Celtic midfielder admits uncertainty over Parkhead future
Celtic already have a pretty big roster of players and one would expect them to part ways with some in the upcoming January transfer window. There are quite a few who are not getting enough chances right now and do not seem to have much hope of a better situation in the future either. For them, it might be best to leave and join a team where they will get to play regularly.
On the other hand, Yosuke Ideguchi looks set to return after his loan spell at Avispa Fukuoka. The midfielder might have struggled at Parkhead but he did pretty well back in Japan.
Ideguchi became a regular starter for the Japanese club. And even played a major part in them winning their first-ever trophy.
Will that earn him a second chance at Celtic Park? Or would the Hoops view it as the right opportunity to find him a permanent move away? It remains to be seen. Even Ideguchi himself sounds uncertain about his future.
eltic midfielder admits uncertainty over Parkhead future
As reported by Football Scotland, Ideguchi said while speaking on Big Globe:
“I don’t know about the future. I hope I have put in enough effort to get a second chance. I don’t know whether I have done so or not.”
Ideguchi was signed during the January transfer window of 2022 along with Reo Hatate and Daizen Maeda. While those two went on to become key parts of the Celtic starting XI, he never found his feet at Parkhead.
He was not helped by the fact that he spent significant time out on the sidelines with injuries. Will he be starting on a clean slate now that Brendan Rodgers is the manager of the club?
There is no doubt that he has quality. But then, one cannot overlook the fact that he has never impressed in Europe but looks very good when playing in the J-League. Perhaps his style of play suits the football there but does not translate to the Premiership.
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Transfer news LIVE as Celtic and Rangers plus Aberdeen, Hearts and Hibs eye signings
Signing season is racing into view and we have you covered with all the latest news, rumours and potential done deals.
The party hats are off are Scotland’s Euro 2024 celebration at Hampden – and club football is just around the corner.
While the Tartan Army lapped up the thriller with Norway plans were ramping up across the Scottish Premiership.. Brendan Rodgers has big plans for January with a striker on the agenda as Kyogo and Oh leading a host of Celtic stars bound for the Asian Cup.
In terms of outgoing stars, Macro Tilio could lead a number of fringe men who leave the club on loan. Mikey Johnston and Yuki Kobayashi face uncertain futures.
Philippe Clement will get his first shot at making some proper changes to the Rangers squad. Could Lawrence Shankland be the man to leave the Belgian’s overhaul? But Hearts boss Steven Naismith won’t want to see his captain leave in the winter window.
Across the capital, Hibs boss Nick Montgomery will have his own players in mind to take to Easter Road. And with Aberdeen’s summer recruitment geared up on European football their squad is now bloated as they prepare to exit the group stage – so changes could be made.
Kylian Mbappe’s name won’t be far away from the headlines this January with his PSG future up in the air. Former Celtic man Jota is also being touted with a quick-fire Al-Ittihad exit.
Steven Gerrard showed no Liverpool loyalties in a rare admission of fellow talent on Monday afternoon – lauding Cristiano Ronaldo as the greatest player of all time.
United and Liverpool have a bitter rivalry that dates back to the start of football and beyond, and that is usually felt on the pitch. Gerrard, for example, has been a victim of falling for the occasion plenty times – including his 38-second sending off back in 2015.
And the ex Rangers boss will have done no favours in terms of endearing himself further to the Reds by admitting that Cristiano is the greatest to ever grace the game – claiming that his influence in the country helped bring the likes of Jota, Jack Hendry and more to the Middle East.
He said: “I think when the GOAT [Ronaldo], as we call him, arrived in January, it was a huge deal, and he still has a lot to offer in football. After the arrival of Cristiano, the popularity of the league increased and all the big players moved to Saudi.”
Ianis Hagi’s injury hell at Rangers has come to a head away from Ibrox – and it’s paid dividends, according to his father, after his magic moment in the EURO 2024 qualifiers.
The Romanian had spent around a year out with a knee injury, and with a change of manager by the time he had returned alongside a third one so suddenly, he’s found himself down the pecking order.
But his father and Romanian footballing hero Gheorge feels that his son is better off for the injury in terms of his mentality.
Just following up from our blog post earlier this hour (9:04am, with Japanese outlets claiming that Bojan Miovski has been offered a wage of £10,000-per-week to make the switch to Nagoya Grampus…
It’s the understanding of Record Sport that the Pittodrie club have not heard anything in terms of the future of their Macedonian forward from the Japanese outfit – and it will remain that way unless anything changes with Miovski still possessing just under three years on his deal.
It was horrible news for Barcelona and Gavi last night in Spain as the talented young midfielder went down clutching his knee vs Georgia – and worst fears have been realised as he’s out with a serious injury.
An innocuous pass received in space saw the midfielder collapse to the turf in a freak accident in the game that ran parallel to Scotland vs Norway in qualifier group A, and having already made over 140 appearances for Spain and Barcelona already, he’ll be a huge miss.
Liverpool have long been served with the chance to sign him but it will likely be at least pre-season by the time he is ready to go once more and so it is likely he’ll stay recovering under Xavi.
Neil Warnock may well be set to continue his outstanding career at the age of 74 – admitting that he\s had numerous offers to manage in England before and wouldn’t mind having a crack in Scotland.
Warnock left Huddersfield in September at the age of 74, and has recently been linked with jibs at the like of QPR and Rotherham. But Scotland could tickle his fancy after years of avoiding the league.
Warnock told the Hibs Observer: “We’ve got a place in Dunoon, and I love coming up. I’ve had a few job offers down here these past few weeks, but I don’t want to do anything until after Christmas, maybe February. I love a challenge, you know those ones where someone says ‘it’s an impossible job’ or ‘they’re going to get relegated?’ – I love that, a backs-to-the-wall type thing.
“The kids are doing me a holiday in December when I’m 75, so I thought: ‘I’ll have a relax over Christmas, instead of being in a hotel room somewhere!’ You do get p****d off a bit [with management]. I suppose, not so much when you’re in it, because the adrenaline’s going, but when you’re on the outside looking in, you end up wondering: ‘How many hotels have I been in?’ 40-odd years of being a manager!”
Bojan Miovski ‘offer’ from Japan
Reports in Japan claim that Nagoya Grampus has submitted an offer to Aberdeen star Bojan Miovski.
The J-League outfit are said to have offered the Macedonian an annual salary of over £1million.
Ansu Fati back to Barca?
Brighton loanee Ansu Fati is reportedly attracting interest from Tottenham.
According to Spanish outlet Sport, Fati is on the cusp of becoming a regular starter at Brighton. However, the player himself reportedly has zero intention of sticking with the club beyond the current campaign.
Sport state Fati’s ‘absolute priority’ is to return to Barcelona and prove his worth in Spain. But whether Barcelona will reintegrate the forward into their ranks is another matter entirely.
Griezmann set for Man Utd mega money?
Manchester United are willing to triple Antoine Griezmann’s wages in a bid to sign the 32-year old from Atletico Madrid in January.
That is according to El Nacional who report that Erik ten Hag is keen to bring in the France international.
Real ‘step up’ Mbappe pursuit
Real Madrid’s pursuit of Kylian Mbappé has taken centre stage as the January transfer window approaches.
The club, haunted due to past experiences of missed opportunities, is eager to wrap up negotiations sooner rather than later.
Defensa Central reports that the Mbappé camp is cautious, preferring to navigate the delicate situation precisely. Nonetheless, the urgency to secure the 24-year-old’s signature is palpable, and Real Madrid is unwilling to wait until the end of the season.
Jota ‘prefers’ Tottenham move
Newcastle target Jota would reportedly prefer to join Tottenham instead of the Magpies if he leaves Al-Ittihad in the January transfer window.
The 24-year-old has endured a torrid time of things since leaving Celtic for the Saudi Pro League after being frozen out of the side due to foreign player registration rules.
Teams in Saudi Arabia are only permitted to name eight foreign players in their squads, with Jota having been left out by Al-Ittihad following the arrivals of Karim Benzema, N’Golo Kante and several other big hitters.
And Newcastle are believed to be keen on bringing Jota to the Premier League, with Saudi outlet So3ody Sports reporting that Eddie Howe is eager to secure a loan deal at the turn of the year.
However, it seems as though Tottenham could be in a strong position to beat the Magpies if they decide to join the race for his signature.
Jota has already considered the possibility of a temporary move to north London, according to 90min, with Tottenham eager to add a new winger to their ranks in January.
A deal to land Jota would see him reunited with Ange Postecoglou, who managed him at Celtic before taking over at Spurs in the summer.
Celtic forgotten man Marco Tilio will consider a January loan if he doesn’t get first-team action before January.
The 22-year-old made his first appearance of the season for the Australian under-23s when he came off the bench to help them beat Qatar 2-1 in a friendly at the weekend. Tilio, who has seven full caps for the Socceroos, is hoping his involvement with the Olympicroos will see him kick on his return to Celtic in a bid to break into Brendan Rodgers’ first-team.
Adams under Staggies consideration
Derek Adams has been targeted for a THIRD spell at Ross County.
According to the Scottish Sun, chief Roy MacGregor “has targeted the Morecambe boss to replace the sacked Malky Mackay.”
Adams first tried his hand at County in 2007 before his second stint started in 2014.
Arsenal are eyeing up a box office January double deal, according to reports.
Sport in Spain claim Mikel Arteta has asked the club to chase up a deal to bring Ruben Neves back to the Premier League from Al-Hilal.
Meanwhile Tutto Mercato say they are sizing up a deal for Juventus’ Dusan Vlahovic who has fallen out of favour.
It comes with the Gunners hoping to go one step further than last season and pip Manchester City to the title.
Dalglish turns Rangers transfer advisor
Kenny Dalglish insists Rangers must not repeat the mistake of losing players for nothing in the case of Ryan Kent and Alfredo Morelos – and insists hiring a sporting director to work with Philippe Clement is a “logical move”.
Tottenham have reportedly registered an interest in Raphinha ahead of the January window.
The Brazilian winger is set to leave La Liga champions Barcelona, just 18 months after leaving Leeds United in a £60million move. Despite netting 10 goals in his debut season at the Nou Camp, he’s been restricted to just five starts in all competitions so far this campaign, with the club now prepared to let him go in order to cut costs.
Barca’s financial struggles in recent years have been well-documented, and according to Spanish outlet Mundo Deportivo, they’re willing to do business if a club enters negotiations with a bid that ‘satisfies’ them and that Spurs are one of the sides pondering a potential swoop.
Raphinha has started only three league games this season, and could now look to return to England as he hopes for more regular minutes to better his chances of getting into the Brazil squad for next summer’s Copa America.
Salah to Saudi hyped up
Saudi Pro League director of football Michael Emenalo has put Liverpool on alert as he hyped up a potential deal for Mo Salah.
The Anfield side shut down any summer move for the Egyptian with Al-Ittihad reportedly tabling an £150m offer for the winger. But Emenalo doesn’t appear to have given up hope stating on Salah:
Bruno Fernandes says he’s not entertaining offers from Saudi Arabia for now – and he’s focused on making his season a success.
The Portugal playmaker’s form has been up and down this season and he’s been one of a host of big names linked with January moves to the middle east, as the Saudi Pro League gear up for more box office additions in the winter window.
But Fernandes started Portugal’s 2-0 win over Liechtenstein on Thursday and he’s focused on making it ten wins from ten for his country by beating Iceland tonight.
And then it’s back to Manchester United.
Chelsea ‘join’ Frimpong race
Chelsea have joined the race for Bayer Leverkusen defender Jeremie Frimpong and now face competition for his signature from a couple of big clubs.
That is according to a report from Depor. That Spanish outlet claims that Chelsea have decided to throw their hat into the ring for Frimpong’s signature and have actually made him a priority target ahead of the 2024/25 season.
A big money deal for the Netherlands international will land Celtic a significant sell-on windfall.
Man United to shake up recruitment strategy
Manchester United has enlisted the services of a Los Angeles-based recruitment firm to identify and scout top talent in a drastic new approach to transfers.
This strategic move comes with Manchester United trying to compete with Manchester City and Chelsea in the player recruitment arena. The club has concerns about lagging behind in the fiercely competitive transfer market.
The decision to engage an external recruitment agency for talent acquisition marks a departure from United’s traditional in-house approach to managing this process. The decision follows Sir Jim Ratcliffe agreeing a deal to invest in the club as a minority shareholder.
Recent developments behind the scenes have already led to the removal of the club’s chief executive, Richard Arnold, marking a notable shift in the leadership and strategic decisions at the club. According to The Mirror they will use LA-firm Pace to find an ’emerging talent scout’ with a goal of competing with Chelsea and Manchester City in particular when it comes to finding top young talent.
Cancelo ‘wanted’ permanently at Barca
Barcelona are keen to make Joao Cancelo’s loan move from Manchester City a permanent one after his impressive performances for the LaLiga side, reports the Daily Mail.
The Catalan giants are reportedly hopeful of driving down City’s £44m asking price.
Cancelo has scored twice and provided one assist for Barca since his move on Transfer Deadline Day.
Fernandes wants Neves at Utd
Bruno Fernandes wants compatriot Joao Neves alongside him at Man United.
The Portuguese starlet made his international debut last month after netting a dramatic Lisbon derby leveller for Benfica against Sporting.
And Fernandes would love to have Neves playing alongside him under Erik Ten Hag in the United
Fenerbahce president Ali Koç has reportedly performed a sensational U-turn and green lit an exit for misfit Ryan Kent after crunch talks with manager Ismail Kartal.
And it is claimed that the Istanbul side are considering a move for Al-Ittihad outcast Jota to replace for Englishman in the January window.
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Kent ditched by Fener ally
Kent has been left frustrated on the fringes of the Fenerbahce squad after coming in for stinging criticism from his boss Kartal over his fitness and performance levels since arriving from Rangers in the summer.
However, the 27-year-old appeared to have found an ally in club chief Koç despite his lacklustre form – who told Turkish media that no player would be allowed to leave the club in the winter window when quizzed on swirling rumours about Kent.
But Fotospor claim that after crunch talks during the international break with his manager, the supremo has climbed down from his original stance.
Sancho set to Man United stay?
New Manchester United owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe will put himself on a collision course with manager Erik ten Hag if he tries to force the Dutchman to make his peace with Jadon Sancho, reports the Daily Mirror.
The winger has been an outcast this term after a public fallout with the Old Trafford boss.
Dusan Vlahovic gets Real
Real Madrid reportedly want to sign Arsenal target Dusan Vlahovic in January.
According to TuttoJuve, the European giants are keen to bring a new No.9 to Spain after losing Karim Benzema last summer. Juventus are said to have no intentions in letting the Serbian leave, but if a new contract isn’t signed, they may change their mind.
Mbappe breaks future silence
Paris Saint Germain forward Kylian Mbappe said he would not let speculation over his future at the Ligue 1 club impact on his performances.
Earlier this year, Mbappe said he would not renew his contract at PSG, which expires at the end of the 2023-24 season when he could leave Paris for free. The France captain has been linked with a move to Spanish giants Real Madrid, with several Premier League clubs also said to be
Ideguchi honest on Celtic future
Honest Yosuke Ideguchi admits he doesn’t know if he has done enough on loan at Avispa Fukuoka to earn a shot at Celtic.
But the 27-year-old has pleaded for Brendan Rodgers to give him a second chance when he reports for duty at Lennoxtown in January after a year-long loan in his homeland.
The midfielder was shipped out to Fukuoka by then-boss Ange Postecoglou midway through last season, having failed to make a single appearance for the Hoops during the campaign. A series of injury woes derailed his time in the Scottish Premiership.
Those woes persisted early in his return to the J-League, but he has since kick-started his career after becoming the key man for the side – as he helped them lift the the J-League 1 Cup this term.
After an impressive campaign, speculation in Japan has ramped up that he could remain with his current side beyond the January window on a permanent basis.
De Gea wanted in Miami?
Inter Miami president David Beckham wants to bring ex-Man Utd goalkeeper David De Gea to the US, according to the Daily Star.
De Gea has been without a club since his Old Trafford contract expired in June, which ended a 12-year spell in Manchester.
The 33-year-old has been linked with various moves across Europe in the interim, but could link up with former international team mates Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba should he move to the MLS side.
Hagi’s coded Rangers message
Alaves loanee Ianis Hagi is on a high after firing his country to Euro 2024 – but the Romania hero appears to have hinted that he remains keen on a Rangers return.
10-man Romania have qualified for a sixth European Championships having last appeared in 2016 after the 25-year-old struck to seal a 2-1 win over Israel on Saturday to send his country to the tournament automatically – with the playmaker recapturing his best form on loan in La Liga after leaving the Scottish Premiership in the summer.
Michael Beale shipped Hagi out to newly-promoted side after the Londoner declared he would not be a regular in the Light Blues’ line-up – but he has taken his chance with the Basque outfit and reclaimed his place in the international side.
West Ham join Phillips race
West Ham have reportedly joined Newcastle in the race to sign Kalvin Phillips.
The England international can’t get into the Man City team under Pep Guardiola and a January loan move now seems inevitable if the ex-Leeds Utd man wants to go to Euro 2024.
The Toon need reinforcements in the middle of the apark after Italian Sandro Tonali was slapped with a ten-month ban for gambling offences in Italy.
But the Hammers are also keen to beef up their engine room and will rival the Magpies for Phillips’ services, according to Football Insider.
Tilio on comeback trail
Marco Tilio has made his long-awaited injury comeback as plenty of his Celtic teammates get minutes this international break.
The likes of Cameron Carter-Vickers and Oh have jetted across the world, while Callum McGregor and Greg Taylor get ready for a Hampden party with Scotland. Others like Gustaf Lagerbielke, Stephen Welsh, Alexandro Bernabei and Scott Bain were treated to a night under the Dens Park lights by featuring for a Celtic XI against Dundee for Cammy Kerr’s testimonial.
Tilio joined Celtic in the summer from Melbourne City but has yet to make his competitive debut amid troubles with injury. But Australia have delighted in welcoming him back in a 2-1 friendly win for their side U23s side against Qatar. He got the last 10 minutes as he steps up his goal of senior minutes under Brendan Rodgers, who is facing a spell without regular starter Daizen Maeda out on the flanks due to injury.
Dembele form continues
Karamoko Dembele has continued his strong Blackpool form after a plea from his gaffer.
The former Celtic wonderkid is on loan in League One from French side Stade Brestois 29 and was named Man of the Match in Saturday’s 4-0 win over Shrewsbury.
And a call by boss Neil Critchley inspired the forward to help on the goal trail
Man Utd identify top target
Erik Ten Hag is in desperate need of central defenders to ease the current Manchester United injury crisis.
He’s been a long-time admirer of Nice’s Jean-Clair Todibo and with the Ligue 1 club’s billionaire owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe set to buy 25 per cent of United and take over football operations, the stars may have aligned for Ten Hag to land him.
A £40million fee has been floated, but any deal may have to be permanent following a Premier League meeting next week.
There are concerns over loan deals between “associated clubs,” such as Newcastle United and those in the Saudi Pro League owned by the Gulf State’s PIF.
A temporary ban could be placed on loan deals between clubs under the same ownership umbrella, which would include the Red Devils and Nice after Ratcliffe buys his shares.
Chelsea ‘priced out’ of Osimhen deal
Chelsea have reportedly been priced out of a January move for Victor Osimhen.
The Napoli striker is one of the bhottest striking properties in Europe and has been tipped for a massive move from the reigning Serie A champions since firing them to a first Scudetto in over 30 years last term.
A questionable TikTok post from the club angered the striker earlier this year, and he’s expected to move on at some point.
But Napoli will look for over £100million to let him leave in the next window. And that’s proved too rich for Chelsea owner Todd Boehly, according to Football London.
Goodwin’s Aberdeen admission
Jim Goodwin had a transfer plan in place for Aberdeen that he believes would have made him successful at Pittodrie.
But he was sacked before getting the chance to implement it after a horror run in results last January. The Dons were dumped out of the Scottish Cup by Darvel in what was one of the biggest shocks in the competitions history. Perhaps the only other surprise that came close was that Goodwin wasn’t axed immediately afterwards.
The Pittodrie side had just been turned over 5-0 at Tynecastle. They then returned to the capital the weekend after the Darvel disaster to face Hibs in a clash that was dubbed “El Sackio,” with opposite number Lee Johnson also under serious pressure. You wouldn’t have thought it as the Hibees skelped Aberdeen 6-0 and Goodwin was gone just 19 minutes after the full-time whistle. Not that Johnson lasted all that much longer, eventually departing Easter Road in August.
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