Latest news with #Parkhead
Daily Record
3 hours ago
- Sport
- Daily Record
Celtic striker search has two transfer solutions and Brendan Rodgers knows all about them
It's no secret Celtic are in the market for another striker. Brendan Rodgers admitted as much back in January when the Parkhead side came up short in their bid to land reinforcements. In the end Daizen Maeda solved the problem by shifting over from the wing to blast 34 goals for the term – with Adam Idah and Nicolas Kuhn also weighing in with 20 plus strikes for the campaign. There was also a taste of the big time for Irish youngster Johnny Kenny in the run-in, and the kid was also involved in the Scottish Cup Final defeat to Aberdeen. But it's obviously an area Rodgers will be targeting this summer and Parkhead talent spotters are already down to work scouring players from all over the planet. There might just be a couple of options right under their noses though – and a pair of hitmen that would need no introduction. And both of them were Scottish football scoring sensations – but have become expensive foreign flops. Celts hero Kyogo Furuhashi and ex-Aberdeen ace Bojan Mioviski. The two were top poachers in the Premiership and earned big-money moves. Yet neither one of them has hit the same heights away from Celtic and Aberdeen. The Hoops haven't been shy about bringing back former stars with Jota returning in January and Kieran Tierney back in a few weeks. They were also linked with Miovski when he was banging in the goals for the Dons before he made his record £6.8m move to Girona in Spain. Both could be back on the market in the next few weeks though – and Celtic should be in the hunt. The question is, which one is now the bet bet? Record Sport looks at the pros and cons of both before delivering our verdict. Kyogo Snap Him Up Celtic fans won't need much persuading over this one. Most of them were not too chuffed he was sold in the first place. The Japanese ace won a place in the hearts of the punters with his swashbuckling style and his infectious smile – and his goals. It wasn't just the 85 in three-and-a-half seasons either. It was the magnitude of the goals. Kyogo was a big game player for Celts, blasting crucial efforts in cup finals and in crunch derbies, where he became a Rangers bogey man. There were games where he would be quiet and would then pop up with a winner out of nowhere, the ghost at the near post, haunting defences all over the place. Celtic romped to the league with a lot of the damage already done but there was no doubt he was a big miss in the Cup Final and a lot of punters would have him back in a heart beat. Say No Thanks It was Kyogo who wanted to leave Celtic. Sure, there were times he could frustrate his manager, who wanted him more involved in the play on occasions, but there's no doubt the Hoops would have been happy for him to remain. The £10m fee was good business, especially given he turned 30 in January and then there's the fact there's been long-term injury fears. It's no secret Kyogo has struggled with a shoulder issue and he admitted himself there would be a time when surgery would be the best way to sort it. The clock is ticking on that one and it could be a cause for concern. It's also tough to recapture the old magic one it's gone, plus some of the players who were so pivotal in teeing him up, are no longer around. There could also be competition, with the likes of EPL Bournemouth believed to be interested. Miovski Snap him up? The Macedonian was an inspired signing by Aberdeen in the summer of 2022. Then boss Jim Goodwin picked him up for £500,000 and the hitman provided plenty of bang for his bucks. Miovski notched on his debut against Raith Rovers and never looked back. In his two seasons there were some desperate times for the Dons but he was the one who was doing his best to drag the side along. He bagged 18 in his first campaign as the recovered from Goodwin going to finish third and then he kicked on the next term with 26 – to spark a frantic bidding war. The frontman's movement and finishing made him a perfect fit for the Premiership, with a variety of different kinds of goals on his CV. Celtic were keeping a look but the fee rocketed and Girona stepped in with a bumper bid to break the Dons transfer record. Miovski is stilly 25, an international regular, a proven poacher on these shores and could be picked up for under £5m. Say No Thanks It's been a pretty wretched season for the striker in Spain. He's managed just four goals in 25 appearances for Girona this term – and two of them came against fifth tier part-timers CD Extremadura in the cup. He's struggled to secure a regular role up top and appeared for just 20 minutes in the last 10 games in the battle to avoid the drop. There are question marks over his pace, which is something Rodgers loves to have in his team, especially in Europe. Miovski is on decent dosh and under contract until 2028, which might be an issue, and there is also interest in Italy. Verdict Miovski is the man. It might sound controversial given Kyogo's hero status at Celtic but there is a sense that ship has sailed and perhaps his best years are behind him. Celtic need a fresh approach and Miovski would be a winner. It wouldn't cost a fortune and he'd get plenty of service. He might not be rapid but his quick thinking buys him the space he needs in the penalty area. He's not perfect, but Miovski ticks a lot of the boxes for the Hoops and they should snap him up sharpish.
The Herald Scotland
4 hours ago
- Sport
- The Herald Scotland
Celtic outcast Marco Tilio admits future 'up in the air'
The 23-year-old was sent on loan to Melbourne City after suffering two severe hamstring injuries at Celtic. And he's due to return to Parkhead for the new season, where he still has three years left on his deal, following his £1.5 million move two years ago. But despite being delighted at his homeland triumph, Tilio doesn't know his next move. Read more: Forgotten Celtic star could feature at Club World Cup after dramatic play-off A day that changed Celtic: Martin O'Neill on emotion, legacy & success 25 years later He said: "I feel in a really good place. "My future is obviously up in the air at the moment, so I'm unsure what is going to happen. "It's always been about just playing well. I know when I'm playing well that people are always watching. 'I want to do everything I can to help Australia qualify for another World Cup. "I took everything in from last camp and put myself in the position now where I feel I'm better for it. I just want to execute everything that I know that I can, and put myself in the position to hopefully be in the squad and play. "It's been 18 months since I've actually stepped on the pitch for the national team. "So I think it's at that time now that I put myself in a position to play well, get an opportunity to do well, and hopefully, sort of cement a spot in there.'
Daily Record
6 hours ago
- Sport
- Daily Record
Celtic 'target' Kieran Tierney back up as forgotten man makes World Cup vow
It's the latest headlines from Parkhead all in one place as Brendan Rodgers gets set for a busy summeer Brendan Rodgers has reportedly started planning for life after Greg Taylor. The Celtic defender - who is heading out of contract - has yet to commit to a new deal with his future looking increasingly likely to be away from the Scottish champions with no communication either way on his next step. His club boss made a number of public pleas and made his feelings clear on wanting him tied down to fresh terms - even with the incoming arrival of Kieran Tierney. Jeffrey Schlupp's loan deal is over and his future is not yet known after his exit from Crystal Palace but The Sun claim the Hoops have target a new left-back from the EFL. They state Peterborough full-back Harley Mills is wanted north of the border as a back-up for the returning KT. Fulham are claimed to have made a £1million approach to the Posh and now Celtic have entered the chase with Mills reportedly one of the potential names on his list of targets. Meanwhile, forgotten man Marco Tillio is determined to get on the pitch for Australia in the upcoming World Cup qualifiers. He's fresh off winning silverware with Melbourne City and is determined to show his worth to the Socceroos in the upcoming double-header with Japan and Saudi Arabia. He admits his future at club level is 'up in the air' at the moment - but full focus is on the internationals. He said: "I feel in a really good place. My future is obviously up in the air at the moment, so I'm unsure what is going to happen. "It's always been about just playing well. I know when I'm playing well that people are always watching. 'I want to do everything I can to help Australia qualify for another World Cup. "I took everything in from last camp and put myself in the position now where I feel I'm better for it. I just want to execute everything that I know that I can, and put myself in the position to hopefully be in the squad and play. "It's been 18 months since I've actually stepped on the pitch for the national team. 'So I think it's at that time now that I put myself in a position to play well, get an opportunity to do well, and hopefully, sort of cement a spot in there.' Elsewhere, Kasper Schmeichel has been tipped to once again show his worth at Celtic next season. The veteran keeper dropped a clanger in the Scottish Cup Final defeat to Aberdeen at Hampden in a rare blot on a solid debut season. The Denmark legend has suffered harsh criticism in his homeland for his from on the national team stage. But Marc Rieper reckons while his best games of his career are likely past him, he is still far from finished. 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.'
Daily Record
9 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
17 hours ago
- Scottish Sun
Celtic Boys Club victim agreed to settle legal claim over fears he would end up dead or bankrupt
He could have been hit with a massive legal bill FIGHT FOR JUSTICE Celtic Boys Club victim agreed to settle legal claim over fears he would end up dead or bankrupt Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) A CELTIC Boys Club abuse victim revealed he agreed to settle his legal claim over fears he would die before receiving compensation or suffer financial ruin. Gordon Woods, 71, told how he could have faced paying a massive legal bill for Parkhead bosses had he pushed on with his long fight for justice. 3 Celtic Boys Club abuse survivor Gordon Woods 3 A number of boys were abused at Celtic Boys Club by a gang of predators 3 Beast Jim Torbett abused Gordon when he was just 13 years old We told last month how the Hoops agreed to pay millions of pounds to end a class action brought by dozens of traumatised ex-footie starlets. But Mr Woods was not included. He was just 13 when he was abused by beast Jim Torbett, 77, who founded the boys club in 1966. Now the dad, who suffers from a lung condition, has explained why he finally agreed to settle his case. Mr Woods said: 'They made me three offers. I accepted the third one. "Rules for civil cases mean that if I'd refused and gone to court and won — but the court awarded me even 1p less compensation than what Celtic had offered me — I'd then be responsible for their legal costs from the date I had refused the offer. 'Would you take that chance? Are you going to roll that dice that could bankrupt you and your family? 'Or are you going to take this offer on the table and walk away?' Mr Woods, who has a teenage daughter, also feared he might not live to see his case end. He added: 'I worried that if I died before it concluded, then it would all be for nothing.' Previously, he had hoped that hearings in the Court of Session in Edinburgh would reveal who knew what and when. But last year he discovered a class action would only focus on whether Celtic FC was 'vicariously liable'. Last night Mr Woods blasted the Parkhead outfit for failing to admit a direct link with the boys club — and called for a public inquiry. He said: 'They said they feel sorry for the children abused at Celtic Boys Club. But they still separated it from Celtic Football Club. 'What they should have said was, 'These children were abused while they played under our banner, representing the name of Celtic.' But they didn't. 'So they have not made any official acknowledgement they were responsible. It's disgusting. 'My campaign will switch from the class action to a public inquiry. It's really necessary because, without that, nobody will ever know the truth.' Two top cops accused of mocking a colleague's Irish accent in 'grossly offensive' leaving video Gordon is also demanding a public inquiry into abuse across football in Scotland. He added: 'My campaign is now going to switch from the class action to a public inquiry. It's necessary, because without that public inquiry, nobody's going to know the truth.' Last month Thompsons Solicitors confirmed around 70 per cent of cases had been settled for a seven-figure sum. They said: 'Justice has finally been achieved.' Celtic said: 'The club is very sorry that these events took place at Celtic Boys' Club.' They added that they took 'this abuse extremely seriously because of the historic contacts between the two organisations'. But Mr Woods hit back: 'Celtic paid that money to silence victims, silence the media, and anybody else who might have questions.' Concerns over Torbett's conduct were flagged repeatedly for almost three decades but it wasn't until 1998 that he was finally convicted of sickening abuse of young footie starlets. The monster was jailed for three years in May 2023 for preying on Mr Woods in 1967. He also got six years in 2018 for molesting three kids. Disgraced ex-coach Frank Cairney, 90, was caged for three years in 2019 for sex attacks on young players. Celtic were contacted for comment.
