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      Al-Ittihad ‘to leave record signing Jota out of squad with another high-profile incoming replacing him’

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      FORMER Celtic star Jota has been left out of Saudi side Al-Ittihad’s squad despite being the club’s record signing, according to reports.The winger, 24, only joined from Celtic for £25million in July.
      Jota has been axed from the Al-Ittihad squad, according to reportsCredit: Getty
      The signing looked to represent a major coup for Ittihad given that the winger is in the prime of his career.
      He scored 15 goals and assisted 12 times during a fine 2022-23 season under Ange Postecoglou at Celtic Park.
      However, Al Riyadh sports journalist Hattan Al Najjar reports that Jota has now been jettisoned from Al-Ittihad’s Saudi Premier League squad.
      Al Najjar wrote: “Jota will be excluded from the list of [Al Ittihad] professionals in the league, according to the new system.”
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      Jota has cut a peripheral figure since joining the Saudi side, playing just 133 minutes across five matches and scoring one goal.
      Jota looked to be a statement signing for Al-Ittihad after arriving alongside Karim Benzema and N’Golo Kante.
      But Saudi sides are limited by the league in how many foreign players they can register and it looks like Jota has not made the cut.
      That’s because his new club want to accommodate another new signing,defender Luiz Felipe from Real Betis, who cost a reported £18.8m.
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      Al-Ittihad were heavily also linked with a move for Liverpool star Mohamed Salah, with SunSport revealing the Saudi side were prepared to bid up to £215m.
      But, Liverpool and Jurgen Klopp held firm in their desire to hold onto the Egyptian superstar.
      It is likely Al-Ittihad will return with another bid in January.
      Al-Ittihad sit third in the Saudi Pro League table, with four wins and defeat from five games.
      Their next fixture will be against Al-Akhdoud on September 14. More

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      I live next to Rangers’ Ibrox stadium, I love having a hot dog van on my doorstep – but there’s one thing I find rough

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      THE crowds, the noise, the colour – and the burgers.Match day at Rangers’ Ibrox stadium brings over 50,000 fans to Govan and transforms the area for a few hours.
      Locals find it quite hectic living next to the stadium on matchdaysCredit: Steve Welsh
      The streets pile up when Rangers have a home match at the weekendCredit: Steve Welsh
      The Scottish Sun decided to speak to local residents to hear what it was like to see their surroundings change so dramatically for short spells every week or two.
      And one local, whose flat window looks directly out on the stadium, revealed she loves the convenience of nipping out for a burger or a hot dog!
      Sophia Smith also like to see so many dads enjoying special moments with their excited kids before the big game.
      But she did admit that the small number of supporters who use residential areas as urinals is “quite rough”.

      Sophia, 23, said: “When my flatmate proposed the idea to live at a flat at Ibrox when we were flat hunting I was dubious as I know a lot about Anfield and the crowds near there.
      “But it’s actually really quiet unless it is a match day.
      “On matchday it can be quite hectic as the fans use the wall as a toilet, which can be quite rough.
      “One of the things we really enjoy about living here is the hot dog stand and burgers. It’s quite nice being able to go out and get a hot dog and burger sometimes.
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      “It is really sweet when we see dads bringing their sons dressed up and take a picture of them at the wall with the stadium in the background.
      “We see this about ten times a day and it is really sweet as some people travel really far to come here.
      “My boyfriend told me he would have loved this as a wee boy after the stadium roared when a goal was scored during a film we were watching.
      “When the window is open it can sometimes shake the room. It can be quite intense.”
      Susan Packer, who lives on Copland Road, absolutely loves living in the shadow of the famous stadium – because she’s a huge Gers fan.
      Susan, 61, said: “I’m over the moon living close to Rangers. I’m a fan of the club.
      “I sometimes mingle with the fans on match days.
      “You don’t hear the noise from the stadium from my flat. I can see the stadium from my flat. It’s a pure joy.”
      However, one resident is at the end of her tether at the mess left behind after match days.
      The local, who wished to remain anonymous, claimed her husband was so furious one day that he dumped a bag of matchday rubbish on the desk of Ibrox chiefs.
      They said: “We have complained many times to the club about fans as they pee in the bushes and on the wall.
      “They use it as a urinal. It is appalling.
      “One day after match day, my husband was so furious, as there were beer bottles all over the place. He put the beer bottles in a black bin bag and walked right in and dumped it on their desks asking for something to be done.
      “They do nothing for the local community. We’ve complained about the noise and the fans being rowdy and the singing of sectarian songs.
      “It is particularly worse on Old Firm days. We’ve tried everything but nothing gets done.
      “My car got scratched by fans on match day but because the police couldn’t see it on the CCTV they couldn’t do anything.
      “We have double glazing on our windows and it has good sound proofing and we can still hear every single word.
      “Rangers can feel like they can do anything because they know the residents don’t speak out because of fear of retribution.”
      Another resident in a similar spot added: “I have been here for 14 years.
      “You have to decide if you are in or you are out on a match day.
      “We have to pencil in match days in the calendar as one time I forgot and I was trying to get home. I was stuck on the M8 for more than three hours.
      “I love it here and I don’t really want to leave but it has gotten too much that I’m thinking about moving out.
      “When the football is on forget it as you are either locked in all day or out all day until it has finished.
      “It is usually very quiet on the streets and very calm. But on match days it is very noisy and it is a nightmare to park.”
      A former resident who lived in front of Ibrox in the 90s with his wife moved out to Carnoustie for more peace so they can raise their son.
      George Gordon had come back to revisit his home 30 years later.
      He said: “When it was match days I couldn’t get parked but it was very well organised.
      “The window looked into the stadium and when people had too many drinks they would use the wall as a urinal.
      “We lived there at the height of Rangers when they had Souness and after that they just deteriorated.
      “We wanted a quiet area for our wee boy to grow up as it was quite difficult raising him with the noise of the fans.
      “It was always cleared very quickly after matches and it was always so good looking afterwards that you wouldn’t even know there had been a match on. We came back to visit our old flat.”
      Rajan Sidhu, who runs his family business near Ibrox, claims that the shop was saved by the huge Ibrox crowds.
      He said: “It boosts sales on match days. “We are not allowed to sell alcohol for people to drink as it is illegal so we are regularly watched by the police.
      “But without football we probably wouldn’t be here.“Nobody has got the money to spend due to the rise in prices but being next to the stadium helped us.
      “We have been here for over 20 years so we don’t really have much trouble with and we are respected by the fans.”
      Ali Andy, owner of a Turkish barbers, told how tipsy Gers fans joke with his staff.
      He said: “We sometimes get drunk Ranger fans passing by asking us for a free haircut but most of the time it is families and their little kids.
      “It is really nice seeing them go by with their children all kitted up for the matches. We have been invited a few times to games.
      “We don’t have much trouble from the fans on match days. We tend to close 10 minutes before games finish.
      Read More on The Sun
      “On Old firm days the Celtic fans leave via the other side so we don’t see them.”
      Sophia Smith admits it can be “quite rough” living next to the stadiumCredit: Steve Welsh
      Rangers-daft Susan Packer loves living next to IbroxCredit: Steve Welsh
      George Gordon used to live in the area but moved 30 years agoCredit: Steve Welsh
      Rajan Sidhu runs his family business near the venueCredit: Steve Welsh
      Ali Andy owns a local Turkish barbers nearbyCredit: Steve Welsh
      Keep up to date with ALL the latest news and transfers at the Scottish Sun football page  More

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      Celtic boss Brendan Rodgers planning transfer swoop on former club Liverpool for out-of-favour star

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      BRENDAN RODGERS has put Liverpool keeper Caoimhin Kelleher at the top of his Celtic wanted list.Hoops boss Rodgers is looking for a long-term replacement for Joe Hart.
      Celtic boss Brendan Rodgers is keeping tabs on Liverpool ace Caoimhin KelleherCredit: Getty
      Celtic manager Rodgers is looking for reinforcement from former club LiverpoolCredit: PA
      And his sights are set firmly on the big Anfield reserve, 24.
      Republic of Ireland stopper Kelleher hoped to move this summer but missed out on a possible Premier League switch.
      However, his exit down the line remains likely.
      Celtic checked into Kelleher’s availability and were told he could not go just now, especially with fears of Arab interest in Kop keeper Alisson.
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      Liverpool would also need to find a homegrown replacement for Kelleher, so that makes it even harder to allow him to leave.
      But the chance of being Celtic No 1 for the next few years appeals to the keeper after spending so long in the shadows at Anfield.
      Meanwhile, Liverpool will try to land Brazilian midfielder Andre, 22, in the January transfer window.
      Fluminense star Andre was on their radar in the summer but the club would not go beyond £30million for him.
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      And with Andre’s side chasing domestic honours in Brazil, they were not willing to trade.
      He fits the Liverpool profile perfectly and they are prepared to hold on until the time and price are right.
      The Anfield transfer team are also working on a centre-half for NEXT summer.
      Bayer Leverkusen’s Odilon Kossounou is on the watch-list after he failed to land a move to West Ham.
      The Ivory Coast international, 22, would jump at a move to Merseyside. More

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      PSV 5 Rangers 1 (7-3 Agg) – Horror Goldson own goal caps humbling night in Eindhoven as Gers drop into Europa League

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      IN the city the locals refer to as Light Town Rangers kept switching off.That’s why this became a dark night in Eindhoven.
      Connor Goldson at full timeCredit: Willie Vass
      PSV Eindhoven’s Joey Veerman celebrates the winCredit: PA
      Rangers applaud fans at full time after what was a humbling resultCredit: Willie Vass
      It’s PSV who’ll get to shine in the Champions League this season after this dazzling win.
      The Dutch club got the revenge they were looking for from last season with two goals from Ismael Saibari as well as strikes from Luuk De Jong, Joey Veerman as well as an embarrassing OG from Connor Goldson.
      Rangers’ goal from James Tavernier gave their 2000 supporters a brief cause for celebration.
      All of two minutes.

      It was just all too much for Michael Beale’s side with their dire defending at key moments seeing their £20million dream of reaching the group stages disappear.
      The reality for Rangers right now is that the Europa League is their level as they now have to wait until Friday to see who they’ll be up against in that competition.
      No-one could fault the effort they put into reaching the Champions League for the second year running.
      It wasn’t like they settled for the Europa League which was always there waiting for them as a fall-back.
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      Not that any of that took away any of the disappointment of last night. As the final whistle could be heard some Rangers players fell to their knees, shattered in every way possible.
      The travelling fans, too, looked gutted by it all.
      Beale’s line-up would have raised eyebrows among those who journeyed to the Netherlands.
      Luuk de Jong of PSV Eindhoven celebrates his priceless goalCredit: Getty
      It was a humbling scoreline at the endCredit: Willie Vass
      Rabbi Matondo looked a cert to begin the night on the bench and be the manager’s back-up plan if and when he needed him.
      But no. Matondo started ahead of Abdallah Sima.
      Clearly the goalscoring impact the Wales international made as a substitute in the first-leg at Ibrox thrust him to the forefront of Beale’s mind. 
      It was a gamble worth taking with Sima hardly pulling up trees since his arrival.
      The other change to the team that kicked off at Ibrox was the inclusion of John Lundstram which came at the expense of Ryan Jack.
      Beale’s thinking there was that the Englishman’s ball-hunting ability would bring more to the team. But that wasn’t how it panned out.

      There were encouraging signs for Rangers initially. 
      But it wasn’t long before the home side were dominant.
      Rangers became far too slack in possession in the first-half and opportunities to hit PSV on the break were wasted with painfully poor final balls.
      The Dutch side had far more composure where it mattered.
      Johan Bakayoko was a major threat on the right, Noa Lang every bit as dangerous on the left.
      Ismael Saibari of PSV Eindhoven celebrates after scoring his team’s goal for 2-0Credit: Getty
      There were close calls before PSV took the lead.
      De Jong should have scored with a back post header after 20 minutes before Jack Butland saved with his legs to keep out a shot from Saibari.
      Rangers did have a glimpse of goal around that time but Cyriel Dessers used an arm to control a brilliant long ball from Connor Goldson and pulled his effort wide anyway.
      It was that kind of night for the big striker who continues to underwhelm in a light blue jersey.
      When it came to the opener Rangers really should have defended the situation better.
      But it came during a sustained period of pressure and when Joey Veerman clipped a cross into the six yard box from the bye-line big Saibari couldn’t miss.
      Could John Souttar have moved his feet quicker? Could Nico Raskin have blocked the attacker’s run? As it was, both players will probably feel they could have done more in that key moment.
      It has gone from bad to worse for Rangers! 😬Connor Goldson passes it back past the keeper into his own net giving PSV a 5-1 lead… 😳#UCL pic.twitter.com/OdryuWeP9T— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) August 30, 2023

      There were 34 minutes on the clock at that point and the half-time whistle couldn’t come quickly enough for Beale’s side.
      But PSV came back out after the break with exactly the same energy and will to win.
      And just eight minutes after the restart Rangers were trailing by two.
      This time skipper De Jong did superbly to fire a back-post cross back across goal for Saibari to score his second of the night with an easy tap-in.
      It felt like game over there and then.
      But in 64 minutes Tavernier breathed new hope into Rangers chances with a poacher’s goal after sub Sam Lammers delivered a good cross to the back post.
      Suddenly the dream was back on for Rangers.
      But within just two minutes PSV had restored their two goal lead with the defending from Rangers once again not good enough.
      From a free-kick De Jong got between Lammers and Tavernier to nod the ball past Kammers.

      Even then Rangers had chances to score again and again, Matondo having one effort blocked and another one rattle the post.
      But with 12 minutes to go PSV turned the screw with Veerman firing through a crowded penalty box to make it 4-1 on the night.
      It wasn’t over yet, though, with the worse goal yet to come.
      In 81 minutes Goldson scored a horrendous own goal when he over-hit a passback to Butland.

      The sight of the ex-England No1 chasing the ball and diving into the back of his own net was just cruel.
      By the time the final whistle came the chants from the home fans rubbed salt in the wounds of the Rangers players.
      And during PSV’s on the pitch celebrations there was some anger among the Rangers side with Todd Cantwell clearly raging with something that had been said or done.
      Read More on The Sun
      But by then it was all over bar the shouting.
      Keep up to date with ALL the latest news and transfers at the Scottish Sun football page More

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      Forgotten wonderkid dubbed ‘Messi’s heir’ who Chelsea and Man City fought over at 13 signs for League One club

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      A FORGOTTEN wonderkid who was once dubbed “Messi’s heir” has signed for League One side Blackpool.Karamoko Dembele, 20, was the talk of football when he was coming through the ranks at Celtic and made his debut for the club’s under-20s side when he was just THIRTEEN.
      Blackpool have signed Karamoko Dembele on loanCredit: Twitter @BlackpoolFC
      Dembele was just a teen when he started training with the Celtic first team squadCredit: Kenny Ramsay – The Sun Glasgow

      He would go on to make his full first team debut at Celtic Park when he was still only 16 years old.
      The winger also had both Scotland and England fighting to have him declare for them and he represented both sides at youth level – although he has not declared for either country yet.
      And Chelsea and Manchester City were also scrapping for his signature after he burst on the scene.
      The winger, who was born in London, joined Celtic when he was just 10 years old and regularly scooped up awards at both academy and youth team level – with the expectation that he would go on to become a first team regular at Celtic Park.
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      His former youth team coach David Feeney said in 2016: “I think he is very similar to Lionel Messi. If he has the right guidance, then the sky is the limit for him.
      However, after making his debut for the club in the 2018-19 season, the 5ft5 winger never really managed to kick on at senior level – with injuries being a major factor.
      He would go on to make just eight further appearances for The Hoops, all of them cameos from the bench before joining Ligue 1 side Brest in 2022.
      Dembele made 17 appearances in his first season at the club, again largely being cameos from the bench.
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      Dembele went on to make nine first team appearances for CelticCredit: Kenny Ramsay – The Sun Glasgow
      But last season he featured just once in all competitions for the club.
      A move to Blackpool represents an opportunity for the youngster to revive his career.
      Still only 20, a move down the football pyramid from Ligue 1 to English football’s League One will give him the opportunity to gain the minutes he desperately needs to develop.
      After the club unveiled his signing on Twitter, it is fair to say that Blackpool fans still believe he can come good on his potential.
      One fan said: “If he’s as good as he was on my Football Manager we are winning the league ladies and gents.”
      Another added: “Promising young player, shame it’s a loan but should definitely add something if played in the correct position. Let’s hope this leads to a change in formation. Good luck to the lad.”
      While a third wrote: “Let us hope this is the maverick type player we badly need.” More

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      Watch awkward moment coach ‘does a Football Manager’ and ‘storms out’ of live TV interview after uncomfortable question

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      LEE JOHNSON stormed out of a live TV interview after being asked about his future as Hibernian manager.The coach has since been sacked by the Scottish Premiership outfit after the 3-2 loss to Livingston left them rock bottom of the league.
      Lee Johnson stormed out of a TV interviewCredit: Twitter
      He was asked if he thinks he will remain as Hibs managerCredit: Twitter
      And walked out of the roomCredit: Twitter
      Hibs have failed to pick up any points from their first three games and they also suffered a heavy 5-0 defeat to Aston Villa in the Conference League play-off.
      But after the disappointment against Livingston, Johnson, 42, appeared to be in no mood for chatting.
      During his post-match interview with Sky, he insisted that he still believes in the “abilities of the staff and in the players”.
      However, he then decided that was that as he started to walk away from the interviewer.
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      The reporter then got in one more question as they asked: “Do you think you will be manager next week?”
      To which Johnson replied: “Oh thank you.”
      He then continued to walk away before saying the fans were “brilliant” and that he “loves” them.
      The moment has gone viral on social media, with fans comparing it to a feature in the Football Manager computer game.
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      One tweeted: “He actually pressed the storm out of press conference button.”
      A second joked: “I hope he stays too…. Love the comedy value. Class.”
      A third commented: “Imagine getting asked if you’ll be in a job next week.
      The former Arsenal youth player and Bristol City midfielder – who managed the Robins and Sunderland before heading north of the border – has since been relieved from his duties by the Hibernian board.
      Chief executive Ben Kensell said: “The club has taken the tough decision to relieve Lee Johnson of his duties following a disappointing start to the domestic campaign.
      “We wish Lee and his coaching staff all the best for the future and thank them for their efforts.”
      Johnson was relieved of his duties on Sunday morningCredit: Andrew Barr More

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      I won the league title with Rangers and was known as a bad boy, now I want to be a government minister in my homeland

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      Ex-Rangers bad boy El Hadji Diouf has sparked astonishment – by declaring his aim to become a GOVERNMENT MINISTER.The retired Senegal international figured in a host of controversies on and off the field during his playing career.
      Diouf clashed with Scott Brown several times during his six month loan in ScotlandCredit: Reuters
      He went on to work with the Senegal national sideCredit: PA
      His career was rewarded with various awards in Africa – now he wants a key role off the pitchCredit: AFP – Getty
      Liverpool flop Diouf was involved in several spitting incidents, and was arrested several times.
      The winger, 42, also kept up running feuds with Kop icons Steven Gerrard and Jamie Carragher long after leaving Anfield.
      He helped Gers win an SPL and League Cup double during a 2011 spell on loan from Blackburn.
      Diouf has now insisted he hopes to become Senegal’s sports minister – or else head of the west African country’s FA.

      Both jobs would call for great reserves of tact and diplomacy.
      Diouf told Senegalese media: “I could easily see myself becoming Minister for Sport, or president of the Senegal Football Federation.
      “I could start work tomorrow.  I don’t see why not – I am an ambitious person.
      “Everything in its own time.  People got to know me in a different guise.
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      “That was in the past, when they only spoke about me as a bad boy.
      “But El Hadji Diouf the footballer was different to how I’d be as a director.”
      Senegal’s president Macky Sall previously sprung a surprise by handing Diouf a part-time role as an advisor.
      The former Bolton and Sunderland winger added: “In my role as a roving ambassador for the president, I have to behave in exemplary fashion.
      Diouf (right) landed the league title and League Cup in ScotlandCredit: Scottish News and Sport
      “I also have to represent the Senegalese FA in a worthy manner.”
      A £10million Liverpool buy from Lens, Diouf also played for Doncaster and Leeds.
      He hung up his boots in 2015 after a spell with Malaysian club Sabah.
      Elsewhere, former Rangers wonderkid Kai Kennedy has found a new club after a summer out of contract.
      Once courted by Bayern Munich and on the scouting list of several high-profile clubs in England and Europe, the winger will spend next season in the FIFTH tier of English football.
      Read More on The Sun
      He’s signed for York City and will hook up with former Ayr United striker Dipo Akinyemi who he faced with Falkirk in last season’s Scottish Cup.
      Keep up to date with ALL the latest news and transfers at the Scottish Sun football page More

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      Moment Celtic could have snapped up Moises Caicedo for just £1m – and who the Hoops signed instead

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      THERE’S a great list of players who nearly played for either half of the Old Firm – and now you can add Chelsea’s new £115m man Moises Caicedo to the list. Back then, Celtic were going for their tenth title in a row – with Neil Lennon at the helm.
      Moises Caicedo could have joined Celtic – he’s just gone to Chelsea for £115mCredit: Getty
      Neil Lennon was the man in chargeCredit: AFP
      Caicedo was an impressive 21-year-old at Independiente del Valle and according to the Daily Mail, a former Parkhead talent spotter “sent back a recommendation to Glasgow to sign him”.
      For whatever reason, it wasn’t acted upon – with the Hoops instead making good on a promise to sign David Turnbull upon his recovery from injury.
      In too came Vasilis Barkas from AEK Athens and Albian Ajeti, plus Diego Laxalt on-loan.
      With the exception of Turnbull, none of the others have proved to be an asset to the Parkhead club.

      While Caicedo, who went to Brighton 12 months down the line, has made himself into an £100m-plus player and turned Brighton a remarkable profit into the bargain.
      But it has to go down as another near miss for the Hoops – who obviously lost out to historic rivals Rangers that season.
      Meanwhile, SunSport columnist Kris Boyd reckons Celtic must SELL Reo Hatate if he isn’t prepared to commit to a long term contract at the club.
      Brighton again have been credited with an interest in the player, although they already have plentiful options to replace the departed Caicedo.
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      Boyd write: “Maybe Reo Hatate has done something to annoy Brendan Rodgers.
      “Perhaps the Japanese midfielder had an attitude problem within the dressing room.
      “Or possibly there was a wee streak of arrogance that shone through when the Celtic manager first took charge.
      “Whatever it was, there’s clearly something that explains why Hatate lost his place in the team.
      “No harm to David Turnbull, but don’t try to tell me he’s a better player than Hatate.
      “Yet he was the one who started the first two games of the season? Sorry, that makes no sense.”
      Keep up to date with ALL the latest news and transfers at the Scottish Sun football page More