Celtic News Round up - 05/07/21 - 09/07/21


Celtic news round up - Week beginning Monday 5th July

With Celtic’s first pre season friendly this week, it really feels like the rebuild is now fully underway. The Hoops defeated Sheffield Wednesday by 3 goals to 1 with Albian Ajeti, Owen Moffat and Odsonne Edouard scoring the goals. Two strikers got in on the act however another forward, Vakoun Bayo, left Celtic this week for Gent in Belgium. The fee was believed to be around £1.4 million. Yet another striker may be on his way out of Celtic. Leigh Griffiths was sent home from the club’s pre season training camp after sending inappropriate messages to a 16 year old girl. A forward linked to Celtic this summer was Charlie Wyke but the 28 year old signed for Wigan on Wednesday. Let’s move on to another position that may need to be looked at this summer. 


There have been many rumours about outgoings and incomings at centre back so far since Ange Postecoglou’s appointment. The only main defender linked with a move away is Kristoffer Ajer. Scott Burns of the Daily Record reported on Monday that Norwich are set to go back in with an offer of £12 million for Ajer. Several clubs have been reportedly interested such as RB Leipzig, Newcastle and Bayer Leverkusen. The 23 year old currently has just one year left on his deal. With Christopher Jullien set to miss the start of the season and the afore mentioned situation with Kristoffer Ajer, that would leave Stephen Welsh as the only natural centre back at Celtic. As you would expect then, various players have been linked. Mario Vuskovic is one of those players. I mentioned a couple of weeks ago about how the Croatian’s reported move to Celtic may rumble on for a few weeks and that has proved to be right. Vuskovic was left out of the squad for Hajduk Split’s pre season friendly on Sunday because he was ‘preparing for the transfer to Celtic’ according to Croatian site sportske.jutarnji. However this might not be the case because Vuskovic came back into the team and captained Hajduk on Thursday as they won 1-0 against UTA Arad. Cameron Carter Vickers was on loan at Bournemouth last season from Spurs and SBI Sports have credited Celtic with an initial interest in the USMNT cap. It is also said by the American outlet that Newcastle also hold an interest along with Bournemouth who may want to sign the 23 year old permanently. 


Continuing on with the centre back position and one of the most reliable sources in football talked up a move for Swedish defender Carl Starfelt to Celtic. Fabrizio Romano initially tweeted “Celtic are in direct contact to negotiate personal terms with Swedish centre back Carl Starfelt from Rubin Kazan. Opening bid to Rubin expected soon”. He followed this up on his podcast by saying “He's really close to joining Celtic. They're in negotiations with Rubin Kazan working to find an agreement with the player but they're confident”. Starfelt is a Swedish international who could bring more experience to the Celtic back line. If the Hoops were to sign anyone soon, I would bank on it being Carl Starfelt. Celtic fans will remember Ben Davies from the January transfer window, Liverpool came in and beat Celtic to the Englishman’s signature. Recently, the Daily Mail said Celtic are back in for Davies, with a loan move being the most likely way for a deal to be struck. The Daily Mail also revealed this week that 17 year old academy goalkeeper, Vincent Angelini, has reportedly joined new Premier League side Watford. Last week, we talked about the Mechelen manager’s comments on Maryan Shved. This week, Belgian outlet GVA report that no agreement is in sight to bring the Ukranian to the Belgian side on a permanent basis. 


Going back to pre season and it was confirmed by Celtic this week that James Forrest is self isolating after close contact with a positive COVID case. Forrest’s position on the wing is one that may need strengthened this summer. Free lance sports journalist Pete O’Rourke said Celtic are in talks with wide man Kyle Edwards after his departure from West Brom. The 23 year old has made 43 appearances for the Baggies throughout his career. We spoke about sagas earlier in terms of the Mario Vuskovic transfer. One possible move that may be more of that than Vuskovic’s is the possible transfer of Aaron Hickey to Celtic. We had several updates last week about the move with the first coming from The Sun on early on Monday morning. They said Celtic were closing in on a move worth £3.5 million for the teenager. Later on in the day though, La Nazione said Bologna aren’t interested in selling Hickey this summer. They went on to state Fiorentina may also be interested. On Tuesday Il Resto del Carlino reported Bologna want around €8 million for Hickey if they do sell him; double Celtic’s reported bid. Our latest update on the 19 year old’s future came from La Nazione on Wednesday who said talks between Bologna and Fiorentina have intensified. 


Hickey is a left back, but arguably the right back position arguably needs to be looked at more. George Baldock has been linked to Celtic in recent weeks however the new Sheffield United manager told the Yorkshire Post “I do not expect players to leave. I don’t have any benefits from this”. A couple of weeks ago, the Celtic Colts team’s fixtures for the lowland league were announced. This week, Celtic B drew Annan Athletic in the SPFL Trust trophy. 


The final piece of news in the round up this week was probably the most encouraging. Celtic announced on Friday that 2,000 fans will be allowed in for the visit of Preston North End to Celtic Park next Saturday. It will be tremendous to see fans back inside Paradise. 

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