All the latest news surrounding Celtic and Rangers as both clubs look to increase the quality within their respective squads ahead of next season.
Celtic and Rangers will already have people working hard on preparations for next season, and indeed pre-season. Both clubs are likely to improve their respective squads significantly, with the Hoops needing to do a better job of being Champions League-ready next season, while the Gers must make up the gap between themselves and their biggest rivals.
The Scottish Premiership was a closely run race in the season just gone, with Philippe Clement’s men leading at various stages before giving way to Celtic in the final quarter of the campaign. Here we round up all the latest as both teams bid to improve.
Celtic are said to be closing in on a deal to land loan star Paulo Bernardo on a permanent deal. According to the Daily Record, the Hoops are confident of striking a deal as they look to reduce the option to buy in the loan deal from its current value of £6million.
The 22-year-old knows he has no future at Benfica, and with that in mind, Celtic hope to find a middle ground, knowing the Portuguese club want to sell this summer. Speaking about Bernardo earlier in the season, Rodgers said: “Every young player that comes in isn’t going to adapt right away, coming from a new country and a different way of football but Paulo’s really taken his opportunity these last number of weeks. That’s the nice thing when you’ve got young players. They want to learn and they want to develop.
He added: “It is all patience. Sometimes at big clubs there is no patience with young players. You can see him growing and developing. When you have young players that is what tends to happen if their attitude is right, and their mentality is right. He has come in in these last few games and created goals and scored goals and he has put his foot in too. He is tenacious. Absolutely delighted for him. It is now about consistency.
”Ipswich Town release ex Rangers playerFormer Rangers star Dominic Ball has been released by Ipswich Town following their promotion to the Premier League. The 28-year-old had been with the Tractor Boys since 2022, having joined from QPR. He enjoyed a loan spell with Rangers earlier in his career.
After his release was confirmed, Ipswich boss Kieran McKenna said: “Kayden (Jackson) and Dominic have both been important members of a group which has achieved significant success over the last two seasons.
“Both have made vital contributions on the field and, off the pitch, have played central roles in developing a culture and setting standards which have been so important to the Club’s progress. Their contributions to everything the Club has achieved should not be understated.
“I am certain both Kayden and Dominic will be real assets at whichever clubs they take the next steps in their careers and they will always be welcome at both Portman Road and Playford Road.
