Latest news with #Hoops
Daily Record
2 hours ago
- Sport
- Daily Record
Celtic Treble winner writes off Rangers challenge despite 49ers takeover and insists questions remain unanswered
The Ibrox club are expected to be stronger next season but one ex-Parkhead star isn't running scared Former Celtic star Bobby Petta insists his old club should have no fears over a renewed challenge from rivals Rangers next season despite their takeover. The Dutchman - who spent five years with the Hoops and won a domestic Treble under Martin O'Neill in 2001 - said it 'doesn't matter' what happens at Ibrox because Brendan Rodgers will lead Celtic to five in a row. Rangers were taken over by NFL giants San Francisco 49ers' investment wing with the promise of an initial £20million cash injection to help improve the Light Blues squad. But Petta, speaking to the Sunday Post, isn't concerned and said: 'For me, it doesn't matter what happens at Rangers. Sure, keep an eye on it and be vigilant, but they shouldn't be able to get too close to Celtic in the next year. 'I think Celtic will win the league and that will be five-in-a-row. It's getting higher and higher all the time. 'It's up to Rangers to be stronger and more consistent to make a proper challenge over 38 games. 'Let's see if they are capable of doing it under the new owners and the new manager. "There are still lots of questions unanswered at Rangers. 'If I was at Celtic right now I'd be thinking to myself: 'Bring it on and let's see what you've got'. I would not be scared in any manner of Rangers.' You can get all the news you need on our dedicated Rangers and Celtic pages, and sign up to our newsletters to make sure you never miss a beat throughout the season. here and our Celtic community here.
Daily Record
8 hours ago
- Sport
- Daily Record
Brendan Rodgers must be Celtic contract priority as Hoops hero Marc Rieper warns of disruption he'll never forget
The Hoops manager is set to sit down with Dermot Desmond in the coming weeks with his own situation among the items on the agenda. Marc Rieper knows only too well the dressing room disruption that can be caused by a manager leaving amid a period of success. The big Dane has been both a beneficiary and a victim of much-loved gaffers cutting ties with their clubs suddenly and with drastic consequences. That's why the former Celtic defender reckons the best bit of business the Hoops could do this summer would be to tie Brendan Rodgers down beyond the end of his deal in 12 months' time. Rodgers will sit down with Parkhead supremo Dermot Desmond in the coming weeks and pour over a wide range of topics ahead of the new season. And chief among them is his own situation as he enters the third and final year of his deal. It may be a while off but uncertainty over what happens beyond next May is already reverberating through the fanbase. The longer the issue drags on the more it threatens to become an unwelcome sideshow. Rieper knows that can never be allowed to filter into the dressing room. He felt both sides of it not long after being signed for Celtic from West Ham by Wim Jansen in 1997. Midway through that first season and with Rangers chasing 10-in-a-row, the Ibrox club announced Walter Smith would be leaving at the end of the season. Not only did the Ibrox juggernaught hit the skids as Rangers blew their chance of history, they ended the season empty handed as Jansen's Celts stormed to one of the most important titles in Parkhead history. Yet just 48 hours after securing the championship Jansen dropped the bombshell that he too was off, due to a breakdown in relationship with the club hierarchy. Rieper will never forget the disruption that caused to the squad who would finish the next season empty handed. And it's why he hopes there's an extended deal agreed for Rodgers when the Northern Irishman sits down to chew the fat with Desmond. Rieper said: 'It's always important when you've had a good run and the manager is liked by everyone that you try to stick with him. 'Obviously, that's for them to find out. I'm sure Brendan Rodgers is a popular guy at other clubs as well. 'But it'll be important for Celtic to try and keep the consistency. 'You could see what happened when I played at Celtic in 1997-98. Back then we had Wim and Murdo MacLeod as assistant and suddenly one day after we won the league they decided to quit. 'It just disrupted the whole of the next season. 'We had a togetherness with the team and with the management and in that case there seemed no real reason for him to stop. 'Obviously he had his reasons, but it was something that was really difficult to understand. 'Although we had some good people coming in and Josef Venglos as manager it was really difficult for them to create that togetherness so quickly. 'Even though you try to get a manager that's got the same philosophy and style of play, it's always different. 'So it's very important that you have the consistency and you keep the uncertainty away from the players and fans.' Smith's departure from Rangers that same summer was nowhere near as sudden having been announced in the October. But the effect it had at Ibrox during those eight months was every bit as devastating. Paul Gascoigne left before the end of the season followed by Brian Laudrup. Rieper said: 'Again, that was uncertainty. It wasn't just the manager who left. Some of the players, they sort of thought 'maybe it's time for us to move on as well'. 'That's bound to create uncertainty in the dressing room and with the fans, you don't get as much credit if you perform badly for a game or two. You feel it straight away from the crowd. 'So it's really important that you've got a settled dressing room and a settled management.' Rodgers won't be around forever, of course. But he has given '200 per cent' assurances he won't leave midway through his third term just as he did in his first spell in charge. But with speculation over what could come at the end of the season already in overdrive, the concern is his own situation could become a weekly soap opera. Rieper said: 'Yeah, that can happen. It would have been good to have it sorted by now. But they've both got their reasons why not to do that. 'Hopefully they'll figure something out.' No matter what, Rodgers will be in the hotseat next season and has already set out his targets - primarily to dominate domestically again and be competitive in the Champions League. Rieper was impressed with what he saw of his old club last season. But he reckons the hurt of the Scottish Cup Final defeat to Aberdeen and missing out on the Treble will be fuel to their desire to do even better next year. He said: 'I think they are players who've got that hunger anyway. 'It's difficult but they will definitely try and win everything on a domestic level. Then obviously do well in the Champions League as well. 'That's probably the most important thing for players who've won as much as they have - to do well in Europe. That's massive. 'They've had a really good season. I know they slipped up in the cup final, but still it's a good season. 'When you've won two things and you're a massive favourite to win the third, it's obviously disappointing. 'But it's still a fantastic season, well above par.' Meanwhile, Rieper insists Celtic are in safe hands with Kasper Schmeichel - even if the veteran keeper's best years are in the past. The 38-year-old dropped a clanger in the Scottish Cup Final defeat to Aberdeen. But it was a rare blot on an otherwise impressive season that saw Schmeichel keep 24 clean sheets including six-in-a-row to begin the Premiership season. The 113-times capped Denmark legend's form for the national team saw him harshly criticised in his homeland. But fellow Dane Rieper - who won 61 caps and the majority of them alongside Schmeichel's dad Peter - reckons the former Leicester keeper will prove he's still far from finished next season. He said: 'The best games of his career are probably behind him now. But he's still a top class keeper and he'll be great for Celtic next season as well. 'Kasper has had an unbelievable career, from obviously being in the shadow of his dad to then just making a name for himself. 'He's not played in as big clubs as Peter has. But the way he's performed for the clubs he has and winning the league with Leicester, which is probably one of the biggest achievements in British football history, I think he's had an amazing career. 'You can only just take your hat off for him and be proud of what he's achieved, both in the clubs he's played for and with the Danish national team. He's been tremendous. 'We've got some young talent coming through in Denmark who's eventually going to take over Kasper's spot. 'Is that going to be now or is that going to be in a year's time? I don't know, I think they're all good keepers. 'We've got Filip Jørgensen at Chelsea who's just won the Conference League and who's performed really well. 'We've got a few keepers in Germany who are playing regularly too. But I'm sure there's a few caps left for Kasper.' Denmark and Scotland are vying for a World Cup spot when the qualifiers kick off in September. Steve Clarke takes his side to Copenhagen for the opening match on September 5 before the Danes head to Glasgow for what could be a do-or-die concluding fixture on November 18. Rieper will be at Hampden for that one. But there's no split loyalties when it comes to the outcome. He said: 'Oh it'll be red and white for me! 'It should be a good game, both sides have a lot of quality. It really is hard to tell who will come out on top. 'I'm coming over with a group of people and we're going to have a tour of Celtic Park. So that's going to be good. It's been a couple of years since I last visited.'
Scottish Sun
20 hours ago
- Sport
- Scottish Sun
Forgotten Celtic star set for return to Hoops this summer after playing key role in league title on loan spell
Celtic look set to welcome back a whole host of loan stars this summer, including one league champion MAKE HIS MARC Forgotten Celtic star set for return to Hoops this summer after playing key role in league title on loan spell CELTIC loanee Marco Tilio will return to Glasgow as an A-League Grand Final winner. The Aussie joined the Parkhead side in the summer of 2023 for £1.5million, but only managed to rack up 28 minutes over two substitute appearances in green and white. 2 Marco Tilio is an A-League Grand Final winner Credit: Getty 2 The winger is set to return to Glasgow next month Credit: Kenny Ramsay Between injuries and failing to settle in Scotland, Tilio departed the Hoops on-loan in the following transfer window, as he returned to Melbourne City, who he joined the Celts from originally. He has spent 18-months back down-under, but will return to Brendan Rodgers' side this summer an A-League Grand Final winner. Tilio's Melbourne City faced off against fierce rivals, Melbourne Victory, as well as ex-Celtic man Daniel Arzani. City walked away 1-0 winner thanks to an early goal from Yonatan Cohen. Tilio told Paramount+ Australia after the match: "This one just feels so much sweeter." The winger will be a busy man between now and his return to Scotland as he is on international duty with Australia. "World cup qualifiers coming up so I'll make sure I'm on my flight tomorrow feeling good because that's more important than celebrating, I'll celebrate with the boys and my family that are here and get ready for them." Tilio has spoken about his Celtic future in the past whilst keeping his cards close to his chest. He told Optus Sport: "I'd hope to be saying I'll be playing consistently over in Europe. "I'd like to say. We'll see but, yeah, that's where my head's at." Cheeky Celtic supporters hoist Irish flag at site of Scotland's new superjail The Australia international has notched five goals and five assists in 19 matches this season. Once Tilio returns to Celtic, he will still have three years remaining on his Hoops contract. With Jota out long-term, and Nicolas Kuhn attracting transfer interest, there could be a way back for Tilio in Glasgow. Brendan Rodgers already looks to be in the market for a winger though. Tyrhys Dolan from Blackburn is out of contract this summer, and both the Hoops and Rangers are said to be chasing his signature. Keep up to date with ALL the latest news and transfers at the Scottish Sun football page
Scottish Sun
2 days ago
- Sport
- Scottish Sun
Celtic star Luke McCowan opens up on bizarre Jota friendship and telling Rangers-bound pal ‘that's last time we speak'
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) LUKE McCOWAN reckons Jota wasn't sure what to make of him at first. The Portuguese ace has been ruled out for the rest of the year after injuring his cruciate against Dundee United in April. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 5 Luke McCowan moved to Celtic from Dundee last summer Credit: Kenny Ramsay 5 He linked up with one of his old Hoops heroes when Jota returned in January Credit: Kenny Ramsay 5 McCowan will face an old Dundee pal in the Old Firm next season Credit: Willie Vass By the time he returned to Celtic in January, McCowan had been at the club for four months. Boyhood Hoops fan McCowan used to cheer on Jota from the stands during his first spell — but revealed his new team-mate didn't quite get his sense of humour to start with. McCowan, 27, said: 'I think he thought I was a wee bit of a fanboy when I first came in because I was kidding on to him that I was going to get a few 'Jota 7' tops off him! 'I don't think he quite got the Scottish banter. But yeah, he's been perfect with me. 'I became good friends with Paulo Bernardo right from when I first came in. So as soon as Jota came back in, and Paulo was close with Jota, we all became friends right away. 'That's what this club creates, friendships through different countries and different cultures. It's a special place.' The Hoops sold Jota to Al- Ittihad for £25million two years ago but after an unhappy time in Saudi Arabia he joined French side Rennes before getting the chance to return to Parkhead just after New Year. McCowan reckons Jota quickly settled back in and lifted the lid on how everyone rallied around him as he kicked off his long and arduous road back to fitness. He said: 'When Jota was told about the nature of the injury it was just about giving him a big hug. 'Regardless of how long it is, if it's long, if it's shorter than what it is, you just know he's a very important player for us. Cheeky Celtic supporters hoist Irish flag at site of Scotland's new superjail 'We'll keep ensuring his mental state is always in the right place. 'He's a good and big character for us as well. He's a very lively, influential person. 'Even in the game when he got his injury, the first question he asked when the boys came in at half-time was, 'It's definitely my goal, isn't it?'. 'So I don't think he was that worried about his knee at that point. But he's been a top player for this club and I'm sure he will be in future.' Jota's injury meant he was left to look on as the Hoops' Scottish Cup final defeat to Aberdeen saw them miss out on a historic ninth Treble and a record- breaking third for boss Brendan Rodgers. After the game, Celtic's players spent Saturday evening together before heading their separate ways for a summer break. And despite the Hampden heartache, McCowan has still had a season to remember and was one of the Celtic players who did score in the shootout loss to the Dons. Boss Rodgers claimed afterwards he was less angry and more disappointed after seeing his squad fail to hit the heights they've been capable of. 5 It was a different tone to when basement boys St Johnstone shocked them as they edged closer towards wrapping up the league title. Back then Rodgers tore into his side for letting their standards slip. McCowan said: 'Callum McGregor speaks about it a lot when he's doing press and I know the manager does. It's about what's expected of this club. You can't drop standards because as soon as you do that and it becomes easy enough to drop a standard for one wee thing then it can become a regular thing. 'If you don't drop a standard the first time then it doesn't become a regular occurrence. 'The manager's brilliant at it. Callum's brilliant at it. James Forrest is brilliant at it. 'All the boys in there lead by example. They are amazing at setting these standards and knowing that, all right, you might win the league but you'd better be at it in training the next day. You'd better be at it in training today. 'I think when that's the kind of level you're at, it's always about the next step. 'Even myself. I was kind of starting to relish the moment a little bit because it was going to be my first title. 'They tell me to do that but it's always about pushing on and motivating yourself to go again.' McCowan landed his move to Parkhead after starring for Dundee, where he and Lyall Cameron shared the responsibility of bursting forwards from midfield to lead the attack. 5 But next season Cameron will become a fierce rival as far as McCowan is concerned after he agreed a pre-contract to move to Rangers this summer. McCowan has joked his former team-mate will be getting the silent treatment from now on. Asked if he had spoken to Cameron, 22, since everything had been agreed, McCowan grinned: 'I spoke to him when Dundee came to Celtic Park, maybe just after he'd done it. 'I said, 'Just to let you know, this will be the last time I speak to you!'. 'No, listen, Lyle is a good player. He's done well. 'If that's the move he's going to go and get it's a credit to himself because he's put a lot of hard work in. 'I saw him come through at Dundee when he was 19 and 20. I saw him go on loan to places that he probably wouldn't have wanted to go to but he just had to, so it's a credit to him.' Keep up to date with ALL the latest news and transfers at the Scottish Sun football page
The National
2 days ago
- Sport
- The National
Celtic-linked Youssef El Kachati wants 'fantastic step'
The Telstar forward is reportedly a target for the Hoops but also the likes of Hannover and Schalke in Germany. With 13 goals in 29 appearances in the Dutch second tier, he could yet fire the to the Eredivisie with a play-off second leg to come against Willem II on Sunday. Brendan Rodgers is expected to target a striker this summer and has also been linked with Brondby's Mathias Kvitsgaarden and Slovan Bratislava hotshot David Strelec. Read more: Partick Thistle appoint new boss as search for manager comes to an end 'I'd love to see Greg Taylor stay' - Former Celt makes Hoops claim El Kachati believes he is destined for a big move but is looking to fire his club to promotion first. Speaking after netting in a first leg 2-2 draw with Willem, he said: "I think it is 100 percent certain that I will make a fantastic step this summer. "But first I want to leave something behind at Telstar that will make them never forget me. "I think it is very important that I end my time here well. If I can shoot Telstar to the Eredivisie, then I will do that."
