Celtic

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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

Manager Martin O'Neill says Celtic "are definitely making moves" in the transfer market, with the manager hoping to bring Julian Araujo and Kelechi Iheanacho back to the club while admitting some players will have to move on. (Record, external)

Celtic, Burnley and Wolverhampton Wanderers are among clubs interested in signing 20-year-old Utrecht forward Adrian Blake, who is valued at £2.5m. (Amar Mehta on X, external)

Tjark Ernst will sign for Feyenoord as Celtic's hunt for a new goalkeeper goes on after the Dutch club met Hertha Berlin's £4.2m release clause. (Record, external)

Wednesday's Scottish gossip

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New Celtic striker Camilo Duran scored on his debut as Martin O'Neill's side were beaten 4-1 by Sporting Lisbon in a pre-season friendly.

The 24-year-old, who is the Glasgow club's only summer signing so far, was named on the bench but was introduced for the final half an hour in Portugal.

Callum Osmand, who spent much of last season on the sidelines with an injury, started up top for O'Neill's men. Central defender Cameron Carter-Vickers, who also missed most of last term through injury, was named in the starting XI.

There were also starts for fringe players Paulo Bernardo and Michel-Ange Balikwisha while centre-back Maik Nawrocki, who spent last season on loan with German side Hannover 96, also featured.

Meanwhile, striker Shin Yamada has joined Belgian Pro League side OH Leuven on a season-long loan.

The 26-year-old joined Celtic from Japanese outfit Kawasaki Frontale in the summer of 2025 but has made just 11 appearances for the Glasgow club.

Celtic are the reigning Premiership champions, but optimism around Parkhead is in short supply.

Charlotte Cohen is joined by Herald sports writer Stephen McGowan and Celtic supporter Asim Rabbani to discuss a dramatic title triumph, the emotional final-day victory over Hearts and why many supporters remain deeply frustrated despite ending last season on top.

The panel examine Martin O'Neill's return for another year, concerns over recruitment, the lack of transfer activity ahead of a crucial Champions League qualifier and uncertainty surrounding several key players.

There's also discussion around Callum McGregor's future, the influence of decision-makers behind the scenes and whether Celtic have learned the lessons from previous transfer windows.

After winning the league in dramatic fashion, can the champions build on success or are familiar problems threatening to hold them back?

Listen: From euphoria to uncertainty at Celtic

Daizen Maeda has reiterated his strong desire to play in the Premier League amid speculation about the 28-year-old Japan forward's future with Celtic. (Pivot, external)

Nottingham Forest have submitted the first official offer of the summer for Celtic midfielder Arne Engels, while Roma are reportedly planning a bid and Villarreal are the latest to express an interest in the 22-year-old. (Voetbal Krant, external)

Manager Martin O'Neill is not aware of any fresh approach from Nottingham Forest for Arne Engels but says Kelechi Iheanacho has been offered a new contract by Celtic, who are waiting for an answer from the 29-year-old striker. (Scottish Sun, external)

Kelechi Iheanacho is weighing up the terms of a new contract offered by Celtic, but the Nigeria striker has other offers. (Anthony Joseph on X, external)

Celtic want to sign Haissem Hassan on a four-year contract and are prepared to offer between £6 and £6.8m for the 24-year-old Egypt winger, while Real Oviedo are insisting on £10.2m but are open to negotiation. (Christian Vaquero on X, external)

Wolfsberger president Dietmar Riegler says they are yet to receive any offers for Nikolas Polster amid reported interest from Celtic in the 24-year-old goalkeeper. (Krone via Daily Record, external)

Lecce are close to signing 18-year-old Celtic striker Filip Skorb, although Sturm Graz are also interested in the Poland Under-19 international, according to reports in Italy. (Daily Record, external)

Read Tuesday's Scottish Gossip in full.

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Nick McPheat
BBC Sport Scotland

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Ross Grant has reflected on a "surreal" start to life at Celtic and detailed what his role as a set-piece coach entails.

A lifelong fan of the Parkhead club, Grant has joined Martin O'Neill's backroom team after a year at Hearts, where he had a significant impact on their title push.

Celtic ultimately denied the Tynecastle side a historic Scottish Premiership triumph before going on to lift the Scottish Cup.

Despite that domestic success, Grant is confident he can enhance the team's level by making improvements from dead-ball scenarios.

Speaking on the Official Celtic Podcast, he explained how his role is "heavy on analysis", not just of Celtic but of opposition sides, "seeing where we can get success" and looking at "where other teams can get success against us".

"A lot of stuff I can do is also built into the style of play," he adds. "There still has to be an element of speed and intensity to the game."

So what does that look like for a team like Celtic?

Being a side that dominates possession for the majority of domestic games, Grant referenced not allowing teams "to rest when we get a set-play".

He also touched on using "creativity and innovation" to make the most of set-pieces, though not making "radical changes" but instead giving "clarity to roles" and "a little bit of simplicity".

His influence at Hearts last term was clear. In his only season in Gorgie, a third of the team's league goals came from set-pieces, while no side managed a higher tally than their total of 23.

And the Celtic fan, who is now working with O'Neill after watching him guide his boyhood heroes to domestic honours and a Uefa Cup final, is determined he can replicate that success at the club he has supported all his life.

Celtic manager Martin O'Neill is resigned to losing 28-year-old Japan forward Daizen Maeda and 22-year-old Belgian midfielder Arne Engels this summer. (Daily Record, external)

Martin O'Neill would love to keep Daizen Maeda at Celtic this summer and allow him to run down the final year of his contract, as club legend Henrik Larsson did more than two decades ago. (The Herald, external)

Martin O'Neill plans to have a discussion with Celtic captain Callum McGregor about his future after the midfielder switched agents amid reports of interest from other clubs in the 33-year-old. (Glasgow Times, external)

Kelechi Iheanacho is training beside Newcastle United and Denmark striker William Osula at the Seedorf Football Academy in Manchester with Celtic manager Martin O'Neill saying he is still interested in re-signing the 29-year-old forward. (Scottish Sun, external)

Negotiations between Feyenoord and current club Hertha Berlin regarding the transfer of goalkeeper Tjark Ernst are progressing, with Celtic and Wolfsburg also interested in the 23-year-old goalkeeper. (Kicker, external)

Brondby sporting director Julius Ohnesorge has admitted they are open to selling Benjamin Tahirovic but says there has been no approach from Celtic for the 23-year-old midfielder. (The National, external)

Millwall have entered the race for Celtic striker Johnny Kenny with Bolton Wanderers also interested in signing the 23-year-old on a permanent basis after helping them win promotion to the Championship while on loan. (Alan Nixon on Patreon, external)

Read Monday's Scottish Gossip in full.

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Celtic are interested in making a move for 22-year-old Manchester United goalkeeper Radek Vitek this summer. (Football Insider, external)

Reims are open to selling Mory Gbane amid concrete interest in the 27-year-old midfielder from Celtic, Trabzonspor and West Ham United. (Foot Mercato, external)

Celtic's chances of signing 24-year-old Egypt forward Haissem Hassan are improving as Real Oviedo prepare to accept a lower offer for his services. (Football Insider, external)

Celtic face competition from Argentine club Estudiantes de La Plata to land 28-year-old left-back Marcelo Saracchi, who has been placed on the transfer list by Boca Juniors after his loan spell with the Scottish champions. (Herald - subscription required, external)

Fulham have agreed to sign 16-year-old Celtic winger Erskine Rennie, with the Scottish academy product set to cost £100,000 in compensation. (Sky Sports, external)

Sunday's Scottish gossip

Celtic manager Martin O'Neill says the club's chief executive Michael Nicholson "has spoken to" the agent of striker Kelechi Iheanacho, and "it's the same with" left-back Marcelo Saracchi, with both having been in Glasgow last season and linked with a return. (Daily Record, external)

Boca Juniors have put Uruguay international Saracchi, 28, up for sale. (Sun, external)

But O'Neill is not drawn on speculated Celtic interest in Reims midfielder Mory Gbane, 25. (Glasgow Times, external)

Saturday's Scottish football gossip

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Prospective signing Camilo Duran, 24, has been pictured training with Celtic in Portugal, with the Qarabag winger expected to complete a move to Martin O'Neill's side soon. (The Herald - subscription required, external)

The embassy of Azerbaijan in London has congratulated Qarabag on the record transfer of Camilo Duran to Celtic, with the Scottish champions yet to confirm the signing. (Scottish Sun, external)

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Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain says he is relishing the prospect of a "proper season" at Celtic after agreeing to stay on with the Scottish champions.

The 32-year-old former Arsenal and Liverpool midfielder initially joined Martin O'Neill's side on a short-term deal in February.

Having been out of action for nine months, Oxlade-Chamberlain played 550 minutes over 12 appearances, scoring twice.

"I'm just delighted that it's been able to get done and excited to come in at the start of this season to feel like I've got a proper season with the boys and a pre-season," he said in a club media interview.

Oxlade-Chamberlain enjoyed league and Scottish Cup celebrations in May, with Celtic overhauling long-time leaders Hearts on the final day to defend their Premiership title before beating Dunfermline Athletic at Hampden.

"I just think the whole experience," he said when asked why he wanted to experience another campaign in Scotland. "It wasn't straightforward at all for us for the back end of that season and how exciting it was. Obviously a dream ending for us all.

"I really liked the changing room, the lads, the manager, the coaching staff. I really enjoyed the challenge the whole time.

"And then it was just a no-brainer for me. Just the fans and how special it was to see that and feel that and be a part of that. I was just delighted and really excited to be able to try and do that for one more year."