Celtic news bulletin as Kenny Dalgish makes transfer confession, Ideguchi in limbo and feeder club reveal talks
Hoops icon Dalglish hopes the champions can keep their top stars at Parkhead for next season.
Kenny Dalglish insists Celtic could achieve something “really special” if Brendan Rodgers can hold on to his key players but admits “money talks in football.”
The Parkhead, Liverpool and Scotland legend heaped praise on the Hoops players for going toe to the with Spanish giants Atletico Madrid but admits despite the 2-2 draw - their first point in the Champions League group - they are likely to finish bottom of their section. But Dalglish can see definite signs of improvement in the likes of Kyogo and Matt O’Riley on the big stage and believes they can grow under Rodgers IF they stay together. But he knows that’s easier said than done.
Dalglish, writing in his Sunday Post column, said: “It would be great for Brendan Rodgers to think he could have the players he wanted to keep for the whole of next season. That could lead to something really special. But money talks in football. He will look to to strengthen in the January window and will have players in mind and will want them in as soon as possible.
“It would be wonderful for the Celtic fans if they thought this team could stay together for another 18 months. Several players will be attracting interest and the business model is to sell for large transfer fees and that has been successful for them. It’s going to be a long shot for Celtic to avoid the bottom slot in the Champions League with just one point from three games. But there are signs of improvement and Brendan had every right to be played with his players against Atletico Madrid on Wednesday. And proud of them.
“You can see that Kyogo Furuhashi is better now than this time last year. He is far more accomplished. His link-up play for the opening goal, and the finish itself, was sublime. Matt O’Riley played his part and his one-touch pass to put the Japanese striker through was as good a ball as you’ll see this season.
“I believe he cost in the region of £1.5 million from MK Dons, which is an absolute steal. He has matured and his game has improved. At 22, there is still plenty more to come and he appears to be thriving under Brendan. It was good business to tie him down on a long-term contract. He will also be benefitting from having Callum McGregor in beside him. Callum is hugely experienced and a knowledgable footballer.”
Meanwhile, Celtic feeder club Admira Wacker have revealed a club delegation held talks with Hoops boss Brendan Rodgers last week on a visit to Glasgow. The Scottish champions have established a link-up with the Modling side, who have been Austrian champions nine times, but are currently sitting in mid-table in the second tier of the Austrian Bundesliga.
Celtic have already loaned Scotland Under 21s international defender Matthew Anderson and goalkeeper Tobi Oluwayemi to them this season. And a representation from the club met with Rodgers and Celtic officials before attending the Champions League draw with Atletico Madrid.
Admira Wacker sports director Peter Stoger said: "It was about us having discussions about how we can continue to develop cooperation between the clubs. You look for win-win situations where everyone benefits. And Celtic are really very interested in the partnership. There's a good chance we can expand the partnership, but it won't happen overnight. We also had a meeting with Brendan Rodgers. The Atletico game was fantastic and Celtic Park is definitely one of the best stadiums in Europe with an incredible atmosphere.”
One player who faces an uncertain Celtic future is loanee Yosuke Ideguchi who has revealed he has not been told whether he will return to the Parkhead club when his loan ends. The Japanese international midfielder returned to his homeland earlier this year after a frustrating spell in Glasgow.
He suffered an ankle break in one of his first games back in March, but recovered quickly and has been widely praised for his performances in the J-League. And he's even been used now as a striker after a series of injuries to key players at Avispa Fukuoka.
The season ends in December and his loan contract expires when the new season starts in February. And the 27-year-old admits he's in the dark about whether he will return to Celtic and complete his contract, which still has over two-and-a-half years to go. He said: "At the moment I am only concentrating on trying to finish as high up the J-League table as I can with Avispa Fukuoka.
"I was happy to be offered the chance of games here at a time when I wasn't able to play any matches at Celtic and I had a strong desire to play. There weren't many clubs who wanted me, but they approached me, so I decided to go right away. It was an instant decision. As for next season, I don't know what's going to happen or whether I will still stay here. At the moment, there's no point in looking too far into the future. And that's why I will do everything I can for the team while I am here."