When the Daily Record drops a headline like “Lennon Miller to Bologna transfer domino… as Celtic told ‘truth’ about hijack attempt,” you know exactly what game they’re playing. Say the name Celtic, inject a dash of imagined drama, and hope the algorithm picks up the scent.
If you’re feeling brave (or just masochistic), you can read the piece yourself. But here’s the spoiler: once you’ve waded through a swamp of autoplay videos and banner ads, there’s not much substance waiting for you on the other side.
The story hinges on the idea that Celtic were somehow in a credible position to hijack Miller’s potential move abroad — and have now been “told the truth” as that opportunity supposedly slips away. But peel back the layers, and the narrative falls apart. Celtic aren’t being hijacked. They’re not being outbid. They’re not even in the room.
Stale rumours
The Record leans on tired claims: that Celtic admire Miller, and that he’s been “on their radar.” Which might be true — in the same way Celtic have probably admired a dozen other Scottish midfielders this year. There’s no concrete evidence of a bid, no official move, and both Lee Miller (his father) and Jens Berthel Askou have confirmed that no credible offer has been tabled from Parkhead.
So why are they even in this story? Because Celtic’s name drives clicks — and that’s the point. This isn’t insight. It’s clickbait wearing a press pass.
Zero substance
What does the article actually offer? Nothing new. No interviews. No fresh quotes. No credible sourcing. It’s a remix of what’s already been reported by The Scottish Sun, Transfer Feed, and Celtic fan blogs — all of which have been clearer in acknowledging Miller’s preference for a move abroad.
If the Record genuinely wanted to explore the story, they could’ve dug into Motherwell’s negotiation stance, the growing influence of clubs like Udinese and Bologna, or Miller’s development arc. Instead, it’s reheated leftovers padded out with autoplay ads and the same recycled lines about Brendan Rodgers being an admirer.
Why Celtic (or Rangers) get shoved into every headline
This is the part we know all too well. Any time a talented Scottish youngster comes up in the conversation — whether it’s Miller, Doak, or Gilmour back in the day — Celtic (or Rangers) get shoved into the frame, even when they have no business being there.
In this case, the Record slap “Celtic told the truth” onto a Bologna/Udinese negotiation that Celtic haven’t even entered. Their supposed involvement rests solely on admiration from Rodgers, with no action to back it up. It’s an outdated storytelling loop: young player + SPFL = must be an Old Firm tug-of-war. Bonus points if said young player is playing against Celtic or Rangers on the next match day.
What’s just as disappointing is the missed opportunity for actual journalism from an established newspaper with great resources.
What could the article have done instead?
- Focus on Bologna and Udinese’s scouting models
- Highlight how Strasbourg (via Chelsea) are changing Ligue 1 recruitment
- Explore Motherwell’s rare chance to secure a club-record payday
- Or even speak to the player’s development and what he wants for his career
That would be coverage worth reading. But no — the Record chose instead to drag Celtic into a headline they didn’t earn, and fabricate drama that doesn’t exist. This isn’t a story about Celtic losing out on a Scottish prodigy. It’s a story about a young, talented midfielder making a smart, modern football decision — and about the Scottish media’s obsession with dragging Old Firm names into every transfer headline.
The Daily Record continues to dress speculation as substance, framing every move as a Celtic-linked saga even when it’s clearly not. If your goal is serious football journalism, this doesn’t even get on the pitch.
The Alternative
This exact type of article is what inspired The Steelmen Dispatch into creation. Every time a non-old firm club has a story attached, the Daily Record or the Scottish Sun shoehorn the old firm into it. Make no mistake, this article we’re currently writing could easily have been made from a St Mirren, Dundee, or Kilmarnock publication.
In utter frustration of this article by the Daily Record, we’re extending the chance to pre-order the first issue of The Steelmen Dispatch.
We’re not here to chase clicks. We’re not here to shoehorn Celtic into every headline, or drown stories in pop-ups and autoplay ads. We’re here to do things differently — to write about Scottish football with the care, honesty, and depth it deserves.
That’s why our articles will always be free — free to read, and free from the noise.
If you’ve ever rolled your eyes at another recycled rumour, another drama where there is none, another young player framed as a missed Old Firm target — then this fanzine is for you.
Issue One is our statement of intent.
Let’s build something better.
Let’s tell our own stories — the right way.
