Goalkeeper Josh Clarke, who gained wide acclaim for his quartet of penalty saves at Ibrox in last season’s Glasgow Cup final for the B team, joined Brown’s Ayr at the end of last month.

The move came out of the blue, but Clarke has recently revealed that his new gaffer played a big part in it. “The manager has obviously played a significant role in me coming here”, the stopper told That’s TV Scotland.

“He was a fantastic player at my parent club Celtic so the opportunity to come and play for a well-respected side in Ayr United and him is brilliant for me and a great opportunity.”

So far with The Honest Men, Clarke has made five appearances in the Championship. He has played his part in victories over Partick Thistle and Inverness, but not yet kept a clean sheet.

A Northern Irish youth internationalist, the ‘keeper was born in London and is eligible to represent Sweden.

His contract at Celtic runs until the summer, and one wonders whether he will be handed an extension to the two-year deal he signed in 2022.

Tonight, though, the 19-year-old’s focus will be on the pitch. Brown’s Ayr take on Airdrie and fans can watch Clarke in action live on the BBC.

While reports suggested Celtic’s readiness to activate a £6.4 million buyout clause, conflicting information emerged, with CeltsAreHere revealing on Thursday that no decision had been made either way.

Pundit Tam McManus weighed in on the discussion, suggesting that Bernardo, despite his potential and flashes of quality, might not warrant such a high transfer fee based on his performance so far.

McManus proposed a more conservative valuation of around £2 million to £3 million for the Portuguese U21 international, citing inconsistency as a concern.

He said on PLZ Soccer: “On what I’ve seen so far? No, no. I would pay £2m, maybe two and a half or three at most. I wouldn’t pay £6.5m.”

Bernardo’s situation at Celtic is a complex one. On one hand, his potential and ability to adapt without a settling-in period are clear advantages. On the other hand, his inconsistency raises questions about the wisdom of investing a significant portion of the club’s transfer budget in him.

It is certainly one to keep an eye on in the summer, with it doubtful Celtic will rush into anything before then.

This eye-catching display has attracted the attention of several top Italian clubs, including AC Milan, who led a cohort of Serie A clubs including Bologna and Atalanta in scouting the player during the match.

Vata’s current contract situation at Celtic, with his deal expiring in the summer, adds an interesting dimension to his future. The prospect of securing his services for a training compensation fee of around £400,000 makes him an attractive proposition for clubs looking to invest in young talent.

Celtic, aware of Vata’s potential and market value, has reportedly offered an extension until the summer of 2027, hoping to secure his future at the club amidst growing interest. [RecordSport]

English Championship side Watford, along with other Italian clubs such as Bologna, Sampdoria, and Como, have been long-term admirers of the young attacker.

Celtic had initially shown interest in Silva during the January transfer window, as the Scottish champions looked to bolster Brendan Rodgers’ squad for the title run-in and defend their trophy.

This interest led to an approach to Vitória SC about the possibility of securing the 24-year-old winger, who recently made his full international debut for Portugal and has been enjoying a great season.

However, Celtic subsequently shifted their focus to Nicolas Kuhn, ultimately deciding against pursuing Silva further.

Despite earlier reports suggesting Celtic’s keenness on the attacker, Football Scotland revealed that the club had considered a move for Silva but has now moved away from this possibility. Silva, valued at around €15 million by Vitória SC and attracting attention from Premier League clubs, appears to no longer be a target for Celtic as they look toward other options and priorities in the transfer market.

Contrary to circulating narratives suggesting that are currently in discussions with Benfica to secure Bernardo on a permanent deal, our sources confirm that such claims are unfounded.

There have been no new talks between the two clubs regarding the 22-year-old midfielder, who is currently with Celtic on a loan.

Portuguese outlet A BOLA recently suggested that Celtic showed interest in activating Bernardo’s buy option, rumoured to be around €7.5 million. This report implied that Celtic was seriously considering making the loan move permanent.

However, no dialogue has been initiated about a permanent transfer at this point, and it appears that any decision on this matter will not be entertained until the end of the season.

Celtic’s management and coaching staff, including Brendan Rodgers, appreciate Bernardo’s qualities and contribution to the team. His involvement in every Champions League group stage match and a key goal in the Glasgow derby highlight his potential. Despite this, the decision to trigger the buy option now, based on existing performances does not align with Celtic’s current stance.

Brendan Rodgers and the club will take a view in June. However, if the fee remains that high, we can’t see a permanent deal happening.

It is said that the Hoops have given signs that they are “seriously thinking” about extending the 22-year-old’s spell in Glasgow.

A BOLA report that the buy option in Bernardo’s loan stands at seven and a half million euros, however, they say that Celtic will look to renegotiate such a price.

Brendan Rodgers “really likes” the discipline and quality of Bernardo. Signing him permanently could soon become a priority for the gaffer.

Apart from a purple patch during the festive period that included a crucial Glasgow derby goal, however, the Portuguese under-21 internationalist hasn’t particularly stood out in a Celtic jersey.

He has made 25 appearances in all competitions, featuring in each of the Celts’ Champions League group stage matches but triggering the buy option in his loan just now seems nonsensical.

The only reasons behind buying Bernardo at this moment in time could be that Celtic wants to get the payment in before the end of the fiscal tax year in June, or that they anticipate Matt O’Riley could be off for big money in the summer.

The situation is intriguing, with this latest report throwing a spanner into the works. Bernardo’s predicament is one to keep an eye on over the coming weeks and months.

After an initial loan bid for the 20-year-old fell through in January, Brendan Rodgers is poised to make a summer move for Bueno. The interest from Celtic came very late in the window and Wolves wouldn’t play ball with the hoops.

Celtic Summer Transfer Window

This summer represents a significant period for Celtic, with the club focused on making impactful acquisitions. The pursuit of Hugo Bueno underscores a clear intent to strengthen the squad’s depth and quality, especially in the defensive department.

Bueno’s recent performance in the FA Cup, where he nearly led Wolves to a semi-final spot before a heartbreaking defeat to Coventry, showcased his potential. Despite the setback, Bueno’s talent and value for money make him an attractive prospect for Celtic.

Acquired by Wolves in 2019 for a mere £3k from CD Areosa, Bueno has faced challenges in securing a consistent first-team spot. Celtic’s interest in him offers a promising pathway to regular top-flight football, an opportunity that both the player and the Scottish giants could greatly benefit from.

With the summer window on the horizon, Celtic’s pursuit of Bueno could mark the beginning of a transformative recruitment phase aimed at restoring the club’s competitive edge both domestically and in Europe.

Hugo is contracted to Wolves until 2028, meaning the English side holds all the cards. Transfermarkt have the defender priced at €6m and while those valuations should always b taken with a pinch of salt, it does factor in the hidden EPL tax – if you’re a player in an EPL squad there is a certain amount attached to your fee without you having to really do anything.

With Joe Hart, Celtic’s current number one, set to retire at the season’s end, the quest for a worthy successor has led the Hoops’ recruitment team to consider Vaessen, whose contract expires this summer.

At 28, Vaessen has established himself as a reliable presence between the posts for Waalwijk. His dedication to Waalwijk is noteworthy, having spent his entire senior career with the club and racking up over 200 appearances—a testament to his consistency and loyalty.

However, Celtic’s interest in the 6ft2in shot-stopper is not unchallenged. Reports from Brabants Dagblad suggest that PSV Eindhoven is also in the fray, eyeing Vaessen as a potential addition to their squad. This burgeoning interest from multiple clubs underscores the goalkeeper’s rising stock and the competitive market for his services as a free agent.

The departure of Joe Hart, aged 36, marks the end of an era for Celtic, necessitating a thoughtful selection process for his replacement. Hart’s announcement last month triggered the club’s search for a new number one, with the team currently relying on Scott Bain and Benji Siegrist as their primary goalkeeping options.

With Vaessen’s contract situation making him an attractive prospect, the club’s pursuit of the Dutchman could signal their intent to maintain high standards and ambition, even in the face of key departures.

According to Blueprint.ng Ikemba caught the eye of Celtic’s scouting network with his top performances in the Elite Clubs National League (ECNL) for under-15s. Born in 2009, Ikemba has become a standout player in San Antonio.

Despite his young age, Ikemba’s ability on the field suggests a bright future ahead. Recognising his potential, Celtic have reportedly extended an invitation to the young striker for trials. This opportunity presents a chance for Ikemba to showcase his talents on a bigger stage and take a significant step forward in his promising career.

The invitation for Ikemba to trial underscores Celtic’s commitment to nurturing young talent. As they embark on building a new training ground at Barrowfield, the club is keen on discovering and developing raw talent. Ikemba’s trial with The Hoops could be one of many young players to come through the doors of the club in the next year.

Mark Hendry of Football Scotland has clarified the situation, stating that the reports of Kobayashi’s departure from Celtic are unfounded.

The Japanese defender, who has not yet featured in any matches under manager Brendan Rodgers, is still to find his footing at the club.

He saw a move to HJK Helsinki fall through earlier this year.

Kobayashi’s situation at Celtic has been a topic of speculation, especially given his lack of game time since arriving, even when Ange Postecoglou was manager. He played a few times after Celtic had all but wrapped the league up at the end of last season, but failed to impress.

However, the latest update from Hendry suggests that Celtic is not ready to part ways with the player just yet, but it’s hard to see any future for him at Celtic.