Celtic News Round up - 14/06/21 - 18/06/21


Celtic news round up - Week beginning Monday 14th June

The week didn’t start off in the most positive manner for Scottish Celtic fans, the national side fell to a 2-0 defeat at home to the Czech Republic in their Euro 2020 opener. Two current Celts were in the lineup for Scotland in Ryan Christie and Jack Hendry along with several others who have previously pulled on green and white. 


Things have really begun to pick up this week in terms of transfer news, Charlie Wyke the first player to be linked with a move to Celtic Park. The Northern Echo report Celtic are ramping up their efforts to bring in the Englishman, who scored 25 goals in 43 appearances for Sunderland this season, after the appointment of Ange Postecoglou. Then, on Tuesday, former Brighton man Aaron Mooy was linked. Mooy played under Postecoglou for Australia and could be reunited with his former manager at Celtic according to Australian outlet SBS. Late on Tuesday night, the Daily Record and The Sun surprisingly linked Erik Sviatchenko with a shock return to Celtic. The Dane joined Midtjylland in 2018 and has since went on to captain the side. As fate would have it, on Wednesday morning, Celtic drew Midtjylland in the 2nd round of Champions League qualifiers; the first leg will be played at Celtic Park on the 20th July with the second at the MCH Arena just over a week later. Back to transfer news, and Celtic have apparently renewed their interest in Honduran attacker Alberth Elis amid Premier League interest from the likes of Southampton and West Ham United. This was reported by A Bola. The Portuguese newspaper go on to state Elis could cost up to €10 million. 


In terms of confirmed transfer news, Celtic formally announced the signing of Liam Shaw. The 20 year old English midfielder signed a 4 year deal admitting he “couldn’t believe it” when he found out Celtic were interested in him. This news came out on Tuesday along with the SPFL fixtures for the 21/22 season. Celtic will start the campaign at Tynecastle on Saturday the 31st of July at 8pm. That is followed by two home games against Dundee and St Mirren respectively before a trip to Ibrox to face Rangers at the end of August. Also on Tuesday, The Sun reported Ange Postecoglou will “take the reigns” at Celtic next week after being cleared of quarantine. Leigh Griffiths backed this up stating he’s had positive talks with the new boss and that they will chat again next week when the 55 year old is out of isolation. Back to confirmed news and on Friday morning, Celtic announced the capture of 18 year old striker Joey Dawson from Scunthorpe United on a 3 year deal. He will join up with the Reserves ahead of the beginning of the Scottish Lowland league campaign for Celtic’s Colt side. It was also announced young academy goalkeeper Tobi Oluwayemi extended his stay at Celtic for a further 2 years. His deal now lasts until at least 2024. In terms of rumoured arrivals, Kenyan centre back Joseph Okumu has been linked with Celtic and Rangers in recent weeks along with a host of other clubs. Gent is one of those others and according to Goal the 24 year old is in advanced negotiations with the Belgian side. 


We know there will be significant movement in relation to outgoings at Celtic this summer however Istanbul Basaksehir announced they will not be taking up their option to buy on troublemaker Boli Bolingoli. Another player out on loan last season was Marian Shved. In contrast to Bolingoli’s plight, Shved’s loan side, Mechelen, reportedly want the Ukranian on loan for another year according to Belgian outlet GVA. Fusballtransfers (Germany) report RB Leipzig are the latest team to be interested in Kristoffer Ajer. Newcastle and Bayer Leverkusen have previously been linked. Another one of Celtic’s key players heavily linked with an exit is Odsonne Edouard. The ever reliable Fabrizio Romano said on Twitter Leicester City are working to complete a deal for RB Salzburg striker Patson Daka after submitting a bid and not Edouard. He later revealed talks have ended between Leicester and Celtic regarding the Frenchman. This was further backed up by the Daily Mail, who say Edouard is actually considering staying at Celtic for the remainder of his current contract then leaving for free at the end of the 21/22 campaign. This would certainly be a financial blow for Celtic but his talents could help propel the Bhoys to success. Speaking of financial matters, a source from inside Celtic has told The Athletic the club has a so called ‘Rodgers Tax’ on any players sold to Leicester. This may be the reason behind the breaking down of the Foxes’ deal to sign Edouard. 


Celtic posted a picture on their social media feeds which showed new CEO and manager Dominic McKay and Ange Postecoglou in London on Friday, confirming the Australian is out of isolation. The pair were later pictured at the Scotland v England game on Friday night. The visitors secured an impressive point. It was also sadly confirmed this week by the family of Bertie Auld that the Lisbon Lion has been diagnosed with Dementia. Everyone’s thoughts and prayers are with him and those close to him. On a slightly happier note, the Celtic players returned to Lennoxtown on Friday morning ahead of pre season. The first game is on the 7th of July against Charlton Athletic. 


That’s all for this weeks news round up. As mentioned, there has been an increase in transfer news recently. Hopefully this comes to fruition and Celtic begin to beef up the squad ahead of the coming season. 

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