Billy Dodds is devastated when he acknowledges that Rangers lack something that Celtic have.

Billy Dodds is devastated when he acknowledges that Rangers lack something that Celtic have.

The fallout over Celtic’s League Cup win continues as Rangers lick their wounds after another Hampden defeat to the Parkhead club.

Celtic won the 119th trophy of their history to officially be crowned Scotland’s most successful club after winning the League Cup on penalties.

Goals from Celtic fullback Greg Taylor, Daizen Maeda and Nicolas Kuhn in regulation time weren’t enough to see off Rangers so it took penalty kicks to separate the two teams.

Daizen Maeda scored Celtic’s winner after Kasper Schmeichel saved Rangers’ third penalty from Ridvan Yilmaz and it led to Billy Dodds highlighting something that the Parkhead club have in their locker that his his old team are missing.

Celtic have the ‘mindset of champions’ after beating Rangers

On punditry duty covering the game, Dodds praised Celtic’s mentality as he hailed Brendan Rodgers’ side for getting the job done in Hampden.

Dodds told the BBC, “Celtic found a way. Rangers brought so much to it, they ran them so close and pushed them all the way, but Celtic just have the mindset to hit five perfect penalties.

“They have the mindset of champions. Rangers kept at it and showed the right mental strength.

“But, you’ve got to find a way to actually get yourself over the line and win the trophy. It’s the only thing that changes the narrative.”

Billy Dodds comments on the gap between Celtic and Rangers

For some strange reason the gap between Celtic and Rangers has raised its head after the cup final and Dodds puts his two cents worth in.

“You win the trophy,” continued Dodds, “It doesn’t matter how, it’s the only thing missing from today. They gave so much.

“Now and again, Celtic are going to struggle like they did today, but they still found the way.

“Rangers can take so much going forward as to what they have to do to close the gap to Celtic and start winning trophies.”

A cup final cannot be used as a gauge of how far apart Celtic are from Rangers. If that was the case then it could be argued that teams like Inverness Caley Thistle and St Johnstone are as close to Celtic as Rangers are after they both won the cup competitions in their recent history.

I suppose trying to take comfort and ignoring the fact that Philippe Clement has set a new record for Rangers failing to beat Celtic is easier to do than fact the facts.

Celtic are the dominant club in Scotland and Rangers have got a long way to go before they can catch up with them both on and off the park.

Brendan Rodgers tells the Celtic fans that his victory over Rangers in the League Cup was “amazing.”

Celtic’s League Cup win was probably the most nervy out of every cup win the Hoops fans have seen over the last trophy-laden decade.

Quadruple Trebles and another nine-in-a-row has allowed the Celtic fans to taste numerous wins at Hampden but none have been so tense as watching the Bhoys beat Rangers on penalties.

Daizen Maeda’s winning penalty secured the League Cup which was Rodgers’ tenth trophy as the Hoops boss.

And reacting the the win, the Northern Irishman praised his Bhoys as Celtic showed bravery and courage to hold their nerve to win the tense penalty shootout.

Brendan Rodgers praises Celtic’s ‘heart and desire’ after beating Rangers

Rodgers told Celtic TV, “It was a really tense game and the players had to show a lot of heart and desire, and a lot of calmness and composure to get the win.

‘But it’s such an amazing feeling. I said before the game that, in finals, you don’t expect everything to go your own way and that was certainly the case in the game.’

“We had some good spells but we were very loose in the first half, and in fairness to Rangers they capitalised on it, especially for the first goal.

“We just needed to find a rhythm and get the ball moving, and we started the second half really well.

“But the game goes all the way through to extra-time and then you have to show that mentality and patience and composure to score your penalties. And that’s twice now at Hampden we’ve been very good on the penalties.

“I’m absolutely delighted for everyone involved with Celtic to win and we’re really pleased.”

Brendan Rodgers’ message to Celtic fans after League Cup win

The Celtic fans were in fine voice throughout the Hampden final and that was not lost on Rodgers as the Hoops gaffer paid tribute to Parkhead support.

“Over the course of the night and the next couple of days, it’ll probably sink in more,” Rodgers continued, “It’s probably more relief now, when you’re stood there.

“And I know the magnitude of this game – a Celtic-Rangers game. It’s so big and supporters all around the world would have been tuning in to watch it and all they want to see is their team win and pick up the trophy. And we’ve been able to do that.

“There are things for us to learn and pick out from the game where we can be much better, but overall we showed that heart and desire to finish the job. So it’s just real pride in the players and for the supporters.

“If it was about deserving a trophy, then they would have had it before the game but you have to earn it and it caps off a really good start to the season for us.

“We’ll play better than we did today but finals can be like that at times what you want to make sure of is that you’re on the podium at the end, and we were on there, so I’m so happy for everyone and we can all enjoy the moment.”

Celtic supporters will be enjoying this week as they celebrate another League Cup win over Rangers. The last time the Hoops beat the Ibrox club was back in 2019 as Neil Lennon took another step towards the Quadruple Treble with a 1-0 win over our rivals.

Yesterday’s win seems a little bit more sweeter for the Celtic fans. All the hype surrounding Clement and his team after their draw with Spurs in the Europa League looks a bit premature after another Glasgow Derby defeat.

Yes, some might say that Rangers got closer this time but it should be remembered that Celtic were at their poorest yesterday. Rangers threw everything at Rodgers’ side but still couldn’t find a way to win.

That is the mark of champions and that is why Celtic are the dominant club in Scotland.

Senator Greg Taylor answers to claims of sexual harassment, exclusive

Senator Greg Taylor

In an exclusive interview with the Indianapolis Recorder, Sen. Greg Taylor (D-Indianapolis) responded to allegations of sexual harassment.

The Indy Star recently reported that three women, a former intern and two former staffers came forward with the allegations against Taylor. The alleged incidents, which involved “two instances of unwanted physical contact and a sustained romantic pursuit of an intern” took place between 2009 and 2016.

Taylor had not responded publicly outside of a statement in which he said he may have “blurred the lines” in the past and “unintentionally” made colleagues uncomfortable.

Taylor questioned the timing of the story’s release. He said he first heard of two of the allegations just days before the story broke.

The Indy Star story was published at 6:05 a.m. on Nov. 18 on the morning of the vote for the party’s next leader.

On the day the story released, Senate democrats voted to reelect Taylor as the party’s minority leader.

Describing what took place following the first incident, Taylor said he was brought in by leadership to be reprimanded and taken off two of the committees he had joined.

“I accepted my punishment for the one (incident), and I still think I did the right thing by apologizing to that young lady, working with her in the future and actually helping her when she got a new job,” Taylor said.

Sen. Greg Taylor (D-Indianapolis) was reelected Senate Minority Leader by the Senate Democratic caucus amid allegations of sexual harassment. (Photo/Brandon Smith via IPB News)

Taylor welcomed an opportunity to formally address the allegations. He maintains he had no prior knowledge of the allegations or access to the text messages in question in order to adequately state his perspective on the interactions.

“These three claims as far as I know are the only ones out there,” Taylor told the Recorder. “Two of them, I didn’t even know about. I can’t chase a ghost. And I will not chase a ghost.”

A week after the original story broke, the Indy Star published an opinion piece on Nov. 25, 2024, titled, “Democrats don’t owe Greg Taylor due process.” Taylor said this sentiment reminded him of a time when Black men did not receive due process during his childhood growing up under Jim Crow in Louisiana.

“If we don’t deserve due process, who does?” Taylor said. “We are representing the people.”

He believed his track record of hiring women in key positions on his staff and backing women’s issues over the years would speak to his stance on supporting women. As a husband and father with daughters, Taylor said these allegations have affected both his private life and his professional life.

“If there was a message I would want to convey from this entire experience, (it) is that we have a long way to go as a society when it comes to how we actually chastise people without looking into it.”

Pictured is the east entrance to the Indiana Statehouse. (Photo/Tyler Fenwick)

Is the general assembly a safe place for women to work?

“First and foremost, we want to sincerely apologize — to former staffers, interns and anyone else who has been affected by the culture of misconduct that has persisted within the Statehouse,” The Indiana Senate Democratic Caucus said in a statement.

House Democratic Leader Phil GiaQuinta said he strongly condemns sexual harassment no matter who it comes from.

“Indiana House Democrats successfully offered a 2018 amendment that resulted in a law to require annual sexual harassment prevention training for lawmakers and institute a House rule on the complaint process to properly investigate and hold lawmakers accountable when and if sexual harassment has occurred,” GiaQuinta said.

In a statement released by the Indiana Young Democrats, they demanded that the party’s leaders “exemplify and uphold the highest standards of conduct and behavior in the workplace. Anything less is unacceptable.”

Taylor agrees that some of the general assembly’s practices need to be updated.

“Anyone who’s been around the general assembly as long as I have, has to continue to learn,” Taylor said. “You can’t operate in this environment without learning something. I don’t care if you’re 45 or 85.”

Since he was first elected in 2008, he agreed that times have changed. And with that change comes a new awareness of what should be expected of lawmakers now.

“The conduct associated with non-discriminatory practices in our general assembly needs to be worked on,” Taylor said. “I’m one of those that accepts the fact that we fall far short, but that’s what we were doing.”

Taylor and his team were already working on language to update policies pertaining to sexual harassment when the allegations surfaced. He intends to present the changes, but it is up to the senate to accept and implement them.

“We are suggesting right now in the employee handbook, that we take the senate out of the process,” Taylor said. “In other words, have outside counsel review and investigate and then report back to the senate on the allegations, whether or not those allegations are validated. That takes us out of the process.”

The Indiana Democratic Party (IDP) adopted a new code of conduct and formed an ethics committee following allegations against Taylor and fellow democrats such as Indianapolis Deputy Mayor Thomas Cook and Sen. David Niezgodski.

Cook was accused of preying on multiple women in the office. Niezgodski entered a settlement agreement in 2017 with a woman who accused him of unwanted romantic advances at his plumbing business.

“All workplaces should be free of harassment in our state, and our party will do more to make sure people working in politics in our state feel safe, respected and heard,” IDP said in a statement released Nov. 19, 2024.

Taylor’s team also plans to provide guidance to interns on how to report incidents going forward. He recommends ending some of the social interactions involving interns that were once commonplace such as holiday parties and dinners out. He would like to have written statements from interns who agree to work on campaigns or other projects outside of their internship.

Indiana State Sen. Greg Taylor

Looking ahead

Taylor is optimistic about what he can accomplish in the upcoming legislative session. He recognizes that there may be opposition from other people in leadership.

“The hope is that once we get in the legislative session that we will focus on our constituency when we talk about legislation,” Taylor said. “Our caucus has always been focused on people who are underrepresented from the standpoint of economic development, from the standpoint of freedoms that we should all have in this country.”

He said in most cases, once they begin talking about legislation and strategies, other “distractions” will be put on the backburner. Taylor shared three focus areas for the next session: assisting elderly Hoosiers with needed home repairs so they can remain in a safe environment, holding charter schools that will receive property tax dollars accountable and making sure Hoosiers using the Pathways to Aging program receive needed health care.

He plans to host weekly talks with his constituents to share key updates on legislation. He wants to be a part of making sure the public stays informed of what’s happening in the legislative session.

Taylor wants the work he has done for his constituents to be his legacy.

“Actions speak louder than words,” Taylor said. “For me, it’s about the legislation that I’ve passed in the state to make lives better for all Hoosiers, particularly Hoosiers of color from my standpoint around my constituency, but for all Hoosiers.”

Celtic defeats Rangers to become the most successful team in Scotland. By Number of Trophies

Celtic edged out Rangers in a dramatic Scottish League Cup final at Hampden Park, winning 5-4 on penalties after an enthralling 3-3 draw following extra time. Daizen Maeda delivered the decisive moment in the shootout, slotting Celtic’s fifth and decisive penalty past Jack Butland to ensure the trophy returned to Celtic Park.

The match was a pulsating affair from start to finish. Rangers struck first in the 41st minute when wide-man Nedim Bajrami capitalised on a costly mistake from Celtic left-back Greg Taylor.

However, Taylor redeemed himself early in the second half with a shot that deflected in off Rangers midfielder Nicolas Raskin to pull Brendan Rodgers’ side level in the 56th minute.

Moments later, a poor touch from Leon Balogun gifted possession to Celtic, and Maeda made no mistake, slotting the ball past an oncoming Jack Butland to give Celtic a 2-1 lead.

Rangers refused to lie down, though, and Mohamed Diomande’s composed finish in the 75th minute restored parity.

Celtic thought that they had delivered the knockout blow through Nicolas Kuhn’s clinical strike in the 87th minute to make it 3-2 but Rangers were able to hit back immediately. Substitute Danilo silenced the Celtic fans with a crucial equaliser to send the game into extra time.

The additional 30 minutes did not separate the sides, setting the stage for a nerve-wracking penalty shootout.

Celtic’s experience and nerve shone through as goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel denied Ridvan Yilmaz to set up the opportunity for Maeda to be the match-winner and score the decisive penalty to seal victory.

The Japanese international stepped up and calmly dispatched his spot-kick, sealing another memorable League Cup triumph for Brendan Rodgers and his Celtic side.

Victory today marked the 119th trophy in the history of Celtic and secured their status as the most successful club in Scottish football with Rangers remaining on 118 trophies following defeat today.

Celtic: Schmeichel, Johnston (Ralston, 70), Carter-Vickers, Trusty (Scales, 45), Taylor (Valle, 90), McGregor, Hatate, Bernardo (Engles, 70), Kuhn (Forrest, 105), Kyogo (Idah, 76), Maeda.

Substitutes: Sinisalo, Scales, Valle, Palma, Idah, Yang, Engels, Forrest, Ralston.

Rangers: Butland, Tavernier, Balogun (Sterling, 67), Propper, Jefte (Yilmaz, 61), Raskin, Diomande (Barron, 106), Cerny (Dowell, 106), Hagi, Bajrami (Danilo, 86), Igamane (Dessers, 101).

Substitutes: Kelly, Yilmaz, Barron, Dessers, Dowell, Sterling, King, McCausland, Danilo.

Celtic Is Focused On The Star At A Club With Limited Funds

Scottish giants Celtic are showing interest in a player that his cash-strapped club could look to sell in the approaching January transfer window.

The Bhoys have been brilliant this season so far, dominating the Scottish Premiership, being well placed to make the playoff round of the Champions League and scooping up the Scottish League Cup on Sunday.

Brendan Rodgers could make moves to add to his squad when the winter window opens, with Celtic in line for extra income from progression in Europe.

Celtic are showing interest in Hertha Berlin defender Jonjoe Kenny, with Bournemouth also keen.

According to German magazine Sport Bild (via Fussball Transfers), Hertha Berlin need to generate money in January and Kenny is in their sights to sell.

The German second-division club need an urgent cash influx and with Kenny’s deal running out in the summer, a sale in January could be the only way to earn a fee for him.

Kenny had a spell on loan at Celtic from Everton in 2021.

He has been plying his trade in German football with Hertha Berlin since 2022.

Hertha Berlin currently sit in mid-table in the German second tier.

Celtic party hits World Darts Championship as CCV lords dominance over Rangers with epic trophy boast…

Brendan Rodgers’ achievers came through an epic Hampden Final and want the world to know about their new record

Celtic stars celebrated their Premier Sports Cup Final with a night at the darts as Cameron Carter Vickers told the nation all about their record-breaking 119 trophies.

Brendan Rodgers’ squad came through an epic Hampden Final to get their hands on the first domestic silverware of the season. It was a quick change of sport for the Hoops heroes just 24 hours after their win over Rangers at the National Stadium Taking in the night two action at the Paddy Power World Darts Championship in London were a number of the Parkhead squad. And they marked their sign with the numbers 119 – to herald they are now one ahead of Rangers on the all-time list.

Cameron Carter Vickers, Liam Scales and Adam Idah are amongst those in attendance watching the action. Also in the group pictured at the Palace were Greg Taylor, who scored a goal in the triumph, Stephen Welsh and Belgian kid Arne Engels. The Celtic squad have no game this midweek after a gruelling period of action both at home and in Europe. Rodgers’ team are next in action when they travel to Tannadice to face Dundee United on Sunday.

Rangers stayed to witness Celtic raise the trophy, according to Jack Butland.

Rangers players after their Premier Sports Cup final defeat to Celtic at Hampden on Sunday afternoon (Image: PA)

JACK Butland has revealed why he and his Rangers team mates remained on the pitch when Celtic were presented with the Premier Sports Cup trophy at Hampden on Sunday evening despite the excruciating pain of the narrow defeat.

Butland was utterly devastated when the Ibrox club were beaten 5-4 on penalties by their Parkhead rivals, who they had finished level with at the end of 120 minutes, in the showpiece match.

However, Philippe Clement was keen for every member of his squad to stay on the field and see the victors celebrate and the goalkeeper, who converted one of the spot kicks in the shoot-out, could understand exactly why.

The former England internationalist feels that watching their opponents, who surrendered the lead twice during regulation time, rejoice will simply fuel their desire to lift silverware in the coming months.

“Oh, there’s plenty of pain all right,” he said. “Look, we are rivals absolutely. But I wanted to see it. Maybe it’s trying to wish it into existence for us and just understand. I don’t think it would have made it feel any better if I had walked in prior to that.
“But it’s just something a few of us wanted to do, wanted to see it, wanted to feel that hurt. Yeah, try and put it away and make sure we win the next one.”

Rangers are currently 11 points behind leaders Celtic in the William Hill Premiership after 15 games – but Butland is refusing to accept the Scottish title race is over at this stage of the season.

The former Birmingham City, Stoke City and Crystal Palace man has been encouraged by how much the Glasgow club, who brought in no fewer than nine new players during the summer, have improved since losing 3-0 in the East End at the start of September.

He felt the display in the League Cup final showed, despite the bitterly disappointing final result, that they can now compete with Brendan Rodgers’ men for major honours in the 2024/25 campaign.

(Andrew Milligan/PA Wire)“It’s not a game where you’ve been outplayed,” he said. “It’s not a game where you’ve been outworked. It’s a game that ends cruelly on penalties. They’ll argue they never deserved to lose and we’ll argue exactly the same thing. We didn’t believe that we deserved to lose.

“The effort and the work rate and the quality that the boys showed so soon after Thursday (their Europa League game against Spurs in Govan) was excellent. To go for 120 minutes in the manner that we did, is credit to us as a group and to all the staff.
“It doesn’t make that an easier feeling, losing. But we’ll look back on it in a few days and we’ll be proud of the work that we’ve put in this week. But we haven’t got the results that we wanted and probably deserved either. As a club we want to be successful, we want to push on, we want to succeed.”

Butland continued: “At times this year, we haven’t given the fans what they want to see. But I certainly feel in the last month, we’ve given them those performances, we’ve given them the consistency and the effort and the work rate that they expect to see.

“We feel that in the support for us. They were incredible from start to finish on Sunday. They willed us on and the boys stood up to it and pushed and pushed. So we do have great confidence and belief in the group.
“I don’t think you are able to come back in a game like that or put a performance in against a topside like Tottenham on Thursday if you don’t have that confidence, you don’t have that belief. We do and we just need to fine tune it now and make sure we get these turned into wins.”
Butland confessed that he is already looking forward to Rangers playing Celtic at home at the start of next month in the league in the wake of the final at Hampden on Sunday.

(Andrew Milligan/PA Wire)“I think that improvement can be seen from afar,” he said. “We certainly believe it in the group, that we’re not only trending in the right direction, but we believe that we should be winning these games and performances are starting to reflect that.

“So, yes, January 2 is humongous. We’ve got three games between now and then that we need to win. But the reality is it’s a huge one, we’ll be looking forward to it. Days down the line, we’ll look at today’s performance and be proud of it.”
Asked if only having two days to prepare for the final had been an issue towards the end of the Celtic match, Butland said: “We had the time that we had so it’s impossible to measure whether things were any different with more time.
“But the fact is, we had what we had and the boys were brilliant with that. They stuck together, put in a real team performance, worked hard for each other and played as a team. So, it’s just about really commending the boys for being able to do that. But like I said, we deserved more and it certainly hurts.”

Rangers penalty’seed of doubt’ disregarded, according to the former referee During the Celtic flashpoint, VAR violated protocol….

Philippe Clement was left fuming after John Beaton and the VAR team opted for a free-kick

‘Rangers should have had a penalty!’ insists former referee Des Roache | Hotline Live

A former top flight referee has claimed Rangers should have been awarded with a penalty in extra time of a cup final epic against Celtic.

Speaking on Record Sport’s Hotline Live, ex-grade one whistler Des Roache insisted VAR Alan Muir should have spotted Liam Scales hauling down Vaclav Cerny inside the penalty box. And Roache believes Muir broke with protocol by failing to tell ref John Beaton to take a look at the flashpoint for himself on the pitch side monitor. Roache said: “The laws of the game state that, if you are pulling a player outside the penalty area and it continues inside the penalty area it’s a penalty kick.

“Going by the footage we are seeing, Liam Scales clearly has a hold of Cerny whose foot is on the line. The line is part of the penalty box so therefore it should have been a penalty. You’ve got to go by fact. And the factual letter of the law is that’s a penalty kick.

Celtic’s Liam Scales (R) pulls down Rangers’ Vaclav Cerny at the edge of the penalty box (Image: SNS Group)

“I don’t understand why VAR didn’t pick it up because that’s what VAR is there for. It’s there to pick up obvious errors and they have the benefit of hindsight and being able to slow down the camera. So I was very surprised that it wasn’t given.

Rangers receive heartbreaking “flashbacks to Seville” from Celtic. James Tavernier avoids making the Hampden heartbreak excuses.

Rangers are devastated as Celtic give them “flashbacks to Seville.” James Tavernier avoids the justifications for Hampden’s suffering.

Tavernier wasn’t holding back after his team suffered a painful penalty defeat to Celtic

James Tavernier spoke to Premier Sports after the game

Hurting James Tavernier couldn’t help but feel it was deja vu all over again after Rangers lost another major final on penalties.

The Ibrox side battled Celtic all the way at Hampden, a Premier Sports Cup final for the ages finishing 3-3 before the dreaded spot-kicks. In the end, Ridvan Yilmaz was the only player on either side to miss, and Daizen Maeda stepped up to be the hero and take the first trophy of the season to Glasgow’s east end.

There were parallels to that heartbreaking Europa League final against Eintracht Frankfurt in 2022, where Aaron Ramsey was the fall guy in Seville. The stakes weren’t quite as high this time, but it still hurt badly as Tavernier said after the game: “Obviously it brings flashbacks to Seville when we were in the Europa League final. It’s never nice to lose a game on penalties, but I’m proud of the lads who stepped up and were man enough to take a penalty. It just didn’t go our way.”

The result came off the back of an improved run for Rangers and, once the pain subsides, he sees positives they can take into a big run of games that starts with Dundee at Ibrox on Saturday. He went on: “We put ourselves in a good position at half-time. We wanted to keep doing the right things, go out as if it’s 0-0 and grab our chances. We’re disappointed with a couple of the goals and the manner that we conceded them, but we managed to put ourselves back in a great position. These games come down to small chances and being clinical, we had a 4 vs 1 chance in the second half and they’re the moments where you have to finish it off.

“There’s a lot to learn from. We can take a lot out of this game and push forward for next week.”

Tiredness may have showed after a draining battle with Tottenham on Thursday night. But asked if two big games in three days took their toll, Tavernier said: “It’s required.

“If you play for Rangers, you’re required to play every three days, no matter who you’re playing. That’s why we’ve got a big squad. The boys recovered really well, on both sides you saw lads cramp up. That’s the nature of the game. You’ve just got to keep on pushing and keep working hard for the rest of the season.”

Watch: The Wise Rangers Swipe by Gerry McCulloch

Gerry McCulloch delivered a moment of sharp humour on Celtic TV following Celtic’s Premier Sports Cup Final victory over Rangers.

Soccer Football – Scottish League Cup – Final – Celtic v Rangers – Hampden Park, Glasgow, Scotland, Britain – December 15, 2024 Celtic’s Callum McGregor celebrates with the trophy after winning the League Cup REUTERS/Russell Cheyne

As the Rangers players collected their runners-up medals, the commentator couldn’t resist a dig at the Rangers supporters who had already streamed out of Hampden Park in disappointment.

It was a strange sight from the fan base who don’t do walking away.

With the camera capturing the sea of empty seats, McCulloch quipped:
“It’s good to see that the Rangers supporters have waited behind to cheer them….. they’re all dressed as seats now.”

The comment perfectly captured the scene of dejection among the Rangers fans, who left the national stadium in droves after their side suffered yet another defeat to their fierce Glasgow rivals.

The final itself was a pulsating 3-3 draw after extra time, with Celtic ultimately prevailing 5-4 on penalties. The thrilling nature of the encounter made the victory even sweeter for the Celtic fans, while the result added to the frustration and heartbreak for Rangers supporters, who were desperate to see their side claim silverware.

With Brendan Rodgers maintaining his undefeated record at Hampden and extending Celtic’s silverware haul beyond Rangers for the first time since the 1930s, McCulloch’s commentary was a fitting flourish to an unforgettable day for the green-and-white.

Celtic are now Scotland’s most successful club, beyond any doubt.

The astounding Kasper Schmeichel statistic is revealed by Henry Winter.

Ridvan Yilmaz is in good company- Kasper Schmeichel has saved penalties from some of the biggest names in European football.

From Mo Salah to Harry Kane the experienced Danish keeper has been a regular heart-breaker from the spot as the young Turkish defender discovered today.

Saving one in four penalties is an incredible rate, today he was only required to save one in five with fellow keeper Jack Butland finding his way past the Celtic keeper.

Throughout his long career, Kasper Schmeichel has faced more than 115 pens and averages one save in four. Salah, Kane, Aguero, Modric, Lukaku & Van Persie all failed against him. Schmeichel continued that form in the Scottish League Cup final, saving from Ridvan Yilmaz.

— Henry Winter (@henrywinter) December 15, 2024

Even at the age of 38 Schmeichel still has the agility to throw himself around after more than two hours of high intensity action.

There isn’t much to go on with on Yilmaz penalties, although it was placed close to the post it was at ground level giving the Celtic keeper the chance to stop.

From his reactions Schmeichel knew the importance of his latest penalty save, after Reo Hatate and Daizen Maeda scored.

With the first trophy of the season secured the Treble is on, with Schmeichel on form it will take a huge effort to stop Celtic with a double digit lead already established in the SPFL Preniership.

“It Was Out of the Box”: Liam Scales Ends Rangers’ Penalty Discussion

Celtic defender Liam Scales has revealed what he thinks about the Rangers’ claims that Philippe Clement’s side should have been awarded a penalty in the 93rd minute of extra time.

With a free kick awarded on the edge of the Celtic box after Vaclav Cerny and Scales pulled each other’s jerseys, some in the Scottish media have been desperate to make excuses for Celtic’s win on penalties.

Former referee Bobby Madden also chimed in, incredibly saying it should have been a penalty, despite Cerny being closer to the edge than the actual line of the box, with the Czech winger himself pulling Scales in the lead-up to the foul.

Scales said: (The Celtic Way), “I thought it was outside the box. I haven’t watched it back, so I can’t really tell you.

“At the time, I thought it was outside and there were no complaints at the time. We just got on with the game. I’m sure they looked at it upstairs.”

Soccer Football – Scottish League Cup – Final – Celtic v Rangers – Hampden Park, Glasgow, Scotland, Britain – December 15, 2024 Rangers’ Nicolas Raskin remonstrates with referee John Beaton Action Images via Reuters/Ed Sykes

Considering the fact that referee John Beaton and VAR officials Alan Muir and Frank Connor all believed it to be nothing more than a free kick, it suggests the right call was certainly made.

Scales was booked, with Cerny himself moving away from the box in a clear sign that it was a free kick and not a penalty.

However, those like former Rangers winger Neil McCann made sure to suggest it should have been a penalty post-match, instead of praising Celtic for a hard-fought win.

 

Celtic won the Scottish League Cup thanks to a key punch from Daizen Maeda.

Daizen Maeda (third from right) celebrates with his teammates during the shootout against Rangers in the Scottish League Cup final in Glasgow, Scotland, on Sunday. | REUTERS

 

Glasgow, Scotland –

Daizen Maeda scored the decisive penalty as Celtic beat bitter rival Rangers 5-4 on penalties in the Scottish League Cup final after a dramatic 3-3 draw on Sunday.

The start of the match was briefly delayed due to flares in the stadium, and there were reports of clashes between fans in central Glasgow earlier on Sunday.

Rangers midfielder Nedim Bajrami opened the scoring in the 41st minute after a mistake by Celtic left back Greg Taylor.

After Rangers wins the League Cup, Stan Collymore delivers the perfect Celtic truth bomb.

There will be plenty of congratulatory messages heading Celtic’s way over the next few days after beating Rangers in the League Cup final this afternoon.

Celtic finished off Rangers in a dramatic Hampden penalty shootout where Kasper Schmeichel and Daizen Maeda were Celtic’s heroes of the hour.

Celtic ‘keeper Schmeichel saved a Rangers penalty as golden Bhoy, Daizen Maeda converted his spot kick to ensure the Hoops’ 119th trophy in their history rests in the Parkhead boardroom tonight.

And self-confessed Celtic fan, Stan Collymore, has sent a message to the Parkhead after their historic Hampden win.

Stan Collymore toasts Celtic’s League Cup win vs Rangers with ‘major’ truth bomb

Collymore said on X, “Congratulations to the players, staff and supporters of Celtic Football Club. A 119th major trophy.

“The most successful football club in Glaswegian, Scottish, British and European football history by major trophies won. ☘️”

Congratulations to the players, staff and supporters of Celtic Football Club.

A 119th major trophy.

The most successful football club in Glaswegian, Scottish, British and European football history by major trophies won.

☘️

— Stan Collymore (@StanCollymore) December 15, 2024

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What’s been said after Celtic beat Rangers in League Cup final

The epic final has had plenty of people rave about Celtic beating Rangers as the fallout over the Hampden penalty shoot-out rages.

MORE CELTIC STORIES

Brendan Rodgers was delighted as he said of Celtic beating Rangers, “It was an exciting game for the neutral to see. As I said, the goals at the end, but to come out the other side of it, the guys with the penalties were fantastic as well. Kasper makes the save and we pulled through in the end.”

Former Celtic striker Chris Sutton instantly said of Celtic’s win, “Well played Celtic and Brendan Rodgers, absolutely relentless,” wrote Sutton. “Another moral victory maybe for Rangers though…”

Finally, Rangers boss Philippe Clement had a weird take on Celtic’s victory with a bitter penalty rant, “There’s also a penalty situation on Czerny. So it’s a weird one that the referee, at least, is not been asked to go to watch the monitor because we get a free kick at the edge of the box but his foot is on the line so it’s a clear penalty.

“At least it’s a discussion at least for the referee to take.”

No doubt there will be even more fresh takes over Celtic’s win as the Hampden fallout continues for the rest of next week.

Rangers’ penalty save was made an unseen Celtic hero who was “well aware” of the Mammoth Club, according to Kasper Schmeichel.

The Dane was the hero during the shoot-out

Celtic v Rangers – Best Of The Premier Sports Cup Final Action

Kasper Schmeichel was thrilled to pen his own Celtic story after being swept up by Joe Hart’s Hoops romance.

The No. 1 became a Hampden hero with a crucial penalty save in an epic Premier Sports Cup Final shootout. And it was the kind of moment that Schmeichel admitted he signed up for. The great Dane is close pals with former Celtic keeper Hart after the pair came through the ranks at Man City. Schmeichel fancied a slice of the fun for himself and the Old Firm cup win was exactly what he had in mind. He said: “It was a great moment to win it.

“With Joe Hart being here for three years I watched these occasions quite a lot on TV. Having played up here earlier in my career I was well aware of what a club like this can produce. I’m very thankful and grateful to be given the opportunity to come here and contribute to this team.”

Celtic’s Kasper Schmeichel saves a penalty from Rangers’ Ridvan Yilmaz (Image: SNS Group)

Schmeichel joined a select band of stars to claim trophies on both sides of the border having lifted the FA Cup with Brendan Rodgers at Leicester City. The celebrations were similar – but the scale of the clubs is another level.

Schmeichel said: “In terms of this team, it’s very similar to what I experienced under Brendan at Leicester City. The size of the club. I saw that on the pre-season first trip to America. You notice the size of the club all the time but even abroad, you see it. I am very proud to be part of it.”

Schmeichel was thrilled to claim his first Hoops medal – but he did have some sympathy for opposite number Jack Butland. The Gers no.1 caused a stir by hitting the fifth spot kick for the Ibrox men – but managed to find the net.

Schmeichel said: “I know Jack. He is a very confident guy, he’s got incredible technique. His penalty was brilliant. If you can take penalties like that under pressure, fair play to him.”

This afternoon offers an opportunity for Celtic to further stamp their domination on rivals Rangers and also pick up the first piece of domestic silverware of the season.

Celtic are without midfielder Luke McCowan, who is cup tied.

Kasper Schmeichel is in goal for Celtic this afternoon, while the back four picked by Rodgers is Alistair Johnston, Cameron Carter-Vickers, Auston Trusty and Greg Taylor.

In midfield, the Celtic boss goes with Callum McGregor, Reo Hatate and Paulo Bernardo, while leading the attack are Daizen Maeda, Nicolas Kuhn and Kyogo Furuhashi.

Rodgers has options off the bench if needed and they include Arne Engels and Adam Idah.

Celtic Team vs Rangers

Schmeichel, Johnston, Carter-Vickers, Trusty, Taylor, McGregor, Hatate, Bernardo, Kuhn, Maeda, Kyogo

Substitutes: Sinisalo, Scales, Palma, Idah, Valle, Yang, Engels, Forrest, Ralston

James Tavernier Starts – Rangers Team vs Celtic Confirmed

Ange Postecoglou Won’t Make New Year As Spurs Boss Says Ex-Top Flight Star

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Our mission is to provide our readers with the most engaging football content, bringing the passion and excitement of the world’s game to life.

Team News: Rodgers names same Starting XI with Palma recalled to the bench

Brendan Rodgers has picked the same Starting XI that drew with Dinamo Zagreb on Tuesday for today’s League Cup Final at Hampden.

On the bench Luis Palma comes in for the cup tied Luke McCowan as the hoops look to claim the first trophy of the season.

Alistair Johnston did pick up a hip injury against Dinamo but with five days between fixtures he is fit and well for today’s match.

Rodgers did have options in midfield to consider but Arne Engels has to settle for a place on the bench, as he did in September two days after his transfer from Augsburg.

There are no injury problems for Rodgers to contend with but Phil Clement will have to go in without John Souttar who was injured during the first half of Thursday’s draw against Spurs.

John Beaton will referee the fixture for the third time this year with Alan Muir on VAR duty.

CELTIC: Schmeichel; Johnston, Carter-Vickers, Trusty, Taylor; McGregor, Hatate, Bernardo; Kuhn, Kyogo, Maeda

SUBS: Sinisalo, Scales, Palma, Idah, Valle, Yang, Engels, Forrest, Ralston

Celtic and Rangers fans clash in Glasgow city centre ahead of cup final

Christmas shoppers could be seen hiding in nearby shops as the chaos developed on the streets of the city centre.

Hundreds of Celtic and Rangers fans have been captured clashing in Glasgow city centre ahead of the Scottish League Cup final at Hampden park.

Officers from Police Scotland were seen on Argyle Street attempting to separate both sets of supporters before the kick-off at the national stadium at 3.30pm.

Christmas shoppers could be seen hiding in nearby shops as the chaos developed on the streets of the city centre.

In the clip football fans can be seen running down the busy shopping street wearing Santa hats and setting off flares, as Police attempt to de-escalate the situation.

Following the disturbance on Argyle Street a large group of Rangers fans can be seen being escorted up Union Street then near Central Station in order to be put on trains for Mount Florida.

Police Scotland has been approached for comment.

Police escorted Rangers fans close to Central Station in Glasgow (Image: Daily Record)

We’ll be bringing you the very latest updates, pictures and video on this breaking news story.

CELTIC v RANGERS: CUP FINAL BUMPER QUIZ

CELTIC can take a crucial step towards the club’s ninth treble in history if they beat Philippe Clement’s Ibrox side in the Premier Sports League Cup at Hampden this afternoon.

It was the trophy that got away from Brendan Rodgers in his comeback season, but there were still triumphs in the Premiership and Scottish Cup to celebrate.

How much can you remember about past League Cup meetings with the Govan club? Have a go in CQN‘s fun five-minute quiz to test your knowledge.

Good luck!

QUESTIONS:

1: The last time Celtic played Rangers in the League Cup Final was in December 2019.  Neil Lennon’s side won 1-0. Who scored the game’s only goal?

2: Which Celtic player was red-carded in the same game?

3: Fraser Forster saved a penalty-kick from which Ibrox player that afternoon?

4: Two of the players who started for Celtic in the win are still at Parkhead. Callum McGregor is one. Who is the other?

5: Another Celt that day moved to the MLS the following month, Can you identify the player?

6: Two of the Celtic team that beat Rangers 2-1 in the 2022/23 League Cup Final have since retired. Can you name the players?

7: Another two players have also moved on from that starting line-up. Filipe Jota left in a £25million switch to the Middle East, but who also joined the Portuguese ace through the Parkhead exit?

8: Who was Celtic two-goal hero in the derby win?

9: Brendan Rodgers has faced Rangers only once in the League Cup in the semi-final back on October 23 2016 and triumphed 1-0. Who netted the winner?

10: Who was the Ibrox club’s manager that afternoon: A: Steven Gerrard, B: Mark Warburton or C: Pedro Caixhina?

The answers will be provided when the team is announced before kick-off.

TITLE DEEDS: THE DERBY DAY RAMPAGE AND JOY RODGERS

THERE was no stopping Brendan Rodgers’ fired-up Celtic team as they rampaged to a 5-0 triumph over their thunderstruck Ibrox opponents at Parkhead on the gloriously sunny afternoon of April 29 2018.

The Hoops were ruthless and relentless as they wiped the floor with their Glasgow foes on their way to a 49th title.

It was an afternoon built for smiles. Rangers were due to visit and Celtic were 90 minutes away from another crown. No West End impresario could have stage-managed it with such flawless timing.

The rivals were hammered into submission and were fortunate to escape with only a five-goal drubbing.

The only surprise was that the victorious home players visibly eased off to a leisurely stroll with 37 minutes still to play. Celtic’s 7-1 League Cup Final victory at Hampden Park in 1957 is the club’s biggest victory in the derby match and the gap could have been obliterated on this occasion.

Graeme Murty knew his days as caretaker manager of the Govan club were over as he stood dumbstruck on the touchline, barely focusing on events unfolding in front of him as Rodgers’ side raced to a five-goal advantage by the 53rd minute.

It had been the third time the Irishman had seen his side score five goals against the same opposition after they had settled for a 4-0 triumph a fortnight earlier in the Scottish Cup semi-final.

Odsonne Edouard skimmed across the perfect playing surface to stick two in the net with James Forrest, claiming his first-ever strike against the Ibrox side, Callum McGregor and Tom Rogic joining in.

Image courtesy ‘CELTIC 50 Flags Plus One’ tribute book.

Rodgers revelled in the team’s seventh successive title triumph and smiled when he had been reminded it had been the first time in 39 years Celtic, then bossed by the legendary Billy McNeill, had clinched the flag against the Ibrox side.

The Celtic manager beamed: “I’m really proud. These games are full of emotion, but we said to the players beforehand that we obviously knew the consequences of the game and all the historical facts around it, but we said to them that they had to play football.

”For us and our fans, it was a special day to wrap up the title. I’m really pleased with how the players coped with that pressure and expectancy.

“There won’t be too many atmospheres like there was today around the world. It was a real special atmosphere and it was great that we could make our supporters happy.”

Adam Idah is aware that his responsibility is to upset Rangers at any moment, and Celtic is standing on the treble launchpad.

Celtic’s Cup Final hero back in may is brushing off history moment ahead of return to National Stadium for Premier Sports edition

Adam Idah admits a League Cup Final triumph over will provide the perfect launchpad for another silverware laden season for Celtic.

The Hoops hitman is refusing to look any further than a Hampden clash with the Light Blues and insists he’ll be happy to play a supporting role from the bench if it means claiming a winners medal. As all eyes turn to the national stadium, the 23-year-old is convinced success over their old rivals can be the start of another dominant domestic campaign a clean sweep of the trophies.

He said: “We want to win as many trophies as we can and we take each game as it comes. It’s a big challenge that we’re all looking forward to. It’ll get us off to a good start so t’s exciting. The game’s not finished yet. We want to get the job done first. It’s obviously what we want to go and do and get as many trophies at the end of the season as we can. It’ll be a big, big job for us. It’ll be a good start for us to go on throughout the season. It’s obviously important.”

Idah was a Hampden winning goal hero against Rangers in last season’s Scottish Cup Final and the Republic of Ireland international and he’s already consigned that glory moment to history as he aims to get his hands on another major winners medal.

He said: “It’s obviously an exciting challenge but I think from what happened before, I’m going to have to brush that past me now. It’s happened and it’s a new challenge for us. It’s going to be a tough game, a tough game again. Like I said, we’re all excited and looking forward to the game.”

It could be another wait for Idah to be launched into the action of Hoops boss opts to start with Kyogo but the former Norwich striker insists the collective will always come before his own personal ambitions and he’s backed himself to be a difference maker even if his appearance comes late in the contest.

He said: “I think that’s the mentality you’ve got to have. We’ve seen it a lot, especially last season, where there were times where I probably didn’t start many games and I came on and impacted the game. I think that’s the mindset I’ve got in my career and especially this season.

“It doesn’t matter whether I’m starting the game or coming off the bench, I think we all have the same goal in mind and we want to impact any game and just win. Regardless of if I start or not, I think everyone wants the same goal at the end of the day.

“We saw it the other day against Hibs and the goal Kyogo scored was outrageous. There’s not many players that could finish like that. Even his first touch, that chance, it’s not easy to do. He’s a magical player and it’s something we need in the team.”

Postponement of Celtic Cup Final Kick Off Is a Real Chance

The Premier Sports Cup Final between Celtic and Rangers this Sunday at Hampden Park could be at risk of a delayed kick-off due to potential pyrotechnic displays.

Soccer Football – Scottish League Cup – Semi Final – Celtic v Aberdeen – Hampden Park, Glasgow, Scotland, Britain – November 2, 2024 Celtic fans with flares REUTERS/Craig Brough

After significant delays during both clubs’ semi-final matches, there are mounting concerns that similar incidents could disrupt the showpiece event.

In Celtic’s semi-final against Aberdeen, the match was delayed by 14 minutes as thick clouds of smoke from pyro displays rendered the pitch invisible to VAR cameras. Similarly, Rangers’ semi-final clash with Motherwell was delayed by five minutes due to the same issue.

These delays drew widespread criticism, prompting the SPFL to issue disciplinary charges to both clubs for the disruptions caused by their supporters’ use of pyrotechnics.

Ahead of Sunday’s final, the SPFL has issued a stern warning to both sets of fans about the use of pyro. The governing body emphasised that pyrotechnics are illegal in Scottish football grounds and warned of criminal charges, football banning orders, and additional club sanctions for those caught smuggling them into the stadium.

Despite these warnings, some fans may interpret the charges as a challenge, potentially leading to even larger displays in defiance of the authorities.

Any substantial pyro display could exacerbate visibility issues for VAR. This could lead to delays if the video officials are unable to clearly see the pitch, which was what happened last time. Given the stakes and tension of a Glasgow derby cup final, any disruption could significantly impact the flow and outcome of the game.

A delayed kick-off wouldn’t just affect the fans and officials; it could disrupt player preparations and focus. Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers previously voiced concerns about pyro delays, stating that they interfere with players’ warm-ups and increase the risk of injuries.

With both sides aware of the potential repercussions, the pre-match atmosphere could be even more charged. The first piece of silverware of the season is on the line, and both sets of supporters are eager to make their presence felt. While the SPFL has organised a controlled pre-match pyro display, there’s a real risk that fan-led displays could push the limits, leading to delays.

One thing’s for sure: the Hampden showdown is set to be a fiery affair in more ways than one.

Celtic has been political since birth and, if you don’t like it, there’s plenty of “non-political” clubs around.

It is the direct responsibility of the SFA to make sure there are no pyrotechnics. Any game at Hampden is under their direct control and responsibility. It is NOT the direct responsibility of either club. Celtic have continually intimated to their fans that pyrotechnics should not be used at games and I would hope that the Govan club have told their own followers the same. Celtic can only make sure that none come into Celtic Park, but it is up to those at Hampden to make sure that none enter Hampden. IT IS THEIR RESPONSIBILITY. So any sanctions should be brought against the SFA.

There should be an independent regulator body to do this and also to regulate Scottish football, as we already have many instances where the SFA have been found wanting in governance, especially of themselves. They are vey good at shifting the blame, instead of facing up to the fact that they can be shifty characters in their own right. We have quite a number of cases on record, where they are compromised, including the Jim Farry one. This history of instances will be invaluable when it may have to be used.

What nonsense. Celtic FC have done NOTHING to stop the pyros and the club along with the Govan club, deserve to be punished. The pyros were present at virtually every away match in the 2018-19 & 2019-20 seasons, the club did nothing, Said nothing.
The board and especially the SLO pander to these fans, they know exactly who they are yet continue to supply them with tickets for life.
Your view on Celtic having no responsibility for their own fans is not shared by UEFA, have you not seen how many fines & punishments have been dished out?

Incidentally, are you claiming no pyros ever make it into Celtic Park?
Never mind the whataboutery, its time for ALL clubs including our own, to take responsibility for the ultra neds before the grounds, or certain sections at least, are closed to protect the rest of the fans who only want to support their team.

Both of their chemically induced fan bases, like setting fire to small bins. Do it ootside, before the geme.

Then enjoy tha fitbaw. Tha only fireworks worth seeing will be at the end of play.

So keep it in your pants, play with each other, once the spectacle had ended.

On yer way home in your mammies cars. Go on, yae can stick yer sparklers oot tha windaez then.

If the ferrie home gets intae trouble, the operators will stick yaes in a life raft and set aff a flare Ur three.

Fur yer entertainment. And the coastguards and Rnli’s.

Brendan Rodgers Makes a Particular Allegation Regarding the Hampden Pitch

Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers has shared his thoughts ahead of Sunday’s League Cup final, where his side will take on Rangers at Hampden Park. Speaking to the media on Friday, Rodgers highlighted the significance of the game for the club and supporters, while also underlining his excitement for another Glasgow derby.

Rodgers, who has already enjoyed plenty of success in domestic cup competitions during his Celtic tenure, made it clear that these occasions never lose their appeal.

“It’s a really special game, a Celtic vs Rangers final,” said Rodgers. “Obviously, we had one a number of months back in the Scottish Cup final, so there’s always a great build-up to them and always real excitement at the games. For us, it’s a special game, but it’s the next game—and the next game is one we want to win. So that is our mindset going into it.”

Hampden’s Big Pitch Suits Celtic

Rodgers also spoke about the advantages of playing at Hampden, praising the large pitch and how it complements Celtic’s playing style.

“The pitch suits us; it’s a big pitch,” Rodgers explained. “When you play through pressure at a press, then there’s lots of space for you to play, and that’s something that in my time here we’ve enjoyed—whether it’s been a semi-final or a final.”

Celtic’s 6-0 semi-final win over Aberdeen at Hampden is a perfect example, compared to the tighter contest at Pittodrie in the league.

Celtic Hungry to Win

After missing out on the League Cup last season, Rodgers emphasised the squad’s determination to reclaim the trophy.

“A final is a final, and it’s a competition that we obviously missed out on last year, so we’re very hungry to look to win this one,” he said.

Celtic’s dominance in domestic football over the last decade has included several League Cup triumphs, and Sunday presents another opportunity to add to their silverware collection while also asserting their superiority over their city rivals.

The League Cup final kicks off at 3:30 pm on Sunday at Hampden Park, with another sold out stadium expected for the Glasgow derby. Rodgers and his players will be aiming to rise to the occasion and deliver a big performance.

Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers has shared his thoughts ahead of Sunday’s League Cup final, where his side will take on Rangers at Hampden Park. Speaking to the media on Friday, Rodgers highlighted the significance of the game for the club and supporters, while also underlining his excitement for another Glasgow derby.

Rodgers, who has already enjoyed plenty of success in domestic cup competitions during his Celtic tenure, made it clear that these occasions never lose their appeal.

“It’s a really special game, a Celtic vs Rangers final,” said Rodgers. “Obviously, we had one a number of months back in the Scottish Cup final, so there’s always a great build-up to them and always real excitement at the games. For us, it’s a special game, but it’s the next game—and the next game is one we want to win. So that is our mindset going into it.”

Hampden’s Big Pitch Suits Celtic

Rodgers also spoke about the advantages of playing at Hampden, praising the large pitch and how it complements Celtic’s playing style.

“The pitch suits us; it’s a big pitch,” Rodgers explained. “When you play through pressure at a press, then there’s lots of space for you to play, and that’s something that in my time here we’ve enjoyed—whether it’s been a semi-final or a final.”

Celtic’s 6-0 semi-final win over Aberdeen at Hampden is a perfect example, compared to the tighter contest at Pittodrie in the league.

Celtic Hungry to Win

After missing out on the League Cup last season, Rodgers emphasised the squad’s determination to reclaim the trophy.

“A final is a final, and it’s a competition that we obviously missed out on last year, so we’re very hungry to look to win this one,” he said.

Celtic’s dominance in domestic football over the last decade has included several League Cup triumphs, and Sunday presents another opportunity to add to their silverware collection while also asserting their superiority over their city rivals.

The League Cup final kicks off at 3:30 pm on Sunday at Hampden Park, with another sold out stadium expected for the Glasgow derby. Rodgers and his players will be aiming to rise to the occasion and deliver a big performance.

In their pursuit of the January target, Celtic and Arsenal must overcome a £9.8 million transfer hurdle, with offers anticipated before Christmas.

Arsenal are another team said to be prowling with Celtic ahead of January’s transfer window.

Celtic have been told the minimum amount they will have to pay for a reported target said to be attracting Arsenal attention.

The Hoops and Gunners are two of the clubs who are said to have scouted Hammarby’s rising star Bazoumana Toure. He has rose to prominence in Scandinavia and has netted nine goals with four assists in 23 games.

That has sparked rumours ahead of the transfer window opening next month, with Arsenal, Celtic Crystal Palace, Eintracht Frankfurt and Bayer Leverkusen just some of the teams who are believed to have watched Toure. Hammarby’s sporting director has now addressed the speculation.

Mikael Hjelmberg was asked how much the attacker would cost by Lundh, pressed on a figure of £9.8m. He responded “At least” but kept the door open for a possible deal happening over this winter, with some formal interest tipped before Christmas.

Hjelmberg added: “Believe it or not. I would think that maybe it will start to move properly at the end of December, or especially in January. But I wouldn’t be completely shocked if there were offers for him before Christmas. Yes, they are contacting his agents of course.

“There are some clubs that have contacted us too. Then there are new clubs written about in the media every day that I don’t know about. But there are quite a few.

“That’s how it is. There are many clubs asking about him and there are many clubs who are curious about what it would cost to buy him.”

As the hoops legend waxes poetic, Kyogo says there is “no bigger man” to seal the Celtic deal against Rangers at Hampden.

The Japanese striker has a knack of scoring against the Light Blues and one Celtic legend expects him to carry on that run

Kyogo has been earmarked as the man to ‘punish’ Rangers

Celtic and Rangers both have a huge chance to secure their first silverware of the season as they face off at Hampden Park on Sunday afternoon, in what is a huge billing in Glasgow – and Chris Sutton has told Kyogo Furuhashi to lace up his Old Firm shooting boots once again as he had so often in the past.

Kyogo’s record against Rangers is quite something. Eight goals in 15 outings against the Ibrox outfit, including a brace in the Premier Sports Cup final two years ago, have seen Gers fans haunted by the clinical poacher, and he’s shown no signs of stopping in recent games.

Having not been at his best in midweek in the Champions League against Dinamo Zagreb, Kyogo will be looking to relish the chance of another big clash to get back to form – and with the huge game coming up against Celtic’s bitter rivals, Sutton has backed the star to punish Philippe Clement’s side again to bring home the trophy.

Sutton said: “Kyogo Furuhashi was fabulous and then frustrated. But, when it comes to facing Rangers, the Celtic striker is normally fantastic.

“And there’s no reason to think the lethal Japanese striker won’t extend his marvellous Old Firm record when he gets back to Hampden. Big players deliver in big games. When it comes to Scotland, there is no bigger fixture and there has been no bigger man in the contests recently than the striker. Kyogo’s recent run against Rangers has been terrific and, if Celtic are going to win the Premier Sports Cup on Sunday, there’s every reason to think he’ll be central to the success.

“Here’s one for you. If they don’t win the trophy, I don’t think it’s a disaster in the bigger picture. But we’ll get to that later. First up, Kyogo, who has been a contrasting watch over the past week. Last Saturday, I thought his goal against Hibs was absolutely sublime. The way he let James Forrest’s pass run through to collect with his back leg into his path was brilliant enough. But to then have the composure to feint and sit the keeper on his backside before lifting a finish over him was just gorgeous.

“There was a big smile on his face afterwards, yet contrast that with the figure which trooped off at the Maksimir Stadium on Tuesday night. Kyogo would have been desperate to get a first Champions League goal away from home for Celtic, but it just wasn’t his night. He seemed slightly off it when receiving the ball and there were times he didn’t get possession that also caught my eye. On two or three occasions, he looked to have made a trademark darting run in behind only for the pass not to come his way or for the intended delivery to go astray.

“It happened just before he went off in the second period against Dinamo and there’s nothing worse for a striker when you think you are in, you escape markers and then a team-mate either doesn’t spot you or doesn’t find you. It felt like that on occasions for Kyogo in Croatia, but I can only imagine that has made him even more determined to deliver at Hampden.

“Kyogo has made it his business to damage Rangers time and again over the past couple of years and he also has that happy knack of being able to do it at the National Stadium in the major finals and semi-finals. Fair enough, it needed Adam Idah to come off the bench and win the Scottish Cup Final for Brendan Rodgers’ team in May.

“But Kyogo was right back into the Old Firm groove when the teams met again for the first time this season with his excellent finish as Celtic cantered to a 3-0 success. It was one of the performances of this season which has really caught the eye. At times, Rodgers’ team have played some scintillating stuff.”

Commercially savvy Celtic signs historic contract

Celtic CEO Micheal Nicholson during the Scottish Premiership match between Celtic FC and Ross County FC at Celtic Park on November 30, 2024. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

Celtic announced yesterday a new three-year contract extension with shirt partner Dafabet…

Following the conclusion of the Magners deal in season 2015/2016, Dafabet became Celtic’s prime shirt sponsor in Brendan Rodgers’ first campaign as Hoops manager back in 2016/2017.

Subsequently, the commercial collaboration between Celtic and Dafabet which is expected to last until season 2027/2028 will be the longest short partnership in the club’s entire history – making it a landmark deal.

Celtic Chairman Peter Lawwell and Chief Executive Michael Nicholson in the directors box. Celtic v Kilmarnock, Cinch Scottish Premiership, 17 February 2024. Photo Stuart Wallace Shutterstock

Despite being on the front of all home, away and third strips in the last nine seasons, the betting firm joined as a club partner in 2015 which will extend Celtic’s link with Dafabet to 13 years by the time the new contract ends.

Speaking to the official Celtic FC website yesterday afternoon, CEO Michael Nicholson said, “Dafabet has been a hugely important partner of the club for so many years and we are delighted to agree this new extension.”

“It is a partner which has also demonstrated a real and meaningful commitment to our charitable and community dimension, something we are extremely appreciative of.”

Nicholson added: “It is through the club’s strong fundamentals that we continue to be able to attract and deliver such quality partnerships and through agreements such as the one we announce today we are able to look ahead with confidence. We thank Dafabet for their continued commitment to Celtic.”

Dafabet posted this message on their social media channels: “We are proud to announce a three-year contract extension with Celtic FC. This deal will make Dafabet the longest shirt partnership in the Club’s history! We wish the Club the best of luck and continued success both on and off the park.”

Conor Spence

🤝We are proud to announce a three-year contract extension with  .

This deal will make  the longest shirt partnership in the Club’s history!

We wish the Club the best of luck and continued success both on and off the park.🍀

— Dafabet (@Dafabet) December 13, 2024

Celtic sets a new club record by securing an off-field deal.

Celtic have announced a contract extension with shirt sponsor Dafabet to set a new record.

The club confirmed the deal earlier this afternoon.

What On Earth Is Going On In Argentina?

According to the club’s website, the new deal was struck and will make Dafabet the longest-running shirt partnership in their history.

The company first sponsored Celtic back in 2016/17 season.

They did, however, join as the club’s betting partner in 2015 so that takes the relationship to a near-10 year length and the new three years added will take it beyond 13 years.

Chief executive Michael Nicholson told of the pride to extend the deal between both parties.

And speaking to the Hoops website he explained the benefit of having strong commercial partnerships like the one with Dafabet.

He said: “Dafabet has been a hugely important partner of the club for so many years and we are delighted to agree this new extension.

An amazing 45-yard goal by a dropped Scotland striker ends an 8-game goal drought and secures a crucial victory.

Striker nets remarkable winner for Torino at Empoli

Scotland striker Che Adams ended his eight-game scoring drought for Torino in incredible fashion by scoring the only goal of the game against Empoli from 45 yards out.

Torino prevailed 1-0 away at the Stadio Carlo Castellani after Adams, only on the field of play for six minutes after coming on as a substitute, netted the winner on 70 minutes.

Running on to a pass from Nicola Vlasic, Adams spotted home goalkeeper Devis Stiven Vasquez Llach out of position and lashed home a strike from just inside the Empoli half with his right foot over the stranded Colombian.

Che Adams came off the bench to score the winner for Torino.

It was the perfect response from Adams after being dropped from the starting XI by Paolo Vanoli and helped arrest a poor run of form in Serie A for Il Toro, who join Empoli on 19 points in 11th place.

Adams, 28, had not scored for club or country since late September, but this wonder-strike will surely do his confidence the power of good heading into the festive period. It is his fifth goal for Torino since joining in the summer from Southampton on a free transfer.

Adams’ fellow Scot Liam Henderson was not in the starting line-up for Empoli, however, due to a suspension accrued by picking up five yellow cards already this season.

On Saturday in Serie A, Scotland duo Scott McTominay and Billy Gilmour will look to rediscover the winning feeling with Napoli after last weekend’s 1-0 defeat by Lazio.

Gli Azzurri relinquished top spot in Serie A to Atalanta by virtue of that home defeat and will look to bounce back away at Udinese.

On Sunday, another Scot in Lewis Ferguson will hope to be involved as Bologna host Fiorentina (kick-off 2pm).

 

“Playing for Celtic is my dream,” said Johnny Kenny, who hopes to leave Rovers with a goal against Chelsea.

Johnny Kenny of Shamrock Rovers celebrates after scoring his side’s third goal against Borac at Tallaght Stadium. Photo: Sportsfile

Seán O’Connor

Johnny Kenny is targeting a first-team breakthrough at Celtic in January but before returning to his parent club he’s hoping to finish his loan spell at Shamrock Rovers on a high with a goal at Chelsea next week.

The 21-year-old has impressed in his second year on loan at Tallaght Stadium as his brace in Thursday’s Conference League win over Borac Banja Luka took his 2024 tally up to 20 goals, five of which have come in his last four European starts with the Hoops securing a February play-off for the last 16.

But Kenny admits it remains his dream to play at Celtic Park and hopes to earn the chance to impress Brendan Rodgers when he returns to Glasgow in the New Year.

The Sligo man, currently the joint-top scorer in the Conference League with five goals, was hailed by Stephen Bradley in the aftermath of this week’s European victory. And although Rovers are keen to hold onto the former Ireland U-21 cap for 2025, for now Kenny’s eyes are on making his mark with the Scottish champions, who he signed for in January 2022.

“I spoke to Celtic. I’m returning to pre-season on January 3 and we’ll see where that takes us. It’s my dream to play for Celtic and hopefully I get that in January, time will tell,” said Kenny following Thursday’s 3-0 victory, which took Rovers up to 11 points out of a possible 15 ahead of next week’s final League Phase game away to Chelsea.

So has it boosted his Celtic prospects?

“One hundred per cent, yeah,” said Kenny. “The goals in Europe are probably worth two or three in the league. I haven’t done myself any harm but it’s over now (after Chelsea) and come January 3, I need to impress at Celtic.

“It’s my dream to play for Celtic but I’ll take it from there. I have really enjoyed my football here (at Rovers), even last year when things weren’t going well.

“I’ll just enjoy the glamour tie next week and Christmas with my family and see what January brings. It’s up to me when I go back to take it a step further and hopefully get my chance.”

Asked if a goal at Stamford Bridge next week would be the dream way to sign off, Kenny said: “Ah yeah, it would be brilliant. That’s what we all dream of as a young lad, to go over there and bring the game to them.”

Bradley’s men are one of just three sides in the Conference League who remain unbeaten after five games, along with Chelsea and Portugal’s Vitoria. With 11 points, the Tallaght club are guaranteed a two-legged play-off in February for the last 16, but they will be aiming higher next week.

A draw in west London next week would hand them an outside chance of a top-eight finish and automatic qualification, and Kenny says his side must relish the challenge against the two-time Champions League winners.

“When we saw the draw, this was the glamour tie but knew we had to get the work done first. Let’s all go enjoy the moment,” he said, having also been nominated for the 2024 PFAI Ireland Men’s Young Player of the Year.

“It’s been a long year, a year since we started pre-season, so we deserve a night like this. Look, people said we’d get beaten by APOEL and Rapid Vienna (as Rovers came from behind to draw 1-1 in both) so what have we to lose at this stage? We’re one of only three teams undefeated.

“Did we expect that at the start? Maybe not, but we’ve not feared any team. It’s ‘we’re going after you’.

​“It’s great company to be in (joint-top scorer) but I’m just delighted we’re winning and I can contribute. We’ll treat Chelsea the same as the other matches. There are probably more glamorous clubs but we’ll see what happens when we take it to them.

“No fear. It will be special having my family and friends there who helped me along the way when I was growing up. It’s the same for any player, they would want to be there next week.”

The mention of his clan back in his native Riverstown prompts Kenny to put football to the side for a moment as he paid an emotional tribute to a late friend from back home, Anthony Connolly, who passed away last year. It’s clear he was someone who meant a lot to the striker.

“They (family) are proud. I lost one of my close mates in October (2023) and it hurts me that he can’t be here on nights like this,” Kenny said of fellow Riverstown man Connolly, who was a sports fanatic and a huge supporter of Kenny’s former club Sligo Rovers, where he was also a photographer at matches.

“It’s tough. We’re a year on, but on nights like Borac and next Thursday you miss him being around.”

No doubt Connolly would be proud of the heights Kenny has reached this season – a year he’s hoping to round off with a flourish under the lights in London next week before Glasgow beckons.

Celtic FC and Dafabet: Historic partnership to run for 12 Years

Kyogo Furuhashi is pictured as Celtic unveil their new away kit for the 2024/25 season (Image: SNS Group)

Celtic have announced a significant three-year extension of its partnership with Dafabet, which will mark the longest shirt sponsorship in the club’s history.

This new agreement will see Dafabet’s logo featured on the Scottish Premiership giants’ kit for a total of 12 consecutive years, beginning with the 2016/17 season.

Dafabet first joined Celtic as the International Betting Partner in 2015, and with this latest extension, their association with the Parkhead club will reach an impressive 13 years.

Beyond being a vital commercial ally, Dafabet has demonstrated a strong commitment to the Celtic FC Foundation. They have generously provided front-of-shirt space for the Foundation and its various campaigns, donated match tickets to local organisations, and offered Play on the Park rights annually to supporters and charitable causes.

Additionally, they have sponsored numerous charity matches and consistently supported all initiatives organised by the Foundation.

John Cruces, head of sponsorship at Dafabet, expressed his enthusiasm about the extension: “We are very happy to be extending our partnership with Celtic FC.

“To be the longest front of shirt partner on such an iconic and worldwide recognised shirt is a proud moment. To think it was back to the 2016/17 season, an invincible season, that we were first on the shirt is somewhat surreal.

“The measure of success the club has had during our partnership has been incredible and testament to all, both on and off the park. As always we wish the club the very best and look forward to seeing more records broken and achieving common goals.”

Celtic’s chief executive Michael Nicholson, echoed this sentiment, saying, “Dafabet has been a hugely important partner of the club for so many years and we are delighted to agree this new extension.

“It is a partner which has also demonstrated a real and meaningful commitment to our charitable and community dimension, something we are extremely appreciative of.

“It is through the club’s strong fundamentals that we continue to be able to attract and deliver such quality partnerships and through agreements such as the one we announce today we are able to look ahead with confidence. We thank Dafabet for their continued commitment to Celtic.”

Celtic Hatchet Job on Thursday Night on TNT Sports.

TNT Sports found themselves in hot water with Celtic fans after attempting to take a swipe at former Hoops manager Ange Postecoglou. Following Postecoglou’s Tottenham side’s 1-1 draw with Rangers in the Europa League, TNT’s social media account, which boasts over two million followers, posted:

“Ange Postecoglou has now won just one of his last five away games against Rangers in his managerial career.”

This post quickly drew the ire of Celtic supporters, who pointed out the glaring lack of context in TNT’s statement.

Ignoring the Bigger Picture

Soccer Football – Scottish Premiership – Celtic v Heart of Midlothian – Celtic Park, Glasgow, Scotland, Britain – March 8, 2023 Celtic manager Ange Postecoglou before the match Action Images via Reuters/Lee Smith

While TNT’s statistic is technically accurate, it blatantly ignores the broader reality of Ange’s dominance during his time in Scotland. The Australian manager oversaw a transformative period at Celtic, securing five out of six domestic trophies, including a league-and-cup double in his first season and a treble in his second.

Ange’s overall record against Rangers as Celtic boss stands at six wins, three defeats, and two draws in eleven games—a far cry from the struggling narrative TNT seemed eager to suggest.

The Real Story of Ange’s Record

Of Ange’s three losses to Rangers:

1.His first derby: A narrow 1-0 defeat at Ibrox early in his Celtic tenure, with the squad still in transition.

2.A semi-final extra-time loss: During his first season in the Scottish Cup.

3.A league match with a rotated squad: Ange rested key players like Kyogo and McGregor after clinching the league title, giving minutes to fringe players like Oh and Kobayashi who have since moved on.

These details hardly paint the picture of a manager out of his depth against Celtic’s fiercest rivals. In fact, under Postecoglou’s stewardship, Celtic regularly outclassed Rangers, leaving them chasing shadows for much of his two seasons in charge.

A Transparent Play to the Galleries

It’s challenging to view TNT’s post as anything other than a cheap attempt to stir the pot and court controversy. The omission of Ange’s silverware haul and overall derby dominance reeks of bad faith. Unsurprisingly, Celtic fans were quick to remind TNT of the trophies, treble, and unmatched success that defined Ange’s reign.

While Postecoglou’s Spurs side might have been off the pace on Thursday night, nothing changes the fact that his Celtic tenure left Rangers in the dust.

For TNT, a little context would have gone a long way.

When the ‘confident’ Rangers hype train abruptly fell apart, Kenny Miller revealed the Celtic feeling he can’t get rid of.

Kenny Miller

Concerned Kenny Miller admits he can’t see beyond Celtic as the heavy favourites going into the Premier Sports Cup final with Rangers.

Despite a lacklustre start to the domestic campaign, Philippe Clement’s side have slowly been building momentum with a sting of impressive showings – capped off with a battling display against Tottenham in the Europa League that left the Premier League side lucky to leave Glasgow with a point. The clouds around Ibrox appear to be clearing as they make the journey across the city to Mount Florida in a bid to keep the Premier Sports Cup in their trophy cabinet.

But former Ibrox and Parkhead striker Miller isn’t confident that the Light Blues will be able to claim the silverware – as he pointed to Brendan Rodgers’ record on derby day with the Hoops’s boss suffering just one defeat. He also noted the experience of the Celtic squad with a number of their players boasting experience of big results in Old Firm fixtures.

Speaking to Betfred, Miller said: “It’ll be a tight affair. They always are. Celtic have been better in terms of their performances in recent Old Firm games, but the results have been really, really tight and I can’t see this being any different. It could be won by the odd goal.

“I’d love to be confident and say a Rangers win, but this Celtic team are favourites for a reason and that’s not only due to the record the manager’s got, but they’ve also got more big game players and they’ve been proven in the fixture.

“There’s a lot of new players in this Rangers team, but could one of them step up and be the hero and score a cup final goal and be remembered forever? For either side, if you can score the winning goal, you’re going to be remembered forever, so what a chance this is for these Rangers players to step up to the plate and bring the trophy home.”

Ahead of the cup final, Rodgers discusses Alistair Johnston’s injury concern.

Alistair Johnston missed training on Friday, two days before the Scottish League Cup final against Rangers (Image: Craig Williamson – SNS Group)

Brendan Rodgers has issued a fitness update on his Celtic squad ahead of Sunday’s Scottish League Cup final against Rangers – including the status of Alistair Johnston of ahead of the showpiece encounter.

Sunday’s clash at Hampden marks the second time the sides have faced each other this season so far, with Celtic having won 3-0 against their city rivals at Celtic Park in September.

After taking a knock during his side’s 0-0 stalemate with Dinamo Zagreb in midweek, Johnston was substituted at half-time, but it seems that this was precautionary in the moment.

The Celtic managed addressed Johnston and his squad’s status at his pre-match media conference at Lennoxtown on Friday afternoon.

He said: “The squad is healthy – we expect Ali [Johnston] to be okay. He was out on the pitches this afternoon, so we should have everyone fit and available.

“[He had] an extra bit of recovery. Naturally, he’s been an outstanding player for us over the course of his time here, and in particular this season. He’s been instrumental in our work.

“Speaking to him earlier, and out on the pitch he was fine so we expect him to be okay.”

The latest on Kasper Schmeichel’s contract: an extension of his Celtic stay is “not on radar.”

graeme mcgarry

Kasper Schmeichel has been in impressive form since making the move to Celtic. (Image: Craig Williamson – SNS Group)

Kasper Schmeichel says that triggering his option of another season at Celtic is the last thing on his mind at the moment, with the veteran keeper’s focus solely on helping his side to a victory over Rangers in Sunday’s League Cup final.

The 38-year-old has been in outstanding form since he replaced Joe Hart as the club’s first choice keeper in the summer, and he turned in another impressive display to help his team keep a second consecutive away clean sheet in the Champions League with the midweek draw against Dinamo Zagreb.

His form has earned praise from manager Brendan Rodgers and has already won over the Celtic support, who will be eager to see the Danish number one remain at the club beyond this season. But while Schmeichel is loving his experience in Glasgow so far, he isn’t thinking about extending his stay just yet.

When asked where his mind was on his longer-term future, Schmeichel said: “The next game.

“I think the one thing experience has really taught me is to never take anything for granted. Take every single day as it comes. Enjoy every single game that you get to play. And then we take it from there.

“At the moment, it’s not even on my radar. The most important thing is winning on Sunday now.”

To do that, Schmeichel will be leaning on all of that experience, and will be urging his teammates to approach the Old Firm final at Hampden as though it was any other match.

“I think in these types of games, it’s important for us as players to take the emotion out of the game, to play the game, not the occasion,” he said.

“We need to play it with precision and make sure that we hit the standards that we’ve set, and we keep being ambitious, we keep pushing forward.

“I think it’s a great occasion, particularly for the fans. [But] like I said before, I think for us as players, it’s about removing the emotion from the game and playing the game and not getting caught up in the emotion and the occasion.

“Our job is to go and win a football match and I think that’s how we should approach it.”

When Schmeichel joined Celtic, his manager Rodgers said he was pleased for the keeper to be getting ‘the Celtic experience’ at this stage of his career, and he says it isn’t just the opportunity to lift silverware that motivated him to join the club, but the magnitude of every single game.

“To be honest, I think it’s every occasion,” he said.

“I think when you join a club like Celtic, the size of the club, everywhere you go, you even see [in Zagreb] how many fans that travel. That’s not normal. I’ve played in a lot of clubs and that’s not normal that you have that amount of support everywhere you go.

“So, those are the reasons, of course. One of the big reasons. But one of the reasons also is to perform and to get results for all those people who travel, spend a lot of money to come in and support their team. They’re just as important occasions.

(Image: Craig Williamson – SNS Group) “I think the standards are set at a club like Celtic. You walk in the training ground, you walk in the stadium, it’s just steeped in history.

“You look around, every single photo on the wall is of some kind of legend lifting a trophy, so you know what’s expected.”

In the midst of contract negotiations, Kasper Schmeichel clarifies priorities and instructs Celtic on how to cause Rangers ultimate suffering.

The Dane signed a one-year deal with a 12-month option with Brendan Rodgers holding the power to trigger at any time

Celtic No1 Kasper Schmeichel

Kasper Schmeichel insists his sole focus is on Hampden glory.

And the Celtic keeper says precision over emotion holds a big key to success over Rangers in Sunday’s Premier Sports Cup Final. Schmeichel has been a revelation since joining in the summer. The 38-year-old signed a one-year deal with a 12-month option and boss Brendan Rodgers has saluted the No.1’s hunger, drive and desire.

Celtic can trigger the extension, but Schmeichel is adamant long-term plans aren’t on his radar at the moment as he focuses on the jobs in hand, starting with the chance to win a first medal since moving to Scotland. Asked his thoughts on the future, the Dane said simply: “Next game. With the experience I have, the one thing experience has really taught me is to never take anything for granted.

“Take every single day as it comes. Enjoy every single game that you get to play. And then we take it from there. At the moment, it’s not even on my radar. The most important thing is winning on Sunday now.”

Schmeichel knows it’s a huge encounter, but said: “I think these types of games, it’s important for us as players to take the emotion out of the game, to play the game, not the occasion. Play it with precision and make sure that we hit the standards that we’ve set and we keep being ambitious, we keep pushing forward.

“Yeah, I think it’s a great occasion, particularly for the fans. Like I said before, for us as players, it’s about removing the emotion from the game. Playing the game and not getting caught up in the emotion and the occasion.

“Our job is to go and win a football match and I think that’s how we should approach it. It’s a terrific ground. Every time I’ve played there, there’s always been a good pitch, always been a good atmosphere, so I’m really looking forward to it.”

Schmeichel, of course, joined forces with Rodgers to win an FA Cup Final for Leicester over Chelsea in 2021. Looking back, he said: “It was a very tight game as these things tend to be and we had a great day.

“Unfortunately, it was just as we were reopening for COVID, so we didn’t actually get to celebrate it with our fans. Then the problem was we were playing three days after against Chelsea again, so it wasn’t that much that we got to celebrate it. But it’s a very positive experience.”

It was subsequently put to Schmeichel that celebrating with fans wouldn’t be a problem on Sunday with Hampden a packed sell-out, but he doesn’t entertain such thoughts or look beyond the task at hand as he responded sharply: “One thing at a time.”

The Final comes hot on the heels of another Champions League clean sheet for Schmeichel in Zagreb as the massive occasions and matches keep rolling. He said: “I think it’s a good sign that you’re coming away from a European game and we’ve drawn and kept a clean sheet and we’re still slightly disappointed, but it was a tough game.

“To be honest, I think it’s every occasion. I think when you join a club like Celtic, the size of the club, everywhere you go, you even see [in Zagreb] how many fans that travel. That’s not normal.

“I’ve played in a lot of clubs and that’s not normal that you have that amount of support everywhere you go. One of the reasons also is to perform and to get results for all those people who travel, spend a lot of money to come in and support their team. They’re just as important occasions.

“I think the standards are set. At a club like Celtic, you walk in the training ground, you walk in the stadium, it’s just steeped in history. You look around, every single photo on the wall is of some kind of legend lifting a trophy, so you know what’s expected.”

With Borac’s victory, Johnny Kenny Brace helps Shamrock secure a knockout slot.

Even if the Hoops drop out of the top eight and so not straight into the last 16, they will still progress to the play-offs

Johnny Kenny scored twice as Shamrock Rovers secured a spot in the knockout stage of the Conference League with a 3-0 win over Borac Banja Luka at Tallaght Stadium.

The unbeaten Hoops – whose domestic season ended last month – already had one foot in the next round after victories over Larne and The New Saints as well as draws with APOEL Nicosia and Rapid Vienna.

And Stephen Bradley’s side never looked back after Kenny headed them into an early lead, before setting up Neil Farrugia for a tap-in early in the second half and then doubling his account for the night with a nonchalant chipped finish.

Rovers sit sixth and with a one-point cushion heading into their final game of the league phase at Chelsea.

Even if they drop out of the top eight and so not straight into the last 16, they will still progress to the play-offs and so are the first League Of Ireland team to reach the knockout stages in a major European competition.

Bosnian champions Borac – who had won two matches and drawn one so far – made a bright start in Dublin.

Sandi Ogrinec’s cross from the right found Stefan Savic at the edge of the box and his shot was saved by Leon Pohls.

Rovers, though, soon started to dominate possession and took the lead in the 12th minute.

Joshua Honohan got away down the left and his cross bounced through the penalty area to Darragh Burns on the far side.

Burns was given plenty of space to look up before lofting the ball back for Kenny to head into the bottom corner.

The Hoops went close again in the 26th minute when Dylan Watts sent a 20-yard free-kick over the wall, which Borac goalkeeper Filip Manojlovic tipped away for a corner.

Borac again looked sharp from kick-off for the second half as Ogrinec fired a shot over from just outside the box.

The visitors, though, were soon undone on the break as this time Kenny turned provider in the 56th minute.

The on-loan Celtic forward burst clear and rode a couple of challenges as he surged into the right side of the area before drawing the goalkeeper and clipping an unselfish pass back across the six-yard box, where Farrugia tapped into an empty net at the far post.

Any Borac hopes of a recovery were ended in the 64th minute when Kenny beat the offside trap onto a long pass down the centre from Markus Poom – and produced a nerveless chip over Manojlovic.

Rovers substitute Aaron Greene almost added a late fourth when his rising angled drive was palmed away by Manojlovic at the near post.

Stephen Bradley hopes Tallaght hasn’t seen the last of goal hero Johnny Kenny. “Players will leave, players will come in.”

Shamrock Rovers manager Stephen Bradley celebrates after his side’s victory. Photo by Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile

Daniel McDonnell

Stephen Bradley is confident that Shamrock Rovers will be in a good place for the knockout phase of European football even though he admits that the club face a serious battle to hold onto key players that have brought them there – including the Conference League’s joint top scorer Johnny Kenny.

The on-loan Celtic player bagged a brace in the 3-0 win over FK Borac to reach the 20 goal mark in all competitions this season, with five of those coming in the Hoops’ last four European games.

Rovers have an outside chance of automatic qualification for the round of 16 – which would allow them to skip February’s playoff round – but in reality they would need a positive result away to Chelsea next week, with the League of Ireland side, the Premier League giants and Vitoria of Portugal the only unbeaten sides in the 36 team league.

Bradley admits they can now enjoy the Chelsea experience, but the bigger picture around the club revolves around whether the likes of Kenny, the out of contract Neil Farrugia and loanees Darragh Burns and Markus Poom will be around for the remainder of the European adventure.

There may also be attention around Bradley, given that he has been vocal in his frustration with behind-the-scenes tension at the club.

He accepts there will be changes over the winter, but stressed that Rovers should be in a good place for 2025 come what may in the weeks ahead.

Whatever happens with Kenny in the short term, Bradley is convinced that the Sligo native is destined for big things in his future.

“It means Johnny has done well,” replied the Hoops boss, when asked if Kenny was potentially playing himself out of a third year in Tallaght. “That’s good, that’s healthy. We’re helping him do well.

“What the future will be, will be. I’m having discussions all the time myself with Johnny, I’m quite clear where he is. We just have to enjoy what he’s doing this year, we’ve seen real maturity and someone grow before your eyes, it’s a pleasure to watch. There’s so much more to come from him.

“I think he can be a really top player, there’s still loads to come. Hopefully we’re the ones to help him get there.

“There will be changes, players will leave, players will come in,” continued Bradley, in terms of the wider picture. “Danny Grant has come in, we’re close with someone else (to sign next week).

“We have to keep evolving and try and get better. I like the group where it is, the mix we have, the different attributes, the edge. We want to keep players that have interest in them, but that’s all part of the challenge.”

Borac boss Mladen Zizovic praised Kenny, while offering the view that the final scoreline was harsh on his players.

But Bradley asserted that the gameplan was to catch the Bosnians on the break after half-time as he expected they would press higher in an attempt to cancel out Kenny’s opener.

Their offside trap failed as Kenny created the second for Farrugia before adding the third.

“I thought at times our play was very good given we’re a month out of season,” said Bradley, who conceded that Chelsea next week will be a different animal, even with a heavily rotated side.

“They’re scoring goals for fun and they’ve got an incredible squad, an incredible team, the most in-form team in Europe at the moment. We’ve put ourselves in a position where we can go and enjoy it as a club.”

 

Celtic’s prospective “new signing” scores twice as European stock keeps rising.

Young Irish striker due back at Celtic Park next month

Celtic loanee Johnny Kenny scored twice as Shamrock Rovers secured a spot in the knockout stage of the Conference League with a 3-0 win over Borac Banja Luka at Tallaght Stadium.

The unbeaten Hoops – whose domestic season ended last month – already had one foot in the next round after victories over Larne and The New Saints as well as draws with APOEL Nicosia and Rapid Vienna.

And Stephen Bradley’s side never looked back after Kenny headed them into an early lead, before setting up Neil Farrugia for a tap-in early in the second half and then doubling his account for the night with a nonchalant chipped finish.

Kenny, who is on loan at Shamrock until the end of the year, has put himself into the shake-up for Celtic’s first-team squad, with reports earlier this month suggesting the 21-year-old will be given a chance on his return to Glasgow. His arrival would be like a new signing given he has never featured for Celtic since arriving in 2022.

 

Darragh Burns and Johnny Kenny of Shamrock Rovers celebrate victory over FK Borac. | Getty Images

Bradley, however, wants to extend the loan for another year, saying a couple of weeks ago: “Look, we have a brilliant relationship with Celtic at all levels. Our feelings are quite clear on that. We have to respect that Celtic are the ones that Jonny are contracted to. They decided it and whatever ever they say goes.

“But I think everyone recognises that Shamrock Rovers have been good for Jonny and he’s been brilliant for us and I’d like to continue that.”

Rovers sit sixth and with a one-point cushion heading into their final game of the league phase at Chelsea.

Even if they drop out of the top eight and so not straight into the last 16, they will still progress to the play-offs and so are the first League Of Ireland team to reach the knockout stages in a major European competition.

Video: Thursday Night Conference League Brace of the Celtic Starlet Nets

Johnny Kenny has continued his impressive form in the Europa Conference League for Shamrock Rovers with a brace tonight against Borac.

Kenny, who at 21 years old certainly has a long career ahead of him, is currently on loan at Rovers from Celtic for the 2024 season in Ireland.

The Irish striker opened the scoring in the 12th minute, before assisting Shamrock’s second goal, and capped off a terrific performance with a brace in the 64th minute to put Shamrock 3-0 up, with Stephen McGowan of the Daily Mail recently reporting that Kenny is set to earn an opportunity at Celtic after his form in the Conference League.

Johnny Kenny gets his second of the game to extend Shamrock Rovers’ lead 🍀

— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) December 12, 2024

Celtic certainly need a third-choice striker who can learn from Kyogo Furuhashi and Adam Idah, and this is clearly what Kenny can bring.

He is proving himself already in the Conference League, and under the leadership of Brendan Rodgers he really could develop into a future first-team striker.

A third-choice striker would add a new dimension to this current Celtic side, and with 5 goals in 5 Conference League games, the Irishman is a striker who can rise to the occasion if given the chance.

Domestically for Shamrock Rovers, he has also consistently scored with 13 goals and 3 assists in 29 league games.

Particularly impressive numbers considering he is only 21 years old.

However, with his contract expiring in the summer, Celtic face the choice of selling him before then or offering a deal to stay at the club and progress under Rodgers.

Kasper Schmeichel joined Celtic for two reasons.

GLASGOW, SCOTLAND – DECEMBER 07: Celtic’s Kasper Schmeichel during a William Hill Premiership match between Celtic and Hibernian at Celtic Park, on December 07, 2024, in Glasgow, Scotland. (Photo by Rob Casey / SNS Group) (Image: Rob Casey – SNS Group)

Everything Celtic goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel said to the media after his side’s 0-0 draw with GNK Dinamo in the Champions League…

The clean sheet looks good, don’t you think?

I think it’s a good sign that you’re coming away from a European game and we’ve drawn and kept a clean sheet and we’re still slightly disappointed. But it was a tough game.

They played a very defensive game, man-to-man, which made it really difficult. A difficult pitch, all these things, but we’re still a little bit disappointed that we didn’t manage to create more.

All eyes now turn to Sunday. It’s just one big game after another, isn’t it? How much are you looking forward to the Final?

Yeah, I think in these types of games, it’s important for us as players to take the emotion out of the game, to play the game, not the occasion.

We need to play it with precision and make sure that we hit the standards that we’ve set and we keep being ambitious, we keep pushing forward.

Do you have experience of winning cup finals with the manager at Leicester? How is your recollection of that day?

It was a good day, a very good day. It was a very tight game as these things tend to be and we had a great day.  Unfortunately, it was just as we were reopening after COVID-19, so we didn’t actually get to celebrate it with our fans.

But, yeah, we had a good day and then the problem was we were playing three days after against Chelsea again, so it wasn’t that much that we got to celebrate it. But it was a very positive experience.

You won’t have that problem this time, you’ll be able to celebrate with fans alright?

One thing at a time.

Is this the type of game that is why you join a club like Celtic? 

To be honest, I think it’s every occasion. I think when you join a club like Celtic, the size of the club, everywhere you go, you even see [in Zagreb] how many fans that travel. That’s not normal. I’ve played in a lot of clubs and that’s not normal that you have that amount of support everywhere you go.

So those are the reasons, of course. One of the big reasons. But one of the reasons also is to perform and to get results for all those people who travel and spend a lot of money to come in and support their team. They’re just as important occasions.

Does that make it maybe even easier to prepare for a cup final when every game has that status to it and the fans are always there expecting?

I think the standards are set at a club like Celtic. You walk in the training ground, you walk in the stadium, it’s just steeped in history.

You look around, every single photo on the wall is of some kind of legend lifting a trophy, so you know what’s expected.

Kasper, what’s your thought process on going forward? Regarding the contract situation, what’s your thought process beyond this season?

The next game. I think with the experience I have, I think the one thing experience has really taught me is to never take anything for granted.

Take every single day as it comes. Enjoy every single game that you get to play. And then we take it from there. At the moment, it’s not even on my radar. The most important thing is winning on Sunday now.

You’ve played at Hamden for Denmark, also in a semi-final, what’s your recollection of that as a ground and the experience of playing at that ground?

Yeah, it’s a terrific ground. Every time I’ve played there, there’s always been a good pitch, always been a good atmosphere. So yeah, really looking forward to it.

Looking forward to a 50-50 split with the fans?

Yeah, I think it’s a great occasion, particularly for the fans.

Like I said before, I think for us as players, it’s about removing the emotion from the game and playing the game and not getting caught up in the emotion and the occasion.

Our job is to go and win a football match and I think that’s how we should approach it.

Unbelievable’ star Jozo Simunovic enjoys Celtic reunion

24/06/19GLASGOW AIRPORT – GLASGOWCeltic’s Jozo Simunovic arrives at Glasgow Airport as he prepares to fly out to Austria for their pre-season training camp (Image: SNS Group Ross MacDonald)

Everything former Celtic defender Jozo Simunovic said to the media following his former side’s 0-0 draw with GNK Dinamo in the Champions League…

Who did you want to win?

I was really neutral. In the end, the game finished the best way, a point each.

Nice to catch up with John Kennedy?

John is a top, top guy, so every time when I come over, or in this case, he came here, we have a chat and it is good to spend time with the guys.

How strong do you think the current team is?

I think they are in very good shape and stable. I would say very stable. They are doing good in the league as well.

Of course, it is always hard to play away games, it is not the same [as Celtic Park] in terms of atmosphere with the fans and everything. But, at the end of the day, a point each was well deserved.

What do you make of Cameron Carter-Vickers and Auston Trusty as a pairing?

Yeah, they are good, they are well.

What impresses you most about them as defenders?

Now I do coaching myself, so I am watching more midfielders and strikers. I didn’t spend much time watching defenders, but, as a team against Dinamo, Celtic were very good and very stable.

Were you watching Callum McGregor?

Callum McGregor is the engine of this team. He is unbelievable. His attitude and everything is top-level. I laughed with him because 10 years ago, I saw the photo, and he looked really, really young. He had just started with the top-team football, so I am really glad for him.

Take things from him to show your young players?

Yeah. From every good player, you can take something good and show your players, to try to show them to be better.

Sunday is the League Cup Final? Do you think Celtic will win and how much do you miss being a Celtic player?

I think they will win. If they will play the way they did in Zagreb and in the last couple of months.

Look, Celtic sets the standard, so they just need to keep going. It reminds of the Celtic when I used to be there and we used to play, especially that season when we were unbeaten, so I am looking forward to it.

Of course, against Rangers is always a tough game, but I really do trust these guys and this group.

Can they be invincible like your team?

It is hard. It is many years gone already [since then], so some things have changed as well. The structure of the play has also changed, so it is hard to compare.

Will being an invincible live with you forever?

Yes, of course. I’ve been with Dinamo as well, so twice is twice!

Celtic as a Champions League team, are they proving they belong in competition?

Yes. With this new format, it works really well. So many teams and so many games. Hopefully, that’s definitely what Celtic likes.

But also, we can say format and blah, blah, but the team is also in good shape, it is looking good, playing good, so that’s the most important part of all.

I believe in [getting past] these group stages as well.

Where are you now?

I am with Dinamo Zagreb. The Under-19s. Assistant coach.

Are you hoping to be a manager one day?

One day, yes. I had good coaches, so I could learn a lot. That gives me hope!

Did you speak with Brendan?

Yes, every time, we speak together, spending time. He’s been great for me personally and for the team.

He gives you lots of advice?

Yes, always.

Strange Celtic rumors about Jonjoe Kenny..

The January transfer window is around the corner, and with it comes the usual parade of daft rumours. This week’s entry is particularly baffling: Jonjoe Kenny being linked with a return to Celtic Park by German paper Bild, reported on by RecordSport.

Let’s not mince words—no Celtic fan would welcome Kenny back. His loan spell during the infamous COVID season was a disaster. He arrived in January 2021 and stuck around for all of four months, but somehow, that was enough to cement his place as a running joke in Celtic circles.

The “Highlights” of Kenny’s Time at Celtic

Kenny’s 16 appearances for the Hoops are remembered for all the wrong reasons. Most notoriously, he scored an own goal in a Glasgow Derby and gifted Rangers a needless corner that led to a goal in another grim derby day. It was emblematic of that horrendous season—one where Neil Lennon’s side collapsed under the weight of the ten-in-a-row bid and everything that could go wrong did.

The Englishman failed to show any spark, composure, or consistency, and fans were more than happy to see him return to Everton at the end of the season.

Why Is This Even a Rumour?

Kenny, now at Hertha Berlin, has been doing the rounds in Bundesliga 2, which hardly screams “bring him back.” Sure, he’s chipped in with a goal and six assists this season, but the idea that he’s suddenly transformed into a must-have player for Celtic is laughable.

It’s hard to imagine where this link has come from—lazy journalism, an overeager agent, or maybe someone with a twisted sense of humour. Whatever the source, the idea of Kenny pulling on the Hoops again is enough to make even the most patient fan roll their eyes.

Celtic are a club that’s always looking forward. Brendan Rodgers has a squad brimming with talent and depth, and when there are moves to be made in the transfer market, they’ll be about progress—not dragging up the ghosts of seasons past.

As for Kenny? Thanks, but no thanks. This one isn’t happening. Let’s move on.

Celtic saves the Bhoys €4 million by acquiring the player for half of what they offered in the summer.

Celtic have been linked with a move for Lyon’s Mahamadou Diawara since the summer.

There has been talk that the Bhoys remain an interested club for the midfielder, having seen an attempt to sign him fail in the summer transfer window.

There is now a further update from France about Diawara, who has played only two Ligue 1 games for Lyon this season and is struggling for game time.

FootMercato today report that the young midfielder’s entourage have asked Lyon why he is not getting time on the pitch despite being promised that when offers for him were rejected in the summer.

The report explains Celtic were one of the clubs who had an offer rejected, with the Scottish side having offered an initial loan deal with the option to buy set at €8m.

There is now renewed hope for Brendan Rodgers’ side in the chase for the teenager, with Lyon interested in a permanent sale.

The French side want a fee of around €4-5m to sell Diawara, who would like an exit.

Several clubs are interested and while there is no confirmation of whether Celtic will again bid for 19-year-old, it could prove to be a key opportunity for them in January.

They now have the chance to sign him for a lower fee than what they were offering as an option to buy some months ago.

In Croatia, John Kennedy meets up with Special Celtic Invincible.

Former Celtic defender Jozo Simunovic has opened up about how Brendan Rodgers’ guidance during their time at Parkhead continues to influence his ambitions as a coach. Now an assistant with Dinamo Zagreb’s Under-19s, Simunovic hopes to step into management one day and believes the lessons he learned under Rodgers will be key to his development.

The 29-year-old was at the Maksimir Stadium to watch his two former clubs from his playing days face off in the Champions League. Ahead of the game, Simunovic spent time catching up with John Kennedy at Celtic’s Zagreb base, praising Rodgers’ right-hand man for the ongoing support he provides.

Speaking about Kennedy, Jozo told RecordSport they had a meet up: “Every time, we speak together, spending time. He’s been great for me personally and for the team. John is a top, top guy, so every time when I come over, or in this case he came here, we have a chat and it is good to spend time with the guys.”

Celtic’s European Growth

Simunovic is also encouraged by Celtic’s progression under Rodgers, believing the team is now better equipped to compete at the highest level in Europe. “With this new format, it works really well. So many teams and so many games. Hopefully, that’s definitely what Celtic likes. But also, we can say format and blah, blah, but the team is also in good shape, it is looking good, playing good, so that’s the most important part of all,” he said.

The former centre-back is confident Celtic can progress beyond the group stages, although he acknowledges the challenges of playing away from home. “Of course, it is always hard to play away games. It is not the same [as Celtic Park] in terms of atmosphere with the fans and everything. But, at the end of the day, a point each was well deserved.”

Jozo has a special place in Celtic fans’ hearts for two reasons: THAT tackle on Kenny Miller and scoring A 67th minute-winner at Celtic Park the week the club was mourning the passing of one of its favourite sons, Billy McNeill. It was a magical moment.

Jozo poses with Billy’s family after donating the shirt he wore to score the famous 67th minute goal

From Paradise to the Dugout

Simunovic’s time at Celtic, shaped by the leadership of Rodgers and Kennedy, has clearly left its mark. As he continues to hone his skills on the sidelines at Dinamo, the former defender carries the lessons of his Paradise days into his journey towards becoming a manager. While his playing career was cut short by injuries, perhaps he can make his mark as a boss.

Despite the German connection, Jonjoe Kenny will not be rejoining Celtic.

Celtic have been bizarrely linked with a transfer for Jonjoe Kenny. The former Everton fullback spent a short term loan at Celtic Park during the COVID season and is not going to be returning to the club.

Despite the anxiety-inducing link to a player during the COVID season, Celtic have been linked with the Hertha Berlin defender as his contract runs out.

As reported by BILD via Record Sport, Kenny has been linked with a return to Glasgow.

Celtic were desperately needing cover with Frimpong leaving for Bayer Leverkusen in a deal worth £11.5m. Kenny appeared to be an exciting prospect and the club faced competition from Burnley to bring the player in during the January window; however, he failed to live up to any hype and his performances versus Rangers proved that he was not good enough to be at Celtic. Burnley were quoted £8m when they enquired about the former England U21 but he ended up at Celtic Park.

In his time at the club, Kenny made 15 appearances and assisted 4 times. He also managed to give away a corner from the halfway line which resulted in Rangers scoring during a Glasgow Derby draw.

Celtic have Alistair Johnston signed on a deal until 2029 and Tony Ralston deputising. It doesn’t appear that either will be moving on anytime soon and Celtic’s link is purely conjecture on the part of the German media and not something that Celtic fans should be worrying about.

Can underdogs like Villa, Celtic, or Brest advance to the finals in the new Champions League format?

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For those who aren’t aware, the UEFA Champions League competition has adopted a new format this year.

The old format was comprised of 32 teams from all over Europe. These teams then competed in a group stage, where eight groups with four teams each competed for the top two spots to progress to the round of 16 stage.

After the group stage a draw would take place to decide who plays whom. The teams that came first would play the teams that came second, and they couldn’t play a team from their national league.

From there the knockout stages would progress until ultimately a victor was crowned. From the quarter-final stage onwards, the tournament is the same, the round of 16 however works slightly different.

In the new ‘league phase’ the top eight sides automatically progress to the round of 16. Teams who finish between ninth and 24th play each other in a two-legged knockout bout to see who qualifies for the round of 16.

Football Tams placed between ninth and 16th are the ‘seeded’ teams and the teams between 16th and 24th are unseeded. Simply, the seeded teams play the unseeded teams to see who makes the knockout stages, and the seeded teams play the second leg at home, which is advantageous.

Now we are aware of the parameters of the tournament, what have we learnt so far?

Currently Liverpool FC are sitting pretty at the summit of the league phase, having won all six games they have played. They have been mightily impressive, beating the likes of Real Madrid, AC Milan and Bayer Leverkusen, whilst only conceding one goal.

We have also seen impressive campaigns from European giants such as Barcelona, Inter Milan, and Arsenal.

So, is this league phase harder for the smaller clubs? It appears not, after six games Real Madrid, last year’s champions have lost three of their games. PSG, French perennial champions have won just two games. RB Leipzig, with the likes of Xavi Simons and sought-after striker Benjamin Sesko have been eliminated having lost every single match.

To compound the misery of these large clubs, smaller clubs have been excelling.

The likes of Stade Brestois 29 and Aston Villa find themselves in the top eight. In the ninth to 24th places we see clubs such as Monaco, Club Brugge, Celtic, and GNK Dynamo, all clubs who in recent years have come last in their Champions League groups.

With two games to go, there are all sort of storylines emerging.

Can Kylian Mbappe and co. get Real Madrid into the top eight, or even the top 16? Is there going to be an underdog story, can Celtic, or Brest, or Aston Villa go on a run and possibly be the inaugural winner of the new Champions League format?

I can envision it already, Real Madrid with their superstars turning up at Celtic Park and getting turned over in the second leg with 60,000 drunk and rowdy Celtic fans jeering.

This new format, whilst having obvious similarities to a ‘Super League’ was necessary. The old format was getting stale, the majority of the time the group stage was simply a formality. At least with this change, the jeopardy of a Champions League game feels palpable. Unless you are a Liverpool supporter.

Massive Support for Celtic Champions League Boost on Wednesday Night…

Celtic have been handed a significant boost in their Champions League campaign with news that their post-Christmas opponents, Young Boys, have been officially eliminated from the competition. The Swiss side suffered a crushing 5-1 defeat to Stuttgart, ensuring they have no chance of progressing to the next phase, with two matches still to play.

As the league phase heads towards its climax, Celtic know the importance of a win against Young Boys at Paradise. With everything to play for, the Hoops are in a position to capitalise on their opponents’ misfortunes and push for a crucial result that could keep their European hopes alive.

While Celtic would likely have been favourites going into the tie, Young Boys’ elimination adds another dimension to the fixture. The visitors will arrive in Glasgow with no stakes in the competition. Of course, the Swiss side’s pride will still be on the line, and they may see the encounter as an opportunity to salvage some respectability in their disappointing campaign.

Soccer Football – Champions League – Celtic v RB Leipzig – Celtic Park, Glasgow, Scotland, Britain – November 5, 2024 Celtic’s Reo Hatate celebrates scoring their third goal with Celtic’s Kyogo Furuhashi REUTERS/Russell Cheyne

For Celtic, the focus must remain sharp. A winless Young Boys side presents a golden opportunity, but the Hoops will need to approach the match with intensity and professionalism to avoid any surprises.

A packed Celtic Park under the lights will undoubtedly provide the atmosphere needed to spur the team on, as they look to secure the result that could be pivotal in their Champions League journey.

Celtic’s Champions League Journey So Far

Celtic’s campaign in the Champions League has been a rollercoaster ride, with moments of brilliance and harsh lessons. The Hoops have recorded two wins, three draws, and one defeat in their first six fixtures, keeping their fate in their own hands but leaving little room for error.

The campaign began in style with a dominant 5-0 victory over Slovan Bratislava, showcasing Celtic’s attacking prowess. However, reality struck hard in their next outing as they were humbled 7-1 by Borussia Dortmund, a stark reminder of the quality at this level.

Soccer Football – Champions League – Borussia Dortmund v Celtic – Signal Iduna Park, Dortmund, Germany – October 1, 2024 Borussia Dortmund’s Julien Duranville in action with Celtic’s Liam Scales REUTERS/Leon Kuegeler

Brendan Rodgers’ men bounced back with a memorable 0-0 draw against Atalanta, where Celtic battled to a hard-earned point. . That spirit carried into a famous draw against a relentless Leipzig side, a result that reignited their hopes and gave fans a European night to savour

Further resilience was displayed in stalemates against Club Brugge and Dinamo Zagreb, keeping the Hoops firmly in the mix. Despite these solid results, the margins remain tight, and progression is still hanging in the balance.

Now, with one last home fixture to play, Celtic will aim to deliver a performance that cements their place in the next round. Victory over Young Boys could be the final piece of the puzzle in what has already been a thrilling Champions League journey for the Bhoys.

Pat Bonner goes against Celtic grain as Hoops legend ‘delighted’ with Dinamo draw

Packie Bonner is one of a minority to publicly show his delight at Celtic’s draw with Dinamo Zagreb…

Nicolas Kuhn was impressive but it was the defence that earned stripes from Packie Bonner.

Celtic legend Packie Bonner has told reporters that he was ‘delighted’ with the Hoops’ 0-0 draw against Dinamo Zagreb on Wednesday evening – going against the grain as one of the only figures to air any form of satisfaction.

Brendan Rodgers, Auston Trusty and more all declared their annoyance at not picking up three points in Croatia, with Celtic still looking at securing points in their final two games of the Champions League campaign.

Adam Idah and Nicolas Kuhn went close in the second half – but Bonner, speaking to BBC, was seemingly over the moon with the Hoops performance that put them on nine points from six games in Europe. He said: “In the end, I was delighted with a draw because Dinamo looked dangerous, especially that header at the back post.

“It was a good save from Schmeichel, one you’d expect him to make, but if it was either side of him I think he would have been in danger.

“I didn’t think Celtic played well in the second half, the rhythm was missing, the fluency was missing a little bit, there was too much hesitation at times and they were getting caught on the ball.

“It allowed Zagreb to counter-attack and every time they did they looked to be in a situation where they could create something.

“If they can beat Young Boys then go down to Birmingham [to face Aston Villa] and put on a wee bit of a show, don’t get turned over badly, I think they’ve done remarkably well.”

‘We should’ve won’ Celtic message Dinamo boss in defiant said…

Nenad Bjelica speaks to the media (Image: Getty)

The manager of Dinamo Zagreb insists that only one team looked like winning tonight’s Champions League tie with Celtic – and it wasn’t Brendan Rodgers‘ team.

Nenad Bjelica was adamant when speaks to the press post-match that the Croatians were deserving of all three league phase points in Zagreb.

The Scottish Premiership champions failed to find the breakthrough despite dominating the ball for the majority of the game, with 68 percent possession.

The stalemate seemed to be an opportunity missed for both teams, although was undoubtedly a better point for the visitors given their next two games include a home tie against bottom-of-the-pile Young Boys, whereas Dinamo has to play Arsenal and AC Milan.

Bjelica said: “My boys played a great game today. They achieved everything I asked of them, we didn’t allow anything to the opponent.

“We had a very good chance from Pjaca, two shots from Baturina, so if anyone should have won, it was us.

“Rog and Kacavenda did a great job in the middle, neither of them are defensive midfielders, but they did a perfect job in defence. They also brought some momentum forward when they could.”

Despite being the better team on the night, the Scottish champions struggled to break down a patched-up Dinamo side and had to settle for the single point that moves them onto nine points in the group.

Although pleased with the defensive solidity his players showed and their position after six games, the Northern Irishman felt his side lacked the spark that could have earned them a prized victory.

‘I think the positive is that we’ve come away again and were defensively strong and we didn’t concede,’ he said. ‘Obviously, when you have the confidence to do that in Europe, it really helps you as you make your steps forward.

‘I thought we lacked quality, if I’m honest, in the final third of the pitch.

‘We progressed the game well enough, we got into some pretty good areas. But when we arrived in the final third, there wasn’t anything.

Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers was left cursing his side’s lack of cutting edge

Adam Idah is thwarted by Kevin Theophile-Catherine as he prepares to get a strike away

Paulo Bernardo battles Dinamo Zagreb midfielder Marko Rog for possession

 ‘You could see that from the shots on target we had. So, that was really the only down side for the game for us.

‘We had great energy, we had good commitment. I thought we arrived into that area quite a lot but were a little bit loose with the pass, we just didn’t quite make that moment count. So, that was the only downside.

‘But, like I said, it’s the Champions League and you get a clean sheet and you take a point away from home and you’re not very happy. That shows you how far the team has progressed.’

Asked if he felt it was a missed opportunity, Rodgers replied: ‘Yeah, it does. That’s my honest answer. We needed to do more. Too often it just came away from us.’

While his side didn’t do enough to win the game, Rodgers was pleased to chalk up a second clean sheet on the road in the competition.

‘My team will always be referenced in terms of the attack but, for me, defending is also attacking — that mentality,’ he said.

‘We defend to press the game. We’re a team that presses in the right moments, is tight, is together and have that mentality of resilience to not want to concede. That’s a great platform for you to attack the game.

‘We had enough of the ball to create more opportunities, but our touch got away from us. But to have that base as a team collectively is very important.’

Cameron Carter-Vickers applauds the travelling support after securing a clean sheet in Zagreb

Rodgers declared himself to be pleased with the nine points his side has gathered with games against Young Boys and Aston Villa yet to come.

‘I think if you looked at the old format, if you had nine points after six games, you’d be so happy, especially how it’s gone for us in the last number of years,’ he said.

Alistair Johnston came off with an injury at half-time but Rodgers allayed fears be might not be fit for Sunday’s Premier Sports Cup final with Rangers.

‘Yeah, from the tackle on the side, it’s his hip flexor, nothing to the muscular, which is good,’ the manager explained. ‘He just felt a bit of pain so at half-time there was no need to risk that.

‘He got through to half-time really well, so hopefully that will settle down in the next couple of days.’

Rodgers also paid tribute to Callum McGregor for making his 100th European appearance for Celtic.

‘It’s a real sign of his resilience, his mentality and quality to play for such a big club and make that number of appearances,’ he said. ‘He’s such a pivotal player for this squad, for this team. He’s an incredible team player.’

Cameron Carter-Vickers talks up reward of 3 -year journey at Celtic…

Celtic’s Cameron Carter-Vickers speaking to the media (Image: PA)

Everything Cameron Carter-Vickers told the media after Celtic’s 0-0 draw with Dinamo Zagreb on Wednesday night.

How do you feel about the result tonight?

We came here to try and win the game and I thought we played fairly well without maybe a cutting edge in the final third. But is definitely a positive point at the end.

I think it is probably a decent points tally at this stage of the competition. It’s good to get the clean sheet.

As a team, we have that collective belief at this level and determination to, even maybe when we are not creating chances and winning games, to stick in there and defend as a team. I felt we did that well.

Maybe we have the experience. It’s our third year as a group now in the Champions League and through that time have maybe grown as a team in confidence and belief and you are probably seeing the rewards of that now.

Can you see progression into the knockout playoffs now?

I’m not sure what you’ll need to qualify points-wise, but we have two games left. A home game next which will try to go and out and win and, hopefully, see where that leaves us.

Are you immediately looking forward to playing Rangers at Hampden now?

That’s the way we operate. As soon as the game finishes, our mindset is the next one. They come thick and fast at this stage of the season, so we know every three or four days we have to perform.

It’s always good to play at Hampden at the atmosphere is always good. As a team, we have quite a few positive memories there, so we are definitely looking forward to it.

I think every game there is unique and you have to perform on the day to get the result you want and we know that.

Whatever has happened in the past is nice, it definitely helps you go into it with a positive mindset, but when the whistle sounds, it’s a new game and a new challenge. We have got to be up for it.

Duo suffer tough loss, 8-cap striker hits milestone and ex-Celtic ace scores late on dramatic night in EFL

The Scotland duo lost ground in the EFL Championship promotion chased after a damaging defeat.

Scotland internationals Ben Doak and Tommy Conway suffered a damaging defeat in their quest for promotion from the EFL Championship after falling to a 3-1 defeat at rivals Leeds United.

On a dramatic night in the English second tier, the Teessiders headed into Tuesday’s mammoth clash on the back of a run that had saw them win four of their last six games. Trailing Daniel Farke’s side by seven points though, Middlesbrough were desperate for a win to close in on the automatic promotion spots.

Despite a Maximilian Wöber own goal cancelling out Wilfried Gnoto’s first-half equaliser, Michael Carrick’s side were unable to hold on as late strikes from Dan James and Brenden Aaronson secured a comfortable win for the Yorkshire giants.

It was a particularly disappointing night for Scottish pair Doak and Conway, with the 18-year-old struggling to get into the game, taking just 26 touches, losing all nine of his duels and scoring 0% for successful dribbles. Meanwhile, his club and international teammate Conway was restricted to a seven minute cameo appearance as a late substitute.

Patrick Roberts rescued a late point for Sunderland in the EFL Championship promotion race. Cr: Getty Images. | Getty Images

On the other side of the North East though, Sunderland had former Celtic loan star Patrick Roberts to thank for keeping them in the hunt for automatic promotion after his dramatic injury-time equaliser rescued a point for the Black Cats at home to Bristol City.

Regis Le Bris’ side looked destined to fall further behind the top two after a scrappy second-half goal from Luke McNally put the Robins into the lead at the Stadium Of Light, but Roberts, Roberts, who won three Scottish Premiership titles during a three-year loan stint at Celtic Park, smashed home deep into injury time to snatch a 1-1 draw and maintained the Black Cats unbeaten home record.

Elsewhere in the EFL Championship, Scotland international striker Jacob Brown continued his comeback from a serious knee injury that ruled him out of Steve Clarke’s squad for Euro 2024. Completing his first 90 minutes in almost a year, Brown started up front for Luton Town as they defeated Stoke City 2-1 thanks to a last minute winner from Elijah Adebayo at Kenilworth Road

GOOD NEWD: SANDMAN’S DEFINITIVE RATINGS: CELTIC @ DYNAMO GASKET

“Frustration is fuel that can lead to the development of an innovative and useful idea”

– Marley Dias

THE FRIENDLY GHOST – 7.5/10 – Nothing’s too much trouble for the spectral Schmeichel – be it defying the Hibees or pulling off a late stunner of a save in the CL, his demeanour stays focussed and ready. Every block necessary was made, footwork efficient and confident. The definitive solid top-class experienced international goalkeeper. And he’s ours.

Ronael Pierre-Gabriel  runs with the ball during the UEFA Champions League match between GNK Dinamo and Celtic FC at Stadion Maksimir on December 10, 2024  (Photo by Jurij Kodrun/Getty Images)

GREGGS THE BAKER – 7/10 – A main contestant in tonight’s messy bake-off. Involved from the start, unnecessarily booked for being tackled which bemused and annoyed. However, he kept his head despite being under the Sword of Damocles so long, and put in a CL-level performance, atoning for one error with a goal-saving nick off the striker’s toe when we were suffering with ten left.

WAYNE GRETZKY – 6/10 – Started as ever on the front foot, linking with Kuhn. Then, come half an hour and a mild stramash at the halfway, it was uh-oh, fingers crossed. Seemed an innocuous clash but AJ was hampered and never resurfaced from HT. Shame, because his power-lapping would have made things interesting late-on.

CRUSTY THE CLOWN – 7/10 – Liam question answered. Athletic prowess required over nous, and vindicated as Austin put in an Atalanta display, no-nonsense and stoical – great block on a goalbound strike. Has raised his game to the required level now. Like they said in Deliverance: ‘You ain’t in fancy Sheffield anymore , boy…’*

* No, they didn’t.

GET CARTER – 7.5/10 – The big guy’s back and he’s mad. Slipping-mad, as he took a tumble or two; probably due to the fright of seeing Kasper actually standing in the goals – he’s thought Kasper really was a ghost since the Brugge debacle. But tonight CVV had that grizzly (bear) determination – no way was he losing anything at the back and came close to getting on the end of danger in their box. Mission achieved, and almost more.

CALMAC – 7.5/10 – Mr.100 reached a milestone in Europe and commanded his side to a competent result. No flurries or aberrations as Calmac led the way by setting the tone – brainy football; a clinical display of game management. With interchangeable midfield components around him, the skipper remains the central difference-engine. Maturing into a CL-level classy midfield general.

SAINT BERNARDO – 8/10 MOTM – Whit?! Subbed? No way… I’m stubborn on this one – Paulo was a terrific presence in the middle. A crucial one. His hustle was tremendous – running Huggy Bear levels of interference, epitomised by the best hooked sliding tackle of the night whch dismantled there breakaway and put us on a counter. Perfectly-pitched aggression matched with rugged guile is his style – compliments our Captain and A.N Other attacking mid splendidly. Then Brendan hooked him, the clueless…

Reo Hatate of Celtic is challenged by Lukas Kacavenda during the UEFA Champions League match between GNK Dinamo and Celtic FC at Stadion Maksimir on December 10, 2024. (Photo by Jurij Kodrun/Getty Images)

HAKUNA HATATE – 6/10 – Reo’s becoming an enigma – an unpredictable Japanese puzzle capable of inducing both enchantment and despair. Not like a Sudoku, but a ‘Shiritori’ – a word game, but one in which you need to find the phrase: ‘Final ball, Reo! For heaven’s sake!”. Tonight this would just be reduced, with Japanese ruthless efficiency, to the single word, ‘atrocious’.

LORD KATSUMOTO – 5/10 – Daizen’s most ineffective CL game, ever. Really surprising to see him so passive and off the pace. Well marshalled by the full-back and took a joke yellow too. But as the game wore on I expected Daizen to flourish and damage them. But that potent closing-down energy was absent and his impact negligible. Saving it for Tavpen, perhaps, we hope.

KILLER MUSHROOM – 5.5/10 – The Ikoma Inu was at them early, snapping ankles and looking mildly ferocious. But his touch was a little off, and service became limited. Muzzled mostly, apart from being thwarted once by their customary good defending that defined the night.

TAKINTE – 7/10 – Feed the Kuhn! Wasnt’ the cry, for…Eh, phonetic reasons… But he stayed the bhoy most likely and exploded into life whenever we could free him. Superb drift inside nearly resulted in the winner, but for a terrific block.

SUBS – DUNCAN IDAHO – 6/10 – Good input as he unsettled their tiring defence. Appeared up for it and destined to deliver; only ancient Balkan voodoo by some witch called Catherine (true, check it…) prevented that as the winner was picked off his toe by the defensive play of the season.

THE TERMINATOR – 6/10 – More like it. Slotted in with something to prove and got involved in big moments – the aforementioned move for the certainty-not-a-certainty. Swung in some vicious corners deserving of contact. Prediction: Sunday will be this kid’s glory day as he shows the Zombies what proper class is.

HIGHLAND TOFFEE – 6/10 – Somerset Park to the CL. What a difference a few years makes. On came Luke in a tightly-poised CL contest and he played it with professional nonchalance like it was an Ayr v Auchinleck Talbot Ayrshire Cup charity gig. Or something. Almost opened the scoring too.

JAMESY – 6/10 – You can’t keep Jamesy down. Ladies… Left-wing it was and just as keen to bustle his way in about them.Nearly succeeded – part of that unreal moment at the death, mirroring Saturday with a sublime reverse pass into Arne.

TONY THE TIGER – 5/10 – The madman exerts his frustration at not being involved in the Balkan Wars by slamming a few of them and taking a card. Putting himself on the line is Tony’s greatest Celtic attribute but it was a fine line that defined his contribution this evening – a simple controlled boot away from being a hero if he’d cut in one of his usual killer-crosses after a great overlap to a terrific move. But he fluffed it.

THE NOTAPRODDYGAL – 7.5/10 – BR’s big moment? Qualification? Nope. The elusive CL away win remains in the future, hopefully closer than Anderlecht in the past. Birmingham’s nice in January, I hear. From the blind. But he’ll take tonight, galling as it might be after he called their team selection and system perfectly and looked pretty pleased with himself for doing so; only to see his players lose their grip on a game that seemed for the taking. Still, there’s a nice domestic match looming with a yappy wee club for him to hone the CL mindset for
YB.

MIBBERY – 5/10 – During this CL we’ve had lookalike movie stars, football stars, and now this – an extra from a French cop thriller. Bit bewildering his estimation of what constitutes a yellow card but early omens proved falsehoods as he calmed it, engaged with players and kept his red card under his flaming beret.

OVERALL – 7/10 – How far have we come in a few short months? Far enough that a clean sheet draw in darkest Zagreb on a heavy, cutup pitch, opposition going down like cheap hookers and playing for time, is accepted with a tint of frustration. A game we didn’t look likely to lose, nor win. Defence was re-enacting the Atalanta siege but the attack seemed to be offering an interpretation of The Importance Of Being Earnest through the medium of modern dance, as everybody gracefully – or not – avoided being the subject of goalscoring attention.

So a dour trip to a dour stadium – three-sided due to an Earthquake damaging a stand when Alfredo Morelos visited four years ago – results in a dour match; who’da thunk it? Good though to see The Hoops rueful about their outcome and heading home with an itch to scratch. More than likely the Bhoys were turnng minds towards ther weekend from the moment the whistle blew for the second 45 and all they saw when they looked up ahead was the polite reminder banner from the home fans about who we’re playing – the Bad Blue Boys. Or was it ‘Manky Tangerine  Bartenders” censored by an AI filter? Yes, I think that was it…

Either way, hey-ho, a CL point on the road. Played six, won two, drawn three, lost one, goal difference level, 9 points – that’ll do for me. We’re in good shape, looking an assured quality side who can handle the heightened pressure, poised to take on The Young Boys with the promised land, a decade lost, just one win away. So let’s go collect a cup in the meantime.

After off the ball incident, Key Scotland midfielder handed four-match ban for violent conduct…

FA issue statement as 32 y/o served suspension

Norwich midfielder Kenny McLean won’t play again until after Christmas after being handed a four-match ban for violent conduct during the 3-0 defeat at QPR on Saturday.

The off-the-ball incident during the 24th minute, when McLean appeared to catch QPR winger Kieran Morgan in the face with his trailing arm, was not seen by the officials at the time. However, with the clash caught on camera, the Football Association retrospectively alleged it was violent conduct.

Scotland international McLean – who had just returned from a three-game ban following a straight red card during the Championship match against Middlesbrough – denied the charge, but an independent regulatory commission found it to be proven.

Kenny McLean of Norwich City in action during the Sky Bet Championship match against Queens Park Rangers. (Photo by Jaimi Joy/Getty Images) | Getty Images

A statement from the FA read: “An independent regulatory commission has suspended Norwich City’s Kenny McLean for four matches following violent conduct in their EFL Championship match against Queens Park Rangers on Saturday, December 7. The midfielder’s behaviour during the 24th minute of the game wasn’t seen by the match officials at the time, but it was caught on camera, and The FA subsequently alleged that it constitutes violent conduct.

“Kenny McLean denied this charge against him and submitted that the automatic penalty is excessive if found proven. The independent regulatory commission found it to be proven and imposed his sanction following a hearing. Its written reasons will be published in due course. The sanction is four matches rather than three as it is Kenny McLean’s second dismissal this season.”

McLean’s ban starts immediately, so he will miss Norwich’s trip to Portsmouth on Tuesday night as well as games against Burnley, Sunderland and Millwall. The 32-year-old has emerged as a key player for Scotland since Celtic captain Callum McGregor announced his international retirement after Euro 2024, starting all six Nations League fixtures to take his cap tally to 48 as Steve Clarke’s side earned a third-place finish in Nations League Group A1.

Rating Done: Celtic’s Chances of UCL Knockout Qualification With Nine Points

Celtic’s chances of reaching the Champions League knockout playoffs took an interesting turn after a 0-0 draw against Dinamo Zagreb this evening.

With the Hoops now on 9 points after two wins and three draws from six games played.

What this means for Celtic’s chances of reaching the top 24 and, in turn, the knockout playoffs, is particularly interesting.

With the Opta supercomputer analysing how many points it would take to finish in the top 8 and in the top 24.

9 points give Celtic a 69% chance of finishing within the top 24 and, crucially, making the knockout playoffs.

With one more point all but guaranteeing that on a 99% chance of finishing within the top 24, however, the Hoops’ chances of making the top 8 are not out of the question.

If Celtic can win their next two fixtures against Young Boys at home and Aston Villa away, that would put them on 15 points, giving them a 73% chance of making the top 8 and avoiding the knockout playoffs, bypassing through to the last 16.

Which may seem a little way off, yet however, if they can pull off back-to-back wins, a place in the Champions League last 16 would be an unbelievable achievement in the new format.

So far, it has proven to be an improvement on the previous format, which wasn’t as competitive, with sides like Celtic thriving in a more competitive league structure.

Dinamo boss swings for Celtic with Champions League truth bomb as Rodgers delivers the ‘honest’ verdict…

Nenad Bjelica wasn’t pleased with a point that all-but ends their time in the Champions League

Dinamo Zagreb boss Nenad Bjelica

Defiant Dinamo Zagreb boss Nenad Bjelica insists that ONLY his side deserved to win their Champions League stalemate with Celtic.

Brendan Rodgers’ side dominated the ball during the league phase clash finishing the 90 minutes holding a whopping 68 per cent of possession. However, frustrated Bjelica binned the stats during a bullish post-match address as under-pressure Dinamo boss saw his hopes of reaching the Champions League knockout stages all-but ended by the Scottish Premiership leaders.

The Croatian champions sit on eight points but with clashes against Arsenal and Milan to round off the league phase they appear unlikely to add to their tally as they search for a spot in the top 24. But Bjelica came out swinging post-match declaring: “My boys played a great game today. They achieved everything I asked of them, we didn’t allow anything to the opponent.

“We had a very good chance from Pjaca, two shots from Baturina, so if anyone should have won, it was us. Rog and Kacavenda did a great job in the middle, neither of them are defensive midfielders, but they did a perfect job in defence. They also brought some momentum forward when they could.”

But in contrast, Brendan Rodgers reckons Celtic’s Dinamo draw was a missed opportunity. The boss is happy his team remains on course for the play-offs having advanced to nine points with two games to go in January.

But, asked if it felt like a missed chance to register a first away win in seven years in the competition, Rodgers said: “Yeah, it does, but I think that’s my honest answer. We needed to do more, we needed to know.

“But we know that and that’s the truth. We were honest as a group, we know it was an opportunity for us here, but you have to show that a little bit more in those moments when you’re right back in there. Too often it just came away from us. The pitch was a little bit tricky in parts, but when we got into the final third, there wasn’t anything.

Celtic transfer alert as £7m target ‘cleared for January exit’

Mahamadou Diawara (Image: PA)

Celtic transfer target Mahamadou Diawara has been cleared for a transfer exit from Lyon, according to reports.

The young French midfielder, 19, was repeatedly linked with a possible move to Glasgow over the summer.

On deadline day, it was claimed Celtic even had a bid for Diawara thrown out by the Ligue 1 club.

However, it now appears the midfielder will depart Lyon in January as he seeks first-team football with his minutes seriously limited at his current club.

L’Equipe claims Diawara has reached an agreement with club officials for a move to be sanctioned next month with Celtic amongst reported interested suitors.

It’s thought a permanent exit is possible for Diawara, who has only played five times this season.

The teenager featured off the bench for Lyon twice in the Europa League, including a cameo against Rangers in the 4-1 win at Ibrox last month.

Diawara also played once for the B team at Lyon in September in a stop-start season for the midfielder.

Reports in France had stated Celtic had a loan to buy offer for Diawara rejected in the summer as Brendan Rodgers looked to bolster his midfield options after Matt O’Riley left the club.

At the time, it was reported the deal would have included a possible buy clause of around £7m should Celtic have wished to sign Diawara on permanent terms.

BRENDAN AND CELTIC ON £198,031 UEFA TIGHTROPE

BRENDAN RODGERS caught the attention of the eagle-eyed UEFA observers in Celtic’s last away Champions League encounter in Italy.

The Hoops boss received a ‘slap on the wrist’ in the scoreless stalemate against Atalanta in Bergamo in October when it was deemed the Irishman was at fault in delaying the restart on two occasions.

Rodgers will lead the team into action again on matchday six against Dinamo Zagreb in Croatia in the 5.45pm kick-off this evening with the Parkhead club looking for a win that will hoist them onto 11 points in their bid to reach the play-off stages.

The Scottish champions have two games to play next month – at home to Switzerland’s Young Boys and away to Aston Villa – in their quest to gatecrash the lucrative next stages of the elite competition.

European football’s rulers are scrutinising Celtic – and every other club – at this level and the Hoops’ total of fines for misconduct stands at 240,000 euros which currently converts to £198,031.

The club were hit with a £9,904 (12,000 euros) punishment for the blocking of public passageways in the 3-1 win over RB Leipzig at Parkhead and £12,379 (15,000 euros) for a young fan running onto the pitch towards Kasper Schmeichel in the same game.

UEFA are evidently taking a hardline stance with clubs this season over discipline issues with the use of pyro being top of their list.

Celtic have already been hit with a suspended sentence for selling tickets to away fans for the use of the ‘dangerous’ objects.

Video: Brendan and Trusty’s media conference ahead of UCL clash in Zagreb… Clarity

Croatia, Zagreb, Maksimir Stadium. Celtic media conference before the UEFA Champions League match Dinamo – Celtic. In the photo: Celtic coach Brendan Rodgers. CROPIX Ronald Gorsic

Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers sat down in front of the media with defender Auston Trusty ahead of Tuesday’s UEFA Champions League clash with Dinamo Zagreb.

Celtic sit with eight points while the hosts have seven, which is somewhat surprising given they have two defeats and three draws in their last five games. Despite this, Brendan is aware that his team will be in for a difficult evening in Croatia.

Brendan spoke a lot about the 2017 win over Anderlecht and that was an excellent example in Celtic producing a textbook European away display. Celtic will need to do the same tomorrow as they look to defend as a unit, move the ball with purpose and attack with intensity. Celtic will want to take a step towards qualification for the next phase, which would be aided by three points in Zagreb. Celtic would take the added boost of an away European win before the Premier Sports League Cup Final against Rangers at Hampden.

Earlier, Celtic trained at Celtic Park ahead of the trip to Croatia.

Celtic set for tidy transfer profit as
Alexandro Bernabei collects award

SAlexandro Bernabei of Celtic celebrates scoring his side’s first goal his teammates during the preseason friendly between Celtic and Gamba Osaka at Panasonic Stadium Suita on July 22, 2023 in Suita, Osaka, Japan. (Photo by Kenta Harada/Getty Images)

Celtic defender Alexandro Bernabei collected an award for his inclusion in the Brazilian top flight Team of the Season. The left-back impressed while on loan with Internacional, sparking rumours that clubs in Brazil could be keen on an £8m transfer raid in January.

The 24-year-old made the switch to Brazil in March after appearing to fall out of Brendan’s first team plans. The move appears to have panned out brilliantly for all parties as Bernabei has netted 3 goals and assisted 5 in 23 appearances. The player has been back playing regular football which can only protect his value for Celtic.

⭐️🇧🇷 𝐁𝐞𝐫𝐧𝐚𝐛𝐞𝐢 – 𝐁𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐢𝐧 𝐁𝐫𝐚𝐳𝐢𝐥

Alexandro Bernabei has been named in the Brazilian top flight’s Team of the Season.

The on-loan Celtic left-back made 23 appearances for Internacional across the 2024 campaign, scoring 3 goals and setting up 5.

👏👏

— Celtic Youth & Loan Updates (@CelticYLUpdates) December 9, 2024

The player was beaming after collecting the accolade that signified his inclusion in the Team of the Season.

📸 Bernabei picks up his ‘silver ball’ award for being named the best left-back in Brazil. 🔥

— Celtic Youth & Loan Updates (@CelticYLUpdates) December 9, 2024

Bernabei will be hoping that he can receive some clarity over his situation in the coming weeks but it is expected that he will return to Celtic for Brendan to review the situation. Johnny Kenny will return from Shamrock Rovers as he looks to stake a claim for the first team but it is likely that Celtic will look to cash in on Bernabei.

Mark Viduka is a player whose career at Celtic began and ended in controversy.

The Croatian-born Australian international was brought to Celtic by the late Dr Jo Venglos for £3.5m after Viduka had starred against the Parkhead club for Dinamo Zagreb in a Champions League qualifier which the Hoops lost 3-1 on aggregate.

When he joined Celtic in December 98, Zagreb complained that they hadn’t received the full transfer fee from the Parkhead club which resulted in Viduka’s debut being delayed until the following February.

Scoring 31 goals in 39 games for Celtic, Viduka’s Hoops career ended in controversial circumstances after he refused to return in the second half of Celtic’s infamous Scottish Cup defeat to Inverness Caley Thistle during John Barnes’ ill-fated spell at the club.

A £6m move to Leeds United the following summer ended Viduka’s time in Paradise but it seems he has not forgotten just how much the fans meant to him in his 18-month stay in Glasgow.

Mark Viduka remembers the ‘terrible’ Celtic Park atmosphere as a Dinamo Zagreb player

Referring to the 1-0 defeat he suffered at Celtic Park as a Zagreb player, Viduka told Maxportal, “I remember those games, although a lot has passed since then, so I don’t remember every detail.

“What stayed in my head the most was that there were tough fights, we lost minimally there, but in Zagreb we already had 2-0 at halftime.

“It was a very important event for us, the first Champions League we entered. The season before, we didn’t succeed because we were eliminated by Newcastle.

“The atmosphere at Celtic Park is terrible [as in daunting], about sixty thousand people create a fantastic atmosphere there, it is a great trump card for them and it is good that Dinamo is now playing at home.”

Mark Viduka’s verdict on his time at Celtic with outstanding fan claim

Despite his relatively short period at Celtic, Viduka won the League Cup in a 2-0 win over Aberdeen in 2000 and he shared just how much he respected the supporters over his time at Parkhead.

Viduka continued, “I had a great time. Celtic is not a club, it’s an institution. The fans are probably the best in the world.

“I played, I would say, maybe my best football. I was the first scorer in the league, I was also named the best player in the Scottish Championship.”

After Leeds, Viduka went on to play for Newcastle United and Middlesbrough scoring just 7 goals in 40 appearances and 42 goals in over 100 appearances respectively.

Viduka’s time at Celtic will always be marred by the circumstances that led to him leaving the club but it’s clear that the Australian still holds the club close to his heart as he looks back on his short time in Glasgow.

Good News: Celtic issue safety warning over ‘colours’ in Zagreb

Celtic are doing well in this season’s Champions League (Image: Ross MacDonald – SNS Group)

Celtic fans travelling to Zagreb ahead of tomorrow night’s Champions League tie have been issued with an important warning.

The club’s SLO, John Paul Taylor, has taken to social media to urge Hoops supporters NOT to wear club colours if they are not situated in the allocated away section of the Maksimir Stadium.

Thousands of Celtic fans are thought to be in Croatia for the UCL tie.

He wrote on X: “Fans who have tickets outwith the away sector advised not to wear colours, admission is at the discretion of the stewards.

“Fans are encouraged to carry ID at all times within the city.

“To get to Stadium take Tram 1 or 17.”

Brendan Rodgers and his players will be aiming to take another major step towards qualification for the knockout rounds of the competition with a win.

Ahead of the game, the manager said: “I think we’re a very ambitious team and we go into absolutely every single game to look to win the game. This game is no different.

“We always respect every opponent that we play. We arrive here with confidence, but we know we have to get our work in and put the work in.

“It’s a level where every team has big talents. In a country like Croatia, which has always produced really highly gifted technical players, we always will respect that.

“But we know that, and we’ve already shown in this competition, that we can compete and be really competitive in all aspects, whether it’s technical, tactical or the physical side of the game. So, that’s what we’re looking forward to, that challenge.”

Celtic’s transfer business this summer seems to have been something of a stroke of genius by Brendan Rodgers.

Brendan Rodgers opened up the Celtic chequebook and spent over £30m bringing in players like Arne Engels, Adam Idah, Auston Trusty and Paulo Bernardo to strengthen the Hoops’ first team.

And whilst Rodgers broke Celtic’s transfer record twice, former Falkirk manager and now BBC pundit Ian McCall admits he’s been blown away by one of the new Bhoys who used to play for him when he was the manager of Ayr United.

What Luke McCowan does that’s ‘extreme’ as midfielder tries to ‘impress’ at Celtic

Luke McCowan was brought to Celtic from Dundee for a mere £1m fee and McCall reckons that piece of transfer business is looking a ‘snip’ for Rodgers.

McCall told the Sunday Mail [print edition page 52], “Luke is being a great team-mate just now at Celtic. When he comes into the team he’s very controlled.

“In terms of becoming a starter in Brendan’s team, he’s doing all the right things to impress.

“Some players in that situation go about it the wrong way but he’s doing it perfectly, Luke sets high standards for himself.. he can be self-analytical to the extreme.

“But, believe me, he’ll be desperate to start games for Celtic. And I’m not sure it will take that long.”

MORE CELTIC STORIES

McCowan has started four games for Celtic so far this season and in every single one, the 27-year-old has either scored, assisted or been directly involved in a goal for the Parkhead club.

What Tony Docherty told Ian McCall about Luke McCowan at Dundee before big Celtic move

A boyhood Celtic fan, McCowan got his dream move to Celtic after spending years at Ayr United and then Dundee.

But it was at the South Coast club that McCall admits he should have gave McCowan more opportunities as he reveals what Tony Docherty told him about the Hoops midfielder and what he texted him on the day of his big move to Paradise.

McCall continued, “Even as a young player I never doubted Luke’s mentality. In fact if anything – he was TOO hard on himself.

“He was quite self-analytical to the extreme at times. Even when he played well he wasn’t happy. Tony Docherty has said he was like that at Dundee too. He was down on himself a lot.

“But Luke just sets incredibly high standards for himself. And you know what? It has worked out for him. He has just moved to Celtic for £1million and, goodness me, he looks like a snip.

“When he got his move I texted him to say I should actually have brought him into the Ayr team six months earlier.

“Because he had so much talent. We had him off the right and Alan Forrest off the left. But Luke’s natural talent was fabulous.”

McCowan has quickly become a Celtic fan favourite this season which is remarkable considering he has been at the club for a matter of mere months.

There is no doubt he is a valuable member of Rodgers’ first-team squad and if he continues his current rate of development, the Celtic midfielder could be on the verge of a Scotland call-up sooner rather than later.

Celtic have the chance to win their first piece of silverware this week.

Brendan Rodgers will be proud of how things have gone since the start of the season, but this is now the time to make it all count.

Celtic’s League Cup final against Rangers on Sunday is the main event, but they have Champions League matters to deal with on Tuesday night.

For Rodgers to balance all of this out – and it needs to be noted that Celtic have played three games a week since the return of the final international break of 2024 – you need a strong squad.

And it’s fair to say that Celtic’s squad is as strong as ever, which is being showcased in the performances, no matter who plays.

This is something Charlie Nicholas touched upon and how Rodgers has helped keep these players on ‘edge’ and then managed to get the best out of them.

But Nicholas feels there are people like assistant manager John Kennedy, who has also played a key role behind the scenes, but perhaps have been viewed differently in previous times.

Charlie Nicholas slams people who have ‘taken a swipe’ at John Kennedy at Celtic

From Adam Idah to Paulo Bernardo, all these players are worthy and good enough to start on a regular basis, but they have been bench players for most parts because of the quality ahead of them.

Nicholas stated that someone like Kennedy then helps keep players like this ‘motivated’ behind the scenes and he, along with the rest of the coaching staff, ‘deserve enormous credit’ for it, as he told the Warm Up.

But the former Celtic player feels, in the past, there have been people who have been ‘very quick to take a swipe’ at individuals like Kennedy.

“It’s the competitive edge that he has managed to get,” said Nicholas about Rodgers keeping the bench players on their toes. “He has managed to get control of who he wants in and who he wants out, Brendan Rodgers.

“When you see the competitive edge, Bernardo is coming in instead of Engels, who is £11 million. Idah, who was supposed to be, ‘Oh, nine or £10 million. Is that the end for Kyogo?’ He keeps chopping and changing. He keeps them on the edge. The demands at Celtic are high, of course they are, because they are so used to being dominant domestically.

“But to keep that edge on the bench is really, really tough. Him and his staff have done a great job. Lots of times in the past, people like (John) Kennedy and all of them. They would take a swipe at them very, very quickly. But they don’t realise what they are doing behind the scenes. Keeping these guys motivated when they aren’t getting a start. They all deserve enormous credit for it.”

Who will Brendan Rodgers rotate for Celtic’s clash against Dinamo Zagreb?

Celtic beat Hibernian at the weekend, with Rodgers, once again, ringing the changes and you suspect it will happen again in Croatia against Dinamo Zagreb.

The players on the bench perhaps gave an indicator as to who will start in Zagreb.

Cameron Carter-Vickers was rested by Rodgers and he didn’t even come off the bench, whilst Reo Hatate, Paulo Bernardo and Kyogo Furuhashi earned some minutes – the latter scored a goal worthy to grace any pitch.

Perhaps that’s a sign as to who will come into the XI, especially with the Rangers game around the corner.

Celtic’s win over Hibs opens up a huge gap at the top of the Scottish Premiership that even Aberdeen and Rangers will struggle to pull back now.

After Celtic beat Hibs at Parkhead, Aberdeen dropped more points at home to St Johnstone as Jimmy Thelin’s poor run of form since the Bhoys beat the Pittodrie club in the League Cup semi-final continues.

With Rangers playing at lunchtime today, there is a 14-point gap from the Ibrox club who still sit in third place so Brendan Rodgers’ defence of the title is looking good.

However, Celtic took care of their own business against a Hibs side who were resilient and, if truth be told, were slightly unlucky not to go ahead early in the game were it not for Kasper Schmeichel’s heroics between the sticks.

Reacting to the result, Hibs boss David Gray told his club TV channel his ‘immediate thoughts’ as he looked gutted after the 3-0 Celtic Park defeat.

David Gray finds it ‘difficult to be positive’ after Celtic beat Hibs

Hibs are languishing at the bottom of the Scottish Premiership table and the capital club looks to stave off a relegation dogfight.

The Easter Road club started off with real intent in looking to take something from the game but Celtic’s first chance, and goal, from Arne Engels, left the Hibs boss feeling frustrated and gutted.

Gray told Hibs TV, “Obviously, my immediate thoughts are disappointment because we lost the game but I need to also be mindful of the fact of what I asked the players to do.

“And for large periods of the game, they did. I thought they were brave at times on the ball and I can’t remember really coming here and creating so many clear-cut chances.

“But at the same time on reflection on a 3-0 defeat, it’s difficult to then be positive because of that. Their goalkeeper gets man of the match for them which tells you everything from our point of view on chances we have created but also probably highlights our season so far as well.

“We’ve created a lot of clearcut chances and not taking them in big moments in the game and it just shows at the other end how clinical they were when they got their chances.”

David Gray praised the ‘clinical nature’ of Celtic striker Kyogo Furuhashi vs Hibs

“I think again the first one, especially, comes from a clearcut chance my point of view,” continued Gray, “That then highlights the need to take your chances when you’re on top in the game.

“Especially coming here to a venue like this, how difficult it is, and then obviously, the goal they get is their first chance in the game.

“And it shows you why they where they are and how clinical they are. From then on, we have another chance to get the next goal in the game. It’s poor to lose a goal from a set piece.

“I thought we definitely need to improve in that area today. We weren’t as good as we have been so that’s something to definitely work on.

“And then the last goal later on. we made changes to try and chase the game a little bit and then there’s a mistake.

“We give the ball away in the middle of the pitch and then, again, the clinical nature of Kyogo, gets his touch and finish one-on-one with the goalkeeper which we had three times today and never hit the back of the net.”

Goals from Arne Engels, a Joe Newell own-goal, and Kyogo’s stunning finish leave Hibs languishing at the foot of the table seven points from the top six.

Whilst that gap is not insurmountable, Gray will be worried just two wins from 16 means that his side are in serious trouble this season.

For Celtic, life is looking good. With the Champions League up on Tuesday night and then the League Cup final against Rangers to look forward to, the big games just keep coming for the champions as their dominant start to the season continues.

Celtic eased to a 3-0 win over Hibs to extend their lead at the top of the Scottish Premiership table over Aberdeen to nine points this weekend.

Brendan Rodgers’ team had to fend off a couple of early scares as Hibs set their stall out early at Celtic Park with a couple of early chances.

However, Kasper Schemeichel was the Bhoys’ saviour and as soon as Arne Engels’ 6th-minute goal hit the back of the Hibs net, there was really only going to be one winner.

But it was the removal of Nicolas Kuhn at half-time that had Celtic fans talking, maybe even worried about a potential injury, as the Hoops boss took off his most lethal goal threat against Hibs.

And here, Rodgers explains exactly why with some amazing praise for Celtic winger, James Forrest.

Brendan Rodgers hails James Forrest as ‘the best’ he’s ever worked with at Celtic after Hibs win

Explaining the Kuhn substitution, Rodgers told the Daily Record, “We were losing too many balls on the right side so to push them back you have to retain the ball. James is probably the best I’ve EVER worked with in my career at retaining the ball on the side.

“People will say it’s maturity but no, he was doing it when I was here the first time in 2016. He’s the best player at receiving the ball when it’s tight and keeping that. That allows you to sustain attacks.

“We gave it away too often in the first half. James’ press for the third goal was fantastic and it was a brilliant finish. Kyogo takes a wonderful first touch then delays before the finish.”

MORE CELTIC STORIES

How many times Nicolas Kuhn has been subbed by Brendan Rodgers and the impact on Celtic’s results

Nicolas Kuhn has been in electric form for Celtic this season scoring 11 goals and creating 11 assists in 21 appearances.

The Celtic winger is even in Germany manager, Julian Naggelsman’s thoughts as the 24-year-old continues to hit the headlines.

However, to see Kuhn removed from a game is an unusual step by Brendan Rodgers because it’s not something Celtic fans see too often.

It worked because Forrest made an immediate impact with his superb assist for Kyogo Furuhashi’s goal, Celtic’s third

So here, 67 Hail Hail decided to take a look at how many times Kuhn has been taken off and what impact, if any it had on Celtic’s results this season.

Subbed on 71st minute in Celtic’s win over Slovan Bratislava. No impact as result remained the same.

Subbed on 74th-minute as Celtic hammered RB Leipzig. Kuhn has already turned the game of its head as the winger destroyed the Bundesliga side.

Taken off in eight Scottish Premiership fixtures against the likes of Hearts, Rangers, Hibs and Kilmarnock. No suprise to say that it was Kuhn’s influence in all games that helped Celtic remain unbeaten.

The point is, this is the first time Nicolas Kuhn has been subbed off because a fault was spotted in his performance by the Celtic manager.

Let’s hope the message is taken onboard as Celtic have a huge fixture against Dinamo Zagreb on Tuesday night and Rodgers will need the winger firing on all cylinders.

Opinion: Celtic Star on the Verge of Breakthrough

Yang Hyun-jun continued to catch the eye with another lively cameo in Celtic’s 3-0 victory over Hibernian.

Introduced in the second half, the South Korean winger added pace, energy, and directness to Brendan Rodgers’ attack, showcasing why the manager continues to trust him with regular appearances off the bench.

There’s a sense that Yang is on the brink of a major breakthrough for Celtic. While he hasn’t yet found the back of the net for the Hoops this season, his performances are improving, and a goal might be all he needs to unlock his full potential.

Brendan Rodgers clearly sees the talent in the winger, as evidenced by the number of opportunities he has been given this season. Yang’s pace, willingness to take on defenders, and flair make him a constant threat in wide areas.

Against Hibernian, he repeatedly challenged his marker and often succeeded in creating space and openings.

Rodgers has spoken before about the importance of patience with young talents, and Yang seems to be a perfect example of a player gradually finding his rhythm in Scottish football.

One of Yang’s standout qualities is his fearlessness. Every time he gets on the ball, he looks to drive forward and beat his man. His close control and quick feet were on display again today, causing problems for the Hibs defence. He injected a fresh spark into Celtic’s attack, keeping the pressure on and adding an extra dimension in the latter stages of the match.

However, it’s clear that end product remains the final piece of the puzzle. Whether it’s delivering the perfect cross or finding the net himself, Yang needs to add that final flourish to his game.

His composure in front of goal and decision-making in key moments are areas where Rodgers and his coaching staff will undoubtedly continue to work with him.

Good News: Soon to be out-of-contract Celtic star at centre of EPL tug of war as Rangers push to sign player ex-Sunderland ace

A Celtic teenager is attracting interest from Fulham, Wolves and Ipswich Town

Rising Celtic star Daniel Cummings is the subject of rampant interest from Premier League trio Wolverhampton Wanderers, Fulham and Ipswich Town.

The Scotsman understands that the three Premier League clubs have been left on red alert due to increased uncertainty surrounding Cummings’ long-term future at Parkhead.

The teenage sensation has been in incredible form for Celtic’s B team throughout the season and in many fans eyes is seen as an eventual heir to Kyogo Furuhashi in attack.

So far this term, he has registered 17 goals in 14 appearances for Stephen McManus’ B team in the Lowland League and has thrived against Europe’s top young defenders with an equally impressive five goals in five games at UEFA Youth League level.

However, talks over a new deal with the highly-rated youngsters have stalled for a number of months. As it stands, he is due to become a free agent in the summer window and if a deal is not concluded by January, he will be able to begin pre-contract negotiations with a number of clubs south of the border and elsewhere in Europe.

The 18-year-old has been the subject of huge praise by Brendan Rodgers but despite the superlatives is yet to make a single appearance at senior level.

When commenting on Cummings’ potential, Rodgers said: “There’s so much involved in a young player getting an opportunity to play,” explained Celtic head coach Brendan Rodgers when asked about the forward’s chances of playing for the first team last month. “I would like to think that I’ve been a coach that all my career, I’ve put in young players. If you trace my career back as a manager, before (in) my 15 years as a youth development coach, I’ve played players at 16 years of age, 17, 18.

“It’s not just about scoring goals or performing, it’s your mentality, it’s your professionalism, it’s all these things alongside ability that is what gets you the opportunity, so that’s always something I’ll assess. I think in terms of Daniel’s output, his goals in his games, he’s done very well. Young players will always get a chance here and there’s always a number of factors why they can or can’t get a chance. If they’re good enough, they’ll get a chance.”

While Cummings is not able to depart the club on a free transfer, he is expected to be available at a cut-price deal, with a cross-border compensation fee expected to earn the champions less than £500,000 if he does indeed run down his contract.

Rangers enter race for former Sunderland star

Scottish giants Rangers are believed to be in the market for an attacking midfielder in January and one name that is currently thought to be high on Philippe Clement’s wishlist is Leeds United striker Joe Gelhardt.

The Wigan Athletic academy graduate, who spent time on loan at Sunderland in 2023, has been on the books at Leeds United since 2020 and in that time he has racked up 57 appearances across all competitions while scoring three goals and providing five assists.

Gelhardt, who boasts an incredible record of 12 goals in 15 games for England at Under-19 level, enjoyed his best stint at Leeds during Jesse Marsch’s time in West Yorkshire, but has found first team opportunities increasingly difficult to come by under Daniel Farke.

So far this season, he has played just nine minutes of Championship football, with all of his appearances coming from the bench. The 21-year-old has failed to make the matchday squad in any of the last seven games and is not thought to be a major part of Farke’s plans moving forward.

HIBERNIAN 0: Slack CELTIC 3 Rodgers is worried about Celtic before the much more difficult tests that lie ahead.

CELTIC 3 HIBERNIAN 0: Slack Celtic a concern for Rodgers ahead of far bigger tests to come

Brendan Rodgers admitted Celtic’s first-half defending was ‘nowhere near’ the level required after watching his side stretch their lead at the top of the Premiership with a 3-0 win over wasteful Hibernian.

Midfielder Arne Engels opened the scoring at Parkhead in the sixth minute but the visitors spurned several opportunities before the break, with Mykola Kukharevych thwarted twice by Celtic keeper Kasper Schmeichel.

An Adam Idah header was turned into his own net by Easter Road skipper Joe Newell before Celtic added a classy third through substitute Kyogo Furuhashi.

But Rodgers was concerned at the standard of play from his back line and warned that they will have to improve for the challenges ahead — which start with a testing Champions League trip to face Dinamo Zagreb in midweek before the Premier Sports Cup final against Rangers on Sunday.

Rodgers, who made five changes for yesterday’s visit of Hibernian, said: ‘Obviously delighted with the win. Third game this week, on the back of a game (against Aberdeen) in midweek, a tough game away from home.

‘So to come here and get the victory and keep a clean sheet, great. Some of our attacking play was very good, scored good goals, created more chances.

Engels scored to put Celtic in front early on but Hibs were more than a match for the champions

Kyogo Furuhashi climbed off the bench to add a bit of gloss to the scoreline late on

Brendan Rodgers warned his Celtic team they will have to improve on their display against Hibs

‘Defensively, for our standard, nowhere near it. Not the level that I would expect and want. But sometimes that’s part of when you do make changes, so that’s on me.

‘That defensive side, which is our start point, our pressing, counter-pressing, wasn’t so good in the first half. There are always things to improve on in our performance.’

Rodgers hailed the impact of veteran winger James Forrest, who replaced Nicolas Kuhn for the start of the second half. He added: ‘James is one of the best players, probably the best player I’ve ever worked with in my career at retaining the ball on the side.

‘People will look at it and say it’s because of maturity. No, no, he was doing that when I was here in 2016.

‘He’s the best player at receiving the ball on the side of the pitch when it’s tight, left side or right side, to keep hold of the ball. And then that allows you to sustain the attack. Too often I felt that we gave it away in the first half.’

Hibs boss David Gray admitted what he had witnessed was ‘quite difficult to digest at the moment’. He said: ‘We knew that when you get opportunities here you need to take them.

‘That’s very clear because of how good Celtic are, how dominant they’ve been for a while now.

‘We knew it was going to be a real tough test. But it’s mixed emotions because of what I’m asking the players to do, the amount of chances we created in the match.

Hibs boss David Gray was proud of the way his team created so many clear opportunities

‘The way we played throughout the game, for large periods of the game, showing that bravery and composure on the ball, which I asked for, was really great to see.

‘The issue is we came away losing the game 3-0, so I’m never going to come away accepting the fact we’ve lost the game.

‘But it also shows the effort and desire and how far we’ve come that we are actually coming away from a place like this disappointed.

‘I can’t remember a Hibs team coming and creating so many clear-cut chances, so much so their goalkeeper wins man of the match.

‘I think that’s a reflection on how well the players have done for periods in the game as well.’

Schmeichel is the best goalkeepers according to Idah

Celtic’s Adam Idah shoots, leading to Hibernian’s Joe Newell scoring an own goal, Celtic’s second goal of the game during the William Hill Premiership match at Celtic Park, Glasgow. Picture date: Saturday December 7, 2024. PA Photo. See PA story SOCCER (Image: Andrew Milligan)

Everything that Adam Idah said to the media after Celtic’s 3-0 Scottish Premiership win over Hibernian

At the end of a successful week, how does it feel?

Yeah, it’s been good. There’s been a lot of games, a busy period, but that’s the goal we aimed for and we managed to get through it, so it’s been a great week overall.

You got given the second goal there by the stadium announcer, but are you claiming it?

Yeah, I’ll claim it. I’ll take it. I don’t know if it was an own goal, but that is my job at the end of the day. Thankfully, I went in, so I’m going to take them as they come.

It was an odd kind of game, wasn’t it, because they created a lot of chances, didn’t they?

Yeah, they did. To be fair, at the end of the day, they probably should have scored a couple of goals. I think that’s the attitude we’ve got to keep as many clean sheets as we can. To be fair, Kasper has made some brilliant saves. He was fantastic today. He said it in the changing room. There are not many games in Celtic Park where the goalkeeper gets man of the match. Fair play to him. It was a bit of a strange game. As I said, we’ve had a busy period, so there are probably some tired legs there. I think that shows the group we’ve got that resilience to get through it and to get three goals and keep a clean sheet.

When you see a guy go one-on-one with Kasper, do you have it in your head he’s going to save this?

Yeah, to be fair, probably if you watch the video back, I think I’m walking because you see it in training all the time. How good he is and just what a top professional he is. The saves he pulls off, he keeps us in the game so many times. I think all of us are quite confident that he’s going to save them, but we don’t want to give them too many opportunities for him to make saves.

How does Kasper rate with the goalkeepers you’ve played with? Is he one of the best or the best you have played with in your career?

He’s up there. I’ve played with some great goalkeepers, but seeing what he does, day in, day out and in games, he’s been brilliant. I think everyone’s seen it today. The saves he pulls off are amazing. It does give us that confidence to go and try and help him out and make him keep the clean sheet.

If you want to achieve what you want to achieve over the next two games do you feel the team need to be better offensively going into those matches?

Yeah, we know we need to be better. They are big games, but this is a busy period. We travelled a lot the other day. There probably were some tired legs out there, but we know ourselves that some big games are coming up and we want to be as fresh as possible and do the best we can.

How exciting is the week ahead with the potential to try and get into the Champions League playoff phase and then the League Cup final on Sunday?

Yes,  it’s a good week, an important week. To be fair to us, I don’t think anyone thinks if we win this game we’re going to be qualified. We take each game as it comes. It’s not a Champions League game, of course. We want to win the game, but we’re not thinking too far ahead. We just want to go out and win. The cup final is a big game, but most importantly, we’ve got to focus on the game on Tuesday first.

Right back at the start of this little spell, you must have been thinking, if we can come through this little spell further ahead in the league and step near the Europe trophy on the table, that would be a great way to go towards Christmas, wouldn’t it?

There are a lot of games and the goal is to win as many of those games as you can. I don’t think anyone’s thought about winning a trophy right now. We’re trying to take each game as it comes and when it gets to that period, of course, we want to try and take as much as we can. It’s the same with Europe, it’s not about we want to get here, we want to get there, we want to win games and when that moment comes, then we’ll try and take it.

It was a great result the last time you went away from home in the Champions League, how much confidence can you draw from that? Will that require a similar level of defensive performance in Croatia?

Yeah, possibly. I think this season, we’ve shown a lot of resilience in the team and how we can change our tactics. There are times where we did like the Atalanta game, have to sit in and be a lot more defensive and other times where we can go on attack, I think we’ve shown this season that we’ve got everything in our locker. It might come to that where we do need to be a little bit more defensive, but at the same time we know what we’re capable of and we can go on to prove to other teams that we’re a good attack inside and we can score goals.

How much did you admire Kyogo’s finish?

Yeah, it was a brilliant goal. The touch and the finish are unbelievable. It was amazing. That’s what Kyogo brings to the team. He sparks that little bit of magic and it’s what we need. You’ve seen it many times before, the types of finishes he can do, so it’s another thing added to the team as well.

View Photo: Supporter captures stunning first half moment as Celtic beat Hibs

Celtic beat Hibernian in a frustrating afternoon at Celtic Park. Despite the scoreline, Brendan Rodgers’ side were wasteful in attack and conceded a number of opportunities. Although, another important win has been recorded for Celtic ahead of an important week.

Whilst Arne Engels opened the scoring early on in the first half, there was another highlight – a great Glasgow winter sunset.

Twitter/X user @ayenaebotherpal shared the stunning snap from the North Stand of the glorious sunset over Paradise.

😍

— ⓄⒷ 🏴󐁧󐁢󐁳󐁣󐁴󐁿🎶🍀 (@ayenaebotherpal) December 7, 2024

Celtic put the game to bed thanks to goals from Adam Idah and Kyogo with The Celts preparing for a trip to Zagreb and then a Hampden Premier Sports Cup Final against Rangers.

Born just as Celtic were stopping the Ten, Lubo98 follows Celtic home and away and helps run his local Celtic Supporters Club. He goes to all the games and is a Law Graduate. Has a particular fondness for Tom Rogic among the current Celts and both Lubo and Henrik form his earliest Celtic memories.

David Gray names Hibs starting XI for Celtic clash – Team’s Up

Hibernian Head Coach David Gray & Celtic Manager Brendan Rodgers shake hands at full-time. Final score Celtic 3 Hibernian 1. Celtic v Hibernian, Premier Sports Cup, 2nd Round Celtic Park, , 18 August 2024 Photo Stuart Wallace Shutterstock

David Gray has named his Hibernian starting XI for this afternoon’s Scottish Premiership clash with Celtic. The Easter Road side sit in 11th place and have been under intense pressure due to their poor start to the season. However, an impressive 3-0 win away to Motherwell has added a renewed sense of optimism in their ranks.

Hibs: Smith, Miller, O’Hora, Iredale, Bushiri, Obita, Triantis, Newell, N.Cadden, Youan, Kuharevich.

Subs: Bursik, Levitt, Doyle-Hayes, Boyle, C.Cadden, Moriah-Welsh, Hoilett, Campbell, Gayle.

There is no Kwon in the Hibs squad given that he is ineligible against his parent club. The South Korean midfielder has been involved with Hibs this season and will be keen to continue his progress and help results improve.

Meanwhile, Brendan Rodgers has named his Celtic team for the game and the Irishman makes five changes from the side that beat Aberdeen.

Celtic: Schmeichel, Johnston, Trusty, Scales, Taylor, McGregor, Engels, McCowan, Kuhn, Maeda, Idah.

Subs: Sinisalo, Kyogo, Valle, Yang, Carter-Vickers, Bernardo, Hatate, Forrest, Ralston.

The game kicks off at 3pm.

Define conditions, Celtic considering Carney Chukwuemeka move.

Chelsea midfielder Carney Chukwuemeka has been linked with a move away from the West London club in recent months.

Scottish giants Celtic are prepared to provide Carney Chukwuemeka with an exit route. According to Football Insider, Celtic could look to sign him during the January transfer window on loan, and they would like for Chelsea to contribute to his wages.

The 21-year-old has struggled for regular game time at Stamford Bridge, and it would be ideal for him to head out on loan and gain some valuable first-team experience. A move to Scotland could be ideal for him.

Carney Chukwuemeka is highly rated across England, and he has a bright future ahead of himself. If he can improve with regular game time at Celtic, he might have a better chance of breaking into the starting lineup next season. The midfielder needs to play at this stage of his career, and sitting on the bench at Stamford Bridge is unlikely to benefit his development.

Meanwhile, Celtic need more quality and depth in their midfield department as well, and the 21-year-old would be a quality long-term addition. It will be interesting to see if they are able to convince Chelsea to accept their terms.

Chukwuemeka would be useful for Celtic

Signing the talented young midfielder on loan in January would be an inexpensive addition, and it would help them at quality and depth through the side as well. Brendan Rodgers has done well to nurture talented young players throughout his managerial career, and he could play a key role in the development of the forgotten Chelsea prospect.

The English midfielder has the physical and technical attributes to improve the Scottish giants and the opportunity to play for Celtic could be quite exciting for him as well. The central midfielder has made just four appearances for Chelsea this season, and he needs more opportunities in order to showcase his true qualities.

It remains to be seen whether Celtic and Chelsea can secure an agreement in the coming weeks. It would be an ideal move for the player and both clubs. Chelsea will not be able to provide him with ample first-team opportunities, and it would make sense for them to send the player out on loan.

Even if they do not see him as a long-term part of their plans, a successful loan spell could enhance his valuation and allow Chelsea to sell him for a substantial amount of money in future. Meanwhile, other clubs like Ipswich Town have also shown interest in the forgotten Chelsea prospect.

WoW, How does halting the Green Peter Dam drawdown impact endangered fish?

A short look at the current water level and a peek down at the bottom of the dam

ledge, Greg Taylor peered down at Green Peter Dam.

An unseasonably bright sun this week was slipping below the horizon, casting golden light onto the 327-foot-tall structure, the tree line, the moss-covered rocks below and the fish biologist as he looked over the landing.

His U.S. Army Corps of Engineers badge swayed as he pointed to the water, a brown channel.

A pair of pontoons bobbed along with flowing water. Between them was a device called an Archimedes screw, which traps fish inside as water pushes forward.

A device called an Archimedes screw catches fish passing through the dam. It’s is one of the few ways the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers can collect data about how successful drawdown efforts are.

Jess Hume-Pantuso

The device is one of the Army Corps’ few ways to measure the passage of endangered salmon species as they move through the dam.

“Drawdowns are an effective tool for fish passage, and it’s really the only tool we have this time of year,” he said.

For two years now, the Army Corps has drawn down the reservoir’s water level to historic lows per a court-ordered injunction to improve endangered fish passage.

Last month’s drawdown may have been halted amid concerns over impacts to drinking water, but that doesn’t mean drawdowns will become a thing of the past, Taylor said. But at least for this year, the ability of the fish — which have seen their numbers plummet in Oregon — to navigate through the dam to complete their life cycles has been hampered.

Still, experts say that as steelhead and chinook salmon continue to diminish, drawdowns remain the only effective tool for fish passage during the winter — and likely aren’t going anywhere any time soon.

Halted

On one side of the dam, a string of buoys stretch across the reservoir. Already the water levels have risen about 50 feet since the Army Corps stopped the drawdown and began to refill the reservoir.

Last month, the Army Corps halted the Green Peter drawdown after downstream cities complained the strain to their water treatment plants to clean the increasingly murky waters was too much for the equipment to handle.

Eroding public trust was also part of the issue, as residents in Sweet Home and Lebanon complained of green-tinted water that gave off a scent of bleach.

Green Peter reached the target low elevation Nov. 10 and was held until Nov. 22 for a total of 13 days instead. It was supposed to last 30 days, given the fish time to make their difficult journey.

What about salmon?

At one end of the dam, there is a kind of low flowing waterfall, called a regulating outlet. It’s where fish pass through when the water levels are low, Taylor said.

Without the drawdown, salmon and steelhead would have to swim down more than 150 feet to find the exit. By lowering water levels, they only have to travel about 25 feet to get to the regulating outlet.

Water exits the Green Peter Dam headed down the Santiam toward the Foster Reservoir outside of Sweet Home. This is where fish pass during the drawdown.

Jess Hume-Pantuso

It’s not like when the recent drawdown reversed, the fish stopped coming, Taylor said.

“Once the pool starts filling up, it increases the likelihood of fish not being able to find the regulating outlet,” he said. The regulating outlet, a sort of concrete gateway, is just harder to find the deeper the reservoir becomes.

Passage is important because it is how wild salmon complete their life cycle.

Salmon are anadromous, meaning they start their lives in freshwater, migrate to their ocean where they grow and then return to their birthplace to reproduce and die, according to a webpage constructed by U.S Fish and Wildlife Service and National Oceanic and Atmospheric and Administration Fisheries.

Only a small few wild salmon species have been documented to spawn without first going to the ocean, Taylor said.

“When steelhead and chinook salmon aren’t able to leave the reservoir, they can’t complete their life cycle,” Taylor said. Not being able to make it to the sea and then return to spawn means fewer fish.

Why we are doing this

“Sometimes I think what gets lost is why we are doing this,” Kathleen George, councilwoman of the Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde, said.

Salmon are diminishing, and scientists are telling us that we are running out of time, she said.

Update on Celtic starting XI to face Hibernian at Paradise

First Team

By Matthew Campbell

The Hoops secured a huge three points on Wednesday night away at Pittodrie, where a Reo Hatate goal gave the champions a 1-0 win.

And ahead of today’s 3pm kick-off against Hibernian, Brendan Rodgers has made five changes to his starting XI from the team that started on Wednesday.

Liam Scales and Greg Taylor both start in defence whilst Luke McCowan and Arne Engels join Callum McGregor in the heart of the Celtic midfield.

Adam Idah leads the line for the Hoops, with Kyogo starting today’s match on the bench.

CELTIC: Schmeichel, Johnston, Scales, Trusty, Taylor, Engels, McCowan, McGregor (c), Maeda, Kuhn, Idah
Subs: Sinisalo, Kyogo, Valle, Yang, Carter-Vickers, Bernardo, Hatate, Forrest, Ralston

Kick-off at Celtic Park is at 3pm and you can keep up-to-date with all the minute-by-minute action on our Official Match Centre.

See Team’s Up – Brendan makes five changes for Celtic v Hibs

Brendan Rodgers has named his Celtic team for this afternoon’s Scottish Premiership clash against Hibs. The manager has made five changes from the side that beat Aberdeen at Pittodrie on Wednesday.

Alex Valle, Kyogo, Paulo Bernardo, Reo Hatate and Cameron Carter-Vicnkers all drop to the bench with Greg Taylor, Adam Idah, Arne Engels, Luke McCowan and Liam Scales coming into the team.

Kasper Schmeichel starts in goals.

A backline of Alistair Johnston, Auston Trusty, Liam Scales and Greg Taylor starts. CCV drops to the bench in a move that is expected to manage the central defender’s game time.

Callum McGregor starts alongside Luke McCowan and Arne Engels.

In attack, Adam Idah starts through the middle with Nicolas Kühn and Daizen Maeda.

Subs: Sinisalo, Kyogo, Valle, Yang, CCV, Bernardo, Forrest, Hatate and Ralston

Born just as Celtic were stopping the Ten, Lubo98 follows Celtic home and away and helps run his local Celtic Supporters Club. He goes to all the games and is a Law Graduate. Has a particular fondness for Tom Rogic among the current Celts and both Lubo and Henrik form his earliest Celtic memories.

Working Full strength Celtic the Order of the Day at Paradise

Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers during the Scottish Premiership match between Aberdeen and Celtic at Pittodrie Stadium, on 4th December 2024. Photo Mark Runnacles Shutterstock

Will we see some rotation today? I doubt it. For me a full strength side is required…

4th December 2024; Pittodrie, Scottish Premiership, Aberdeen versus Celtic; Paulo Bernardo of Celtic on the ball. Photo Vagelis Georgariou

Brendan Rodgers recently spoke of how squad rotation has been a big factor in our success so far this campaign, and he is perfectly correct about that. Last week we made six changes against Ross County and we still comfortably won the game which helped us massively with the midweek trip to Pittodrie as our freshened side narrowly won the game to go clear at the top.

A tough trip to Zagreb 

With a tough trip to Zagreb looming on Tuesday night and of course the small matter of a Premier Sports League cup final next week, will we see a similar amount of changes for today’s clash against Hibs at Celtic Park?

4th December 2024; Pittodrie, Aberdeen, ; Scottish Premiership Football, Aberdeen versus Celtic; Cameron Carter-Vickers of Celtic on the ball. Photo Vagelis Georgariou

I seriously doubt it as despite the Edinburgh sides league position, they will prove a tough nut to crack especially after their 3-0 victory at Fir park last week.

Important to keep the feel good factor going

Brendan will want a good result to send us to Zagreb high in confidence, and keep the feel good factor going with the first trophy of the season up for grabs next Sunday. So for me it will require a full strength side to get the three points today, and give us some confidence for the next week ahead.

Exclusive News: Handshakes all round – Scottish FA gives Beaton Hampden whistle, Alan Muir is VAR

John Beaton has been appointed as referee for the Premier Sports League Cup final between Celtic and theRangers next Sunday…

19th December 2021; Hampden Park, Glasgow, Scotland; Scottish League Cup final, Hibernian versus Celtic: Referee John Beaton

The Scottish FA has confirmed that the 42 year-old whistler will take charge of his fifth domestic cup final of his career when the two sides battle it out for the first trophy of the season at Hampden Park next weekend.

Beaton seems to get Glasgow Derbies 

Beaton has only refereed one Celtic game this season and that came at Paradise when the Hoops hammered theRangers 3-0 in September courtesy of Daizen Maeda, Kyogo and Callum McGregor. Therefore, it is unfamiliar to see the same referee appointed for a Glasgow Derby match two games running.

Last season, the man in the middle for next Sunday’s showpiece final overseen Celtic’s pulsating 3-3 draw with theRangers at Ibrox back in April.

Fabio Silva dives inside the Celtic penalty area and cons a penalty from Alistair Johnston, referee John Beaton initially booked Silva for simulation but reversed the yellow card and awarded theRangers a penalty kick after a VAR sent an edited clip for review. Photo Stuart Wallace/Shutterstock

Despite the praise Beaton received after the game for his performance from pundits, he was sent to the VAR monitor on three occasions for two penalty incidents and a disallowed goal.

The experienced official has been taken charge of 18 games during this campaign. Across six different competitions which includes Europa League and Europa Conference League group stage encounters, Beaton has produced 90 yellow cards and had two sending off offences.

Brendan Rodgers’ Hampden record 

Meanwhile, Brendan Rodgers will be aiming to maintain his 100% record at Hampden and make it a lucky number 13th victory as Celtic boss across his two spells at the national stadium.

Brendan Rodgers and Callum McGregor with the Scottish Cup on 25 May 2024, after Celtic’s 1-0 win over theRangers in the final at Hampden Park. Photo Vagelis Georgariou

Phillipe Clement’s side are the defending League Cup champions as theRangers picked up their only trophy last season in this with a narrow 1-0 win against Barry Robson’s Aberdeen a year ago.

Having won a double last season, Rodgers’ men will be hoping to go one step further this campaign and lift an historic ninth Treble. Reclaiming the League Cup would be the first step of proclaiming ultimate domestic superiority once more.

Alan Muir will be on VAR duties 

Assisting John Beaton onfield for next Sunday’s Scottish League Cup clash is AR1 David McGeachie and AR2 Jonathan Bell. Steven McLean will take the role as Fourth Official.

Alan Muir points to the centre spot to award a Hearts goal after a VAR check for possible offside during the Cinch Scottish Premiership match between Celtic and Hearts at Celtic Park on March 08, 2023. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

Manning VAR at Clydesdale House will be Alan Muir, whilst Frank Connor has been appointed to AVAR duties.

Conor Beaton

Here’s Brendan’s media conference from Celtic TV ahead of today’s match against Hibs at Celtic Park…

Celtic in the Thirties by Matt Corr, Volumes One & Two, Published by Celtic Star Books

What Chris Sutton Tells Brendan Rodgers to Resolve Issue with Celtic Star

Chris Sutton has called on Celtic to resolve Greg Taylor’s contract issue, urging the club to retain the left-back, who he believes continues to play a pivotal role for the team.

23rd November 2024; Tynecastle Park, Edinburgh, Scotland; Scottish Premiership Football, Hearts versus Celtic; Greg Taylor of Celtic

Writing in his Daily Record column, Sutton defended Taylor against what he described as “undeserved stick” from a section of the support and highlighted the defender’s importance to Brendan Rodgers’ system.

Taylor’s assist for Reo Hatate’s winner against Aberdeen in Celtic’s 1-0 victory at Pittodrie was the latest example of his value to the team. Despite losing his starting place to Alex Valle in Pittodrie, Taylor’s second-half introduction proved decisive, with Sutton noting his seamless ability to adapt to Celtic’s inverted full-back role.

He wrote: “Then there was Greg Taylor. Alex Valle kept his place in the side at his expense but there’s no doubt it’s Taylor who is more comfortable in that inverted full back role.

“Valle had some moments in the first half but Taylor really helped to get to grips with the game in the second and then he popped up with the crucial assist for the winner. I would like to see him sign a new deal at Celtic. Taylor gets some undeserved stick at times from a section of the support and, okay, there are moments when the Champions League can be a stretch for him.

“But he’s not alone in that and he’s more than shown over the years he’s a valuable member of the team and the squad. I don’t know if he’s holding out for more money or he fancies a change in scenery. But do know he’s worth keeping around – even if Rodgers does target new signings in that position.”

Taylor’s current contract is set to expire at the end of the season, and with January fast approaching, the Scotland international will soon be eligible to negotiate a pre-contract agreement with other clubs.

The lack of clarity over his future is a growing concern for supporters, particularly given his consistent contributions and experience.

Brendan Rodgers has publicly praised Taylor’s adaptability and professionalism, saying that the club would like to extend his stay. However, the emergence of Alex Valle, currently on loan from Barcelona, and ongoing speculation about Celtic’s interest in other left-backs have created uncertainty over Taylor’s role moving forward.

Celtic must act swiftly to avoid losing Taylor on a free transfer

News On Point, What might have been for Paddy Roberts, missing out on Celtic legendary 

Paddy Roberts scores for Celtic.Man City v Celtic, 6 December 2016, Photo Vagelis Georgariou

Paddy Roberts, a superb player who could’ve been so much more…

Paddy Roberts scores. Motherwell 3 Celtic 4 at Fir Park on 3 December 2016. Photo by Vagelis Georgariou for The Celtic Star

Eight years ago today

Eight years ago today we earned a respectable draw at the Etihad against Manchester City in the champions league group stages.

The scorer of our goal in the 3rd minute was Paddy Roberts who also happened to be on loan from City, and he showed his parent club what they were missing by not only scoring, but impressing in the game as a whole.

Paddy unfortunately returned to City in 2018 after a two and a half year loan spell at Celtic.

A real crowd pleaser

Those two and a half years were a very successful time for Paddy as he contributed to our overall success by putting in a number of impressive performances. He really was a fans favourite due to his ability and he was a real crowd pleaser.

James Forrest and Paddy Roberts at Rugby Park on 18 November 2016, Kilmarnock 0 Celtic 1. Photo Vagelis Georgariou (The Celtic Star)

Paddy for some reason never signed for the club permanently, and whether that was down to the player himself or the club not meeting financial demands remains a mystery, but what we do know, is that he was a class act as a footballer.

Paddy would remain contracted to Man City but would go on various loan spells to clubs such as Girona, Norwich, Middlesbrough, Derby and Troyes before finally joining Sunderland on a permanent deal in 2022, the club he still plays for presently.

Starring for Sunderland 

Paddy has made over 100 appearances for the Black Cats and is pretty much a regular fixture in the championship side, but his talent deserved to be recognised at a much higher level. He could have been so much more, he could have become a Celtic legend. It’s a shame really.

Just an Ordinary Bhoy

Celtic in the Thirties by Matt Corr, Volumes One & Two, Published by Celtic Star Books

Celtic’s Great Dane Kasper Schmeichel is older than the man he replaced, but veteran goalkeeper’s acquisition looks shrewder with each passing game – Report

Manager Brendan Rodgers hails Premier League winner’s impact

Keeper backed to feature for Denmark at 2026 World Cup 

When Celtic signed Kasper Schmeichel on a one-year deal in the summer, some questioned the wisdom of recruiting a goalkeeper who was only a few months shy of his 38th birthday.

Schmeichel is five months older than his predecessor Joe Hart, who chose to retire at the end of last season.

There was a feeling that he may prove to be little more than a stop-gap signing. Yet, as we approach the turn of the year, his acquisition looks to be an increasingly shrewd move.

Another shut-out in the 1-0 win at Aberdeen in midweek means the Danish international has now kept 11 clean sheets in 14 league matches for Celtic so far this season.

Brendan Rodgers’ side have only conceded four goals in those 14 games and are on track to break various defensive and clean-sheet records.

Certainly, the prospect of Schmeichel’s deal being a one-and-done type looks increasingly unlikely.

Kasper Schmeichel has kept 11 clean sheets in 14 Premiership appearances this season

Brendan Rodgers has been thrilled with the Dane’s impact since signing in the summer

Reo Hatate’s winner against Aberdeen midweek sent Celtic seven points clear at the top

With the option of extending his contract for another year, Rodgers insists the veteran still has plenty of gas left in the tank.

And, alongside the opportunity to reach another World Cup with Denmark in 2026, Rodgers believes there’s no prospect of Schmeichel calling it a day any time soon.

‘Kasper has been massive for us,’ said the Celtic boss, who also worked with Schmeichel at Leicester. ‘A game like that the other night against Aberdeen, that’s where his style comes in, in those pressure moments.

‘The ball goes back to him, especially in conditions like that, some goalkeepers might not be as comfortable.

‘So they can end up just defending it and going long too early. And then it comes right back at you. But he brings the calmness.

‘I’ve worked with him a long time. I know his quality. He’s a world-class shot-stopper. He’s great with his feet. His authority in the game is superb.

‘His handling is so clean. Just his whole presence and personality. I’m really happy for him. That has always been his ambition to continue playing for as long as possible. I first met him in 2019 in Leicester.

‘His hunger and drive and desire. He’s like a young guy, 15 years younger than what he is. He has so much enthusiasm for the game and so much enthusiasm for goalkeeping as well.

Rodgers picked up November’s Premiership Manager of the Month Award

‘To throw himself about like he does every single day. I really have big respect for him.

‘He’s obviously got his own personal targets in terms of if he can get to another World Cup.

‘But I just know that he’s loved his life here. He’s enjoyed his life. Thankfully, he’s performing at a very high level for us.’

The victory at Aberdeen saw Celtic open up a seven-point lead at the top of the table while also still having a game in hand.

In what looks to be a huge week in their season, they face Hibs at Parkhead this afternoon before travelling to face Dinamo Zagreb in the Champions League on Tuesday. Victory against the Croatians would go a long way to securing a place in the knockout stages.

Celtic will then return home to face Rangers in the League Cup final at Hampden next Sunday, looking to tick off the first part of what supporters hope will be another Treble season under Rodgers.

The Northern Irishman, who was yesterday named Premiership Manager of the Month for November, is pleased with the way his team are digging deep and finding different ways to win.

‘The award is a collective thing for all of us,’ he said.

Celtic are preparing to take on a resurgent Hibernian side at Parkhead this weekend

‘What’s been so pleasing over the course of the season has been the variety of ways in which we can win.

‘That’s always important as a team. Our ethos here and our idea and our style is always to play fast, aggressive attacking football, always with technical discipline.

‘So that’s our idea and you’ll have seen a number of games this season where we’ve seen that identity of the team.

‘But you also have to respect that other teams aren’t going to allow you to do that all the time, and they’re going to come and make it difficult for you.

‘Like Aberdeen, who have done really well this season. They were really compact, and tight, they broke the game up, so you don’t quite have your flow.

‘So you then have to still persist in your work, trust your possession, trust the speed of your game in horrendous weather conditions and then look for those moments, which may only be few and far between. But you have to try to find them and that’s what we’ve done.’

On the prospect of facing David Gray’s Hibs, Rodgers added: ‘Hibs are a big club, they expect to be up challenging at the top.

‘David’s the perfect guy to help them get there. It just sometimes takes that little bit of time to get going.’

Celtic defender’s surprise at FIFA honor, as texts had him ‘thinking the worst’

graeme mcgarry

Alistair Johnston says he was shocked but honoured to be included in the long list for inclusion in the FIFA ‘Best XI’ (Image: Steve Welsh – PA)

When news broke that Alistair Johnston had been named alongside the likes of Ruben Dias and Antonio Rudiger on the long list of defenders in contention to be included in the FIFA ‘Best XI’, it was a heart stopping moment for the Celtic defender in more ways than one.

Initially, he was rather mystified and more than a little alarmed as he woke to a deluge of messages from his family back home in Canada, fearing that something horrible must have happened.

Thankfully, that turned out not to be the case, but while the news was in fact very good, he remained rather mystified by it, nonetheless.

The modest full back is over the moon though to have been included alongside such stellar company, a recognition for his fine form for both club and country over the past 12 months. Even if he may have appreciated a little heads’ up ahead of the news breaking.

“I just woke up and I had a couple of messages from people that don’t normally message me,” Johnston said.

“My aunts, uncles. I thought what in the world’s going on? I thought something had happened. And obviously you think the worst, you’re waking up and you click on a photo and you see, oh, you’re on a long list for the Best Eleven. And you’re like, okay, well that was…the heartbeat slowed down a little bit there because I was actually fearing the worst.

“But no, it’s a weird thing. You would think that maybe they’d call your agent and pass it through the grapevine a little bit. But no, it’s right on the social media. And that’s how you kind of find out. It’s funny. It’s a great accolade.

“It was something I wasn’t expecting, but obviously a pleasant surprise. You look at the list of players that are on that, it’s a pretty special list.

“To think that I’m even a name that was even thought of for that was obviously a nice honour for myself. You don’t really play for the personal awards. Obviously, we always play for the trophies in the team aspect.

“That’s one that I think is more important for my dad and my family back home. He’ll be probably dropping that one in on trivia night at the pub. So, it’s good that he’ll have that one in the back pocket.

“But yeah, it was a pretty cool thing to wake up to one morning to see that. It was a very good calendar year for myself. Both off the field and on the field. So no, it is nice to get some recognition for that.

“But at the same time, I’m not really too worried about those kind of things. We’re just focused on, again, the next match, lifting up trophies here. Those kind of things go hand in hand.

“It’s what I’ve learned since I’ve been here. And you just focus on doing the little things, doing the little things right and being a good professional. Then, yeah, you might end up falling into a list like that somehow.

“So, it was a nice little touch.”

Celtic and Johnston kick off a massive week with a home match against Hibernian today before a trip to face Dinamo Zagreb in a crucial Champions League tie, before the League Cup final against Rangers next weekend.

“Every week’s a big week here, it feels like,” he said.

“Hibs, not going to be an easy test at Celtic Park, we’re ready for a tough game. They’ve obviously had an uptick in form since they got back from the international break and we’re expecting to see a couple of different things and we’re looking forward to that challenge.

“And then after that, Zagreb away, another massive Champions League match where we have a chance to put some, hopefully, points on the board which would take us one step closer to the knockout stage.

“And then obviously after that, a cup final, a chance for a trophy, which is why you come to Celtic to play in matches like that.

“So yeah, it is a big week.”

(Image: Steve Welsh – PA) Johnston is especially looking forward to locking horns with international teammate Junior Hoilett this afternoon, particularly as he has something of a score to settle with the attacker.

“He’s an unbelievable footballer,” he said.

“Obviously he doesn’t maybe have the legs that he used to have from five years ago, but in tight spaces he’s a joyous footballer.

“And he gave me a right doing in the cup semi-final against Aberdeen last year! So he hasn’t let me live that one down and I haven’t forgotten that one either. But no, he’s a top player and always whenever we play small-sided at national team he’s one of the first picks.

“He’s so good in his space. So he’s someone that we’re going to have to really be aware of, especially if they play in between the lines, which we might see.

“So yeah, we’re expecting a good match

Report: “The team has performed fantastically well,” Brendan Rodgers

4th December 2024; Pittodrie; Scottish Premiership, Aberdeen versus Celtic; Celtic Manager Brendan Rodgers celebrates the win. Photo Vagelis Georgariou

Earlier today we covered the off the park aspects of Brendan Rodgers’ media conference ahead of the match against Hibs, leaving the football questions and answers for a second article which you can read HERE…

Brendan Rodgers named Scottish Premiership manager of the month for November. Image SPFL

Manager of the Month for November

On being named Manager of the Month for November, a delighted Brendan had this to say: “Well, a real collective effort by everyone, so the team has performed fantastically well, and all the staff have been really supportive, so yeah, on to the next game.

4th December 2024; Pittodrie, Aberdeen, Scottish Premiership, Aberdeen versus Celtic; Alistair Johnston in action. Photo Vagelis Georgariou

On Alistair Johnston comments about wins like the one on Wednesday night at Pittodrie being the one that win league titles, Brendan has this to say. “Well, I think that what has been so pleasing over the course of the season has been the variety of ways in which we can win. I think that’s always important as a team. I think our ethos here and our idea and our style is always to play fast, aggressive attacking football, always with technical discipline.

“We’ve seen that identity of the team”

“So that’s our idea and you’ll have seen numbers of games this season where we’ve seen that identity of the team. But you also have to respect that other teams aren’t going to allow you to do that all the time and they’re going to come and make it difficult for you.

Reo Hatate is brought down. 4th December 2024; Pittodrie, Scottish Premiership, Aberdeen versus Celtic. Photo Vagelis Georgariou

“Like Aberdeen, who have done really well this season. They were really compact, and tight, they broke the game up, so you don’t quite have your flow. So you then have to still persist in your work, trust your possession, trust the speed of your game in horrendous weather conditions and then look for those moments, which may only be few and far between. But you have to try to find them and that’s what we’ve done.

“The real pleasing aspect of our victories”

“So I think over the course of the season, that’s been the real pleasing aspect of our victories and wins and none better than, like you say, the game the other night to demonstrate that.”

Next the Celtic manager was asked about the excitement of the next three days over the next week (Hibs in the league, Dinamo Zagreb in the Champions League and theRangers in the Premier Sports League Cup Final). Brendan was having none of that.

4th December 2024; Pittodrie, Aberdeen, ; Scottish Premiership , Aberdeen versus Celtic; Callum McGregor in action .Photo Vagelis Georgariou

He replied: “Well, the focus is tomorrow, I think that was clearly on the mind after Aberdeen. Get back, recover and then look to bring our game and be really proactive in the game tomorrow. So I’m looking forward to it, we love playing at home, we love the energy. Our last home game, we were absolutely brilliant. Our idea is to bring a similar game and that’s something I’m excited about.”

Brendan was then asked about the job David Gray has done at Hibs as he seems to have turned things around after a difficult period.

Sleepless nights

“Yeah, well I’m delighted for David, you get that first win. When you’re young as a manager and you’re into the sleepless nights and you’re thinking of everything. I think they’ve been unfortunate in some games where they haven’t picked up the result earlier. But obviously, the point that they got against Aberdeen will have helped confidence to come back later on. And then to get that victory against Motherwell, it certainly makes the food taste nicer on a Saturday night,” Brendan noted.

4th December 2024; Pittodrie; Scottish Premiership, Aberdeen versus Celtic; Celtic Manager Brendan Rodgers celebrates the win. Photo Vagelis Georgariou

“So yeah, I’m happy for him that he gets the win and he will look to obviously build on that. It’s a big club Hibs, they expect to be up-challenging at the top. And like I said, David’s the perfect guy to help them get there. It’s just sometimes it takes that little bit of time to get going.”

Brendan was then asked about the cushion at the top of the league giving him the opportunity to utilise the full squad with the trip to Zagreb and the cup final in mind.

“Whatever team will send out for tomorrow is out to attack the game”

“Not really,” Brendan replied. “We were doing that anyway. So I think for me, it’s just about obviously using the squad. I have total trust in the group of players to play. So whatever team will send out for tomorrow is out to attack the game.”

Perhaps he would have a job on his hand making the team focus on the Hibs game with minds drifting to what comes next…

Liam Scales celebrates after scoring the opening goal during the Scottish Premiership match between Celtic FC and Ross County FC at Celtic Park on November 30, 2024. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

“So you have to plan forward”

“Not really (again)” Brendan said. “Listen, I’m not going to sit here and say you don’t think ahead. Of course you do, that’s the nature of my job. I have to plan forward, of course. But always, you have to look to the next game as your priority. You need to understand what it is you’re thinking about for playing the Zagreb game like I was when we had Ross County, but we had Aberdeen. So you have to plan forward.

Luke McCowan celebrates scoring the second goal during the Celtic v Ross County Scottish Premiership match at Celtic Park on Saturday November 30, 2024. Photo Steve Welsh

“But that’s an exciting part of the job. It’s absolutely brilliant. I’ve got a great group of players that are hungry, that are ambitious, and they all want to play, which is great. If they don’t, they respect whoever’s playing, they look after their colleagues and then we’re all in to get the result.”

No injuries to worry about 

Asked if the squad had any injury concerns after the gam at Aberdeen, it was good news from the gaffer. “No, we’re all good. We’re in a really, really good place. And I think that is also part of the rotation. I think what enables us to do that, that sometimes if you don’t have the knock-on effect if you don’t have the depth of squad and the strength in your squad, you’re maybe having to play players for 90 plus minutes, three times a week, playing them all the time, which is then you have a greater risk of injury.

“What we’ve been able to do is manage the minutes of the players. And where there has been maybe a little niggle, we can then take someone out. Or if someone has played a lot more minutes, then we have that possibility to take them out. That’s the benefit of having a depth of squad. So I’ve really enjoyed that aspect of it, picking the teams to put out and giving that opportunity for someone to have some breathing space. It also can depend on the game that you’re playing and what it is you want from the game. That will decide who plays also.

Aberdeen v Celtic, 4th December 2024; Pittodrie Stadium, Scottish Premiership Aberdeen versus Celtic; Kasper Schmeichel of Celtic looks to clear long upfield. Photo Vagelis Georgariou

Manager’s thoughts of Kasper Schmeichel

Next Brendan was asked for his thoughts of Kasper Schmeichel and his influence on the team, especially on such a tricky night as Wednesday at Pittodrie.

“He’s been massive for us. Like I say, a game like that, they’re the night. It’s where his style of work fits in – his style and that’s where it comes into play – those pressure moments. The ball goes back, especially in conditions like that there. Goalkeepers or some might not be as comfortable. So they then can end up just defending it and going long too early. And then it comes right back at you. But he brings the calmness.

“As I said, I’ve worked with him a long time. I know his quality. He’s a world-class shot-stopper. He’s great with his feet. His authority in the game is superb. Like you say, his handling is so clean. So he’s been massive for us. Just his whole presence and personality. I’m really happy for him,” Brendan said.

Kasper Schmeichel speaks to his teammates during the UEFA Champions League match between Celtic FC and Club Brugge KV at Celtic Park on November 27, 2024. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

“That has always been his ambition”

On Kasper continuing beyond this season, Brendan reckons that will happen as the Great Dane wants to keep playing. “Yeah, that has always been his ambition. I first met him back in 2019 in Leicester. His hunger and drive and desire. He’s like a young guy, 15 years younger than what he is. He has so much enthusiasm for the game and so much enthusiasm for goalkeeping as well. To throw himself about like he does every single day. I really have a big respect for him.

He’s obviously got his own personal targets in terms of if he can get a World Cup, which he will hope to be at. But I just know that he’s loved his life here. He’s enjoyed his life. Thankfully, he’s performing at a very high level for us.”

Kasper Schmeichel. Hearts v Celtic, 23 November 2024. Photo Vagelis Georgariou (The Celtic Star)

Cameron Carter-Vickers

Finally Brendan was asked just pleased he was for Cameron Carter-Vickers coming up with that massive moment in that game after probably his first mistake in the Brugge game?

“Yeah, I said to him – he and Auston set that up quite well! They made themselves look heroic!

“He’s a brilliant player for us”

“He’s a brilliant player for us. He’s got such authority in the game. Firstly, he’s defending. He’s defending strong. He’s good in duels. He reads the game. He’s brave. You go to war with him, he’s such a strong character. Mentally tough. But then he can play. He can play football. He can pass. He knows these lines of pass. He organises the line well. He’s a big, big player for us. As you say, when you see it back, he’s anticipated and reacted to Auston’s touch and just gets an absolutely critical block on it. That’s what you get from your big players, big moments.”

Celtic vs Hibs weather warning as Storm Darragh to hit Glasgow

A weather warning has been issued for Glasgow ahead of Celtic vs Hibs (Image: SNS/Met Office)

The Met Office have issued a yellow weather warning for rain ahead of the match between Celtic and Hibernian.

Forecasts are predicting heavy rainfall overnight and into Saturday morning as Storm Darragh hits the UK.

Celtic host Hibs in the Scottish Premiership on Saturday with the match being played at Parkhead.

Yellow warning of rain affecting Strathclyde

— Met Office – Strathclyde (@metofficeWScot) December 5, 2024

Glasgow is within the yellow weather warning zone with much of Scotland to be impacted by the downpour overnight.

The Met Office have warned of travel disruption as a result of the adverse weather conditions with 20-30mm of rainfall expected.

That increases to 50-60mm of rainfall on higher ground throughout large chunks of Scotland.

Rain is forecast to stop at 12pm ahead of the 3pm kick-off in Glasgow.

As it stands there have been no concerns raised over the match. However, fans should note potential impact to public travel due to the conditions.

The weather warning comes just weeks after Storm Bert caused chaos on an SPFL matchday.

A number of fixtures were postponed due to the frozen conditions with snow falling overnight and leading to the delay of kick-off at various matches in the top-flight.

Potential postponement of Celtic vs. Hibs due to Storm Darragh fears

Brentford and Brighton in ‘close contact’ with £3m Celtic star that could leave for five times the price

Celtic could be forced to part ways with one of their prized assets in January

Brentford and Brighton & Hove Albion are believed to be in talks to sign highly-rated Celtic winger Nicolas Kuhn in the January transfer window.

The Hoops are flying high at the top of the Scottish Premiership table and Kuhn has been central to the team’s early success with five goals and six assists from 12 league appearances this season.
The former German Under-21 international is at the top of his game at this moment in time and has been a catalyst for Celtic’s impressive form in Europe, with a further two goals and one assist in the Champions League – including an impressive brace against his old club RB Leipzig.

Blessed with quick feet, bags of skill and clinicality in the final third, Kuhn is quickly establishing himself as one of the most sought after footballers in Scottish football and his incredible form in particular has made him a top target for Premier League pair Brighton and Brentford, according to TeamTalk.

Both sides have made a strong start to the current Premier League season and are scoring plenty of goals, but remain in the market to add further squad depth as they look to make a surprise push for European football, with the likes of Aston Villa, Newcastle United, Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur all struggling for consistency at this moment in time.

Brentford boss Thomas Frank, in particular is an admirer of the 24-year-old, and sees Kuhn as the type of player that would fit in well to his attacking style of play at the Gtech Community Stadium.

However, Brighton are also keen on the winger and are believed to hold a good relationship with Celtic due to how smoothly and efficiently the £25m deal for Matt O’Riley was handled over the summer.

Celtic are in no rush to sell Kuhn as he is under contract until 2029. Sources close to the club claim that this puts them in a position of power to demand a high fee which is thought to be around £25m.

TeamTalk claims Celtic are reluctant to let go of Kuhn in January but adds that there is a ‘high expectation’ that he will leave Glasgow this summer.

The SFA’s Strange Friday Decision

John Beaton has been appointed to referee next weekend’s League Cup final between Celtic and Rangers, marking his second consecutive Glasgow Derby assignment this season.

23rd September 2023; Almondvale Stadium, Livingston, Scotland: Scottish Premiership Football, Livingston versus Celtic; Referee John Beaton

The referee previously took charge of Celtic’s 3-0 win over Rangers at Celtic Park in September—a match notable for its intensity but relatively free of major controversy.

While derby clashes are notorious for their high stakes and fiery exchanges, Beaton managed the September encounter with a measured approach, letting the game flow while maintaining control.

Beaton issued eight yellow cards to players and one to Rangers staff member Alex Rae, who reacted furiously to a touchline altercation between Alistair Johnston and Dujon Sterling Diomande. The pair were booked following a brief scuffle that saw both players end up on the ground near the sideline.

While some felt the yellow cards were unnecessary and that a verbal warning would have sufficed, the equal punishment was deemed fair given both players’ involvement in the incident.

The most contentious moment came when Kyogo Furuhashi’s goal was ruled out by VAR for offside.

Callum McGregor threaded a ball through to Nicolas Kuhn, who was judged to be marginally offside before squaring it to Kyogo for the finish.

Replays showed a tight call, with many Celtic fans convinced Kuhn was onside despite VAR’s ruling.

While the decision wasn’t Beaton’s to make, as VAR overruled the on-field goal, it became a focal point of post-match discussion. The offside lines drawn by VAR left little room for error, but questions lingered over the margins.

In the second half, James Forrest found himself at the centre of a potential penalty controversy.

Forrest’s strike was blocked by John Souttar, whose arms were by his side. Moments later, Forrest went down after a challenge in the box.

Beaton waved play on, and VAR backed his call, ruling no handball or foul. This was widely viewed as the correct decision, with Souttar’s defending deemed clean.

Overall, Beaton handled the match well, avoiding any major flashpoints or game-changing errors apart from the contentious VAR offside call, which was beyond his control.

EXCLUSIVE REPORT: Irish striker Kenny set to earn Celtic opportunity after impressive form in Europe for Shamrock Rovers

Celtic are set to hand Irish striker Johnny Kenny the chance to make a first-team impact at Parkhead.

“On that, we’ll quote you.” A BBC host responds to Marvin Bartley’s claim of the Celtic title

Celtic remain unbeaten on the domestic circuit.

If that continues during these coming weeks, then Brendan Rodgers might as well write a book on how to utterly dominate Scottish football because he is about to do it again!

The Irishman’s first stint at Celtic was legendary – and yes, how he left didn’t help matters – but all of that is forgotten about now.

Celtic winning the double upon Rodgers’ return is one reason and so is their start to this campaign, including the performances in the Champions League.

The depth in quality available to the champions is some of the best anyone has seen in a very, very long time and not many can lay a glove.

On Wednesday night, Celtic slapped Aberdeen 1-0 to move seven points clear at the top of the Premiership table – with a game in hand.

The Bhoys are also 11 points clear of Rangers, who are four points behind Aberdeen in the latest Premiership standings.

Rodgers tried to play it all down by insisting that the title race isn’t done, but Marvin Bartley had other ideas.

Marvin Bartley says Celtic won Premiership title before Aberdeen win

If Jimmy Thelin’s side – who recorded a draw at Parkhead for the reverse fixture – had secured three points, then they would have been a point behind now.

But instead, they might as well focus on fighting for second spot with Rangers.

When Bartley claimed that the title race was ‘over before this game (against Aberdeen)’, BBC Sportscene presenter Steven Thompson added by saying ‘we will quote you on that’.

Thompson asked: “Marv, is the league over in December?” To which Bartley responded: “It was over before this game. No-one is going to catch Celtic. They have been that good this season.

“They are going from strength to strength. Bringing in more squad players. Celtic win the league, for me, all day long.”

Thompson then finished off by saying: “Okay, we will quote you on that.”

Celtic can once and for all finish off Rangers after Philippe Clement’s comments

The Aberdeen was the first of some huge domestic games in December, not including a trip to Croatia to take on Dinamo Zagreb in the Champions League.

The League Cup final against Rangers at Hampden is the main event, before the New Year starts with a bang at Ibrox.

Celtic just need to see off these games – and Philippe Clement probably won’t be in a job – and Rodgers would have seen past another Rangers boss.

Clement has claimed recently, as quoted by BBC Sport: “I’m not counting. Nothing is ever decided in December, but we want more points, we want to win every game. I want players who are focused on winning that next game, nothing more.”

Report: McGowan reveals Celtic’s new striker plan

Johnny Kenny is set to become part of Celtic’s first team squad.

The then teenage striker was signed in January 2022 from Sligo Rovers but without making a first team squad he was sent out on loan to Queens Park followed by two stints at Shamrock Rovers.

Kenny’s game appears to have moved up a grade this season, scoring three times in the UEFA Conference with Rovers on course to progress out of the group phase.

That form has been picked up by Celtic who appear to have a top team vacancy for a striker.

Writing in the Daily Mail the well connected Stephen McCowan reports

Celtic are set to hand Irish striker Johnny Kenny the chance to make a first-team impact at Parkhead.

Brendan Rodgers wants a younger goalscorer to provide back-up and competition for Kyogo Furuhashi and Adam Idah.

Kenny, 21, has auditioned for the role by propelling Shamrock Rovers to the brink of the Europa Conference League play-offs.

The Republic of Ireland Under-21 international claimed his third European strike in a stunning 1-1 draw away to Rapid Vienna last week.

Returning to the Tallaght Stadium for a second loan spell from Celtic last January, a total of 18 goals has caught the eye of his parent club, with strikes against Larne and The New Saints lifting Rovers to tenth in the Europa Conference League table, above the likes of Hearts, Copenhagen, Real Betis and Panathinaikos.

Kenny has two more opportunities to impress on the Continental stage, against Borac Banja Luka and Chelsea, before returning to Parkhead where he is under contract until 2026.

Much will depend on whether Kenny returns to Celtic as Plan C for the second half of the season or if there is a plan to give him playing minutes.

Liam Scales has shown that it is possible to move from the League of Ireland and evolve into a Champions League player with the signs being that Kenny will get the same opportunity.

Haha! Watch Neil Lennon’s response when Kris Boyd warns Celtic about the championship.

Kris Boyd closed out Sky Sports’ coverage from Pittodrie with the phrase ‘Be afraid, Rangers are back’.

That seemed to be inspired by news from Ibrox of a 6-0 win for Phil Clement’s side but it is fair to say that Neil Lennon and Jonny Hayes are unlikely to have many sleepless nights over the thoughts of their Sky Sports colleague.

Boyd watched last night’s action unfold from the Sky Sports studio at Pittodrie- giving him the perfect view of Reo Hatate’s goal in the 78^th minute.

That exquisite strike came after the final whistle at Ibrox which might have given Boyd a flicker of hope that there could be a serious challenge to Celtic in the SPFL.

Hatate’s goal took Celtic to 40 points out of 42 from their first 14 matches- an incredible strike rate that if continued would see them smash through the 100 points barrier.

? “Be afraid, Rangers are back”

Kris Boyd on tonight’s other Scottish Premiership results ??

— Sky Sports Scotland (@ScotlandSky) December 4, 2024

Elsewhere in the world at 11 point gap at the start of December wouldn’t quite be the end of the title race but in Scotland things are very different.

Thirteen wins and a draw to start this season is similar to how Celtic finished last season where they won nine and drew once in their final 10 matches which followed their last domestic defeat, away to Hearts on March 3.

Sky Sports will be at Dingwall on Sunday to see if Phil Clement’s side can make it four wins in a row but by kick-off time they could be 14 points behind if Celtic take care of Hibs at home on Saturday

Undoubtedly a Joke: Boyd’s Funny Rangers Warning to Celtic Following Wednesday’s Outcomes

Kris Boyd hit out with a hilarious warning to Celtic live on Sky Sports after Rangers’ 6-0 win over Kilmarnock on Wednesday night.

The ex-Gers striker was covering Celtic’s hard-fought 1-0 victory at Pittodrie but kept a keen eye on events at Ibrox, where his old team ran riot.

Philippe Clement’s men now have three wins on the bounce. They have scored 11 goals in their previous three matches, too, and conceded just once.

They are gaining momentum, but Boyd’s warning left many in the Sky Sports studio at Pittodrie in hysterics.

Indeed, towards the end of the programme, host Eilidh Barbour mentioned Rangers’ 6-0 win, to which Boyd replied: “Be afraid, Rangers are back.”

Ex-Celts Neil Lennon and Jonny Hayes couldn’t contain their laughter:

Boyd surely had to be joking, but mind you, such delusion seems to have plagued the Rangers fanbase over the past few years.

Granted, they are gaining momentum at the perfect time, although we can’t forget how poor they have been all season long: being 11 points behind Celtic in early December proves the Ibrox club’s dismal start to the campaign.

Fans are beginning to turn one eye to the League Cup final, which takes place a week on Sunday. While Clement and his men might be ‘back’, Celtic, based on their incredible start to the season, remain favourites heading into the Hampden showdown.

Veiw Video: Aberdeen Star’s Attempt to Con Referee vs Celtic

One of the more contentious moments of Celtic’s 1-0 victory over Aberdeen at Pittodrie came in the second half when Dons forward Duk appeared to go to ground in the penalty area under minimal, if any, contact.

With the match still goalless at the time, it was a flashpoint that could have had major ramifications, but it seems to have escaped significant scrutiny in the post-match analysis.

The incident occurred as Duk collected the ball on the edge of the box, displaying quick feet to get past Greg Taylor and drive into the area. With Auston Trusty and Kasper Schmeichel closing in, the forward went to ground, seemingly anticipating contact rather than being fouled.

Referee Don Robertson waved play on, much to the frustration of the home fans but it was the right decision, but the lack of post-match focus on the incident raises eyebrows.

Why the Silence?

Had this been a Celtic player, there’s little doubt the moment would have been dissected at length, with pundits quick to discuss intent and whether the player tried to deceive the referee.

The lack of attention given to Duk’s fall speaks volumes about the differing standards applied when Celtic are involved in controversial moments.

4th December 2024; Pittodrie Stadium, Aberdeen, Scotland; Scottish Premiership Football, Aberdeen versus Celtic; Duk of Aberdeen shields the ball from Callum McGregor of Celtic

When players from other teams go down easily, these incidents are often brushed aside. Yet, similar actions from a Celtic player would likely dominate the headlines and provoke widespread outrage.

Peter Grant on Celtic TV accused the player of diving earlier in the game to get Alex Valle a yellow card and he was none too impressed with the Aberdeen player’s attempt to win a spot kick.

No Case for a Penalty

It’s clear there was no real case for a penalty. While Duk did well to manoeuvre into a dangerous position, replays suggest no contact was made by either Taylor, Trusty, or Schmeichel. Instead, the forward seemed to be looking for a decision that was never coming.

4th December 2024; Pittodrie Stadium, Aberdeen, Scotland; Scottish Premiership Football, Aberdeen versus Celtic; Celtic players celebrate

As Celtic fans celebrate a hard-earned win, questions remain over why moments like Duk’s tumble are swept aside.

Auston Trusty’s Outstanding Celtic Post-Match Interview

Auston Trusty has quickly become a vital figure in Celtic’s defence, and despite a nervy late moment in the 1-0 win over Aberdeen, the American defender remains a key part of Brendan Rodgers’ plans. Speaking live on Sky Sports after the match, Trusty reflected on the team’s confidence, resilience, and his ever-improving partnership with fellow centre-back Cameron Carter-Vickers.

“The Team is Confident”

Celtic were made to work for their victory at Pittodrie, with Reo Hatate’s 78th-minute strike and Carter-Vickers’ stunning late block ensuring all three points in difficult conditions. Trusty highlighted the belief within the squad that no matter how long the game remains on a knife-edge, they have the quality to come out on top.

“The team is confident, no matter how long the game goes on this team is confident we can get the win,” Trusty said. “I think it shows the characteristics of the team, we back ourselves no matter how long it stays at 0-0.”

Saved by a huge CCV Block

Trusty himself had a moment to forget late in the match when, off balance, he inadvertently gifted the ball to Ester Sokler in a dangerous area. However, his centre-back partner and compatriot Carter-Vickers came to the rescue with a perfectly timed block that denied Sokler a certain equaliser. It was a moment of relief for Trusty, who will no doubt be grateful for Carter-Vickers’ intervention.

Building Chemistry at the Back

Trusty also spoke about his developing relationship with CCV at the heart of Celtic’s defence, praising the growing understanding between the two American internationals.

Soccer Football – Champions League – Celtic v RB Leipzig – Celtic Park, Glasgow, Scotland, Britain – November 5, 2024 Celtic’s Auston Trusty celebrates after the match REUTERS/Russell Cheyne

“We’ve known each other for a good bit now,” Trusty explained. “It’s getting better and better, the chemistry is getting better and there’s more to come.”

Liam Scales will feel hard done by to drop out of the side, especially after his performance against Ross County at the weekend, but it’s clear who Rodgers favourite pairing is.

With the team seven points clear at the top of the table, the Hoops will need their defensive solidity as they approach a critical period, including matches against Hibs, a Champions League trip to play Croatia Zagreb.

For now, Trusty and Carter-Vickers are proving to be the foundation upon which Celtic’s title charge is built.

It feels about right’ – Hearts chief aims dig at ‘sad’ Celtic supporters at AGM after away ticket debate

Tynecastle chief executive Andrew McKinlay answered questions from supporters at the club’s AGM on Wednesday

Hearts CEO Andrew McKinlay believes cutting Celtic and Rangers ticket allocation to 630 at Tynecastle “feels about right” as he took aim at away supporters amid the ongoing ticket fiasco.

The limited number of briefs for travelling fans during the Hoops recent trip to Gorgie sparked a massive backlash from Hoops supporters after the Jambos took the decision to cut all away allocations with the exception of city rivals Hibs last season amid bumper season ticket sales and an increasing demand from walk-up punters for home tickets.

The new regulations mean that Celtic and other Scottish Premiership clubs are allowed just one section of the Roseburn stand, which has led to widespread anger with the Green Brigade releasing a statement last month criticising Hearts for causing “unnecessary division an friction amongst our support.”

Celtic and Rangers now get a smaller ticket allocation at Tynecastle.

Asked by one club shareholder at today’s AGM if the time is right to stop selling tickets for away league matches with a waiting list of 7,000 for season tickets, McKinlay said (as per the Edinburgh Evening News): “I understand that from some of the Celtic supporters. Personally, I think we have it just about right at the moment. I think what we’ve got to do is to take all the teams other than Hibs to 630. It feels about right.

“I would love some away support not to be here but I do think that it’s actually quite sad that there are certain other clubs that can’t manage to accommodate away support as part of football.

“What I would also say, and I think it’s really important, and I touched upon it in my talk is it’s important that we sell out our end of the ground so that we can then open our ticket exchange because there are thousands on waiting lists and I’m sure they look around the stadium each week and think there’s loads of seats that are emptying and there are.

“That is the prerogative of a season ticket holder, to come when they wish, and I get that but if we could sell out, then we’d get onto the ticket exchange and that would allow other fans to come and enjoy the experience. As with all clubs, when we publish the attendance at games it’s based on ticket sales numbers and not the actual number that come into the stadium.

“Obviously, for safety reasons and other reasons, we know exactly how many are in the stadium and, without giving the exact numbers, when we played Celtic, we were about 5,000 down on the number that we announced.

“When we played Aberdeen last weekend, we were about 3,000 down. So there are plenty of seats in the stadium. It’s just how we manage to get to a stage where we can sell them and the way we do that is to sell out the rest of the seats, so we can then go to ticket exchange.”

During the BBC post-match interview, Rodgers declines to accept bribes.

Brendan Rodgers dismissed any suggestion that the league title is already decided after Celtic’s 1-0 victory over Aberdeen at Pittodrie sent them seven points clear at the top of the SPFL table.

The Celtic manager was asked in his post-match interview if the gap at the summit meant the league was already won, but Rodgers refused to take the bait. Instead, he reinforced his focus on maintaining standards and navigating the challenges ahead in what he described as a long campaign.

“There are 38 games, so it’s nowhere near done,” Rodgers told the BBC. “I understand people will look at it that way, but for us, there’s such a long way to go.”

The Hoops boss made it clear that complacency is not a factor within the squad. “We’re trying to get through the games, play well, but there’s no thought of that [title] in the players’ minds. Our culture is very much based around winning, and we know we have to work very hard in our training and on the pitch to do that.”

Rodgers’ composed response highlighted his experience in managing pressure and expectation. While Celtic have built an impressive lead, especially with rivals dropping points in recent weeks, Rodgers was keen to emphasise that the title race is far from over.

The victory at Pittodrie, sealed by Reo Hatate’s goal and Cameron Carter-Vickers’ crucial block, showcased Celtic’s ability to grind out results in difficult circumstances. However, Rodgers is acutely aware that there are still months of football to play.

The manager’s grounded perspective will be applauded by the supporters who know that nothing is guaranteed in December. With plenty of games still to come, Rodgers and his team are firmly focused on maintaining their consistency and extending their unbeaten run.

Celtic fans are blessed with a number of talented players within the squad who can come in from the sidelines and do a job.

Brendan Rodgers did some great summer transfer work as he spent over £30m at Celtic after bringing in the likes of Auston Trusty, Arne Engels, Paulo Bernardo and Luke McCowan to the club.

And whilst all four of these players have made a big impact for Celtic this season, there is a debate about who should start in the Hoops midfield alongside Callum McGregor this season.

Luke McCowan and Paulo Bernardo got their big chance with a start against Ross County at Celtic Park at the weekend.

The 5-0 win had both players on the scoresheet and it also had Michael Stewart delivering his big verdict on who he would rather see start for Celtic between McCowan and Bernardo moving forward this season.

Michael Stewart explains why he would pick Luke McCowan for Celtic over Paulo Bernardo

Stewart told BBC Radio Scotland, “Luke McCowan has been bright so far and when I look at Luke McCowan I do think to myself, there is definitely scope for him to get more game time, I feel.

“I mean, if you put me on the spot and say who would I pick Luke McCowan or [Paulo] Bernardo, I would personally be picking Luke McCowan.

“And it’s good to see him get a game today and good to see that he is getting on the score sheet and yes, he has settled in quickly.

“He’s a very, very good player.”

Luke McCowan should play for Celtic in the Champions League if Arne Engels ‘is not involved’

But the debate didn’t stop there. With Rodgers seemingly preferring either Engels or Bernardo to start in Champions League games for Celtic, Stewart said the Hoops boss must rethink that and put McCowan in as part of his European plans.

Asked if McCowan should start more games in UEFA’s elite tournament, Stewart continued, “Yes, I personally, I would, because I think he’s bright, he’s involved a lot and I think he is a goal threat as well.

“Brendan Rodgers will see things in training as well and maybe he sees something that I don’t at the moment.

“But I personally, I like him. I’ve liked him as a player for a good number of years and I see him at Celtic he looks like the type of player who certainly has settled in that you see him as a type of player with better players around him he will continue to grow and be better himself.

“And he makes an impact. His deliveries from set pieces, he’s put the ball for the corner for Liam Scales’ goal.

“His general deliveries from wide areas are good. He’s a goal threat. I like him as a player and I think that if Engels was not involved, he certainly would be in my thoughts.”

I suppose Celtic fans should be thankful that there is so much quality within the squad any one of these players could come in and do a good job in beside Callum McGregor and Reo Hatate.

And another positive is that if either McGregor or Hatate need to be rested or suffers a drop in form, then Rodgers has at least three players waiting in the wings to step in and there won’t be a significant drop in quality.

McCowan will undoubtedly see more first-team football this season. Celtic’s fixture schedule will see to that.

With Rodgers facing three games in seven days from Wednesday, it is likely all named Celtic midfielders will be pitched in at some point as the Hoops boss looks to keep his squad fresh, fit and healthy for the Scottish Premiership title race and the assault on the Champions League.

Celtic eye move for 22 y/o who’s been “absolutely on fire” in front of goal

Celtic are looking to complete the January signing of an attacker who has been “absolutely on fire” over the last year, according to an exciting new transfer report.

Celtic transfer news

The Hoops are being linked with plenty of new signings currently, with an audacious move for Manchester United midfielder Christian Eriksen being mooted in some quarters, in what would be a high-profile piece of business.

The Scottish Premiership giants may have to wait until the end of the season to snap up the Dane, however, at which point he will be out of contract at Old Trafford and available on a free transfer. At 32, his best days are now behind him, but that’s not to say that he wouldn’t be a hugely exciting addition to Brendan Rodgers‘ squad.

A separate transfer claim has suggested that Celtic are eyeing two attacking players in the January transfer window, with left-sided and central options being eyed. They wouldn’t necessarily be immediate starters, whoever the additions are, but the plan would be to provide Rodgers with even more depth in the final third.

Rumours also continue to link the Hoops with a move for Motherwell’s highly-rated young midfielder Lennon Millner, but the likes of Newcastle United and Rangers are also thought to be providing competition for his signature. The teenager has started 13 league games this season, scoring two goals and registering four assists in the process.

Celtic eyeing January move for attacking sensation

According to a new update from Football Insider, Celtic are interested in signing Brondby attacker Mathias Kvistgaarden in the January window, having been linked with him in the past as well. The Hoops have “set their sights” on the 22-year-old, who is a long-term target, with the player himself suggesting that he “would be interested in a move away.”

Kvistgaarden could be an ideal January signing for Celtic, acting as one of the aforementioned additions midway through the season, bolstering Rodgers’ squad in the process. Granted, playing time wouldn’t be too easy to come by, considering the likes of Kyogo Furuhashi and Adam Idah are already good options to lead the line, but he has plenty of pedigree and would be a long-term capture.

Kvistgaarden has scored 10 goals in just 12 starts in the Danish Superliga this season, highlighting his prolific nature in front of goal, while football talent scout Jacek Kulig lauded him for being “absolutely on fire” at one stage last season.

The fact that Kvistgaarden could be available in January instead of next summer would be an added bonus for Celtic, allowing them to sign an exciting young player earlier than expected.

As mentioned, he may have to accept that he would have to bide his time, in terms of starting regularly, but his record this season suggests he could immediately be a healthy threat to Kyogo and Idah, among others.

Green Brigade raise over £21k and fill seven vans with food donations

Green Brigade Annual Foodbank Collection, 2024. Photo Green Brigade

Absolutely outstanding effort from the Green Brigade on Saturday at their Annual Foodbank Collection for 2024 which so far has raised £21,364.67 in cash donations that will now be distributed across Scotland and Ireland over the next few days helping families in need…

Green Brigade Annual Foodbank Collection, 2024. Image: Green Brigade

As well as cash donations the Celtic supporters group also collected seven full vans of food which will now be distributed to various food banks across Glasgow and the West of Scotland.

The Green Brigade have also thanked everyone who donated at the game against Ross County on Saturday afternoon.

“Big thank you to all who donated to our annual foodbank collection on Saturday. This enormous act of solidarity and generosity from the Celtic support will help those most in need this Christmas,”  Green Brigade stated.

Big thank you to all who donated to our annual foodbank collection on Saturday.

This enormous act of solidarity and generosity from the Celtic support will help those most in need this Christmas.

— North Curve Celtic (@NCCeltic) December 2, 2024

Green Brigade Annual Foodbank Collection, 2024. Photo Green Brigade

Celtic Scottish Cup Draw: Bring on Kilmarnock

Celtic have learned their opponents for the Scottish Cup fourth round, with a tie against Kilmarnock now confirmed following Monday night’s draw.

The Hoops, along with other Scottish Premiership clubs, entered the competition at this stage. Brendan Rodgers and his squad will face a familiar foe in Kilmarnock, a side they’ve already encountered domestically this season. And the only club to own a cup victory over a Brendan Rodgers Celtic side when Killie knocked the Hoops out of the League Cup last campaign.

Celtic Hampden Memories

Celtic will hope to replicate the form that secured their thrilling Scottish Cup triumph last season. Fans still have goosebumps at the dramatic final at Hampden, where Adam Idah scored in the dying seconds to seal victory after Paulo Bernardo’s effort was stuck right into the Irishman’s path.

Soccer Football – Scottish Premiership – Celtic v Kilmarnock – Celtic Park, Glasgow, Scotland, Britain – August 4, 2024 Celtic’s Liam Scales celebrates scoring their second goal Action Images via Reuters/Lee Smith

Full Fourth-Round Scottish Cup draw:

• Dumbarton vs Airdrie

• Cove Rangers vs Forfar Athletic

• Dundee vs Dundee United

• Dunfermline vs Stenhousemuir

• Falkirk vs Raith Rovers

• St Johnstone vs Motherwell

• Queen’s Park vs Montrose

• Ross County vs Livingston

• Hibs vs Clydebank

• Rangers vs Fraserburgh

• Brechin vs Hearts

• Queen of the South vs St Mirren

• Hamilton Accies vs Musselburgh Athletic

• Elgin City vs Aberdeen

• Broxburn vs Ayr United

• Celtic vs Kilmarnock

The fourth-round ties are scheduled to take place in January, with exact dates and kick-off times to be confirmed shortly, it will be the weekend of the 18th. Celtic will want to build on their recent league form and continue their pursuit of another Scottish Cup success.

Before that though they have a hectic festive fixture list that includes champions league travels and a League cup final.

News on Scottish Cup fourth round draw: Celtic begin defence, big derby clash, trio land plum Rangers, Hearts and Hibs ties

Celtic will begin their Scottish Cup defence against Kilmarnock as the fourth round draw threw up plum Premiership ties for three non-league clubs and a huge derby clash.

The Hoops, who are bidding to lift the trophy for the third season in succession after victories in the previous two finals over Inverness Caledonian Thistle and Rangers, were handed a home tie against Derek McInnes’ men in last night’s draw, carried out by former Hearts manager Steven Naismith.

Rangers begin their Scottish Cup quest on home soil after Highland League side Fraserburgh landed a dream trip to Ibrox in a reverse of the 2018 fixture at the same stage of the competition which saw a Gers side managed by Graeme Murty claim a 3-0 win at Bellslea Park courtesy of a Josh Windass hat-trick.

West of Scotland side Clydebank have also been rewarded for reaching the fourth round with a trip to Easter Road to face Hibs, while Highland League leaders Brechin City, who dropped out of the SPFL after suffering relegation from League Two in 2021, will host Hearts at Glebe Park.

Steven Naismith (R) and Jane Lewis during the Scottish Cup Fourth Round draw after the third round match between East Kilbride and Falkirk at K Park. (Photo by Craig Foy / SNS Group) | SNS Group

The tie of the round, however, could take place at Dens Park after Dundee and Dundee United were drawn against each other in a repeat of the 2013 quarter-final at the same venue, which United won 2-1. The other all-Premiership affair will see St Johnstone host Motherwell.

Elgin City welcome north-east neighbours Aberdeen in what is a glamour tie for the current League Two leaders, while Ross County host Livingston and St Mirren travel to Queen of the South.

The draw was conducted live on BBC Scotland after Championship leaders Falkirk became the final side to book their place with a 3-1 win at East Kilbride. Alfredo Agyeman and Calvin Miller put the Bairns two up at half-time and although Scott Ferguson threw the Lowland League outfit a lifeline by pulling one back in the 87th minute, Callumn Morrison scored at the other end less than a minute later to kill off any hopes of a home comeback. The reward for Falkirk is a home tie against manager John McGlynn’s former club, Raith Rovers.

The fourth-round matches will be played on the weekend of January 18 and 19.

Scottish Cup fourth round draw:

Dumbarton v Airdrie

Cove Rangers v Forfar Athletic

Dundee v Dundee United

Dunfermline v Stenhousemuir

Falkirk v Raith Rovers

St Johnstone v Motherwell

Queen’s Park v Montrose

Ross County v Livingston

Hibs v Clydebank

Rangers v Fraserburgh

Brechin City v Hearts

Queen of the South v St Mirren

Hamilton Accies v Musselburgh Athletic

Elgin City v Aberdeen

Broxburn Athletic v Ayr United

Celtic v Kilmarnock

Aberdeen midfielder Leighton Clarkson issues ‘no fear’ of Celtic message – who he says could find rocking Pittodrie ‘really tough’

Midfielder Clarkson says Pittodrie can rock opponents, including Premiership leaders Celtic, when it is at capacity and bouncing.

Aberdeen’s Leighton Clarkson celebrates scoring to make it 1-0 against Hearts. Image: SNS.

Midfielder Leighton Clarkson says Aberdeen have no fear of Premiership leaders Celtic ahead of their top-of-the-table clash at Pittodrie – not with the Red Army behind them.

Aberdeen face the Hoops on Wednesday for the first time since crashing to a 6-0 loss to the Parkhead side in the Premier Sports Cup semi-final in October.

Clarkson insists valuable lessons have been learned by boss Jimmy Thelin and the Dons after their semi-final shocker.

The 24-year-old pinpoints being too passive as a major fault in the semi defeat – and is confident there will be no repeat.

Celtic are unbeaten in the opening 13 Premiership games this season with their only dropped points a 2-2 draw with Aberdeen at Parkhead.

Clarkson insists the Reds can go one better by ending their unbeaten league run.

He said: “We can’t fear them.

“Before the 6-0 at Hampden, we had a decent record against Celtic by drawing the last three games.

“We’ll give them total respect, but we’ll be going out and looking to perform to the best of our ability – and trying to take the three points.”

Aberdeen’s Leighton Clarkson scores to make it 1-0 against Hearts. Image: SNS.

Lessons learned from 6-0 mauling

The heavy 6-0 loss to Celtic at Hampden delivered the first setback in what has been a superb start to the season under Thelin.

Aberdeen were brushed aside by a ruthless Hoops side who were 3-0 up at the break at the national stadium.

What have the Dons learned from the defeat?

Aberdeen’s Leighton Clarkson looks dejected at full time after the 6-0 loss to Celtic. Image: SNS.

“A mixture of things, I think,” said Clarkson.

“The balance of counter-attacking, keeping hold of the ball, maybe not being as passive.

“I felt at Hampden we were a bit passive and Celtic have got really good players. When you give them half a yard, they can punish you and they did.

“It’s happened, but that 6-0 loss is in the past now. We look forward.

“In the games since then, the spirit’s always been there. The fight’s always been there.

“You saw it at the end against Hearts. We’ve got that real togetherness in the squad still.

“We need to be at it on Wednesday.”

‘When Pittodrie is bouncing, it can rock other teams’

Aberdeen battled back from 2-0 down at half-time to secure a 2-2 draw with Celtic at Parkhead in October.

The Reds were neck-and-neck with Celtic at the top of the Premiership table before the winless run which extended to three games with Sunday’s 1-1 draw at Hearts.

Thelin’s second-placed Reds trail league leaders Celtic by four points – with the Hoops also holding a game in hand.

Clarkson reckons a packed Pittodrie can give the Reds an edge.

Aberdeen have a flawless home record this season – with 11 wins from 11 games at Pittodrie in all competitions.

Clarkson said: “We’ll have Pittodrie behind us, backing us all the way.

“A game under the lights can’t come much better than that.

“When Pittodrie is bouncing, it can rock other teams – and hopefully they’ll be there in full force on Wednesday night.

Pittodrie before kick-off between Aberdeen and Rangers. Image: SNS.

“When you get that place bouncing, it’s a really tough place to go for opponents.

“We’ll be at it Wednesday night and the crowd will be with us, too.

“We have a good record at home so, hopefully, we can take the three points.”

‘Ill’ Ross County stand-in keeper praised for Celtic clean sheet

Ross County goalkeeper Jack Hamilton makes a save from Celtic’s Alex Valle (Image: PA)

Jack Hamilton wasn’t even certain to be included in the Ross County squad to face Celtic last weekend after battling an illness all week, manager Don Cowie has confirmed.

Ross County’s back-up goalkeeper had missed several training sessions throughout the build up to the huge Scottish Premiership away clash and didn’t even travel with the team.

But in a dramatic turn of events, he was named among the substitutes with Cowie clearly not expecting to have to call on the 30-year-old shot-stopper.

What would then occur arguably wasn’t in the script.

Ross County found themselves 5-0 down at Celtic Park as the hosts ran rampant in an exhilarating first half performance.

Regular goalkeeper Ross Laidlaw went on to suffer an injury and it meant that Hamilton would have to get his gloves on and hope to prevent a more damaging scoreline come full-time.

The former Heart of Midlothian, Dundee and Greenock Morton star done exactly that by keeping a clean sheet during the second half, making several key saves in the process.

“It was an excellent performance,” said Cowie. “Jack had not been with the group for the past two or three days, he had been ill, so he only came straight to the ground on Saturday.

“He wasn’t in the hotel on Friday night, he wasn’t there for a pre-match. He just came to meet us because he had been feeling unwell.

“He had to be thrown in that situation. Great credit to him – I thought he performed very well.”

My dad was a Celtic legend – now I need help honouring his final wish

The daughter of Celtic and St Mirren great Frank McGarvey has raised £25k for a cancer charity in a bid to honour her dad’s parting wish

The daughter of Celtic and St Mirren legend Frank McGarvey has raised £25,000 for Pancreatic Cancer Action Scotland in an effort to fulfil her dad’s dying wish.

Jenny Kane teamed up with the charity and has been raising awareness of the disease since the 66-year-old’s passing on New Years Day last year. McGarvey – who scored 109 goals in his 245 appearances for the Hoops, began experiencing extreme pain in 2022 which saw him visit doctors regularly, who were initially unable to diagnose the cause.

He was suffering from chest pains, loss of appetite and weight loss, was given painkillers and indigestion medication before a CT scan confirmed the presence of the deadly cancer.

Speaking previously to the Daily Record, Jenny admitted: “Dad went to the doctors five or six times in spring 2022 and was misdiagnosed. As a former footballer, he had a high pain threshold, but he was in agony. The doctors were giving him painkillers and indigestion medication which weren’t helping.

“It felt like no one was looking at the bigger picture and tracking how much weight he was losing. I had never heard of pancreatic cancer before, but I knew deep down there was something that wasn’t right. It took six weeks after his diagnosis before the doctors even started talking to Dad about treatment.

“Pancreatic cancer feels like the forgotten cancer. My Dad died in pain. No-one should have to go through that suffering.”

Pancreatic cancer is the deadliest of all common cancers, with a five-year survival rate of less than 8%. In Scotland alone, more than 900 people are diagnosed with the disease each year, and in the UK, 26 lives are lost to pancreatic cancer every day. With early diagnosis, survival rates improve – but the symptoms are often missed, delaying crucial treatment.

Two years on from Frank’s participation in raising awareness at Glasgow Central station, Jenny has brought the fight to beat the disease to Parkhead and has successfully managed to raise the significant sum for World Pancreatic Cancer Day through the incredible efforts of Frank’s family, friends, and the wider community.

Jenny said: “When my dad was diagnosed, he said to me, ‘Jenny, we need to tell people about this.’ That’s why our family is working with Pancreatic Cancer Action – to make sure others don’t miss the signs like we did. We’re fighting for earlier diagnosis, so no one else has to miss out on a future with their loved ones.”

McGarvey’s son, Sean added: “The £25,000 raised in memory of my dad is such a comfort to our family at this time. The work Pancreatic Cancer Action does is inspirational and reminds me of my dad’s plea at the end, which was to help others who have to face this awful disease. Thank you so much to the charity, and everyone who was involved in the fundraising.”

Joe Kirwin, Chief Executive Officer, Pancreatic Cancer Action, commented: “We extend our heartfelt thanks to everyone who has contributed to this incredible effort. Your generosity not only honours Frank’s memory but also supports our mission to improve early diagnosis and raise awareness of pancreatic cancer.”

You could argue that Celtic are pretty happy with their current Champions League standings.

Brendan Rodgers’ side are 20th in the league table, in a play-off spot, and three points behind fifth-placed Atalanta with three games to play.

A trip to Croatia to take on Dinamo Zagreb is on the horizon followed by a home clash against bottom-of-the-table Young Boys and then Celtic’s mouthwatering trip to Aston Villa.

The Bhoys will be backing themselves to win, at least, two of those matches and then you never know what is around the corner, in regards to a top-eight finish.

But Celtic will be kicking themselves after their 1-1 draw against Club Brugge last time out, which was a point fans would accept, but would still be disappointed with because of the expectations before a ball was kicked.

That first-half performance was very poor and Cameron Carter-Vickers’ own goal was an embarrassing moment for the player and one that he will want to forget pretty quickly, but there seems to be an ‘explanation’ behind it all.

Gab Marcotti says ‘freaking loud’ Celtic fans contributed to Cameron Carter-Vickers’ own goal

One of the great things about this revamped Champions League format is that it increases Celtic’s chances of reaching the knockout stages.

If that happens – and it should – then it will allow Parkhead to showcase why it is probably the best stadium on European nights.

Italian reporter Gab Marcotti touched upon the Celtic fans and how they are so ‘freaking loud’, including how he was told that contributed to Carter-Vickers’ own goal because the players couldn’t hear each other, as he told ESPN.

“A horror goal to concede from Cameron Carter-Vickers,” said Marcotti. “Brugge, I actually think are a good side. It’s easy to underrate them.

“The interesting thing was that it was reported that it was so loud that they just couldn’t hear each other. You should go to YouTube and check this out, but it’s a pressing action and they are trying to play out from the back. Celtic, by the way, are not used to being pressed given that they play in the SPL. They have obviously worked on this, it’s simply that Schmeichel runs out to receive the ball at the near post or just outside the near post. Carter-Vickers doesn’t know that he is there. They are talking and shouting at each other.

“One of the explanations I heard is that Celtic Park is just so freaking loud. Those fans are so noisy.”

What Callum McGregor said about Carter-Vickers’ own goal

Going by the players themselves, it seems as though noise and a lack of communication played a part in that own goal going in.

Callum McGregor, unfortunately, had one of the best views in the house when that ball slowly hit the back of the net.

And he shared on TNT Sport, after the match, that it was ‘so loud’ that Carter-Vickers didn’t hear him shout.

“I think Nicolas does well to get the pass to Cam, but I think he’s surprised by it, and obviously he’s getting pressed,” said McGregor.

“And it’s so loud in here that he hasn’t heard me. I’m screaming for him that I’m not on so it’s one of those things. We just move on. It happens.”

Celtic eye move for 22 y/o who’s been “absolutely on fire” in front of goal

Celtic are looking to complete the January signing of an attacker who has been “absolutely on fire” over the last year, according to an exciting new transfer report.

Celtic transfer news

The Hoops are being linked with plenty of new signings currently, with an audacious move for Manchester United midfielder Christian Eriksen being mooted in some quarters, in what would be a high-profile piece of business.

The Scottish Premiership giants may have to wait until the end of the season to snap up the Dane, however, at which point he will be out of contract at Old Trafford and available on a free transfer. At 32, his best days are now behind him, but that’s not to say that he wouldn’t be a hugely exciting addition to Brendan Rodgers‘ squad.

A separate transfer claim has suggested that Celtic are eyeing two attacking players in the January transfer window, with left-sided and central options being eyed. They wouldn’t necessarily be immediate starters, whoever the additions are, but the plan would be to provide Rodgers with even more depth in the final third.

Rumours also continue to link the Hoops with a move for Motherwell’s highly-rated young midfielder Lennon Millner, but the likes of Newcastle United and Rangers are also thought to be providing competition for his signature. The teenager has started 13 league games this season, scoring two goals and registering four assists in the process.

Celtic eyeing January move for attacking sensation

According to a new update from Football Insider, Celtic are interested in signing Brondby attacker Mathias Kvistgaarden in the January window, having been linked with him in the past as well. The Hoops have “set their sights” on the 22-year-old, who is a long-term target, with the player himself suggesting that he “would be interested in a move away.”

Kvistgaarden could be an ideal January signing for Celtic, acting as one of the aforementioned additions midway through the season, bolstering Rodgers’ squad in the process. Granted, playing time wouldn’t be too easy to come by, considering the likes of Kyogo Furuhashi and Adam Idah are already good options to lead the line, but he has plenty of pedigree and would be a long-term capture.

Kvistgaarden has scored 10 goals in just 12 starts in the Danish Superliga this season, highlighting his prolific nature in front of goal, while football talent scout Jacek Kulig lauded him for being “absolutely on fire” at one stage last season.

The fact that Kvistgaarden could be available in January instead of next summer would be an added bonus for Celtic, allowing them to sign an exciting young player earlier than expected.

Celtic and Rangers have been enjoying some very good results in Europe over the last couple of months as both clubs compete in the Champions League and Europa League respectively.

Celtic have beaten RB Leipzig and Slovan Bratislava so far this season and have suffered a heavy defeat to last season’s Champions League finalists Borussia Dortmund.

Brendan Rodgers’ Bhoys have also drawn with Atalanta and Club Brugge as the current Scottish champions go toe to toe with Europe’s elite clubs in UEFA’s flagship tournament.

Rangers on the other hand are competing in UEFA’s second-tier tournament and, to be fair to them, have also recorded some decent results.

With wins over Malmo, FCSB and Nice Rangers are going well in the Europa League despite being hammered 4-1 by Lyon at Ibrox and drawing with Olympiacos.

And after the latest round of European fixtures has been concluded, FIFA has released their rankings and where Celtic place compared to Rangers is very interesting indeed.

FIFA ranks Celtic 25 places higher than Rangers

FIFA looks after the rankings of all six continents in world football so when the last rounds of all of UEFA’s European tournaments concluded last week, this is where Celtic and Rangers rank.

In 37th place, Celtic rank higher than Feyenoord (42nd), Bayer Leverkusen (45th) and next Champions League opponents Dinamo Zagreb (49th).

Remarkably, Young Boys who are yet to pick up a single Champions League point this season ranks 35th with RB Leipzig being pencilled in at 11th.

As for Rangers, they are the second-worst team in the FIFA rankings at 62nd with only Besiktas placed below them.

Celtic and Rangers’ upcoming big Champions League and Europe League nights

Celtic and Rangers both have big European nights coming up this month as the Glasgow clubs look to progress in Europe this season.

Rangers have former Celtic boss now Spurs manager Ange Postecoglou making a return to Ibrox as he brings his Spurs team to Glasgow to face the third places Scottish Premiership side.

Celtic have a trip to Dinamo Zagreb as the current Croatian champions struggle for form this season.

If both clubs can win their ties then at least a play-off place will be be guaranteed as well as European football beyhond January which should help boost Scotland’s coefficient this season.

Celtic man wants to perform ‘better’ as Rangers poach key backroom figure from Premiership rivals

Celtic and Rangers have both been in Scottish Premiership action this past weekend

Celtic beat Ross County 5-0 at Celtic Park to keep their push for another title on track. Liam Scales, Luke McCowan, Paulo Bernardo, Callum McGregor and Adam Idah scored all their goals in the first-half against the Staggies.

Meanwhile, Rangers won 1-0 away at St Johnstone after a Jason Holt own goal. Here is a look at the latest news regarding the Glasgow pair…

Celtic man’s message

Celtic midfielder Bernardo has said he believes he can do ‘better’ following their emphatic win over Ross County. The former Benfica man thinks there is even more to come from him with the Hoops.

He has said: “We play at a high level so we need to be playing every game at that high level. We don’t have easy games – we make the games look easy. That phrase is our motivation for these games. We need to look at every game the same way. We’re playing in the Champions League but we have to win the league.

“Every game is very important to us and we have to do it from the first whistle. What we show on the pitch is the work that we do in training and in our analysis of our game. We try to always play the best football and we try to show the fans that we are a very good team by playing football that is really good to watch too. It was a really good game for us. We got the three points which is our objective every game, we scored five goals and we didn’t concede. So it was very good for us as a team.”

He added: “I try to not focus on that (talk from fans). I try to do my best in the games and in training to show that I can play from the start. The manager makes his choices and I have to respect them and try to do my best when I can.

“Every game is a chance to do the right thing. I’m happy with my performances so far but I still think I can do better. It’s just about hard work in training to have these opportunities in the games. We have a lot of quality. I think every player deserves to have an opportunity and when we have the opportunities we have to show to the coach that he can trust us. We did really well on Saturday and I’m proud of the game we produced.”

New face at Rangers

Rangers have brought in Kevin Bain from Scottish Premiership rivals Aberdeen as their new head physio. The backroom staff member has made the switch to Ibrox from the Dons as he embarks on a fresh start in his career.

The former Ross County and St Mirren man worked under Jim Goodwin, Barry Robson, Neil Warnock, Peter Leven and Jimmy Thelin during his time at Pittodrie. He leaves behind a side who are sat in 2nd place in the table behind Celtic after their impressive start to the campaign.

5 reasons for cheers since Celtic fans got snide with Santa from believing in Brendan to something no one expected

It’s been a big 12 months at Parkhead and Record Sport has looked at the big changes since Father Christmas copped it

Santa at a Premiership match at Celtic Park

Everyone at Celtic laughs about it now. It even became a gag at the end of last season when everything turned out just swell.

But it was nothing to chuckle about at the time. Especially for poor old Santa. Saint Nick copped it at Celtic Park when he made an appearance at half-time when the Hoops were 2-0 down to Hearts and on their way to a miserable festive defeat. It might have been a fairly trivial thing and a misplaced target of frustration. But it felt like a kind of key moment that could threaten to define an entire season and underline the bad feeling around the club.

Celtic was far from a happy place back then – unlike the tinsel covered place it is now. A year is a lifetime in football but there has been a massive turnaround in just about every department at Parkhead – which is why this is turning out to be a season to be jolly. Here we look at what’s changed since supporters got snide with Santa…

The boss

Brendan Rodgers admitted when he returned he had work to do to win back some of the fans with some bad blood remaining about his departure first time around. But he clearly had a tougher job on his hands than even he expected. He suffered from some post Ange angst in the stands, with plenty pinning for the departed Aussie.

The performances didn’t help either. Celtic went out of the League Cup at the first hurdle at Kilmarnock and lost there in the league too.

Brendan Rodgers

Home displays against St Johnstone and Motherwell were pretty grim and the loss to the Jambos saw patience snap. Celts were five points clear at the top but not firing and Rodgers even apologised after the Hearts defeat and made promises about signings in the January window.

Now? Brendan is box office and well and truly back in the good books. He recruited well in January, got the team firing and picked up a double with a spectacular run toward the end of the season. It’s rolled into this term and even gone up a notch. The boring build up play has been replaced by thrilling swashbuckling style. The trust in the gaffer is back.

The players

Rodgers had lost star turns like Jota and Carl Starfelt and the summer window was frankly a shambles. There was also the problem with Israeli winger Liel Abada stepping back amid strife in his homeland and Palestine protests in the stands.

Celtic brought in 11 players but only one – Luis Palma – started the Jambos game and he got hooked. Rodgers also had to rely on David Turnbull and Mikey Johnston, players who knew they were on the way out. The arrival of Adam Idah and Nicolas Kuhn in January helped, as was the players getting to grips with Rodgers’s demands.

A year on and the manager has the ‘quality’ he wanted. So much so he could make six changes from Europe and still stuff Ross County for five.

The board

It wasn’t just Santa who copped it a year ago. There were chants of ‘Sack the Board’ as chairman Peter Lawwell and chief exec Michael Nicholson found themselves in the firing line amid frustration the manager was not being properly backed in the transfer market despite record figures in the club’s accounts.

Fast forward a year and just look at last month’s jovial AGM to see how the stance has softened towards the board. The team is leading the charge but the club has £77m and broke their transfer record twice to land Idah and Arne Engels, while banking £25m plus for Matt O’Riley. Celtic fans will always demand more but there is an acceptance now the club is well run.

The atmosphere

It’s no exaggeration to say Parkhead was poisonous back then. It was the perfect storm with some resentment over Rodgers, frustration at perceived penny pinching and the running battles between the club and sections of the support like the Green Brigade ultras.

The Abada situation caused a major rift with Celtic chiefs furious at a banner celebrating the attacks on Israel and the constant stream of fines being handed down by UEFA for flags and fireworks.

Celtic fans during

Bad blood spilled over early on after the draw with St Johnstone and it rumbled over right through the festive period with the team even booed off after a win against Ross County in the January.

The Celtic Park mood has certainly lightened these days. The ground was at his ear-splitting best for the Champions League win against RB Leipzig and there is even more patience these days on the rare occasions when things are not quite happening. Rodgers’s name rings around the ground once more and it’s gone from being a house of pain to being a happy place again.

The rivals

A year ago Rangers were shown signs of a revival under Philippe Clement after a nightmare start saw Michael Beale pack his bags. Hearts were on the charge to third as well but it was the Ibrox men who were the danger.

The gap was five points after the Jambos loss but the Light Blues had a couple of games in hand with the Old Firm game on the horizon. The chat was the title race was back on and Celtic were in real jeopardy of leaving the door open for their rivals.

Now they are in danger of blowing them all away. Rangers are already in their slipstream 11 points back with Clement clinging on to his job. The Old Firm Premier Sports Cup Final is just over a week away and it will be huge with the most successful team in Scotland tag up for grabs with both clubs locked on 118 trophies.

Aberdeen have been the nearest challengers after a stunning start to the season. But the Dons have stumbled in recent weeks and Celtic have the chance to go seven points clear with a win at Pittodrie on Wednesday. Should the Hoops triumph, Santa might as well bring the Premiership trophy with him on this year’s visit to Parkhead.

Celtic have been on a bit of an exciting Champions League journey so far this season.

Brendan Rodgers got his Champions League campaign off to a flier after Celtic destroyed Slovan Bratislava 5-1 at Parkhead.

The Bhoys were then humbled as Celtic crashed to a 7-1 defeat at Borussia Dortmund as last season’s finalists taught them a serious Champions League lesson.

However, Celtic bounced back against Atalanta with a superb draw in Bergamo and Rodgers followed that up as the Hoops hammered RB Leipzig at Celtic Park.

But it was in Celtic’s draw with Club Brugge that Japanese winger, Daizen Maeda, admits that he witnessed something he’s never seen his teammates do before in UEFA’s elite competition.

Daizen Maeda blown away by ‘good gesture’ in Celtic’s draw vs Club Brugge

Celtic fans will never forget Cameron Carter-Vickers’ own goal against the Belgians as the Hoops earned a point in the draw.

But it was what happened afterwards that blew the Celtic winger away.

Maeda told The Herald [print edition page 70], “In the time I have been here, we have never had a huddle as we did after the goal.

“But we are disciplined and it showed how much we wanted to win the game. It was a good gesture in a difficult moment.

“What happened to him [Carter-Vickers] was not only his fault, it was a team thing and we will all take part of the responsibility.

“He has been a leader for this team and he will keep being so.”

Daizen Maeda’s impact for Celtic in the Champions League

Maeda has looked like a new player this season for Celtic under Brendan Rodgers. The Japan international has been on fire with ten goals and four assists so far.

But it’s in the Champions League where Maeda is now being talked about for Celtic in the same circles as Moussa Dembele.

With three goals in the tournament, here is where Maeda has made the biggest impact in the Champions League for Celtic.

Celtic 5 v 1 Slovan Bratislava: Maeda scores Celtic’s fourth goal ten minutes after the Slovakians pulled a goal back at 3-0 down.

Borussia Dortmund 7 v 1 Celtic: The Japan international equalised minutes after the Germans took the lead and gave the travelling Hoops fans hope. We all know what happened next.

Celtic 1 v 1 Club Brugge: Maeda scored a superb equaliser some of the best players in Europe would have been proud of.

Stop what you’re doing and watch this finish from Daizen Maeda 🔥

It’s all square at Celtic Park!

— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) November 27, 2024

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Not only that, Maeda was a pest against RB Leipzig as his pressing and harrying suckered the Bundesliga side into making a mistake for Celtic and Nicolas Kuhn’s second goal.

Maeda is, without doubt, one of Celtic’s most important players in the team and is quickly being elevated into hero status in many of the Hoops fans’ eyes.

Another huge week is on the horizon for Celtic in the Premiership.

A trip to Aberdeen awaits Celtic on Wednesday night, before they host Hibernian at Parkhead and it provides a chance for the team to push further away in the title race.

On Saturday afternoon, Celtic beat Ross County 5-0, with second-placed Aberdeen dropping points at struggling Hearts and they are now four points behind the champions after playing a game extra.

Given what is awaiting Brendan Rodgers and his players in these coming weeks and months, this is a massive chance to go seven points clear, with a game in hand and provide that much-needed cushion.

If that happens, then it will allow the Celtic boss to rest and rotate his players on the domestic circuit in a more free manner, before the fixtures continue to pile up on top of each other, especially in Europe and with knockout football around the corner.

Luke McCowan is expected to play a starring role for his team in these coming weeks and he was asked about that Aberdeen clash.

Luke McCowan says Celtic dressing room talking about Netflix series ‘Starting 5’, not Aberdeen

McCowan was outstanding against Ross County and he will be hoping to keep his place in the XI for the Aberdeen match.

The last time the two met in the league, it was a 2-2 draw at Parkhead and McCowan was asked in his post-match press conference if that has been spoken about in the dressing room, including the chance to increase the points gap.

But the summer capture shut it down and shared that the players are, instead, talking about the Netflix series

A reporter asked: “When the 2-2 game was here against the Dons a few weeks ago, you were level, both pretty much flawless in the campaign, but it could be the case on Wednesday night you are (seven) points clear and start to really create a gap. Is that what you are looking to do, is that what you are talking about in the changing room?”

McCowan responded in a blunt fashion: “No, no, no. We are not talking about anything like that. We are talking about what we are watching on Netflix. Starting 5.

“You don’t look at that and think, well I don’t anyway and I can’t speak on behalf of them, but sit and think about league tables. Performance levels are massive. Training intensity is massive. You just go with that and as the games build up, if the points are there and you are at a gap, then so be it. But it’s all about performance levels here.”

McCowan’s stats ahead of Aberdeen clash

The 26-year-old has only been in the building for a few months, but he is already a very popular player with the fans.

McCowan being a boyhood Celtic fan helps, as well as starting life in Glasgow so well, to the point that some think he should now be starting on a regular basis.

WhoScored have rated McCowan’s performance in the Premiership at 7.13, with six-goal involvements to his name.

TournamentAppsMinsGoalsAssistsKeyPSpGPS%MotMRatingPremiership3(6)321331.41.985.317.13Champions League0(1)16––––50–6.06

Celtic enraged me with derisory offer to replace their best player – ‘people will be crying tears of laughter’

Finding a player in the Swede’s class was always going to be a tall task but Celtic cast their net wide

Rivaldo played in a star-studded Brazil side at the 2002 World Cup (Image: ANTONIO SCORZA/Getty Images)

“This shows what a loss he’s going to be for us – he’s a genius.”

Alan Thompson, the man who created so many assists for Henrik Larsson, had one final remark to make about his legendary team-mate. Celtic supporters were basking in the glow of another trophy in the Martin O’Neill era as the Hoops hero said goodbye in the only way he knew how.

Larsson bagged a brace to sink Dunfermline 3-1 in the Scottish Cup Final, his last-ever appearance for Celtic in May 2004 after a wildly-successful seven-year stay in Glasgow. Two hundred and forty-two goals in 315 appearances – Larsson’s storied Celtic run was over. But the tears that flowed after his final game at Parkhead against Dundee United were replaced by beaming smiles as the striker and his team-mates celebrated the Double.

Amoroso spent time on trial with Celtic

Larsson said his goodbyes and headed for Barcelona after Frank Rijkaard convinced him on his Nou Camp rejuvenation project, with the Catalans falling behind Real Madrid and Valencia in La Liga pecking order. And the quest to find someone, somewhere, to replace Larsson, was well under way.

O’Neill was able to bring box-office signings during his time in Glasgow but most of his big-money arrivals happened in his first two seasons. The trio of Chris Sutton, John Hartson and Neil Lennon cost almost £20million between them. Those three players fit the Irishman’s signing profile to a tee.

Tough, proven in the English Premiership and all itching to prove a point, O’Neill had the magic touch when it came to lighting a fire under his big-game hunters. But the rules had changed by the time of Larsson’s emotional farewell. Celtic had one of the biggest budgets in British football and had been topping up their squad with the likes of Ulrik Laursen, Momo Sylla and David Fernandez – affordable squad options from Scottish rivals.

So how do you solve a problem like replacing Henrik? The Day After Tomorrow was the big summer blockbuster of 2004. It was a film about the world changing beyond recognition and it resonated with a Hoops faithful still reeling after Larsson’s exit.

Finding a player in the Swede’s class was always going to be a tall task but Celtic cast their net wide and weren’t afraid to throw all their chips on the table.

O’Neill was nothing if not ambitious and his No.1 target certainly ticked the boxes when it came to glamour and prestige. Rivaldo, one of the finest players of his generation, was the player the former Leicester boss envisioned attempting to fill the boots of the Parkhead side’s favourite son.

The 32-year-old attacker was a free agent after leaving Cruzeiro, following a mixed two-year spell with Euro heavyweights Milan.

O’Neill – never known for his softly, softly approach in the transfer market – failed to press the right buttons as he offered the Barcelona icon a trial for the club’s pre-season tour of America.

The move was met with incredulity. The player’s representative Carlos Arime claimed “people will be crying tears of laughter” when they discovered Celtic’s intentions. And Arime had a point. Rivaldo would go on to prove there was life in the old dog yet after netting 43 times in 95 appearances during a storied three-year spell with Olympiacos following Celtic’s botched pursuit. The World Cup winner was off the table but another pursuit of a Samba star was to fizzle out.

Larsson shares a moment with O’Neill after winning Scottish Cup in the striker’s last Celtic game

Marcio Amoroso was a goal machine during his time with Dortmund but concerns over a knee injury and reports of an attitude the size of Christ the Redeemer meant any potential deal was a non-starter.

The 19-times capped Selecao star trained with Celtic in May. O’Neill remained coy when asked about a deal for the forward but his agent appeared keen to get him Stateside in a bid to win a deal.

But no contract offer ever materialised for Amoroso and the Scottish champions were back to square one in their search to fill the goal-shaped hole Larsson left behind. Dimitar Berbatov, still with Bayer Leverkusen at the time, was also linked.

Celtic had no time to wait and the search was becoming increasingly desperate. The Hoops were under no illusion a new striker had to be unearthed and a deal was struck with Wolves to bring Henri Camara to Glasgow. Camara, who finished the 2003/04 season like a runaway train after taking his time to settle at Molineux, was being chased by a host of clubs before Celtic won the race for his signature.

And the clamour to sign the Senegalese international was reflected in the price tag as the Hoops splashed out £1.5m for a 12-month loan deal – a fee that was a British record at the time. Camara was on board but Celtic felt they still needed an added X-factor in attack and were back in the market in the search for further creative talent.

O’Neill, who almost exclusively shopped in the UK market, was in for a Premiership star to further bolster his squad. And the Brazilian beat was still ringing O’Neill’s ears as he made his move for Middlesbrough icon Juninho.

There was genuine excitement about the capture of the 31-year-old Riverside legend to complement a front three of Camara, Sutton and Hartson. But despite a rip-roaring debut against Rangers, Juninho was never able to live up to the lofty expectations and played just 22 times during an ill-fated year in Scottish football.

The diminutive playmaker’s spell in Glasgow wasn’t helped by O’Neill’s insistence of playing him on the right, rather than his preferred position through the middle, and being lumbered with Larsson’s iconic No.7 jersey.

Camara also failed to make the grade but there was more to shout about with him. He scored eight times in 18 league appearances and the jet-heeled attacker set up Sutton’s equaliser against Barcelona.

But the striker was never able to catch a break as Larsson’s shadow loomed larged. The Swedish icon returned to Parkhead that night and found the back of the net to remind every Celtic fan of what they were missing.

Although Camara’s strike rate was decent, he never appeared able to replicate his predecessor in terms of forging a strike partnership with either Sutton and Hartson. He returned to Wolves in January to free space for a player who could handle the burden of leading the line for Celtic.

Enter Craig Bellamy. The forward was bold as brass but the out-of-favour Newcastle striker had a point to prove after falling foul of Graeme Souness. The Welshman breathed new life into Celtic’s season and his brilliant displays should have sealed a fourth title in five years for Celtic.

Bellamy netted nine goals in 15 appearances but it was his stunning effort to sink Rangers and put the Hoops five points clear with four games to go that perhaps proved his most telling contribution. The jet-heeled attacker hobbled off, though, and would miss the game against Hibs six days later as O’Neill’s side instantly coughed up their advantage over their rivals.

Bellamy would return weeks later but he could only watch on as Scott McDonald scored a double and the helicopter headed to Easter Road as Rangers won the title at the death. And that crushing loss was part of the final chapter in O’Neill’s Celtic story.

Yes, the Hoops did win the Scottish Cup Final six days later against Dundee United but the five-year thrill ride had come to its conclusion at Fir Park the week prior. Larsson’s departure was a precursor to changed days coming Celtic’s way and O’Neill’s exit 12 months later confirmed as much.

Gordon Strachan took the reins in the summer of 2005 and he ushered in a new style on a reduced budget. O’Neill had previously warned of the “life in the slow lane” that was to come. But Strachan weathered an early storm to win three consecutive titles and reach the last 16 of the Champions League.

Celtic have given their supporters plenty to shout about since the King of Kings abdicated his Parkhead throne but no one has ever quite been able to fill his boots. Yes, the quest to replace him proved futile but that was always going to be the case.

What made Larsson so special was there wasn’t another “genius” like him.

The Celtic manager is a chess grandmaster as Rangers boss edges ever closer to checkmate – Keith Jackson

Brendan Rodgers and Philippe Clement might work in the same city but they operate in completely different worlds

Celtic boss Brendan Rodgers and Rangers manager Philippe Clement

In less than two weeks’ time they’ll come together on the south side of Glasgow.

But, although Brendan Rodgers and Philippe Clement will share the same postcode for an afternoon on the touchline at Hampden Park, these two managers are now co-existing in two completely different worlds. If such a thing is even possible. And for the time being at least.

On Saturday, Rodgers saw his long term vision for Celtic being realised and coming together in front of his eyes. Having spent so much of his first season back in town banging on about the need for his squad to be reinforced with ‘quality’ additions, he must have felt as if this first half disemboweling of Ross County was a moment of vindication.

It’s what he had in his mind’s eye from the start. The manpower required to fight on two fronts, in the Champions League and in the domestic game, without skipping a beat.

Better still, to be able to make wholesale changes to his starting XI and to find that these tweaks and alterations might actually improve the energy and intensity of his side’s performance rather than heighten the risk of a drop off. Rodgers swapped out a total of six players from the team he selected to face Bruges on Wednesday night and four of these so called second stringers – Liam Scales, Luke McCowan, Paulo Bernardo and Adam Idah – had got themselves on the scoresheet before County had made it inside to the sanctuary of the dressing room at the interval.

This was wrecking ball stuff from the champions and rock solid proof Rodgers is a manager in complete and utter control, not only of his own team and its destiny but also of the direction his football club is moving in.

His plan for Celtic is now crystalising and his reputation is being re-established and re-enhanced accordingly. There’s now mounting evidence to suspect that Rodgers 2.0 might end up being a considerable upgrade on his first stint in charge, when the consistent rattling off of trebles became entirely routine and almost matter of fact.

He’s now engaged in playing managerial chess, with the calmness and authority to think five moves into the future. Meanwhile, across the city, Clement continues to fly by the seat of his pants, cobbling his Rangers side together on a game-by-game basis without any indication that he really knows what the outcome of his decisions might be.

The Belgian might have scrambled his way to three points in Perth yesterday afternoon thanks to an own goal from Jason Holt but, one year into the job, there is still no identifiable style or substance to the manager’s work.

And nothing to suggest he actually knows what it is that he is actually trying to achieve, other than survive in the job from one week to the next. It has felt as if Clement has been banking on the incompetence of the men up the stairs to blind them from what has been glaringly obvious to everyone else for quite some considerable time.

While Rodgers has it all methodically and meticulously worked out at Celtic, Clement is throwing muck at the wall in the hope of seeing what sticks. He doesn’t know if he can trust his captain enough to play him. Can’t work out who should partner John Souttar at the back. Chops and changes the shape and balance of his midfield three like he’s pinning a tail on a donkey.

And has absolutely no idea who should be leading his attack as a reliable, fully functioning centre forward. Amidst this muddled uncertainty, the likes of Nico Raskin and Ianis Hagi have emerged from nowhere to walk into his first team – even though both of these players looked to be on the way out just a few months ago.

Clement even went to the trouble of embarrassing Hagi in public by saying that the Romanian should find a new club during the summer window as he simply wasn’t talented enough to cut it as a Rangers No.10.

James Tavernier celebrates with Ianis Hagi and Ridvan Yilmaz after St Johnstone’s Jason Holt turns the ball into his own net

And yet there he was yesterday at McDiarmid Park, as the most likely creative spark in Clement’s team and the man whose assist got the manager back down the road again without suffering any fresh collateral damage.

And yet the feeling remains that Clement is now in nothing more than a holding pattern ahead of that showdown with Rodgers in less than a fortnight’s time. If timing is everything in this game then incoming Rangers CEO Parick Stewart has certainly picked his moment to arrive on the scene.

The former Manchester United man, who carries with him a very serious reputation, will start work 24 hours after the Premier Sports Cup Final has been won and lost, and while the dust kicked up at the national stadium is still settling.

But he’ll already be keeping an eye fixed on the manager and his team from a distance and forming his own conclusions over what is required in order to get his own Ibrox tenure off to a solid start.

Stewart has been around the block at Old Trafford enough to know what it looks like when a manager is struggling to keep his head above water. They’ve had enough of them over the last decade or so. And he’ll know too the dangers involved by choosing to do nothing more than hope for the best against all the odds.

That’s precisely what Rangers have been doing since the start of the season, crossing their fingers that Clement might still turn a listing ship around. As a result of their inactivity and of the work that Rodgers has been busy putting together in Glasgow’s east end, the outcome of a cup final between these two sides has never felt so inevitable.

So much so that a Rangers win on December 15 might be considered as a borderline freakish result. And that itself tells the story of where Rodgers and Clement are living right now. In the same city for the time being but in very different worlds.

Forgotten Celtic player could have shock start vs Hoops as sacking lands ex-Rangers boss eye-popping severance

Rangers and Celtic both had victories added to their accounts this weekend in the Premiership.

First up this weekend were the champions and they ran riot against Ross County. A star-studded first half inspired them to a 5-0 victory against Don Cowie’s side with Celtic now facing Aberdeen on Wednesday night.

Rangers were the Sunday lunchtime game on TV and it won’t be racing to the top of the highlights charts. After a swashbuckling thrashing of Nice in the Europa League on Thursday, a subdued 1-0 win against St Johnstone was clinched through an own goal by ex-midfielder Jason Holt.

Philippe Clement’s host Kilmarnock on Wednesday. Here are some of the latest stories with Rangers and Celtic flavours.

Forgotten goalie could start vs Celtic

Aberdeen may have an injury worry to contend with against Celtic – and the deputy is a man some Hoops fans may have forgotten all about. Ross Doohan is the back-up at Pittodrie, coming through the Celtic academy, having seven loan spells before leaving in 2022 permanently without much senior involvement. He’s been at Aberdeen since 2023.

Four in a row- fresh blow for Dinamo Zagreb as Celtic match looms

Nine days before facing Celtic in the Champions League Dinamo Zagreb have lost 1-0 away to Haduk Split.

With Celtic on eight points and Dinamo on seven the winner of the December 10 match will put themselves in with a great chance of progress into the Round of 16 Play-Offs when the final two fixtures are played in January.

While Brendan Rodgers’ side are in top gear domestically Dinamo are now sitting in third place in the Croatian League, four points behind Rijeka and Hadjuk with a game less played than Rijeka.

Canadian striker Niko Sigur scored the decisive goal in the 54^th minute, a message or two may be exchanged with Alistair Johnston before Celtic kick-off in the Croatian capital.

Kraj utakmice.

— GNK Dinamo (@gnkdinamo) December 1, 2024

Zagreb are now on a run of four matches without a win but will have an edge in preparation over Celtic before the Champions League tie.

While the hoops face Aberdeen on Wednesday and Hibs on Saturday the Croatian champions will only play Slaven Koprivnica on Friday ahead of their match against Celtic.

Dinamo will be at home for Friday’s match, looking for their first win in five against opponents currently sitting in sixth place and on a three match winning run.

Celtic’s next home match in the Champions League is on January 22 at home to YB Berne who beat St Gallen 3-1 today.

YB are currently in ninth place in the Swiss League with a break between December 15 and January 18 before they face Celtic.

Andy Halliday says Lawrence Shankland would ‘go to Celtic’

Celtic are in a strong position heading into the January transfer window.

Compared to last season, when there were chants of ‘sack the board’ during Celtic’s defeat to Hearts in November, the club enters this window in a far healthier manner.

Brendan Rodgers has stated that Celtic want to do business and talk about who could come in has already started.

Quite a lot of noise has centred around the midfield places, with some arguing that could be the strongest part of Rodgers’ squad.

From Motherwell star Lennon Miller to Burnley’s soon-to-be out-of-contract star, Josh Brownhill, many names have popped up.

But another name was discussed, in regards to the forward areas, especially after Rodgers stated he wants three strikers back in August.

As of this moment, Kyogo Furuhashi is Celtic’s main man, with Adam Idah, who scored during the thumping win against Ross County on Saturday, as the back-up option.

But how about a man who is expected to leave his current club and arrive, not in the winter, but perhaps in the summer of 2025?!

Andy Halliday says Lawrence Shankland would ‘go to Celtic’

The Scotland international isn’t hitting the high notes of last season, but that still hasn’t stopped noise around his future.

As Si Ferry touched upon on Open Goal, Lawrence Shankland ‘expects to leave Hearts’, with his contract expiring next summer.

Andy Halliday stated that Shankland would ‘go to Celtic’, but former Bhoys youth product Paul Slane shut it down by stating that he simply ‘wouldn’t suit’ Rodgers’ style.

“In the last few games, where I have watched Shanks, every part of his game, apart from goalscoring, has been great,” shared Ross McCormack.

“Shankland said he expects to leave Hearts and there is ‘no progression made on a new deal, he is free to talk to other clubs in January,” shared Si Ferry. “Would Celtic take him?”

Paul Slane responded: “No, I don’t think so.” And then McCormack asked: “Do you think he would go to Celtic?”

Andy Halliday then chipped in: “I think he would go to Celtic.” Before Ferry reminded the panel: “He did say he wanted three strikers at the start of the season, didn’t he, Rodgers?!”

Slane then claimed: “I don’t think he suits Celtic’s style. The way we press.”

Shankland’s stats v Kyogo Furuhashi and Adam Idah

At the end of the day, it’s about the here and now, as Shankland simply isn’t good enough for the levels of Celtic.

Yes, he scored 31 goals last season in all competitions, but it’s December now and, as posted by Transfermarkt, he only has one goal for Hearts this term – Callum McGregor has scored more from just outside of the box.
′

Then you need to look at the competition facing Shankland, if Rodgers wants and gets that third striker, then he needs to have the ability to challenge what is ahead of him.

Shankland wouldn’t be able to do that, with Kyogo, not just levels above, but miles ahead of the Scotsman.

The Japan star has seven goals to his name this season, including five in the Premiership, with Idah doing better, in comparison to the minutes he is playing.

Talented Luis Palma found wanting in dirty side of the game

Mid-Season Friendly, Showgrounds, Sligo 9/10/2024 Sligo Rovers vs Celtic Celtic s Luis Palma celebrates with the match ball after scoring a hat trick Luis Palma celebrates with the match ball after scoring a hat trick 9/10/2024 Photo :INPHO/Tom Maher

Luis Palma was left out yet again yesterday. It’s now looking ominous for the Honduran international winger…

Celtic teamsheet versus Ross County, 30 November 2024

Luis Palma on Saturday was left out of the Celtic match-day squad for a third consecutive premiership match, leaving supporters to reach the conclusion that the the Honduran’s time at the club is drawing to a close.

It can’t be a coincidence, Luis is not injured as he’s been playing for Honduras recently, so it looks like he has fallen down the pecking order at Celtic with Brendan obviously preferring his four wingers of Kuhn, Maeda, Forrest and Yang. That leaves no room for a fifth winger in the squad and Palma will have to work hard to impress his manager or await an injury to perhaps open the door for him.

Honduras 2-0 Mexico Luis Palma celebrates his goal 2-0 of Honduras during the Quarterfinals first leg match between Honduras and Mexico as part of the Concacaf Nations League 2024-2025 at Francisco Morazan Stadium on November 15, 2024 in San Pedro Sula, Honduras. Photo Adrian Macias, IMAGO (The Celtic Star)

Luis doesn’t help himself either by uploading social media posts when the side are playing, and that attitude has angered some supporters, as well as the manager.

It’s a shame really as Luis Palma quite clearly has the talent to succeed at the club as he’s shown on more than a few occasions, but you can have all the ability in the world, but if your attitude isn’t right, then you won’t get far with an elite coach like Brendan Rodgers and a top club like Celtic.

30th October 2024 Celtic Park, Scottish Premiership Celtic versus Dundee Luis Palma of Celtic hits a pass while Ethan Ingram of Dundee tries to close him down Photo: ActionPlus David Young

It looks increasingly likely that a January move for Luis Palma is on the cards, either a loan or permanent deal if something can be arranged.

The Celtic squad has adapted brilliantly to how Brendan wants to team to play but there has obviously bene some players that have moved on because they aren;t suited to the manager’s plans. That is football.

30th October 2024 Celtic Park, Scottish Premiership Football, Celtic versus Dundee Lyall Cameron of Dundee shields the ball from Luis Palma of Celtic. Photo ActionPlus David Young

I think in this instance, it’s a move that will suit both parties as Luis Palma is clearly a talent. Playing as a winger and doing his part in the press is something that he has not been close to achieving. The dirty side of the game, the tracking back and the defending from the front. Kuhn and Maeda do it brilliantly, the latter being world class in that aspect of his game, but it’s more about the talent and the flair for Palma as he knows that he’s got both.

In the modern game it’s nowhere near enough.

Just an Ordinary Bhoy

Celtic Star Books – Buy Two Get One Free Offer!

A nice wee offer which runs from now until midnight on Wednesday 4th December. Order any two books from celticstarbooks.com then select a third book FREE OF CHARGE. Just put the two you are buying into the shopping cart and then in the notes section just mention the third book that you’d like. And if you want us to send that book to a different address, perhaps as a Christmas gift, in the UK then we’ll happily do that too!

Choose from the books shown below, although we are out of stock on The Celtic Rising and also Walfrid & The Bould Bhoys but the rest are available.

Rodgers eyes one signing to ‘complete’ Celtic as Hoops force Gary Lineker into unlikely statement – Parkhead news bulletin

Do Celtic need anything in January? One pundit thinks there’s one position in particular that needs some TLC

Brendan Rodgers just needs one signing to ‘complete’ his Celtic team – and while it would be expensive, he may get it in January.

That’s the view of pundit and former Celtic hero Pat Bonner who believes a new physical No.6 to ease the burden on Callum McGregor could be the final piece in Brendan Rodgers’ jigsaw. On the face of it, attacking signings appear the most likely for the Hoops next month, with Rodgers admitting he wants a third striker while reports suggest a new left-winger, perhaps to replace Luis Palma, could be on the agenda.

But Bonner thinks if Rodgers is going to improve the squad, he should look deeper within his system to do it. They’re hardly short on options there with immutable skipper McGregor joined by Reo Hatate, Arne Engels, Luke McCowan and Paulo Bernardo. But Bonner believes another physical presence would unlock a change of shape – and in doing so, ‘complete’ the squad.

He said on Sportsound: “Rodgers here for the period. He’s enjoying himself at the moment. He’s building a team. And I think there’s a little bit more to go on. I think he’ll go to the market again and try and find the player that could come in alongside Callum McGregor.

“Callum could play, actually, further forward for the team. But when it comes to Europe, where you’re looking for maybe two players to play in that number six, I think he could do with one, bigger, stronger, but still technically good player. And that may take a bit of money, but it could also be the one that would finish this team off.”

Celtic Fan’s Embarrassing SSB Rant

An entitled Celtic fan embarrassed himself on Clyde 1 Superscoreboard this evening after the Hoops romped to an emphatic 5-0 victory over Ross County in the Scottish Premiership.

Liam Scales, Luke McCowan, Paulo Bernardo, Adam Idah, and Callum McGregor all scored to put the Bhoys well in front at the break.

23rd November 2024; Tynecastle Park, Edinburgh, Scotland; Scottish Premiership Football, Hearts versus Celtic; Adam Idah of Celtic celebrates after he shoots and scores from the penalty spot in the 94th minute to make it 4-1 to Celtic

Despite the Scottish Premiership champions’ electric first-half performance, the particular supporter who phoned in post-match had seen enough and left Parkhead to head home at the break.

He claimed that he is ‘bored’ of one, how good Celtic are, and two, the poor standard of their competition in Scotland. These claims are nothing but entitled, and the particular fan should take a long, hard look at himself.

It is genuinely puzzling how a Celtic supporter can become bored of domestic success.

For many years of their history, the Bhoys haven’t been as prosperous as they currently are in Scotland: the 1990s should be enough for any fan to never take anything – trophies or even the club’s existence – for granted again.

We are currently amidst one of the most trophy-laden spells in Celtic’s over 130-year history, and the fact the particular supporter on the radio tonight said he is bored of seeing ‘his team’ win should be enough to get his season ticket, if he even has one, blocked.

Apart from Celtic, few teams can lay a glove on their money mens recent financial acumen.

The present team is mix and match. Today’s squad selection proves this.

They can not only have a team on the park playing. Also they have one in reserve. Be almost a training game, in the second forty-five today.

Nothing wrong with this, but teams like Aberdeen have shown they can compete, until suspensions/injuries/loss of form mount up.

So should the Hoops squads statistics and medals.

Life’s a rollercoaster.

Amazing that you feel so strongly about that fan, even calling for the removal of his ST no less (!) yet happy to promote and support the GB scumbags who cost the club fortunes in UEFA fines, and have no interest in the club only themselves.

I dont agree with the guy but I would rather hear the views of a genuine STH than anyone from the GB.

Quite telling how the GB routinely now, totally ignore the iconic 67th minute of home games with genuine fans flashing their mob lights so that they can continue their pathetic, outdated, bigoted nonsense.

They will, no doubt, be counting up their pyro, sorry, “foodbank” fundraising campaign from yesterday.

I imagine they think the whole world will be impressed with whatever boring tifo/pyro display is exhibited on 15th Dec.

They need to know that no one cares.

Guy was pathetic tho reckon he some hun type motherwell/ oldco fan type plenty of these cretins in brigadoon scotland! Keep winning I love it!! Rodgers created the new Celtic winning machine n 2016 and its killing these huns with reversible scarves as the man said ” anyone but Celtic for these orcs! Another Treble on the way!! Yessss

Block that orc! On a champions site total weirdo!! They crave our validation and relevance! Never happening ! You let your club die ! Cause you didn’t cared you all used to for the hate and poison that spewed out of the cespit breeding ground of hate, but when old rangers needed you every last one of you turned your back!! Living g in Australia for years I saw it for my own two eyes ” snow off a dyke” soon as they leave brigadoon scotland they dropped oldco believe me, as they know they hate wont be tolerated utter poison! they never loved that club cause that can’t love they filled with hate! We are everywhere and proud as the man said ” we are Celtic and they are us” and in an age of Internet banking they let oldco perish! Pathetic God knows what celtic fans would raised in this era I reckon over 100 million easily!! We did in in 94! Pre net! But then we are a real ” Global club and only one in Scotland ” as their own director warned them in 2002! ” Hugh Adam” Go Check it out lurking orcs!! CELTIC a club built on unity , solidarity, charity and love! Oldco buil on poison hence it died! That cespit should been bulldozed in 2012 a stain on scotish society and everyone knows it!

Quite right about taking that fans ST from him, nothing should be taking for granted, like it was said we’ve went through very very lean years, years where we won nothing, didn’t even finish in the top 3, 4 or even 5th spot. So everyone should be enjoying every single win, every title, cup, doubles and trebles, all this success could end in an instant, even back to the baron years of the 90’s and even in the 80’s.

If he’s bored then don’t even turn up for games, if you have a ST give it to someone else to enjoy the team, and their well earned hard fought success, nothing comes easy, we might win 7 or 8 zero, but it could be a very hard fought game, despite the high scoreline.

Do us a favour and leave out the embarrassment of phoning into these anti celtic phone ins,ifes hard enough from the Scottish media, without you adding ammunition for them to use firing back at us.

Today was a hard fought well won game, the scoreline could easy have been 7 or 8 nil, Hamilton their stand in keeper pulled off some really good saves, we hit the woodwork twice as well.

Looking forward to a hard game against second placed Aberseen, our lead could be more if Hearts turn up for the game, they should as their bitter city rivals won yesterday, lifting them off the bottom 3 points clear of Hearts, they arw also now 2 goals to the good,, meaning if Hearts do win, they will need to score 3 or more goals to jump above Hibs.

First up it’s sevco up in Perth facing St Johnstone, sevco arw flying high after they conquered Europe once more, so today’s game could be the vital time for the perthshire team to beat sevco, it’s a big big game for both sevco and Aberdeen, he’ll it’s a huge game for Hearts as well, a lots riding on these 2 games and all four clubs will want to win.

Dazzling Daizen saves the day… but Rodgers was right when he predicted Celtic would suffer

Maeda wonder goal on hour mark salvages a point after Bhoys were often second best to Club Brugge 

Cameron Carter-Vickers’ howler of an own goal set the tone in a first half where Celtic struggled 

But Rodgers will be happy enough with a draw which keeps team on track for last-16 play-offs in Champions League 

Celtic 1 Club Brugge 1

Brendan Rodgers proved a sound judge in the end. To maintain a solid, steady path to the play-offs of the Champions League, this was a night when Celtic had to suffer.

There can be no sugar-coating this; for 60 minutes this was an agonising test of nerve for Scotland’s champions.

Falling behind to an excruciating,Keystone Kops own goal from Cameron Carter-Vickers, the home team were second best for extended periods.

There was no control and no composure to speak of. Truth be told, Club Brugge could — and should — have been out of sight.

An equaliser came from nowhere, with timely substitutions changing the course of the game.

The introduction of Paulo Bernardo and Alex Valle reaped an instant dividend when, just a minute later, Daizen Maeda curled a sublime strike into the far corner of the net, off the inside of the post, for 1-1. And the power of Parkhead finally flicked on.

Maeda runs away in delight after his precious equaliser for Celtic

The Japanese international winger scored on the hour mark with a wonder strike

Rodgers congratulates scorer Maeda after the 1-1 draw with Club Brugge

The final stages of the game threatened a late, improbable Celtic win. Against a fast, talented, dangerous Brugge side, a point was fine in the end.

With five games played, eight points preserves hopes of a finish in the top 24 of the single league format. After a torrid, unnerving first half, Rodgers and his team would have taken that.

They lost a goal after 26 minutes, which was careless, panic-stricken, and error strewn. In truth, it summed up their general performance for an hour.

After three home wins on the bounce, hopes of striding into the play-offs with a performance to match the exhilarating drama of the last game against Leipzig proved overly optimistic.

A good deal better than anyone gave them credit for pre-match, Nicky Hayen’s Brugge side passed the ball calmly with precision, attacked with menace, closed down the space and pressed and harried Celtic into mistakes. And, as they say often enough, at this level, the home side were brutally punished for those errors.

With his back to the opposition goal, Nicolas Kuhn was forced to run towards his own. The only option for a pass was Carter-Vickers in his own 18-yard box.

Over his three years in Glasgow, the American has missed more Champions League games than Celtic would have liked. How he must have wished he’d given this one a wide berth when, to gaping mouths and aghast reactions, he turned towards his own goal and, without checking the position of goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel, passed it straight into the bottom corner of his own unguarded net.

The goal was a just reward for 26 minutes when the Belgians had clobbered Celtic. As players in blue and black celebrated, not quite sure who to congratulate, Callum McGregor gathered the home team for an impromptu huddle. They’d been so far off the pace, so comprehensively outplayed, it couldn’t go on.

Carter Vickers gave Brugge a shock lead when he passed the ball into his own net

The American defender didn’t know where to look after his howler of an own goal

Carter Vickers was consoled by his fellow defender Johnston

Losing the opening goal to RB Leipzig, Celtic had found a way back. This one looked a good deal tougher. By half-time, they were thankful to get in a single goal down, the performance the polar opposite of what had gone last time out.

Brugge had only scored four goals in their last nine Champions League games and a failure to take chances cost them again here. They should have been out of sight long before Celtic gained a foothold in the game.

There had been an ominous portent of what was to come when Reo Hatate surrendered possession with his back to goal after four minutes. Ferran Jutgla’s left-foot strike fizzed inches wide of Schmeichel’s left-hand post.

In the opening 12 minutes alone, the visitors enjoyed 60-per-cent possession, reducing the crowd to an apprehensive hush. Passing the ball as if they were performing in slippers. Celtic’s midfield — Hatate and Arne Engels in particular — couldn’t get near them.

Not for the first time, this was a night when £11million signing Engels — a former Brugge player — was off it.

Celtic’s threat was too sporadic. When Kuhn cut in from the right at the end of the half and floated one of his crosses into the six-yard box, Hatate threw himself at a diving header which gave Simon Mignolet no real issues. It was something, at least.

At no point in the first half had the home team exerted any measure of control.

How close they came to going two behind in the opening seconds after the restart. A lightning quick Brugge counter crafted a shooting chance for left-back Maxim De Cuyper. It took a superb fingertip save from Schmeichel to prevent the game slipping away.

Club Brugge proved a tough opponent and Celtic were often second best to the Belgian side

Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers was happy enough with the point after a difficult night

Celtic’s best effort on goal came moments later. Foraging for the ball in a way they’d conspicuously failed to do in the first half, McGregor rolled a square pass to Hatate in a rare shaft of space 18 yards from goal. A thumping left- foot strike went inches wide.

When Andreas Skov Olsen blazed a glorious Brugge chance over the bar on the volley, something had to change.

The introduction of Bernardo for a flailing Engels was overdue. The impact of the lively Valle for Greg Taylor was instant.

The Spaniard had been on the pitch a matter of seconds when he laid the ball on for Maeda on the left side of the area. A drag back and a cut inside Joaquin Seys ended in a strike careering off the inside of the upright.

Minutes after he was jeered for giving the ball away, the Japanese attacker had dragged Celtic back into a game where they’d been second best.

The relief looked short-lived when Brugge, working in tight confines, squeezed the ball into the net via Jutgla. The celebrations of the away players and support were cut short by the narrowest of offsides. How welcome VAR was when the striker’s heel was just inches off.

Game management saw them through on a night when a late Parkhead winner would have been an act of grand larceny.

As the manager said, there’s no code to cracking the Champions League. When the pain and the suffering ended, this was a very acceptable point.

Alistair Johnston hails valuable point won

First Team

By Joe Sullivan

Depending on the circumstances, there will always be debates on whether a draw is point won or two points lost.

Coming back from a goal down would tend to point towards the point won theory – to come back and equalise at Champions League level against a side of the expertise as Club Brugge is a stick-on point won, and that was not lost on Hoops defender, Alistair Johnston.

The Canadian told Celtic TV after the game: “At this level, every point is hard-earned and it adds up, I think that’s the most important thing.

“The gaffer made a great point that if you’re not going to win a match, you make sure that you don’t lose it at this level, especially at home.

“We didn’t have a great first half, we went in 1-0 down and they were causing us quite a bit of problems, but we came out in the second half and made some tactical changes.

“I think that really helped and, again, I can’t fault the guys’ effort, the guys put everything into that.

“But, at the same time, I think both teams will look at that and feel that a draw is pretty fair.”

He added: “I don’t think that they created a ton, I don’t think we created a ton. I thought we were in the ascendency and looked more likely to score a winner after their ‘goal’ was called back, but we’ve got to move with one point and take it from there.

“I think that we expected them to come out and be pretty positive , but at the same time I think that they’ve shown in previous matches they were a bit more aggressive at home than away.

“So I think that kind of surprised us a little bit, but I think that our ability to change at half time shows how far we’ve come in terms of that we weren’t just going to let that go idle and just accept that.

“We know we really changed how we pressed and it was a lot more difficult in the second half for them to get out.

“We saw in the second half that we were a lot more compact and comfortable with going man to man all over the pitch, and making it more difficult for them.”

Rodgers praises Celtic’s mentality after Maeda wonder strike rescues valuable Champions League point

Brendan Rodgers hailed Daizen Maeda’s wonder strike and the resilience of his Celtic players after they dug themselves out of a Champions League hole.

A calamitous first-half own goal from Cameron Carter-Vickers saw the Parkhead side fall behind to Belgian champions Club Brugge.

But Maeda’s superb equaliser on the hour mark dragged the home side back into a game where they were second best for long spells.

Eight points from five games preserves hopes of securing a place in the last-16 play-off round. Yet the performance was in sharp contrast to the last home game, an exhilarating 3-1 win over RB Leipzig, and Rodgers saw a different side to his team.

‘This is what building confidence at this level is about,’ he said. ‘You won’t always be able to play a perfect game where you’re so good with the ball, you’re so good in your pressing.

‘At moments, other things will  happen in the game and you have to be able to adapt.

Rodgers says his players dug deep when they were not at their best against Club Brugge

Daizen Maeda earned Celtic a point with his superb strike into the far corner of the net

Defender Cameron Carter-Vickers had to pick himself up after scoring a calamitous own goal

‘When it’s not quite right, can you dig yourself out? I think we can say that with this team. It’s what, 20 games now and we’ve won 16 and drawn three and lost one. So, it shows the mentality is there.

‘We’re very proud of them for that second-half mentality. It would have been very easy to not play with the courage, continue with that pressing mentality.

‘The first half, we were too passive in our pressing and we were never in contention with them. They’re a good side. You can see that.

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Dazzling Daizen saves the day… but Rodgers was right when he predicted Celtic would suffer 

‘But the players absolutely drew a line under the first half and it was a much, much better second half.

‘Fantastic goal by Daizen. And, from then, it felt like we could go on and win the game.

‘A point at this level, like we’ve seen in Atalanta, it’s so important. I’ve been in enough of these games and sat here enough times to be in a game like that and you end up losing it.

‘It’s a great credit to the players and how they fought right to the end.’

Now unbeaten in three Champions League games, the Parkhead side have still to face Dinamo Zagreb away, Young Boys of Switzerland in Glasgow and Aston Villa in Birmingham. Two points from their last nine should be enough to claim a place in the play-offs at least.

Rodgers was proud of the way Carter-Vickers bounced back from an excruciating error when he failed to see where Kasper Schmeichel was positioned and passed the ball into his own net.

‘Mistakes happen and it was just unfortunate,’ he said. ‘He’s played that pass a million times and it’s gone back and then we’ve been able to play forward. It’s just one of those unfortunate moments in the game that happen for you.

‘But he’s a really, really tough character. He’s a great guy. He picked himself up.’

‘I Made Sure His Head Was Up’ – Auston Trusty Reveals Moment of Support After CCV Own Goal

Celtic defender Auston Trusty had yet another great night at the heart of the Celtic defence, with the USA international continuing a superb few months at the club.

After a shaky start to life at Celtic, Trusty has well and truly found his feet alongside fellow countryman Cameron Carter-Vickers, displacing Liam Scales.

However, after an own goal this evening, Trusty spoke of his reaction to Carter-Vickers’ own goal against Brugge.

He said: (Daily Record), “We have his back. I don’t think any defender, any player, wants that to happen to him. But, you know, sometimes it’s part of football. I’ve had own goals as well, so it’s one where you need a teammate to get your back.

“So I went over to him, made sure his head was up. With all of us, he knows that we have his back. You don’t want to make mistakes, but you feel fine to make mistakes, because you know your teammates have your back.

“The game happened so fast, so I’m not in that position. I’m looking away, I’m also looking, I’m trying to find my next pass as well, so I have to go back and watch it. But either way, he made the decision, we have his back.

“He showed his character and also the team showed its character. We bounced back and the game went on and we had plenty of life left in it.”

Soccer Football – Champions League – Celtic v Club Brugge – Celtic Park, Glasgow, Scotland, Britain – November 27, 2024 Celtic’s Cameron Carter-Vickers scores Club Brugge’s first with an own goal REUTERS/Russell Cheyne

In an uncharacteristically poor moment from Carter-Vickers to pass into the empty net, Trusty took a moment to console him, showing the kind of human being he is and highlighting what the dressing room is like at Celtic.

The close-knit nature of the team has resulted in some great performances this season, but when things go wrong, it’s great to see teammates supporting each other rather than blaming them for mistakes.

Champions League quick hits: Kylian Mbappé and Mo Salah miss penalties for Real Madrid and Liverpool, Celtic’s Cameron Carter-Vickers scores own goal

Mo Salah (left) and Kylian Mbappe (centre) could not convert, and Cameron Carter-Vickers (right) wished he hadn’t.

Kylian Mbappé and Mo Salah miss penalties, Cameron Carter-Vickers scores a shocking own goal for Celtic, and Pep Guardiola apologises for an ill-advised joke.

Here are five quick hits from another day of Champions League contests.

1. No-look disaster for Celtic

Celtic defender Cameron Carter-Vickers threw his hands in the air before his own goal crossed the line to give Club Brugge the lead in their Champions League clash

The US international played a no-look pass back from just outside the six-yard box toward his own net where he thought goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel would be.

Schmeichel had played a pass out to defender Alistair Johnson, who found Nicolas-Gerrit Kühn steaming back onto the ball. Schmeichel slid out to the right as Kühn played the ball to Carter-Vickers, who turned and rolled a ball towards the now-vacant goal.

The ball rolled slowly into the bottom corner of the goal as the veteran Denmark goalkeeper raced helplessly across his line, narrowly avoiding crashing into the goal post.

The unforced error by Carter-Vickers gifted Club Brugge a 26th-minute lead at Celtic Park, but Daizen Maeda saved Carter-Vickers’s blushes with a 60th-minute equaliser as the game ended in a 1-1 draw.

2. Mbappé and Mo miss out

Caoimhín Kelleher made a brilliant stop to keep Liverpool up 1-0. (Getty Images: Justin Setterfield)

Things could have gone so differently for Real Madrid in its clash with Liverpool at Anfield if not for a brilliant save by goalkeeper Caoimhín Kelleher from a Kylian Mbappé penalty.

After Alexis Mac Allister opened the scoring for the Reds, Mbappé let slip a chance to level the scores with a 61st-minute penalty, but Kelleher made a brilliant save, diving to his left and deflecting the ball clear.

In evidence that lightning can strike twice, gun forward Mo Salah also missed out from the penalty spot 9 minutes later, slicing his shot wide left as Thibaut Courtois dove the wrong way.

Cody Gakpo eventually made up for Salah’s miss, as Liverpool remained perfect with five wins from five games while the Spanish giants have just two wins.

3. PSV’s stunning comeback

PSV Eindhoven pulled off a miraculous comeback against Shakhtar Donetsk, scoring three times in the last eight minutes of the match to win 3-2.

The Dutch champions looked set for their second loss from their first five games after Danylo Sikan and Oleksandr Zubkov gave Shakhtar a 2-0 first-half lead.

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PSV peppered the Ukrainian side’s goal with 18 shots on target in the match, compared to just three from Shakhtar, but did not break through until after Pedro Henrique was sent off for a dangerous challenge on Johan Bakayoko in the 69th minute.

The one-man advantage allowed PSV to pile on the pressure and eventually broke through when Malik Tillman’s free kick squeezed in at the near post as goalkeeper Dmytro Riznyk failed to hold on to the ball.

Riznyk had been one of the side’s heroes up to then, dealing with everything the Dutch threw his way, but he had no chance when Tillman cued up a long-range effort on the stroke of full-time.

The panic-stricken visitors then allowed PSV to slide in the winner as Ricardo Pepi finished off a series of passes across the face of goal, with an effort that went in off the post, to the delirious delight of the home support.

4. Guardiola apologises for ‘self harm’ joke

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola said he did not intend to make light of the “very serious issue of self harm” with a joke he made after his side’s 3-3 draw with Feyenoord at Etihad Stadium.

Guardiola was asked in the post-match press conference how he got a cut on his nose, and he replied: “With my finger, my nail. I want to harm myself.”

The 53-year-old took to social media a day later to explain his answer.

“I was caught off guard with a question at the end of a press conference last night about a scratch which had appeared on my face and explained that a sharp fingernail had accidentally caused this,” he posted on X.

“My answer was in no way intended to make light of the very serious issue of self harm.”

5. French fans stabbed before Bologna game

French club Lille said two of its supporters were stabbed when a group of fans were attacked in a bar ahead of its 2-1 win at Bologna.

Lille issued a statement on social media condemning “this cowardly and intolerable attack”, which it said happened the day before the game.

“During the ambush, which is believed to have involved around 80 assailants, two of our supporters sustained stab wounds, among other injuries, and were given medical treatment,” Lille said.

Lille said Italian police have reinforced the protection of its fans ahead of the game.

“However, LOSC calls on its supporters in Bologna to be extremely vigilant, to ensure that the trip takes place in safe conditions,” the club said.

Brendan Rodgers praises Celtic fightback after ‘unfortunate’ mistake

Rodgers said his side showed the right mentality in their 1-1 draw with Club Brugge.

Play VideoSNS GroupPraise: Brendan Rodgers took the positives from the 1-1 draw.

Celtic boss Brendan Rodgers praised his side for their spirited fightback in the 1-1 draw with Club Brugge and said every point was valuable at Champions League level.

Rodgers said he had seen “a game of two halves” after his side feel behind to a Cameron Carter-Vickers own goal early on but responded in the second half with a Daizen Maeda strike that earned a draw.

The Belgian visitors had the best of the opening exchanges, and could have been further ahead before the break but Celtic adjusted and created chances of their own that had them leaving the pitch feeling they could have done better.

“I thought first half we were too passive in our pressing,” the manager said. “We were never in contention with them.

“They’re a good side, you can see that. And then they played through that pressure really well. So I thought first half, they were the better team.

“I thought we were the better team in the second half. We got a great goal and they defended well.

“They man-mark so you really have to work the ball and probe and get it side to side to penetrate. And we did that for the goal, a fantastic goal by Daizen.

“From then it felt like we could go on and win the game. But listen, a point at this level, like we saw in Atlanta, it’s so important and I’ve been in enough of these games and sat here enough times to be in a game like that and you end up losing it.

“We didn’t do that. And it’s a great credit to the players and how they fought right to the end.”

Rodgers also praised Carter-Vickers for how he put an uncharacteristic error aside to play his part in Celtic’s fightback. The centre-back failed to note Kasper Schmeichel was out of position when he rolled a pass back towards goal and watched in anguish as it rolled over the line and into the bottom corner of the net.

“Mistakes happen and it was just unfortunate,” he said. “He’s played that pass a million times and it’s gone back and then we’ve been able to play forward.

“It was just one of those unfortunate moments in the game that happens.

“But he’s a really, really tough character. He’s a great guy, he picked himself up.

“He was really strong and aggressive again in the game and got on with it and had a real bravery in the second half, because he was the one carrying the ball forward for us to start the attack.”

Overall, Rodgers was happy to take the positives and look at another point gained as Celtic look to reach the knockout stages.

“We’re still one of those teams that’s really pushing to try and make a mark at this level,” he said.

“So to make the comeback, score the goal, play with that courage, I was so pleased.

Cameron Carter-Vickers’ horror own goal cruels Celtic’s chances at Champions League victory

Celtic concede embarrassing own goal

Celtic defender Cameron Carter-Vickers raised his hands to his head in despair before his own goal crossed the line to give Club Brugge the lead in a Champions League match that ended in a 1-1 draw.

The United States international played a no-look pass back from 10 metres toward his own net where he thought goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel would be.

Schmeichel was not there, and the ball rolled slowly into the corner of the goal as the veteran Denmark goalkeeper raced helplessly across his line. He narrowly avoiding crashing into the goal post.

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Cameron Carter-Vickers’ own goal led to despair.  Stan Sport

The unforced error by Carter-Vickers gifted Club Brugge a 26th-minute lead at Celtic Park.

“All I can say is this, Club Brugge, after getting the penalty from Tyrone Mings against Aston Villa last round have now been handed another goal,” former Manchester United goalkeeper Mark Bosnich said on Stan Sport’s Champions League coverage.

“The only thing I can say is he’s quite obviously thought Kasper Schmeichel was right behind him but he was not. It’s also a good direction for any young goalkeeper watching that unless it’s absolutely necessary, which then it wasn’t, you stay in your middle of your goal in a position where you can save it regardless of whether you have possession or not.

“You’ve got to know your players as well, it’s very difficult for players to do a full 180 degrees in a tight situation and pass the ball … that will be replayed for some time.”

“Unbelievable,” Craig Foster added.

Celtic has impressed in the Champions League this season and earned another point after Japan international Daizen Maeda’s goal in the 60th minute.

The Scottish champion is 20th in the 36-team standings with eight points, which UEFA projected before the season as likely enough to advance to the knockout stage.

Celtic is away to Dinamo Zagreb on December 10, with games in January against last-placed Young Boys and Aston Villa.

The top eight teams in January go directly to the round of 16 in March, and teams placed from ninth to 24th enter a playoffs round in February. Those two-leg playoffs will decide the other eight round of 16 teams.

Sunderland ‘watch’ Celtic striker ahead of transfer window but face competition from Burnley and Fulham

Sunderland have reportedly sent scouts to watch the 18-year-old Celtic striker play in Europe

Sunderland are one of several clubs showing an interest in 18-year-old Celtic striker Daniel Cummins having watched the player’s most recent youth game.

Football Insider’s Peter O’Rourke claims that Wolves, Fulham, Ipswich, Sunderland and Burnley watched Cummings score his fifth goal in five in Europe recently ahead of the January transfer window.

The Celtic supporter signed his first professional contract during the summer of 2022. Last season, Cummings made his breakthrough in the Lowland League Celtic B team, where he established himself as a prolific goalscorer the following season and has netted 32 times in 43

In May 2023, the attacker scored the decider in a 6-5 win against Rangers in the Scottish Youth Cup final, attracting national headlines and has started this season averaging more than a goal per game with the B team while also playing for Celtic’s youth teams in the league and in Europe.