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Scottish Sun
16 minutes ago
- Sport
- Scottish Sun
Ex-Celtic star Kyogo linked with shock move to English club which would see him be reunited with international team-mate
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) FORMER Celtic star Kyogo Furuhashi is being linked with a surprise move to Championship side Birmingham City. That's according to reports in Japan, where it is being claimed the 30-year-old striker is ready to end his nightmare spell in Rennes and try his luck in England's second tier. Sign up for the Celtic newsletter Sign up 2 Kyogo in action for Celtic Credit: Getty 2 Kyogo celebrates with Jota at Celtic Credit: PA If the move does go through it would see him join up with his ex-Celtic team-mate and compatriot Tomoki Iwata, and former Celtic assistant Chris Davies who is the current Birmingham boss. But they are not the first English club to be linked with the Japan international, who will be keen to get first-team football with next year's World Cup on the horizon. The report from Sponichi Annex claims several European clubs are interested in his services, but that Birmingham are leading the chase for his signature as they look to return to the Premier League. It is also claimed that Kyogo himself is said to be positive about the transfer. Having been frozen out at Rennes, playing just six games since signing for the French club in January, Kyogo was linked with a move to Bournemouth last month by French outlet Le Parisien. And he has also been linked with a return to Celtic but that move looks unlikely to happen. The striker still has two years left on his deal at the Ligue 1 side with manager Habib Beye insisting the former Celtic hero is still part of his plans. He said: "Even if he doesn't get the minutes he would like, he is an integral part of my squad. "Kyogo's lack of playing time doesn't mean he doesn't meet my expectations, otherwise he wouldn't be in the squad and he wouldn't come on as a sub. "He's a quality player and he will bring something to the team, I'm convinced of that." Kyogo leaves Celtic fans heartbroken as he leads wild fan celebrations after new club debut Before that Kyogo made himself a fans favourite at Celtic, winning three Premiership titles, three League Cups and two Scottish Cups during his three-and-a-half years at the club. After scoring 85 goals for Celtic, he left for French side Rennes in a £10 million deal in January 2025 but he's endured a difficult time. Meanwhile, Celtic are reportedly locked in talks with Antwerp over a potential deal for winger Michel-Ange Balikwisha. Keep up to date with ALL the latest news and transfers at the Scottish Sun football page
Scotsman
an hour ago
- Sport
- Scotsman
Celtic's next windfall, surprising Kyogo rumour, ex-Rangers coach lands SPFL job
The latest Scottish football transfer news and speculation Sign up to our Football newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... Here is your Thursday evening transfer bulletin rounding up the latest rumours surrounding Scottish football... Surprising Kyogo rumour Kyogo Furuhashi could be on the move again this summer just six months after leaving Celtic for Rennes in a £10million transfer. The Japanese striker has endured a nightmare spell in France, managing only six appearances, and just one start, for a combined 120 minutes of action and no goals since joining the Ligue 1 club in January. According to Japanese news outlet Sponichi Annex, the 30-year-old could be set for a surprise move back to the UK to sign for newly-promoted English Championship side Birmingham City. The report claims that Kyogo is favouring the possible move to England's second tier ahead of other options on the table from around Europe. A move to the Blues, who are managed by Brendan Rodgers' ex-Celtic assistant Chris Davies, would see the striker team up with former Celtic team-mate Tomoki Iwata. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Celtic could net another transfer windfall if Brighton sell Matt O'Riley. (Photo by) | Getty Images Celtic's possible next windfall Celtic have already banked a £5million sell-on fee this summer thanks to Jeremie Frimpong's move to Liverpool, now they could be set for a second windfall with another former player lined up for a big move. The Parkhead coffers were significantly boosted earlier this month when Frimpong completed a £29.7milion move from Bayer Leverkusen to Anfield. Celtic negotiated a 30 per cent sell-on clause on any future profit made when they sold Frimpong to the German club for £11m in 2021. Another jackpot could be on the cards amid reports that Brighton midfielder Matt O'Riley has been the subject of a £25.6m bid from Napoli just 12 months on from his £25m Parkhead exit. It is claimed that talks are ongoing over the "package" the Seagulls would receive for O'Riley with the club willing to sell the 24-year-old if their valuation is met. It is understood that Celtic hold a 10 per cent sell-on clause in the deal which could see the Scottish champions earn upwards of £2.5m. Ex-Rangers coach lands SPFL job
Daily Record
an hour ago
- Sport
- Daily Record
Stephen McManus identifies sizzling Celtic prospect destined for the top as B team boss makes a candid admission
Big Mick is convinced the next generation of stars are ready to break through at Parkhead Every Celtic youngster dreams of following in the footsteps of poster Bhoys James Forrest, Callum McGregor and Kieran Tierney. But Stephen McManus knows better than most that only a handful will ever make it all the way. Now B team boss, the former Hoops captain is hellbent on streamlining the route from the youth set-up to the first-team. As an academy graduate himself, Big Mick is a shining example for the current crop learning their trade at Lennoxtown. The ex-defender rose through the ranks, captained Celts to title glory and led them into the last 16 of the Champions League. These days, it's his job to nurture the next generation of stars. And while the road to Brendan Rodgers' top team is anything but straightforward, McManus insists there will always be a pathway. He said: "Yeah, listen, that's what pre-season is for as well. This is my fourth year with the B team and we've been really lucky that over the last three years, we've got boys that have played, after under-18s, they've played 150 games. "They've played 50-odd games a season, which after under-18s, you don't always get. We're lucky that we've got that. "Like I say, our job is to try and prepare the boys for first-team football. Hopefully, it's here. Absolutely. "We've been lucky this year, I think. Francis Turley made his debut this year. Jude Bonner made his debut this year. Sean McArdle came on and made his debut towards the end of the season. "And then you've got the boys that have been out on loan as well. You've got Ben Summers, Matthew Andersons as well. "So it's been a really productive season again for us. But ultimately, we want to make sure we try and do our best to help the manager and the first-team staff to be able to say, 'Right, these are what we've got. Are they ready to fit into the first-team squad?' "That's what pre-season is for. As a young player, you get an opportunity. You'll get an opportunity, whether it's in pre-season or every day that you come to work, every day that you're then performing for your club, whether you're at the football club or you're at somebody else on loan. "So it's difficult. It's difficult, of course it is. That's why the people that come through are so limited. "But when you look at the success that we've had with boys that are playing football at other clubs, it's great." With Greg Taylor vacating the No.3 jersey, there could soon be an opportunity for a homegrown talent to step up. Returning hero Tierney will reclaim his place at left-back - but his injury record means Rodgers will need to manage his minutes carefully. Rising star Matthew Anderson is among the most highly-rated emerging talents at Lennoxtown. Dubbed 'the next KT' by coach Greig Robertson, the defender spent last season on loan in Austria with feeder club Admira Wacker. Now 21, this summer could prove to be make-or-break. McManus said: "He's got a massive future in the game, absolutely massive. He's a terrific boy with a brilliant family, and again, you can only stay with us, with the B team, for a couple of seasons. "Matthew outgrew the B team two years ago. That's why he's not played for the B team. That's why the next stage of his development was to go out and loan. "Some people make their debut at 16 and then go and play for the rest of their careers. Some people are 21, 20, they need to go a different route. That's fine, that's fine. "But what you need to do is, when you get an opportunity, you need to try and become a football player, and that's what Matthew's done. "He's a terrific boy, terrific worker for a terrific family, and he'll be a top player. He'll be a top player." For aspiring players, there are few better role models than Forrest, McGregor and Tierney. Forrest recently overtook Lisbon Lion Bobby Lennox to become Celtic's most decorated player, with 26 trophies to his name. Skipper McGregor - whose own breakthrough came via a loan to Notts County - is only two major honours behind. And Tierney famously banked the club a record £25million fee in 2019, only to return on a free six years later. Speaking to promote next month's friendly clash with Newcastle United at Parkhead, McManus added: "You need that here, where it's so important that people can relate. The boys that have been here, that have done it. "I've spoken about this before, but when I look back over 20-odd years, boys that have come through the football club, you want them making an impact. "Making an impact is not just playing now and again. You want to contribute. You want to play five games. You want to play 50 games. You want to play 100 games. You want to play in the first team. "You need people that have done it, basically, just to prove, listen, if they can do it, there's no reason why the other boys can't do it. "That's where Kieran falls into it, Callum falls into it, and James falls into it. It's great, but it's a hard slog. "Of course it is, but you need the right types of people that are leading the football club, and that's what we've got here at the moment."
Daily Record
2 hours ago
- Sport
- Daily Record
Kyogo set for surprising transfer as Celtic hero 'lined up' for Birmingham City move by Brendan Rodgers ally
The Hoops sold the hitman for £10million to Rennes in January but he could be set to move again inside six months Kyogo could be set for a surprising move to Birmingham City this summer. The Celtic star left in a big £10million deal to Rennes in January but the move turned sour very quickly for the former Hoops favourite with his match action very minimal as he fell down the pecking order at the Ligue 1 side. Now Japanese news outlet Sponichi Annex are claiming that the 30-year-old is likely to make the move to England's second tier where he would team up with Chris Davies and former Celtic team-mate Tomoki Iwata. They state several European clubs are keen on Kyogo's services but the Blues are the most enthusiastic as they aim to return to the English Premier League. Kyogo himself is also reported to be positive about the transfer to the English side. The former Celtic striker needs to get himself back playing with the World Cup next year. To be included in Japan's squad he would need to be playing consistently once again and a move to Birmingham would open that door. The Blues won English League One with relative ease last term and set records along the way. Now they are hoping to make a splash in the second tier as they look to complete the journey back to the big time. Kyogo was a huge success at Celtic after Ange Postecoglou brought him to Glasgow. He netted 85 goals in 165 games for the Scottish champions. You can get all the news you need on our dedicated Rangers and Celtic pages, and sign up to our newsletters to make sure you never miss a beat throughout the season. We're also WhatsApp where we bring all the latest breaking news and transfer gossip directly to you phone. Join our Rangers community here and our Celtic community here.
Daily Record
4 hours ago
- Sport
- Daily Record
Derek McInnes sees weakness in Rangers and Hearts boss is thinking something he won't admit out loud
McInnes has the ball rolling at Tynecastle and our man Keith Jackson reckons he has high ambitions Derek McInnes smells blood in Rangers – and is thinking about nothing other than catching them and splitting the Old Firm. That's according to our man Keith Jackson who knows the Hearts boss well and believes that, even if he won't say it out loud, that's what he's thinking. McInnes has taken the reins at Gorgie and has wasted no time in getting down to business. Today alone the club have confirmed the signings of Stuart Findlay, Alexandros Kyziridis and Christian Borchgrevink, and they're optimistic about battling back into Europe and reclaiming third spot. But hold your spot? Why not second? Russell Martin is in the door at Rangers and has no shortage of problems on his desk with a threadbare squad and plenty of business left to do. And our man Keith, who knows McInnes personally, believes he'll be fancying his chances of taking the fight to them. He said on tonight's Hotline Live: "He'll have identified the problems Rangers have got right now, and the potential for them to get off to a sluggish, difficult start. All the pressure that's going to come down on Russell Martin. "I'm telling you right now, and I know Derek McInnes well – he won't admit it, but there is no way he is thinking anything other than there's a real chance for Hearts to get into the argument, in between the two of them at the top of the table. "The one Brendan Rodgers hasn't won during his first stint at Celtic Park, it was Derek McInnes that stopped it by knocking them out of the League Cup at Rugby Park. "He enjoys it. He wants to be involved in it. That's why he's been waiting for this opportunity to get back to a team which will have the level of finance to get involved in a real scrap. "Not just in a one-off game, because he's proven he can do that. He's looking at this season and going 'there is a real opportunity to lay down a marker.' To get right involved in the thick of it at the top of the table and, yes, potentially to separate Celtic and Rangers by the end of it." You can get all the news you need on our dedicated Rangers and Celtic pages, and sign up to our newsletters to make sure you never miss a beat throughout the season.
