Former players

[2mas]

A Celtic source has told Football Insider that the club are in the market for a new senior right-back this summer and have no plans to offer Lustig a new deal.

Read more: Big Celtic favourite dubbed ‘Brilliant’ by Lennon to make final start for club today

[2mas]

Danish cap Ankersen is leaving Copenhagen and Celts are aware of the 28-year-old’s availability as they weigh up all options.

Read more: Celtic could make transfer move for FC Copenhagen defender Peter Ankersen

[2mas]

There are other options and the chase is still on for a right back, although Record Sport understands Celts have cooled on Copenhagen defender Peter Ankersen.

Read more: Kieran Tierney's Celtic transfer heart to heart revealed as Neil Lennon fires warning to Arsenal

[2mas]

Determined Leo Hjelde has opened up on his surprise Celtic first-team chance after a whirlwind start to life in Glasgow.

(...)

"I've trained a bit with the first-team squad. The first time was a couple of weeks ago and it was very nice.

"I got a text the day before saying I needed to be in training for the first team. That was cool.

"They were friendly but I don't think they knew who I was at first.

Read more: Leo Hjelde on the surprise Celtic text that handed rising 16-year-old his big first team chance

[2mas]

It may seem like a culture shock for the player from Livingston, a new town west of Edinburgh, that dates back to the early 1960s, compared to Verona, a UNESCO world heritage site.

The only tenuous link with Italy being the Tony Macaroni Arena, or Livingston FC Stadium, sponsored by a Scottish chain specialising in Italian cuisine.

But Henderson feels completely at home, despite the frequent hankering for the Scottish soft drink Irn-Bru.

"I jumped at the opportunity," he said. "Italy suits my style of play a little bit more than playing in Scotland.

"It's more technical, you have to think a bit more here, it's not just about being strong and kick far and run fast.

"If you don't think, they can hurt you."

(...)

Henderson's driving ambition remains to emulate the Scotland careers of the likes of Souness, Law and Jordan.

But if not, he would consider trying to play for Italy.

"If I stay here for 5-6 years maybe I can apply for Italian citizenship and play for Italy," he pointed out.

"If Scotland don't want to take me then, why not?"

Read more: Henderson living 'La Dolce Vita' in Verona awaiting Scotland call

[2mas]

Former Celtic and Hibernian midfielder Liam Henderson has left Hellas Verona on loan, dropping into Serie B with Empoli for the rest of the season.

The 23-year-old has started just two games in the Italian top flight since helping Hellas win promotion.

Read more: Liam Henderson: Midfielder joins Empoli on loan from Hellas Verona

[2mas]

New York City FC today announced the Club has signed defender Gudmundur Thórarinsson who played for Swedish club IFK Norrköping beginning in 2017.

(...)

Thórarinsson said: “Joining New York City FC is a big decision for me in my career. I’ve only heard great things about the Club and I’m thrilled to get going and start playing football again.

“I’ve seen the way Ronny works and likes to play football, so that was a really big part of my decision. He likes to play possession football and keep the ball, which I love as well.

Read more: New York City FC Signs Defender Gudmundur Thórarinsson

Bournemouth are contemplating launching a late bid for Levski Sofia defender Hólmar Örn Eyjólfsson.

The Cherries find themselves locked in a relegation battle in the Premier League, and their defensive record of 37 goals conceded is among the poorest tallies in the entire division, so manager Eddie Howe is on the lookout for reinforcements.

Read more: Bournemouth Consider Late Bid for Iceland Defender Hólmar Örn Eyjólfsson

[2mas]

Crystal Palace shook hands with Trabzonspor on a deal that would see Alexander Sorloth join the Turkish side on loan until the end of the 2020/21 campaign.

Additionally, and now seemingly significantly, the Eagles also wrote an ‘obligation’ for Trabzonspor to buy the 22-cap Norway international for a paltry sum of just €6m (£5.1m) in January 2021.

(...)

Fotospor are reporting that Ligue 1 outfit AS Monaco have made a €15m (£12.7m) offer for the former Rosenborg striker, which would already be over double the £5.1m that Crystal Palace are expecting to land in January of next year.

Read more: Crystal Palace appear to have made a big slip-up with Alexander Sorloth’s loan deal

[2mas]

Norwich City are delighted to confirm that midfielder Alexander Tettey has signed a one-year contract extension with the club.

(...)

“It’s massive for me. It feels so good to be in Norwich and my family are happy. When my family is happy, I’m happy. I have been for many years since I’ve been here, so it’s nothing new to me, but it’s a very big and positive thing for me.

Read more: Tettey signs one-year contract extension

[2mas]

There is a report from Turkish outlet Fotospor that Newcastle will scout Trabzonspor striker Alexander Sorloth this weekend.

(...)

Crystal Palace reportedly tried to recall Sorloth from his loan recently, however the terms of the deal allowed Trabzonspor to prevent that.

Monaco and Brighton will also be sending scouts to watch Sorloth this weekend.

Read more: Newcastle To Scout Norwegian Striker In Turkey

[2mas]

Markus Henriksen has criticised how he was treated at Hull City as unfair.

(...)

"The way this situation has been handled is really bad for both parties.

"It's been tough, I've been training very hard and luckily I was still allowed to be on the national team, playing five or six games there, even though I didn't play at Hull.

(...)

"I had a couple of offers but I didn't feel it was right for me.

"When Bristol City came, I really felt it was something for me.

"Now I'm here, in the beginning it's only a loan but, as a footballer, I can't think about what will happen after the summer, I just have to focus on doing my best every day in training and games.

Read more: Markus Henriksen labels Hull City treatment unfair after being frozen out before Bristol City move

[2mas]

With “The Double” act in 71, Rosenborg would in the autumn of 1972 compete in the European Cup, and sensationally was drawn against Celtic. In September that year Bjørn Wirkola would write history, few have ever talked about or really acknowledged.

Kenny Dalglish and Lou Macari were in the start of their careers in football and young promising players at Celtic, both were in the line-up playing Rosenborg at Hampden Park. Few might have recognized or even known that on the opposite half was Bjørn Wirkola in the Rosenborg team.

The double ski jumping World Champion from Oslo in 1966, three times winner of the German / Austrian “Four Hill’s”, still no other has done this to date, and at this time the last man to win a competition in the same event, when going top at Bischofshofen. He was actually in a starting line-up in the European Cup against Celtic. Few might have thought about the event as anything special, with Celtic being huge favorites, but when Bjorn in the 55th minute scored the final goal of the game, and it all ended in a 2-1 win to Celtic, it was really surreal. Later Bjorn has made a joke about it, saying he has never played at Hampden Park without scoring, not many can say that, probably a special and rare group of players.

Read more: Bjørn Wirkola, a World champion ski jumper scores against Celtic in the European Cup, a fairy story in sports

[2mas]

There was nothing flashy about Sibaya’s game. In fact it was his simplicity that saw him being crowned the best player in his debut season for Kazan.

He was also a stalwart for the national team and formed part of the 2002 and 2010 FIFA World Cup squads. The 42-year-old featured an impressive 62 times for Bafana Bafana.

Sibaya called it a day in 2013, while still on the books of Moroka Swallows.

He hasn’t been lost to football either, Sibaya has ventured into coaching and featured as the coach of SuperSport United’s MDC team and is currently furthering his coaching badges.

Read more: MacBeth Sibaya, Mr Nice And Simple

[2mas]

Riseth said:

“I had played for Rosenborg, who are such a professional club, and when I went to Luton I thought they would be professional too.

“But there was a different culture. For example, we won an away game on Saturday and took the bus back to Luton and the players would drink and drink and drink.

"They wanted to party and the coach would just say ‘it’s no problem’.

“Some of the players would not even go home - they would just go straight to training on Monday!

Read more: Former Celtic star Vidar Riseth admits British drinking frustrations and explains Henrik Larsson's key signing role

[2mas]

Russell is in first year as an ER resident in the University of Virginia medical system after graduating from medical school at George Washington University last year. That is likely to put him near the front lines of the medical response to the coronavirus pandemic in the weeks and months ahead, which has brought normal life to a halt across the world.

"It’s definitely going to be a part of our experience, in terms of our first year as physicians," Russell said during an interview with Extratime on Monday.

"We will be the physician generation that kind of experienced [COVID-19] and that sort of thing. And it kind of effects our training where everyone is adjusting. It’s a process of adjustment. It helps coming from my background as an athlete, you’re used to kind of adjusting. You don’t know what any day is going to bring, and it helps kind of having those strengths and having those resources in your back pocket because it keeps you on your toes."

Read more: Robbie Russell, former MLS defender, describes his life as an ER intern in era of COVID-19

[2mas]

EX-Celtic hero Mikael Lustig looks set to have to leave Gent after less than a season after he was relegated to third-choice right-back.

Read more: Ex-Celtic star Lustig looks set to leave Gent after less than season after becoming third-choice right-back

[2mas]

Former Celtic and Hibs midfielder Liam Henderson is nearing a switch to Empoli on a permanent deal.

Henderson joined Serie B side on loan in January from Verona and has made an impact with his performances as the club try to return to Italy's top flight.

Read more: Liam Henderson transfer chase as ex-Celtic star set for Italy stay as he nears Verona exit

[2mas]

Former Black Stars midfielder Anthony Annan is eyeing a return to the Ghana national team after a seven-year absence.

Annan's his last outing with the Black Stars was in 2013 during the Africa Cup of Nations in South Africa.

The the 33-year old who currently plays for Finnish top-tier side FC Inter Turku says he is ready for a call up to the national team again (...) if Coach CK Akonnor finds him suitable enough.

"I am available for selection if he needs me," he told Akoma FM.

"I am still playing active football in Finland. Ghana is my country and I cannot turn my back to my nation if my services is needed.

Read more: Anthony Annan is ready for a Black Stars return

[2mas]

Henderson said:

“Lockdown was difficult, I had just found an apartment right before lockdown started so I had nothing, I had to go and buy everything for it rapidly.

“I was alone for like 31 days, I couldn’t leave my apartment.

“And I could only go to the supermarket twice a week maximum.

“I just did press-ups and sit-ups every day, you could not even get out and run.”

Read more: Liam Henderson opens up on lockdown loneliness as he reflects on lessons learned during Italy experience

[2mas]

Venezia interest in Ajax's Dennis Johnsen

[2mas]

Johnsen has signed for Venezia

Sports director Michel Louwagie said:

"At the moment, Lustig is training with the reserve team.

"That's the situation with him just now. Tomorrow it could be different - that's life as a football player.

Read more: Mikael Lustig made a pariah at Gent as he is wiped from website

He is set to sign for AIK.

[2mas]

Tettey played in defence throughout pre-season as Grant Hanley works his way back from a hamstring injury, having also been needed at centre-back to cover injuries on several occasions in the Premier League last season.

The former Rennes and Rosenborg midfielder is happy to get stuck in wherever Daniel Farke needs him though.

“I’m not complaining,” Tettey added. “He’s always said since he first came to the club that I can play there. I have been a bit scared of it because when you play there and you make a mistake it is a goal.

“So for me it’s more about getting used to it and winning over that fear of making a mistake at the back but the more you play there, the more confidence you get that you can play there.

Read more: Tettey impressed but will ensure midfield duo have to work hard for starting roles

[2mas]

Lecce have officially announced the permanent signing of Scottish midfielder Liam Henderson from Hellas Verona.

The midfielder has joined the Giallorossi on a deal until June 2024, having recently returned to Verona from a loan stint at Empoli in the second tier.

Read more: Serie B: Lecce sign Henderson

[2mas]

[Bendtner's] club career stuttered – amid loans to Birmingham City, Sunderland and Juventus before transfers to Wolfsburg, Nottingham Forest, Rosenberg and Copenhagen. Yet he produced his most consistent performances for Denmark and scored a Danish record of 30 goals while winning 81 caps.

“I always felt my teammates believed I could make a difference. And my manager for most of my time with Denmark was Morten Olsen. He understood me better than any other manager. Even if he heard about something he would call and ask why did I think it went wrong? How do I feel? How’s my family? He wanted me to improve as a player and a person.”

He was on the verge of accepting an offer to play in China when the Covid pandemic struck. Despite his regret at not fulfilling his potential, “I can honestly say that, apart from my son being born and spending time with him, nothing gives me greater pleasure than playing football. It’s now difficult with Covid. If something comes up as a player I will look at it. If it doesn’t, I’m preparing for the next chapter.”

Read more: Nicklas Bendtner: 'I became too fond of the lifestyle that came with the

The English version of his biography is now on sale: Both sides

[2mas]

Alexander Sørloth, the son of legendary striker Gøran, is granted his debut at the tender age of 17.

Unlike his father, who cut a stockier and more muscular figure during his illustrious playing days, Alexander is gangly and awkward at first glance. Jogging onto the pitch in a shirt bearing the number 37, he assumes his role at the sharp end of a Rosenborg side that has already plundered five goals this evening.

Read more: Alexander Sørloth: the making of the King in the North