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Daily Record
Daily Record
Sport
Mark Pirie

Celtic news latest as Liel Abada pitched transfer dream while flop Vasilis Barkas turns super agent

Celtic fans will still be in a celebratory mood after lifting the Viaplay Cup and earning bragging rights over Rangers –- but it's back to league duty for Ange Postecoglou's side this weekend.

The league champions now have to shift their focus back to St Mirren on Sunday in Paisley at lunchtime as they look to maintain their nine-point lead at the top of the table, and Celtic will be looking to avenge the only loss they have picked up so far this season in the league when they face off with Stephen Robinson's side. Talk of a Treble is rapidly gathering pace with the Hoops holding a convincing lead over Michael Beale's men in the Scottish Premiership.

However, there is still plenty going on in Glasgow's east end ahead of the big game in the calm after the derby day storm away from the silverware focus. Record Sport has all the latest news from Celtic Park.

Barkas turns transfer guru

Goalkeeper Vasilis Barkas is out on loan at Utrecht after proving to be a major flop at Celtic – and has now advised a teammate not to rush into a transfer exit. Barkas was a regular for Greece before his move to Parkhead from AEK, but his career has nosedived since trying his luck in the Scottish Premiership.

Utecht star and Greek cap Tasos Douvikas has been tipped for a move away from the Eredivise after netting 11 goals this term - but Barkas has warned him to be cautious when following in his footsteps. He told Voetbal International "Tasos shouldn't be in a hurry. He has talent. If a club came from a big league today, he can handle it. Why not? But I think he should first score some minutes and goals in Utrecht."

Abada transfer 'dream' pitched

Maccabi Petah Tikva chairman Avi Luzon has admitted he hopes to see Liel Abada make a move to the English Premier League to play alongside Fulham star Manor Solomon. The Israel internationals both came through the youth ranks in Petah Tikva, and international boss Alon Hazan has suggested he won't be first choice after not penning a new deal at Parkhead so far.

However, Luzon has pitched a move south of the border for the star telling 5 Sport: "I need to see him go to the Premier League I pray that Manor and Abada will be together in the Premier League in the same team."

Mikey Johnston set for Ireland call

Celtic winger Mikey Johnston, who is currently on loan with Portuguese side Vitoria Guimaraes, has opted to switch his international allegiance to Ireland. The 23-year-old has been in talks with Stephen Kenny over the winter and the Scotland U21 cap is reportedly awaiting the green light from FIFA to link up with the Irish squad. He could be included in the double header to face Latvia and France later this month.

Inside Mooy's Rangers experience

Aaron Mooy was the key man for Celtic as they lifited the Viaplay Cup - but things could have been very different had he not been given a platform by Rangers. The Australian was handed a 10-day training stint at the Ibrox club’s Auchenhowie facility afer quitting Chinese football, and would do enough to earn a spot in Australia's World Cup squad as well as a deal at Celtic Park.

Record Sport goes behind the scenes of the call made by Aussie and Socceroos fitness guru Andrew Clark to seal the sessions. He stated: "During that time he considered, was football going to finish for him? Towards the end in China and afterwards, when it just wasn’t working for him, I’m sure he had those thoughts. That’s something you’d need to ask him but for him to turn that whole thing around and be back to where he is now is great for him.”

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