Image source, SNSDaizen Maeda stepped up to play as a striker in Kyogo's absence, and flourished. The Japan forward scored twice, and could have had more as he buzzed around and made life difficult for Hibs.
Brendan Rodgers makes just the one enforced change from last week's win at Easter Road.
Kyogo Furuhashi has lost his fitness battle and misses out altogether, with Daizen Maeda taking his place up top.
Adam Idah could make his long-awaited return after his permanent transfer from Norwich was completed last week.
The Irishman is on the bench.
Celtic XI v Hibs: Schmeichel, Johnston, Carter-Vickers, Scales, Taylor, McGregor, O'Riley, Hatate, Kuhn, Forrest, Maeda.
Substitutes: Sinisalo, Palma, Idah, Yang, Holm, Bernardo, Ralston, Welsh, Turley.
Image source, SNSAtalanta have decided to drop their interest in Celtic midfielder Matt O’Riley, having lost patience after a £23m euro offer was rejected, and instead have agreed a £17m plus £4.3m add-ons deal with Udinese for 22-year-old Serbia international Lazar Samardzic. (Football Italia), external
Juventus will be able to complete their purchase of Teun Koopmeiners from Atalanta for £42.6m plus bonuses after their Serie A rivals agreed a £21.3m price for fellow midfielder Lazar Samardzic from Udinese. (Tuttomercato), external
Venezia sporting director Filippo Antonelli says Celtic-linked Tanner Tessmann has been dropped from the first-team squad because the midfielder's mind is on a transfer after the collapse of moves to Internazionale and Fiorentina. (Il Gazzettino via Alfredo Pedulla), external
Liverpool 22-year-old Owen Beck, previously on loan to Dundee, is back under consideration by Celtic as they look for a left-back, but the Scottish champions would face competition from Leeds United and Middlesbrough. (Sunday Mail), external
Read Sunday's Scottish Gossip in full here.
Image source, SNS
Image source, SNSCeltic face Hibs on Sunday after winning 2-0 at Easter Road on league duty last weekend
Brendan Rodgers believes his Celtic side are far better equipped to meet the demands of domestic domination as they prepare to open their Premier Sports Cup campaign at home to Hibs on Sunday,
Rodgers lost his 100% in Scottish cup competitions at the first hurdle in his second spell in Glasgow when Celtic lost at Kilmarnock 12 months ago.
Celtic eventually found their rhythm and took Rodgers' trophy haul to nine out of 10 and have continued where they left off this season with six goals in two league matches against Killie and Hibs.
"We were disappointed last season," manager Rodgers said. "Probably from my first spell, I had this ball and chain wrapped around me in terms of winning trophies and everything else.
"And that probably allowed us to break free from that in an indirect way, even though we'd have loved to have won it.
"But certainly from that point and moving forward, we've progressed and developed. And the team's in a much better place now.
"My compass always is looking at training and seeing how training is. And I look this season at how we've been training, how we've been working, and we've been able to take that on to the games.
"There's no doubt, I've always said it, and we should set that mentality and target of wanting to win every trophy. That starts on Sunday."
Celtic continue to increase their asking price for Matt O'Riley, partly due to Brighton & Hove Albion's willingness to come close to meeting the Scottish champions' demands, and have not responded to Atalanta's latest offer of £23m, with the 23-year-old midfielder now tired of the push and pull. (Gazzetta dello Sport), external
Celtic have identified Lausanne 21-year-old Alvyn Sanches as a candidate to replace Matt O’Riley should the Denmark midfielder be sold, but Anderlecht, Burnley, Club Bruges and Nice are also interested in the £4.3m-rated Switzerland Under-21 international. (Daily Mail), external
Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers says clubs have shown an interest in Mikey Johnston and thinks the 25-year-old Republic of Ireland winger will want more regular first-team football. (The Herald), external
Celtic, along with Werder Bremen, have made an enquiry about Ajax left-back Owen Wijndal, with the Dutch club willing to listen to offers for the 24-year-old Netherlands international. (Sky Sports), external
Read Saturday's Scottish Gossip in full here.
Image source, SNSClive Lindsay
BBC Sport Scotland
Image source, SNSAdam Idah (left) is back where he feels he belongs
Premier Sports Cup last 16 weekend concludes by handing Hibernian the chance of quickfire revenge over Celtic.
That is easier said than done considering Sunday's 2-0 league defeat was on their own patch and this time they have to visit the home of Scottish champions who have scored six and are yet to concede in their two games so far this season.
David Gray's side found the net 14 times in three group-stage outings, but defeat by League 1 side Kelty Hearts and two Premiership losses without scoring have heaped early pressure on the man confirmed as head coach after his spell as caretaker last season.
While Hibs will be unable to field latest midfield loan recruit Kwon Hyeok-kyu against his parent club and have fewer forward options after Dylan Vente joined Zwolle on loan, Celtic's firepower is boosted by the return of Adam Idah.
Now he has made the switch from Norwich City permanent, the Republic of Ireland striker will be looking to continue the scoring rate that bagged him nine goals, including a double against Hibs, in 19 games on loan.
With him in tow, Brendan Rodgers' hosts will be even stronger favourites to continue their 18-game unbeaten run - and four straight wins - over Hibs at home and take their place in the quarter-final draw shortly after full-time.
Read the Premier Sports Cup preview in full here.
Image source, SNS“You can never win, can you?”
Despite some folks raising eyebrows at the reported fee for Adam Idah, Brendan Rodgers believes Celtic have “got a great deal” for the striker.
The Republic of Ireland international’s highly-anticipated return to Glasgow was finally finalised this week, but Rodgers revealed he has “never been so relaxed about a signing”.
Idah scored nine goals in 19 games for Celtic in the second half of last season, including the dramatic match-winner in the Scottish Cup final and his manager stressed such efforts – and his potential – is why such money was spent on the move.
“People talk about transfer fees and everything else - this is a guy who paid that last year,” Rodgers said as he previewed Celtic’s second meeting in a week against Hibs on Sunday.
“I’m delighted for him because I think that he’s got huge potential and he showed that last season. I was so relaxed when he signed because I knew what his talent was.
“You can never win, can you? You don’t spend money, you do spend money or you spend too much money.
“We’ve got a great deal, and I know the player that we have here.”
Idah could be right back into the thick of it as Rodgers noted Kyogo Is a doubt for Sunday’s League Cup last 16 tie while he also stressed he sees neither player as the first-choice striker, instead he has “two number one strikers”.
Image source, SNSBrendan Rodgers has been speaking to the media before Celtic face Hibs in the Premiers Sports Cup on Sunday.
Here are the key lines:
Rodgers is "disappointed" for both sets of supporters after it was announced the away lockout at Old Firm matches would continue for at least two more games.
The manager says his club have been "dragged" into this, saying "It’s not a Celtic-Rangers thing, this is a Rangers thing. This had nothing to do with Celtic."
He is "absolutely delighted" to finally have Adam Idah back at the club but said he has "never been so relaxed about a signing" and the club have got "a great deal".
On some people questioning the fee for Idah, Rodgers said, "you can never win". He adds: “You don’t spend money, so when you do spend money, you spend too much".
He sees both Kyogo Furuhashi and Idah as "number one strikers".
On righting the wrongs of last season’s "disappointing" League Cup exit, the manager says Celtic are in a "much better place now” and the target is always "to win every trophy".
The interest in Matt O’Riley is proof the club are "doing a lot of things right".
Kyogo is a doubt for the weekend - "we just have to have a little look at him", says Rodgers. Alistair Johnston will be "fine" despite missing training earlier. Mikey Johnston is out.
Image source, SNSCeltic Park will again house only home fans when Brendan Rodgers' side host Rangers next month
Celtic say the lack of a guarantee over away fans attending the derby at Ibrox in January meant they were "not in a position" to allow Rangers supporters at next month's Parkhead meeting.
The ban on away supporters will continue for the sides' first two league meetings this season, but is set to be lifted for the following two.
Rangers are currently playing home matches at Hampden Park because of delays to renovation work at Ibrox.
The Parkhead club's statement said: "Across a number of months, Celtic has completed all necessary works with regard to accommodating away supporters for derby matches.
"Without a guarantee that our supporters could attend Ibrox in January, however, unfortunately we were not in a position to allocate tickets to away supporters at Celtic Park for the forthcoming match in September.
"We will continue to engage with all parties to seek a satisfactory solution."
Celtic have rejected a fifth bid of £21.5m, plus add-ons, from Atalanta for 23-year-old midfielder Matt O’Riley. (Sky Sports), external
Atalanta have asked for information on Udinese 22-year-old Lazar Samardzic as they look at alternative offensive midfield options to Celtic's Matt O'Riley and will follow up with contacts once an official bid worth nearly £50m is received from Juventus for Teun Koopmeiners. (Fabrizio Romano on X), external
Augsburg midfielder Arne Engels has told friends he wants to join Celtic, with the Scottish champions having opened preliminary talks over a deal for the 20-year-old. (Football Insider), external
Celtic will have to sell Matt O'Riley first if they are to buy Arne Engels, with a £10m price tag being touted, but Augsburg would be less likely to part with the 20-year-old if fellow midfielder Ruben Vargas gets his wish to leave before the end of the transfer window. (Football Scotland), external
Striker Adam Idah's return to Celtic on Thursday from Norwich City after last season's loan will cost the Scottish champions £9.5m. (Sky Sports), external
Hibernian have made a third bid of £750,000 for Dundee captain Luke McCowan, with Celtic closely monitoring the situation but yet to make an official approach for the 26-year-old midfielder valued at around £1m by his club. (Anthony Joseph on X), external
Former Celtic defender Kieran Tierney, who is still out of the manager's first team plans after his loan to Real Sociedad, has been spotted for the first time at Arsenal this season after the 27-year-old Scotland international took part in the club's annual media day. (Football Scotland), external
Jonny Hayes, the 37-year-old wing-back who became a coach with Celtic's B team after leaving Aberdeen and retiring from professional football, has turned out for Bishopbriggs-based St Mungo amateurs in the Caledonian League. (Glasgow Times), external
Read Friday's Scottish Gossip in full here.
Image source, SNS
Image source, SNSCeltic striker Adam Idah insists he doesn't feel any pressure to perform despite the fee paid to sign him from Norwich City.
The Republic of Ireland international returned to Glasgow on a permanent basis earlier this week, having scored nine goals in 19 appearances on loan last season.
Costing a reported fee of £8.5m, which could rise to £9.5m, Idah is Celtic's second most expensive signing of all time, behind only Odsonne Edouard, but Idah says he isn't thinking about his hefty price tag.
"I’m here to play football," he said. "It wasn’t my choice of fee. I’m coming here wanting to score as many goals as I can, be really successful and just crack on.
"I don’t think there’s much pressure on me with the fee. I’m here to win football games."
Idah also believes he can become a more rounded player under Brendan Rodgers' management, and says there was no doubt in his mind about returning to Celtic.
"The last months working with Brendan has been amazing, and seeing what he can do and seeing what he’s done previously with other players.
"I think I can develop so much. I know what I’m capable of, and it’s now time to put it all together and do the best I can.
"When I came the first time, the love and support I got from everyone was amazing, and for me to feel that connection with everyone was really important for me.
"To develop my career, and to do the best in my career, this is the right club for me.
The Times' Michael Grant tells the BBC's Scottish Football Podcast that the Old Firm ticket row is "exasperating" as Rangers confirm they've not received an allocation for the first derby meeting of the season at Parkhead.
Image source, SNSThe draw for the quarter-finals of the Premier Sports Cup will take place on Sunday after the Celtic v Hibs tie, which kicks off at 15:00 BST.
The draw will be shown live on Premier Sports following their coverage of the game from Parkhead.
All quarter-final ties due to be played on the weekend of September 21-22.
Celtic fans, we asked for your thoughts after the club announced Adam Idah's return on a permanent transfer.
Here's what some of you had to say:
Al: I'm glad to have him back but we feel we have paid too much for him. I'm also annoyed that the deal was not completed much earlier. He will be a valuable member of the squad though and should improve at Celtic.
Peter: I'm so pleased this transfer has been done at last but why did we have to wait so long? It worries me that the board are not going to back the manager with the signings he wants. But Idah showed what he can do in the box and will make a big difference when he is let loose in Europe. I'm looking forward to him hassling some of the big boys.
Alan: Best news I’ve heard all year, should score very important goals for the club and the fans will be happy, having him signed is the best move for the club.
Anon: That’s us just back to where we were in June and it’s cost us more than it should have. We still need at least another left-back, Liam Scales needs to go and one more forward a bit more wily than Idah.
Gerry: Idah could become the complete striker. He is relatively unheralded, but has directness, two good feet, the ability to play the through ball, and some serious attitude.
Paul: Idah is a good piece of business, alongside the other three purchases so far and while it's fine for domestic competitions, they're uninspiring and not going to keep someone like Matt O'Riley at the club who should be aspiring to European competitiveness - as should the board.
Patrik: Delighted to have big Idah back, he offers the team a different outlook on the attack and he's clearly the only striker Brendan Rodgers wanted. Nice to see the board splash out and back the manager.
Celtic are chasing £10m Belgian wonderkid Arne Engels of Augsburg - a central midfielder who can play right-back and right wing - and are also eyeing a shock move for Dundee midfielder Luke McCowan. (Scottish Sun)
Rennes are also keen on Engels, who the Bundesliga club value at about £9m, but the 20-year-old would prefer a move to Celtic to play in the Champions League. (Anthony Joseph on X)
Southampton manager Russell Martin says Saints are not close to a deal for Scotland winger Ryan Fraser from Newcastle United and are not in the race for Celtic midfielder Matt O'Riley. (Alex Crook on X)
Atalanta are refusing to sell Teun Koopmeiners to Juventus until they have secured Matt O'Riley from Celtic as a replacement - but the Italian side's bid is £2m short of the Glasgow club's £27m valuation. (Tuttomercato)
Juventus believe they have come to an agreement over a fee for Netherlands midfielder Koopmeiners from Atalanta, but it depends on their Serie A rivals signing 23-year-old O'Riley from Celtic as a replacement. (La Gazzetta dello Sport via JuventusNews24)
Atalanta's fourth offer for O'Riley is worth £21.5m plus £1.7m in bonuses, but Celtic continue to ask for £25m plus £1.7m in bonuses, with the 23-year-old Denmark player having a preference for the Serie A club over Brighton & Hove Albion. (Calcio Mercato)
Brighton are continuing to hold talks over a move for Celtic's O’Riley as they battle Atalanta to land the playmaker. (HITC)
Millwall are in talks with Celtic to agree a fee for the immediate transfer of Daniel Kelly after the 18-year-old midfielder signed a pre-contract agreement to join the Championship club when his deal ends in January. (Football Insider)
Read the rest of Thursday's gossip.
Martin Watt
BBC Sport Scotland
Image source, SNSAdam Idah arrived at Celtic on transfer deadline day in early February to little fanfare having fallen out of favour at English Championship side Norwich City.
He returns a little over six months later to a hero's welcome from a fanbase who have been clamouring for his signing.
Being a Celtic fan has done the Republic of Ireland striker no harm in ingratiating himself to the support. But that only gets you so far. It's his exploits on the pitch that catapulted Idah to prominence and prompted Celtic's summer-long pursuit to bring him back on a permanent deal.
His record of nine goals in 19 outings for Brendan Rodgers' side last season is impressive enough. The majority of those were big goals, too. There was the match-winning double at Hibs on his first start, a night Celtic were well below their best.
Another double helped Celtic fight back from behind for a 3-1 win at Motherwell. His first derby goal put Rodgers' men 3-2 up at Ibrox before they were pegged back in injury time, but better was to come in the season finale at Hampden when Idah pounced on a rebound to complete the club's glory double.
Costing a reported fee of £8.5m, which could rise to £9.5m, Idah is Celtic's second most expensive signing of all time, behind only Odsonne Edouard.
But you get what you pay for in the modern game, and reliable strikers are a priceless commodity. Norwich held all the aces at the negotiating table after Celtic neglected to put an option to buy in the original loan deal.
Now he's back, the 23-year-old has scope for more development and his attributes will give Celtic's attack a different dimension. At 6ft 3in, he provides aerial prowess plus a physical focal point up front allied to strong finishing ability.
With Kyogo Furuhashi troubled by a recurring shoulder injury, Idah's arrival is a signing that makes sense on many levels.
Image source, SNS
Adam Idah has got his wish, completing a long-awaited move to Celtic after an impactful loan spell last season.
Having paid a reported fee of around £8.5m, is it money well spent by Celtic on the 23-year-old Republic of Ireland striker?
Is Idah the kind of quality of addition that can help Celtic build on last season's domestic success and enjoy a fruitful Champions League campaign?
Click here to tell us your thoughts on Idah's return to Celtic., external
Image source, SNSAdam Idah is a striker of "real quality" who will be "crucial for us over the next few years", said Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers after finally getting his man.
Following Idah's impressive loan spell in the second half of last season, culminating in his winning goal in the Scottish Cup final against Rangers, the Republic of Ireland international has returned to the Premiership champions from Norwich on a permanent basis, signing a five-year contract.
"The club has done brilliantly to secure this long-term deal," said Rodgers,
"He is a player who already has given us so much, performing fantastically for us on loan and really delivering for the club and our fans last season.
"He played a pivotal role in our success last year and I know he can be hugely important for us again.
"Adam has fantastic attributes and he is a dynamic, hungry, committed player who can make a real difference."
"Really importantly, Adam feels at home at Celtic, he has a love and passion for the club and I know he will be giving everything to once again bring our fans success."
Cork native Idah has made no secret of his affinity for Celtic, and expressed his delight at completing his dream move.
The 23-year-old, who scored nine goals in 19 appearances during his loan spell, said: "I think everyone knew where I wanted to be. It’s amazing for me and I’m delighted to be back.
"Within the first couple of days of being here when I came on loan first time, I wanted to play for Celtic.
"I’ve never experienced anything like it and I’m just so happy to be back.
"Everyone back home, all my family and friends, they all wanted me to come back to Celtic, myself included, so it’s massive and I’m just so happy to be here."
Kheredine Idessane
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter
Another week, another quiet few days in the transfer window for Scotland’s champions.
Celtic are inching closer to the capture of striker Adam Idah from Norwich after last season’s successful loan.
It's a deal, you would imagine, that could have been signed and sealed shortly after his goal won the Scottish Cup. That was on 25 May. We’re now halfway through August, with just a couple of weeks left for any wheeling and dealing.
It's not the first time I’ve mentioned a curious lack of activity at Celtic Park this summer, in the context of a manager who’s been asking for reinforcements – and players of quality – since before the turn of the year. It’s not that the club doesn’t have the money. Indeed, their bank balance has never been healthier.
Which brings the realisation that the Parkhead board is doubling down for the long term. Keeping cash reserves high for an anticipated fall in revenue in the next couple of seasons that’s set to be quite significant. Preparing for a rainy day, basically.
The days of the Premiership winners ambling automatically into the Champions League proper are about to end. The coefficient has taken enough of a hit recently to mean that the Scottish champions are going to have to overcome a couple of awkward qualifiers if they want to hit the financial jackpot of Europe’s elite competition every year.
Celtic have enjoyed the boom times over the past couple of seasons, even though they’ve not been able to make a dent in the competition itself.
Rodgers would like to do that this season, which is why he wanted a different calibre of player. The sale of Matt O’Riley might fund one or two further acquisitions but the idea that this will be a ‘big’ transfer window for Celtic appears to be false.
The squad is robust at the moment; the top players are all in form. O’Riley is still in the building and the arrival of another top-class keeper in Kasper Schmeichel means Joe Hart’s departure has been more than adequately dealt with.
Further additions are, of course, required – and will arrive. They just may not be as numerous, or as expensive, as many observers thought.
Millwall head coach Neil Harris has confirmed that a deal has been agreed to sign 18-year-old Celtic midfielder Daniel Kelly when he is out of contract at the end of December. (London News Online), external
Liverpool are still open minded to selling Wataru Endo - and Celtic are now monitoring the 31-year-old midfielder. (Sun), external
Atalanta's interest in Celtic midfielder Matt O'Riley, 23, has increased as he is a possible replacement for Liverpool target Teun Koopmeiners, 26. (TeamTalk), external
Celta Vigo's Peru midfielder Renato Tapia, 29, is linked with Celtic as well as Fluminese and Union Berlin. (Bolavip, in Spanish), external
