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David Willey leads from front with bat before regular wickets undermine hosts’ chase

ECB Reporters Network supported by Rothesay08-Jun-2025

Lloyd Pope helped close out victory for the visitors•Luke Adams

Northamptonshire Steelbacks maintained their 100% start in this year’s Vitality Blast when they defeated Lancashire Lightning by 24 runs at Emirates Old Trafford to make it five wins in succession.Having posted 180 for 6, in which skipper David Willey top-scored with 37, the visitors produced a determined display in the field, George Scrimshaw leading the way with career-best T20 figures of 4 for 19 from his four overs, as Lancashire ended on 156 for 9.The prize wicket of Liam Livingstone, who was playing his first match after his IPL triumph, was claimed by Lloyd Pope who finished with 2 for 27. Having won their first three T20 games, Lancashire have now lost two on the trot, both at homeBoth the batters to depart in Lancashire’s powerplay were caught at mid-on off James Anderson, whose first three overs cost 21 runs. Matthew Breetzke was pouched by Chris Green for 9 and Ricardo Vasconcelos by Ashton Turner for a 15-ball 32.But the four fours and two sixes hit by Vasconcelos reflected the pace of scoring at the other end and the Steelbacks were 57 for 2 after six overs. Lancashire enjoyed another success two overs later when Justin Broad was caught behind off Jack Blatherwick for 13 which left the visitors on 70 for 3, leaving Willey and Ravi Bopara with the task of rebuilding the innings while maintaining an aggressive approach.The experienced duo managed this with a stand of 60 in seven overs before both were dismissed in the space of six balls. Having made 28, Bopara lofted Anderson to Blatherwick on the cover boundary and Willey was caught by Jennings at cover off Livingstone for 37.Undaunted by these reverses, Saif Zaib and Lewis McManus put on 42 in 24 balls before McManus fell to Livingstone in the final over for an enterprising 28. At the same time, the Steelbacks’ final total of 180 for 6 seemed about par on a good wicket.Livingstone finished with 2 for 35 from four overs although Luke Wells was also impressive, conceding 23 runs from his four wicketless overs. Anderson took 3 for 31 but, rather puzzlingly, the England slow-left-armer, Tom Hartley, was not required to bowl.The in-form Ben Sanderson and his captain, Willey, ensured Lancashire’s reply got off to a poor start by dismissing Wells and Keaton Jennings inside the first 13 balls of the innings and although Matty Hurst and Livingstone hit four sixes in seven balls, Northamptonshire struck another blow in the powerplay when Hurst skied Luke Procter’s first ball to long stop was caught for 17, Scrimshaw running across from third man to take the catch.The Australian legspinner Pope took the vital wicket of Livingstone in the next over when the IPL winner with Royal Challengers Bangalore pulled him straight to Vasconcelos at midwicket and departed for 18.Pope took his second wicket when he had Turner caught down the leg side by McManus for 23 and with seven overs left to be bowled Lancashire needed another 76 runs to win. That task immediately became harder when Green skied Scrimshaw to Willey on 15.Michael Jones tried to salvage the game but he fell to Scrimshaw for 32 when he was caught by Breetzke who took three catches in the innings and also dropped two. With the outcome of the game all but certain, the final few overs of the match were anti-climactic.

There was a lot made of what Celtic did and did not do in the final days of the summer transfer window, which officially slammed shut last Monday.

The Hoops were unable to sign a new centre-forward to bolster the squad, despite allowing Adam Idah to sign for Swansea for £7m, on deadline day.

This meant that the Scottish Premiership champions had to swoop for Kelechi Iheanacho on a free transfer the following day, after Sevilla terminated his contract early.

Whilst supporters will want to focus on who came in, and who did not, there also needs to be an appreciation of the players who moved on from the club, including Nicolas Kuhn.

Celtic’s model revolves around bringing in and developing young players to sell them on for a profit, but they then need to find replacements for those players to ensure that the team does not suffer as a result.

Matt O’Riley left the Scottish giants to sign for Brighton & Hove Albion last year and his move away from Glasgow left a gaping hole in the middle of the park.

Why Matt O'Riley's exit was a big blow for Celtic

The left-footed star took his game to the next level under Brendan Rodgers in the 2023/24 campaign after Ange Postecoglou moved down south to join Tottenham Hotspur.

O’Riley, who now plays for Marseille, only scored seven goals in 54 appearances in the Premiership for the Australian head coach, but did deliver 15 assists in that time.

This shows that he was a creative midfielder who did not offer a significant threat as a goalscorer from the middle of the park prior to Rodgers’ return to Parkhead in the summer of 2023.

O’Riley stepped up his game in the final third in the 2023/24 campaign, though, with a return of 18 goals in the Premiership to lead the Hoops to the title.

Sofascore rating

7.91

1st

Goals

18

1st

Assists

13

1st

Big chances created

14

1st

Key passes per game

2.5

1st

As you can see in the table above, the Denmark international was a pivotal part of Rodgers’ team because he was the main threat in the final third as both a scorer and a creator of goals.

This is why his move to Brighton last summer was a big blow because the Scottish giants lost a star who could deliver goals and assists at an exceptional rate.

O’Riley’s ability to score goals, in particular, was important for Celtic because it took some of the pressure off the forward players, which is exactly what the team need right now with their issues in the centre-forward department.

Kelechi Iheanacho only scored four goals in all competitions last season, per Sofascore, whilst Hyun-jun Yang and James Forrest have combined for six league goals since the start of last term.

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This is why there may be more of an emphasis on the midfielders needing to step up and score goals for Rodgers this season, and they may have their next Matt O’Riley already brewing at Parkhead.

The Celtic star who could be the new Matt O'Riley

Celtic broke their transfer record to sign Arne Engels from Augsburg for a fee of £11m last summer to ‘replace’ O’Riley, and he did not have a bad first season in Glasgow by any means.

The Belgium international delivered ten goals and 13 assists in all competitions, per Transfermarkt, which is a very respectable return for a central midfielder, but there was a lack of goals from open play.

Arne Engels

21

2

Reo Hatate

24

9

Callum McGregor

29

8

Luke McCowan

12

5

Paulo Bernardo

11

2

As you can see in the table above, Engels ranked joint-bottom alongside Paulo Bernardo for non-penalty goals in the Celtic midfield last season in the Premiership.

This is why it is Benjamin Nygren who could be the next O’Riley in the making at Parkhead, not Engels, because the summer signing has the potential to deliver a huge goal threat from midfield for the Hoops.

The Sweden international arrived in Glasgow from Nordsjaelland after an impressive haul of 16 goals and four assists in 32 appearances in all competitions for the Danish outfit last season, per Transfermarkt.

Whilst Nygren is more versatile than O’Riley, having played the bulk of his minutes on the right flank, he did score four of those 16 goals in his six appearances as either an attacking or central midfield player.

Since making the move to Parkhead, the Swedish star has mainly played in a central midfield role in the 4-3-3 set-up, and showcased his knack for goals from a central position with his strike against Aberdeen.

The left-footed star has scored three goals in four Premiership matches to date, per Sofascore, and only one of his 19 goals for Nordsjaelland and Celtic since the start of last season came from the penalty spot.

His Sweden teammate Alexander Isak, now of Liverpool, described him as a “fearless” star who plays with “confidence”, which has already been clear to see during his short time with the Hoops.

Nygren takes risks with the ball, losing the ball 19 times per game, He wants to progress his team up the pitch. He wants to take shots and create chances, averaging three key passes per game in the Premiership, per Sofascore.

His impact from a central midfield and a right wing position has been impressive, and his form in Denmark suggests that it is sustainable as well.

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Therefore, the 24-year-old star may be the next O’Riley for Rodgers as a central midfield star who has the potential to go and score 15 to 20 goals in the Premiership this season if he can remain consistent with his performances.

Tottenham were dealt a hammer blow on Wednesday evening, after Crystal Palace star Eberechi Eze pulled a seismic Spurs transfer U-turn.

Eze was all set to join Thomas Frank, agreeing personal terms, and Tottenham also struck a deal in principle with Palace.

It seemed a matter of when, not if, Eze would become Spurs’ third major signing of the window after Mathys Tel and Mohammed Kudus, but alas, Arsenal swooped in dramatically to break Daniel Levy’s heart.

After midweek talks, Arsenal immediately signed a replacement for the injured Kai Havertz by hijacking Tottenham’s once-imminent deal for the England international, with Frank and Levy now forced to re-enter the market for a new playmaker once again.

This isn’t the first transfer humiliation Spurs have suffered this window, either, with Morgan Gibbs-White’s move to N17 also falling through earlier this summer after Nottingham Forest blocked the deal, threatened legal action and convinced the 25-year-old to pen a new deal.

It is getting slightly embarrassing from Levy’s perspective, and Tottenham need to react strongly amid Frank’s glaring need for a new number 10 and a stand-in for James Maddison, who’ll miss most of 2025/2026 after rupturing his ACL.

A host of attacking midfielders are being linked with moves to north London in the aftermath of their Eze loss, including the likes of Como starlet Nico Paz, Aston Villa’s Morgan Rogers and Southampton’s Tyler Dibling.

It is worth noting that Tottenham are believed to be very interested in Liverpool sensation Harvey Elliott, so a potential move could still be on the cards after Eze chose Arsenal ahead of Spurs, but RB Leipzig are reportedly preparing a bid, so Levy will have to act quickly.

Tottenham ready £69m offer for Savinho with London talks ongoing

Some better news for the Lilywhites comes from Globo Esporte and journalist Cahê Mota.

According to their information, in response to losing Eze, Tottenham intend to seriously push for Man City winger Savinho, and are vowing to “spare no effort” behind-the-scenes.

They could go all the way to deadline day if necessary, and despite City’s resistance so far, Tottenham are believed to be readying a £69 million bid for Savinho to test their resolve.

The 21-year-old’s representatives are also in London right now, attempting to mediate negotiations between the Sky Blues and Spurs, with Savinho keen on a move down south for more game time ahead of the 2026 World Cup.

Savinho can actually play in the number 10 role, as he did on two occasions for Pep Guardiola last season. He ended 24/25 with 13 assists in all competitions, with Guardiola praising his work rate and “incredible” attacking ability.

The Brazil international was also a key member of Michel’s Girona side that surprised everyone by challenging for a La Liga title in 2023/2024.

يستعد فريق برشلونة، بقيادة المدرب هانز فليك، لخوض مباراة مساء يوم الثلاثاء في إطار منافسات بطولة دوري أبطال أوروبا وذلك ضد خصمه فريق أولمبياكوس.

ويستضيف ملعب “مونتجويك” مباراة فريقي برشلونة وأولمبياكوس، في الجولة الثالثة من دوري أبطال أوروبا، مرحلة الدوري، موسم 2025/26.

ويمتلك برشلونة 3 نقاط بعدما فاز على نيوكاسل يونايتد بهدفين لهدف، ثم تعرض لهزيمة بنفس النتيجة ضد باريس سان جيرمان.

في حين أن أولمبياكوس لديه نقطة واحدة فقط بعدما تعادل مع بافوس سلبيًا، وسقط أمام آرسنال في الجولة الثانية بهدفين دون رد.

ويفتقد برشلونة خدمات العديد من اللاعبين للإصابة، على رأسهم خوان جارسيا، داني أولمو، روبرت ليفاندوفسكي ورافينها. تشكيل برشلونة المتوقع أمام أولمبياكوس اليوم في دوري أبطال أوروبا

حراسة المرمى: فويتشيك تشيزني.

خط الدفاع: جول كوندي، أراوخو، كوبارسي، جيرارد مارتين.

خط الوسط: فرينكي دي يونج، إريك جارسيا.

خط الوسط الهجومي: كاسادو، لامين يامال، فيرمين لوبيز.

خط الهجوم: ماركوس راشفورد. 

ويمكنكم متابعة مباريات اليوم لحظة بلحظة على مركز المباريات من هنا.

Despite the lowly Premier League finish of 15th last season, there is a sense of optimism building at Manchester United, given the work done behind the scenes this summer.

The Red Devils have been active within the transfer market, already backing Ruben Amorim with over £130m worth of new additions in his quest for success at Old Trafford.

He only managed to achieve a 40% win rate after taking the reins back in November, but had to work with the players already at the club upon his arrival.

The summer window has given him the chance to land key targets, leading to Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo making the move to the Theatre of Dreams ahead of the new campaign.

However, despite the mammoth funds already splashed this window, multiple other players could yet join Amorim’s side, with one deal edging ever closer in recent days.

What Benjamin Sesko will bring to United in 2025/26

A new striker has been desperately needed at United during the off-season, unsurprisingly so given the lack of goals from current options Rasmus Hojlund and Joshua Zirkzee last season.

Whilst the pair cost upwards of £100m, they only managed to net seven league goals between them in 2024/25, leading to the club’s hunt to land Benjamin Sesko.

The Red Devils made a £74m offer for the RB Leipzig forward earlier this week, with the player himself accepting the proposal and wanting a move to Old Trafford over a switch to join Newcastle United.

It may be another hefty fee forked out by the board, but it’s one that would hand Amorim the tools he needs to succeed, especially considering the 22-year-old netted 13 league goals in the Bundesliga last season.

Such a tally is nearly two times higher than United’s current number nine options combined, evidently providing an upgrade on Zirkzee and Hojlund – fulfilling the club’s ambitions for the current window.

However, if he is to carry on his tremendous form from his time in Germany, Sesko will need added reinforcements behind him to help provide him the goods he desires in front of goal.

The player who could get Sesko firing at United

The additions of Cunha and Mbeumo to the number ten roles at United will have already injected needed quality into the front line, with the pair notching 13 combined assists in the Premier League last season.

However, other areas of the pitch could well also be bolstered in an attempt for immediate success, with more depth needed in the wing-back areas to suit Amorim’s system.

Such a need could see the hierarchy return to a deal for Inter Milan star Denzel Dumfries, after previously registering interest in his signature earlier in the window.

The Dutchman may be a full-back, but he has all the tools needed to thrive going forward, which could ultimately allow Sesko to have those key chances he craves at Old Trafford.

Dumfries achieved a total of five assists across all competitions in 2024/25, with three of which coming in the Champions League – highlighting his ability to star at the top level of European football.

However, his underlying stats from his recent year in Milan are arguably more impressive, further reinforcing the quality he possesses with the ball at his feet in forward areas.

The 29-year-old, who’s previously been labelled “one of the best right-backs in the world” by Jeremie Frimpong, registered 2.3 progressive carries per 90 last season – highlighting his talent at getting the ball forward into dangerous areas.

Denzel Dumfries’ stats for Inter in Serie A (2024/25)
Statistics (per 90)	Tally
Games played	29
Goals & assists	9
Pass accuracy	73%
Progressive carries	2.5
Key passes	1.3
Crosses completed	3.6
Shot-creating actions	2.5
Touches in final third	21.1
Carries into final third	1.3
Stats via FBref

He also completed 1.3 key passes per 90 and 3.6 crosses per 90, having the creative nature to pick out the Slovenian and enabling him to unlock his aerial ability, which saw him score three headers in the Bundesliga last season.

Dumfries’ ability to thrive in the attacking third is further highlighted by his tally of 2.5 shot-creating actions, whilst registering 44% of his touches last season in such an area – subsequently being able to help the potential new signings with countless opportunities.

It’s unclear if the Red Devils will reenter the race for the Inter star, but it’s clear the Dutchman would add serious quality to the wing-back department at Old Trafford.

The pair linking up together in the Premier League is certainly a scary prospect, potentially topping off what has been a sensational window for United and Amorim.

Perfect for Mbeumo & Cunha: Man Utd in talks for another deal after Sesko

Manchester United could be about to make another huge move before the end of the window.

By
Ethan Lamb

Aug 6, 2025

تعرض تشيلسي لخسارة جديدة أمام برايتون بثلاثة أهداف لهدف واحد على ملعب ستامفورد بريدج، مساء أمس في الدوري الإنجليزي الممتاز.

وبهزيمة مباراة أمس، اصبح تشيلسي يحتل المركز الثامن في جدول ترتيب الدوري الإنجليزي الممتاز برصيد 8 نقاط.

وقد انتشرت تقارير صحفية بعد نهاية المباراة أن الشكوك أصبحت تحيط بمستقبل المدرب الإيطالي إنزو ماريسكا، الذي يثير حالة من عدم اليقين بشأن بقائه على رأس الجهاز الفني للبلوز.

وأكد الصحفي البريطاني “بن جاكوبس” عبر صفحته الرسمية حقيقة هذه التقارير، حيث ذكر أن ماريسكا لا يزال يحظى بدعم كامل من إدارة تشيلسي رغم الهزائم أمام بايرن ميونخ ومانشستر يونايتد وبرايتون.

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وتعتقد إدارة تشيلسي أن ما يتراوح بين 4 إلى 5 هزائم لتشيلسي في الأشهر الستة الماضية تضمنت بطاقات حمراء وهو ما ينظر إليه على أنه عامل مؤثر.

ويلاحظ أن ملاك تشيلسي ومديريه الرياضيين ما زالوا هادئين بشأن مستقبل ماريسكا، كما كانوا خلال فترة الركود في فترة الأعياد الموسم الماضي وقد واصل البلوز مسيرته بعد ذلك وحقق بطولتين وصعد نحو المراكز الأربعة الأولى في ترتيب البريميرليج.

ويقدر مجلس إدارة تشيلسي بأن موسمًا يضم أكثر من 60 مباراة سيشهد صعودًا وهبوطًا للفريق على مستوى النتائج، وينتظر البلوز أسبوع حافل بمباريات ضد بنفيكا وليفربول.

Ian Botham has been elected as honorary president of Durham, after completing a seven-year term as the club chair, with Phil Collins, his vice-chair, stepping into the role with immediate effect.Botham, who was appointed in 2017 having played for Durham in the club’s maiden seasons as a first-class county in 1992 and 1993, attracted controversy last year for his scathing response to the report into cricket’s racism crisis by the Independent Commission for Equity in Cricket (ICEC), which he described as “nonsense” and claimed he “threw down on the floor”.In response, ICEC chair Cindy Butts told MPs at a Culture, Media and Sport select committee hearing in February that the ECB lacked “a moral backbone” in failing to distance itself from Botham’s comments, adding that Botham himself had been asked to give evidence to the inquiry, but had not responded.Speaking after the end of Botham’s Durham tenure was confirmed, ECB Chair Richard Thompson said: “Over 50 years, Lord Botham has made a huge contribution to English cricket and in particular to Durham, first as a player before returning as chair in 2017 at a very challenging time for the club.”Collins, who became vice-chair and a director of Durham in 2017, enters the role with over 35 years’ of commercial and marketing experience in various industries, along with a lifelong passion for cricket.He takes over with Durham restored to the top flight of the County Championship, having been relegated back in 2016 as punishment for a financial crisis that required the ECB to bail them out.Botham took over as chair soon afterwards, and said in a press release from the club: “I am delighted with what has been achieved at the Club during my tenure both on and off the field.”Our men’s team have performed superbly in recent times and this was evident with our promotion to Division One and our performances last year in the topflight.”Our successful Tier 1 bid is huge for the region and we are absolutely delighted to bring professional women’s sport to the region.”It’s a huge endorsement of the pathway we already have at Durham and the potential of the region and our squad and coaching staff is coming together very nicely.”I look forward to working with Phil to achieve our goals and build on our successes, as I wish him all the best as our new Club Chair.”Collins added: “I’m delighted to have taken on the role of chair in what is a very exciting time for Durham Cricket. Lord Ian and the board has laid strong foundations for many years and I am looking forward to building on the work which has been achieved.”The response to my election has been magnificent and everyone has been very supportive. “I can’t wait for the season to start and for our men’s and women’s teams to get competing on the field, while we work on some exciting projects off it too.”

أعلن هانز فليك، مدرب برشلونة، عن قائمة الفريق لمواجهة خيتافي مساء اليوم الأحد، لحساب منافسات الجولة الخامسة من بطولة الدوري الإسباني للدرجة الأولى.

برشلونة يسعى إلى تحقيق الفوز على خيتافي من أجل مواصلة التنافس على لقب الدوري الإسباني، وذلك مع قوة ريال مدريد.

ويحتل برشلونة المركز الثاني في ترتيب الدوري الإسباني برصيد 10 نقاط وبفارق خمس نقاط بشكل مؤقت عن ريال مدريد المتصدر بالعلامة الكاملة وبرصيد 15 نقطة.

وابتعد ريال مدريد في صدارة الدوري الإسباني أمس بشكل مؤقت، عقب انتصاره على إسبانيول بهدفين دون مقابل على ملعب سانتياجو برنابيو.

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وشهدت قائمة برشلونة استمرار غياب لامين يامال عن صفوف الفريق الكتالوني، في ظل عدم تعافيه من الإصابة التي يعاني منها على مستوى الظهر.

يامال لم يشارك مع برشلونة أمام فالنسيا الأسبوع الماضي في الدوري الإسباني، وكذلك أمام نيوكاسل يونايتد في دوري أبطال أوروبا.

وتواجد في الناحية الأخرى باو كوبارسي في قائمة برشلونة، بالرغم من تعرضه لإصابة خفيفة أمام نيوكاسل، لكن فليك أكد أن اللاعب سيشارك ضد خيتافي.

ويغيب جافي أيضًا في ظل عدم تعافيه من إصابته على مستوى الركبة. قائمة برشلونة لمباراة خيتافي في الدوري الإسباني

حراسة المرمى: خوان جارسيا، فويتشيك تشيزني، دييجو كوشين.

خط الدفاع: جول كوندي، باو كوبارسي، رونالد أراوخو، أندرياس كريستنسن، جيرارد مارتن، إريك جارسيا، جوفري تورنتس.

خط الوسط: فريكني دي يونج، بيدري، فيرمين لوبيز، مارك كاسادو، مارك بيرنال، داني أولمو.

خط الهجوم: فيران توريس، روبرت ليفاندوفسكي، رافينها دياز، روني بردجي، أنطونيو فيرنانديز، ماركوس راشفورد.

🚨 𝐒𝐐𝐔𝐀𝐃 𝐋𝐈𝐒𝐓#BarçaGetafe pic.twitter.com/E716PJfaj4 — FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) September 21, 2025

Katie Mack’s superbly-constructed 129 led Australia A to a four-wicket victory over India A which was more comprehensive that the final scoreline suggested in the first one-day match in Mackay.Mack’s hundred controlled the chase as she added 122 in 20 overs for the third wicket with captain Tahlia McGrath who continued the form she showed in the last two T20s with a brisk half-century.Mack took 106 balls to bring up her century and the innings ensured the home side was never under significant pressure. She added 50 for the first wicket with Maddy Darke and 65 for the second with Charli Knott before the latter was run out by a direct hit. Mack was yorked by Meghna Singh with five runs needed.”It swung a little bit early then died down,” Mack said. “Think the challenge was finding the boundaries on a bit of a slower wicket with not much pace on the ball so it was a bit of a slog with a lot of running, but I was super focused to make sure I made the most of the start. Got a couple of starts in the T20s so just wanted to make sure I capitalised today.”McGrath was given a life on 10 when Sayali Satghare dropped a return catch. She later appeared unhappy to be given out sweeping although by then the result was assured despite a flurry of late wickets which included two falling with the scores level.India A had earlier been put into bat and were soon under pressure as Nicola Hancock struck with the new ball, nipping one back through Shweta Sehrawat in the first over then having Priya Punia edging to slip.From 56 for 3 the innings was rebuilt by consecutive stands of 55, 52 and 68 all involving Raghvi Bist. Legspinner Grace Parsons again impressed, producing a sharp leg-break to remove Tejal Hasabnis for 53.Maitlan Brown closed out the innings well, ending Bist’s hopes of a century and then claiming three wickets in the final over.There are two more one-day games in Mackay on Friday and Sunday before a four-day match on the Gold Coast next week. Australia A won the T20 series 3-0.

Celtic are in the market for reinforcements and now appear to be closing in on the signing of a talented star who has been spotted at Lennoxtown.

Celtic find out their Scottish Premiership fixtures for the new season

Fans will already be marking dates in their diary now that the Scottish Premiership fixtures have been released and there are plenty of exciting occasions to look forward to at Parkhead.

Beginning with St Mirren at home, Celtic go on to face Aberdeen, Livingston, Rangers and Kilmarnock in their opening five matches, though their clash against David Martindale’s side may be moved to allow more time to prepare for UEFA Champions League qualifying.

Brendan Rodgers will be hell-bent on making sure his side deliver yet another title, but who could he add to his squad to make sure they are in the best position possible to succeed?

Kieran Tierney has already arrived at Celtic on a free transfer and will complete his emotional homecoming after joining on a five-year deal. Meanwhile, the Bhoys are also closing in on Benjamin Nygren for a fee of £1.7 million from FC Nordsjælland.

The quest for squad depth doesn’t stop there, though Rodgers will need to weigh up who to discard in order to make room for fresh impetus among his group.

He was once worth £55m: Celtic ready to launch move to sign Idah 2.0

Celtic are still searching for a centre-forward as Kyōgo Furuhashi’s replacement, so could the Hoops “gamble” and sign a “big talent” once worth £55m?

Jun 19, 2025

Albirex Niigita defender Hayato Inamura is edging closer to Celtic as talks continue over a move to Scottish shores for the highly-rated Japanese defender.

Now, another star could be on the verge of joining the champions after being spotted at their training ground, according to reports.

Celtic-linked Callum Osmand spotted at Lennoxtown

According to Herald Sport, Callum Osmand has been spotted at Lennoxtown ahead of his move to Celtic as the Fulham striker prepares to sign on at Parkhead.

Set to come in for a nominal fee, the Welshman is out of contract south of the border and appears to be a smart piece of business by the club to offer competition for Daizen Maeda and Adam Idah.

Callum Osmand in 2024/25 – all competitions

Appearances

22

Goals

11

Assists

4

Dubbed “lightning quick” by Jack Kelly, his move is now close to completion and all that remains is an official announcement from the Scottish champions before this one is put to bed.

Johnny Kenny has filled the gaps in place of Maeda and Idah at times. Still, Osmand’s arrival would put the cat among the pigeons regarding the future of the Republic of Ireland Under-21 international.

Either way, Celtic are strengthening their ranks early and look to be a surefire bet to put up a compelling challenge domestically, albeit their performances in the Champions League will be heavily scrutinised as Rodgers eyes making a splash on the continent.

Osmand fits the brief of a low-risk signing with high potential, which will please supporters even if he is yet to play a senior minute of club football.