Sam Johnstone, Celtic FC
Celtic today signed goalkeeper, Sam Johnstone, on a season-long loan from Wolves, subject to international clearance.
The 33-year-old England internationalist will join Celtic's current goalkeepers Viljami Sinisalo and Ross Doohan, and will brings a wealth of experience from his time in English football since he began his career with Manchester United back in 2011.
He has spent the past two seasons at Wolves, and made 17 appearances for the club last season. He has also gained four caps for England, and kept a clean sheet in all four of those international games.
Sam Johnstone of Wolverhampton Wanderers during the Emirates FA Cup Third Round match between Wolverhampton Wanderers and Shrewsbury Town on January 10, 2026. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)

#johnstone #celtic #season

Celtic have signed goalkeeper, Sam Johnstone, on a season-long loan from Wolves, subject to international clearance.
The 33-year-old England internationalist will supplement Celtic's goalkeeping squad, joining Viljami Sinisalo and Ross Doohan, and he brings a wealth of experience garnered in English football over the past few years since he began his career with Manchester United back in 2011.
He has spent the past two seasons at Wolves, and made 17 appearances for the club last season. He has also gained four caps for England, and kept a clean sheet in all four of those international games.
Speaking to CelticPlayer after signing for Celtic, Sam Johnstone said: "It's a great feeling, I'm buzzing to be here and I'm excited to get going.
"I didn't need convincing by anyone, but Joe Hart rang me the other day just to reiterate what a place this is, what a great group of lads and how the fans are unbelievable.

#celtic #wolves

Rangers remain in talks with Brighton and Hove Albion for winger Amario Cozier-Duberry after a previous bid was rejected. (Rangers Review)
Celtic have agreed a deal for Hajduk Split and Canada midfielder Niko Sigur. (Lukasz Gikiewicz on X)
Although Genk have emerged as late contenders for Sigur's signature and have bid €4m. (24 Sata - in Croatian)
Wolves goalkeeper Sam Johnstone, 33, is a target for Celtic. (Daily Mail)
Rangers have identified Rodez striker Ibrahima Balde as a target to bolster their striking options. (Sacha Tavolieri on X)

#cozier

PAOK have emerged as contenders to sign Slovan Liberec midfielder Ermin Mahmic, who has been linked with Celtic. (Record)
Celtic winger Hyunjun Yang is set to miss both derby matches against Rangers next month after being selected by South Korea for the Asian Games. (Sky Sports)
Falkirk are targeting a loan deal for FC Austin winger CJ Fodrey. (Record)
St Johnstone boss Simo Valakari had no doubts a deal for Enes Alic would go through, despite opposition from the left-back's former club Zeljeznicar. (Courier)
Aberdeen have moved onto different midfield targets after being priced out of a deal for St Mirren's Killian Phillips. (Press and Journal)

#ermin #mahmic

German striker Danny Schmidt is relishing the "big challenge" of playing outside his homeland for the first time after joining St Johnstone.
Schmidt, who was released by Fortuna Dusseldorf this summer, has signed a two-year deal in Perth.
The 23-year-old, 6ft 2in forward came through the ranks at Mainz before joining Fortuna two years ago, going on score five goals in 39 appearances for the club who were relegated from the second tier last season. He also had a loan spell at RW Essen.
"Everyone has welcomed me so nicely," said Schmidt. "It is a family club and I already feel really good here.
"This is a big challenge for me and it is my first time out of Germany. Of course, it is the top league in Scotland and everything is new to me. But I am so excited for what can happen.

#schmidt #fortuna #first #danny

December to August; not quite the length of that we were hoping for as League Cup champions, but better to have reigned and lost than never to have reigned at all.
Sunday's visit to Govan posed a real test for Craig McLeish and his developing side. The dramatic shift from pragmatic nuisances to free-flowing ball players has navigated lower-league opposition, a slightly bruised Falkirk and newly-promoted St Johnstone thus far - and looked mostly effective while doing so.
Do you double down on this approach against a toiling Rangers side? Or, as in times gone by, do you bow to more cautious instincts in front of 50,000 and their richly-assembled charges?
At the weekend, this Trojan panda filled with an equal share of possession and playing out from the back was rolled up to the Ibrox gates and left for the Premiership's good-honest-fitba-in-chief Derek McInnes to drag inside. Ninety dramatic minutes and five conceded goals later, the Saints were out and Ibrox remained unsacked.
To try to paint this performance as even partially positive is futile. Accusations of naivety or more drastic criticism, however, are a little short-sighted.

#dramatic #govan

The second Matchday of the 2026/27 Scottish Premiership season is in the books, so let's take a look through the results of this weekend.
The weekend got underway at Dens Park, as Dundee picked up their first win of the new season thanks to goals from Joe Westley and Joe Bevan.
Westley gave the hosts an early lead after just nine minutes, when his right-footed strike from close range found the back of the net. Aberdeen came close to an equaliser before the break, but Owen Goodman pulled off a show-stopping save to deny Daniel Happe's header.
Dundee doubled their lead early in the second half, when Bevan fired into the top corner from a tight angle, continuing his strong start to the season so far, having now reached six goal involvements in as many games across the Premier Sports Cup and the league.
Having eased past Falkirk in their opening game, St. Mirren's perfect start continued on Saturday afternoon when they ran out 1-0 winners at home to newly promoted St. Johnstone.

#westley #weekend #lead

Kilmarnock may be yet to train on their new grass-hybrid pitch, but it's fair to say manager Neil McCann is excited about the "sensational" surface.
"I just feel that Rugby Park was always known as having a brilliant surface," said McCann.
"So, hopefully we get a big crowd coming in on the back of the home form last season. I know they'll be disappointed by the last weekend but we look to try and put that right."
Killie opened their Scottish Premiership season with a 4-3 defeat by St Johnstone at McDiarmid Park and welcome champions Celtic on Sunday.
And McCann says the new pitch will not change their game tactically at all, although he admits his side will have an advantage over the visiting teams as "it allows you to train on it".

#kilmarnock

Listen to Sportsound
St Johnstone v Kilmarnock (14:00) - Mitchell starts in second Perth stint; Ring makes league debut
Hibernian v Motherwell (16:30)
Scottish Premiership: St Johnstone host Kilmarnock before Motherwell visit Hibs

#kilmarnock #motherwell #Perth #ring

Captain Jason Holt has urged newly-promoted St Johnstone to show what they are capable of and "flourish" on their return to the Scottish Premiership.
Each of the previous three Championship winners – Dundee, Dundee United and Falkirk – went on to finish in the top six in their first season back in the Premiership.
Holt will lead Saints out for their league opener at home to Kilmarnock on Sunday.
"Obviously the teams that have come up in previous years have done fantastically well," said the midfielder.
"You look at Falkirk last year, they have done amazing, and obviously that'd be great.

#premiership #falkirk

Charlton defender Zach Mitchell has returned to St Johnstone with "unfinished business" after spending part of last season at Hibernian.
The 21-year-old had a stint in Perth during the 2024-25 season when Saints suffered Scottish Premiership relegation.
Simo Valakari led the club back to the top flight at the first time of asking, and Mitchell says the manager played a significant part in his return.
"I fell in love with the place and the fans as well," said the centre-back, who played 10 times for St Johnstone in his previous loan. "Their support was always amazing.
"I also enjoyed how the gaffer works and that was a big part in me coming back to Perth. I really enjoy his style and philosophy and, after speaking to him, I know we can be competitive this year and push on.

Betfred Super League Magic Weekend
Wakefield (20) 48
Tries: Scott 2, Johnstone 2, Hamlin-Uele 2, Walmsley, Smoothy, Rourke Goals: Sinfield 6
Castleford (0) 6
Try: Qareqare Goal: Weaver

Rangers reportedly have a bid rejected for Partizan Belgrade's Vanja Dragojević as Celtic are said to have tabled an offer for Las Palmas goalkeeper **** o Horkas, while there's also news from Aberdeen, Dundee United, Hibernian, Heart of Midlothian, Motherwell, St Mirren and St Johnstone.
Rangers have submitted a £3.9m offer for Vanja Dragojević, but Partizan Belgrade are looking for £4.7m, plus a percentage of further sales, for the 20-year-old midfielder. (Mozzart Sport)
Partizan Belgrade captain Vanja Dragojević is one of the options on the table as Rangers attempt to add further strength and depth in the middle of the park. (Rangers Review)
Rangers have expressed an interest in Sankhoun Diawara, but Basel have made significant progress on a deal while Troyes remain hopeful the 20-year-old centre-half will extend his stay after promotion to Ligue 1. (Foot Mercato)
Rangers midfielder Nicolas Raskin is set for a summer move after the World Cup, with Real Betis exploring a deal and two Italian clubs also interested in the Belgium 25-year-old. (Luca Bendoni on X)

Betfred Super League
Hull FC (0) 10
Tries: Briscoe, Litten Goals: Sezer
Wakefield (24) 36
Tries: Johnstone 2, Nikotemo 2, McMeeken, Tevaga Goals: Jowitt 6

Manchester United want Karl Darlow. It sounds like a classic summer interest, but the interest is genuine. According to journalist Ben Jacobs, speaking in collaboration with The United Stand, active talks are already underway with the veteran goalkeeper’s representatives. Old Trafford decision-makers are hunting for an experienced backup. They need a low-cost, homegrown option to support or challenge Senne Lammens, especially as Altay Bayindir might be shipped off. Sam Johnstone is also on the shortlist, but Darlow presents a unique market opportunity.
The 35-year-old Wales international is out of contract at Elland Road at the end of June. That looming deadline gives the player massive leverage. Free transfers are incredibly enticing for top-tier clubs trying to balance tight budgets, and the allure of European football is a tempting proposition for a seasoned professional. It puts Leeds United in a terrible spot.
Darlow finished a strong campaign under Daniel Farke, even cementing the starting spot for a chunk of the season. That form caught the eye across the Pennines. Now, a crucial summer decision awaits.
LEEDS, ENGLAND – MAY 01: Karl Darlow of Leeds United celebrates victory after the final whistle of the Premier League match between Leeds United and Burnley at Elland Road on May 01, 2026 in Leeds, England. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)
Farke cannot let this happen. Losing a calming, reliable performer directly to a fierce rival for absolutely no fee is just bad business. The 35-year-old Welshman proved his worth last season, racking up 22 appearances and keeping 5 clean sheets. The Elland Road hierarchy needs to table a competitive two-year extension immediately. Replacing an established figure like Darlow costs millions in the transfer market, money that should be spent elsewhere.

The five-in-a-row Champions of Scotland will unfurl the league flag and kick off their defence of the ***** le with a home match against Dundee on Monday, August 3, 2026 (KO 7.30pm).
The Hoops secured a 56th Scottish ***** le in dramatic circumstances on the final day of last season with a 3-1 victory over Hearts at Paradise, with late goals from Daizen Maeda and Callum Osmand delivering Martin O’Neill’s fourth league ***** le as Celtic manager.
Following the opening fixture against Dundee, the Hoops travel to Rugby Park to face Kilmarnock on Sunday, August 9 at 1.30pm. Then it’s a trip to Perth for Martin O’Neill’s men where they will face newly promoted St Johnstone on Saturday, August 22 (KO 3pm) followed by two home games against Falkirk (August 29, KO 3pm) and Aberdeen (September 2, KO 7.45pm).
A full list of Celtic’s league fixtures is available below.
All fixtures subject to change.