Latest news with #ex-Celt
Scottish Sun
20-07-2025
- Sport
- Scottish Sun
Ex-Celtic star's career transfer value could rise above £20m – after snubbing Prem move for historic Euro club
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) EX-CELTIC loan star Timothy Weah is reportedly close to leaving Italian giants Juventus. The American, who joined the Hoops on-loan from Paris Saint-Germain in 2019, is close to returning to France, with Marseille close to agreeing a deal for the American. Sign up for the Celtic newsletter Sign up 4 Timothy Weah spent 6 months at Celtic in 2019 Credit: Kenny Ramsay - The Sun Glasgow 4 He has since went on to join Italian Giants Juventus, but is on the cusp of an exit there Credit: Getty 4 Roberto De Zerbi is a fan of the American, and Marseille are close to agreeing a deal for the ex-Celt Credit: Getty The 25-year-old snubbed Nottingham Forrest last Month, but is open to the prospect of rejoining Ligue 1 for the third time. He has plied his trade in Italy for two years, joining the Bianconeri from Lille in 2023 for just less than £10million. His career transfer value is set to sky-rocket now though as Juventus look set to pocket £13million plus add ons from Roberto De Zerbi's Marseille. The deal will likely be a loan deal with an option to buy, which could become an obligation if certain conditions are met, according to Football Italia. The French side finished runner's up to Weah's former side PSG last season, and will be in the Champions League in the upcoming campaign. Weah won the League and Cup double during his short spell in Glasgow, introducing his mum, the First Lady of Liberia, to Celtic Park for a clash against Kilmarnock. He featured 17 time in green and white, netting four goals and setting up another. He played with Celtic during Neil Lennon's second spell at the club. Lennon cut the American international's deal short though, despite Weah becoming a fan favourite at Parkhead. The winger was called up to The USA under 20's squad for the U20 World Cup , which would've seen him miss the Scottish Cup final. Celtic ace Timothy Weah filmed by teammate Kris Ajer rocking out to Nicki Minaj But Lennon decided to send Weah packing early, claiming it was in the "best interest of the team" if Weah's deal was cut short. Weah joined Lille on a permanent move after returning to his parent club, where he went on to make over 100 appearances, racking up 16 goal contributions. His appearances for Lille caught the eye of Juventus, whom he has played 78 times for. He has scored seven goals and set up the same amount of goals for the Italian giants. 4 Keep up to date with ALL the latest news and transfers at the Scottish Sun football page
Scottish Sun
10-06-2025
- Sport
- Scottish Sun
Celtic Treble hero told to find a NEW CLUB by his international boss as he demands positional change
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) EX-CELTIC star Kris Ajer has been told to find a new club by his national team boss. The Norwegian defender left Celtic for Brentford in 2021 after making 176 appearances for the Hoops. Sign up for the Celtic newsletter Sign up 2 Kris Ajer left Celtic for Brentford for a fee of £13.5million Credit: The Sun 2 After four years at Brentford, his national team manager has told him he needs to find a move away from the Bees Credit: Getty Life at Brentford started bright for Ajer, as he made 28 appearances in his first season in England. Injuries have hampered the 27-year-old's Brentford career since then however. Ajer has been playing out of position when he has been fit in recent times, with manager Thomas Frank using the six-foot-five Norway international as a right-back. Ståle Solbakken, manager of the Norway national team, has told Ajer he needs to leave Brentford and England if he wants to improve. He told NRK: "He can be a very good and stable centre-back, and he was today, but he has to change clubs. "He cannot play right-back in every third game if he is to be a proper, safe and good centre-back. Because he has all the prerequisites. 'I think Ajer would have been better suited to playing centre-back in another league. "He has had some tough injuries in England. He will never be a super right-back, at the same level he is as a centre-back. "At the age he is now, I think he is allowed to put his foot down. You can't be a 'cover' right-back at his age now." Ajer has played less than half of the minutes available to him this season with Brentford. Celtic ace Vakoun Bayo dances for his team-mates but Kristoffer Ajer isn't impressed He was originally a midfielder in his early days at Celtic, but matured into a fine central defender for the Hoops. Ajer won three league titles, and the same amount of Scottish Cups and Scottish League Cups during his time in Hoops as he won the treble-treble. He netted the Hoops a whopping £13.5million transfer fee when he left for the Bees. Manager Thomas Frank looks set for Spurs after the sacking of another ex-Celt, Ange Postecoglu, with the Aussie linked with the Brentford job. Whoever takes the job will likely have a fight to keep Ajer at the club. Keep up to date with ALL the latest news and transfers at the Scottish Sun football page
The National
09-06-2025
- Sport
- The National
Norwegian boss tells ex-Celtic star to change clubs
It comes after the 27-year-old played just three times for Brentford at the centre of defence last season. Solbakken would like Ajer to turn out in his natural position more regularly, and thus thinks he should leave the Premier League outfit. Read more: The boss spoke after his side's 3-0 win over Italy last Friday evening, in which the ex-Celt completed 90 minutes at centre half. "He can be a very good and stable centre-back, and he was today, but he has to change clubs," said Solbakken [Sport Witness]. "He cannot play right-back in every third game if he is to be a proper, safe and good centre-back. Because he has all the prerequisites. "I think Ajer would have been better suited to playing centre-back in another league. He has had some tough injuries in England. "He will never be a super right-back, at the same level as he is as a centre-back. At the age he is now, I think he is allowed to put his foot down. You can't be a 'cover' right-back at his age now. "Many people get angry with me when I say things like that publicly, but I think we should be a little honest about it. Not that I'm going to interfere with Brentford selling him, but he's at an age and is a type of player who can develop into a very stable, good defender at a high level."
Daily Record
05-06-2025
- Sport
- Daily Record
The chuckling Celtic curtain twitchers should beware the lessons from Ange before writing off Rangers new boss
Glasgow has always been a city of curtain twitchers and when it comes to the football teams, punters can't resist taking a peak. Celtic fans in recent years have given up even trying to hide behind the drapes – they've unfolded the deckchairs and plonked themselves down in the front lawn to watch the show over the road. In fairness, in the past decade or so they've been able to spark a carry out and have a chuckle at a lot that's gone on. And plenty will be sniggering again right now, mainly given the wild reaction from a sizeable section from their city chums to the appointment of Russell Martin as new head coach. They way they are going on you'd think Rangers had signed up Steven Martin rather than Russell. But Hoops punters might be advised to hold fire on the lols and take this seriously. Some of them might have short memories. It wasn't so long ago Celtic brought in an unknown manager from the other side of the world, a guy who had a 'philosophy' – a word that can sound like nails being dragged down a blackboard to some. Ange Postecoglou was a figure of fun to Rangers fans when he arrived and a source of anger to a lot of Celtic supporters, who spent months waiting to welcome Premier League gaffer Eddie Howe. The Aussie spoke of an attacking style and to hell with anyone who questioned it. Rangers supporters chortled, yet it was big Ange who had the last laugh. That's why Celts should hang fire with penning the latest chapter of the bumper Banter Years book. Martin will have a tough job repeating that kind of success, but he will use the Postecoglou blueprint. It's no secret the new Gers gaffer is an admirer. Martin has based his aggressive possession approach on the likes of Pep, Klopp and the usual high priests of the modern game. But it's Postecoglou who provided the clearer path – and the one he's likely to try to follow in Glasgow. Last season when the ex-Celt was getting it tight at Spurs, it was Martin who was one of his big defenders. He also spoke in admiration about the job the man from Oz did in Glasgow. Martin said: 'I watched a lot of his Celtic team. They were brilliant. "There was so much praise for being so aggressive, so brave, relentless restarts, energy, he did a great job, won lots of trophies, played in the Champions League. 'He started so well at Spurs, when results are good no one questions the style or his conviction or belief system and the minute it starts faltering it's always down to that. 'I get criticised for the same thing, about being stubborn and all that stuff, but if you believe in something and it's taken you a certain way in life, then to deviate too far from that is crazy.' Martin is clearly a Postecoglou disciple, but replicating the achievements in Scotland is another matter. Brendan Rodgers knows it as well. The Celtic boss has got a collection of Gers managerial scalps on his mantelpiece to go along with his silverware, and he won't be suffering any sleepless nights about the next one off the rank. The Irishman has his own brand of attacking football that works a treat in these parts. You can't help but think it's the Rodgers and Ange approach that has convinced Rangers to go in this direction as well. Imitation and flattery and all that. Rangers have been more than decent in the big games against teams who come at them, whether it's Celtic or in Europe. It's the domestic games where they've had to break down teams where they've come unstuck. Ibrox chiefs will be hoping Martin's high-pressing, high intensity possession game will be the key to unlocking packed backlines, just as it has been for the last couple of Celtic managers. And that's why Celtic fans should maybe resist the giggles for now. Yes, there are big questions around the new man in charge across town. Martin has never experienced a pressurised environment like this before and it will be interesting to see how he handles it. There were some signs of unravelling when the heat was on at Southampton last term but that will be a tickle factory compared to the chaos up here after a few defeats. He's never managed in Europe or being involved in a scrap for silverware either – things that Rodgers does in his sleep. The Parkhead gaffer will let others look over the fence and will be concentrating on making his own side stronger, injecting a few new faces that will energise the place and make sure the relentless hunger that's fuelled the club over the years is maintained. Rodgers is also a master at piling on the pressure – even indirectly – and a fast start to the season could turn the vice right from the off. What he won't do is take anything for granted or expect another breeze. Celtic fans would be well advised to take a similar approach but whether it's from the front garden or behind the curtains, the clash of the gaffers is going to be compelling viewing.
The Herald Scotland
03-06-2025
- Business
- The Herald Scotland
Peterborough stance on Celtic transfer target Harley Mills
Taylor is out of contract and has interested parties across Europe as he is now a free agent. It means fresh reinforcements are needed on the left-hand side with a decision yet to be made on a potential permanent move for Jeffrey Schlupp who spent the tail end of last season on loan at Parkhead. Mills, 19, is under contract until next year at Posh and the club, it is understood, would prefer to sell rather than see their player leave on a free. Read more: Celtic confirm Como Cup participation with four clubs involved Ex-Celtic winger Daniel Arzani could return to Scotland as Hearts make him target But while Celtic are believed to be keen on the defender, it's understood no official offer has been tabled despite suggestions that the League One side had received a bid. Mills' performances brought eyes last season with scouts flocking to watch the promising young full-back. Fulham reportedly submitted a £1million opening offer for the player which was knocked back. Mills has made 28 senior career appearances to date and has chipped in two goals and two assists. One of those strikes came in the Vertu Trophy Final vs ex-Celt Tomoki Iwata's Birmingham City at Wembley in April of this year.
