Celtic weigh exits, monitor Mitchel Bakker, McGregor stance clarified
Boro boss Kim Hellberg says the Parkhead friendly will feel like a ‘real game’ after a 2-2 Farense bounce match, with a big away following expected against Celtic.
Celtic confirm Shin Yamada’s season-long loan to OH Leuven, aiming for regular minutes and development in Belgium.
Forest sign Xaver Schlager on a free, but interest in Arne Engels may continue amid bids rejected by Celtic. O’Neill notes late January offers were a ‘non-goer’ and urges earlier movement.
Celtic host Middlesbrough amid fan frustration over slow transfers. Only Camilo Duran signed, contract wrangles ongoing, and protests may resurface as ticket demand lags for the Parkhead friendly.
O’Neill says Nawrocki is behind Carter-Vickers, Murray, Scales and Trusty and may leave, with Balikwisha and Bernardo also uncertain. Celtic seek a new goalkeeper to challenge Sinisalo after Schmeichel retired.
Celtic are closely monitoring Atalanta’s Mitchel Bakker as left-sided cover, with Saracchi talks ongoing. Summer business includes £6m striker Camilo Duran, who scored in the 4-1 loss to Sporting CP.
O’Neill says he sought no transfer ‘assurances’, trusting majority shareholder Dermot Desmond to help get deals over the line after talks in Dublin with the board as Celtic look to supplement the squad.
Greg Taylor says Kieran Tierney’s return convinced him to depart Celtic after 216 games and 11 trophies, joining PAOK on a free in 2025, while reflecting fondly on his six-year spell.
Opinion likens England’s collapse to Hearts’ final-day retreat as Celtic, despite a weaker squad, snatched the title with 15 points from losing positions, credited to a ‘winners’ mentality’.
Motherwell’s Elliot Watt gets a four-game ban and the club are fined £5000 for posts slamming the VAR handball penalty that gave Celtic a 3-2 win at Fir Park. Derek McInnes faces a separate hearing.
Celtic will listen to permanent offers for Johnny Kenny after his Bolton loan. Bolton and Millwall are keen, with Bolton seen to hold an advantage after his 6 goals and 3 assists in 14 outings.
Celtic are eyeing a £7m target billed as their most important addition since Nicolas Kuhn, amid a push to raise squad quality after a tight 2025/26 title race.
Ex-Celtic goalkeeper Craig Gordon retires at 43. A 2016/17 Invincible, he won six Premierships, five League Cups and three Scottish Cups after joining in 2014.
Al Qadsiah cannot sign Callum McGregor due to foreign quota. O’Neill says the captain has not asked to leave but admits a ‘mind-boggling’ offer could change things. McGregor is contracted to 2028.
