HOMEGROWN HEROES
Rodgers eyes new talks with Dedryck
side – and clipped in a cracker before a late consolation.
The winger reckons the French front two are frightening but also an inspiration. Edouard and Dembele are built like brick out-houses and Johnston is hoping some home cooking from his mum can help him bulk up as well.
And he added: “Both of them are unbelievable, even at training. They are top players and their physicality is just incredible.
“The way I play, I think I need to be on the slight side but I also want to get a bit bigger so I’m working hard in the gym so I can get myself as ready as I can be.
“Diet comes into that as well. I need to have a couple of protein shakes every day after training sessions and going to the gym.
“They should help to bulk me up a bit. I still stay at home and my mum looks after what I eat, which is just as well because I can’t cook. I’ve no plans to move out because I get so much done for me!”
CELTIC – First half: Bain, Hendry, Ajer, Simunovic, Tierney, Brown, Ntcham, Forrest, McGregor, Edouard, Dembele. Second half: Hazard, Ralston, Welsh, Compper, Miller, Kouassi, Allan, Henderson, Johnston, Sinclair, Christie. FROM BACK PAGE a fortnight’s holiday after his Russia adventure ended with the bronze medal for third place.
But discussions will resume immediately when Boyata returns as Celtic look to tie down their sought-after centre-back.
The 27-year-old entered negotiations before heading to the World Cup. But while Tom Rogic signed an extension, the defender’s situation remained ongoing and unresolved.
Having impressed during the tournament, Boyata, who has entered the final year of his contract, now has clubs across Europe including Lazio and Fulham chasing down his signature.
Boss Brendan Rodgers wants the player to stay and Celtic chiefs will try to stave off the interest and clinch a long-term agreement.
Rodgers, meanwhile, says he’s excited by Celtic’s early-season promise. The Hoops followed up a 3-0 Champions League qualifying win over Alashkert with a 4-1 victory over Standard Liege on Saturday despite making 11 substitutions at half-time. The Celtic boss said: “It’s still very early stages of preseason. But if I think back to my first game when I came in a few years ago to where we’re at now – the organisation through the phases of the pitch, the pressing, the speed of it all, the quality – it makes it all exciting. “We still have a way to go to continue our work but it’s good to see.”
Gareth Southgate was proud of his young Three Lions side as they finished fourth at Russia 2018 following their 2-0 play-off defeat by Belgium.
Former England captain Gerrard saw his Light Blues win by the same scoreline in the first leg of their Europa League first-round qualifier against Shkupi. The Gers boss labelled it “satisfactory” while others claim the Macedonians are little more than a pub team.
And that’s pretty much the description of England’s other opponents – Tunisia, Panama, Colombia and Sweden – before taking on Croatia in the semi-final.
said: “England say they can build for the future. They’ll need a lot of cement to fill in the cracks with what they have now.”
said: “Looking for scapegoats, they have picked out the Spurs players as they are not used to winning trophies and don’t have the mentality to win the World Cup. If that mindset was correct Brendan Rodgers would never have won a double Treble, although that domination is about to end as the most successful team on the planet’s Messiah Gerrard’s reign gains momentum!” A touch of sarcasm from the first caller and
emailed: “As expected, we had Celtic fans queuing up on the to offer their comments on the Rangers game against Shkupi.
“I’m sure most Rangers fans who were actually there saw things from a less foreboding perspective.
“Yes, we know there is work to be done but crucially we won 2-0 in the first home leg of a European tie, having defended without breaking sweat. We also created enough chances to have won 4-0 or 5-0.”
said: “People are criticising the standard of Shkupi but I don’t think any Scottish clubs faced top-class sides. Calling the