Celtic transfer news bulletin as Owen Beck high on wish list, 3 more positions targeted and Kuhn relishes Idah reunion
Owen Beck is still a live option while the Hoops have 3 other positions they want to strengthen
Celtic remain on the trail of Liverpool’s Owen Beck.
The Hoops have been in talks over signing the Welsh defender they tired to get on board in January. Beck, who impressed on loan at Dundee in the first half of last season, remains one of the main names on boss Brendan Rodgers’ wish list for the left-back slot. Liverpool could be willing to sell Beck if the price is right although a loan also remains an option for the Hoops. Rodgers is keen to provide a challenge to Greg Taylor at left-back and tried to land Beck in January. But his move was scuppered by then Anfield boss Jurgen Klopp.
The German gaffer recalled Beck from his loan at Dundee at the turn of the year when he faced a defensive injury crisis. Klopp then gave the 22-year-old his Liverpool debut, which meant he could not play for a third club in the season.
Beck, instead, returned to Dens Park but his second spell with Tony Docherty’s side was wrecked by injury. However, Celtic would face competition to land Beck from English Championship sides Middlesbrough and Leeds. Celtic have expressed an interest in Ajax defender Owen Wijndal, who is also a target for Werder Bremen
Augsburg midfielder Arne Engels is also on Celtic’s wanted list but it is more likely to happen if Matt O’Riley is sold. So far no one has come close to his valuation. A winger, left-sided centre half and another striker is also on Rodgers’ wanted list.
Meanwhile Nicolas Kuhn says Celtic want to make amends for their League Cup slip-up last season by lifting the trophy – along with the Treble. The German winger wasn’t at the club when Brendan Rodgers’ men crashed out at the hands of Kilmarnock a year ago.
After arriving in January, Kuhn played his part in the Double as the Hoops won the Premiership and Scottish Cup. But ahead of Sunday's second-round clash with Hibs at home, the 24-year-old insists Celtic want all three pieces of silverware.
Kuhn said: “There is a lot of motivation within the squad to do well in every competition this season – starting with this one. That’s the target for us. We’re looking forward to going into this game with a lot of energy and hopefully getting a win.”
Celtic have been boosted by the return of Adam Idah, who signed on loan at the same time as Kuhn last season. The Irish striker is back on a permanent deal after a £9.5million move from Norwich City.
He's set to start against Hibs, with Kyogo Furuhashi injured. Kuhn said: “I’m so happy to see Adam back because we had a good time together last season. We all hoped he would return and it’s great to see him make the move permanently. Adam offers a lot to us. He is a different type of striker and he scored so many big goals in important games for us.
“It’s always good to have more quality in the squad and he is also a big character in the changing room. Adam is fun to be around.”
Kuhn has started the domestic campaign superbly but admits he can’t wait for the Hoops’ Champions League bid to get underway next month. And the former Bayern Munich and RB Leipzig wide man said: “There are a lot of great teams we could draw. I wish we could play them all. But it would be nice to maybe play against Leipzig or Bayern Munich, two of my former clubs.”