Celtic

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Celtic have rejected a £14m offer from Nottingham Forest for 22-year-old Belgium midfielder Arne Engels. (Mail), external

Lorient forward Joel Mvuka, 23, is close to joining Celtic in a £4m deal. (Sun)

And a verbal agreement has been reached for Freiburg striker Junior Adama, 24, to join Celtic on loan. (Florian Plettenberg on X), external

Red Bull Salzburg have agreed a deal to sign 22-year-old attacker Damir Redzic, previously linked with Celtic. (Eric Niederseer on X - in German), external

Celtic manager Martin O'Neill has indicated the club will need to sign another defender before Stephen Welsh, 26, is allowed to return to Motherwell on loan. (Record), external

Monday's Scottish gossip

Tomas Cvancara marked his home debut with the breakthrough goal as Celtic held off a stubborn Falkirk challenge to move second in the Scottish Premiership.

Read the match report.

Have your say on the game.

Celtic interim manager Martin O'Neill tells BBC Scotland: "I thought it was a great win for us, particularly after Thursday night and the effort the players put into that win.

"You could see there were periods in the game where we didn't have the energy, but there's a great camaraderie about the group. They want to go beyond the call of duty and it was a big, big win.

"Falkirk are flying, they're a dangerous side. I'm delighted we've won and there were some big efforts today.

"Naturally pleased [Tomas Cvancara] got the goal. He hasn't played a lot of football in recent times, but I think there's lots of improvements in his game. There's a player there.

"I said to [Benjamin Nygren] in my first spell that midfield players who score goals are worth their weight in gold.

"We are [close to transfers]. We've some medicals here at this minute and fingers crossed the players come through.

"We've got a couple and we're hoping to add maybe late on.

"That would give us a chance. We're staying there to the end and let's see what happens."

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Celtic are working on a loan deal for Freiburg forward Junior Adamu, while two other clubs monitor the Austria international's situation closely. (Sky Sports), external

Celtic have stepped up their pursuit of Hungary winger Damir Redzic, with Danajska Streda holding out for a £6m fee for the 22-year-old. (Daily Record), external

Frosinone head coach Massimiliano Alvini believes Celtic transfer target Fares Ghedjemis will remain with the Serie B side beyond the January transfer window deadline. (Daily Record), external

Nottingham Forest are exploring a move for Celtic midfielder Arne Engels. (Florian Plettenburg on X), external

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Celtic defender Auston Trusty is suspended. New signings Tomas Cvancara and Julian Araujo are available after being ineligible against Utrecht on Thursday.

Marcelo Saracchi is back in training after recovering from a hamstring problem. Johnny Kenny has missed the last two games with a calf injury.

Cameron Carter-Vickers (Achilles), Jota (knee), Alistair Johnston and Callum Osmand (both hamstring) remain out.

Falkirk forward Ben Parkinson is facing three months out with an ankle injury, while Ethan Williams (thigh) is also out but Filip Lissah returns and Ross MacIver and Gary Oliver are available after lengthy absences.

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• Benjamin Nygren leads the 2025-26 Scottish Premiership for goal involvements with 14 (11 goals, 3 assists), scoring in his past three league games. The last player to score in four successive league appearances during his debut campaign as a Celtic player was Moussa Dembele in March 2017.

• Falkirk have won three of their past four league games (L1), as many as their previous 10 beforehand (W3 D3 L4). However, the exception in this time was a 1-0 defeat to Celtic in January.

• Celtic have won all four of their home league games under Martin O'Neill this season without conceding.

• Having also won his final home league match in his first spell in charge of Celtic 2-0 against Aberdeen in May 2005, the Northern Irishman could win six home league games in a row without conceding for the first time as Hoops boss.

• Falkirk have lost 15 of their past 17 away games at Celtic across all competitions (D2) since a 2-0 league victory in October 1994 under Jim Jefferies.

• Celtic have won their past seven meetings with Falkirk in all competitions, last winning eight in a row in December 1973.

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Celtic assistant Shaun Maloney is expecting Falkirk to "leave it all out there" when they visit Parkhead on Sunday.

The sides have met three times already this season, two of which were under the guidance of interim coaching staff Martin O'Neill and Maloney.

While Celtic were comfortable 4-1 winners back in October just after O'Neill took over a interim manager, when the sides met in Falkirk earlier this month it was far more difficult for the Glasgow club who were lucky to escape with a 1-0 win.

"The first game against them was the first games for Martin and me and it was probably a really difficult time for Falkirk to come to Celtic Park just because of the feelings for Martin," Maloney said.

"I think we were fortunate to beat them in the last game, although I really liked how we defended the last 20 minutes, where Kasper Schmeichel made a brilliant save.

"So yeah, they're a really good attacking team."

Manager John McGlynn has been receiving plaudits for the job he's doing at Falkirk, with the promoted side in the top half of the Premiership table.

And Maloney is familiar with the Bairns boss who used to work as a scout at Celtic.

"The manager used to work here," Maloney added.

"I worked with him. Our roles weren't sort of that aligned but the work that he did for me seven, eight years ago was really appreciated.

"I was with the under-19s at the time and John went above and beyond to help me with that.

"So, a really good team. I know some of their players. Calvin Miller's had a brilliant season so far.

"And they go for it, whether they're home or away, whether or not they're against a top-three team, they'll leave it all out there.

"So really tough game but it'll be a really open game I think."

We asked for your views on whether Celtic can make it past Stuttgart in their two-legged Europa League play-off next month.

Here's what some of you said:

Andy: Celtic should be able to take on any side in the Europa League however I fear the current group of players are just not good enough. A home win is a must to have any chance in the second leg.

Paul: 23 years later Martin O'Neill gets to play Stuttgart again in Europe. You couldn't make it up, wonderful.

Michael: Could it be written in the stars for O'Neill? Stuttgart, Porto, and then maybe Nottingham Forest in the quarter-finals? A few decent signings, players returning from injury and a good dose of luck could atone for the heartbreak of 2003? Dreams can come true.

Al: We beat them en route to Seville by 3-1 on aggregate and should be confident again. Slightly more challenging circumstances with the away leg second but we showed we can compete with anyone on our day with O'Neill at the helm. If we get another three solid signings including a marquee then why can we not compete for three trophies this season?

Adolphus: We need to strengthen the squad to have any chance of going further in the Europa League.

James: The dreamer in me wants us to go on and do well, especially as the remaining teams are around the sort of level we are usually at. The realist knows that any extra games will take their toll on a depleted and underpowered squad and risk completely unravelling our season and our chances of even coming close to Champions League football next season. We need people through the door, and we need them immediately.

As Martin O'Neill confirmed that Celtic are on the brink of making their first permanent signing of January, a £6.5m deal for 23-year-old Frosinone winger Fares Ghedjemis is nearing completion. (Daily Mail), external

Celtic are quietly confident of striking a deal for Frosinone attacker Fares Ghedjemis despite the Serie B leaders being reluctant to sell and demanding at least £6m. (Daily Record), external

Celtic and Frosinone are still apart on the structure of a deal for winger Fares Ghedjemis, with the Serie B club looking for most of the £6.5m fee to be paid up front but the Scottish champions wanting a lower initial fee, while RB Salzburg have a verbal agreement with Celtic alternative Damir Redzic but are struggling to agree a deal with Dunajska Streda. (Sky Sports), external

Dunajska Streda have told clubs that they do not want to sell Damir Redzic, with Celtic, RB Salzburg and at least two other European clubs having tabled offers of around £3.5m, although the Scottish champions' immediate focus is more towards Frosinone's Fares Ghedjemis. (Daily Record), external

Celtic intend to discuss a contract extension with James Forrest provided the 34-year-old winger is still content with his current role but are also happy to allow him to move on if he is keen to seek more playing time elsewhere. (Football Insider), external

Brann head coach Freyr Alexandersson has told TV2 in Norway it is "50/50" whether reported Celtic target Felix Horn Myhre, for whom Brondby have reportedly lodged a £2.6m transfer bid, remains at the club. (Daily Record), external

Reported Celtic target Jesurun Rak-Sakyi has decided to join Stoke City on loan with an obligation to buy from Crystal Palace amid interest in the 23-year-old from Monaco. (Joe Krishnan on X), external

Kasper Hogh remains a target for Celtic and Norwich City, but a move for the 25-year-old forward in this window is looking less likely after Bodo/Glimt progressed to the Champions League knockouts. (Anthony Joseph on X), external

Read Saturday's Scottish Gossip in full.

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Celtic assistant Shaun Maloney hopes the club will make three signings between now and the January window closing on Monday (23:00 GMT).

Tomas Cvancara and Julian Araujo have joined on loan from Borussia Monchengladbach and Bournemouth respectively.

Celtic supporters have criticised the club's board for a perceived lack of investment all season and they have renewed their calls for reinforcements as the Scottish Premiership title race hots up.

Martin O'Neill's side are two points behind second-place Rangers and six points behind leaders Hearts.

Frosinone winger Fares Ghedjemis and Dunajska Streda's Hungarian forward Damir Redzic have been linked with moves to Parkhead in recent days and Maloney was asked about the state of play.

"I think the difficulty for the club is that we've obviously changed manager," Maloney said before Sunday's match against Falkirk.

"Completely changed structure to the previous guy so I understand then that there is a period where the targets completely change, so really happy with the two that we brought in.

"I think if we bring in another two or three, it would be a massive, massive help, but they have to be the right ones.

"There is no need to bring in numbers. It has to be the right type of player for what we need and what probably the team's lacking.

"The two that we brought in, I really like, but hopefully we can do two or three more.

"The work's been done. In fairness to the board, they're there and ready to try and get the deals done and hopefully that happens. It won't be through a lack of effort.

"We've had to do a lot of work in a quick period of time because of the management change but I've been really happy with the list of players that we've been given and the types of players. So, yeah, really hopeful that we can all get that done because it's not always on the board.

"There's things that we have to do. We have to speak to players, we have to get the players to sort of have a desire to come to work with us. So it's a collective really to get this done and we hope it turns out positive."

Charlotte Cohen
BBC Sport Scotland

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Celtic interim assistant manager Shaun Maloney has been speaking to the media before Sunday's Premiership match at home to Falkirk.

Here are the main points:

• On drawing Stuttgart in the Europa League play-off, Maloney says "it's a great tie" and the win over Utrecht on Thursday night "felt like a special one for us".

• He adds on Stuttgart: "It's a brilliant game, brilliant for our supporters. From probably where we were post-Midtjylland to actually qualify, the players did a brilliant job."

• Maloney, who scored against Stuttgart back in 2003 on Celtic's road to the Uefa Cup final, remembers his goal but also recalls "hanging on for dear life in the away leg".

• Maloney stresses the belief Celtic can go deep in the Europa League is "growing" given they felt their chances were "less than 50/50" before the win in Feyenoord which was "the big turning point".

• Maloney jokes his role in recruitment is "not as big as what Martin says" and suggests O'Neill "underplays his own efforts" in the process, stressing the 73-year-old "has the final say" on any transfers.

• The 43-year-old says "we are definitely trying to change parts of the recruitment process" but admits he has been "really happy" with the two new arrivals, Julian Araujo and Tomas Cvancara.

• On potential new arrivals - Celtic have been linked with Frosinone winger Fares Ghedjemis and Dunajska Streda forward Damir Redzic among others - Maloney says the players they want to bring in are "really specific" and is "hopeful" deals can be done for them, adding he "feels that deals are close".

• The coach says "bringing in another two or three would be a massive help" adding: "The work's been done, in fairness to the board they're there and ready to get deals done."

• Maloney has been really impressed by O'Neill's management style and his "ability to bring out the best of players", saying "it's been fascinating working with him" and "really enjoyable".

• On Falkirk, Maloney admits Celtic were "fortunate" to beat them 1-0 earlier this month and praised the work of his former Parkhead colleague John McGlynn at the Bairns this season.

• Team news: no fresh concerns after Thursday night.

Kheredine Idessane
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

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Arne Engels wants the Celtic squad to write "our own story" under Martin O'Neill and emulate the manager's class of 2003 by reaching the Europa League final.

Celtic will face Stuttgart over two legs for a place in the last 16 after completing the league phase with a 4-2 home win over Utrecht on Thursday night to reach the play-off round.

During O'Neill's first spell in charge, he led Celtic to the Uefa Cup final 23 years ago where they were beaten 3-2 by Porto in extra time.

With the Northern Irishman back at the helm on an interim basis, midfielder Engels is eyeing another memorable European campaign.

"We are trying to do our own story," the 22-year-old Belgian said.

"Obviously it's a really big accomplishment from him but I think we have a really good squad and hopefully we can do the same.

"It's hard, it's a big competition, but we are ready for it and you never know.

"We have still some games that we need to win to go and get that accomplishment, but let's see, we'll do everything to hopefully get there."

Domestically Celtic are facing a difficult test to retain their league title. They're currently third in the Premiership, two points behind Rangers and six off Hearts.

Having lost the League Cup final to St Mirren last month under Wilfried nancy, Celtic are still in the Scottish Cup and face Dundee in the fifth round next week.

"We have a lot of goals still to accomplish," Engels added.

"We have the title, we have the cup, we have the Europa League, so we are just focused on our own things.

"We know what to do and hopefully we can get that done in the end and it doesn't matter what other people are saying.

"We will see in the end where we are and hopefully that's with the title, the cup and we'll see [what happens] in the Europa League."

Celtic have been drawn against Stuttgart for their two-legged Europa League play-off.

Martin O'Neill's side will host the Germans in the first leg on 19 February, with the return a week later - three days before Celtic's derby trip to Ibrox.

Celtic booked their spot in the play-offs with a 4-2 win against Utrecht which secured 21st place in the league phase table.

Stuttgart, currently fifth in the Bundesliga, beat visitors Young Boys 3-2 on Thursday night to finish 11th with five wins and three defeats.

Celtic fans, what do you make of the draw? How confident are you about getting a result?

Have your say via this link

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Former Celtic goalkeeper Pat Bonner on Sportsound

It was very much a satisfying night. Four goals against Utrecht, I don't think you could ask much more from an attacking perspective.

I think Celtic were very poor defensively at times, they switched off at times. I don't think they'll get away with that when they make the next step up. They've got to be a lot more secure when they have the ball.

If they didn't get the fourth goal at the time they did I think they would have bene under a lot more pressure.

The momentum is still there from Martin [O'Neill], he's still winning games. They're not playing brilliant football but that's okay when you're winning games. I just couldn't fathom that they wouldn't sign players, they wouldn't get away with it.

BBC Scotland chief sportswriter Tom English on Sportsound

The two goals were a bit of a concern but they scored four, probably could have scored a few more and got the job done.

I wouldn't say they're powering on. This team needs re-energising and rebuilt, it needs a lot of players. They were playing a poor team, deserved to win the game, but this is not going to fool anybody.

This Celtic team needs fairly significant surgery to the starting line-up and also the bench. Celtic need more if they have aspirations to do anything in Europe and now the domestic landscape has changed.

They can't bank on domestic dominance any more. Celtic need to get busy.

Former Celtic skipper Scott Brown on TNT Sports

It's a huge achievement for everyone in the football club. There's always going to be speedbumps not matter what but it's about how you bounce back and Celtic keep bouncing back and Martin seems to be the person always in and about it.

There's a lot to play for this season and they need the fans. They need to help these lads out as much as they possibly can all the way until the end of the season.

Former Scotland forward James McFadden on BBC Sportsound

There is no doubt they need to get players in and players that are ready to play and challenge in the team.

Celtic still need a striker, I think they need a right winger and they could be doing with a bit of physicality in midfield and a right-sided centre-back.

Trusty sometimes looks brilliant and other times he doesn't, when you look at the opportunities Utrecht got it was down that side.

We asked for your thoughts after Celtic progressed to the Europa League play-offs with a 4-2 home win against Utrecht.

Here are some of your comments:

Reids: Martin O'Neill continues to squeeze the pips out of this team. Need a decent winger plus more. Adrian Blake for Utrecht showed he is a player, sign him up Celtic.

Stephen: Great result although the players are looking very jaded. Time to open the purse strings. A dominant centre-half, a midfield enforcer and a quality proven goalscorer is needed. I'm not holding my breath on the board delivering us such much-needed players.

John: I think the whole stadium got the heebie-jeebies when Utrecht made it 3-2, it was nice to see a resilience and strength from the team in to win it.

Tom: The sight of Liam Scales, Auston Trusty and others confused as to which foot to kick the ball with is happening all the time. Liam can put a 40-yard pass on a sixpence but is a complete disaster with a less than five-yard pass. I'm overjoyed with the victory but the goals conceded were totally unnecessary.

Gerry: I was at Celtic Park, a good result but a very poor and uninspiring performance. Utrecht gifted three goals and their two goals showed how poor Celtic are. Trusty's goal spared our blushes. Overall the result flattered Celtic, we need some quality signings.

Billy: Kasper Schmeichel needs to be dropped. For all the good work he does he should not be beaten from 35 yards out. He's been poor ever since the final last year against Aberdeen and costs us far too many goals. He can't be kept in the squad because of his name or who his dad is.

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• Benjamin Nygren has 20 goal contributions across all competitions for Celtic this season (14 goals, six assists), the most by any Scottish Premiership player.

• Celtic's Callum McGregor started his 66th game in major European competition for Celtic, with only Billy Bremner (76) and Peter Lorimer (73) starting more among Scottish midfielders overall.

• Celtic have now won five of their past six home games in European competition (including qualifiers) against sides from the Netherlands (L1), scoring 2+ goals in each of those victories.

• Thanks to Nygren's sixth-minute strike, Nick Viergever's 10th-minute own goal and Arne Engels' 19th-minute penalty, Celtic registered the 10th quickest Europa League 3-0 lead and their fastest in any major European match.

• With his goal, Celtic's Auston Trusty became the first American defender to net multiple goals in the same major European campaign.

Celtic are prepared to spend £6.5m on Frosinone winger Fares Ghedjemis - with Dunajska Streda's Damir Redzic a back-up in case they fail to land their top target. (Scottish Sun)

Sky Italia believe Frosinone are already chasing a replacement for Celtic target Ghedjemis, whose contract is up at the end of the season, with Davide Bragantini of Mantova in their sights. (Scottish Sun)

Crystal Palace's Jesurun Rak-Sakyi is another winger that is interesting Celtic. (Scottish Sun)

Celtic fans were left baffled as team graphic for the Utrecht game featured Cameron Carter-Vickers, who has been ruled out for the rest of the season. (Scottish Sun)

Read the rest of Friday's gossip.