Celtic News Round up 21/06/21 - 25/06/21


Celtic news round up - Week beginning Monday 21st June


Throughout the week, there were several pieces of news regarding Celtic. Today we will round them up in one article. 


We start off with a contractual issue and news came out late on Sunday night/early Monday morning that Celtic would be extending Anthony Ralston’s term at the club by a year. This wasn’t greeted well by many Hoops fans who see him as a mediocre option at right back however he is the only fit player in this position at Celtic. We also found out on Monday through the Daily Mail that Brendan Rodgers’ Leicester are the latest team to be interested in Ryan Christie. Another player who has been heavily linked with a move away from Celtic this summer is Kristoffer Ajer. There have been many rumours surrounding his future however the most reliable has came from  Michael Bailey of The Athletic. He says Celtic have rejected £10 million bids from Bayer Leverkusen and Norwich City. A possible Ajer replacement at Celtic was Joseph Okumu but he joined Gent permanently this week from Elfsborg. Sticking to the centre back position, it definitely looks like one the Bhoys are looking to strengthen and Mario Vuskovic has been yet another defender linked. He plays his football for Hadjuk Split in Croatia and is probably the most exciting player to be rumoured to be of Celtic’s interest. Several outlets have spoke of the possibility of him joining Celtic such as The Sun but Corriere Granata say the Hoops have made an official bid of €4.2 million. This looks like a saga that could rumble on for a while so it looks like patience will be key. Sticking to incomings and Piero Hincapie is another centre back who has been linked. The 19 year old is currently playing for Ecuador at the Copa America and the link came through Mundo Deportivo. They say PSG, Atletico Madrid, AC Milan, Bayern Munchen and Newcastle are interested. He could apparently cost up to £8.5 million which maybe out of Celtic’s league for such a young player. This was proved on Friday when the Talleres president said they’re in advanced talks with an Italian club over the sale of Hincapie. 


Speaking of sagas and the war of words between Leigh Griffiths and Neil Lennon continued into this week. The striker claimed he’s ‘fit’ on Wednesday and said he’s positive over a new contract after talking to new boss Ange Postecoglou. A day later, Lennon said on BBC Radio Scotland that the striker didn’t turn up once to training during lockdown. A horrendous fact, if true. Kevin Nisbet could take a similar career move to Griffiths. The striker has been at the Euros with Scotland and will have discussions with Hibs over his future when he comes back according to the Edinburgh Evening News. The 24 year old has been pictured recently with Kieran Tierney, James Forrest, Greg Taylor and David Turnbull in public. Going back to outgoings and Greek journalist Giannis Chorianopoulos says Olivier Ntcham has agreed personal terms with Aek Athens and the club are hopeful he will be a free agent as of the 1st of July. I would take these claims with a pinch of salt, though. Another piece of news that shouldn’t be taken very seriously is the fact that Celtic have apparently made a £7 million bid for French right back Valentin Rosier. Ekrem Konur claimed this. 


The most exhilarating news this week was the unveiling of Ange Postecoglou. The Australian has now got his head down and is working already after only being at Lennoxtown for a few days. At his official press unveiling Posteocoglou made some exciting claims. He said there’s ‘urgency’ about some positions and that he wants to bring youth through the ranks and give them a chance in the first team. This came after academy player Matthew Anderson was subject of interest from Leeds United according to the Yorkshire Evening Post. They state the Premier League side have made a bid for the 17 year old. Armstrong Oko Flex is another youngster who has been linked with a move away and he joined West Ham United permanently this week. Sticking to youth and the Celtic Colts fixtures were announced on Tuesday. The will start their Lowland League campaign with a trip to face Bonnyrigg Rose. Back to Postecoglou and the 55 year old said he has spoke to Leigh Griffiths since arriving. The new manager stated he will be given the same chance as everyone else. Two players Postecoglou hasn’t spoken to yet are Kristoffer Ajer and Odsonne Edouard. Both have a year left on their current contracts and have been subject of interest from several big clubs. There is certainly a lot of work to do for Ange Postecoglou ahead of Celtic’s first Champions League qualifier. The Bhoys face Midtjylland at Celtic Park on the 20th of July. Away goals won’t be counted for this tie and from now on none of the matches in UEFA competition will take them into consideration after the rule was abolished on Thursday. Also on Thursday, it was reported that Vancouver Whitecaps have offered Ryan Gauld a 3 year deal worth 41k per week. The day before, Forbes and Transfermarkt writer Manuel Veth said Celtic and Sporting are watching closely. 


Celtic had many players out on loan last season and Vakoun Bayo was one of them. On Monday, the Toulouse president revealed the club would like to buy Bayo permanently. He added that the Ivorian would like to stay with the Ligue 2 club. A player who was at Celtic on loan last season was Diego Laxalt. On Tuesday, he joined Dynamo Moscow permanently for around €3.5 million. That price tag has been commonplace this week because Italian journalist Nicolo Schira announced Celtic have made an offer of €3.5 million for Aaron Hickey. The teenager said he’s ‘aware’ of interest. 


We finish this week’s news round up with the national team. Scotland lost 3-1 to Croatia at Hampden on Tuesday evening as they were eliminated from the Euros. Celtic man Callum McGregor scored the only goal for Scotland. Hopefully this article has kept you well informed with what’s gone on at Celtic in the past week. I’m sure there will be even more revelations for me to report in the next seven days. 

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