The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Celtic

  • Ambrose’s Celtic close to fifth successive title

    Ambrose’s Celtic close to fifth successive title

    NIGERIA defender, Efe Ambrose and Celtic teammates have one hand on the Premiership title after a 3-1 victory over Hearts at Tynecastle.

    Goals from Colin Kazim-Richards, Patrick Roberts and Leigh Griffiths handed the Hoops all three points with Abiola Dauda scoring for Hearts early in the second half. Celtic are now within a millimetre of a fifth successive league title.

    And Celtic players partied with fans at the final whistle as they got their five in a row celebrations underway.

    Efe Ambrose brought out his trademark backflip while Erik Sviatchenko hit out with some questionable dance moves before the players handed some lucky fans their shirts.

    Aberdeen beat Motherwell to temporarily suspend Celtic’s official confirmation as Premiership champions.

    Celtic, who host the Dons next week, hold a nine-point advantage with three games to play and a goal difference that is vastly superior to the Dons’.

  • Celtic deny interest in Fanendo Adi

    Celtic deny interest in Fanendo Adi

    Celtic officials have denied that the club is interested in the acquisition of Portland Timbers striker, Fanendo Adi, in the winter transfer market.

    The Parkhead outfit, according to reports, is vying for the signature of the 25-year-old alongside Cardiff City, Werder Bremen, Rubin Kazan and Sporting Lisbon.

    “I am told Celtic is not interested in Adi,” an insider at the club told allnigeriasoccer.com.

    Aalesund attacker, Leke James, is another Nigerian player that has been linked with a move to Celtic in recent months.

  • Celtic interest underlines my progress – Leke James

    Celtic interest underlines my progress – Leke James

    Nigeria striker Leke James has described the interest of Scottish giants Celtic in his service as a proof he has made progress in the game.

    The 22-year-old Aalesund striker said he has been scouted by the team, but nothing concrete has been decided yet.

    “It is true that Celtic want me, the club officials scouted me, they were here to watch me, but nothing concrete yet,” James told africanFootball.com

    “I feel good and excited that a big club like Celtic had shown interest in me. It makes me feel that I am making progress in my career.”

    He has scored 10 goals in 24 league games this season.

  • Ambrose backs Oshaniwa club’s title quest

    Ambrose backs Oshaniwa club’s title quest

    Celtic defender Efe Ambrose has said Scottish Premier League newcomers Hearts, who parade compatriot Juwon Oshaniwa, will compete with Celtic  in this season title race.

    Hearts is leading the table after remaining unbeaten in five games this season, africanFootball.com reports.

    “I think Hearts will challenge for the league title. The club deserves its current position, but Celtic will always fight and will be ready to fight for the title till the end of the season,” Ambrose told africanFootball.com

    The Super Eagles defender added that he was not surprised Oshaniwa has fitted in so well at Hearts.

    “I am happy for him (Juwon) and I thank God for making him sign for Hearts. He is a friend and a brother. I am not surprised that he has fitted in well because he has all the qualities to be one of the best here,” Ambrose remarked.

  • Celtic, PSV chase Kingsley Madu

    Celtic, PSV chase Kingsley Madu

    Celtic have been linked with a move for Nigerian youngster Kingsley Madu. The 19-year-old is currently catching the eye at Slovakian outfit FK AS Trencin.

    The Nigerian Under-20 international arrived at the club last summer from Kano-based side El-Kanemi Warriors and has since gone on to become a fairly exciting talent across Europe.

    Dutch source Algemeen Dagblad, as reported by Voetbal Primeur, are claiming that Celtic are keen on the signing.

    However, they are not the front-runners to sign the teenager.

    The paper is reporting that despite Celtic’s interest and that from Gent and Ajax, it is PSV Eindhoven that are set to pick him up in the summer.

    Madu is currently contracted to play for Trencin until the January of 2017, and is clearly a player making all the right moves in European football.

    Celtic currently have plenty of left-backs on their books. The likes of Emilio Izaguirre and Charlie Mulgrew would be worried if Madu was to make the move to Glasgow.

    However, it looks as though it is Eindhoven that will be his destination should he leave Slovakia this summer.

  • Celtic target Akinjide Idowu

    Celtic target Akinjide Idowu

    Allnigeriasoccer.com understands that Glasgow Celtic are mulling over a move for Flying Eagles midfielder Akinjide Idowu.

    It is believed that the Scottish champions posted their chief scout to run the rule over the youngster at the African Youth Championship, (AYC). The 18 – year – old’s form during the tournament in Senegal also put Udinese on alert , and the Italians would be hoping to steal a march on their rivals by playing the card of reuniting with Flying Eagles pal Isaac Success.

    FC Banik Ostrava had courted the Nigeria Youth Soccer Academy, (NYSA) starlet before he put himself in the shop window at the AYC.

    Akinjide Idowu is represented by the same intermediary that looks after the affairs of Tottenham Hotspur youth – teamer Musa Yahaya.

  • Celtic eye Kayode

    Celtic eye Kayode

    Scottish Premier League champions Glasgow Celtic are weighing up a January move for Maccabi Netanya striker Olarenwaju Kayode,various reports in Scotland strongly suggest.

    The Israeli First Division champions are faced with liquidity problems, and must offload the former Flying Eagles star next month to balance their books.

    Olarenwaju Kayode’s influential agent Dudu Dahan is highly regarded by Celtic chiefs, and he was involved in the transfer of Efe Ambrose plus recommended Oshaniwa to the club in 2013.

    If Celtic are really interested in signing Kayode, they must move fast as a couple of unnamed teams in Belgium are monitoring developments.

    The 21 – year – old is tied to Maccabi Netanya till June 30, 2016.

  • Celtic target Ikechi Anya

    Celtic target Ikechi Anya

    Anglo – Nigerian winger Ikechi Anya is on the radar of Glasgow Celtic, the British edition of the Daily Mail has reported.

    The 26 – year – old was courted by the Scotland champions before the window slammed shut, and it is thought they will be able to revive that interest when the transfer market reopens in just over three months.

    The Watford dazzler was linked with Crystal Palace, Sunderland and Cardiff over the summer, but Celtic are said to be his preferred destination, as he is connected to Glasgow, having been born there to a Nigerian dad and Romanian mom.

    In recent days, Ikechi Anya has been talk of the town following his second half strike in Scotland’s 2 – 1 loss to world champions Germany in a Euro 2016 qualifier.

    Clubs interested in the Scotland number 11 should be ready to part with around £1.5 million.

  • Celtic target Ikechi Anya

    Celtic target Ikechi Anya

    Anglo – Nigerian winger Ikechi Anya is on the radar of Glasgow Celtic, the British edition of the Daily Mail has reported.

    The 26 – year – old was courted by the Scotland champions before the window slammed shut, and it is thought they will be able to revive that interest when the transfer market reopens in just over three months.

    The Watford dazzler was linked with Crystal Palace, Sunderland and Cardiff over the summer, but Celtic are said to be his preferred destination, as he is connected to Glasgow, having been born there to a Nigerian dad and Romanian mom.

    In recent days, Ikechi Anya has been talk of the town following his second half strike in Scotland’s 2 – 1 loss to world champions Germany in a Euro 2016 qualifier.

    Clubs interested in the Scotland number 11 should be ready to part with around £1.5 million.

  • Ambrose benched in Celtic’s season opener

    Ambrose benched in Celtic’s season opener

    Nigeria International defender Efe Ambrose was yesterday left on the bench for the entire duration of Glasgow Celtic’s 3-0 victory over St. Johnstone as they begin the defence of their SPL title.

    Ambrose had a fortnight to forget getting sent off in the Champions League against Legia Warsaw and in a friendly against Spurs, within a space of five days.

    In Wednesday’s game, Celtic manager Ronny Delia opted for Ivan Lustig and Van Dijk in central defence leaving Ambrose on the bench.

    Celtic won courtesy of goals from Anthony Stokes, Nir Birton and Callum McGregory.

    Last season,Efe Ambrose was ever present in a Celtic back four that set a new clean sheet record in the SPL. He played in all of Celtic 38 games, starting 37 and only appearing as a substitutes once with two goals to show for his efforts.

    The 25-year-old Nigerian recently signed a new contract with the Bhoys at the end of last season shortly before the arrival of new manager Ronny Delia, after Neil Lennon resigned from his role as coach.