Celtic

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Celtic say a scathing independent review into the ugly scenes following their Scottish Cup victory at Rangers in March "provides all parties with food for thought and action".

However, interim chairman Brian Wilson played down the initial pitch incursion from Celtic fans and says his club made "strong objections to important elements of matchday planning very clear, well in advance".

He also questioned Police Scotland's decision to overturn recommendations made by the Safety Advisory Group of Glasgow City Council.

Both clubs face disciplinary charges from the Scottish FA over the unrest that came in the wake the quarter-final, which was won on penalties by the visitors at Ibrox.

"While we remain in dispute regarding certain points within this review, our club does not shrink from criticisms contained or the lessons to be drawn," added Wilson.

"Nobody should, since the potential implications of disregarding them are obviously serious, both for safety and for football.

"We continue to believe that the non-violent incursion by a small number of Celtic supporters following the conclusion of the Scottish Cup quarter-final was not, in itself, a major or threatening incident.

"However, the actions by a section of the home support, some of them masked and carrying weapons, and subsequent attacks on our supporters and staff, were deeply concerning and we remain puzzled as to why the actions recommended by the Safety Advisory Group of Glasgow City Council were overturned at a senior level within Police Scotland.

"This has left a vacuum in the role previously understood by consent to be occupied by the Safety Advisory Group. Accordingly, we welcome the recommendation that the status of Safety Advisory Groups should be formalised and strengthened."

The independent review, led by Mark Blackbourne, found: "The Celtic Ultras were the first to enter the pitch in jubilation, with others following their lead.

"In contrast, the Union Bears' movement onto the track and towards the pitch was reactionary, confrontational, and overtly threatening. In both cases, the proximity of these groups to the playing surface materially increased the likelihood of a mass incursion and contributed to the rapid escalation of disorder.

"The post-match pitch invasion by several hundred Celtic supporters was wholly inexcusable. It provoked an immediate hostile response from sections of the home support, who forced past stewards and police to reach the pitch."

Colin Moffat
BBC Sport Scotland

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In the build up to the Scottish Cup final, Martin O'Neill conceded the win over Dunfermline at Hampden would likely be Daizen Maeda's last game for Celtic.

Since being installed as manager on a permanent deal, O'Neill has spoken of "resignation" over the departure of the Japan forward, who has one year to run on his current deal.

He has also said he would love the 28-year-old to see out his contract in the same fashion as club legend Henrik Larsson.

The big difference is Maeda wants to leave, with a steady stream of interviews originating in his homeland stressing his desire to play in England.

Now it would seem the opportunity is there, with widespread reports of interest from newly-promoted Ipswich Town.

Prior to the cup final, O'Neill revealed: "Daizen has said that if he could get a chance to play in the Premier League, he would want to. I certainly wouldn't stop him.

"There will be a queue of clubs down there wanting him now after this recent spell.

"If I was around, I wouldn't stop Daizen from going."

Maeda was central to Celtic's double success last season, scoring nine goals in their final seven matches of the campaign.

That took his tally to 10 trophies since joining from Yokohama F. Marinos in January 2022.

He scored four minutes into his debut and has never looked back, hitting the net 79 times and providing 38 assists in all competitions.

A move to Bundesliga club Wolfsburg fell through last August when Celtic could not find a replacement and Maeda appeared to be in something of a malaise before his strong finish to the campaign.

Recruitment has again been an apparent source of frustration for the champions, with Camilo Duran the only new arrival.

The queue of admirers O'Neill predicted may not yet have materialised but his forecast of an exit for the hugely influential Maeda is edging closer.

Grateful fans will not grudge the player his wish after years of sterling service, but Celtic will surely want some good news in the shape of fresh faces before breaking the seemingly inevitable bad news.

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Premier League side Ipswich Town have launched a bid to sign Celtic striker Daizen Maeda. Daily Record - subscription required, external

Ipswich Town and Celtic have discussed conditions over a possible transfer for Daizen Maeda, with a formal offer yet to be made. Sky Sports, external

Celtic want Egypt winger Haissem Hassan, 24, after impressive displays at the World Cup and are exploring the conditions of a potential deal with La Liga 2 side Real Oviedo. Anthony Joseph on X, external

Real Oviedo boss Julian Calero appears to open the door for Haissem Hassan to join Celtic as he indicates a shift to focus on the Spanish club's youth talent. Daily Record - subscription required, external

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Celtic's lack of transfer activity is "an unchanging and wearying" story, according to The Times' Scottish football correspondent Michael Grant.

The Parkhead club have signed only one player this summer - striker Camilo Duran - although manager Martin O'Neill insisted they are close to further deals after Saturday's sparsely attended friendly against Middlesbrough.

At a recent fan Q&A in Cork, chief executive Michael Nicholson said the club were finding it "difficult" to compete with English Premier League and Championship clubs, as well as dealing with agents.

However, Grant says that is not a situation unique to Celtic.

"It's really weird," Grant told the BBC's Scottish Football Podcast.

"It's an unchanging and pretty wearying story around Celtic, isn't it?

"It's as if they feel they have unique issues and problems getting deals done, talking about agents in the Premier League and Championship clubs and so on.

"Every club has got this to deal with. Every club in world football has issues at their level.

"We just mentioned Aberdeen signing 10 players, Hearts have signed a raft of players, Rangers I think are on six and they're about to get another deal over the line.

"Celtic have just got Duran in - for decent money admittedly - but we know that squad isn't good enough.

"It came as close as you can possibly get to not winning the league against a team with a fraction of their resources. Since then, the squad has been weakened in terms of numbers and in terms of overall quality.

"You saw what Celtic fans think about it because they weren't there [against Middlesbrough]. Their signings in the past couple of windows have been really unimpressive."

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Celtic have resurrected their interest in Bodo/Glimt striker Kasper Hogh after missing out on the 25-year-old Dane in January. Scottish Sun, external

Celtic have submitted a second "huge" offer for Oviedo and Egypt winger Haissem Hassan. Ghomuria via Daily Record - subscription required, external

Tottenham Hotspur have set their sights on Celtic midfielder Arne Engels. Football Insider, external

Sources in Japan suggest Kyogo Furuhashi has his heart set on a second stint with Celtic but the 31-year-old striker would need to cut a deal to leave Birmingham City where has two years left to run on a lucrative contract. Daily Record, external

Celtic have received a huge boost in their quest to sign Radek Vitek, with the 22-year-old Manchester United goalkeeper saying that he is ready to leave Old Trafford. TeamTalk, external

French winger Aaron Malouda, reportedly scouted by Celtic, has agreed to join Swiss outfit Basel from Sabah in Azerbaijan. L'Equipe - in French, external

Defender Dara Jikiemi, 16, has announced his departure from Celtic amid speculation linking him with Liverpool. (National - subscription required, external)

Celtic-linked Plymouth Argyle striker Lorent Tolaj, 24, is close to joining Bristol City. (Glasgow Times, external)

Paolo Bernardo is helping new team-mate Camilo Duran settle in at Celtic, translating for the forward as he gets used to the new surroundings. (Herald - subscription required, external)

Sunday's Scottish gossip

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Camilo Duran scored as Celtic drew 1-1 with Middlesbrough in Saturday's pre-season friendly.

David Strelec put Boro in front with a turn and finish.

Forward Duran, Celtic's only new summer signing so far, struck high into the net to bring the hosts level before half-time.

As well as Duran, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, who has agreed a new deal after a short-term contract last term, started.

International midfielders Arne Engels and Reo Hatate, who have been linked with moves, came on in the second half for Martin O'Neill's side.

Former Celtic captain Paul Lambert speaks to BBC Radio Scotland's Sportsound host David Currie about the Scottish champions' summer recruitment needs.

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Real Oviedo and Egypt attacker Haissem Hassan, 24, is now a priority signing target for Celtic. (Sun, external)

Celtic are planning a move to sign Hearts forward Claudio Braga, 26. (Football Insider, external)

Tyler Fredricson, 21, is expected to leave Manchester United, with Celtic having been liked with the defender. (Glasgow Times, external)

Saturday's Scottish gossip

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French top-flight runners-up Lens have signed Maik Nawrocki from Celtic, saying the 25-year-old is the perfect fit for their three-man central defence.

The former Poland Under-21 international had spent last season on loan to Hannover 96 as they finished fourth in Germany's second tier.

But he did not feature in Celtic manager Martin O'Neill's plans and the Scottish champions have struck a deal with Lens for his permanent departure.

Lens sporting director Jean-Louis Leca told his club website: "Maik is a tough, uncompromising defender who understands the demands of playing in a back three and fits perfectly into our style of play thanks to his comfort on the ball.

"He cuts an imposing figure and will bring both athletic power and aerial prowess to the team.

"At 25, he still has plenty of room for growth and we believe he will develop significantly here under a coaching staff that really values ​​his profile."

Celtic bought Nawrocki from Legia Warsaw in 2023, but he made only 18 appearances, 12 of them starts, his last being in a 5-1 win over Aberdeen in May 2025 when he also scored his one and only goal for the Glasgow club.

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Viljami Sinisalo had to wait patiently for his chance at Celtic and is in no mood to relinquish the goalkeeping gloves for next season.

The Finland international took over from the injured Kasper Schmeichel in February and helped Celtic achieve a league and Scottish Cup double.

The 24-year-old experienced just one defeat as the defending champions ended the season with nine successive wins.

Schmeichel has since retired, with Celtic expected to bring in another goalkeeper, but Sinisalo is determined to see off any challengers.

"When I came to this football club two years ago, the whole plan was for me to be that number one, and obviously I'm delighted I got that chance," he said. "But bottom line is I've got the shirt and I intend to keep it.

"That's what I work towards every day but I understand it's a huge football club, that there's always going to be competition and competition ultimately brings the best out of players.

"It's an amazing club to play for, to get that chance towards the end and get that real taste of it, you just want more."

Sinisalo made 20 appearances last season, five of those coming before Schmeichel was sidelined.

"You definitely grow as the games go on," he said. "You understand the pressure of being at this football club, which I think I do, and that's something that new players always learn very quickly.

"Pressure is a privilege. If you don't feel pressure or nerves, then you're probably doing the wrong thing.

"You've got to deal with that. That's part of your job, those moments that you experience as a Celtic goalie, because it's a sport within sport almost. It's a lonely position, everyone knows that. The scrutiny on the position is huge and that's fine. You've got to be mentally ready for that."

We asked for your thoughts after goalkeeper Craig Gordon announced his retirement from football on Thursday.

Here's what some of you said:

Arthur: Celtic shouldn't have let him go, I thought he was outstanding.

Bill: Great keeper for all his clubs and country. As a Celtic fan I thought we let him go far too soon, as his form at Hearts proved. Hopefully he won't be lost to the game and maybe become a great goalkeeping coach.

Chris C: He's had such a great career. He's been such a great goalkeeper for so long. To come back from serious injury and still produce the level and standard he has is amazing. Some of his saves on European nights at Celtic. But honestly my abiding memory of him will always be in the Scottish cup final of the treble season, on his knees in pure emotion. An amazing servant with Celtic, and a retirement well deserved. Thanks for everything Craig.

Chris: Gordon was an outstanding goalkeeper across every stage of his career - for Hearts, Sunderland, Celtic, and Scotland. What he achieved after two years out of the game when he came to Celtic was remarkable. To walk into Celtic, be the number one goalkeeper, and immediately deliver performances of real authority said everything about his quality and mentality. And to carry that standard deep into his forties now is nothing short of extraordinary. A brilliant career, a model professional and a goalkeeper whose shot stopping skills were sensational.

Paul: Best modern era goalkeeper Scotland have had. Utterly fantastic period at Celtic too. I wish him well.

Conor: Pretty sad that he is retiring at such a young age, can't believe he has just given up, but seriously he has been around for what feels like my whole life and has always been one of, and usually the best Scottish keeper. I would have had him in ahead of Gunn at the world cup. He could still get a game for most clubs in the country. He should be proud of all he has achieved. I wish him a long and happy retirement. Legend.

Thom: Gordon, you're a legend. The best ever Scottish goalkeeper, without a doubt. Articulate and well spoken. I've had the pleasure to watch your career blossom through the years. Enjoy your retirement big fella, you deserve it.

Scotland left-back Greg Taylor has admitted he would be open to a return to Celtic only a year after the 28-year-old's move to PAOK. (Pitch To Par podcast, external)

Former Celtic manager Ange Postecoglou has struck a "preliminary agreement" to bring a foreign midfielder to Al-Nassr amid speculation over 33-year-old Celtic captain Callum McGregor's future, according to Middle Eastern outlet 365Scores. (Glasgow Times, external)

Lens are close to signing 25-year-old Celtic centre-half Maik Nawrocki, who is already in France for a medical. (Meczyki - in Polish, external)

Read Friday's Scottish Gossip in full.

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Former Celtic goalkeeper Craig Gordon has announced his retirement from professional football.

The 41-year-old began his footballing journey when he joined Hearts' academy in 1999, and what followed was a hugely successful career.

In terms of silverware, Gordon won six Scottish top-flight titles with Celtic as well as five League Cups and three Scottish Cups - the latter a trophy he also lifted with Hearts.

Internationally, the goalkeeper earned 84 caps for the Scottish national team and was part of the squad that took Scotland to their first World Cup in almost 30 years.

As the goalkeeper hangs up his gloves, send us your thoughts on Gordon's career.

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Celtic will listen to any offers for Republic of Ireland striker Johnny Kenny this summer, with Millwall and Bolton Wanderers both interested. (Football Insider, external)

Versatile left-sided player Mitchel Bakker, 26, is likely to leave Atalanta, with Celtic one of several clubs monitoring the Dutchman's situation. (TuttoMercatoWeb - in Italian, external)

Celtic and Liverpool are interested in Marseille and Egypt attacker Haissem Hassan, 24. (Egypt Independent, external)

Las Palmas have rejected two offers from Celtic for goalkeeper Dinko Horkas, 27. (George Tsarouchas on X, external)

Celtic captain Callum McGregor, 33, will not reunite with his former manager Brendan Rodgers as Al Qadsiah. (Herald - subscription required, external)

Martin O'Neill insists he did not seek assurances over transfers before he continued as Celtic manager for this season. (Sun, external)

Thursday's Scottish gossip