Scottish Premiership

CELTIC have announced the appointment of Ange Postecoglou as their new manager.The Aussie’s arrival finally ends the wait for Neil Lennon’s successor at Parkhead, a hunt that lasted over 100 days.
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Ange Postecoglou previously managed in JapanCredit: Getty

Postecoglou, described as a ‘modern, progressive coach’ arrives from Japanese side Yokohama F. Marinos, having only briefly worked in Europe before.
Upon the announcement, the 55-year-old beamed: “The opportunity that has been given to me is one of the greatest honours in football and the responsibility to lead our magnificent football club into the future is one that I will cherish dearly.
“Celtic is one of THE names in world football, of that there is no doubt – a giant of a club, a proper footballing institution and so much more – real history, real substance, real authenticity and real soul.
“I know Celtic is a true way of life for so many people and I know the demands which come with this position – I am ready to do all I can to meet those demands.
“I will be doing everything I can to get our great Club back on top and, at the same time, deliver the kind of football which our fans appreciate.
“We want to entertain our fans and we want to win, these are the objectives which I always set myself and which I now begin work on.
“When you think of Celtic, you think of supporters and my dream is to see our fans back at Celtic Park with us as soon as possible. We all hope things are changing for the better and can see our fans soon as they are vital to everything I want to do.
“We need our supporters back by our side and I can’t wait to be with them back in a packed Paradise.
Postecoglou coached Yokohama F.Marinos to a league title in 2019Credit: Getty
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“I have already had great discussions with Peter, Dom and the Board about their ideas and strategy for the future of the club.
“I know the Club’s new modern vision aligns very much with mine and we now look to go and deliver on this. In everything we do we aim to give our fans a successful team of real quality, which they are excited about and can be proud of.
“We have already begun work on our plans for adding to the squad – we aim to bring players of quality to Celtic to enhance the existing core of great talent.
“I very much look forward to meeting with the players on their return from the close season break and I can’t wait to get started as Celtic Manager.”
We have already begun work on our plans for adding to the squadAnge Postecoglou
Postecoglou’s arrival follows a protracted and ultimately unsuccessful pursuit of former Bournemouth manager Eddie Howe.
The Hoops were in negotiations with the Englishman, but moved quickly for Postecoglou when talks broke down.
The experienced coach began his career with South Melbourne, spending four years there before joining Australia’s youth set-up in 2000.
He spent seven years working with the Socceroos’ Under-17 and Under-20 sides, before returning to club management in 2008.
His stint at third-tier Greek side Panachaiki was a brief one, and he moved to Australia’s A-League in 2009.
After four glittering years working with Brisbane Roar and then Melbourne Victory, Postecoglou landed the Socceroos’ top job in 2013.
Postecoglou walked out on the Australia job in 2017Credit: AFP or licensors
Eddie Howe had been strongly linked with the Celtic jobCredit: PA
He won the AFC Asian Cup in 2015, before guiding his country to the 2018 World Cup.
Postecoglou moved to Yokohama F.Marinos in 2018, and guided them to the J1-League title the following year.
He arrives in Glasgow with Celtic at a low ebb, having just surrendered their fabled ‘Ten in a Row’ opportunity in meek fashion.
A number of key players, including Odsonne Edouard and Kris Ajer appear on the way out, while captain Scott Brown has left the club to take up a player-coach role at Aberdeen.
Odsonne Edouard is among those likely to leave Celtic this summerCredit: The SunWIN £50,000 with Dream Team EurosDream Team Euros is HERE!

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JERMAIN DEFOE has signed a one-year deal at Rangers that will see him take on the role of player-coach.The former England striker, 38, will take the next step in his career by upping his behind-the-scenes influence.
Jermain Defoe will be player-coach at Rangers next season after signing a one-year dealCredit: Getty
Gerrard and Defoe have expressed their delight at getting the deal over the lineCredit: The Sun
On signing his new deal, Defoe revealed his delight, telling the Rangers website: “It is well-documented how much I love the club and the relationship I have with the fans, the players and the staff at the club.
“So to get the deal over the line, I am just delighted.
“It is something I wanted to happen, even before the season finished, especially the way we finished the season with winning the league.
“It was the perfect time to be at the football club and it was so special, so to sign another contract as a player-coach, and to still be a part of it, it is an amazing feeling for me and my family.
“It is something different and it is something new for me, and first of all, I want to thank the board, Ross [Wilson] and the manager and all the staff that have made this happen.
“It is an unbelievable opportunity for me and it just shows the appreciation I get from everyone at the football club which is the best feeling in the world more than anything else.
“I can imagine once I get started, hopefully I will just flow into it and everything will happen quite naturally.”
Rangers boss Steven Gerrard, who played for the Three Lions, said: “I am absolutely delighted to be retaining the services of Jermain both as a player, and now also as a coach.
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“It is well-documented the relationship I have with him having known him for so many years.
“I am thrilled that he is going to be passing on his amazing experience and professionalism to the attacking players throughout the club.
“He has shown this season, however, what an asset he can still be for us on the pitch, and I won’t be afraid to use him when necessary.
“I look forward to Jermain’s return and him beginning his new role when pre-season begins at the end of the month.”
Defoe has played 72 games for Rangers in all competitions since arriving on loan in January 2019, scoring 32 goals in the process.
And sporting director, Ross Wilson, revealed Defoe has fallen in love with the club since his move and has been a great influence around Ibrox.

He said: “Jermain Defoe has loved playing for Rangers and in particular the energy and passion of our fans.
“He’s one of the finest goal scorers of his generation, the ninth in English Premier League history and his record for Rangers speaks for itself.
“Jermain will now transition towards the next part of his career into a player-coach role and I am delighted we have reached an agreement to restructure his contract to reflect this.
“JD’s popularity and influence on our squad is clear while our academy players and particularly young attacking players will only learn and develop by working with someone of his calibre.
“I’m delighted that his positive influence will continue and I am sure extend.”
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CELTIC are braced for a big-money Norwich bid for Kristoffer Ajer.SunSport revealed in April that the Canaries had scouted the Norwegian defender.
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Celtic are braced for bid from Premier League new boys Norwich City for Kristoffer AjerCredit: The Sun
The Premier League new boys are now poised to firm up their interest with an official bid.
Ajer only has 12 months left on his Celtic deal — but could still command a fee of around £10million.
Newcastle United are also keen but Norwich are now stepping up their interest in the 23-year-old. 
Director of football Stuart Webber saw Ajer in the final weeks of the season as he tweaks the squad for the Premier League.
Star man Emi Buendia could be sold for around £30million, with Arsenal and Villa leading the chase for the Argentine.
Norwich will reinvest some of that cash, and a new centre-half is one of boss Daniel Farke’s top priorities.

Norwich star Buendia could be sold in transfer worth around £30millionCredit: PA
Meanwhile, AEK Athens could be willing to waive part of Vasilis Barkas’ transfer fee to cut a quick deal for Olivier Ntcham.
SunSport revealed the Greek giants want to sign the Celtic midfielder.
The Hoops spent £4.5m to land Barkas last year but it won’t all have been paid up front.
And Greek sources claim AEK could reduce the final fee, or potential add-ons, in order to land Ntcham now.
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Celtic have the option to terminate the final year of his deal but that looks unlikely.
Despite a disastrous loan spell at Marseille, the midfielder still has admirers.
But AEK have moved to the front of the queue and want a quick answer from Ntcham.
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CELTIC have widened their managerial search by targeting Jose Mourinho’s former assistant Rui Faria, according to reports.Ange Postecoglou remains the hot favourite to succeed Neil Lennon in the Parkhead hotseat, with a deal still expected to be concluded this week.
Rui Faria has been linked with the Celtic managerial vacancy after previously working with Jose MourinhoCredit: Getty Images – Getty
But after being stung by the failure to land Eddie Howe after a lengthy pursuit, the Hoops are said to be keeping their options open this time around.
And according to the Daily Record, they have held ‘tentative talks’ with Faria’s representatives in a bid to establish his interest.
The 45 year-old is available after leaving Qatari club Al-Duhail last year, his first post as a manager in his own right.
Prior to that he was Mourinho’s right-hand man for 17 years including at Porto, Inter, Chelsea, Real Madrid and Man United – lifting the UEFA Cup AGAINST Celtic in 2003.
Rui Faria’s representatives are said to have had “tentative talks” with CelticCredit: AFP or licensorsWIN £50,000 with Dream Team EurosDream Team Euros is HERE!

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Faria has also been linked with the manager’s vacancy at Wolves but is said to be keen on the Celtic post if Postecoglou doesn’t get it.
Mourinho has always spoken highly of his former assistant and believes he would thrive as a manager at a big club.
Speaking during their second spell together at Chelsea, Mou said: “I don’t want to put them, all of them in the same dimension.
“And when I, if one day I have to speak about disciples, the real one is the one that is with me since 2000.

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“The one that has more potential than any other one. The one that if he wants to become a manager tomorrow he is more than ready to do it at the highest level.
“If one day I have to choose my successor, if you want to use that, the one that I really feel thinks like me, is adapted to my way of leading, adapted to my way of coaching.

“He’s the one with more similarities with me even in some traces of personality… my assistant, Rui Faria.”
Postecoglou remains the bookies’ favourite for the post, with Hibs boss Jack Ross next in the betting at 12/1.
After that come former Celtic interim coach John Kennedy and Scotland boss Steve Clarke, both available at 14/1.
Rui Faria is still a huge outsider in the market at 66/1.

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