Latest news with #Hartson
Daily Record
18-05-2025
- Sport
- Daily Record
Celtic hero John Hartson says East Kilbride will be aiming to reach Premiership after SPFL promotion
The former Hoops striker is the club's honorary chairman and was in attendance at New Dundas Park as EK sealed promotion John Hartson reckons East Kilbride will be aiming for the Scottish Premiership now the club is finally in the SPFL. The Celtic legend is the East Kilbride honorary chairman after helping launch the club back in 2010 and the town is also the base for his cancer charity The John Hartson Foundation. And he will be celebrating along with the team having been in attendance at New Dundas Park as East Kilbride defeated Bonnyrigg Rose 3-1 on aggregate to seal their spot in League Two next seaso n - ending an 11-year wait. Hartson, who is close friends with East Kilbride FC owners Paul and James Kean, believes the aim now will be to reach the very top. He told Lanarkshire Live Sport: "It is nice to see them finally go up. Getting into the professional leagues, I think you'll really see them make a difference. "The boys are very keen on taking the club forward and they will want to push on. "I know their ambition is to one day play in the Scottish Premiership and I think they are serious about that. "They have appointed a really good manager in Mick Kennedy and his assistant Si Ferry. So they are doing everything right. It is small steps, but I think you will see a big push from them in League Two because they wouldn't want to be bullied in that league. "It has taken time but they weren't going to chuck £5-10m at it, that's not the business model, so I'm not that surprised it has taken a number of years. They have slowly done it and been through a few different managers." Hartson also revealed he is over the moon for the club's owners and added: "It means a lot to everyone in the town and I know how much it means to the owners. "I have an affiliation with the club as honorary chairman and Paul and James are my best friends. "Paul puts his life and soul into this club. He is down at the training ground all the time, he is football daft and he takes a big interest in it. "They are not just people who build property and houses, this is big for Paul and I know how much this football club means to him and everybody in East Kilbride. "I'm delighted and feel extremely proud to see them finally get promoted into Scottish League 2.. Well done all for a fantastic achievement."
Irish Daily Mirror
07-05-2025
- Sport
- Irish Daily Mirror
Celtic legend slaps down Idah criticism with story from his time with the Bhoys
Celtic legend John Hartson has given his emphatic backing to Ireland striker Adam Idah, who despite scoring 18 goals so far this season has had to deal with plenty of criticism. Even in the wake of last weekend's Old Firm heroics, when he scored the goal that earned Celtic a point against their Glasgow rivals, some fans continued to focus on a first-half miss by the Corkman. Hartson has taken aim at various critiques of Idah's first full campaign as a Celtic player - with one in particular reminding him of the broadsides he received during his time with the Scottish champions. The former Wales striker spent five seasons at the club and scored 109 goals in 201 appearances. But he too copped plenty of flak. Criticism of Idah's sharpness rang a bell with the 50-year-old, who said: 'Well it's strange because, when I was playing for Celtic, if I was banging in goals, I looked light, I looked sharp. If I didn't score for two or three games, I was heavy. 'Then the week after, if I was the same weight, but scoring goals, Oh John's on song. There's always going to be people that say things. In my first start, I scored a hat-trick against Dundee United, 'I think nowadays, footballers are different to 20 years ago. I think they look after themselves a lot more. 'I think there's sports scientists now, which are on to them. They're wearing their heart-rate belts. Everything is measured in training to what every individual needs to get them fitter. What he needs to add to his game. 'A lot of clubs are doing it now because, if you can get an inch out of every single player in terms of performance, then that means the sports science are doing their job. 'So I wouldn't particularly agree with the fact that he's a big lad because I think he's out there on the training ground and he'll be doing a bit of extra training as well, while he's not starting games.' Idah, Hartson reckons, is a victim in part of the €12m price tag that took him from Norwich to Celtic last summer. And although that's a big fee in Scottish terms, Hartson believes the Ireland striker has 'more than paid' it back. He added: 'He's got massive potential, playing for his country, scoring for his country, the Republic of Ireland. As I said, I'm a fan, I think he can get better. 'But what he's already done, he's scored nearly 30 goals, 18 this and nine last season, in the very short period that he's been here. 'I think he's got many attributes and I think he'll do very well. I've always been a fan. 'When he first came up, I think he scored nine goals between the start of his loan deal and then it ended. He's powerful, runs in behind and nine goals was a very good return. 'He definitely played his part in helping Celtic because Rangers were in it [title race] for long periods, weren't they? 'Obviously, that loan period would have forced Celtic's hand to go and get him. I'm sure they would have had one or two other options, but I think because of Idah's potential and the way that he came in and did very well, nine goals as I say, that's the reason why Celtic went and paid the money for him. 'I like him, I think he can get better. Remember as well, he's been playing, but he's been in and out, he hasn't really been a regular.' Idah's numbers this year, despite him often featuring as a substitute, have been phenomenal. He has managed to score a goal every 119 minutes. 'He's had to bide this time,' Hartson continued, 'but I think there again at the weekend, he comes up with a big goal, great turn and shot. 'So I like him, as I said I think he's a young boy and what you've got to remember is before he came to Celtic he was a sub for Norwich, he wasn't in Norwich's first team. 'He came up, Celtic said, well we could do with a centre forward, somebody with a bit of presence, who's a completely different player to Kyogo. 'He did exceptionally well and then he's got to live up to that £9 million price tag now, which I think he's doing. 'He's come back with 18 goals this season and I think he'll get better and better. 'The more games you play at the highest level with better players, he'll be playing in Europe, hopefully. Celtic have a play-off to get in the Champions League. 'Hopefully they'll do that and I just think with the quality players in and around him, the natural thing is to improve on your ability.' Get the latest sports headlines straight to your inbox by signing up for free email .
BBC News
07-05-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Former Celtic players weigh in on Rodgers & recruitment
Former Celtic forward John Hartson fears speculation over manager Brendan Rodgers' future may affect the club next season. (Sun), external Another ex-Celtic player, Stiliyan Petrov, expects the club to spend this summer and suggests five more players like Daizen Maeda would be a good place to start. (Herald - subscription required), external And Petrov expects Celtic midfielder Arne Engels, 22, to be "a completely different player next season". (Record), external Rangers manager Barry Ferguson says Oscar Cortes and Danilo need to do more to get more first team minutes. (Herald - subscription required), external Former Hearts manager Jim Jefferies ponders whether the club's next manager needs to have a bigger say on recruitment. (Sun), external The SPFL could alter the structure of the Premiership play-offs such that the quarter-final and semi-finals are played over one leg before a two-legged final. (Herald - subscription required), external Scotland midfielder Lewis Ferguson, 25, is eager to help Bologna win the Coppa Italia for the first time in 51 years when they face AC Milan next midweek. (Herald - subscription required), external
Scottish Sun
06-05-2025
- Sport
- Scottish Sun
Celtic icon fears that Brendan Rodgers' contract limbo could become MAJOR issue
JOHN HARTSON rates Brendan Rodgers a serial trophy-winner as manager of Celtic. But he worries about how relentless speculation on his future could impact on next season's silverware battle with a galvanised Rangers. 5 John Hartson has given Brendan Rodgers some advice regarding his future Credit: Roddy Scott - The Sun Glasgow 5 Hartson was speaking at his charity golf event at Turnberry Credit: Steve Welsh 5 Hartson with Dean Saunders Credit: Steve Welsh Rodgers, who is aiming to become the first Hoops boss in history to win three Trebles, is approaching the final 12 months of a three-year deal. The Northern Irishman has insisted he is '200 per cent' certain to be in charge for the entire 2025-26 campaign. But Celts legend Hartson, 50, said: 'Brendan's come back, he'll certainly do the three years at the club with the contract that he signed. 'I think one million per cent he's in for next year. 'The issue you've got is the whole year Brendan will be asked, 'Are you staying? Or are you going?'. 'He doesn't want that to affect the team. 'Brendan will be linked with big moves to Italy, Spain or wherever. 'But for everyone's sake, there needs to come a time at some stage next season where he comes out and tells people about his future. 'Because if he waits until the end of the season, everything is going to be dominated by what Rodgers is doing. 'Whether he does that, the club might want that as well. Let everyone know so they can start preparing. Steve Evans reveals his 'brilliant' friendship with Brendan Rodgers and his feud with another Celtic hero 'In an ideal world, he'd stay. And hopefully he'd stay for plenty more years. 'He seems very happy at Celtic. He's come back and he's won trophies again. 'He's got a tough game against Aberdeen in the Scottish Cup final, of course. 'But Brendan hoovers up trophies. That's what he does. 'He does what it says on the can. He's a winner.' Hartson is a big fan of £9million frontman Adam Idah — and sympathises with the former Norwich City star over talk that he's not worth his transfer fee. The Republic of Ireland international has hit 18 goals this season, including last Sunday's strike against Rangers to earn a 1-1 draw at Ibrox. Overall, including an initial loan spell last season, Idah has netted 27 goals in 68 games, one of which was the last-gasp winner in last year's Scottish Cup final victory over Gers. Not every Hoops fan is convinced by the 24-year-old — though Hartson is. 5 The Celtic legend understands the struggles Adam Idah faces Credit: Kenny Ramsay He added: 'I've always been a fan of Idah. 'When he first came up, he scored nine goals between the start of his loan deal and when it ended. 'Idah is powerful, runs in behind and nine goals was a very good return. 'He definitely played his part in helping Celtic because Rangers were in it for long periods, weren't they? 'Then they went to Ross County, got beat. Then there was the Dundee game. 'Idah came on really well last season. 'That loan period would have forced Celtic's hand to go and get him. 'I'm sure they would have had one or two other options. 'But because of his potential, and the way that he came in and did very well, scoring goals, that's the reason why Celtic paid the money for him. 'Remember, as well, he's been in and out of the side. He hasn't really been a regular. 'He was competing with Kyogo Furuhashi, who for me was world class. Then he moved to France. 'He had games while Kyogo was there as well. 'But when Kyogo went they moved Daizen Maeda through the middle, and he has been exceptional in the role. 'Last weekend at Ibrox, Idah came up with a big goal, a great turn and shot. 'He's still a young boy, and what you've got to remember is before he came to Celtic he was a sub for Norwich, he wasn't in their first team. 'So he came up to Celtic as they reckoned they could do with a centre-forward. Somebody with a bit of presence and who was a totally different player to Kyogo. 'Idah came up and I thought he did exceptionally well, but now he's got to live up to that £9m price tag, which he's been doing. 5 'He's come back with 18 goals this season and he'll get better and better.' Hoops icon Hartson recalls how he had to deal with a big price tag weighing down heavily on him when he signed on at Parkhead. Especially after he didn't find the net in his first ten games for the club following his £6m switch from Coventry City back in 2001. But once Hartson finally broke his duck, he couldn't stop scoring over his five years in Paradise. He's convinced Idah will thrive on being the main man in Rodgers' attack next season — if he gets that chance. Hartson said: 'I've got to say, you play no part in the fee. It's like Arne Engels. 'For me, Idah's more than paid that price tag back. It's £9m, no disrespect, that's a lot of money. 'But £9m for a top striker is a snip really given what forwards are going for now. 'Idah's got massive potential, playing for his country, scoring for the Republic of Ireland. 'I'm a fan, and I believe he can get even better. 'But what Idah's already done, he's scored nearly 30 goals — 18 this season and nine last year — in the short period that he's been here. 'He's got many attributes and he'll do very well. 'If Celtic had paid £3m for him, people wouldn't mention the price tag.' JOHN HARTSON was speaking at his foundation's annual golf event at Trump Turnberry. John has been raising awareness about testicular cancer with his 'Grab Life By the Balls' campaign. Keep up to date with ALL the latest news and transfers at the Scottish Sun football page
Daily Record
06-05-2025
- Sport
- Daily Record
Celtic transfer teaser receives emphatic answer as club icon sets record straight on what Brendan Rodgers needs
The Hoops are set to build from a position of strength in the summer after bagging title No4 on the trot John Hartson insists Celtic will look at every area this summer if the right type of player comes up. Brendan Rodgers is planning another assault on the Champions League - but the four-in-a-row Kings of Scotland will need to overcome one qualifying hurdle this time around to join the big hitters at the top table. The Hoops qualified for the knockout stage this term, before narrowly losing out to German giants Bayern Munich in heartbreaking circumstances after a sensational display in the Allianz had them seconds from forcing extra-time before a last-gasp leveller on the night to give the home side the aggregate advantage. Celtic have already started the recruitment process with Kieran Tierney arriving on a pre-contract from Arsenal. New arrivals will be top of Rodgers' agenda while a number of fringe men will move on for a new challenge. Asked what areas his old club can improve on in the next few months, Hartson told Sky Sports:"Every area. If the right type of player comes up, whether it is a centre-back, a winger, a midfielder, or a forward. "If they can add that little bit of quality to the quality they have got, I think there is plenty of room to bring players in with the Champions League run they had this year. "The recruitment team have worked wonders over the years. I could name six or seven players that Celtic have brought in and they will make massive amounts of money on them in terms of how well they have played. For me, Celtic will always look to improve and move forward." Adam Idah was the derby headliner on Sunday as he fired home Celtic's leveller at Rangers to make sure it wasn't three derby losses on the trot for the champions. He's had to be patient with Kyogo the top man until he was sold to Rennes then Daizen Maeda getting the nod through the middle, with his Celtic and PFA awards showing his incredible impact this season. But Idah has still contributed 18 goals, and fellow striker Hartson has been a fan since day one and is certain of what he can offer. He said: "He's got 18 goals and still learning. When he came to Celtic he was a sub for Norwich for a long period. He was out of the team and did well when he arrived on loan. "Celtic then went in for him thinking he helped them win the league and get over the line the previous season. "Some really big goals and he's got 18 this term with a few more games to go, that is really good return. "I like him, he has pace, powerful and runs in behind. I think naturally the more goals he scores and opportunities he gets he will keep banging in the goals. I have been a fan of his since day one. "
