Newcastle hierarchy that he wants to leave and Eddie Howe's side have wasted no time by identifying four strikers who could replace him Newcastle have drawn up a shortlist of four strikers in case they're forced to sell Alexander Isak. The Magpies are braced for offers after it emerged on Thursday that Isak, 25, wants to leave St James' Park. His decision follows an enquiry from Liverpool, who signalled that they'd be willing to pay a British-record £120million for the Swede. Newcastle responded by insisting that Isak isn't for sale and Liverpool quickly turned to Hugo Ekitike, who the Magpies also wanted to sign. Despite wrapping up an eye-watering £79m deal with Eintracht Frankfurt for Ekitike, Liverpool remain interested in Isak. Although manager Eddie Howe remains 'confident' that his star won't depart, Newcastle are making contingency plans which could have a chain reaction in the Premier League. A report from the Mail has revealed the four strikers who Newcastle are doing their homework on. Those four are named as Nicolas Jackson, Ollie Watkins, Yoane Wissa and Benjamin Sesko. Howe's side have already made a £25m bid for Wissa - which was immediately rejected by Brentford - while Watkins and Jackson, meanwhile, are on Manchester United's shortlist as they also target a striker. Benjamin Sesko was in talks to join Arsenal before the Gunners ultimately decided on Viktor Gyokeres, who's £63.7m arrival was confirmed on Saturday. Wissa scored 19 times in the league last season for Brentford and with 12 months left on his contract, the 28-year-old is pushing to leave. Watkins is also Premier League-proven, bagging 75 goals and registering 34 assists in 184 top-flight matches for Aston Villa. Jackson, meanwhile, has fallen down the pecking order at Chelsea after they paid £30m for Liam Delap and spent £60m on Joao Pedro. On the other hand, Sesko is a prized asset for RB Leipzig, who are expected to demand around £70m. Who should Newcastle sign if Alexander Isak leaves? Let us know your pick in the comments section. Howe was asked multiple questions about Isak's future at a press conference in Singapore on Saturday. Asked if the Liverpool target would stay, Howe replied: "I said after the Celtic game I certainly hope he stays and I said I was confident he would stay. "I don't see anything that will change that opinion of mine at the moment - but it's football and who knows what the future may bring? We are in a very strong position financially. "We are determined to be successful, be ambitious. We have got a great season ahead of us and we need to add to the squad and continue to improve. The journey will continue in an upward trajectory and that's what we all want." Join our new WhatsApp community and receive your daily dose of Mirror Football content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.
Glasgow Times
an hour ago
- Glasgow Times
Martin singles out Rangers star for praise after Boro draw
The Ibrox side were trailing 2-0 at half-time due to goals from Neto Borges and Dael Fry. A strike from Danilo reduced the deficit before Curtis' close-range effort in the 79th minute levelled the score. This was the winger's second goal in consecutive games, following his contribution in the 2-0 Champions League qualifying victory over Panathinaikos. Read more: Russell Martin lauded the 18-year-old's performance against Middlesbrough, describing him as a 'really good learner'. He said: "Yeah, he showed good instinct today. "And he got better on Tuesday as the game went on, and he showed some good stuff today, some good timing, some good bits. "So, just a really good learner. "And I thought Nico [Raskin] was brilliant next to him today as well. "Best Nico's played since we've been here, so I'm really pleased with Nico's contribution because I think having Max Aarons and Nico on your side of the pitch will definitely help Findlay. "And he just needs to keep listening, keep learning. "Good instinct today, good character, good attitude. "As long as he keeps doing that, he'll be fine."
