Pukki seals Brondby switch
CELTIC striker Teemu Pukki has sealed a permanent switch to Brondby after last year’s loan stint with the Danish club.
The Finland international failed to impress after joining the Parkhead club from German side Schalke 04 in 2013.
He was farmed out to the Copenhagen side and managed better than he did in Scotland, scoring nine goals as he helped Brondby finish third in the Danish top flight. The 25-year-old has now been rewarded with a three-year contract by boss Thomas Frank after finishing the season as his top scorer.
Despite registering seven goals in his first season in Glasgow, Pukki never came close to justifying the £3 million fee former Celtic manager Neil Lennon paid for him.
Meanwhile, Celtic will not be making bids for Scotland forwards Steven Fletcher and Ikechi Anya – because they cannot afford their huge wages.
Reports have suggested the Parkhead club are keen on Sunderland’s Fletcher and Watford winger Anya. But Collins Speaking at Edinburgh Castle following the release of the 2015/16 Ladbrokes Scottish Premiership fixtures, Deila’s number two said: “I don’t think I can say they’re players that we’re trying to sign.
“They’re two good football players who I admire but they’re both Premiership players so the reality is they’ll be on Premiership wages, so probably out of our wage bracket.”
Collins also confirmed the path was clear for Rangers to re-sign Danny Wilson from Hearts after revealing Deila “won’t be pursuing” the 23-yearold defender who began his career at Ibrox before moving to Liverpool. JOHN Collins believes Aberdeen will not let Celtic have it all their own way in the battle for the Ladbrokes Scottish Premiership title.
The Dons pushed the Parkhead champions close last term but had to accept second place after fading over the final few weeks.
But Celtic assistant coach Collins expects Derek Mcinnes’ side to fight tooth and nail to prevent Celtic from clinching their fifth consecutive championship.
Ronny Deila’s team won the Parkhead side’s 46th league crown last year when they finished 17 points ahead of the rest. And the Norwegian head coach will now look to retain their trophy when the 2015-16 campaign gets under way against Jim Mcintyre’s Ross County on 1 August. Speaking at Edinburgh Castle following the release of the new top-flight fixtures, Delia’s No 2 Collins said: “There is no doubt the main challenge will come from Aberdeen. They gave us a terrific challenge last year and pushed us all the way. They have added a few players so have strengthened their squad and Aberdeen will be our main rivals. I expect Hearts to be a good challenge as well. But every year we are favourites so it’s about producing and trying to do the same again by winning it.”
Mcinnes’ men will aim to mount a more sustained challenge when they start their season with a trip to “New Firm” rivals Dundee United.
The Tannadice side started brightly last year but the loss of key men Stuart Armstrong and Gary Mackay-steven