Following club agreement, more information about Celtic’s Ibrox allocation becomes available.

The news on Friday that more Celtic supporters will be in attendance at future derbies against Rangers at Ibrox is welcome.

The SPFL confirmed in a statement this morning that both teams will be allocating around 5% of their stadium for away supporters from 2024/25 onwards.

For Celtic, that means around 2,500 supporters will be heading to Govan next season and more details have emerged on where they will be housed at Ibrox.

With Celtic due to host the first meeting of the two teams next season then Bhoys fans will return to Ibrox for the traditional New Year derby.

The two remaining derbies this term will remain home fans only.

Rangers confirm where Celtic fans will be situated at Ibrox

Rangers have confirmed in a statement that their fans in the BF5, BR5, BF4 and BR4 sections will be impacted by the latest developments, meaning Celtic fans will be located in the Broomloan Road end.

Celtic will be given a European-style area at Ibrox, stretching from the far corner of the Broomloan from the TV camera viewpoint to around one-third of the stand behind the goal.

It seems there will be Bhoys supporters on both the top and bottom tier, albeit not all the way along the stretch of the Broomloan like in years gone by when the allocation was at its largest.

The experience should be far better for those attending than when just 800 or so were penned into a tiny corner surrounded by close to 50,000 home supporters.

Given that many suspect it was Celtic’s derby dominance that led to Rangers cutting away tickets in the first place, hopefully, the Bhoys can again inspire epic scenes in Broomloan – days that those in attendance would never forget.

Celtic £40m profits ranks among European elite as Hoops make top 20

Celtic recorded the seventh highest pre-tax profits in Europe during 2023, a new document has revealed.

UEFA recently released their Club Finance and Investment Landscape report, which details a wide range of information about clubs across the continent. Indeed, we told this week how the Hoops and Rangers were both in the top 20 for gate receipts as they reaped the rewards of having big fan bases.

It has been well documented Celts are in rude financial health and their recent half-term report revealed they had £72.3million in the bank, had generated £119.9m in revenue and made £40.7m in pre-tax profit during 2023. That’s reflected in the UEFA report as the pre-tax profit is listed as €47m.

But what it also tells us is where they rank among other clubs in Europe, and the answer is pretty well. Only Barcelona, Brighton, Napoli, Ajax, Bayern Munich and RB Salzburg brought in more money before taxes.

Celtic’s figures have them ahead of heavyweights such as PSG, Manchester City, Liverpool and Juventus in that regard.

A huge part of the income generated was success commercially, with the Hoops generating £46million in commercial revenue in 2023.

That again places them in the top 20 in Europe and represents a growth of £8.5m from the previous year.

It was a better than expected performance and was helped by a kit manufacturer deal with Adidas and kit sponsorship deal with Dafabet.

Brendan Rodgers’ comments on his squad make for interesting Celtic summer window

Celtic are currently focused on their efforts to see out this campaign in the strongest manner possible; however, attention will soon turn to our summer transfer business.

Movement is expected in both directions once the window rolls around, though it remains to be seen who Brendan Rodgers decides to keep or discard from his existing playing squad.

Of course, it may not be easy to keep the likes of Matt O’Riley, given heavy interest in his services from La Liga giants Atletico Madrid earlier this year.

The Denmark international will have aspirations of reaching the top level in his career alongside being an attractive homegrown option for clubs in the Premier League.

Beyond that, we also need to make permanent decisions on the future of loanees Adam Idah and Paulo Bernardo, with the latter mooted to have a buyout stipulation worth £6.4 million in his agreement.

Decisions are there to be made for Rodgers this summer, though some of his recent comments may pique the interest of Celtic fans as we edge closer to the end of the campaign.

Brendan Rodgers’ comments on Celtic squad size

While discussing Hyeokkyu Kwon’s impact on loan at St Mirren, Rodgers made an intriguing observation that planted the seed he could be set to trim further bodies from his squad this summer.

He stated: “I spoke to Stephen (Robinson); he needed game time with the squad being too big here. He is a talented player, and hopefully, he has gone and shown that, and the guys are really delighted with him there”

From that otherwise normal passage of quotes, the ‘squad being too big here’ excerpt stands out as a point worth discussing from a Celtic point of view.

Rodgers has previously signalled a desire to have a squad size of around 25 players with three goalkeepers intact, so that does beg the question, who could leave the Bhoys this summer?

Evaluating the main candidates to leave Celtic this summer

It makes sense to start with loanees, and it doesn’t seem like Marco Tilio has a long-term future at Parkhead following his move to Melbourne City in January after just two cameo appearances for the club.

Come the summer, there may never be a better opportunity to cash in on Republic of Ireland international Mikey Johnston. In a blistering start to life at West Bromwich Albion, the 24-year-old has registered six goals and one assist in ten matches.

Reports suggest that Celtic could be open to selling the academy product, and it may be worth striking while the iron is hot in that respect.

Last month, Rodgers claimed that goalkeepers Scott Bain and Benjamin Siegrist could follow the soon-retiring Joe Hart in seeking new pastures [Sky Sports].

On the same token, Alexandro Bernabei and Gustaf Lagerbielke are unlikely to work their way back into his plans, with the former now on loan at Internacional for the remainder of 2024.

Yuki Kobayashi and James McCarthy are now almost the forgotten men of Lennoxtown and seem to be on borrowed time.

Lastly, Rocco Vata is a target for multiple clubs, including AC Milan, amid his contract expiration this summer, whereas prominent central Liam Scales is out of contract in 2025, which may become a problem if he doesn’t commit his future to the club before too long.

There may be a long-term strategy behind any Celtic squad cull

Despite the fact Celtic have financial riches that dwarf most of Scotland’s other clubs, Rodgers has made his wish known to blood homegrown talent that has been cultivated at Lennoxtown.

Cutting fringe players out where necessary will be a crucial element of his long-term strategy to ensure we have the space to carry this out.

The Irishman stated in January: “I’m conscious here. I want to be here for a period of time as long as, of course, I’m successful, so I also want to create an opportunity for young players to come through here.

“Everyone talks about signings and bringing people in, and I always say that you might have someone within your academy, but you need the space for those players to flourish and develop.”

Whatever transpires this summer, it is sure to be another busy transfer period as Celtic build for next season.

Chris Sutton Provides Timely Glasgow Derby Reminder On BBC Show

Former Celtic centre-forward and now outspoken pundit Chris Sutton has recently given a timely reminder of a few of his Glasgow Derby goals.

Sutton appeared on BBC 5 Live’s Monday Night Club where the panel – which included Luton Town duo Tom Lockyer and Andros Townsend – discussed various topics, particularly early goals.

Such a subject came about amid the recent number of quick strikes in games; Austria went a goal up six seconds into their game away at Slovakia on Saturday while Florian Wirtz gave Germany the lead seven seconds after the start versus France on the same day.

This discussion prompted Sutton to recall a few of his iconic moments in green and white. He said: “Yeah, I don’t like talking about myself. But I scored inside a minute at Ibrox and Celtic Park.”

At Parkhead in his maiden derby appearance, the big Englishman opened the scoring 52 seconds into a 6-2 demolition with a back-post tap-in. A few years later at Ibrox, he made it 1-0 to Celtic after 19 seconds with what still stands as the earliest derby strike although on that day, the Hoops fell to a 3-2 loss.

A result of the same ilk cannot be accepted a week on Sunday but an early goal could do Brendan Rodgers’ side a lot of good.

13 goals, 7 assists: Celtic target likens himself to £41m Liverpool star and may be next Jota

With his designer stubble, his elegance and vision in possession, and his mop of slicked back hair held down by a headband, it is no secret why the Celtic target has been labelled Portugal’s answer to Jack Grealish. 

According to the man himself, however, there is another Premier League forward with whom one of the most coveted attackers in Iberia identifies more closely.

“I can see a bit of myself in Diogo Jota’s style,” Jota Silva tells The Guardian. “He is a great player.”

Diogo Jota has been a key cog in Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool machine since joining from Wolves four years ago.

HITC Football understands that his namesake Jota Silva has now been lined up by a number of clubs based on either side of Hadrian’s Wall. And if Celtic is to be his destination, Jota Silva may have to face up to comparisons with not Diogo Jota but Jota Filipe, the much-missed winger who was perhaps the main contributor – alongside Kyogo Furuhashi and Callum McGregor – to successive Scottish Premiership titles under Ange Postecoglou.

Premier League clubs eye Portugal newbie

HITC have been told that, in addition to Celtic, there is also interest from a host of Premier League sides, plus promotion-chasing Leicester City. A Wolves outfit who have long been seen as a stable launchpad for ambitious, Portuguese-speaking talents may be viewed as favourites from an outside perspective.

Jota Silva certainly isn’t lacking in ambition himself. But while Celtic may struggle to compete with their southern neighbours when it comes to financial matters, the prospect of a seat at Europe’s top table at Parkhead could be enough to convince the Vitoria Guimaraes ace to follow in Jota Filipe’s Glaswegian footsteps.

“I want to reach the top of world football,” Jota Silva adds. “I want to play in the Champions League.”

Celtic, should they survive a testing qualification phase, could be doing just that in 2024/25. And while Brendan Rodgers, during two spells at the helm, has often come into question for an apparent ‘stockpiling’ of wide forwards, the departure of Liel Abada to the MLS and the ageing limbs of James Forrest mean there could yet be a place at Parkhead for Jota Silva; adaptable and ambidextrous enough to play all across the frontline.

Jota Silva has 13 goals and seven assists for Vitoria this term, while splitting his time between life on the left and runs on the right.

Could Celtic’s new Jota be… another Jota?

Portugal coach Roberto Martinez, while handing Jota his first Portugal cap in Guimaraes’ home stadium against Sweden on Thursday, hailed the forward’s ‘versatility’ and his uniqueness.

He is, the former Everton manager’s opinion shared by AC Milan talisman and Portugal team-mate Rafael Leao, a role model for late-blooming forward’s taking the long route to the top.

“In big games, where there may be few opportunities, it is important to be efficient,” Jota’s former Vitoria coach Joao Aroso tells A Bola, highlighting the talents which could make a newcomer to Martinez’s squad a joker in the Portuguese pack at Euro 2024.

“He is a player who, due to his effectiveness, can help. He is a player who, if given the opportunity, can score a goal and can help define a game with a higher level of difficulty. Then, the mental aspect, where he is very strong, can be important.

“He is a very committed player in training. What you see in the games, you see in training. He is very dedicated and is focused on being a high-performance athlete.”

10 Premiership most improved players including Celtic, Rangers & others

It’s getting close to that time of year where the end of season awards are handed out and people will be thinking about their picks for player of the year.

One we don’t see a gong handed out for in the Premiership is ‘most improved player’. It’s the one we all wanted to avoid when playing youth football as it was seen as almost the opposite of a compliment, a pat on the back for trying.

But once you get to professional level that’s surely not the case. It’s already an achievement just being there and if you improve year or year then you’re doing something very right. A lot of the guys on the list that follow were already doing well for their clubs, it’s just that this year they’ve really kicked on to such an extent than they stand out for it.

Without further ado, here is our list of nine most improved players in the Premiership from last season to this.

Out on loan at Aberdeen last season, it didn’t look like he had a future at Celtic. But with a defensive shortage he was given a chance and took it with both hands. The Irishman has been a regular at the heart of defence ever since and while there may have been a drop off in performance since the start of the season, still an option Brendan Rodgers can rely on.

Rangers finally seem to have the left-back they thought they were signing in 2022. The Turk only played in 15 games last season as he struggled to adapt to Scottish football, with Borna Barisic keeping him out the team. But Yilmaz is now very much the first pick and one of Gers’ better players of recent weeks and months.

After signing from Livingston, the winger started his Hearts career well but the season faded out for him as he became more of a bench option. Has sparked under Steven Naismith during this campaign. Could score more goals but five assists is not bad and his all round play has been impressive.

The centre-back was on loan at Kilmarnock last season and did well, enough to persuade them to make it permanent. But he’s been even better this campaign and an important part of one of the best defences in the leagues. Even tipped for Scotland honours recently.

Another who was by no means bad prior to this season, but seems to have taken his game to a new level. Always a threat, even in the tougher games and after a tally of two goals and three assists in 22/23, has already topped that with four and six so far.

Rocky Bushiri has been maligned at times during his time at Hibs but there has also been a feeling that there is a good defender in there. Is showing more of that these days and seems to have cut out the mistakes. Made a difference to the backline when returning from the African Cup of Nations, which was telling.

Wow. Quite possibly the biggest transformation of the lot. Branded a no-hoper by St Johnstone fans, eyebrows were raised when Motherwell then took him to the club, but he has shone. His season was epitomised by a recent display at Ibrox when he rag dolled Connor Goldson and John Souttar on the way to victory. But there have been plenty other performances like that and 11 goals to go with it.

Did have an impact during his first season at St Johnstone. But now seems to be doing it on a more regular and consistent basis as a workhorse in the middle of the pitch who can also use the ball well.

Remarkable that he wouldn’t be the most improved at Motherwell given the season he is having, but been outshone by Bair. Seven goals from midfield for a team in the bottom half is pretty good going and has turned up in big matches too. Out of contract in the summer, there will surely be interest in his services.

Kingsley has already been a very good Hearts player for most of his time there. But not as much last season. Injuries definitely played a part but the left-sided defender didn’t enjoy his best campaign. However, he’s been back to his best and one of the main men in Steven Naismith’s side, whether at left-back or centre half.

Report: Everton looking at signing record-breaking £21.5m midfielder who Celtic really ‘didn’t fancy’

The financial misconduct of Everton over the last years has really scuppered their recent endeavours in the market.

Having seen numerous star names bypassed due to a lack of funds or ability to spend, Farhad Moshiri’s decision to risk their future to succeed in the present looks woeful in hindsight.

And, it has made the jobs of Kevin Thelwell and Sean Dyche so much harder too, with the former having to feed off scraps as he searches for viable transfer targets.

Fortunately, one opportunity now seems to have emerged which could denote a perfect fit for their side.

Everton plan summer transfer for Lewis Ferguson

As noted by GIVEMESPORT, Lewis Ferguson is one target that Thelwell has detailed ahead of the summer transfer window.

And with good reason, given the blistering form the Scotland international is enjoying in the Serie A with Bologna.

The report states: ‘According to GMS sources, Aston Villa have checked out Ferguson, but they aren’t the only side in the Premier League to send scouts to monitor the former Aberdeen man.

‘Newcastle United, Brentford, Fulham, and Everton have also looked at Ferguson. Bologna are flying high in Serie A this season, sitting in fourth place, with Champions League qualification a real possibility.’

Should they push this move through, fighting past the financial barriers which have scuppered so many potential deals in recent years for Everton, it would represent an almighty coup of a star who could shine in the first-team for the foreseeable future.

What would also add to the intrigue of this move is that both Rangers and Celtic actually turned down the option to acquire his services back, with one pundit suggesting they simply ‘didn’t fancy him at all’.

Lewis Ferguson could lead Everton away from relegation battles

To further emphasise his already-established European pedigree, there were rumours that West Ham United were plotting a £21.5m bid back in December 2023.

And whilst that obviously did not come to fruition, it showcases that Ferguson is on the radar of many clubs.

So, Everton would have to act quickly if they were to win the race, which is certain to be a hotly-contested one.

Especially given the form the 24-year-old is enjoying, scoring six and assisting four in the Serie A alone for a side challenging for a Champions League spot against all the odds.

In doing so, he has already broken Denis Law’s record for goals scored in Italy.

However, that alone merely scratches the surface of this talented, hard-working and economical maestro, who is also shining when compared to others in his role.

When viewed against attacking midfielders across Europe’s top five leagues, he actually ranks in the top 7% for passes attempted per 90, the top 1% for pass completion percentage, and the top 8% for clearances per 90, via FBref.

Seemingly boasting the quality and the work ethic to help him thrive within Dyche’s system, this would prove an intelligent transfer to kickstart what will hopefully be a brighter future for the Toffees.