It’s now possible for Celtic to sign “incredible” player they failed for in January – report

With the Scottish Premiership title race on a knife edge, Celtic have turned their attention towards summer reinforcements during the international break, with a second attempt to sign a long-term target.

Celtic transfer news

For some time, it looked as though Celtic were on course to comfortably win the Scottish Premiership once again, but the arrival of Philippe Clement has swung the tide in Rangers’ favour ever since. Now, Celtic sit just one point clear at the top, having played one game more than Rangers, who have fate in their own hands after an incredible comeback.

Hoping to avoid such a tightly-contested race next season, the rumour mill has already started regarding potential additions at Celtic Park. Reports have already linked the Bhoys with a replacement for the retiring Joe Hart in the form of RKC Waalwijk goalkeeper Etienne Vaessen and the number one spot may well be the focus this summer.

Away from incomings, meanwhile, reports have suggested that Brendan Rodgers is on “borrowed time” and the Celtic boss and could yet find himself out of a job come next season following a disappointing return to Celtic Park.

That said, with or without Rodgers, the Scottish giants are seemingly eyeing a move to finally land a long-term target. According to TeamTalk, Celtic are eyeing a second attempt to sign Hugo Bueno from Wolverhampton Wanderers this summer after they saw their loan offer for the left-back turned down in January. A move this time around is “possible” after Wolves opted to maintain their squad depth during the winter window.

Bueno was reportedly open to the challenge of playing in Scotland and given that he is still keen to gain consistent first-team minutes, a move to Celtic Park could go through in the coming months. With Spanish and French clubs to contend against though, Celtic will need to act swiftly if they are to finally sign Bueno.

“Incredible” Beuno needs Celtic move

Currently stuck behind Rayan Ait Nouri in the pecking order at Wolves, Bueno needs Celtic as much as they need him to strengthen the left-back spot alongside Greg Taylor.

That said, given that he’s been at Wolves since he was 16-years-old, a permanent deal may be a difficult one to negotiate, perhaps making a loan deal the most viable option this summer.

If on loan in Scotland, those in the Midlands will be watching on hoping to see the left-back make strides towards his best, including Wolves sporting director Matt Hobbs, who told the club’s official website: “Since joining us as a 16-year-old number 10, the work that Hugo and the coaches have put into changing his position, and the acceptance he had of doing that, shows what a good pro he is. To be able to get his head around a new position and develop at the rate he has was incredible.

“Hugo’s one of the huge success stories of the club. Bringing him in from a grassroots team in Spain when he was just 16, and he’s now 21, playing in the Premier League and being a regular Premier League player, it’s testament to everyone involved.”

Reo Hatate Marks Comeback in Bounce Game, Eyes Celtic First Team Return

In a significant boost for Celtic, CeltsAreHere understands Japanese midfielder Reo Hatate has made a promising comeback, participating in a 45-minute bounce game as part of his recovery from a double calf injury sustained during the Asian Cup with Japan.

Hatate’s return is timely, Celtic have faced challenges maintaining their Premiership lead during his absence. However, with a recent victory over St Johnstone and The Rangers’ match against Dundee postponed, the bhoys have reclaimed the top spot.

The bounce match against St Mirren, ending in a 2-2 draw, was a critical test of Hatate’s readiness to rejoin Celtic’s first team for the final stretch of the season.

His performance suggests he could be br back in the fold for the upcoming match against Livingston after the international break.

Hatate’s return could not be more crucial, as the Premiership title race goes to the wire. His energy, creativity, and versatility have been missed, and his comeback could provide the necessary boost for Celtic to secure the championship.

We await to hear the outcome of Reo’s 45 minutes and if he has come through it ok.

‘After my Old Firm goals for Rangers, there were parts of Glasgow I was warned to avoid’

Former Rangers striker Peter Lovenkrands has opened up about life as a player during his stint in Glasgow and how he had to avoid certain areas of the city after Celtic games

The Old Firm derby is one of the fiercest rivalries on the planet, so it’s little wonder Celtic and Rangers players were given safety advice after the games.

‘Gers icon Peter Lovenkrands was a big favourite at Ibrox, not least because of his habit of netting against the Hoops. He joined Rangers from Danish club Akademisk Boldklub in 2000, knowing little about Glasgow or the intense hatred between the two sets of fans in the city.

But after scoring a couple of goals in the Old Firm he couldn’t walk down the street without getting bombarded with verbal expletives from angry Celtic supporters out for revenge. Fortunately, the 44-year-old revealed, his local mates told him which parts of town to avoid in order to steer clear of trouble.

“Celtic fans did not like me and I understand it. It’s such a big rivalry, the biggest you will ever get, and unless you experience it, you will never understand,” Lovenkrands exclusively told Ladbrokes Fanzone. “In my second season there, I scored a few goals against Celtic. So after that year, it all took a big turn for me.

“I went from being able to walk down the streets no problem, to everyone looking for autographs and photos. The negative side then was the shouting and what not on the street from Celtic fans, but that is part and parcel of it. I had good friends around me who helped me in terms of telling me what not to do, places to go, and so on.”

Despite the perpetual animosity, Lovenkrands says he feels honoured to have played a small part in the Celtic-Rangers rivalry. “It is the most amazing derby to be part of and to be fair, people now won’t understand what it was like; back then it was crazy because the away fans were allowed over 8000 and the noise at those games was just incredible.

“Now, there’s no away fans so it’s not the same. I feel for the players and fans because they don’t get the actual Old Firm experience. The atmosphere was insane.”

Lovenkrands scored 54 goals in 182 Rangers matches, with six of them coming against Celtic. He left in 2006 to join German club Schalke 04, but returned to British soil two years later to sign for Newcastle. He hung up his boots in 2014 after a short stint with Birmingham.