Manager gives transfer update as Hoops prepare for Premiership clash with Dundee

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Celtic F.C.

·24 January 2025

Manager gives transfer update as Hoops prepare for Premiership clash with Dundee

Having put his squad through their paces at a wet and windy Lennoxtown training centre today (Friday), Brendan Rodgers faced the media as he looked forward to this Saturday’s Premiership clash with Dundee at Celtic Park.

And the manager gave an update on the latest potential comings and goings at the club, confirming that Kyogo has travelled to French side, Rennes, for a medical with a view to confirming a move there in the next 24 hours.

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He explained that the club wanted one of their best players to stay, but had to respect the player’s desire to move on.

In respect of arrivals, the Celtic manager is hopeful that Portuguese winger, Jota’s return to Paradise is also imminent.

The 25-year-old, who left Celtic in July 2023 to move to Saudi Arabia, has been with Rennes since August last year.

Regardless of what happens off the pitch, the Hoops will be fully focused on the 90 minutes tomorrow when they take on Dundee, looking for a victory which would extend their lead at the top of the Premiership table.

And they go into the match full of confidence following the midweek Champions League win over YB Bern, a result which puts Celtic into the play-off round of the prestigious competition.

One man who has played a pivotal role in the European campaign is, of course, Callum McGregor, and the Celtic captain produced another outstanding performance in midweek on what was his 101st European appearance for the Hoops.

But it wasn’t something which surprised his manager, who has worked with the player over many years now.

“I thought Callum was absolutely brilliant in the game,” said Brendan Rodgers.

“He’s such an outstanding player, he’s been here for such a long time and how he leads this team with his commitment and his example is absolutely second to none.

'I’ve managed him in so many games over my two spells and the consistency and the level he produces is absolutely incredible.'

“Now, from time to time he might not be nine out of 10. He’ll maybe only be seven sometimes but that’s just the level that he’s set.

“How he drives this team – and I’ve said before that he’s the real heartbeat of this team and the level of his game that he’s shown, like the other night, like against Leipzig, or away against Atalanta, he’s still a player for the very highest level.

“You’ll always have your critics, manager or player, whether it’s deserved or not, but what I do know is that the example he sets both on and off the pitch here, I’m very lucky to have him as my captain.”

And the manager also spoke about how much he is loving life at Celtic, having won the league and Scottish Cup double last season, and added the League Cup to that trophy haul in this campaign.

His team currently enjoy a 13-point lead at the top of the Premiership table, while they have progressed to the next stage of the Champions League with a game to spare, having won three, drawn three and lost just one match in the league phase.

“To be in management you need to have a real commitment and passion for the job, and you have to enjoy it,” the Celtic boss explained.

“I’ve been very lucky in my life to work with brilliant players but, more importantly, brilliant people, and I’m here that a club that’s really authentic with people who work hard and give you absolutely everything.

“And when I did come back, I had a point to prove and had to shake off some things that, for some people, will never be able to shake off, but for me, the most important thing was Celtic and giving them the best that I possibly could, and I absolutely love it.”