Cork to Lisbon – Nygren’s basketball skills, Jota’s back among the Bhoys

In partnership with

The Celtic Star

·10 July 2025

Cork to Lisbon – Nygren’s basketball skills, Jota’s back among the Bhoys

Brendan Rodgers has insisted that he’s very much looking forward to working with his new additions and that excitement is building ahead of the new season starting…

The Bhoys boss watched on as his side claimed a 2-1 victory over Cork City on Tuesday in the Republic of Ireland, with Colby Donovan netting the winner late on, after the hosts equalised following a Luke McCowan opener.

That sees our 100% record so far this pre-season maintained and with our international players set to return to action this weekend in Portugal, Rodgers admitted he’s tantalised at the prospect of working Benjamin Nygren and the returning hero Kieran Tierney. Speaking after the match in Cork are reported by Daily Record, the Celtic manager discussed the work that is still underway to make the squad ready for the new challenges of season 2025/26.

OneFootball Videos

Celtic manager Brendan Rogers meets fans before the game Cork City v Celtic, Pre Season Friendly, Football, SuperValu Pairc Ui Chaoimh, Cork, Ireland – 08 July 2025Cork SuperValu Pairc Ui Chaoimh Ireland Photo Lorraine O’Sullivan Shutterstock

“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,” he said. “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.”

Brendan Rodgers manager of Celtic meets fans before the game Cork City v Celtic, Pre Season Friendly, Football, SuperValu Pairc Ui Chaoimh, Cork, Ireland – 0 Jul 2025Cork SuperValu Pairc Ui Chaoimh Ireland Photo Lorraine O’Sullivan Shutterstock

Adam Idah sat out the match in his hometown

One man who didn’t feature but would have loved the opportunity to do so back in front of his hometown crowd was Adam Idah. The big forward was one of those players who this match came too early for in pre-season but Rodgers insisted Adam knows it was too big a risk at this stage. “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.”

And here’s the explanation

He continued: “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 would 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.”

The fitness of Reo Hatate and Cameron Carter-Vickers

The gaffer also gave another update on the fitness of Reo Hatate and Cameron Carter-Vickers, who are both pivotal parts of his Celtic machine. Speaking on those two, he said: “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.”

Celtic’s now in Portugal and there’s been a special visitor today

Celtic are now in Portugal this week with a few more days or double sessions in pre-season training (nice to see Jota back among the squad today – see video below) ahead of fixtures against Estrela Amadora and Sporting Lisbon CP in what will be good tests ahead of the new season.

On returning to Scotland they will face a glamour friendly at Celtic Park on 19 July against Eddie Howe’s Newcastle United, in what will be another step up again and a real stern challenge before the real football begins. There’s a massive travelling support from the Toon Army heading to Glasgow determined to out-sing the Celtic support. Surely we’re not going to allow that to happen at Paradise?

🫶 A welcome visitor in Lisbon Jota, recovering from injury, dropped by to see the lads during training 💚 #SummerOfCeltic🇵🇹 | #CelticFC🍀
– Thursday, 10 July 2025

Paul Gillespie

Help raise funds for Celtic Youth Academy by playing the Celtic Pools Weekly Lottery and you could win up to £25,000. The lottery is £1 per week. Click on image above to join.

Mentioned in this article

Celtic

Cork to Lisbon – Nygren’s basketball skills, Jota’s back among the Bhoys | OneFootball

Cork to Lisbon – Nygren’s basketball skills, Jota’s back among the Bhoys

Brendan Rodgers has insisted that he’s very much looking forward to working with his new additions and that excitement is building ahead of the new season starting…

OneFootball Videos

Adam Idah sat out the match in his hometown

And here’s the explanation

The fitness of Reo Hatate and Cameron Carter-Vickers

Celtic’s now in Portugal and there’s been a special visitor today

Celtic

MORE STORIES