Celtic

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."

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Celtic are preparing to go "all out" to compete with Bologna - who are said to be in "pole position" in the race to sign Scotland Kieron Bowie from Hellas Verona. (Corriere di Verona via Daily Record), external

Manager Martin O'Neill says Celtic are pursuing deals to re-sign 29-year-old striker Kelechi Iheanacho and 28-year-old left-back Marcelo Saracchi, who was on loan from Boca Juniors. (The Herald - subscription required), external

Celtic have bid £3.4m for 24-year-old Real Oviedo winger Haissem Hassan, who starred for Egypt at the World Cup. (Fondo Seguna via Glasgow Times), external

Celtic would have to stump up £10m to land Egypt World Cup winger Haissem Hassan after his new transfer release clause from Real Oviedo was revealed. (The National - subscription reequired), external

Martin O'Neill says one of the reasons it took a fortnight to confirm his backroom staff was because he had delayed his decision about whether he wanted to take the Celtic manager's job permanently. (The Herald, external)

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Scotland is in for another three-way title race this coming season, former Celtic captain Scott Brown has predicted.

Celtic retained the title on the final day of last season with a home win over Hearts to overtake the long-time leaders, with Rangers having slipped to third in the final weeks.

Since then, Hearts have lost head coach Derek McInnes to Rangers, replacing him with former Sint-Truiden boss Wouter Vrancken, while Celtic have given veteran Martin O'Neill the manager's job full-time after he did so well in interim charge.

"I think it's going to be a three-legged race yet again," Brown said, speaking at the Scottish Open golf pro-am.

"I think Hearts have been an actual delight for Scottish football. They've done really, really well. I thought Derek did a fantastic job and Martin's come in at the right point in time.

"If Martin was there for the whole time, Celtic win the league, nice and easy, but Del's went to Rangers now and he's a very, very good man-manager and he brings out the best of people.

"Looking at what he does and how he deals with his team, he'll bring in some more Scottish people, English-based people, that understand the club and the culture as well, which, to be fair, I think Celtic's done really well over the years."

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Celtic have agreed to pay £5.5m to secure Qarabag winger Camilo Duran as their first summer signing and the 24-year-old is on his way to complete the deal in Glasgow. (The Herald), external

Celtic are closing in on the signing of Qarabag forward Camilo Duran for an initial £3m rising to a possible £6m. (Anthony Joseph on X), external

Colombian Camilo Duran is expecting to arrive in Glasgow on Thursday to sign a four-year contract with Celtic. (George Tsarouchas on X), external

Liverpool have sealed a deal to sign Scotland Under-16 captain Dara Jikiemi from Celtic on a five-year contract. (Fabrizio Romano on X), external

Celtic winger Yang Hyun-jun could potentially miss the first derby with Rangers on Sunday, September 20 after being included in South Korea's squad for the Asian Games. (Scottish Sun), external

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Cameron Carter-Vickers played his first game since picking up an Achilles injury in October as Celtic drew 1-1 with Shelbourne in their first public pre-season friendly.

The injury picked up by the 28-year-old United States centre-half in a Europa League win over Sturm Graz meant he missed the World Cup as well as Celtic's Scottish league and cup double.

"At first, I just thought I had a bit of cramp in my calf," Carter-Vickers told Celtic TV.

"Pretty soon after that, when the physios saw it, they thought it was a rupture in the Achilles, which it turned out to be. Obviously at that point, you know it's going to be a long-term injury.

"For me, it was just about understanding that's the situation you're in and just working towards getting back in the best shape and the best way possible.

"It was just about not getting too far ahead of yourself and kind of chasing small gains and being happy with small gains. I was in a cast for three weeks then a boot for eight."

Carter-Vickers played the first half of the friendly against the side currently sitting fifth in the League of Ireland Premier Division.

Maik Nawrocki, who has returned from his loan from Hannover, was among the second-half replacements.

Former Grimsby Town midfielder Harry Wood gave Shelbourne the lead from the penalty spot with just two minutes remaining.

However, there was still time for Shin Yamada, the forward who has returned from his loan to Preußen Münster, to equalise from a spot kick.

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Celtic have agreed to pay the asking fee for Qarabag's Colombian winger Camilo Duran, 24. (Futbol Info - in Azerbaijani, external)

Tuesday's Scottish gossip

Independiente are considering a move for Marcelo Saracchi after Boca Juniors rejected Celtic's approach to take the 28-year-old left-back on a second loan spell, according to sources in Argentina. (Record, external)

Hertha Berlin head coach Stefan Leitl reveals it was always planned for Tjark Ernst to miss their 15-0 friendly match victory in Frohnau, but the 23-year-old goalkeeper is scheduled to play in Lichtenberg on Wednesday despite Celtic and Feyenoord being prepared to trigger his £4.3m release clause. (Bild, external)

Sandefjord are poised to sell Zinedin Smajlovic for a club record £5.1m to Olympiacos having rejected a £3.5m offer from Celtic for the 22-year-old central defender. (Expressen via Glasgow Times, external)

Monday's Scottish gossip

Celtic are interested in striker Tobias Lauritsen, who has left Sparta Rotterdam, along with Leicester City, while Sampdoria are actively pursuing the 28-year-old, according to Il Secolo XIX. (Martin Crawford on X), external

Celtic plan to open talks with Anthony Ralston over a new contract with the 27-year-old Scotland right-back entering the final year of his current deal. (Daily Record, external)

Camilo Duran's agent arrived in Scotland on Saturday for talks with Celtic to seal a transfer from Qarabag and a multi-year contract for the 24-year-old striker. (George Tsarouchas on X, external)

Orgryte sports director Pontus Farnerud has admitted there is interest in Celtic-linked defender Michael Parker but refused to confirm an offer has been made for the 21-year-old who is valued at £1.5m. (The Herald), external

Read Sunday's Scottish Gossip in full.

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Celtic are holding fresh talks with Qarabag as they look to make 24-year-old forward Camilo Duran their first summer signing after an initial £1.7m deal was rejected. (Daily Record, external)

Qarabag are looking for a fee of around £3m for their forward, Camilo Duran, and they and Celtic are hopeful of reaching an agreement. (Anthony Joseph on X, external)

Celtic have agreed a new one-year contract for 32-year-old midfielder Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, who was weighing up options at a number of clubs in Europe. (TeamTalk, external)

Celtic are plotting a move to sign 21-year-old Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Alfie Devine, who impressed on loan at Preston North End last season. (Football Insider, external)

Doncaster Rovers have made a move for Josh Clarke despite the 21-year-old goalkeeper having agreed a pre-contract to join Partick Thistle at the end of his Celtic deal. (Daily Record, external)

Celtic have beaten off major English competition to sign 16-year-old goalkeeper Warren Lyall on his first professional contract from Dundee, who will be due compensation. (Daily Record, external)

Celtic have signed 16-year-old Cliftonville defender Shea McGarry, who has already made three senior appearances. (Daily Record, external)

Read Saturday's Scottish Gossip in full.

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Celtic are now favourites to sign Las Palmas goalkeeper Dinko Horkas after tabling an offer close to £3.5m for the 27-year-old. (George Tsarouchas on X, external)

Reo Hatate has confirmed he is keen to leave Celtic this summer in pursuit of a move to one of Europe's top leagues after the 30-year-old midfielder missed out on selection for Japan's World Cup squad. (Fergus, external)

Benjamin Nygren has refused to fully commit his future to Celtic following Sweden's World Cup exit, the 24-year-old midfielder replying "we'll see" when asked where he will be playing next season. (Göteborgs-Posten, external)

Torino hold Gvidas Gineitis in high regard but would consider allowing the Celtic-linked 22-year-old midfielder to leave should they receive a bid higher than £8.6m. (Tuttomercatoweb, external)

Saint Etienne have reached an agreement with Go Ahead Eagles for the transfer of Jakob Breum, with the 22-year-old Celtic-linked midfielder agreeing a four-year contract pending a medical with the French club who now have Ian Cathro as head coach. (Sebastien Denis on X, external)

Feyenoord could be set to beat Celtic to the signing of goalkeeper Tjark Ernst after meeting the 23-year-old goalkeeper's £4m release clause with Hertha Berlin. (Daily Record, external)

Read Friday's Scottish Gossip in full.

Martin Watt
BBC Sport Scotland

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Celtic fans' patience is being tested to the limit as new signings remain conspicuous by their absence.

The club heralded another new strip on Thursday morning - the 'stadium range' is their third kit release of the summer - and the comments from supporters on social media were predictably pointed in clamouring for fresh faces.

Interim chairman Brian Wilson's vow three weeks ago, shortly after Martin O'Neill's confirmation as permanent boss, that Celtic were primed to be "very active" with their recruitment has yet to come to pass.

There have been plenty of outgoings. All six of last season's loan recruits have left, so have out-of-contract players Kasper Schmeichel, Kelechi Iheanacho and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, while Luis Palma, Stephen Welsh and Hayato Inamura have found new clubs.

Vital players - the likes of Daizen Maeda, Arne Engels and possibly even captain Callum McGregor - could well go too.

It is not just a pruning of the squad O'Neill has to undertake, it is a major revamp. Almost every position requires strengthening. And despite last season's success, it is a squad crying out for more quality.

Celtic's record in recent transfer windows has been patchy and often left to a late dash as the deadline looms. Have they learned from those mistakes?

The league and Scottish Cup double triumph under O'Neill quelled unrest between fans and board, but discontent is bubbling away as the club's transfer inaction continues.

Celtic have placed 27-year-old Las Palmas goalkeeper Dinko Horkas on their transfer shortlist. (Josh McCafferty on X, external)

Horkas will not be signing for Celtic after Las Palmas president Miguel Angel Ramirez said they intend to retain the keeper. (Record, external)

Celtic, Eintracht Frankfurt and Stuttgart are bidding for 21-year-old Rayo Vallecano defender Nobel Mendy. (Michael Shearer on X, external)

Sources close to Mendy say Celtic have not made any contact with Rayo Vallecano and that the Senegalese defender has better options in the Premier League. (Ryan McDonald on X, external)

Marcelo Saracchi was told he does not feature in head coach Rodolfo Arruabarrena's plans on his first day of pre-season at Boca Juniors following the 28-year-old left-back's loan to Celtic. (Herald - subscription required, external)

Bursaspor have joined Vasco De Gama in expressing interest in Kelechi Iheanacho after Celtic failed to trigger a 12-month contract extension for the 29-year-old striker. (Record, external)

Motherwell striker Tawanda Maswanhise is attracting interest from clubs around Europe, including Anderlecht and Celtic, but no approach has yet been made for the 23-year-old. (Anthony Joseph on X, external)

Thursday's Scottish gossip

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Celtic may make a move for Torino's Lithuania midfielder Gvidas Gineitis, 22, as a replacement for Belgium international Arne Engels, 22, who is being tracked by Crystal Palace, Nottingham Forest and Roma. (Sun), external

Bids are expected for Celtic's Japan forward Daizen Maeda, 28. (Scotsman - subscription required), external

Wednesday's Scottish gossip

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Daizen Maeda says the World Cup "made me realise that I can't stay at my current level" after the Celtic forward suffered last-32 disappointment as Japan were knocked out following a 2-1 defeat by Brazil.

A transfer from the Scottish champions to Wolfsburg reportedly fell through late in last summer's transfer window for the 28-year-old.

And there are likely to be more admiring glances after he started his third game out of four at the finals in the United States, having scored in the 1-1 draw with Sweden that concluded the group stage.

"I personally feel that I need to keep improving and take another step forward," Maeda was quoted as saying by Sky Sports after the loss to Brazil.

"It made me realise that I can't stay at my current level and that I need to become a better player."

Maeda had also finished the club season on a high, scoring in Celtic's final seven games of the season, nine goals in all, and believes he can "return to Japan with my head held high" after the World Cup.

"We fought a great game, but the opponent was strong and I think we still have a long way to go," he added.

"Of course, we had the feeling that we could do it, but Brazil is just so skilled and powerful and we ended up spending a lot of time defending.

"I think it was just a matter of time before they scored, to be honest, but what we've done up until now remains unchanged.

"What we have built together over these past three and a half years since the Qatar World Cup, together with the players, staff, family, fans and supporters, is something I am very proud of. But I apologise for the defeat."