Celtic beat Falkirk 2-1
Celtic beat Falkirk 2-1 at Parkhead on Saturday (Durán brace, Falkirk own goal), still perfect after 4 games top of the league.
Source: VAVEL
Celtic have a "broad agreement" with PSV for 19-year-old midfielder Joël van den Berg (~£3.4m) — he's due in Glasgow for his medical today.
Match news
Tierney and Høgh injury doubts
Tierney went off vs Falkirk (not cramp, per O'Neill) and Høgh missed out with a groin issue from the LASK game. Reports of both facing up to 4 months out are unconfirmed — treat with caution.
Source: Read Celtic
Aberdeen at Celtic Park next
Next up: Aberdeen at Celtic Park on Wednesday (19:45, CelticPlayer only), then St Mirren away on Saturday, before Rangers away in the Premier Sports Cup quarter-final on 13 September.
Source: ESPN fixtures
Europa League opponents confirmed
Europa League league phase confirmed: Benfica (away), Marseille (home), Ferencváros, Union SG, Celta Vigo, Omonia Nicosia, Beşiktaş, Torreense. Games run 16/17 Sept through 28 Jan.
Source: The Scotsman
Transfers & rumours
Balikwisha exits on loan
Confirmed: Michel-Ange Balikwisha out on loan to Gent, with a purchase option.
Source: 67 Hail Hail
Van den Berg in for medical
Advancing: Joël van den Berg medical today — see top story.
Source: Celtic News Now
Goalkeeper and defensive targets linked
Rumoured only: Sam Johnstone (Wolves GK) and Denis Adamov linked; a late Ognjen Ugresic bid "looks set not to happen"; Ermin Mahmic reportedly heading elsewhere. O'Neill wants left-back cover for Tierney and a box-to-box midfielder before deadline.
Source: 67 Hail Hail
Deadline day looms
The Scottish transfer window closes Thursday 3 September at 5pm — expect more before then.
Source: The Scotsman
Club news
Fallout from the LASK collapse
Backdrop to the week: Celtic blew a 4-0 first-leg lead to lose 5-1 away to LASK (5-4 on aggregate) in Champions League qualifying — their 6th straight failed CL qualifying campaign.
Source: Sky Sports
O'Neill backs McCowan
Luke McCowan took heavy online abuse after that result and stepped back from social media; O'Neill publicly backed him.
Source: 67 Hail Hail
From the fan channels
Green Brigade's European dig
Green Brigade banner at the Falkirk game read "World Class Embarrassment," listing the nine clubs that have knocked Celtic out of Champions League qualifying over the years — a pointed dig at the European record.
Source: 67 Hail Hail
Fans welcome the transfer business
Fan groups are broadly welcoming this summer's signings but still pressing the board on governance and matchday experience — an ongoing theme, not new today.
Next up
- Celtic v Aberdeen — Premiership — Wednesday 2 September at 19:45 — home — live on CelticPlayer
- St Mirren v Celtic — Premiership — Saturday 5 September at 20:00 — away — live on Sky Sports Football
- St Johnstone v Celtic — Premiership — Wednesday 9 September at 20:00 — away — live on Sky Sports (TBC)
- Rangers v Celtic — Premier Sports Cup QF — Sunday 13 September at 12:00 — away — live on Premier Sports 1
- Celtic v Ferencváros — Europa League — Thursday 17 September at 20:00 — home — live on TNT Sports (TBC)
Who's out
- Kieran Tierney — Groin (came off v Falkirk) — Doubt — Reports of up to 4 months are unconfirmed
- Kasper Høgh — Groin (picked up v LASK) — Out — Missed the Falkirk game; return date unconfirmed
League table
After matches of Sat 29 Aug
| # | Team | P | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Celtic | 4 | 7 | 12 |
| 2 | Hearts | 3 | 4 | 6 |
| 3 | Dundee | 3 | 3 | 6 |
| 4 | St Mirren | 2 | 3 | 6 |
| 5 | Motherwell | 2 | 1 | 4 |
| 6 | Dundee Utd | 4 | -2 | 4 |
| 7 | Hibernian | 2 | 0 | 3 |
| 8 | St Johnstone | 3 | -1 | 3 |
| 9 | Aberdeen | 2 | -1 | 3 |
| 10 | Rangers | 2 | -1 | 1 |
| 11 | Falkirk | 4 | -4 | 1 |
| 12 | Kilmarnock | 3 | -9 | 0 |