Celtic push Tahirovic deal as striker bid touted
Celtic lost to Kairat Almaty on penalties after a 0-0 aggregate play-off, with goalkeeper Temirlan Anarbekov starring and Daizen Maeda missing in the shootout. The Europa League now awaits, with significant revenue lost.
Right back Araujo, on loan from Bournemouth, is unlikely to rejoin Celtic after injury, with Johnston fit and Ralston and Donovan as cover. Monterrey and Cruz Azul are keen on a loan move to Mexico.
Celtic work on Benjamin Tahirovic deal, opt against £7m buy for Tomas Cvancara, and Marcelo Saracchi has returned to Boca with talks having taken place over a permanent switch. Hopes of an Andy Robertson homecoming fade amid a reported verbal agreement with Tottenham.
Despite a league and Scottish Cup double, Celtic must rebuild off the pitch: appoint a head of football operations, scouts, a chairman and new non-exec directors after recent mis-hires.
Celtic beat Dunfermline 3-1 at Hampden to seal the double. Maeda, Engels and Iheanacho scored, with Cooper replying late. It is a record 43rd Scottish Cup and a 14th domestic double under Martin O’Neill.
A report suggests Celtic could see a £13m bid accepted to sign their best striker since Kyogo, with a new centre-forward again the summer priority after Kelechi Iheanacho’s impact last season.
Shane Long backs Robbie Keane for the Celtic job after his departure from Ferencvaros, saying his passion would lift the squad and worry Rangers, adding he sees shades of Pep Guardiola in Keane’s approach.
Wilfried Nancy says his 33-day Celtic stint was aimed at modernising the club and was not a failure. Sacked after six defeats in eight, he insists Celtic were third and still in the title race and says he wanted more time.
Ipswich striker George Hirst hopes Celtic-linked Kieran McKenna stays after leading Town to promotion. McKenna was a candidate before Nancy and remains rated, but Ipswich sought substantial compensation at the time.
Motherwell keeper Calum Ward has criticised the late Celtic penalty at Fir Park, saying new angles show the ball hit Sam Nicholson’s head. The SFA KMI panel later deemed the handball call wrong as Celtic went on to win.
Alistair Johnston’s Canada training in Charlotte was halted by lightning. After a hamstring layoff, he says he feels strong following Celtic’s double and aims to hit form before the World Cup.
Hotline callers float a shock Celtic move for misfiring Rangers striker Bojan Miovski, argue over Shankland to Rangers and debate Scotland selection politics.
Alistair Johnston says Wilfried Nancy would have benefited from a full pre-season at Celtic, citing the challenge of introducing a new style mid-season and language issues. He still regards Nancy as a great manager despite the poor run.
Celtic are ‘working hard’ to sign Brondby’s Benjamin Tahirovic. The 23-year-old Bosnian, linked with Porto and Rangers, previously clashed with Steve Cooper. His contract runs to 2028, and Brondby could delay a decision as he is heading to the World Cup with Bosnia.
