Celtic

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Cameron Carter-Vickers played his first game since picking up an Achilles injury in October as Celtic drew 1-1 with Shelbourne in their first public pre-season friendly.

The injury picked up by the 28-year-old United States centre-half in a Europa League win over Sturm Graz meant he missed the World Cup as well as Celtic's Scottish league and cup double.

"At first, I just thought I had a bit of cramp in my calf," Carter-Vickers told Celtic TV.

"Pretty soon after that, when the physios saw it, they thought it was a rupture in the Achilles, which it turned out to be. Obviously at that point, you know it's going to be a long-term injury.

"For me, it was just about understanding that's the situation you're in and just working towards getting back in the best shape and the best way possible.

"It was just about not getting too far ahead of yourself and kind of chasing small gains and being happy with small gains. I was in a cast for three weeks then a boot for eight."

Carter-Vickers played the first half of the friendly against the side currently sitting fifth in the League of Ireland Premier Division.

Maik Nawrocki, who has returned from his loan from Hannover, was among the second-half replacements.

Former Grimsby Town midfielder Harry Wood gave Shelbourne the lead from the penalty spot with just two minutes remaining.

However, there was still time for Shin Yamada, the forward who has returned from his loan to Preußen Münster, to equalise from a spot kick.

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Celtic have agreed to pay the asking fee for Qarabag's Colombian winger Camilo Duran, 24. (Futbol Info - in Azerbaijani, external)

Tuesday's Scottish gossip

Independiente are considering a move for Marcelo Saracchi after Boca Juniors rejected Celtic's approach to take the 28-year-old left-back on a second loan spell, according to sources in Argentina. (Record, external)

Hertha Berlin head coach Stefan Leitl reveals it was always planned for Tjark Ernst to miss their 15-0 friendly match victory in Frohnau, but the 23-year-old goalkeeper is scheduled to play in Lichtenberg on Wednesday despite Celtic and Feyenoord being prepared to trigger his £4.3m release clause. (Bild, external)

Sandefjord are poised to sell Zinedin Smajlovic for a club record £5.1m to Olympiacos having rejected a £3.5m offer from Celtic for the 22-year-old central defender. (Expressen via Glasgow Times, external)

Monday's Scottish gossip

Celtic are interested in striker Tobias Lauritsen, who has left Sparta Rotterdam, along with Leicester City, while Sampdoria are actively pursuing the 28-year-old, according to Il Secolo XIX. (Martin Crawford on X), external

Celtic plan to open talks with Anthony Ralston over a new contract with the 27-year-old Scotland right-back entering the final year of his current deal. (Daily Record, external)

Camilo Duran's agent arrived in Scotland on Saturday for talks with Celtic to seal a transfer from Qarabag and a multi-year contract for the 24-year-old striker. (George Tsarouchas on X, external)

Orgryte sports director Pontus Farnerud has admitted there is interest in Celtic-linked defender Michael Parker but refused to confirm an offer has been made for the 21-year-old who is valued at £1.5m. (The Herald), external

Read Sunday's Scottish Gossip in full.

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Celtic are holding fresh talks with Qarabag as they look to make 24-year-old forward Camilo Duran their first summer signing after an initial £1.7m deal was rejected. (Daily Record, external)

Qarabag are looking for a fee of around £3m for their forward, Camilo Duran, and they and Celtic are hopeful of reaching an agreement. (Anthony Joseph on X, external)

Celtic have agreed a new one-year contract for 32-year-old midfielder Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, who was weighing up options at a number of clubs in Europe. (TeamTalk, external)

Celtic are plotting a move to sign 21-year-old Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Alfie Devine, who impressed on loan at Preston North End last season. (Football Insider, external)

Doncaster Rovers have made a move for Josh Clarke despite the 21-year-old goalkeeper having agreed a pre-contract to join Partick Thistle at the end of his Celtic deal. (Daily Record, external)

Celtic have beaten off major English competition to sign 16-year-old goalkeeper Warren Lyall on his first professional contract from Dundee, who will be due compensation. (Daily Record, external)

Celtic have signed 16-year-old Cliftonville defender Shea McGarry, who has already made three senior appearances. (Daily Record, external)

Read Saturday's Scottish Gossip in full.

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Celtic are now favourites to sign Las Palmas goalkeeper Dinko Horkas after tabling an offer close to £3.5m for the 27-year-old. (George Tsarouchas on X, external)

Reo Hatate has confirmed he is keen to leave Celtic this summer in pursuit of a move to one of Europe's top leagues after the 30-year-old midfielder missed out on selection for Japan's World Cup squad. (Fergus, external)

Benjamin Nygren has refused to fully commit his future to Celtic following Sweden's World Cup exit, the 24-year-old midfielder replying "we'll see" when asked where he will be playing next season. (Göteborgs-Posten, external)

Torino hold Gvidas Gineitis in high regard but would consider allowing the Celtic-linked 22-year-old midfielder to leave should they receive a bid higher than £8.6m. (Tuttomercatoweb, external)

Saint Etienne have reached an agreement with Go Ahead Eagles for the transfer of Jakob Breum, with the 22-year-old Celtic-linked midfielder agreeing a four-year contract pending a medical with the French club who now have Ian Cathro as head coach. (Sebastien Denis on X, external)

Feyenoord could be set to beat Celtic to the signing of goalkeeper Tjark Ernst after meeting the 23-year-old goalkeeper's £4m release clause with Hertha Berlin. (Daily Record, external)

Read Friday's Scottish Gossip in full.

Martin Watt
BBC Sport Scotland

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Celtic fans' patience is being tested to the limit as new signings remain conspicuous by their absence.

The club heralded another new strip on Thursday morning - the 'stadium range' is their third kit release of the summer - and the comments from supporters on social media were predictably pointed in clamouring for fresh faces.

Interim chairman Brian Wilson's vow three weeks ago, shortly after Martin O'Neill's confirmation as permanent boss, that Celtic were primed to be "very active" with their recruitment has yet to come to pass.

There have been plenty of outgoings. All six of last season's loan recruits have left, so have out-of-contract players Kasper Schmeichel, Kelechi Iheanacho and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, while Luis Palma, Stephen Welsh and Hayato Inamura have found new clubs.

Vital players - the likes of Daizen Maeda, Arne Engels and possibly even captain Callum McGregor - could well go too.

It is not just a pruning of the squad O'Neill has to undertake, it is a major revamp. Almost every position requires strengthening. And despite last season's success, it is a squad crying out for more quality.

Celtic's record in recent transfer windows has been patchy and often left to a late dash as the deadline looms. Have they learned from those mistakes?

The league and Scottish Cup double triumph under O'Neill quelled unrest between fans and board, but discontent is bubbling away as the club's transfer inaction continues.

Celtic have placed 27-year-old Las Palmas goalkeeper Dinko Horkas on their transfer shortlist. (Josh McCafferty on X, external)

Horkas will not be signing for Celtic after Las Palmas president Miguel Angel Ramirez said they intend to retain the keeper. (Record, external)

Celtic, Eintracht Frankfurt and Stuttgart are bidding for 21-year-old Rayo Vallecano defender Nobel Mendy. (Michael Shearer on X, external)

Sources close to Mendy say Celtic have not made any contact with Rayo Vallecano and that the Senegalese defender has better options in the Premier League. (Ryan McDonald on X, external)

Marcelo Saracchi was told he does not feature in head coach Rodolfo Arruabarrena's plans on his first day of pre-season at Boca Juniors following the 28-year-old left-back's loan to Celtic. (Herald - subscription required, external)

Bursaspor have joined Vasco De Gama in expressing interest in Kelechi Iheanacho after Celtic failed to trigger a 12-month contract extension for the 29-year-old striker. (Record, external)

Motherwell striker Tawanda Maswanhise is attracting interest from clubs around Europe, including Anderlecht and Celtic, but no approach has yet been made for the 23-year-old. (Anthony Joseph on X, external)

Thursday's Scottish gossip

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Celtic may make a move for Torino's Lithuania midfielder Gvidas Gineitis, 22, as a replacement for Belgium international Arne Engels, 22, who is being tracked by Crystal Palace, Nottingham Forest and Roma. (Sun), external

Bids are expected for Celtic's Japan forward Daizen Maeda, 28. (Scotsman - subscription required), external

Wednesday's Scottish gossip

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Daizen Maeda says the World Cup "made me realise that I can't stay at my current level" after the Celtic forward suffered last-32 disappointment as Japan were knocked out following a 2-1 defeat by Brazil.

A transfer from the Scottish champions to Wolfsburg reportedly fell through late in last summer's transfer window for the 28-year-old.

And there are likely to be more admiring glances after he started his third game out of four at the finals in the United States, having scored in the 1-1 draw with Sweden that concluded the group stage.

"I personally feel that I need to keep improving and take another step forward," Maeda was quoted as saying by Sky Sports after the loss to Brazil.

"It made me realise that I can't stay at my current level and that I need to become a better player."

Maeda had also finished the club season on a high, scoring in Celtic's final seven games of the season, nine goals in all, and believes he can "return to Japan with my head held high" after the World Cup.

"We fought a great game, but the opponent was strong and I think we still have a long way to go," he added.

"Of course, we had the feeling that we could do it, but Brazil is just so skilled and powerful and we ended up spending a lot of time defending.

"I think it was just a matter of time before they scored, to be honest, but what we've done up until now remains unchanged.

"What we have built together over these past three and a half years since the Qatar World Cup, together with the players, staff, family, fans and supporters, is something I am very proud of. But I apologise for the defeat."

Wolfsburg have reached an agreement with Hertha Berlin to sign goalkeeper Tjark Ernst, but the German club are waiting for the 23-year-old to make a decision amid rival interest from Celtic and Ajax. (Wolfsburger Allgemeine Zeitung, external)

Read Monday's Scottish Gossip in full.

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Celtic have added former Hearts coach Ross Grant to Martin O'Neill's coaching staff for the upcoming campaign.

Having already confirmed the return of Shaun Maloney and Mark Fotheringham to O'Neill's backroom team, the club say Grant will have a particular focus on set piece analysis and coaching.

The lifelong Celtic fan joins the Scottish champions from last season's title rivals Hearts where he was an important part of their coaching team as they finished second in the top flight.

Manager Martin O'Neill told club media: "I am really pleased to welcome Ross to our backroom staff, I know he is a highly rated coach and look forward to working with him."

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Celtic face transfer competition for £6m-rated Borussia Dortmund winger Cole Campbell, with newly-promoted Bundesliga side Elversberg interested in the 20-year-old. (Glasgow Times), external

Celtic have set a club record selling price for midfielder Arne Engels, with Roma now linked with the Belgian. (Football Italia via The National), external

Turkish clubs have submitted offers to Kelechi Iheanacho now that the option to extend his Celtic stay has expired. (AllNigeriaSoccer.com), external

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Celtic remain keen on Zambia midfielder Miguel Chaiwa and would consider a £5m bid for the 22-year-old but are unwilling to meet the reported £7m price tag set by Hibernian. (Football Insider), external

Celtic are expected to submit a new offer for Sandefjord centre-half Zinedin Smajlovic after a £3.5m bid for the Bosnia-Herzegovina international was rejected. (Football Insider), external

The option for Celtic to sign Kelechi Iheanacho for another season has expired, with the striker training on his own in Nigeria. (Scottish Sun), external

Former striker Chris Sutton is frustrated by the lack of transfer activity at Celtic, saying "it's just a mess". (The Warm-up podcast), external

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Hayato Inamura has officially left Celtic to join Tokyo on a permanent basis.

The left-back joined Celtic for an undisclosed fee from Albirex Niigata last summer but only made one appearance, in a 3-0 win over Livingston, before returning to Japan on loan with Tokyo in January.

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Celtic pair Auston Trusty and Daizen Maeda were on target at the World Cup as USA and Japan look forward to the round of 32.

Centre-half Trusty scored his first international goal when he fired the co-hosts in front against Turkey after just two minutes, but the eliminated Turks restored some pride, scoring in stoppage time to win 3-2.

Trusty, who started at left-back in Los Angeles, was carried off after going over on his ankle late in the game, but, with the USA having used all of their substitutes, was able to return.

USA, who won their two previous matches, will meet Bosnia-Herzegovina next, while Japan have set up a meeting with Brazil after finishing runners-up in Group F.

Maeda finished off a sweeping move on 55 minutes to give Japan a 1-0 lead over Sweden in Dallas.

However, the Swedes, featuring Celtic's Benjamin Nygren as a late replacement, levelled through Anthony Elanga to make sure of their progress as a third-placed team on four points.

Sweden are now scheduled to play the winners of Group I, either France or Norway.

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Celtic have opened talks to re-sign Marcelo Saracchi, but the 28-year-old left-back does not want another loan and the deal depends on the Scottish champions matching Boca Juniors' £1.3m asking price. (Josh McCafferty on X), external

Former defender Charlie Mulgrew is concerned by the lack of transfer activity at Celtic and reckons the champions need at least six new signings. (Scottish Sun), external