Celtic manager Martin O'Neill has sought to dampen speculation surrounding two players reportedly training with the Scottish champions at Lennoxtown, insisting he had no knowledge of their presence at the club's facility.
Reports had circulated that Sonny Inzalaco, a 19-year-old goalkeeper from Australian side Perth RedStar and a youth international for his country, had been given a trial period with Celtic. However, O'Neill stated he was unaware of the teenager's involvement with the club, effectively pouring cold water on suggestions of an imminent move.
Inzalaco's situation has attracted attention beyond Glasgow, with Wrexham understood to be monitoring the young shot-stopper's availability. The goalkeeper is also said to have previously undertaken a trial with Blackburn Rovers earlier in the year, underlining a growing level of interest in his services from clubs across England and Scotland.
A second name linked with training activity at Celtic's base was that of Tiemoue Bakayoko, the 32-year-old former France international midfielder who has been without a club since departing Greek side PAOK in the summer. Despite reports suggesting Bakayoko had been working with the Celtic squad, O'Neill again denied any awareness of such arrangements, while firmly stating that the club does not intend to make any new signings before the January transfer window opens.
The comments from O'Neill come amid a period of regular transfer gossip surrounding Celtic, with the club's name frequently appearing in connection with free agents and trialists during the current window's close season. His denial appears designed to manage expectations among supporters eager for fresh additions to the squad ahead of the turn of the year.
Elsewhere in Scottish football news, the SPFL has expressed hope that away fans could return to fixtures between Celtic and Rangers, the long-standing Old Firm derby that remains one of the most fiercely contested rivalries in the sport. Details on the timeline or conditions for such a reintroduction were not specified, but the prospect of away supporters once again attending these high-profile matches would mark a significant shift for a fixture that has often been played under restricted attendance arrangements in recent seasons.
In further transfer-related developments, it has emerged that both Celtic and Rangers made approaches for Algerian winger Fares Ghedjemis during the summer transfer window. The 24-year-old, who plays for Italian club Frosinone, ultimately opted to remain in Serie B, having now signed a contract extension with the club. The interest from both halves of the Old Firm was revealed by Ghedjemis' agent, highlighting the competitive nature of recruitment between the two Glasgow giants even for players who do not end up making the move to Scotland.
The flurry of speculation reflects the ongoing scrutiny Celtic face regarding their squad planning, particularly as rivals and smaller clubs alike continue to be linked with players said to be training or trialing at Lennoxtown. For now, O'Neill's stance suggests supporters should not expect concrete transfer business until the January window arrives, regardless of the names currently swirling in the press.
Based on reporting from BBC Sport Football, Glasgow Times, Scottish Sun, and The Herald.