Celtic set to lose Kyogo in £10m Jota swap with Tierney return imminent
What a rollercoaster of emotions Celtic fans have been on this week. A dramatic victory over Young Boys secured their return to the Champions League knockout stages for the first time since 2012 but within a few hours, reality bit as cult hero Kyogo Furuhashi’s £10m transfer to Ligue 1 strugglers Stade Rennais was all but confirmed. Photos of the Japanese international landing in France emerged with Rennes manager Jorge Sampaoli saying he hopes to see the player in action as soon as the weekend with Monaco awaiting. As the age old adage goes, every cloud has a silver lining. So it seems to be the case that this cloud has not one but two with the news that Rennes’ Jota and Arsenal’s Kieran Tierney will be making a return to Celtic Park and kick stagnating careers back into gear. With a return delayed by Storm Éowyn, the winger could be lining up for Rodgers by next week as part of a swap deal for Kyogo. Having left Glasgow for Saudi Arabia at just 23 years old, Jota’s move was lambasted by football purists. However the Portuguese youth international managed just one underwhelming year before he made his way to France where he has similarly failed to build on the promise that made him such a coveted player in the Scottish Premiership. The prodigal son returns In another bit of positive news, Kieran Tierney looks set to move back to boyhood club Celtic before the window closes. With the paperwork undergoing its final stages, the only question is whether the move is loan with a obligation to buy in the summer or an outright purchase in January. Tierney is said to have rejected moves to Bayer Leverkusen, Juventus and Seville to secure a return home in the hopes of putting a difficult few seasons behind him. Injuries have blighted his attempts to cement his place in Mikel Arterta’s plans, limiting the left-back to just five appearances all season. In Brendan Rodgers however, Tierney has a huge fan who will move heaven and earth to strengthen his side ahead of a season defining European adventure. The sooner this move is announced, the sooner both Celtic and Scotland fans can breathe a huge sigh of relief.
Storm delays Jota’s arrival
Rennes winger Jota, a fan favourite from his previous spell at Celtic, was set to fly to Glasgow last night to complete his highly anticipated return to the club but was delayed due to Storm Eowyn. The Portuguese star, known for his flair, creativity, and memorable goals during his first stint in green and white, has been a long-standing target for Celtic as they look to bolster their attacking options. His return has sparked excitement among supporters who remember his crucial contributions to the club’s domestic success. The Met Office issued a red weather warning for Scotland’s central belt, with severe conditions causing most transport links to shut down today, forcing Jota to postpone his journey. Currently training in Portugal, it’s now expected the 25-year-old will travel to Glasgow over the weekend to finalise terms and paperwork. Sky Sports News revealed yesterday that Celtic are closing in on an £8m deal to secure the winger’s return, a move that could prove pivotal as the Hoops aim to strengthen their squad for the season ahead. Fans will no doubt be eagerly awaiting official confirmation and the sight of Jota back in a Celtic shirt.
Celtic hold initial talks to sign Barry
Celtic have opened preliminary discussions regarding a potential move for winger Louie Barry, a highly-rated young talent, but Aston Villa are currently hesitant to part ways with him. The Premier League side is keen to hold onto Barry and have even offered him a new contract in a bid to secure his future at Villa Park. While Villa would prefer to retain the 20-year-old and loan him out to further develop his skills, Barry is attracting interest from a number of Championship clubs and several sides abroad. His potential has caught the eye of many, with Celtic one of the teams looking to add him to their ranks for the upcoming season. Barry, who has impressed in spells away on loan, was recalled from his loan at Stockport County earlier this month for Villa manager Unai Emery to take a closer look at his progress. The Spanish boss is keen to assess Barry’s readiness for first-team football, but it remains to be seen whether the young winger will remain with Villa or seek more regular playing time elsewhere. As negotiations continue, Celtic will be hoping to land the talented forward, though they face competition from other suitors as Villa’s decision on his future hangs in the balance. Source: Sky Sports Football
Bruno Fernandes Seals Dramatic Late Win for Manchester United Over Rangers
Bruno Fernandes scored a stoppage-time winner for Manchester United as they overcame Rangers 2-1 at Old Trafford. The late goal came after Cyriel Dessers’ dramatic equaliser in the 88th minute, which had briefly given the Scottish club hope of a vital point. Rangers’ forward Dessers produced a stunning moment, outmuscling Harry Maguire to score a brilliant goal and cancel out Jack Butland’s earlier own goal. However, Fernandes responded swiftly, volleying home with precision to secure victory for United. The result sees Manchester United climb to fourth in the Europa League standings. Despite their Premier League struggles, Ruben Amorim’s side remains unbeaten in Europe after seven fixtures. A win away to Steaua Bucharest next week will secure a top-eight finish, bypassing the play-off round. Rangers, sitting in 13th place, are almost certain to feature in the play-offs. Amorim: “It was a good victory” “We didn’t deserve the draw; I think it was fair for us to win the game. It was just a victory that we truly needed in this moment.” Speaking to TNT Sports, Amorim added: “We played well. There was more connection with the ball and good speed. We lost control of the game for seven minutes because of small, bad decisions. Even when we conceded Rangers’ goal, we were so close to scoring the second and missed so many chances. But we recovered, and it was a good victory.” He acknowledged the team’s ongoing challenges: “We are not playing our best; we are far from that. But we improved from the last game. The opponent is different, the speed is different, everything is different. But they tried, you can see it again – the connections, the movement, some play – and we did well considering the time we’ve had to train. We need to be more clinical in the right moments. That can help us a lot.” Clement: “Everybody is gutted” Rangers boss Philippe Clement expressed his disappointment but praised his players’ efforts: “I saw everybody gutted in the dressing room, disappointed that we lost after playing that kind of game. I am also [disappointed], clearly, because we wanted to win and take the points we deserved.” However, Clement highlighted his pride in the team’s performance: “I am also proud of what the team did today – sticking to the plan, following the tactics, and with all the young players coming on the pitch. The team stayed compact, well-organised, and brave on the ball. We created enough chances. In the first half, we created the best opportunity. We went behind but did not stop believing and playing for the goal, so it is very disappointing to concede at the end.” Man Utd vs Rangers: Player Ratings Manchester United: Bayindir (7), De Ligt (6), Martinez (7), Yoro (6), Amad (7), Collyer (7), Eriksen (7), Dalot (6), Fernandes (7), Garnacho (7), Zirkzee (5). Subs Used: Maguire (5), Malacia (6), Ugarte (6), Mainoo (6), Højlund (6). Rangers: Butland (4), Tavernier (7), Propper (7), Balogun (6), Jefte (5), Barron (6), Raskin (7), Ridvan (6), Bajrami (6), Cerny (7), Igamane (6). Subs Used: Rice (6), McCausland (6), Curtis (6), Dessers (7).