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Scottish Sun
24-05-2025
- Sport
- Scottish Sun
Celtic ‘in the stands to watch' Dutch-based sharp shooter who's available for FREE but there's major competition
Could he be coming to Parkhead this summer? WANTED MAN Celtic 'in the stands to watch' Dutch-based sharp shooter who's available for FREE but there's major competition Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) FORMER Brighton star turned Dutch TV pundit Hans Kraay has confirmed that Celtic were watching Telstar top scorer Youssef El Kachati this week. But he reckons the Hoops will have to battle it out with Hannover and Schalke to land the hitman, who has played for Morocco Under 23s. Sign up for the Celtic newsletter Sign up 2 Telstar forward Youssef El Kachati plays during against Den Bosch Credit: Shutterstock Editorial 2 Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers will attempt to upgrade his squad Credit: Reuters Former Sparta Rotterdam ace El Kachati netted his 19th goal of the season in Telstar's play-off win against Den Bosch on Friday night. And Kraay - who also played for NAC Breda and De Graafschap and went on to become a manager before moving into TV punditry - underlined how much competition Celtic would have to face to sign the player. He said: "Celtic were in the stands to watch Youssef El Kachati. "I know that for sure. "He has been in contact with Hannover and he has been in contact with Schalke too. "He has a lot of interest from other clubs too, including ones in the Eredivisie. "He can take his pick at the end of the season. "I think he wants to go abroad." The Parkhead men seem likely to sanction major squad changes yet again as Brendan Rodgers aims to fend off a likely enhanced challenge from across the city at Rangers. While Rodgers is well served up front with the likes of Adam Idah and standout Daizen Maeda, the club went down the Dutch route as they snapped up Georgios Giakoumakis and they could do so again. Celtic Title Party Aftermath: Nine arrested as street party descends into total chaos There's been speculation over the likes of Reo Hatate and Arne Engels as potential big money departures - while Greg Taylor has yet to agree a new deal. Keep up to date with ALL the latest news and transfers at the Scottish Sun football page
Scottish Sun
21-05-2025
- Sport
- Scottish Sun
Celtic fans beg ‘bring him home' as they tell Brendan Rodgers to sign former star after he's made available for transfer
He once hinted about making a return to the club one day WE WANT MOR Celtic fans beg 'bring him home' as they tell Brendan Rodgers to sign former star after he's made available for transfer HE only spent six months in Glasgow but that was more than enough time to establish himself as a fan favourite at Parkhead. Now Celtic supporters are crying out for him to make a stunning return to Scotland - amid reports he'll be on the move again this summer. Advertisement 4 Brendan Rodgers has been given some advice by supporters Credit: Kenny Ramsay 4 They want him to sign one of these former players Credit: PA 4 Fans hope to see Moritz Jenz and his child in Celtic colours again next season Moritz Jenz, 26, has played for three different clubs since his loan deal at Celtic was terminated early in January 2023. The German defender initially joined the Hoops on a season-long deal from Lorient but it was cut short for him to head to the Bundesliga following a lack of playing opportunities under Ange Postecoglou in the latter part of his short spell. He quickly headed to Schalke instead, before making the move to his homeland permanent when Wolfsburg came calling that summer. Currently at league rivals Mainz 05, Jenz is set to return to his parent club should his loan side refuse to trigger the buy-out option in the agreement. Advertisement Transfer guru Fabrizio Romano claims the centre-back WILL be on the move in the coming weeks either way - even if Mainz aren't interested - as he's been told he's free to find a new club in the summer window. It's suggested Jenz could head to Italy for the first time of his career, with "several" Serie A clubs keeping tabs. But many Celtic fans have other ideas and have urged Brendan Rodgers to swoop in and win the race for his signature. It's believed the Northern Irishman could be on the hunt for a new centre-back during the upcoming window. Advertisement Neither Auston Trusty or Liam Scales have tied down the starting spot next to Cameron Carter-Vickers, and the American has been attracting interest of his own, with Bayer Leverkusen reportedly interested in January. Maik Nawrocki was recently brought in from the cold by Rodgers and scored his first goal for the club against Aberdeen at Pittodrie. Celtic Title Party Aftermath: Nine arrested as street party descends into total chaos Gustaf Lagerbielke could be an option next season too following his standout loan spell in the Netherlands, with FC Twente unlikely to trigger a permanent deal for the Swede. But despite these options, Celtic fans have taken to social media this morning to urge Rodgers to do business for Jenz. Advertisement Reacting to Romano's post on X, one fan wrote: "Bring him home." Another commented: "Wish we could get him back." A third said: "Take take take." A fourth added: "Bring him back too, a new chapter under BR." Advertisement While another said: "The big man was great. Get him back ASAP." Jenz was adored by a large number of Hoops supporters and was given the nickname Mercedes Jenz for his stellar performances at the back. 4 Jenz playing for Schalke Credit: Getty And the feeling was mutual as Jenz told punters they have a "special place in his heart" when he announced his exit. Advertisement He also hinted about potentially returning to the club one day. He wrote: "Dear Celtic family, I'm sad to say that I'm leaving the club after a short time, it's been for me a fantastic period at the club. "I'm very proud and honoured to have been part of the Celtic Football Club. Like I said at the beginning of my time it was and it has been a dream. "The fans of Celtic will always have a special place in my heart, they are kind, honest and passionate. I want to thank everyone that works at Celtic, from the staff to the people taking care of us players in the stadium and in the training ground. Advertisement "I'm very lucky to have been part of such a fantastic squad of players, it's really a TEAM and Family Everyone is fighting for each other to make history for this great Club and I'm gonna miss them so much! "It has been an honour to work with him and his team. Well I guess I have to cut it short now. Here we go again. I am on the road again. Hopefully one day I can come back to Paradise.' Keep up to date with ALL the latest news and transfers at the Scottish Sun football page
Scottish Sun
20-05-2025
- Sport
- Scottish Sun
I'm a Celtic title winner and I'd love to come back one day – even though I wanted to leave after ONE season
The 30-year-old also opened up on his relationship with his manager and the board during his time in Glasgow 'LET'S START THE FIRE' I'm a Celtic title winner and I'd love to come back one day – even though I wanted to leave after ONE season Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) GIORGOS GIAKOUMAKIS swapped Glasgow for Georgia in 2023 as he departed Celtic for Atlanta after 18 months in Hoops. The Greece international striker played 57 times for Celtic, netting 26 goals in his spell at Parkhead. Sign up for the Celtic newsletter Sign up 1 Giakoumakis joined Celtic from VVV-Venlo in 2021 Credit: PA He expressed his love for the fans during his time in the east end of Glasgow however. Giakoumakis told the Daily Record: "Only the fans showed me the love they had for me, the song they were signing for me and all the support. "I didn't have the chance to say goodbye to them. I would love to take the microphone and say a proper farewell to the fans." Giakoumakis described supporters in Scotland as "obsessed and well educated". He added: "They had an opinion about football that, for a fan, is not common, to have a proper opinion and a correct opinion." The striker finished his debut season in Scotland as the league's joint top scorer, netting two on the final day to equal Regan Charles-Cook of Ross County, who he shared the award with. Despite his numbers, the centre forward couldn't consistently displace star man Kyogo, with Giakoumakis even admitting he was desperate to leave after his first season. The talisman revealed he told his agent in the summer of 2022: "Listen, we need to go, I have the feeling that with this manager, I'm not going to play next year." By the end of his time in green and white the following February, the striker described his relationship with Ange Postecoglou and Michael Nicholson as "fragile." Despite the fragility, he was full of praise for his former boss. Celtic Title Party Aftermath: Nine arrested as street party descends into total chaos "He was an amazing manager. He was the best manager I have ever had in my career, football-wise." He was less complimentary of the treble-winning Aussie's man-management style however, backing up former teammate Matt O'Riley, who called Brendan Rodgers' style in comparison to his predecessor "refreshing". The Greek said: "As a person, doesn't matter. Personal relationship and personal opinion is different to every person." The big striker is still plying his trade in Mexico with Cruz Azul, but Glasgow still has a special place in his heart. The Cruz Azul ace wants a second chance to wear the Hoops too. He said: "I wish it lasted longer, I wish I lasted longer. "And if that's possible, to meet again, and, you know, to wear this jersey. "You want to set the fire? I would love to play for Celtic again. "I don't know if that's a utopia or if it could happen again - but who wouldn't?" Keep up to date with ALL the latest news and transfers at the Scottish Sun football page
Scottish Sun
20-05-2025
- Sport
- Scottish Sun
I've watched Rangers cup final winner so many times, I hope to do same to Aberdeen says Celtic star Adam Idah
The striker has called an unsung hero 'one of the best players in the squad' IT WAS A CORKER I've watched Rangers cup final winner so many times, I hope to do same to Aberdeen says Celtic star Adam Idah Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) HE'S watched the clip back so many times. Now Adam Idah is hoping for a repeat showing of last May's Hampden heroics this weekend. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 1 Adam Idah fires past Rangers' Jack Butland to win The Scottish Cup Credit: Kenny Ramsay Rewind 12 months and the on-loan Irish striker's injury-time goal to defeat Rangers in the Scottish Cup final cemented his place in Parkhead folklore. Eleven weeks later he was formally a £9million Celt — and now he's looking to top off a 20- goal season with more of the same on Saturday when the Treble-chasing Hoops line up against Aberdeen. Asked about his memories of that split-second moment when he slotted beyond Jack Butland after the Ibrox No 1 had spilled Paulo Bernardo's shot, Idah, 24, said: 'It's something you don't even dream of. 'It's one of those things that's so amazing that it's hard to take it in. It took me a while to realise what I'd done. I've watched the video of it so many times. 'It was an unbelievable feeling to do that against them in that manner. It was amazing. 'At the time I was on loan and it was my last game for the club so it was a special and proud moment for me. 'How often do people remind me of it? Quite a bit, to be fair! 'It's good to be reminded of it but at the same time I've got to stay focused. I know those chances don't come around often. 'I've just got to focus on the next task. It's exciting to go back there and hopefully we can go and win it again. 'Scoring in the last minute like that is good when it's finished but not during the game! Now we want to go out there and perform on Saturday. Celtic Title Party Aftermath: Nine arrested as street party descends into total chaos 'Cup games are a lot different. It's not a case where you can't perform well but just cruise through it. 'You have to be on your top level and you can go either way. That's what we want to do — go there and be successful.' A June double-header with the Republic of Ireland then a holiday to the States meant Idah had to delay an emotional return to his home town of Cork to celebrate the strike. But the whole Hoops squad will now head there for a friendly on July 8. It will be another special occasion for Idah, who said: 'I don't actually think I did go home after the final. It was straight on holidays. 'With the internationals too it's difficult to do anything. But when I have been home, it's brilliant. The support back there is amazing. 'I honestly didn't know Celtic was that big back home until I signed here. It's amazing, the amount of people you see with Celtic tops on. 'Even the flights coming over to games, it's brilliant. I'm really looking forward to the game there. 'I haven't played back home since I was 16 or 17. 'To go back with Celtic is going to be amazing. I don't actually know which team they're going to support — Cork City or Celtic. It should be a fantastic occasion.' But first up is the final — and with four straight post-split losses for Jimmy Thelin's Dons in the build-up, including a 5-1 thrashing at the hands of a second-string Celts, a Hoops win looks a formality. Throw in the fact Brendan Rodgers' side wrapped the title up a month ago, have rested their top stars and have put 19 goals past Aberdeen this term, and nothing changes that view. As for motivation, victory would also see Rodgers become their first ever boss to win three Trebles. Celtic needed James Forrest's late strike to earn a draw against St Mirren on trophy day on Saturday. But Idah — who now has four winner's medals with the Hoops — knows they must stay focused on trying to win rather than the glory that would come with it. ADAM IDAH: CELTIC CAREER SO FAR Debut double : The striker scored both goals, including a 98th minute winning penalty, against Hibs on his debut for the Hoops. : The striker scored both goals, including a 98th minute winning penalty, against Hibs on his debut for the Hoops. Scottish Cup final winner: Scored a dramatic late winner against Rangers, securing Celtic's league and cup double. Scored a dramatic late winner against Rangers, securing Celtic's league and cup double. Successful loan spell: Netted nine goals in 19 appearances during his loan stint with Celtic, including a crucial late winner against Motherwell. Netted nine goals in 19 appearances during his loan stint with Celtic, including a crucial late winner against Motherwell. Permanent signing: Signed for an, at the time, record-breaking fee, on a five-year deal after his impressive loan performances. Signed for an, at the time, record-breaking fee, on a five-year deal after his impressive loan performances. 20 goals in a season: Reached the milestone of 20 goals this season. He said: 'That's what the staff and us players have done brilliantly. Although we won the league early on we didn't want to cruise through it. 'We still had our own targets we wanted to achieve. We didn't want to take any game easily. We wanted to build momentum going into the Cup final. It was a bit unfortunate against St Mirren. We didn't play our best. 'But trophy day was still brilliant, and it was probably written in the stars for Jamesy to score that goal. 'It was brilliant for all the fans, players and staff. 'We've worked hard all season, so it's well deserved. It was just one of those games. Probably the occasion got the better of us. 'The league was the fourth medal for me so it's good. You have to cherish every time you win something. 'I was on loan here last year but I always felt like I was part of the group. 'You still have that same feeling every time you win something. Speaking to Callum McGregor and James Forrest — they've won so many times but it's still that same feeling of winning trophies. You've got to embrace it, you've got to enjoy it and hopefully there are more to come.' Injuries and form have seen Portuguese midfielder Bernardo play more of a bit-part role this season. But with Reo Hatate crocked in that win up at Pittodrie last midweek he could come into the reckoning this weekend. Idah would have no complaints and added: 'Paulo's been brilliant. 'I've said it to anyone who asks me, Paulo's one of the best players in the squad. 'He's technically unbelievable. You see it in training week in, week out. He's a fantastic player but at the same time, no matter who's behind me or who's there, I've got as much confidence in everyone. 'We've got such a fantastic squad. Anyone who's playing on the park I trust in and I believe they can create stuff.' Keep up to date with ALL the latest news and transfers at the Scottish Sun football page
