Brendan Rodgers was in relaxed mode as he delivered his latest transfer and squad update following the 2-1 victory over Cork City.
The scoreline was immaterial as the SPFL champions completed their second warm up match with the big hitters away on international duty still to get involved.
Luke McCowan opened the scoring in the 27th minute, Cork equalised in the 66th minute with Colby Donovan heading an 87th minute winner.
Playing at left-back Hayato Inamura delivered a very composed and impressive debut, showing a nice touch on the ball and willingness to push forward and link up in the Cork half.
Tougher tests lie ahead, such as facing Simon Murray at Dens Park and matches on three plastic surfaces should Rodgers decide to hold on to the £300,000 from the J-League.
Callum Osmand was one of the 11 half time changes, he looked to have nice movement on and off the ball but could have grabbed a goal early in the second half but opted out of trying to chip the Cork ‘keeper.
There is a flurry of speculation over new signings, so far Kieran Tierney and Ben Nygren are the only first team arrivals but Rodgers is keen to get more onboard.
Gus Lagerbielke’s permanent move to Braga has been confirmed with the cheque from Como in the post for Nicolas Kuhn with his departure appearing to be a formality.
Covering Rodgers’ post match comments the Daily Record reports:
TRANSFER ACTIVITIES
There is lot of work going on in the background and things that are what we’re hoping to achieve over the coming weeks.
We definitely need that there, especially at the top end of the pitch. But no, a lot of work going on but I can’t confirm that there’s anything there at this moment.
Those international boys, they’ve now got the run-in, so it will be their first action at the weekend.
NEW SIGNINGS, NYGREN AND TIERNEY
I’m really excited by him (Nygren), he’s a forward thinking player, he’s got good legs, gets about the pitch and he’s showed up well since he’s come in.
Kieran was fantastic in my first time here. He’s gone away and gained a lot of experience and maturity.
We also want to manage him because he’s had a lot of troubles in his fitness history over the last few years, but it’s great to have him back.
You see that power and I know he’s so excited about being back. Like I say, he’s only in the building, but he’s going to get up to speed.
You see that competitiveness that he has and he’s doing really well.
IDAH AND INTERNATIONAL PLAYERS
Obviously, emotionally, it would have been lovely, and I’d have loved to have played Adam here, but the international guys only came back on Friday, so he trained hard this morning and almost the other guys.
It’s just too big a risk, come back in after being off for the summer and you only train Friday, Saturday, we normally would give them at least a week before they would play.
Adam knows. I think for him it’s just amazing for him to be back home, to come back, when I told him last year we wouldn’t be coming to Cork he was really excited about it. He understood why he wasn’t, but I know he’s loved being back here for this short time.
HATATE AND CARTER-VICKERS INJURY UPDATES
Reo is fine. He’s been training since he’s come back and looked really good. He’s looked really strong so no repercussions of the injury.
Cam, again, just working with the conditioners on the field on his own and we’re thinking around about either just before or just after Newcastle he’ll be ready to play. But he’ll be joining in fairly soon.
WELSH INJURY
It’s a bit of an annoyance for him because that’s the fourth time it’s happened to him. So we just needed to make sure he was okay and get him off.
CELTIC: Viljani Sinsalo (Ross Doohan 46), Colby Donovan (Mitchel Frame 46), Auston Trusty (Stephen Welsh 46 (Colby Donovan 72)), Dane Murray (Scott Robertson 46), Hayato Inamura (Ben McPherson 46), Callum McGregor (Sean McArdle 46 (Samuel Isiguzo 72)), Arne Engels (Kyle Ure 46), Luke McGowan (Francis Turley 46), Ben Summers (Thomas Hatton 46), James Forrest (Adam Montgomery 46), Johnny Kenny ( Callum Osmand 46)
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🍀 @CelticFC manager Brendan Rodgers on what it means to play in Ireland, how he’s approaching tonight’s game, and his own GAA days
“It’s very special. Obviously, it’s the roots of our club back in Ireland.” 🗣️ pic.twitter.com/X9Vgqr4Lmz
— Premier Sports (@PremSportsTV) July 8, 2025
