Celtic assess Issa Doumbia and striking options
Celtic defender Inamura, loaned to FC Tokyo after one appearance in a 3-0 win over Livingston, says he has grown but is dissatisfied with limited minutes across nine games.
Darren O’Dea hails a ‘different’ Celtic Park mood after the 3-1 Falkirk win, saying calm support at 2-1 shows a shift. He backs the crowd’s energy for key home games v Rangers and Hearts.
Celtic track Venezia midfielder Issa Doumbia after a £5.3m tag rose to £13m. Southampton reportedly had a bid rejected. Promotion could inflate his price, with O’Neill eyeing a summer overhaul.
Celtic visit Hibs on Sunday aiming to go level with leaders Hearts before Hearts host Rangers on Monday. Hibs chase Europe, with Conference League hopes boosted if Celtic win the Scottish Cup.
Tipster backs Celtic to win at Hibs, citing recent goal hauls and Hibs’ derby indiscipline, as part of a 10-leg 43/1 acca across Europe. Livescore
Motherwell’s Emmanuel Longelo targets a fear factor when facing Celtic at Fir Park, recalling December’s 2-0 home win over the Hoops and his red card in Celtic’s 3-1 Parkhead victory.
Hearts’ Claudio Braga is tipped to be ‘a star’ at Celtic amid rumours over Daizen Maeda’s future, with Hearts braced for summer bids after their strong season.
James Forrest, 34, revived under Martin O’Neill, hopes form earns a Scotland World Cup call. He has spoken with Steve Clarke and backs Anthony Ralston to contribute if selected.
Hibs boss David Gray calls Celtic ‘very dangerous’ after scouting them, noting their title push. Hibs miss suspended Raphael Sallinger and Felix Passlack for Sunday’s Easter Road clash.
Emilio Izaguirre Jr, son of Celtic hero Emilio, says he faces criticism at Motagua and wants to forge his own path, insisting selection is on merit despite fans’ scrutiny.
Andy Walker urges Celtic to sign Motherwell striker Tawanda Maswanhise for about £4m after a poor January. He says a reliable centre-forward is vital as Celts chase the title.
Frank McAvennie claims Reo Hatate is not fancied by Martin O’Neill and urges him to earn a move by performing in the next five games, citing Daizen Maeda’s recent surge as the example.
Harry Redknapp, seen with Peter Lawwell at Hibs v Hearts, rules himself out of the ‘amazing’ Celtic job, joking they would not pick someone older than Martin O’Neill.
Louis Saha says Roy Keane could succeed at Celtic if he softens his hardline style, recalling Keane’s 2014 claim that a Parkhead offer ‘failed to rock my boat’ amid contract concerns.
