German Giants RB Leipzig targeting Celtic star Arne Engels in deal worth £11 million
Arne Engels could potentially return to Germany after his big move from Augsburg to Celtic in the summer of 2024 Engels joined Celtic in a deal that was worth a staggering £11 million and is Celtic’s record transfer fee as of today. Leipzig sit fifth in the Bundesliga and are just off the back of a 5-1 defeat to German champions Bayern Munich, however, The Red Bulls are reportedly interested in strengthening their squad and bringing the Belgian international to their side. Engels hasn’t been able to please all supporters in his time in a green and white jersey, and coming to Parkhead being the record signing, supporters expect you to hit the ground running immediately. He has registered 14 goals and 18 assists in his 85 appearances for the club, but some supporters may have expected a little bit more from him so far. With the Scottish Premiership race for the title tight, Martin O’ Neill will understand that keeping a hold of players that can make a difference in this title challenge is vital. However, reports from Germany state that Engels isn’t the only player Leipzig have eyes on, AC Milan’s Ardon Jashari is another target. But reports also declare that a move for these 2 players will only happen if a deal for Borussia Mönchengladbach’s Rocco Reitz is unable to happen. And there are claims that RB Leipzig may be reluctant to see this one through, as his release clause is understood to just be under the £25 million mark. Engels has also made 4 first team appearances with the Belgian National Team, but recently he hasn’t been able to be impress Rudi Garcia enough to get himself called up. With a World Cup just around the corner, Engels will be looking to give himself the best opportunity to get on that plane to North America come June. Will a potential move away from Parkhead give him the best chance?
Liam Morrison joins Aberdeen on-loan until the end of the season
Aberdeen have completed the signing of QPR defender, Liam Morrison on loan until the end of the campaign Liam Morrison makes a return to Scotland, joining Aberdeen as he eyes up a spot in Steve Clarke’s World Cup squad in America with the 22-year-old hoping for some minutes elsewhere. Morrison began his youth career at Ibrox before he made the move across the city to rivals, Celtic. Liam impressed within the Celtic academy at a young age which earnt the defender a move to German giants, Bayern Munich. The former Celtic man failed to make it into the Bayern Munich first-team, only making it as far as the Bayern Munich second team. Morrison went on loan to English League One side Wigan Athletic where the Scottish centre-back featured 30 for Wigan netting the one time also before completing a move to English Championship outfit, QPR making 31 appearances with 0 goals to his name. Liam has been at the end of a muscle injury of late and has only started to get back going again. Morrison hasn’t featured for the London side since the 29th of December in a 2-1 defeat against West Brom and was also an unused substitute against Norwich on New Years Day. The move to Pittodrie should gain the Ex-Bayern Munich youngster some valuable game time as the defender eyes up a spot on the plane to the USA this summer.
Scotland Confirm Two Friendlies for World Cup 2026 Preparation
Scotland will host Japan and Curacao at Barclays Hampden, as part of the squad’s preparation for the World Cup this summer. Hajime Moriyasu’s Japanese side is currently ranked 19th in the FIFA World Rankings, and will face the Scots on Saturday, 28th March (5 pm). They became the first country to qualify for the 2026 tournament after defeating Bahrain in their qualification campaign. Curacao became the smallest nation to qualify for the biggest stage and join Group E alongside Germany, Ivory Coast, and Ecuador. Dick Advocaat’s side will partake in the final Hampden send-off for Scotland, on Saturday, 30th May (1 pm). Scotland manager Steve Clarke was “delighted’ to confirm the news while speaking on the Scotland National Team’s website “Following our normal approach of arranging tough friendly fixtures, we were pleased to secure the visit of Japan, who are in the top 20 of FIFA’s World Rankings. “We’re also looking forward to welcoming Curacao to Glasgow, which should give us a feel for the CONCACAF federation before our game against Haiti. “It will be great to meet up with the squad for the first time since that crazy, momentous night, when they took us back to the World Cup after such a long time. “We can spend the first day reminiscing, but then it’s back to the serious business of preparing for the summer.”
