Celtic eye Smajlovic and Devine as rebuild talk grows
Celtic are among clubs eyeing Tottenham midfielder Alfie Devine. Preston have triggered a £6m option after his loan, but Spurs may seek a higher fee amid strong interest. He has one year left on his deal.
Hotline callers trade Rangers hype and Celtic scepticism after Scotland’s win and Celtic Women’s 1-0 cup final. One fan even urges a Celtic points deduction over a pitch invasion.
Sky Sports’ Geraint Hughes says Craig Bellamy is ‘100 per cent’ staying with Wales despite being linked to Celtic, with Martin O’Neill set for talks with Dermot Desmond over the Parkhead job.
Opinion argues Celtic need rapid overhaul before July-August Champions League qualifiers, with priority signings at goalkeeper, centre back, left back and striker, and a permanent manager appointed by June.
Celtic track Sandefjord’s 22-year-old centre back Zinedin Smajlovic, with Feyenoord, Toulouse and Bodo/Glimt also keen. TV2 say bids are expected and a club record fee, around €3m, is anticipated.
Report hints Celtic may bid around £5m for a midfielder likened to Matt O’Riley, potentially battling a Championship side. Details remain sparse ahead of a key summer rebuild.
Owen Coyle urges Dermot Desmond to keep Martin O’Neill for another season after delivering a dramatic Double, citing recruitment with Shaun Maloney and calling him a safe pair of hands for a rebuild.
