Celtic close on Tomas Cvancara loan, Europa League test at Bologna
Celtic have made a proposal for Crystal Palace winger Jesurun Rak-Sakyi after his Rizespor loan ended. Stoke and others also interested, with options for loan or permanent deal.
Ex-Celtic loanee Jahmai Simpson-Pusey is impressing at FC Koln after a lack of minutes in Glasgow. The Man City defender has a summer €8m option and buy-back clause, drawing praise in Germany.
Martin O’Neill confirms Tomas Cvancara’s loan arrival but tempers expectations, stressing the 6ft 3in striker is quick and agile, not a Hartson-style target man, and may not solve Celtic’s goal issues at once.
Hotline callers defend Celtic, mock Rangers’ ‘delusion’ and hit back at Ryan Stevenson over talk of Martin O’Neill and the board, with Hearts v Celtic and title chatter also debated.
Writers split on Bologna vs Celtic. Some tip a draw or away win citing Feyenoord form, others back Bologna. Celtic need a result to keep Europa League hopes alive.
Seb Tounekti credits extra work with Mark Fotheringham after his late Scottish Cup goal v Auchinleck Talbot. He prefers playing as a winger under O’Neill and says he can operate on either flank.
Celtic are linked with RB Leipzig’s Xaver Schlager, 28, who is out of contract in summer. Roma and Juventus also keen. The Austrian has 94 Leipzig appearances and could bolster Celtic’s midfield.
Hearts boss Derek McInnes urges belief before hosting Celtic despite injuries to Shankland, Devlin and Baningime. He hopes to register Rogers Mato in time and weighs up options up front and in goal.
A look back at Brian McLaughlin, the gifted Celtic winger whose career derailed after a brutal 1973 knee injury, limiting him to 20 Hoops appearances and two goals.
Bologna’s Lewis Ferguson says his family will watch on TV as his dad Derek avoided flying with Celtic fans. Ferguson aims to end his poor record against Celtic with a win.
Martin O’Neill says Tomas Cvancara is close to joining on loan. The 25-year-old Czech striker excelled at Sparta Prague but struggled at Gladbach and Antalyaspor. Celtic seek goals but he is not a target man.
O’Neill confirms Anthony Ralston is fine and eligible for Bologna. He calls the away Europa League tie a ‘difficult task’ but says Celtic still have a chance, naming a full squad including McGregor and Maeda.
Celtic near a loan for Tomas Cvancara from Gladbach, with an option to buy around £6.9m. The 25-year-old could face Hearts after his medical as MON targets further January recruits.
Celtic B captain Mitchell Robertson, 20, leaves on a permanent deal to Livingston on a 3-and-a-half-year contract, but will stay on loan at Inverness Caledonian Thistle for the season.
Bologna lose Giovanni Fabbian to Fiorentina on loan with option to buy just before facing Celtic. Simon Sohm is set to arrive as replacement ahead of the Europa League clash.
