“I wouldn’t normally say anything on anything,” Celtic boss on Bobby Clark link | OneFootball

When The Times reported that Celtic were preparing a £6 million move for Bobby Clark, it immediately turned heads, and not just because of the player’s Liverpool past…

Lewis Dobbin of Preston North End competes with Bobby Clark of Derby County during the Sky Bet Championship match between Derby County and Preston North End at Pride Park on September 20, 2025 in Derby, England. (Photo by Richard Martin-Roberts/Getty Images)

The report, written by The Times’ respected North-East correspondent Martin Hardy, suggested that Celtic were lining up a January deal to sign the RB Salzburg midfielder.

However, the story has since taken an unexpected twist. Other outlets have cast doubt on the claim, with reports indicating no agreement has been reached between the clubs. To add to the confusion, Derby County manager John Eustace, under whom Clark is currently playing on loan, appeared unaware of any such arrangement when questioned this week.

Jurgen Klopp, Manager of Liverpool, interacts with Bobby Clark of Liverpool after the team’s victory in the Emirates FA Cup Fifth Round match between Liverpool and Southampton at Anfield on February 28, 2024. (Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images)

That contradiction is striking. Clark, after all, joined Derby on a season-long loan from Salzburg, a deal that would ordinarily run until next summer, unless cut short by a break clause or mutual consent.

What makes the situation even more intriguing is the credibility of the original source. Hardy is not a journalist known for chasing clicks or pandering to fanbases for traffic. Indeed, the fact the article was published behind The Times’ paywall suggests the story was not written for social media attention. When a reporter of that reputation goes to print, it tends to mean there’s something in it.

Yet the most curious element of all may not be the conflicting messages, it’s the position Celtic are reportedly targeting.

Mohamed Salah of Liverpool celebrates scoring his team’s third goal with teammates Cody Gakpo, Darwin Nunez and Bobby Clark during the UEFA Europa League 2023/24 round of 16 second leg match between Liverpool FC and AC Sparta Praha at Anfield on March 14, 2024. (Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images)

Brendan Rodgers, as you would expect, was asked about Celtic’s reported interest in Clark at his media conference this afternoon. The Celtic manager had this to say in response to the question.

“It’s one that’s come from a long way out. I wouldn’t normally say anything on anything, but I really don’t know where that has come from at all. Especially in October. I’m really not sure where that’s come from.”

Bobby Clark of Derby County during the Championship match between Derby County and Southampton at Pride Park on October 04, 2025. (Photo by Cameron Smith/Getty Images)

The Celtic manager was earlier asked about this the first transfer story of the January by Sky Sports and you can watch that below.

Celtic midfield options – continues on the next page…

Celtic are not short of midfield options. If anything, midfield is one of the most competitive areas of Brendan Rodgers’ squad. Had the club been linked with a winger, particularly given the ongoing need for more creativity from the right-hand side, supporters might have understood the logic. And while Clark has occasionally featured wide or as a more advanced option, his natural role is as a midfielder, operating centrally rather than out wide.

So, if there is genuine interest, could that signal an impending departure?

Paulo Bernardo at Firhill. Partick Thistle v Celtic. Premier Sports League Cup. Sunday 21 September. Photo Vagelis Georgariou (The Celtic Star)

Paulo Bernardo, who joined Celtic permanently last season after an initial loan from Benfica, has struggled for minutes this campaign and could be one to watch, after all there were rumours he was wanted back in Portugal over the summer.

Luke McCowan of Celtic celebrates scoring to give Celtic a 1-0 lead. Celtic v St Mirren, Scottish Premiership, Celtic Park, Glasgow, 3 August 2025. Photo Stuart Wallace, IMAGO / Shutterstock (The Celtic Star)

Luke McCowan remains a useful squad player but has yet to cement a guaranteed place in the starting XI, but he’s living all supporters dream, he’s a homegrown option for European squads, and he seems as happy with that as the club are with him.

Arne Engels of Celtic vies with Andy Winter of Livingston during the Scottish Premiership match between Celtic and Livingston at Celtic Park on August 23, 2025. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

And then there’s Arne Engels, whose early promise appears to have been overshadowed by the emergence of Benjamin Nygren, arguably the only central midfielder in the squad who consistently offers goals and assists or even breaks into the box these days. Engels, notably, was the subject of interest from Atalanta in the summer, and if those links resurface in January, Celtic may find themselves considering bids, so there may be something in that.

Reo Hatate of Celtic applauds Kairat Almaty v Celtic, UEFA Champions League, Play-Off Round, Second Leg, Football, Almaty Central Stadium, Almaty, Kazakhstan – 26 Aug 2025. Almaty Almaty Central Stadium Kazakhstan Photo Nikita Bassov/Shutterstock

And then there’s Reo Hatate. He is currently in one of his more sluggish periods, showing glimpses rather than consistent impact, but there’s little doubt he will regain form in due course. The bigger question now is his future at Celtic. Now in his fifth season at the club, is Hatate ready for a new challenge elsewhere, or have Celtic asked him to hang on a little longer, much like they did with Daizen Maeda in the summer, with a potential move on the horizon in January?

His situation adds another layer of intrigue to Celtic’s midfield planning and could influence any decision regarding incoming signings like Bobby Clark.

Brendon Rodgers, Manager of Celtic, looks on prior to the match between theRangers and Celtic at Ibrox on August 31, 2025. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

Brendan Rodgers’ own situation also looms large over Celtic’s planning. The manager is out of contract in the summer, and while both parties have so far kept discussions low-key, it may be possible the club are looking to demonstrate the kind of ambition Rodgers called for throughout the last transfer window. Moves such as a potential bid for Bobby Clark could be interpreted as evidence that Celtic’s board are prepared to back their manager more assertively.

Interestingly, prior to Clark’s switch to Salzburg, Celtic were credited with an interest in the youngster. But, at the time Pep Lijnders – previously assistant to Jurgen Klopp at Liverpool — was instrumental in persuading the player to join the Austrian side instead. That move did not work out as planned. Lijnders himself is no longer Salzburg manager, having been dismissed after just 29 games, and Clark struggled for game time in Austria. Perhaps, then, Celtic see a second opportunity, one that would strengthen the squad while also sending a timely message of intent to Rodgers.

Of course, it’s possible the speculation around Clark is premature, or even inaccurate. But given the reliability of the original report, the story won’t disappear easily. Whether or not the move materialises, it adds intrigue to an already fascinating picture ahead of the January transfer window. If Celtic are seriously considering a move for Clark, it likely means someone is on their way out.

For now, the situation remains uncertain, but with a trusted journalist reporting it, this is a story that may yet develop further in the coming weeks. It will be interesting to see it play out.

Here’s Brendan’s media conference from earlier today….

Niall J

Celtic in the Eighties by David Potter, signed copies by Danny McGrain available from celticstarbooks.com

Don’t miss the chance to purchase the late, great Celtic historian David Potter’s final book. All remaining copies have been signed by the legendary Celtic captain  Danny McGrain PLUS you’ll also receive a FREE copy of David Potter’s Willie Fernie biography – Putting on the Style, and you’ll only be charged for postage on one book.  Order from Celtic Star Books HERE.

Celtic in the Eighties and Willie Fernie – Putting on the Style both by David Potter. Photo The Celtic Star

Danny McGrain signing copies of Celtic in the Eighties by David Potter. Photo: Celtic Star Books

More Stories / Latest News

“I wouldn’t normally say anything on anything,” Celtic boss on Bobby Clark link

Oct 17 2025, 18:36

“I love Celtic, I love managing Celtic, I want Celtic to be the very best,” Brendan Rodgers

Oct 17 2025, 16:34

Neil Lennon’s standing on the wrong side of Celtic’s future

Oct 17 2025, 14:53