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Daily Record
14 hours ago
- Business
- Daily Record
I see conflicting Celtic transfer strategies at play and board have five weeks to get back on Brendan Rodgers' wavelength
Jacko told Hotline Live that the Parkhead hierarchy face a losing battle if they don't match their manager's ambition The Celtic board have five weeks to match Brendan Rodgers ' ambition or they could be facing a losing battle when it comes to the boss signing a new contract. Seemingly competing transfer strategies at Parkhead were discussed on Record Sport's Hotline Live tonight, and our man Keith Jackson reckons things could come to a head if Rodgers feels those above him have played it safe with signings. The champions splashed £26million on new faces last summer as Rodgers was well backed to bring in the Bhoys he wanted. Arne Engels was a club record fee with Adam Idah not far behind, while Auston Trusty wasn't exactly cheap at £6million. The trio helped deliver two trophies and crucially for Rodgers, progression in the Champions League. but not everyone is sold on the decision to spend big given what they've seen. And Keith suspects the Parkhead hierarchy have perhaps started to revert back to a more frugal policy this summer, which if it continues with Celtic having a playoff showdown to negotiate to unlock the Champions League riches this season, then this could be Rodgers' last at the helm with his deal up in the summer. "They just need to match his ambition," he said. "I don't think there's a number that Celtic need to spend above it or below it and that would change anything. "It's entirely a matter of Brendan Rodgers identifying the players he believes will make his first team stronger and Champions League ready, as far as any Scottish team can be Champions League ready. "And then Celtic's board showing the same level of ambition and commitment, going out there and getting the deals done. That's the key part. "This talk of £1.5m bids (for Go Ahead Eagles winger Jakub Breum) smacks of the first-tier transfer strategy or philosophy that we think Celtic's board might be employing this summer - which gets away from how Brendan Rodgers wants it done. "That is taking more of a risk, being prepared to pay a bigger premium and hope that you get your financial return on that. "His problem is, he spent £26m last summer and I'm not sure that any one of the three players Celtic signed would turn a profit if the board decided to sell them tomorrow. "That's where it conflicts with the well-known model that Celtic's board have employed over the years. "They went a different way last summer, but Brendan Rodgers can conversely point to the amount of money they got in through the Champions League to justify that that money was spent. "There's a lot of potential in Arne Engels, same with Adam Idah but he has a lot to prove this season. Aaron Trusty could have a big season, and Brendan Rodgers has proven he can improve players if he's given time to work with them. "But these are ones that count against the Brendan Rodgers model. "We now have five weeks until the end of the transfer window, and these will be five make-or-break weeks in terms of Brendan Rodgers and his relationship with the Celtic board. Not so much personal relationship, but his working relationship. "They will have to show signs before the end of this transfer window that they are prepared to match his ambition. If they don't do that, then persuading Brendan Rodgers to commit for the longer haul is going to be difficult."
Daily Record
17 hours ago
- Sport
- Daily Record
Ally McCoist would accept Rangers sacrificing one thing under Russell Martin to stop Celtic procession
The Light Blues have been starved of domestic success in recent seasons Ally McCoist has loved watching Rangers fly the flag for Scotland in Europe. But the Ibrox legend insists ending Celtic's domestic dominance must be Russell Martin's utmost priority. Gers swatted aside Panathinaikos in Tuesday night's Champions League qualifier to take a commanding 2-0 lead to Athens next week. It's the first of six hurdles the Light Blues will have to overcome if they are to secure a £40million ticket to the lucrative league phase. There's still a long road to go, but if Rangers can get the job done in Greece, they will at least be guaranteed European group stage football. The Ibrox side have boosted Scotland's coefficient in recent years with their Europa League exploits but have been starved of domestic success. And McCoist admits he'd be willing to sacrifice those famous Thursday nights under the lights if it meant derailing serial-winning Celtic's bid for five-in-a-row. He told FourFourTwo: "I would rather see them improve domestically, because we've been miles off it there. "There were good results against Celtic last term but there's an argument that there was more at stake for Rangers, because Celtic were looking like they were running away with it. "It was almost a matter of pride for us. If Rangers can mount more of a title threat, with a repeat in Europe, I'll be happy." While Rangers have spent more than a decade in the shadow of their Old Firm rivals, they've punched well above their weight against some of Europe's elite. It's an ongoing trend that's left Ibrox supporters scratching their heads and McCoist said: "That's been the case for a while now. "It has a lot to do with how they set up to play in Scotland, where they're a dominant side that have to break teams down. "In Europe, even at home, teams aren't looking to sit deep as much - that's when Rangers come to life as they have players that can hit teams on the break. "Some of Rangers' performances in Europe last season were very good - they went to Malmo and won, scored four in Nice, gave Manchester United a really good game, then pulled off an incredible result in Turkey against Fenerbahce in the knockouts. "Some really good performances. I want to be saying that about the league as well." Celtic have also started to make inroads in Europe under Brendan Rodgers, reaching the Champions League knockouts for the first time since 2012/13. McCoist tipped his hat by admitting: "There was a big improvement in their Champions League performances. The 3-1 home win against Leipzig was as good as I've seen them in a long time. "They got a great draw at Atalanta, and they were very unlucky to go out against Bayern Munich in the knockouts, only narrowly losing at home, then drawing in Germany. "They could have taken that to extra-time. It was really encouraging." Tune in to Hotline Live every Sunday to Thursday and have your say on the biggest issues in Scottish football and listen to Record Sport's newest podcast, Game On, every Friday for your sporting fix, all in bitesize chunks.
Daily Record
18 hours ago
- Sport
- Daily Record
AS Roma unveil new kit that has Celtic fans all saying the same thing about adidas
The Serie A giants and adidas have launched an eye-catching new third shirt that has left Hoops supporters green with envy Sportswear designers at adidas, look away now. Celtic fans aren't impressed. The Hoops have launched a raft of 2025/26 training and matchday gear over the summer - including three brand new kits. But ever since penning a record-breaking deal with adidas in 2020, fans have been split over the mixed bag of designs dished out by the German giants. And now some fed-up punters have hit boiling point after AS Roma unveiled a third strip that's left Celtic diehards green with envy. The Italian outfit dropped a stunning new jersey that looks strikingly similar to a classic Celtic top - featuring a white base, green collar and gold trim. The eye-catching shirt - made by adidas - doesn't come cheap, priced at £86.50 before any personalisation. But that hasn't stopped Hoops supporters from venting their fury online, with many insisting the kit should've been saved for Brendan Rodgers ' side. One baffled fan wrote: "Adidas: 'We've got a white and green, trefoil classic looking shirt with the word 'TIM' on the front of it, which club can we give this shirt to?' And still gives it out to Roma rather than Celtic. Mental." Another raged: "If you can't see that this is what @celticfc should be getting rather than that pair of pyjamas we got then you really need to pick up your game next year." This supporter fumed: "Who at Celtic and adidas passed the kits for Celtic this season because they're abysmal compared to many other kits released so far this marketing season." A fourth fan sighed: "Would have been an all timer this one." One punter took a more measured view, saying: "I've been a little critical of the noise around the Adidas kits this season but I have to say this would have been a beauty of a Celtic top." While another huffed: "This is why our shite strips are so frustrating. We're not asking for a masterpiece, just give us something simple and clean like this." There was at least one supporter prepared to defend adidas' corner, though, saying: "Still would be pointless kit though as it still clashes with St Mirren and Killie away. Point of away and 3rd kits is to avoid kit clashes, which adidas have failed to do in four different seasons for Celtic." Tune in to Hotline Live every Sunday to Thursday and have your say on the biggest issues in Scottish football and listen to Record Sport's newest podcast, Game On, every Friday for your sporting fix, all in bitesize chunks.
Daily Record
21 hours ago
- Sport
- Daily Record
Celtic outcast set for shock transfer to French Ligue 1 outfit on three year deal
The 24-year-old midfielder has struggled to make an impact during his two years in Glasgow Celtic outcast Kwon Hyeok-kyu is set for a move to Nantes, according to a report in France. The South Korean moved to Parkhead from Busan IPark two years ago but has struggled to make an impact. The 24-year-old has had two loan spells to Premiership rivals, St Mirren and Hibs. But, under contract until 2028, Ouest-France say the South Korea Under-23 international is on the verge of a move to France. Nantes are in the market for a defensive midfielder to strengthen Luis Castro's options after the departures of Douglas Augusto and Pedro Chirivella. Kwon is reportedly set to undergo a medical before signing a three year deal. Celtic are heading to Italy to continue pre-season preparations, kicking off with a game against Ajax on Thursday. 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 you phone. Join our Celtic community here. Tune in to Hotline Live every Sunday to Thursday and have your say on the biggest issues in Scottish football and listen to Record Sport's newest podcast, Game On, every Friday for your sporting fix, all in bitesize chunks.
Daily Record
3 days ago
- Sport
- Daily Record
Dundee United learn Conference League draw fate as potential Rapid Vienna blockbuster lies in wait
United learned who they will face in the next round, should they advance, after today's draw in Nyon Dundee United will face either Decic from Montenegro or Austrian giants Rapid Vienna if they advance past UNA Strassen to reach the Conference League third qualifying round. Jim Goodwin 's team are back at the European table after their fourth-placed finish last term and face the Luxembourg minnows at Tannadice this Thursday before the return leg away from home next week. They are heavy favourites to advance and, if they do so, they have learned who lies in wait in the next round of qualifying. After today's draw in Nyon, United learned they will face either Montenegro minnows Decic or, more likely, Rapid if they make it through. It sets up a potential blockbuster draw for the Tangerines should they make it – and boss Goodwin is certainly confident of a win to take them through to the next round. He says his players are as fit as he's seen them after a pre-season camp in the Netherlands. He said: "It's a really important time in the season for us to bring the boys away, where we can spend some real quality time together, not just on the training pitch. "An opportunity like this to go abroad and for the players to be mingling all the time throughout the day, it's a good chance for them all to get to know each other really. "It's been double and triple sessions for the players, lots of fitness work but also a really good opportunity for me to get the message across to the players in terms of how we want to play. "The players are all desperate to get started now. Fitness wise they look fantastic, "I don't remember in the ten years of being a manager, working with a group of players so physically fit so early on. "There was a big emphasis on trying to reduce the age of the team but also to bring better athleticism to the squad, better mobility, better pace, all of these things really important to be able to handle the demands of our busy schedule. "I think we've put ourselves in a really strong position at this time." Tune in to Hotline Live every Sunday to Thursday and have your say on the biggest issues in Scottish football and listen to Record Sport's newest podcast, Game On, every Friday for your sporting fix, all in bitesize chunks.
