Celtic
Tynecastle Audio Requested as Celtic Ramp up Pressure on SFA
Tynecastle Audio Requested as Celtic Ramp up Pressure on SFA
Celtic were on the wrong end of some seriously poor and pivotal officiating decisions on Sunday.
The sending off of Yang and a contentious penalty awarded against Tomoki Iwata for an alleged handball has seen the club approach the SFA and release a statement.
Celtic has formally appealed Yang’s red card and will find out the verdict on Tuesday.
3rd March 2024; Tynecastle Park, Edinburgh, Scotland; Scottish Premiership Football, Hearts versus Celtic; Referee Don Robertson shows a red card to Hyunjun Yang of Celtic after overturning his yellow card after a VAR check in the 14th minute
Brendan Rodgers finds himself under fire for his outspoken criticism of the officiating post-match, particularly his direct mention of John Beaton’s role in the VAR decisions. Rodgers’ comments, which labelled the officiating as ‘incompetent,’ could lead to disciplinary action from the SFA, potentially including a touchline ban.
However, Celtic is standing firmly behind Rodgers, prepared to support their manager should the SFA pursue any penalties against him for his remarks, CeltsAreHere understands.
Celtic released a statement on Monday expressing their “serious concerns regarding the use of VAR” during the match against Hearts.
CeltsAreHere further understands that the club have requested to hear the VAR audio from the match. If Celtic are given the audio, it will also come with the images/footage that referee Don Robertson saw.
Moreover, as CeltsAreHere has become aware of, Celtic had previously communicated with the SFA on five separate occasions before the match, raising questions about decision-making and seeking improvements behind the scenes.
“He’s Right” – Hugh Keevins Backs Rodgers’ Post-Match Beaton Comments
Veteran sports journalist Hugh Keevins has thrown his support behind Brendan Rodgers, agreeing with the Celtic manager’s critical post-match remarks.
3rd March 2024; Tynecastle Park, Edinburgh, Scotland; Scottish Premiership Football, Hearts versus Celtic;
Speaking on Clyde 1 Super Scoreboard, Keevins highlighted that Rodgers, who is at risk of facing a touchline ban for his comments, should not be penalised for expressing his concerns over the officiating during the match.
Rodgers didn’t hold back in his critique, specifically mentioning official John Beaton by name.
The Celtic boss was particularly aggrieved by the decision to send off Yang, a move the club has since appealed, as well as the decision to award Hearts a penalty due to a handball by Tomoki Iwata, which Rodgers described as “even worse.”
Labeling the officiating at Tynecastle as a “masterclass in inefficient refereeing,” Keevins supported Rodgers’ assertion that the performance of the officials amounted to “incompetence.”
Keevins said: “Tynecastle was a masterclass in inefficient refereeing. Brendan Rodgers was quote right to call it out, there should be no attempt to punish the man for telling the truth. It’s becoming a growing worry in our game. He said the officials were incompetent… he’s right.”
Celtic have raised their concerns with the SFA over the officiating on display in the capital, while they await the outcome of Yang’s appeal, which is set for Tuesday.
Stephen Kelly was completely shocked at one VAR decision given against Celtic yesterday
Celtic’s VAR controversy has made headline news south of the border as well, it seems.
We have already told how Jeff Stelling reckons we will see more red cards in the final two Glasgow Derby matches of the season because of what he saw at Tynecastle.
We have also heard how Chris Sutton believes that referees are just ‘guessing’ big handball calls after Celtic midfielder, Tomoki Iwata, was penalised yesterday afternoon.
And now it’s the turn of former Spurs defender, Stephen Kelly. The former Republic of Ireland international was left utterly bemused by both VAR calls yesterday but seemed to take more of an issue with the penalty call against Celtic’s Japanese star.
Kelly said [Football Daily], “I’m not sure if you’ve seen the penalty. The penalty is just ridiculous. I actually don’t know how they’ve given it.
“I’m looking at it going, ‘No one in their right mind would give that as a penalty.’
“The balls just dropped and hit him in the arm. And there are three players in a really tight area. The balls coming down, but there’s no movement towards it.
“It’s just literally hit his arm which is against his body. I can’t understand for the life of me how it is given. I don’t understand it.
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“And the ref goes and gives it and then they go to lose the game. But the sending-off is one that a high foot is dangerous play in the letter of the law that could have been a sending-off.
“The penalty is ridiculous.”
It’s only Monday and the headlines are consumed with this and, hopefully, this will put pressure on the SFA to act.
It’s not just Celtic who are suffering from this. There are clubs all over the SPFL who are having to put up with substandard refereeing and VAR decisions and it could be the difference between European qualification or relegation.
From a Celtic point of view, however, there is £60m riding on this title. And if the difference is a VAR or refereeing decision that costs the club that vast sum of cash, you would have to imagine that the board would take it up with the game’s governing body.
Chris Sutton and Robbie Savage share what they thought about Celtic’s penalty award at Hearts
For all the talk we have had about the decisions that have gone against Celtic at Tynecastle yesterday, for balance, I think it’s important to highlight the ones that we did get.
The Lawrence Shankland goal that was chalked off for offside was one that we got away with. Whilst it was offside, the difference was marginal as the video ref concluded that the Hearts striker had just strayed out of position.
And then there was the penalty won by Hyunjun Yang. At the time I thought we were fortunate to get it as it did seem like both players had just come together.
However, referee Don Robertson thought otherwise and gave Adam Idah the opportunity to convert a spot kick which, ultimately he missed.
But what did the pundits think about the decision to give Celtic a penalty for that challenge? Well, here Chris Sutton and Robbie Savage share exactly what they thought of it.
Sutton said [BBC 606], “Do you know what, I went back and forth with myself and Rangers fans. Celtic did miss a penalty. I didn’t think it was a penalty.
“I think Cochrane on the Celtic wide player, Yang, I don’t think it was a penalty but Celtic had the opportunity to take the lead and didn’t take it.
“So essentially the game was in their hands at that stage.”
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Savage: “I thought it was harsh as well, yeah. I thought it was harsh.”
Balanced perception of what actually happened? I think so. Although contact was there would we have been happy if the roles were reversed and that kind of penalty was given against us?
And now, yes, I know we eventually got a penalty awarded against us later in that half but that decision has been universally panned by all pundits in the game.
So it seems that whilst most of the criticism has been levied at the officials for the decision Celtic didn’t get, can we take comfort from the fact we got lucky with a penalty being awarded to us? Nay, not one bit.
Referees group hits back at criticism amid intense Celtic-Rangers title race – ‘impacting personal lives and security of families’
The officials continue to take flak – with Celtic writing to the SFA and appealing Yang red card
The Scottish Senior Football Referees’ Association has hit out at the criticism of match officials following a controversial weekend in the cinch Premiership.
Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers was scathing of match referee Don Robertson and his VAR John Beaton after Yang Hjun-jun was sent off in the 2-0 defeat by Hearts, while a penalty was awarded for a handball incident against Tomoki Iwata. And Rangers were unhappy at the decision not to give Motherwell defender Dan Casey a red card as they lost 2-1 to Motherwell, while Kilmarnock are contesting an ordering off for their defender Lewis Mayo.
Celtic confirmed they would be appealing against the Yang red card and added in a statement: “We have also written to the SFA to raise our serious concerns regarding the use of VAR and the decisions made within the match.” Kilmarnock have also appealed against the red card shown to Lewis Mayo for bringing down Dundee forward Scott Tiffoney and both hearings will take place on Tuesday by a fast-track tribunal convened by the SFA.
Referee Don Robertson is called to the VAR monitor before awarding a penalty to Hearts for a handball by Celtic’s Tomoki Iwata.
Rodgers claimed Beaton’s VAR intervention on the red card was “incredible” and claimed the penalty decision was “worse”. He added: “I try to respect decisions and give the benefit of the doubt, but when I see that level of incompetence, which is the only word I can use, then that makes me worry for the game.” The Celtic manager could now find himself facing SFA disciplinary action as rules forbid criticism of match officials in such a way as to “indicate bias or incompetence”.
The decisions dominated the news agenda on Monday. Former Celtic manager Neil Lennon and ex-Rangers boss Graeme Souness were both scathing in their criticism of Scotland’s match officials at a Viaplay media event. “I don’t think there’s anything wrong with VAR, it’s the people that make the decisions,” said Lennon, while Souness said: “The referees are just not very good. VAR compounds the problem and shows them up.
This has led to the SSFRA committee declared themselves “extremely disappointed and concerned by another weekend of targeted and personalised criticism of its members”. A statement issued to the PA news agency read: “It has become too easy throughout the course of this season for managers and clubs to turn the focus – and resultant fan ire – on to match officials, often to deflect from team performance and results. We fully appreciate the importance of matches, especially now as we head into the defining period of the season for the destiny of the championship, European and top-six places, as well as relegation and play-off matters.
“Nonetheless, match officials should be able to carry out their duties without fear of them impacting their personal lives, their personal safety and the safety and security of their families. It is regrettable that criticism, which we generally accept is a part of the game for players and coaches as well as referees, has become much more frequent, disproportionate, and personalised towards our members. Everyone involved in Scottish football has a responsibility to behave professionally and respectfully and to understand the consequences of their actions.”
Celtic transfer news: Second star could leave Parkhead after bid accepted – sources
Celtic defender Yuki Kobayashi could be the second senior player from the club to agree an out-of-window transfer sources have told Football Insider.
As exclusively revealed by Football Insider on Sunday afternoon, Liel Abada is headed to MLS club Charlotte FC after Celtic agreed a fee of an initial £8million plus add-ons taking it to a potential £10m.
Kobayashi, 23, is also exploring a transfer after being told he is free to find a new club by manager Brendan Rodgers.
As revealed by Football Insider (19 February), the 23-year-old’s move to the Finnish side HJK Helsinki broke down in the middle of last month after being given the green light by the Hoops to move.
Helsinki were eager to sign Kobayashi and he even flew out to the club for talks, but the move collapsed late on.
Yuki Kobayashi could follow Liel Abada out of Celtic exit door
It is believed that Kobayashi is not in the manager’s plans at Parkhead after struggling to make an impression since his move in January of last year.
The centre-back is yet to make a single appearance for the Hoops this season and has only made the matchday squad on one occasion – Celtic’s 1-0 win against Rangers in September.
He moved to the Glasgow giants from Japanese side Vissel Kobe on a five-and-a-half-year deal but has made just seven total appearances since his arrival.
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He featured sporadically last season under former boss Ange Postecoglou, having made just six starts in all competitions.
In other news, Celtic fans rage as latest footage of Yang Hyun-Jun controversy analysed – ‘scandal’.
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Incredible: SFA want Brendan Rodgers Explanation
Brendan Rodgers could be in hot water with the Scottish FA after he didn’t hold back in his criticism of the referees following Celtic’s defeat at Hearts. The Celtic boss was particularly vocal about Don Robertson and John Beaton’s roles in the game after a 2-0 loss at Tynecastle.
Rodgers, usually more reserved, didn’t mince his words in a post-game vent. He expressed his frustration over decisions that went against his team, notably Yang Hyun-jun’s early red card for a high challenge on Alex Cochrane, and a contentious penalty awarded against Celtic for a handball by Tomoki Iwata.
3rd March 2024; Tynecastle Park, Edinburgh, Scotland; Scottish Premiership Football, Hearts versus Celtic; Referee Don Robertson
He firmly believed these calls from the officials were detrimental to Celtic’s chances in the game, despite his team’s valiant effort to compete with only 10 players for the majority of the match.
The SFA’s compliance officer, Martin Black, is on the case, having reached out to Celtic to discuss Rodgers’ fiery comments. It’s still up in the air whether Rodgers will face any disciplinary action. [SunSport]
According to Rule No72 Article 96.1 of the Scottish FA, any criticism of match officials that suggests bias or incompetence can lead to serious consequences.
Rodgers might be looking at a suspension ranging from two to a whopping 20 matches, depending on how a disciplinary panel viewed his comments.
3rd March 2024; Tynecastle Park, Edinburgh, Scotland; Scottish Premiership Football, Hearts versus Celtic; Kyogo Furuhashi of Celtic applauds the fans
When asked if this was the worst officiating he’s witnessed in Scotland, Rodgers didn’t shy away from expressing his dismay, emphasising his attempts to usually respect decisions. However, he labeled the officiating as “incompetent,” which he sees as a worrying sign for Scottish football.
Celtic Release Statement Over Tynecastle Farce
Celtic has launched an appeal against the red card shown to Hyunjun Yang during their recent clash with Hearts at Tynecastle [Read Here] signalling they’re not taking the contentious decision lying down. The club has also taken the step of formally addressing the Scottish FA (SFA) with a letter, voicing their grave concerns over the VAR decisions in that match.
The statement from the club highlighted, “Celtic Football Club can confirm that it will be appealing the red card issued to Hyunjun Yang during Sunday’s match against Hearts at Tynecastle. We have also written to the SFA to raise our serious concerns regarding the use of VAR and the decisions made within the match.”
3rd March 2024; Tynecastle Park, Edinburgh, Scotland; Scottish Premiership Football, Hearts versus Celtic; Referee Don Robertson shows a red card to Hyunjun Yang of Celtic after overturning his yellow card after a VAR check in the 14th minute
Celtic’s proactive stance extends beyond just one game; they’ve been actively engaging with football authorities to advocate for better refereeing standards and the implementation of VAR in Scotland. “As we have said before, for some time Celtic has sought to work with the footballing authorities with the aim of improving standards associated with refereeing and the use of VAR in Scotland, something which is clearly in the wider interests of everyone within the game,” the club stated.
Brendan Rodgers was deeply unhappy with how the game unfolded and with John Beaton’s absurd interjections in the match which helped Celtic on their way to a defeats
The SFA will likely close ranks now and due to the high profile nature of Celtic’s grievance, I’d be astonished if they overturn the red card.
Celtic are set to receive £10m for Liel Abada. Exit
Celtic are set to receive £10m for Liel Abada, who was signed for a reported £3.5m four years ago; the Israel international will travel to America this week to undergo a medical and finalise his move to MLS, report Sky Sports News’ Anthony Joseph and Lyall Thomas
By Anthony Joseph and Lyall Thomas
Image:Liel Abada appears to be on his way out of Celtic
Liel Abada is set to leave Celtic after a deal worth £10m was agreed with MLS side Charlotte FC for the winger.
It is understood the Israel international will travel to America this week to undergo a medical and finalise the move.
Abada will be working under former Aston Villa and Leicester boss Dean Smith, who is head coach at Charlotte FC.
Image:The winger joined Celtic in July 2021
Celtic are expected to make a sizeable profit on the 22-year-old, who they signed for a reported £3.5m four years ago from Israeli side Maccabi Petah Tikva.
Abada signed a new four-year deal at Celtic in the summer after strong interest from other clubs.
However, Abada has had a limited role this season due to injury and issues off the field.
Image:Brendan Rodgers says it has been a ‘challenging’ time for Abada
Brendan Rodgers admitted last month that Abada may have to leave Celtic due to concerns for his family during the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.
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Abada has not played for Celtic since the 2-1 win at Hibernian on February 7, with Rodgers explaining that he “wasn’t in the right frame of mind”.
He has scored 22 goals and registered 29 assists for Celtic in 112 appearances and played a starring role in Ange Postecoglou’s treble-winning side last season.
Mathias Kvistgaarden in direct Celtic transfer address as star pressed on interest in revealing Danish interview
Kvistgaarden was put in the hotseat and interest from Parkhead was high on the Danish media agenda.
Mathias Kvistgaarden has directly addressed interest from Celtic for the first time – as he fielded six pressing questions about his January links with the Hoops.
And while he admits he couldn’t steer clear of the constant swirls about a move to Parkhead, he’s keeping his eyes firmly on the Brondby prize…at least until the summer. Kvistgaarden has been one of a number of strikers on Brendan Rodgers’ agenda since his return to the club and it’s believed a bid of £4m was booted out in the summer.
Interest re-emerged in January but Brondby stood firm on their hardline stance that no key players would be sold mid-season, with their eyes firmly on a title fight with Midtjylland and Copenhagen. Celtic landed Adam Idah instead but Kvistgaarden has eight goals and seven assists this season and may be on the agenda again come the summer.
He has been one of the most impressive players in the Danish Superliga and he admits it’s a ‘dream’ of his to move abroad one day. In a revealing interview with Tipsbladet in his homeland, he was pressed over interest from Celtic, but was at pains not to commit.
Kanji Okunuki – Celtic target’s career in numbers
You can read the full transcript of the Danish language exchange below.
Dermot Gallagher weighs into Celtic VAR row as Ref Watch pundits gobsmacked over ‘credit’ to officials
Gallagher ran the rule over three of the big decisions in Celtic’s defeat to Hearts and two of his verdicts didn’t fly.
The Sky Sports Ref Watch panel (Image: Sky Sports)
Dermot Gallagher sparked uproar on the Ref Watch panel when he defended the decision to penalise Tomoki Iwata for handball against Hearts.
Celtic’s 2-0 defeat at Tynecastle was packed with incident and plenty of controversial decisions which have been widely debated in the 24 hours since. The Hoops were given a contentious penalty in the early stages, which Adam Idah missed, before Yang was sent off for an apparent high boot after a VAR review. The big talking point on Monday morning though has been the penalty handball which went against Iwata.
On-field ref Robertson didn’t give it, with Iwata looking away from the ball and extending his arms for balance as he came back down. But the ball struck his left arm below the shoulder and after VAR John Beaton called Robertson over for a second look, it was given, and Jorge Grant stepped up to convert it.
Former top whistler Gallagher believes it was harsh on the Japanese star…but defended SPFL officials for their consistency over the handball rule this season. He said: “It was harsh but what you would say is, one thing they’ve been consistent about in Scottish football this season, any incident like that has been penalised for handball. Harsh, very unlucky. But to their credit, every single one has been given.”
But pundits Stephen Warnock and Sue Smith didn’t take well to his sympathy towards the official. Warnock cut in, saying: “That’s terrible, that’s a bad decision,” before Smith added: “I don’t know what he’s supposed to do with his arm. He’s coming down, the ball hits him, he has no idea. I don’t like that decision at all.”
Gallagher was less understanding of Robertson’s decision over the Celtic penalty, where Yang went down under a challenge from Alex Cochrane in the early stages. He felt it was actually the South Korean who impeded Cochrane…not the other way around.
Gallagher said: “Strangely I actually thought it was a foul the other way, but the referee gave it. Cochrane is in front, so I hard to see how he commits a foul. All I can think is, when you see the other angle, the referee thinks he puts his leg across him. He might think he trips him, I don’t know. But I think the Celtic player goes into Cochrane himself.”
On the decision to send Yang off soon after, Gallagher felt that was fair enough. Once again though, the panel wasn’t having it. Gallagher said: “The player is unlucky but I think it is a red card. He has no idea where the player is, he’s genuinely going to get the ball, but if you catch a player in the face with your studs, it’s inevitable you’re going to get a red card.”
But a sullen Warnock simply responded: “Harsh. No.”
Paul Lambert defends Celtic after what he’s heard from Jeff Stelling about the title race
As the title race hots up, Celtic’s dropped points at Tynecastle keep the Parkhead club tucked behind Rangers in second place.
The controversy surrounding the refereeing performance will continue to hit the headlines this week but it was what Jeff Stelling said about Celtic that had Paul Lambert defending the club.
The former Seville hero was asked what he thought about the current Celtic squad when Stelling seemed to suggest that the quality of players are poorer than when Lambert played for the club.
Speaking on talkSPORT, Stelling said, “Look as an Englishman, Paul, I’m gonna come in and rain on both [Ally McCoist] your parades. The fact that it’s so close and such a fantastic title race, that’s great.
“But between them Rangers and Celtic, they’ve lost eight games in the league this season.
“Does that just tell you that the quality of these current Rangers and Celtic sides is not up to what it’s been in the past?”
Lambert was having none of it as he replied, “Listen, Jeff, I hate comparing eras because I don’t think you can. I think it’s a different game with certain aspects of it.
“The game’s still the same, the box is still the same shape, the goals are the same size, but the rules have become a little bit different.
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“But to get back to your point, the current era is it as strong? With my hat on I would say no but other guys would beg to differ.
“But you can only beat what’s in front of you and you can only play what’s in front of you. They are two tough clubs to play for and if you do well there then you’ll be alright.”
To me, this is just another pundit taking a dig at Celtic for no apparent reason. They continually moan about Scotland having just one team picking up all the trophies and when there is competition it’s because Celtic are poor.
26 May 2001: Celtic duo Paul Lambert and Captain Tom Boyd lift the trophy aloft after the Tennents Scottish cup final win against Hibernian at Ham…
For the record, I am not saying this Celtic team is just as good as the Seville team. I’d have to be an idiot to suggest that.
However, what is the point of the question anyway? As Lambert points out, this is a completely different era to what it was twenty years ago.
Why can’t the pundits south of the border just enjoy the fact that there is an exciting title race (from their perspective at least) and just enjoy it? Oh, and good on Lambert for putting Stelling straight.
Dermot Gallagher gives his honest verdict on the decisions made during Celtic’s loss vs Hearts…
Celtic were involved in three controversial incidents over the weekend in their 2-0 defeat away to Heart of Midlothian in the Scottish Premiership.
First of all, Hyunjun Yang was awarded a penalty early on after being caught in a tangle with Alex Cochrane, leading to Adam Idah spurning an opportunity to put the visitors ahead.
Of course, this directly led to the South Korean winger’s dismissal, as he was sent off following a high boot on the same player.
Don Robertson initially booked Yang for his challenge before being summoned to the monitor and changing his decision to a straight red card.
In the lead-up to the interval, Tomoki Iwata was then penalised for a handball in the area despite looking in the opposite direction, which resulted in Jorge Grant clinically dispatching from the spot to give Steven Naismith’s side the advantage.
Lawrence Shankland guaranteed three points in the 56th minute by drilling a low strike past Joe Hart; however, Brendan Rodgers was incensed post-match and let rip at the officiating on display.
He stated: “I never like to comment on officials; it’s not something I do. But that cost us today. The officiating from on the field to John Beaton being in VAR, that was really, really poor.”
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Dermot Gallagher drops verdict on Hearts vs Celtic decisions
Former referee Dermot Gallagher has been speaking on Sky Sports’ latest edition of Ref Watch, giving a run down of the decisions that were made in the Bhoys’ 2-0 loss at Tynecastle.
😲 “The Celtic player goes into Cochrane…”
🟥 “He’s unlucky as he’s genuinely going to get the ball…”
🖐️ “That’s a bad decision, what’s he supposed to do with his arm?”Ref Watch assesses Celtic’s incident-packed defeat at Hearts 🔽 pic.twitter.com/yjztx9i0lU
— Sky Sports Scotland (@ScotlandSky) March 4, 2024
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The Irishman signalled his belief that Celtic were lucky to be given an early penalty, signalling that he thought a foul should’ve actually been given the other way.
Gallagher said when asked if he thought the award was harsh: “Extremely. I actually thought it was a foul the other way, but the referee gave it.
“Cochrane was in front so I find it hard to see how he commits the foul. All I can think is, when you see the other angle, whether the referee thinks he trips him there, I don’t know. But I think the Celtic player goes into Cochrane himself.”
He then opined that Yang’s red card was the right call, as he added: “I think the player is unlucky, but I think it is a red card. I think the player is unlucky because he has no idea where the player is and he’s genuinely going in to the get the ball.
“But if you catch a player in the face with your studs, it’s inevitable you’re going to get a red card.” Gallagher continued later: “I just think if you’re going to catch someone with your studs in the face, and the bloke is stood up as well, you’re going to get a red card.”
Finishing off, the 66-year-old claimed Iwata was harshly punished for a handball, explaining: “I think so [when asked if the decision was harsh].
“But what you would say is, we’ve seen this in the Scottish league all season. The one thing they’ve been consistent about, any incident like that has been penalised for handball. I think harsh, very, very unlucky. But to their credit, every single one they’ve given.”
Celtic fans will feel aggrieved by the defeat at Tynecastle
Celtic fans have a right to feel aggrieved following some questionable outcomes that went against their side at Tynecastle, which will likely dominate the headlines for days to come.
As frustrating as the Bhoys’ performance with ten men was, one can’t help but wonder if the game would’ve panned out differently if Robertson had stuck with his original decision not to send Yang off.
Either way, we will never know, and the full focus at Parkhead now turns to a Scottish Cup quarter-final tie against Livingston this Sunday.
All the best Liel, it’s a shame that it had to end this way for Abada
Liel Abada reacts after missing a scoring chance. Celtic v Buckie Thistle, Scottish Cup, Celtic Park, 21 Jan 2024 Photo Stuart Wallace Shutterstock
All the best Liel. We will be losing a good player, but it’s best for all concerned, especially yourself…
3rd February 2024 Pittodrie Stadium, Aberdeen, Scotland Scottish Premiership Football, Aberdeen versus Celtic Liel Abada of Celtic on the ball. Photo ActionPlus Vagelis Georgariou
Liel Abada is on the verge of signing for MLS side Charlotte FC. Liel has being having been having a bit of a tough time recently with personal issues regarding the well documented goings on in his homeland.
Liel has made it clear that his head and heart is not with the club despite the terrific backing he’s had from the board, the manager, his fellow teammates and the supporters. No one wants to see Liel leave as he’s a great player who’s played a great part in our success these past few years, but if the player himself is unhappy then it’s the wisest decision to let him move on.
The fee involved is reported to be around £10 million when add ons are taking into consideration. So it’s not a bad return for a player who cost £4 million, but you can’t help but wonder that if Liel stayed and lived up to his potential then he would be worth so much more.
But at the end of the day, he wants to leave and we can’t stand in his way so it’s best for all concerned. All the best Liel and thanks for your contributions these past few years.
Liel Abada of Celtic scores to give Celtic a 0-1 lead. The goal was disallowed for offside but awarded by referee Kevin Clancy after a VAR check. Aberdeen v Celtic, Cinch Scottish Premiership – 13 Aug 2023 Photo Stuart Wallace/Shutterstock
Just to be clear, Liel Abada has only ever received the full backing and support of the Celtic fanbase and anything said to the contrary is biased propaganda coming out of his country which will be held in contempt by right-minded people the world over for their disgraceful genocidal policies against the Palestinian people.
That though has never been held against Liel Abada by anyone at Celtic.
Good luck to the Bhoy, and thanks for your skelping of theRangers.
Just an Ordinary Bhoy
Elena Sadiku: We were pleased with how the squad reacted throughout the game
Women’s Football.
Taking charge of her first SWPL home match in charge of the Ghirls, Elena Sadiku marked the occasion in style by watching her side run out 6-1 winners over Partick Thistle.
Following the conclusion of the most recent international break, the Ghirls were back in action at the Excelsior Stadium for the first time since January.
After four games in a row on the road in February, Sadiku’s side kicked off the month with a good performance at home against the Jags.
In particular, a strong first half display helped the Hoops secure all three points after heading into the break 4-1 ahead.
Speaking to Celtic TV after the match, the Swedish coach was pleased with her squad’s display in the opening 45 minutes, but maybe felt they could have pushed on for more in the second.
That being said, the reaction from her players throughout the game is an aspect that pleased Sadiku, who insisted that the progression of the side is clear for all to see.
She said: “We spoke in the dressing room, and we were happy with our first-half performance and not as happy with the second because we maybe could have pushed for more.
“It’s a good feeling, though, as a coach to stand there and be a little bit disappointed in the way that we should have attacked the second half more.
‘I feel like I’m proud when the players also feel that because we want more.’
“So it’s a good sign, and we are progressing. I think that is clear to see from our performance today as well.
“I feel like we started the game well, and we deserved to get that early goal. But I’m also very happy with how reacted to that.
“We scored the first goal, but we then wanted to get more. That is what makes me very proud to stand here after the game.”
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Coming away with another three points, and having also taken their league goal scoring tally to over 100 in just 22 games, there were many positives to take away from the afternoon of action in Airdrie.
Sadiku was left delighted by the number of chances her squad created in open play, with some impressive passages of play throughout the game.
There was also a welcome return to the starting 11 for winger Lucy Ashworth-Clifford, who marked her full return from long-term injury with a start against Partick Thistle.
“Something that I really enjoyed today is that we created a lot of chances within open play,” she said. “It wasn’t only set pieces.
‘We are really strong in set pieces, and we will always continue that. But now we are creating chances from open play and that is amazing to see.’
Sadiku continued: “Coming back from an ACL history, I’m just very proud with how Lucy has reacted to everything and obviously we know that she wants more.
‘But it’s just a nice feeling to get that kind of player back out there. Then we also have Luana and Hana (Kerner) as well, trying to get back from their ACL injuries.’
“So I just feel proud in this moment of having Lucy back, but also more players getting there too.”
Brendan Rodgers shares what he told Don Robertson in the tunnel straight after Celtic’s loss to Hearts
Brendan Rodgers has shared that he spoke to Tynecastle referee, Don Robertson, immediately after full-time in Celtic’s loss to Hearts.
The match officials have come under some serious scrutiny after Rodgers fumed at two decisions that cost Celtic dear in the capital.
And here, the Celtic manager shares a fruitless conversation he has with match referee, Don Robertson, in the Tynecastle tournament.
Rodgers said [The Celtic Way], “I spoke to him in the tunnel just briefly, but it’s a waste of time if I’m honest.
“There is no change and I also think as well that VAR is not the problem here. That’s clear.
“It’s incompetence. I think the first one is a great example of the game being refereed outside of the pitch.
“This is the thing everyone is talking about, that the officials do their job and if it’s something that’s clear and obvious maybe step in.
“The referee made the decision and someone outside made another decision to say it was a sending-off. So that’s the game being refereed outside of the field and in big games that costs you.”
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With all the chat this morning surrounding VAR the pressure on the officials has now been heightened after the two blunders at Tynecastle.
With nine games left, Brendan Rodgers knows he can’t afford any further slipups as the games tick down so the Celtic manager will really need to look at what Ange Postecoglou did when he was the manager.
Put teams to bed early so that refereeing mistakes will have no bearing on the final outcome of any game.
It still remains to be seen whether this defeat will have a final bearing on the title race but should Celtic still be behind Rangers by two points at the end of the season, many will look at the Tynecastle result as one that may have cost Rodgers the title.
Pat Bonner puts BBC pundits straight over Hyunjun Yang’s red card in Celtic’s defeat at Hearts
As the fallout over Celtic’s defeat to Hearts rumbles on, the VAR controversy surrounding this looks like it is going to rumble on and on for the rest of next week.
The defeat means Celtic remain two points behind Rangers after the Ibrox club suffered their own set-back in their 2-1 loss to Motherwell.
But for Brendan Rodgers, he will see this as an opportunity missed as VAR denied Celtic the chance to take advantage of Rangers’ slip-up after two controversial decisions left Rodgers’ side with a mountain to climb.
But it was one in particular that left Pat Bonner absolutely seething and he was in no mood to debate it with his BBC colleagues during the post-match analysis.
Pat Bonner rages at Hyunjun Yang red card
Bonner was in no doubt what he thought of the challenge on first viewing [BBC Radio Scotland], “I think that would be really unfortunate for Yang on that occasion.
“I’ll be honest with you, yes, the boot was high, but it wasn’t intentional from my perspective.”
After the benefit of watching replays post-match, Bonner’s stance remained firm as Richard Gordon and Allan Preston debated the decision.
Gordon: “I mean for me, that’s a red card all day long.”
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Preston: “Yeah. I’ve got to agree with you Richard now that I’ve seen it for first the time. And the referee gives a yellow to begin with…”
Bonner then interjected and confirmed his stance, “Look, I’m not going to argue, when you see it on that angle there, you know, and that’s again TV, when you watch at a certain angle on TV, it looks as if (it’s dangerous).
“I just thought that he was trying to flick the ball over him.”
Like I said at the beginning, this controversy is likely to rumble on all week as the impact this result has on the title race sinks in.
Celtic had the opportunity to leapfrog Rangers and claim the top spot in the Scottish Premiership but the standings remain as they are as both Glasgow clubs stumble.
Next up for Celtic is a break from league title duty as the quarter-final of the Scottish Cup beckons next Sunday and a visit of David Martindale‘s Livingston.
News update: Chris Sutton Reacts To Brendan Rodgers’ Calling Out of John Beaton
Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers was left a frustrated figure after the Hoops were defeated by two goals to nil at Tynecastle on Sunday afternoon.
Things turned sour for the Hoops after Adam Idah missed an early spot-kick. Yang Hyun-jun was harshly sent off before a penalty was given against Tomoki Iwata for supposed ‘handball’.
Post-match, gaffer Rodgers called out the incompetency of the officials. He was left baffled at the decision to send off Yang while being equally as surprised that the Jambos were given the chance to score from the spot.
3rd March 2024; Tynecastle Park, Edinburgh, Scotland; Scottish Premiership Football, Hearts versus Celtic; Celtic Manager Brendan Rodgers whistles to his players
John Beaton, who was in charge of VAR, was named by the manager in his scathing post-match interview with Sky Sports.
Former Celtic hero and now pundit Chris Sutton has reacted to Rodgers’ words, hailing them as ‘very strong’:
VERY STRONG THIS FROM BRENDAN…👇👇 HTTPS://T.CO/TZTKLUDT7O
— CHRIS SUTTON (@CHRIS_SUTTON73) MARCH 3, 2024
Although Adam Idah’s penalty miss proved costly against Hearts, the poor decisions that were made by the likes of Beaton hindered Celtic massively. Rodgers was right to call them out and stand up for the club and supporters.
CAUGHT ON CAMERA: BEATON SMILES (HEARTS PENALTY v CELTIC)
JOHN BEATON was miles away from the action at Tynecastle yesterday, but the referee still managed to take centre stage.
Messi scores in injury time as Inter Miami salvages a…
As VAR assistant to match official Don Robertson, he was in front of the multi screens at Clydesdale House in Glasgow.
Beaton incurred the wrath of Celtic boss Brendan Rodgers after proving he can be as bewildering with a remote control as he can with a whistle.
The Hoops boss raged at full-time after the champions had toppled to a 2-0 loss to Hearts in a controversy-laden encounter that saw Yang Hyun-jun red-carded in the 14th minute and the hosts awarded a penalty-kick just before the interval – two ludicrous VAR-assisted decisions.
RED CARD MYSTERY…Yang Hyun-jun heads up the tunnel as Brendan Rodgers prepares for his team to play with 10 men at Tynecastle.
PENALTY-KICK PUZZLER…Tomoki Iwata is unaware as the ball hits his arm as Alistair Johnston and Stephen Kinglsey duel for a high ball.
Beaton, who banished Joe Hart, 36, earlier in the season at Livingston for the 75 times-capped England international keeper’s only sending-off in a 20-year career, is, of course, no stranger to baffling judgement calls where Celtic are concerned.
It would take way too long to list all of of his incomprehensible rulings and I’ve a dental appointment on April 3, so we’ll make do with just one example from his avalanche of head-scratching variety of verdicts.
Looking back to April last year, CQN reported the whistler had cut a glum figure at Parkhead at the conclusion of the Hoops’ well-deserved 3-2 triumph in the Glasgow derby.
The fourth official remained grim-faced amid the euphoria in the east end of Glasgow as 60,000 joyous fans celebrated the champions’ success that propelled them 12 points ahead with only seven league games left to play.
In sportsmanlike fashion, former gaffer Ange Postecoglou shook hands with vanquished opposite number Michael Beale before doing likewise with the assistant referee.
GRIM AND BEAR IT…John Beaton looks glum as Ange Postecoglou shakes his hand in the aftermath of Celtic’s 3-2 derby triumph at Parkhead in April 2023.
Beaton couldn’t turn the frown upside down as he accepted the hand offered by the Celtic manager.
CQN, with tongue firmly in cheek, asked: ‘Why so glum, John?’
We decided to look through our pictorial library to see if we could find an image of the match official actually cracking a smile.
Lo and behold, we found one from January the previous year in which Beaton is shown to be beaming brightly. Ironically, the occasion was the award of a penalty-kick for Hearts against Celtic at Tynecastle.
SMILES BETTER…referee John Beaton explains to Joe Hart why he has just awarded a penalty-kick to Hearts.
THE LAST POST…John Beaton watches as Liam Boyce slams the penalty-kick award against the woodwork.
GOAL OR NO GOAL? Liam Boyce appears to have strayed into an offside position, but his effort for Hearts against Celtic was deemed okay by referee John Beaton.
The Hoops were leading 2-1 with strikes from Reo Hatate and Giorgos Giakoumakis while Liam Boyce had tucked one away from an offside position, as images proved in CQN‘s match summary.
In the 72nd minute, Beaton adjudged Nir Bitton had handled a header from Peter Haring following a right-wing corner-kick. It was a contentious decision and was queried by keeper Joe Hart among other bewildered Celts. Sounds eerily familiar, doesn’t it?
The referee looked happy enough to give an explanation. Justice was done when Boyce slammed his effort against the woodwork and the ball bounced clear.
After seven minutes of stoppage-time, the Hoops had clung on for another three points on their way to a famous title success in Postecoglou’s debut campaign.
The Hoops are currently two points adrift with nine games to play – two against the Ibrox side – and are aiming for the last laugh.
I’m not betting against them.
ALEX GORDON
Report details the transfer constraints that Mark Lawwell was working under at Celtic
Mark Lawwell left his role as Head of Recruitment at Celtic on Friday afternoon. The Scottish Champions confirmed that the former City Group operative had resigned along with his No.2 Joe Dudgeon, Lead First Team Scout, with the pairing being placed on gardening leave.
As the news settles, more information is coming out about Lawwell’s brief while in charge of recruitment at Celtic and it would certainly tie in with the type of signings that the club have made. In the Daily Mail print edition on Saturday, Stephen McGowan claims that Lawwell was in charge of identifying players based upon the following remit: between 19 and 23, have international experience and meet certain financial constraints.
The club have certainly been operating within these brackets but may benefit from looking slightly outwith the confines to deliver the desired quality that can take the team to the next level.
Since arriving in 2022, Celtic have signed: Benjamin Siegrist, Alexandro Bernabei, Aaron Mooy, Moritz Jenz, Sead Haksabanovic, Oliver Abildgaard, Yuki Kobayashi, Alistair Johnston, Tomoki Iwata, Oh, Odin Thiago Holm, Marco Tilio, Yang, Kwon, Maik Nawrocki, Gustaf Lagerbielke, Luis Palma, Nat Phillips, Paulo Bernardo, Nicolas Kuhn and Adam Idah.
The club would benefit from reshaping the recruitment wing in order to continue in the hunt for quality. With Lawwell leaving, hopefully plans have already been put in place ahead of the summer window but given the planning ahead of January, that doesn’t necessarily guarantee anything.
Despite the transfer window ending, Celtic are nearing the sale of Liel Abada to FC Charlotte in the MLS. The Israeli winger is set to depart in a deal worth £11m
Jeff Stelling makes huge Glasgow Derby prediction after watching Celtic’s VAR red card row
The day after Celtic dropping points to Hearts and you can be sure that the VAR controversy surrounding the game is set to rumble on this week.
Brendan Rodgers had his say on the refereeing decisions that saw Hyunjun Yang ordered off and Hearts given a penalty as Celtic went down 2-0 in Tynecastle.
Both decisions were roundly criticised by Neil Lennon and even Kris Boyd thought the decision to award Hearts a penalty was ‘baffling’.
And now, it’s the turn of Jeff Stelling and Ally McCoist to have their say. But with a slight twist.
Jeff Stelling predicts Derby red card drama
Speaking on talkSPORT both presenters were discussing who are the favourites now for the title after a weekend of dramatic results when Stelling made a huge Glasgow Derby prediction after watching how VAR changed the game for Celtic yesterday.
Stelling: “Who’s favourites now, Ally?”
McCoist: “Oh dear me. Dear me. It’s the flip of a coin at this moment in time. The two Old F-rm games will be absolutely massive. But both sides at the weekend toiled. Really toiled. So it’s a tough one but at least we’ve got a race.”
Stelling: “Well, those Old F-rm games they are going to be so dramatic. So much at stake. I’m going to take some odds about red cards, please, in those games.”
McCoist: “Do you know something, back in the day it could be almost guaranteed but the last couple have been actually quite tame.”
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Stelling: “I bet these are not going to be tame.”
There is no doubt that both games will be a fiery affair as the title race hots up to a fascinating conclusion.
A lot will be determined on the fixtures both clubs have leading up to the derby on the 7th of April. Celtic have St Johnstone at home on the 16th of March and Livingston away on the 30th.
Rangers face Dundee at home and Hibs away. Two tough fixtures for both clubs which, if more points are dropped, will make the upcoming Glasgow Derby very interesting indeed.
Ally McCoist has Rangers truth bomb ready as Celtic stumble sparks Jeff Stelling taunt over WORST EVER Old Firm
Both Scottish Premiership title hopefuls slumped to defeat on the same weekend for the first time since 2018.
Rangers hero Ally McCoist and talkSPORT host Jeff Stelling
Concerned Ally McCoist has urged Rangers fans not to get carried away with hold top spot in the league – as he conceded both Philippe Clement’s men and Celtic look uncomfortable at the Premiership summit.
After the Light Blues fell to defeat against Motherwell on Saturday, Celtic were handed the chance to move top of the pile when they made the trip to Tynecastle. However, Hearts had other ideas as Brendan Rodgers’ men fell to a 2-0 defeat and Rangers remain two points behind their rivals with the race for the Scottish title nearing the end game.
And speaking on the talkSPORT Breakfast Show, host Jeff Stelling was left baffled that both Glasgow giants had fallen to defeat on the same weekend – and put Ibrox hero McCoist under scrutiny over the battle north of the border. Former Sky Sports presenter Stelling kicked off: “Both beaten on the same weekend Coisty…” McCoist said: “Oh, I had it written down but it’s the first time that has happened in years.”
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Stelling went on: “February 2018.” McCoist responded: “There you are, thank you very much. Before we (Rangers) get carried away I was at Ibrox on Saturday and we were not good on Saturday.
“And in Celtic’s game against Hearts there did seem to be a lot of controversy, with penalties, handball and sendings offs. But no, I’ll tell you the truth on the evidence of the weekend neither of the two of them look like they are going to be comfortable at the top. I thought they were poor.”
Stelling then questioned the quality of the two giants. He quizzed “It does beg the question that Celtic and Rangers compared to other years, are these the worst Old Firm teams?”
McCoist said: “Yeah, in the evidence of what we have seen so far. You have got to be fair that they don’t look the best. However, what you do get is proper excitement and I tell you what Jeff it look like this one is going to go all the way.”
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Can’t say it’s a surprise in Scotland… Chris Sutton’s Tynecastle verdict
Chris Sutton took in the events at Tynecastle yesterday and thought- only in Scotland.
The one time England striker covers the game north and south of the border for outlets ranging from the BBC to Sky Sports plus the Daily Mail and Daily Record.
Every week he is dealing with footballing issues on the park but also a growing number off the park with VAR throwing up issues and discussions every match day.
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Respected source gives detail on winger making Celtic exit
Really poor officiating- Rodgers in explosive BBC interview as he calls out Beaton
Brendan Rodgers is usually one of the most reserved managers in the business, he sees detaching himself from the emotions as part of his job but at Tynecastle he felt that lines were crossed.
In various post-match interviews the Celtic boss claimed that the outcome was decided by the match officials.
Funny old title race over the weekend. Well done to Hearts??Yang red card I really don’t like but understand why it was given. Iwata handball is so harsh but would have been awarded because of the position of his arm but he was nudged but can’t say it’s a surprise in Scotland…
— Chris Sutton (@chris_sutton73) March 3, 2024
John Beaton on VAR duty was the focus of Rodgers’ comments but ultimately the decisions were made on the park by Don Robertson.
Both officials are on the FIFA list, being involved in European and international fixtures as well as the top Scottish matches.
Ironically FIFA were meeting in Loch Lomond over the weekend reviewing the Laws of the Game, the same laws apply universally but after watching the drama from Tynecastle Sutton is puzzled by the way that those laws are applied in the Scottish game.
Celtic star Liel Abada set for Charlotte FC medical after agreeing long-term contract – sources
Celtic winger Liel Abada has agreed the terms of a four-year contract MLS side Charlotte FC and is set to undergo a medical soon, sources have told Football Insider.
The 22-year-old is set to leave Parkhead for one of the 10 biggest transfer fees the Glasgow giants have ever secured for one of their players
Celtic have accepted an initial bid of £8million that will rise to around £10m with what are believed to be achievable add-ons.
By Celtic standards, that is a huge fee and is only beaten by less than 10 departures in the club’s history, with the record held by Jota’s move to Saudi last summer.
He will undergo a medical in the States and link up with his new club for the MLS season that’s just started.
Football Insider revealed on Friday (1 March) that Celtic were willing to listen to offers for Abada with the club keen to make a big profit on the £3m spent on him in 2021.
It is understood that Abada became unsettled due to major personal issues over the Israel-Palestine conflict.
Join the Football Insider WhatsApp channel to get all our exclusives and the breaking transfer news FIRST.
Celtic accept Liel Abada bid from MLS club
The Israeli winger signed a four-year deal with Celtic in September – just one month before the conflict in his home country escalated.
The main fan group at Parkhead, the Green Brigade, have frequently raised Palestinian flags during matches despite the club issuing an official warning against it.
Abada will depart the Hoops for the MLS having scored 22 goals and registered 29 assists in 112 appearances across all competitions.
He joined Celtic from Maccabi Petah Tikva in 2021 and has won five trophies with the club, including two Scottish Premiership titles.
In other news, Kieran Maguire reveals £10m Celtic advantage over Rangers after fan outrage
Battering down the door: Keith Jackson: Celtic won’t win SPFL title without Callum McGregor
Celtic wasted a glorious opportunity to climb to the top of the SPFL table after they lost 2-0 against Hearts on Sunday (4 February).
The door was open for the Hoops to overtake Rangers after the Gers lost 2-1 at Ibrox on Saturday.
Brendan Rodgers has another major problem at the moment. He is without his talisman midfielder Callum McGregor as the Hoops skipper recovers from injury.
McGregor didn’t make the matchday squad against Hearts and needless to say Celtic missed their influential skipper.
Writing for the Daily Record (page 38), Keith Jackson has suggested that Celtic will not win the title if McGregor is out for a long time due to injuries. Rodgers will be “battering down the door” of the medical room to get his skipper back at the earliest.
“Probably not. Celtic’s midfield simply doesn’t tick the same way without him,” wrote Jackson.
“Brendan Rodgers will be battering down the door of the medical room at Lennoxtown to get his captain back as quickly as possible.”
Celtic need to maintain consistency
Rodgers was left furious and he didn’t mince words after the game as he lashed out at harsh decisions that went against them during the game.
Paulo Bernando was used in midfield in place of McGregor but he was taken off at half-time. It was a forced change as the Bhoys went down to ten men after Hyunjun Yang’s controversial red card.
Even with ten men, Celtic could have forged a strong performance with their skipper in the side. That shows, how badly Celtic have missed him, and losing him is a major blow. It is clear that the likes of Bernando and Tomoki Iwata will need to step up now.
Rodgers said after the game that he doesn’t expect the 30-year-old midfielder to be out for a long spell. However, there’s no point rushing him back into the side when they have enough depth in the side to cope with injury issues.
“Everything I hear” – Brendan Rodgers Sick of Rangers Narrative
Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers has admitted that he is sick of the narrative surrounding Rangers that they are invincible and will win every game between now and the end of the season.
The Hoops boss pointed towards the Ibrox club’s unexpected 2-1 home defeat to Motherwell on Saturday as an example of why they are not unbreakable. Despite losing, though, the Gers remained top of the table at the end of the weekend because of events involving Celtic at Tynecastle yesterday.
Hearts ran out 2-0 winners amid a backdrop of controversial refereeing and VAR decisions that were rightly called out by Rodgers post-match.
It was a frustrating afternoon for the manager and his players, but they can’t dwell on it too much, particularly at such a pivotal point in the season.
They need to move on swiftly, but there will be many twists in the tale as of yet, the double-treble-winning boss pointing out Saturday’s events to back up his point: “You would never have said yesterday before Rangers lost to Motherwell at home that they would lose”, he said (Football Scotland).
3rd March 2024; Tynecastle Park, Edinburgh, Scotland; Scottish Premiership Football, Hearts versus Celtic; Celtic Manager Brendan Rodgers applauds the away supporters after the match
“Everything I hear is that they are going to win every single game through to the end of the season. But we know it’s about us. It’s still very much in our hands.”
Rodgers knows that if Celtic win all of their games between now and the end of the season, they will be champions. His side seemed to be on an upturn in form going into Sunday’s match but everything that could have gone wrong in Gorgie did.
Two upcoming home games versus both Livingston and St. Johnstone in the cup and league respectively provide the Hoops with an opportunity to get themselves back on track and regain their momentum ahead of April’s key Glasgow derby.
The inconvenient Celtic truth Brendan Rodgers is avoiding as furious ref rant is fooling no one – Keith Jackson
It was a weekend where the title race lost the plot and you don’t need to be a rocket scientist to know what’s at stake now.
Brendan Rodgers shakes hands with Don Robertson
Now that every man and his dog in the SPFL are busy writing their own stories perhaps they ought to remember the importance of a good plot.
And once they’ve found one they like the look of they should do as much as they can to stick to it. Because there’s a big difference between creating a plot and losing one. And, over the course of a perfectly chaotic weekend, that’s precisely what Rangers and took it in turns to do.
You don’t need to be a rocket scientist to know what’s at stake now that the finishing line is coming into sight in the race towards the title.
Tempers are beginning to fray and nerves are being stretched but, as is always the case in these adrenaline-charged moments, clear heads and a strong constitution will be required between now and May.
Rangers allowed their composure to escape them on Saturday when all they required was a run of the mill victory over Motherwell to open up a five point lead at the top of the table.
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And even though they will have celebrated Celtic’s defeat at Tynecastle yesterday afternoon, the challengers may yet have cause to look back on the events of the last 72 hours as the win that got away.
By failing to stay calm in the heat of the moment a huge opportunity has passed them by. And yet, despite themselves, they made it out the other side of the fixture list, with no damage done and a two point lead intact.
For their part, the champions headed across the M8 knowing three points would be enough to get their noses back in front at a critical point in the campaign, with just the nine games remaining. That they failed spectacularly to get the job done was almost all of their own doing, even if manager Brendan Rodgers jabbed one accusatory finger in the direction of ref Don Robertson and another even more forcibly towards John Beaton in the VAR bunker.
By naming Beaton on more than one occasion in his post match media duties, Rodgers was deliberately fanning the flames of a dangerous fire. Yes, between them, Beaton and Robertson may have reached a number of fairly unfathomable decisions. And, true, the calls they collaborated on had a material impact on the match.
But, by pinning the blame for this latest slip up solely on the officials, Celtic are distracting themselves from an inconvenient truth. Because as soon as Rodgers released his team sheet at Tynecastle it did feel as if his side might be in for a long and uncomfortable afternoon, regardless of any contributory factors from the outside.
With skipper Callum McGregor injured and watching from a seat in the main stand, there was always a high risk that Celtic’s midfield might malfunction at one of the most notoriously tricky to negotiate venues in the top flight. Quite simply, Celtic struggle to cope without having their captain pulling the strings from the centre of the pitch and neither Tomoki Iwata nor Paulo Bernardo are adequately equipped to take on McGregor’s responsibilities.
On top of this glaring deficiency, Rodgers opted to leave talisman Kyogo Furuhashi warming the bench for a match which had to be won.
The very idea of going into a game of such huge significance without either of these players in the starting XI would have brought about a state of blind panic at the start of the season. And yet this is where Celtic find themselves now that the business end is upon them. Of course, Rodgers was struggling to contain his sense of outrage over the decision to upgrade Hyun-jun Yang’s yellow card to a red, after Beaton had got his hands on the remote control.
The manager will argue – and perfectly correctly – that there was no malicious intent when Yang flicked a boot into the face of Hearts full-back Alex Cochrane. But just because he didn’t mean any harm by it doesn’t mean that he was not endangering an opponent by lifting a leg above head height. By the letter of the law, Yang doesn’t have a leg left to stand on.
Also, it was not Beaton who made the call. On the contrary, his role started and ended in advising Robertson to take another look for himself on the pitch side screen. If anything, moments earlier, had Beaton told Robertson to review the decision to award Celtic with a penalty then the whole furore could have been avoided.
Just as it would have done had Adam Idah not fluffed his lines from the spot and found the back of Zander Clark’s net rather than the toe of the big keeper’s left boot.
That’s four penalties Celtic have failed to convert since the start of the season and Beaton hasn’t taken any of them. But Rodgers was probably sent over the edge when the man at Clydesdale House spotted a potential penalty at the other end – even though, in real time, no-one on the pitch or even inside the stadium had any inkling that the ball had hit Iwata’s arm inside Celtic’s box.
Again, he instructed Robertson to take a look at the replays. Again, it was the referee who then decided to do something about it by pointing to the spot.
On reflection, it’s perhaps no wonder Rodgers lost the plot over that one because it almost defies belief that two of the country’s most experienced officials could study those pictures and both come to the same inconceivable conclusion.
And yet, despite this latest VAR-ce, the truth is that Celtic’s ten men were struggling to contain Hearts at that stage in the match. The longer the first half went on the more it felt like the home side would eventually make the numbers count.
And they would have gone inside at the break with a two goal lead had it not been for another intervention from Beaton and his helpers who correctly clocked Lawrence Shankland’s big toe in an offside position a split second before the striker stroked an expert finish into the back of Joe Hart’s net.
That chance only came about because Iwata had been caught napping and dispossessed by Beni Baningime. And that brings us back to the crux of the matter where Celtic’s teetering title defence is concerned.
If Rodgers is forced to do without the services of his skipper for any significant length of time then the manager may be reduced to crossing his fingers in the hope that Rangers are incapable of completing their own final chapter. Whoever manages best to stick to the plot over these next few manic weeks is likely to come away with a happy ending.
‘Brilliant’… Kris Boyd so impressed by 26-year-old Celtic player despite defeat to Hearts on Sunday
Kris Boyd was full of praise for Cameron Carter-Vickers after Hearts had a goal disallowed against Celtic, with the Hoops centre-back managing to play Lawrence Shankland offside.
Sunday proved to be a miserable day for Brendan Rodgers’ men. They were beaten 2-0 at Tynecastle, throwing away the chance to move to the top of the Scottish Premiership table.
Adam Idah had a penalty saved, and Hyun-jun Yang was sent off shortly after. Hearts then took the lead, with Jorge Grant scoring from the penalty spot. And the home side thought they had doubled the lead just before half-time, with Lawrence Shankland finding the bottom corner.
Kris Boyd praises Cameron Carter-Vickers after Celtic defeat
The flag did not go up on the field. However, the VAR – after a long look – did rule the goal out, with Shankland going a fraction of a second too early.
But, speaking on Sky Sports (broadcast on 3/3; 14:20), Kris Boyd suggested that what Cameron Carter-Vickers did just before Shankland received the ball should not go unnoticed.
“I think it’s brilliant from Cameron Carter-Vickers as well. We speak about strikers bending their run. He actually came, make that step to allow Shankland to go to give him every opportunity to be offside, because he knows he’s not going to get there to close him down, or Scales is not going to get there to close him down so the only chance he’s got is to play himself offside. It’s good defending, and luckily enough for Celtic, he gets away with it,” he said.
Very bad day at the office for Brendan Rodgers
There really were not many positives from Celtic to take from the game. But they may well feel that two of the three marginal decisions in the first-half went against them.
Of course, all of that would have been irrelevant had Idah scored from the spot. But some will feel that Yang was unlucky to be sent off. Meanwhile, many more will wonder how exactly Hearts were awarded a penalty at 0-0.
But Celtic were really not at the races against Steven Naismith’s side. And had it not been for Carter-Vickers’ quick thinking, they would have gone into the second-half 2-0 down.
Rodgers drops Iwata in predicted Celtic line-up against Hearts
The Northern Irish head coach could make three changes to his starting XI on Sunday.
Celtic are back in action once again in the Scottish Premiership on Sunday as they travel away from Glasgow to take on Hearts at Tynecastle.
The Hoops head into this match off the back of a staggering 7-1 win over Dundee at Parkhead on Wednesday night, which was their second win in succession.
Brendan Rodgers‘ side are competing for the top-flight title with their closest rivals and know that every single match is vitally important as any dropped points could cost them by the end of the season.
The Scottish giants now come up against Hearts, who recently lost 5-0 to Rangers, and will be hoping to make it three straight league wins.
Rodgers could make some changes to the starting XI that hammered Dundee in order to avoid fatigue amid the busy fixture list, and with internationals coming up.
With that in mind, here is FFC’s predicted Celtic line-up to take on Hearts in the capital this weekend…
1Joe Hart
Joe Hart, who is set to retire at the end of the season, should start in goal for the Hoops. He has started 27 of their 28 league matches so far this term, which shows that the 36-year-old veteran is the firm first-choice option between the sticks for Rodgers.
2Alistair Johnston
At right-back, Alistair Johnston should line-up in the defence after an exceptiona performance against Dundee on Wednesday night, which led to FFC hailing him as one of the stars of the game.
The Canada international had 156 touches of the ball – more than any other player on the pitch – and assisted Adam Idah for the second time in as many matches.
Johnston bombed down the right flank and whipped a fantastic cross in for the Ireland international to head past Trevor Carson, which made it 2-0 at the time.
3Stephen Welsh
On the right side of the defence, Rodgers could manage Cameron Carter-Vickers‘ fitness with three games in one week after his injury issues.
The USA international only played 59 minutes against Dundee but it remains to be seen whether or not he can start two games in quick succession yet, which is why Stephen Welsh could slot in – with Maik Nawrocki out injured.
23/24 Premiership
Celtic with Carter-Vickers
Celtic without Carter-Vickers
Matches
16
12
Wins
13
Eight
Draws
Two
Three
Losses
One
One
Clean sheets
Six
Five
As you can see in the table above, Celtic have struggled when Carter-Vickers has not had any involvement in a match – with more dropped points from fewer games without him – and that is why they must manage him carefully.
There is no need to rush him into regular action too soon, particularly with his hamstring injury earlier this term, and risk more time on the treatment table, which is why he could be used off the bench – as was the case against Motherwell recently – on Sunday.
4Liam Scales
Alongside the former Tottenham Hotspur defender, Liam Scales could line up on the left side of the central defensive pairing for the Scottish giants.
The left-footed defender has started 26 league matches and won 64% of his duels, which shows that opposition attackers have found it difficult to get the better of him.
5Greg Taylor
Greg Taylor is another player who should keep their position in the team after the Scotland international produced a phenomenal display on Wednesday.
The former Kilmarnock star showcased his attacking quality with two assists and a goal, which came after an assist against Motherwell in the previous match.
6Callum McGregor
The captain – Callum McGregor – should line up again in the middle of the park as he has started all 28 of the club’s Premiership matches this season, and scored against Dundee.
7Paulo Bernardo
The second change to the starting XI could come in midfield. Tomoki Iwata could be dropped, for rotation reasons, to provide Paulo Bernardo with an opportunity to play.
Iwata was composed and controlled in possession, with a 94% pass accuracy, against Dundee but the Portuguese gem, who has scored two goals and provided two assists in nine league starts, could provide more attacking intent.
The “tenacious” – as described by U23 scout Antonio Mango – whiz could be motivated to showcase his qualities after watching on as the team hammered Dundee on Wednesday.
8Matt O’Riley
The third and final midfield spot should go to Matt O’Riley after the Denmark international ran the show for Celtic alongside Johnston earlier this week.
He assisted Carter-Vickers’ opening goal and Daizen Maeda’s strike. The former Fulham prospect also got himself on the scoresheet with a diving header during the first half.
9Hyun-jun Yang
Hyun-jun Yang could keep his place in the starting XI after two assists in his last two appearances for Celtic. He set up Luis Palma against Motherwell and Daniel Kelly against Dundee with crosses into the box.
The 21-year-old speedster may want to finally nail down a regular place in the starting XI as he has only started eight of his 20 league outings so far this term.
10Adam Idah
Another player who should retain their position in the side is Ireland international Adam Idah, who has enjoyed a terrific start to life at Celtic.
The 23-year-old whiz has scored five goals and provided one assist in five Premiership appearances, including three starts, since his deadline day loan from Norwich City.
11Luis Palma
The final change to the starting XI could come on the left side of the attack. Daizen Maeda could drop out of the line-up – despite scoring against Dundee – to make way for Luis Palma.
Whilst he scored in the 7-1 win, the Japan international has only produced two goals and one assist in his last 16 Premiership appearances for Celtic.
Maeda did not create any chances for his teammates on the night and Rodgers may want more creativity against the third-best defence in the division.
Palma has assisted nine goals and created 12 ‘big chances’ in 23 Premiership appearances since his move from Aris last summer, which suggests that he has far more to offer than the Japanese winger in that regard.
Celtic have now made contact- talks underway for midfielder
Celtic have opened talks about extending the contract of Daniel Kelly.
The teenager made his SPFL debut in midweek, replacing Callum McGregor at the break then taking less than 20 minutes to find the net with a composed shot into the postage stamp corner.
Kelly has just 10 months left to run on his contract, worryingly he is able to sign a pre-season contract in July with clubs in England and Germany reported to be interested.
Wednesday’s performance against Dundee puts the player in the driving seat when it comes to negotiations which will now take on a sense of urgency.
The Daily Mail reports:
CELTIC are pushing to tie down teenage midweek goalscorer Daniel Kelly on a new contract.
The 18-year-old midfielder marked a dream Premiership debut against Dundee with a stunning first senior goal in a thumping 7-1 win for Brendan Rodgers’ side.
Out of contract at the end of 2024, Kelly is now attracting strong interest from Bundesliga giants Bayer Leverkusen and RB Leipzig as well as clubs in England.
Celtic have now made contact with the Scottish youngster’s representatives to schedule discussions on a new deal before he becomes free to sign a pre-contract agreement with another club this summer.
Kelly has been on the bench since the end of the winter break, even with Odin Thiago Holm back to fitness he has retained his place.
With Reo Hatate injured and David Turnbull sold to Cardiff in January the competition for midfield places has quickly thinned out.
As a Celtic fan Kelly’s contract demands shouldn’t be excessive but his agent will know what is available elsewhere and be expecting the going rate for the 18-year-old midfielder.
Kieran Maguire reveals £10m Celtic advantage over Rangers after fan outrage
Celtic are “underperforming” this season as they boast a £10million advantage over arch-rivals Rangers when it comes to total squad cost.
That is the view of finance expert Kieran Maguire, who exclusively told Football Insider that Celtic also spend more on their wage bill compared to their Glasgow rivals.
Brendan Rodgers’ side have been leapfrogged by their rivals in the league table with Rangers now two points clear at the top.
Celtic fans on social media are unhappy with club chairman Peter Lawwell for his comments about a lack of transfer activity in the recent annual general meeting, with some supporters calling him a ‘blatant liar’
Celtic announced a profit of £40million in their 2022-23 accounts with £67million in the bank, but Lawwell insisted that transfer targets were not available in the January transfer window.
Maguire argued that Celtic’s issues this season are not financial as they already boast a huge advantage over other Scottish clubs.
Celtic are “underperforming” as £10m advantage over Rangers revealed
“There is an argument for Celtic to invest more if they are behind Rangers in the table,” Maguire told Football Insider’s Sean Fisher.
“They have always operated very prudently and if we take a look at the 2022-23 season, they had over 50 percent of the total cost of all squads in the Scottish Premiership.
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“Now if they can’t win the league when they have that financial advantage and they’re generating more money than their rivals then I think things are not necessarily wrong from a financial point of view.
“Either Celtic are underperforming or Rangers are over-performing in order for that to be the case.
“Celtic are financially ahead of Rangers and therefore that should give them an advantage because we know that in terms of wages, their wage bill is 20 percent more than Rangers.
“Their squad cost is also £10million more than Rangers, which is a lot of money in the Scottish market.“
In other news, Celtic fans demand board action after ‘massive’ development
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New details emerge on Mark Lawwell situation at Celtic; stringent transfer criteria reported, Ange factor
The news that Mark Lawwell was leaving his post as Head of First Team Scouting and Recruitment at Celtic didn’t come as much of a surprise to supporters.
The club released a statement on Friday confirming the situation, with Lead First Team Scout Joe Dudgeon also making his exit at the same time.
They have officially resigned from their posts and have been placed on gardening leave, meaning they won’t be involved in any further planning ahead of the summer transfer window.
In the aftermath, a few details have come out about Lawwell’s time at the club, which has been much maligned in recent weeks and months after successive lacklustre transfer windows.
Mark Lawwell’s Celtic transfer instructions
Journalist Stephen McGowan reports in the Scottish Daily Mail [02/03 print edition] that Lawwell was given the remit of targeting players between the ages of 19 and 23, but that they should also have international experience and fit certain financial criteria.
That ties in with the kind of player we’ve seen arrive at Celtic recently and perhaps suggests it was the strategy given to Lawwell by the board that led to some of the recruitment issues.
That is a pretty restrictive pool to work from, especially when you consider experienced professionals such as Carl Starfelt, Aaron Mooy and Giorgos Giakoumakis all left the club in 2023. They always needed to be replaced.
There is nothing wrong with targeting young players who have good potential, but there must be leeway given to attract players of a higher quality who may have more experience. There should be more balance.
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Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images
Source briefs on Lawwell’s spell at Celtic
Meanwhile, in The Scottish Sun, a source ‘close to the club’ told reporter David Friel that Lawwell may have been looking to move on partly because Ange Postecoglou was no longer there.
The source talks up Lawwell’s links to Postecoglou, credits him with recommending the manager to the Bhoys and pitches him as the Australian’s man at Celtic, having previously worked together in the City Football Group.
Now Postecoglou is gone, it’s said, Lawwell felt it was the right time to leave.
It seems one side wants to get a rosier side of the Lawwell story at Celtic out there, given all the criticism that has come his way in recent times.
Regardless, if Celtic are to move on positively in terms of transfers, a change in approach is needed even if Lawwell has left his role.
The executive team will ideally appoint a figure with good football experience to work with Rodgers and start to deliver the standard of player we need to refresh and rebuild the current team, with lots of work to do over the summer months.
Most importantly, they must be given proper resources and not be too restricted by specific profile criteria that are counterproductive to a manager’s ambitions. It’s a big market out there and Celtic must look at all kinds of players.
Celtic “Monitoring” English Championship Attacking Midfielder
Celtic are monitoring the situation of Coventry City attacking midfielder Callum O’Hare, according to MailSport journalist Tom Collomosse. The 25-year-old’s contract with The Sky Blues expires at the end of this season.
Currently, O’Hare can talk to clubs outside of England and agree on a pre-contract that would see him join them for free when the campaign ends.
He missed the first quarter of 2023/24 due to a cruciate ligament injury but he has still managed to rack up 24 appearances in all competitions, registering nine goals and four assists in this time. A product of Aston Villa’s academy, O’Hare has spent his whole career in English football.
Soccer Football – Scottish Premiership – Celtic v Rangers – Celtic Park, Glasgow, Scotland, Britain – December 30, 2023 Celtic fans in the stands Action Images via Reuters/Craig Brough
A move North of the border where he could win trophies and play in Europe may appease O’Hare, although La Liga sides are said to have watched him in his team’s 2-1 defeat to West Brom on Friday night where Mikey Johnston bagged a wonder goal.
Although head of first-team scouting and recruitment Mark Lawell and lead first-team scout Joe Dudgeon recently resigned, the Celts do seem active in the market. The pair are not the only people who manage recruitment at the club, and fans will be hoping plans are being put in place for the summer window regardless of the outcome of the title race.
The interest in a player who could be signed for free any time now potentially hints at this, but supporters are right to remain sceptical, particularly after how the left-back hunt in January ended.
The Mikey Johnston Celtic truth bomb from Brendan Rodgers that winger has vindicated in West Brom revival
The winger struggled to make claim for a starting spot at Celtic Park – but has impressed in the English Championship.
Mikey Johnston has been in red-hot form for the Baggies (Image: Ryan Browne/REX/Shutterstock)
In-form Mikey Johnston is shining for West Brom – leaving Celtic fan scratching their heads over why he struggled to find top gear at Parkhead this term.
And among those who have been left baffled will be Brendan Rodgers – after he read the Ireland international the riot act earlier this season as he set the bar high for Johnston and challenged him to claim a starting spot. The 24-year-old appears to have heard the message loud and clear – but not to Celtic’s benefit with the attacker becoming a key part of West Brom‘s push for the English Premier League.
The on-loan Celtic winger fired in his third goal since his January move in the early stages of their Championship clash with Coventry – as he curled the ball in from the left hand side of the box with just five minutes on the clock. The result moves the Baggies up to fifth in the table – and in position to claim a playoff spot as a minimum.
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It marks a rapid turnaround in fortunes for Johnston away from the Celtic Park spotlight. Following the 4-1 win over Hibs in December, Rodgers didn’t hold back as he demanded more from the wide man.
He said: “Mikey needs to do more, that is the reality. He’s not young. He is 24. At some time you need to grab the bull by the horns and be aggressive. It can be easier coming off the bench, it doesn’t feel like pressure.
“You can come in and show your qualities. If any player wants to be starting here you have to have that personality to come in and play. But he’s been really good in training and earned the start. Hopefully if he gets more starts he can show more of his qualities.”
And speaking after the win over Coventry Johnston appears to have heard the message loud and clear – as he declared he was backing his ability to succeed at the Hawthorns.
Speaking post-match, he said: “When I cut inside, I know I’ve got the ability to bend in that kind of finish. I do it in training a lot and thankfully it’s starting to pay off. It’s something I practice a lot and I’m reaping the rewards.
“I’m learning every day the way the manager wants to play and every week he’s got a game plan, and it seems to be working. I’m getting joy, whether I’m playing on the inside or the outside so I’m happy and the main thing today was about getting three points.”
Johnston has claimed that Rodgers was keen to keep him at Celtic Park before he pushed for a temporary January exit. Rodgers will hope to see the same form from the forward when he makes his Parkhead return at the end of the campaign.
Hearts team v Celtic: Jambos replace Frankie Kent in the predicted line-up
Third big game in just over a week for Steven Naismith’s side
Third host second in the cinch Premiership on Sunday when Celtic visit Hearts. It is the third of three colossal fixtures in just over a week for the Edinburgh club following matches against Rangers and Hibs.
Head coach Steven Naismith has some important decisions to make regarding which formation to use and exactly which personnel to fit in. He also must decide how to compensate for the absence of influential centre-back Frankie Kent, who is out with a knee injury.
Here is the predicted Hearts team to face Celtic:
1. GK: Zander Clark
2. RCB: Toby Sibbick
3. CB: Stephen Kingsley
4. LCB: Kye Rowles
Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall is a player in demand at the moment, and with the recent history of Brighton interest in January, surely talk will be back over the summer, with a price tag allready set on KDH, believed to be £40million. Man City, Liverpool and Chelsea will possibly be looking at the Leicester midfielder when considering transfer options over the summer.
Leicester cannot afford to buy players without letting a number of the current group leave, both regarding number of first team players as well as getting the best incoming deals over the line.
Matt O’Riley was last summer mentioned as a possible target, but with Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall at the club, he would not be a needed, as the two cover the same position and it would be difficult to get a deal done without a clear priority. To get O’Riley, KDH and possilby Bouba Soumare must be sold.
We believe the Danish international will fit the structure at Leicester and become a great new addition if it happens, but other Premier League clubs will certainly be looking at him as well, Leeds and Fulham being mentioned as other suiters for his signature.
Midfielders with most G/A in top-15 leagues:
🇩🇰 Matt O’Riley, Celtic = 20
🇪🇸 Cameron Puertas, Union SG = 20
🏴 Jude Bellingham, Real Madrid = 19
🇵🇱 Sebastian Szymanski, Fenerbahce = 18
🏴 Cole Palmer, Chelsea = 16 pic.twitter.com/A7MnqMnIHl
— Danish Scout (@DanishScout_) February 28, 2024
The 1.89m midfielder is currently progressing at Celtic, being under the command of Brendan Rodgers, he has flourished even more this season, than before, both in Europe and in the Scottish top flight. The thrill of getting a chance in Premier League, would be the next step, and at Leicester he will be in good company with fellow Danes Jannik Vestergaard and Mads Hermansen likely to be part of the set up also next season.
Matt O’Riley has a contract running until the summer of 2027, he is 23 years old and it would be an ideal signing for Leicester as they surely looks to return to Premier League action next season.
Super concentrated’ ‘really good technique’ ‘scores all types of goals’ Rodgers tribute to SPFL rival
Brendan Rodgers has delivered a glowing tribute to Lawrence Shankland but denied having an interest in signing the striker.
On Sunday at Tynecastle Shankland will be the main threat to Celtic’s title hopes, with goals in each of the two previous matches between the club’s his threat is fairly obvious.
The Scotland striker has 27 goals to his name this season including eight in his last seven matches with his only blank coming at Ibrox last Saturday.
Celtic themselves had netted an impressive 10 goals in their last match and a half but at Tynecastle on Sunday they’ll be up against the most prolific striker in the country.
They’re a good team, but with Shankland getting over 50 per cent of their goals, is it key to keep him quiet?
I really enjoy watching him, because when I was here the first time he was a player that was on the radar and I had heard people speak about him. Anytime I looked at clips, you could see he was a goalscorer.
Having come back and seen him now in the Premiership playing, he’s a boy who looks super concentrated in the game. He’s got really good technique and uses his body well to protect the ball. He scores all types of goals; left foot, right foot and good in the air. He’s a very good player and one that we have to manage well.
The follow up question to that about thinking of making a move for him was met with a quick ‘no’.
During Rodgers first season at Celtic Shankland was on loan at St Mirren from Aberdeen, scoring just four goals in 24 appearances when Lewis Morgan was the star turn for Jack Ross’ side. The following year he fared little better on loan at Morton with five goals in 18 matches.
Freed by Aberdeen in the summer of 2018 Shankland moved down to League One, helping Ian McCall’s side to promotion with a haul of 63 goals from 74 appearances that set his career back on course and earning him moves to Dundee United, Beerschot and Hearts alongside international recognition.
“Around £10 million” – Prediction delivered concerning potential Norwich City, Celtic summer deal
Norwich City striker Adam Idah has enjoyed a strong start to his loan spell at Celtic.
HIGHLIGHTS
Norwich City may demand £10M for striker Adam Idah, who has impressed on loan at Celtic, hinting his future may lie in Scotland.
Idah’s success at Celtic contrasts with his lack of game time at Norwich, highlighting his potential and increasing his market value.
Amid strong form from Norwich without Idah, a decision to let him leave may be re-evaluated as discussions on a permanent move to Celtic evolve.
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Pundit Carlton Palmer believes Norwich City could demand a fee in the region of £10 million for striker Adam Idah this summer.
Idah scored seven goals and provided one assist in 34 appearances in all competitions for the Canaries in the first half of the season, but most of his minutes came as a substitute, and he was allowed to join Scottish Premiership side Celtic on loan in January.
The 23-year-old has made an excellent start to life at Celtic Park, netting five goals and registering one assist in his first six games for Brendan Rodgers’ side, and he was on the scoresheet once again in the Hoops’ 7-1 home win over Dundee on Wednesday night.
Celtic do not have an option to buy Idah, but according to Football Insider, the striker is open to making a permanent move to Glasgow, with the prospect of playing Champions League football said to be appealing to him.
It remains to be seen whether Norwich will sanction Idah’s exit in the summer, but the Canaries have performed well in his absence, and they currently sit seventh in the Championship table, just three points from the play-off places.
Championship Table (As it stands February 26th)
Team
P
GD
Pts
1
34
41
78
2
34
37
72
3
34
23
72
4
34
23
67
5
34
17
56
6
34
7
55
7
34
8
52
8
34
-5
52
Palmer: Norwich City will want a big fee for Adam Idah
Speaking exclusively to Football League World, Palmer said that Norwich could value Idah in the region of £10 million in the summer, and he admitted he was surprised that Celtic did not negotiate a buy option in his loan deal.
“Norwich City are holding out for a big fee for Adam Idah, who’s gone on loan to Celtic,” Palmer said.
“He’s enjoying life up at Celtic, but Norwich want a big fee and he is under contract until the summer of 2028.
“The Irish international has scored five goals from his first six games in Scotland, so it’s a very, very bright start.
“He struggled for consistent game time with David Wagner’s side prior to his loan, but he did score seven goals and provide one assist in 34 appearances.
“It remains to be seen what the figure will be, but it will be more than the original £3 million that was touted at the start.
“It’s strange that Celtic didn’t agree a fee for him before he went up the road should they want to make the deal permanent.
“For a player of his age and as an international, the fee could be around £10 million, which would be seen as a reasonable fee for a player of his experience and stature.”
Norwich City may have made a mistake by sanctioning summer exit for attacker: View
Norwich City facing big Adam Idah summer decision
It has been an outstanding start to Idah’s time at Celtic, and Norwich may be regretting not giving him more of an opportunity this season.
Idah has scored some crucial goals for the Hoops in their battle for the Scottish Premiership title, proving what he is capable of when starting regularly, and if he maintains his form, Rodgers will surely be keen to sign him permanently.
As Palmer says, Idah is under contract at Carrow Road until the summer of 2028, putting the Canaries in a strong negotiating position, and a fee of around £10 million would be a fair valuation for a player of his potential.
However, after his impressive spell north of the border, Norwich may be keen to keep hold of Idah, so it will be intriguing to see where his long-term future lies.
Now we know who to blame- Sutton reacts to Mark Lawwell’s exit
Chris Sutton is sceptical over Celtic’s statement that Mark Lawwell resigned as Head of First Team Scouting and Recruitment.
On February 23 in the Interim Report Chairman Peter Lawwell expressed his frustrations over the recruitment carried out during the January transfer window.
A week later the club used the same Friday time slot to announce that the Head of Recruitment and his assistant Joe Dudgeon had gone on gardening leave after less than two years in the job.
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Rodgers keeps it very brief as Lawwell quits vital Celtic role
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Putting two and two together in the Daily Record Sutton gives his take on the departure of the Celtic Recruitment chief:
There were questions over who was to blame for January – and the window last summer. Now it looks like we have the answer. Celtic might say Mark Lawwell is leaving to pursue other opportunities but it looks like he’s fallen on his sword.
There was an inevitability about this after Peter Lawwell’s statement in the interim accounts.
The chairman said the clubs shared the frustration about the lack of signings in the window when Brendan Rodgers had said he needed four quality recruits. The big question was why – and who was to blame? I think we now know.
There should be a collective responsibility when it comes to transfers from the recruitment team to the manager. But clearly something wasn’t right – and it goes back to last summer.
You look at the players coming in. Some of them clearly have not been fancied and that has put the spotlight on the recruitment team.
The spotlight now at Celtic is what happens next.
It would be fair to assume that very little work has been put in place for the summer transfer window which has the huge variable over whether Champions League group stage income is guaranteed or only available through a tough qualifying route.
With virtually no comment coming out of the club it remains to be seen whether there will be direct replacements for Lawwell and Dudgeon or a new set up in place such as appointing a Director of Football to oversee Recruitment and all playing matters at the club.
Hearts v Celtic injury news: 10 out and 1 doubt ahead of Scottish Premiership clash
Here’s a look at Celtic’s injury news ahead of their clash with Hearts on Sunday.
Both Hearts and Celtic will be without key players when the two Scottish giants come to blows on Sunday at noon. In this piece, we’ll take a closer look at who’ll be fit to play and who won’t feature in this crucial crunch clash.
Last time out, Celtic’s campaign was given a much-needed shot in the arm when they annihilated Dundee by a score of 7-1. Hearts, meanwhile, laboured to a stalemate at Tynecastle Park against bitter rivals Hibs in their last Scottish Premiership outing – Celtic will enter the game as the team in better form on this basis.
1. Barrie McKay (Hearts): Out
Working back to fitness after a knee injury.
2. Reo Hatate (Celtic): Out
Returned from the Asian Cup with a calf complaint.
3. Peter Haring (Hearts): Out
Still recovering from his own knee problem
4. James McCarthy (Celtic): Out
Hamstring problem. Hasn’t played this season.
Boss and skipper Callum McGregor missing in action as Brendan Rodgers absence from Celtic training shown
Brendan Rodgers absence from Celtic training revealed as boss and skipper Callum McGregor missing in action
It was John Kennedy overseeing the first team within the their Lennoxtown training base.
Celtic boss Brendan Rodgers was absent from training alongside skipper Callum McGregor but the boss is still expected to be in situ for his media duties on Friday.
Sky Sports reporter Mark Benstead revealed the Irishman wasn’t in attendance for the final session before the crunch clash with Hearts with John Kennedy overseeing the first team within the their Lennoxtown training base. The champions are basking in the glow of their come from behind win over Motherwell before smashing Dundee 7-1.
Speaking on Sky Sports, Benstead stated: “Interesting little side note to training. It’s not Brendan Rodgers overseeing this morning’s session. John Kennedy is the man calling the shots so far. The Celtic manager is yet to make an appearance. We are due to speak to him at lunchtime, I imagine he will be on route. But, for the moment, John Kennedy is the man looking after this morning’s session.”
Brendan Rodgers hugs Callum McGregor
Skipper McGregor was substituted at half time for Daniel Kelly but spoke to the media at full time and his removal against the Dens Park side appeared to be about giving him a well earned rest rather than injury related.
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Officials confirmed as Celtic look to continue their title charge against Hearts at Tynecastle
Celtic travel to Tynecastle on Sunday to face Heart of Midlothian in a match that could have major ramifications concerning their Scottish Premiership title bid.
The Bhoys will be keen to record their third successive victory on league duty; however, Brendan Rodgers and company know the threat that their opposition carries from lived experience.
In their two league meetings this campaign, Celtic and Hearts have one victory apiece, with the last contest at Parkhead back in December ending in a 2-0 triumph for Steven Naismith’s visitors.
Nevertheless, there is a feeling of renewed optimism starting to creep in among Hoops supporters, who enjoyed a 7-1 triumph over Dundee in their last outing.
Tomoki Iwata, Hyunjun Yang, and Adam Idah have all added freshness to a previously jaded-looking outfit; however, they are in sink-or-swim territory, requiring every player to put their best foot forward once the action commences in Edinburgh.
Fans unable to attend can watch all the action live on Sky Sports Main Event (and Sky Sports Football); meanwhile, LiveSoccerTV has full coverage details for those keen to tune in from across the globe.
Kick-off is at 12 pm sharp, and Sky Sports will commence their live broadcast from the capital at 11 am.
Officiating team confirmed for Heart of Midlothian vs Celtic
Hearts and Celtic going head-to-head is one of Scottish football’s most anticipated fixtures, and nobody will want to miss what could potentially be a momentous day for Rodgers’ side.
More details ahead of the tie have emerged, as Don Robertson has been confirmed as the man with the whistle, supported by Daniel McFarlane and Ross Macleod, who are set to run the lines [Scottish FA official website].
Graham Grainger takes a hands-on approach as the fourth official. At the same time, John Beaton is in pole position regarding VAR, with Andrew McWilliam assisting in case any incidents on the day need a second review.
Celtic will be backed by a small contingent of 576 supporters at Tynecastle; regardless, expect them to get right behind their side as the Hoops look to secure a statement victory!
Celtic Park atmosphere blows Canadian TV presenter away after ‘unforgettable’ night against Dundee
Canadian reporter and presenter Devin Heroux won’t be forgetting his trip to Parkhead in a hurry.
Devin Heroux enjoyed Celtic’s win over Dundee very much (Image: Devin Heroux)
A Canadian TV presenter took in Celtic’s clash with Dundee during the week – and was left blown away by ‘one of the best sporting atmospheres I’ve ever experienced.’
The Hoops seven on a night that relieved a bit of the mounting pressure on Brendan Rodgers. The Premiership champions rolled it back with a vintage attacking display, racing into a SIX goal lead by half-time before sub Daniel Kelly scored a seventh after the break. It didn’t send them back to the top of the league with Rangers beating Kilmarnock on the night but it felt like a statement they aren’t going away despite some poor recent form – and the Parkhead crowd met an impressive performance with a roaring response.
Lawrence Shankland tagged world class by Hearts teammate as ‘stupid’ Hibs missile throwers were NEVER putting him off
The Jambos ace won’t make a meal out of facing Celtic on Sunday after being targeted by Hibs fans in the midweek derby draw.
Lawrence Shankland takes a bite of a pie that was thrown at him
Nathaniel Atkinson insisted world class Lawrence Shankland is ready to sink his teeth into Celtic after munching a pie amid Wednesday’s derby mayhem.
The Hearts striker kept his cool when all hell was breaking loose at Tynecastle in the controversial Edinburgh stalemate. The SPFL have launched an investigation after Shanks was pelted by missiles that included a lighter, a bottle opener and even AirPod earphones – as well as the pastry – with Hibs players also pelted from the stands.
Atkinson hailed the hitman for keeping the head as Hearts recovered from their hefty defeat to Rangers at Ibrox with a battling point against their fierce foes. And the Aussie insisted it will take more than bedlam in the terraces to distract sharp shooter Shankland. Atkinson said:
“I think he had a bite of a pie after he scored the goal. He came in at half-time and said it was a bit of a spicy one. He’s a world class player and nothing is going to put him off.
That’s a derby, isn’t it? You’ve got fans in the background wanting to chuck stuff on the pitch. I don’t look into it too much, it’s a bit of a stupid thing, let’s get on with the game. They are passionate fans, we don’t agree with it, what can you do?”
Atkinson was gutted Hearts couldn’t complete the comeback and grab all three points. But it was a positive reaction on the back of the 5-0 Ibrox humbling that gives the confidence another jolt ahead of Sunday’s showdown with Celts.
Atkinson said: “I think it was a bit of a wake-up call. I don’t think it was a confidence thing, being on such a great run recently. That’s football, you are not going to win every game. You’d like to. No player wakes up and thinks ‘I want to lose’.
“It’s one of those things. We’ve got another tough game on the weekend against Celtic, we’ll get the recovery and we’ll get to that.”
It was blood and thunder in Gorgie as usual and Atkinson admitted he was disappointed the Jambos couldn’t get their passing game going and secure all three points There’s a sense in the maroon half of Edinburgh they let their rivals off the hook again, having been pegged back from 2-0 up in the Tynie draw earlier in the season.
Atkinson said: “I think it was a classic derby, not much football being played so we were a bit disappointed in that. We pride ourselves on being a footballing side but I think we can all agree that wasn’t our best performance.
Martin Boyle and Hearts’ Nathaniel Atkinson
“They got a goal early and they wanted to defend that. We started to gain a bit of confidence and get into the game.
“First half there was a bit more football played. We got the penalty and the goal.
“The second half wasn’t a great game if we are honest, you take the point. “Was it an opportunity missed? Yeah, of course. Getting the win late on at their home ground earlier on in the season and it was a good opportunity to come back after a poor performance last weekend as well to get back on the winning run.
“You’ve got to take the positives, we got a point and extended the gap a little bit.”
News update: Carter-Vickers fires Celtic up for 10 game glory run as determined stopper roars ‘let’s attack them ALL’
Carter-Vickers was on the scoresheet for Celtic’s 7-1 annihilation of Dundee and reckons the feelgood factor is back just in time.
Cameron Carter-Vickers has sounded the battle cry for Celtic’s title run-in by insisting the champions must win every remaining game between now and May.
Carter-Vickers returned to the starting line-up at Parkhead on Wednesday might and scored the opener in a 7-1 disembowelment of Dundee. And now the USA international has set a target of ten more top flight wins and Scottish Cup glory as he races to make up for lost time after spending much of the season on the Lennoxtown treatment table.
Celtic remain two points behind rivals Rangers at the top of the Premiership table despite back-to-back wins over Motherwell and the Dens Park outfit. And they must negotiate a treacherous trip to face Hearts at Tynecastle on Sunday – 24 hours after the new leaders face Motherwell at Ibrox. But, asked if Celtic are re-energised for the race to the line, Carter-Vickers said: “Hopefully we’ve got that energy. We’ve 10 games left plus Scottish Cup games.
Benjamin Siegrist is Aberdeen FC transfer target as Celtic summer escape route emerges
“Our aim is to win all the games we play. If we want to achieve what we want this season then we have to do that. We’re fully focused on that.”
Boss Brendan Rodgers has hailed the return to fitness of his first choice central defender as a key moment in Celtic’s season. Full-back Alistair Johnston is also back in the starting line-up with midfield linchpin Reo Hatate also close to a return.
And Carter-Vickers said: “I don’t know if it’s players coming back from injury – maybe it’s a bit of luck – or it’s down to how we are playing. But we know we’ve got a few games left now and we’ve got to attack them all, try to win all of them.”
Pundit tears into SPFL coach as Celtic star ‘will not play’ for the club again, see reason
A pundit had some harsh words for a Scottish Premiership manager as a Celtic star has reportedly played his last game for the club.
Another Edinburgh derby is in the books. This time, the spoils were shared between Hibs and Hearts, thanks to goals from Emiliano Marcondes and Lawrence Shankland – let’s take a look at what is happening around the Scottish Premiership.
A manager in the SPFL has been lambasted by a pundit after another defeat – meanwhile, another believes that a Celtic player has played his ‘last game’ for the Hoops.
Willie Miller tears into Aberdeen boss Neil Warnock over poor run of results
Suffice to say, Willie Miller is not happy with Neil Warnock’s Aberdeen tenure thus far. He dressed down the former Sheffield United manager, ridiculing his tactics and questioning his commitment to the club.
Speaking after the game on BBC Scotland, Miller said: “The Motherwell selection with [Jamie] McGrath playing at left wing back was incredible! And I said that before the game. I’m saying ‘what’s going on here?’ There seems to be an experiment every game.
“You expect any new manager to in their and get a bounce but there hasn’t been one. And some of his comments that he’s up here to have a bit of fun – that doesn’t sit right. He’s an experienced manager. He should know the players he’s got and have an idea of what he wants to do when he’s up here.”
Frank McAvennie thinks Liel Abada has played his last game for Celtic
Pundit Frank McAvennie believes that Liel Abada has played his last game for Celtic – he expressed his sympathies to the Israeli international in a recent interview.
Speaking to Football Insider, McAvennie said: “If Abada was there, I’d put him in the team. If I could trust him to go and play and to get all the noise out of his head, then he should play. I just don’t think there’s any way back for him now, that is it.
“I’d love to see the boy, but I haven’t got any time for people who want to bring politics into football. You go to games to get away from that. I feel for Abada because there are supporters that love him and some that are going against him. It must be hard for the boy.”
Video: Hugh Keevins left with egg on his face after Celtic statement
Daniel Kelly celebrates scoring Celtic v Dundee, Scottish Premiership, Celtic Park, 28 Feb 2024 Photo Mark Runnacles/Shutterstock
Hugh Keevins has a history of making some strange statements and predictions. The journalist has been a resident on Superscoreboard for some time and in that time he’s not learned that usually he fails to be right.
Speaking on Wednesday’s show, Kevin’s stated that Celtic had not played well since the return from the winter break and Brendan Rodgers’ side very quickly left the pundit with egg on his face.
📞 “You are wrong Hugh!”
🗣️ “You are clutching at straws Niall.”
👊 It was Niall v Hugh, after the Shugster claimed Celtic haven’t played well since the winter break . pic.twitter.com/bzS7YiEVHr
— Clyde 1 Superscoreboard (@ClydeSSB) February 29, 2024
Celtic scored six goals in the first half as they steamrolled Dundee. There were seven different scorers as Brendan’s team made a statement with their win.
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.
Cameron Carter-Vickers issues Celtic rallying cry as he demands side win all remaining games
The centre-half knows the Hoops have 10 games remaining to push for the title, Celtic’s Cameron Carter-Vickers
Cameron Carter-Vickers insists it’s vital Celtic win all of their remaining fixtures this season in order to win the title.
The Hoops have dropped points in seven games this term and fans have, at times, been on their back due to poor performances and bad results. CCV is one player who has missed a number of matches which has hurt the squad due to how vital the centre-half is within the team. But now that the American is back he has issued the rallying cry he feels all his teammates need to hear with Rangers two points ahead at the top of the Premiership.
“Hopefully we’ve got that energy. We’ve 10 games left plus Scottish Cup games,” CCV explained.
“Our aim is to win all the games we play. If we want to achieve what we want this season then we have to do that. We’re fully focused on that.”
CCV has suffered a few issues this campaign while other big hitters like Reo Hatate have also been missing. Others like Alistair Johnston have returned alongside the defender and he reckons they’ve come back at a good time.
Carter-Vickers added: “I don’t know if it’s players coming back from injury – maybe it’s a bit of luck – or it’s down to how we are playing. But we know we’ve got a few games left now and we’ve got to attack them all, try to win all of them.”
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Matt O’Riley’s Inspiring Message to Celtic Fans
In the wake of an emphatic 7-1 victory over Dundee at Celtic Park, Matt O’Riley, Celtic’s midfield maestro, took to Instagram with a message that resonated deeply not just within the confines of the dressing room but also among the legions of Celtic supporters.
The message, encapsulated in the powerful tagline ‘together as one’, accompanied by images of the Dundee demolition, was not merely a celebratory post. It was a clarion call, a reminder of the unity and resolve that underpins this Celtic side’s resurgence in the title race.
Despite the dazzling display that saw the Bhoys put seven past Dundee, Celtic still find themselves trailing by two points in the Scottish Premiership title race. However, the narrative around this Celtic team has shifted dramatically over the past two games. A team once perceived as apathetic has now awoken from its slumber, showcasing a fighting spirit that has reignited their title aspirations.
The Danish international who dazzled in the first half of the season, seemed to lose his spark following the winter break. Yet, in the last two outings, O’Riley, along with his teammates, has sprung back to life, injecting a new lease of life into Celtic’s midfield along with a new partner in Tomoki Iwata. This resurgence is timely, as the title race enters its final stretch, with ten games left to play.
Sunday’s fixture against Hearts at Tynecastle presents a formidable test of Celtic’s title credentials. Hearts, known for their dogged home form and hostile atmosphere will not make it easy for the visitors.
However, there’s a palpable sense of optimism among Celtic fans. The team has rediscovered its confidence at a crucial juncture, and the unity expressed by O’Riley suggests a squad that’s not just ready to compete but is determined to prevail.
One of the best sporting atmospheres I’ve ever experienced- Canadian presenter gives his view on Celtic Park
A Canadian sports presenter was bowled over by Celtic’s win over Dundee on Wednesday night.
On his Twitter bio Devin Heroux describes himself as ‘CBC News/Olympics and Paralympics Reporter. Based in Toronto. Born in Saskatoon’ but on Wednesday night he found himself sitting in the North Stand to experience the raw passion of Scottish football.
Heroux might be producing a feature on Canadian’s in Scottish football, led by Alistair Johnston, he could have had a place in the Media Section but for the authentic taste of football in one of its most fabled arena’s he was in among the fans as Celtic turned on the style.
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After some lacklustre recent displays Celtic were on full throttle last night, for any visitor the mixture of passion from the fans and exciting direct football on the pitch makes for a lively cocktail.
Even when subdued the atmosphere at Celtic Park is far superior to many of the fabled stadiums in England where the traditional supporter has largely been priced out of the market.
That was one of the best sporting atmospheres I’ve ever experienced.
It’s a 7-1 victory for @CelticFC over Dundee and the locals are going home happy.
60,000 fans. They have 48,000 season ticket holders. Remarkable. Unforgettable experience at Celtic Park. pic.twitter.com/h5Ri9t4MDi
— Devin Heroux (@Devin_Heroux) February 28, 2024
Johnston wasn’t on the scoresheet but he did put in an impressive performance, linking up well with Yang Hyun-jun as Celtic turned in their best performance of the season.
Whenever he gets back to Toronto Heroux will have a greater understanding of Scottish football and the unique circumstances that makes Celtic appeal worldwide.
“World-class” player could be tempted to sign for Celtic
He may cost the Hoops £15m. One major Celtic transfer target could now be open to moving to Parkhead, according to a new transfer update this week.
Celtic transfer rumours
The Hoops have got back to winning ways in recent weeks following a dip in Scottish Premiership form, with a late win at Motherwell on the weekend followed up by a 7-1 hammering of Dundee on Wednesday evening. Brendan Rodgers’ side still trail rivals Rangers at the top of the table, with the title race looking set to go down to the wire.
Celtic looking to complete “huge” transfer this summer
Despite Rodgers’ focus being on matters on the pitch, it looks as if Celtic chefs already have one eye on the transfer market. Recent reports have even suggested that the Hoops could break their transfer record on one signing this summer, with the funds seemingly ready.
Loanee Adam Idah is believed to be open to a permanent Celtic transfer, whereas Charlton Athletic youngster Patrick Casey is also on the radar.
However, the club’s top target appears to be a new goalkeeper, with Liverpool’s Caoimhin Kelleher of real interest. Celtic “would love” to sign the Reds ‘keeper, although previous reports said a deal could be hard to do regarding persuading him to head to Scotland.
Kelleher to Celtic update
Now, in a new update from HITC, Kelleher could be tempted to sign for Celtic due to ‘the prospect of regular first-team football north of the border’. They say that Kelleher is very high on Rodgers’ wishlist, with the manager seemingly a big fan, but a deal may cost as much as £15m.
With Joe Hart set to retire at the end of the season, a new first-choice shot-stopper needs to come in, and the club have also watched Ugurcan Cakir of Trabzonspor, as per the report.
Kelleher has been second choice to Allison at Anfield in recent years but has played regularly in domestic cup competitions under Jurgen Klopp. He starred for the Reds against Chelsea in the EL Cup final on Sunday, winning his sixth major honour for Liverpool in the process.
Caoimhin Kelleher’s Liverpool stats
Appearances
38
Clean sheets
14
Goals conceded
45
Trophies
6
Kelleher has also come in for praise from teammate Virgil van Dijk, who said on Sunday: “He should have got it (player of the match). I’m probably one of his biggest fans, I think.
“I have always said he is world class and he stepped up today, again. It’s good to see. He’s a good boy, good goalkeeper and that’s what we need at a club like Liverpool.”
Meanwhile, Klopp also waxed lyrical over Kelleher on the weekend, saying: “Caoimh was unbelievable. Such a mature performance. I say it often: we have the best goalkeeper in the world and the best Number two in the world. I’m so happy for him. Top game.”
Therefore, knowing Kelleher could now be tempted to join Celtic is a boost for the Hoops, and a deal could be one to watch over the coming months
Fabrizio Romano provided update on ex-Celtic man set to make Saudi move
Former Celtic Head of Recruitment Lee Congerton looks set to be the latest name lured to the Saudi League. The ex-Leicester City talent spotter is currently Director of Football with Serie A side Atalanta but it appears that he is set to move to Saudi Arabia.
According to transfer guru Fabrizio Romano, Congerton will leave Atalanta by mutual consent before joining Al Ahli in the coming days.
🟢🇸🇦 Former #LCFC director Lee Congerton leaves Atalanta on mutual agreement as he’s set to try new chapter in Saudi Pro League.
Congerton will sign as new Al Ahli director in the next days. 🤝🏻 pic.twitter.com/OlugSc8BdF
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) February 29, 2024
Congerton had a patchy rate of success with signings while at Celtic. After three seasons at Celtic, the Welshman followed Brendan Rodgers to Leicester City and enjoyed more success while there.
It had been hoped that Congerton would’ve been able to bring Celtic into a new market, that elusive £5m-plus market, and propel Celtic into that next level in Europe. Alas, he wasn’t successful in dealing within the restraints of the club.
PREVIOUS ARTICLEExtended highlights as Celtic make statement with 7-1 win
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.
Adam Idah accused of unseen Celtic ‘punch’ as flashpoint sparks unanimous red card verdict on club TV
The striker has impressed since making the loan move to the Premiership from Norwich City.
CELTIC 7 DUNDEE 1 – BEST OF THE ACTION FROM PARKHEAD
Simon Donnelly feared Adam Idah had thrown a “punch” during a heated exchange as Celtic annihilated Dundee.
It was a Scottish Premiership stroll for the champions as they battered Tony Docherty’s 10-man side at Celtic Park – with Brendan Rodgers’ men taking a whopping 6-0 lead into the break at Parkhead. But despite Idah, Cameron Carter-Vickers, Matt O’Riley, Daizen Maeda and Greg Taylor giving Celtic a five-goal advantage fans were sweating after the Ireland cap was involved in a tussle with Ricki Lamie.
Idah was flagged offside and appeared to be pushed over by the Dundee defender as he trudged back up the pitch. The striker then reacted angrily and shoved Lamie to the ground – which saw referee Matthew MacDermid reach for the yellow card with VAR refusing to intervene in the flashpoint – while Lamie avoided going into the book for his part in the incident.
Adam Idah of Celtic receives a yellow card (Image: Getty Images)
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On Celtic TV, Peter Grant was concerned it could have been much worse for the Norwich City loanee – and was joined by Donnelly in considering the star lucky to avoid a red card. He said: “I think he is onside. He has got a wee bit of frustration there.
“I know Lamie can’t do what he does but Adam definitely can’t do that. I am glad it’s only a booked because nowadays they say you lift your hands and you’re at risk.”
And onnelly admitted he was concerned that the frontman could be shown a red card with the clash against Hearts just around the corner. The former Celtic star added: “We weren’t sure if he had thrown a punch. He has pushed him.
“You see the experienced players going over and having a word. I think I saw Joe Hart go over. He just needs to calm himself down because he is a boy on form. He popped up at a crucial time. He has been a real find and has scored important goals for Celtic. So nothing silly second half.”
156-touch Celtic star totally ran the show vs Dundee
The Hoops dynamo caught the eye with a fantastic performance down the flank.
Celtic remain two points behind their closest rivals in the Scottish Premiership title race after an emphatic 7-1 win over Dundee on Wednesday night.
Brendan Rodgers‘ side were incredibly ruthless at Parkhead as they took a 5-0 lead inside 36 minutes and ended the match with seven goals from ten shots on target, as Trevor Carson endured a night to forget between the sticks.
Cameron Carter-Vickers, Adam Idah, Matt O’Riley, Daizen Maeda, Greg Taylor, Connor McGregor, and Daniel Kelly all got their names on the scoresheet on the night.
Matt O’Riley was one of the stars of the game as the Danish magician showcased his immense attacking quality. However, he was not the only supremely impressive performer as right-back Alistair Johnston ran the show from his full-back position.
Matt O’Riley’s statistics against Dundee
The former Fulham prospect was an influential figure in the middle of the park for the Hoops as his creative quality was on display at Parkhead.
O’Riley assisted the first with an excellent cross from a free-kick to the back post for Carter-Vickers to nod the ball past the goalkeeper from close range.
The Denmark international then scored a header of his own before registering a second assist with a pass to Maeda in the box, who turned brilliantly to fire the ball into the far corner.
Matt O’Riley
Vs Dundee
Sofascore rating
9.3
Pass success rate
93%
Touches
113
Key passes
Two
Duels won
Two
As you can see in the table above, O’Riley was a constant presence in possession with the second-most touches of any players on the pitch.
He made a huge impact in the final third and remained composed enough on the ball to rarely give it away with his attempted passes throughout the game.
The statistics that show Alistair Johnston ran the show
Johnston starred for Celtic alongside O’Riley with a phenomenal display at right-back. The Canada international ran the show in possession with more touches (156) than any other player on the park.
With those touches, the right-footed dynamo created more chances (three) than O’Riley and created as many ‘big chances’ (one) as the impressive midfielder.
He completed more passes (118) than any other player on the pitch had touches, with a success rate of 94%, and this highlights how much of an outlet the talented gem provided the team down the right flank.
Johnston was always available for a pass and helped Celtic to control, dominate, and put the game to bed during the first half with a clinical display.
The 25-year-old whiz, who was almost faultless defensive with a duel success rate of 89% (8/9), also picked up an assist for his attacking efforts.
Just like against Motherwell on Sunday, Johnston was released down the right flank and provided a perfect cross for Idah to find the back of the net, although this time with his head rather than his left foot.
It was a fantastic all-round performance from the right-back, who also completed three of his four attempted dribbles, as he was effective and impressive with his work in and out of possession throughout the game, which is why he ran the show alongside O’Riley.
BBC touchline reporter shares what the Celtic fans did at half-time in win vs Dundee
In a devastating first half by Celtic, Brendan Rodgers’ side stormed to a 6-0 lead against Dundee in Paradise.
It really was the performance of champions as Celtic answered their critics in devastating fashion at Parkhead.
Six goals from six different players just prove how brilliant Celtic were as the whole team put in a superb shift.
Hands down, it was the performance of the season and the Celtic fans certainly showed their appreciation after the referee blew for half-time.
BBC touchline reporter, Jane Lewis, was left in awe at the show of appreciation from the Celtic fans the players got as they headed down the Parkhead tunnel.
Lewis said [BBC], “What a 45 minutes that was for Celtic… They were absolutely up for it from the outset.
“Every time they burst forward they looked full of danger. The home fans are loving it, literally singing in the rain.
“Dundee were unlucky with their goal being ruled offside as Curtis Main did well, but with another half to go, Dundee are well and truly down and out.
MORE CELTIC STORIES
“Brilliant stuff from the champions. Celtic Park is bouncing and little wonder.”
The Celtic fans have let the team know in no uncertain terms over the last two games that what they have been watching has simply not been good enough.
After a shockingly poor performance against Kilmarnock, the fans booed the team after dropping more points in the title race.
Against Motherwell, the Celtic fans were also unhappy at the decision to take off Tomoki Iwata as Brendan Rodgers sent on Paulo Bernardo in search of a winner at Fir Park.
But last night, the fans were unanimous in their appraisal of a first half that was befitting of the Parkhead turf. And it was recognised by the Celtic boss post-match.
Celtic were simply sensational and they proved that if they give the fans reason to, they will also show their appreciation and more, to their heroes when things are going well on the park.
Eamonn Holmes defends Brendan Rodgers in ‘good girl’ casual sexism row after Celtic boss was slammed for remark
Rodgers was giving a BBC radio interview after Celtic’s 3-1 win at Motherwell
After refusing to elaborate on a comment, he told Jane Lewis ‘good girl’
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Eamonn Holmes has defended Brendan Rodgers after the Celtic boss was blasted for ‘casual sexism’ for calling BBC reporter Jane Lewis a ‘good girl’ during a stormy post-match interview.
Rodgers, 51, was accused of being a ‘dinosaur’ by women’s groups after the remark to Jane Lewis, 53, following Celtic’s win at Motherwell on Sunday.
The Celtic boss has so far resisted calls to apologise to Lewis after their exchange was broadcast on the Sportsound radio programme. The BBC have also remained silent on the matter.
But rushing to Rodgers’ defence, Holmes insisted he was merely using a common Northern Irish turn of phrase.
‘He meant good girl,’ he told GB News. ‘Brendan Rodgers is from Carnock in Northern Ireland. We say ”good girl” all the time. We are admonished for it all the time because it’s not contemporary.
‘I can honestly tell you that Northern Irish people will say ”good girl, good boy, good lad”.’
Eamonn Holmes insisted on GB News that Brendan Rodgers was merely using a common Northern Irish turn of phrase
Rodgers was accused of ‘casual sexism’ after saying ‘good girl’ to BBC reporter Jane Lewis at the end of a terse radio interview following his team’s win at Motherwell
Lewis had asked Rodgers to elaborate on a cryptic comment made about the title race, only for the Celtic boss to cut short the interview, telling her ‘good girl’ as he walked away
Experienced broadcaster Lewis pictured with Partick Thistle’s unusual mascot Kingsley. She is said to be ‘unfazed’ by Celtic manager’s comment
Lewis has covered Scottish club and international football for several years, as well as events such as the Olympics and the Commonwealth Game
Was Brendan Rodgers’ ‘good girl’ comment sexist?
Yes
No
A source close to Lewis has told MailOnline that the experienced broadcaster is ‘not fazed at all’ by the ‘good girl’ comment but was frustrated Rodgers chose to cut short her interview despite a reasonable line of questioning.
Lewis had asked Rodgers to explain himself after he told her that, in terms of the Scottish Premiership title race, ‘the story has already been written about this group, but we will write our own story’.
Lewis had asked Rodgers to explain himself after he told her that, in terms of the Scottish Premiership title race, ‘the story has already been written about this group, but we will write our own story’.
Lewis again pressed Rodgers to explain, but he appeared to wind up the interview and said: ‘Done, good girl, well done.’
However, a spokeswoman from the Scottish Feminist Network said: ‘Jane Lewis was just doing her job, trying to extract an explanation from Brendan Rodgers on his cryptic comment.
‘That the go-to attitude was condescension is quite illuminating, but really very depressing in 2024. We thought dinosaurs were extinct.’
Campaigners at For Women Scotland called on Rodgers to apologise.
A spokeswoman said: ‘It’s depressing that casual sexism is still embedded in sport. Women’s achievements are underrated and dismissed, and their professional status undermined. Rodgers owes the reporter an apology.’
Celtic got back to winning ways after battling back to beat Motherwell in the Premiership
Meanwhile, former Hibs player Tam McManus described Rodgers’ comments as ‘utterly embarrassing’ on X, formerly known as Twitter.
Celtic chose not to comment when they were contacted by Mail Sport on Sunday night.
Legendary broadcaster Jeff Stelling was left aghast at the Celtic manager’s ‘good girl’ remark.
Speaking on talkSPORT, he said: ‘Good girl, good girl? Goodness me, Brendan. What does he mean?’
Rangers beat Hearts 5-0 on Saturday to move five points clear of Celtic at the top but their late goals at Motherwell cut the gap back to two points.
Experienced broadcaster Lewis, who has previously worked for Sky News, Sky Sports, Eurosport and STV’s Scotland Today programme, was targeted by social media trolls after Sunday’s exchange.
Lewis has covered major sporting events such as the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro and the Commonwealth Games when staged in Glasgow and on Australia’s Gold Coast.
Legendary broadcaster Jeff Stelling questioned Rodgers’ remarks on his talkSPORT show
There was plenty of backing for Lewis on social media following Rodgers’ comment
She reports on European and World Cup qualifiers with the Scotland national football team as well as covering Scottish domestic football and European games involving its clubs.
She responded to one post – since deleted – by saying: ‘This is just NOT true!!!’
One Celtic account accused her of being a Motherwell fan who ‘went to pieces’ after Celtic won late on, while another alleged Lewis had a ‘long running agenda with Celtic.’
Many others on social media supported Lewis. One post wrote: ‘It’s just patronising saying ‘good girl’. Saying good man is totally different. If he said ‘good boy’ after this interview, then it would be equally as patronising in my opinion.’
Another said: ‘Get a grip. Treating a female commentator in that way is unacceptable. Nobody is asking for a points deduction, but an apology might be nice. Perhaps less sexist abuse too, which seems all that people like you are capable of.’
Lewis previously defended herself against criticism from Celtic supporters. In December 2021, she was presenting Sportsound on BBC Radio Scotland when Celtic won in the 97th-minute away at Ross County.
It sparked a mass pitch invasion by Celtic fans, with those on social media of the opinion Lewis was upset at the crucial late winner and the reaction.
Fans on social media said Rodgers’ treatment of Lewis was ‘unacceptable’
Lewis tweeted at the time: ‘I am slightly baffled that some seem to get more joy out of my ‘apparent hurt’ than their team winning a football match.
‘Just for the record, I’m not ‘rattled’, ‘hurting’, ‘bitter’ or ‘deflated’…’
‘Big difference’… Adam Idah shares what’s shocked him most on star players in Celtic
Celtic’s man of the moment, Adam Idah, has opened up on what it’s really like to play for the club and it’s fair to say it has been a shock to his system.
The Republic of Ireland international is a hero in the eyes of the fans after scoring two goals against Hibs earlier this season and another double today in the 3-1 win over Motherwell.
However, it was when the team drew against Aberdeen that Idah got the biggest shock to his system and realised just how massive it is to play for a club like Celtic.
Idah said [The Herald], “It is intense in Glasgow. It is such a big club that the demand for winning games is there every single week.
“I am not used to that. There is obviously a big difference between Norwich and here.
“In my first game we played Aberdeen away and when we drew, I thought to myself, ‘OK, that is a decent result’. It definitely wasn’t!
“The demand is what it should be because Celtic is such a big club. The more I’m around the place and the city it’s all football here, which I am loving.
“It’s not like that in England where you can get a draw here and there.
MORE CELTIC STORIES
“That’s the big difference for me, which is understandable. It’s a learning curve.
“To have that mentality of needing to win is great and the lads who have been here a while know the score.”
Adam Idah is winning over the Celtic fans
I don’t think it’s too outlandish to say that the jury was still out on the on-loan Norwich man despite his penalty heroics against Hibs.
Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images
He hadn’t scored in two games prior to today and after missing a sitter in the draw against Kilmarnock yesterday, Idah still had a lot to do to win over the Hoops fans.
I think it’s fair to say that he has done that with today’s performance at Fir Park and if Idah didn’t realise just how important it is to play for Celtic and the demands of the club before today, he really does now.
Next up for Idah is a trip to Tynecastle next Sunday in a game that he is sure to start. And as every Celtic fan knows, a game against Hearts can be a fiery affair and it is one that Idah is certain to relish.
Marco Tilio wondergoal has Celtic fans united as Melbourne City boss tells Brendan Rodgers how to unlock loanee
The Australian winger managed just 27 minutes of football before returning to the A-League.
Celtic loanee Marco Tilio has kickstarted his career away from Parkhead as he netted a crucial goal for Melbourne City to secure a draw with Sydney FC.
The seven-time Australia cap returned to City on loan after a less than impressive stint with the Scottish Premiership after joining the Hoops last June for £1.5 million. He made just two appearance for Celtic before being sent back to the A-League – and following his return he would insist that an injury sustained before signing his five-year deal had hindered his chances of impressing Brendan Rodgers.
And he has taken his chance away from Celtic Park as he netted first goal at senior level in nearly 10 months at the Allianz Stadium. The strike showed why Celtic were keen to land the 22-year-old in the first place as the winger latched onto a clearance from City goalkeeper Jamie Young.
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Tilio then rounded two defenders with a burst of pace before he buried the ball past goalkeeper Andrew Redmayne. The Paramount commentary team were sent into a frenzy by the stunning strike declaring: “Marco Tilio, welcome back to the A-League. Tilio returns from Scotland with a goal.”
The goal left Celtic fans scratching their heads over why the winger was not given a chance at Parkhead – as he racked up just 27 minutes over his two cameo appearances. One Hoops supporter on X quizzed: “Wait, you’re saying we had a winger with an actual end product?”
Another noted a similar feeling over Mikey Johnston’s form for West Brom: “We have 2 wingers we’ve papped out on loan beating defenders and scoring goals.” One chimed in: “Would loved to have seen him get a chance with us.”
One punter added to the demands for game time: “Scoring goals because he’s on the pitch playing. Won’t score many at Celtic sitting in the stands.”
And following the full-time whistle Melbourne City boss Aurelio Vidmar sang the praise of Tilio – as well as offering Brendan Rodgers a clue on how to unlock the potential of the forward. He said: “It’s a great goal. Marco’s first touch sets it all up. Incredible. He hasn’t played for six months give or take. He just needs match rhythm.
“He got 70 minutes last week and we thought at the beginning of the game he would get another 70 minutes, but he looked like he was still going and making runs. Sometimes when you have not played for five or six months it takes you five or six games to find a rhythm”
Speculation on Dermot Desmond’s Celtic intentions
Dermot Desmond is seen prior to the Celtic vs St Mirren Cinch Premiership match at Celtic Park on May 20, 2023 (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)
The Celtic PLC Board will be backslapping over financial results, but for the most Celtic supporters it feels like a slap in the face…
Peter Lawwell, Brendan Rodgers and Michael Nicholson (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)
Celtic yesterday announced their eagerly awaited half-yearly financials and it came as no surprise to learn that the club is sitting on a massive pile of cash, which will thrill and delight that curious group of Celtic supporters, the Balance Sheet Bhoys, who will be lapping up the numbers on their spreadsheet and drooling over just how clever Peter and his boys really are.
This week we’ve found ourselves in the position where we are looking for a new goalkeeper after the classy Joe Hart announced his decision to hang up his gloves at the end of this season. I’m surprised that the Balance Sheet Blogger hasn’t quickly suggested sticking his best pal Pistol Pete in the team to replace Hart. Well, he certainly knows how to save! On second thoughts the wages and bonuses would too much even for our remuneration friendly PLC.
David Watson of Kilmarnock scores with a header to tie the score 1-1. Celtic v Kilmarnock, Scottish Premiership, , Celtic Park, 17 February 2024. Photo Stuart Wallace/Shutterstock
Celtic’s revenue increased by 11% to £85.2 million. Profit trading was £32.0 million, and a profit before taxation of £30.3 million. You don’t need to be a financial expert to know that is a healthy figure in this current landscape.
That is good news for those in charge who no doubt amidst some back slapping opened the bubbly and raised a glass to toast yet another healthy bonus heading their way. That’s how it works, right?
But it was ever so touching to read that they were as disappointed as the supporters when they failed to add the required quality to the squad in the January transfer window, after Project Shambles last summer. Yes, it isn’t just about this window, it’s about the one before that, and the one before that too! In my view they’ve taken their eye off the ball and neglected their duties regarding squad improvements for quite some time.
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
They really do take us for fools if they think we are going to fall for this nonsense. They must think we are as gullible as our rival supporters across the city, we are anything but.
By announcing these massive financial numbers it certainly clarifies the position as we watch a Celtic team showing the quality you’d expect if we were skint and couldn’t afford anything better.
That’s where we started on this PLC lark back in the 1990s and the deal was always the supporters back the PLC and they deliver the team on the park. It now looks like one side of that bargain is being taken for mugs by the other. Our team isn’t strong enough and we lack the required quality and depth which is evident in our performances and current league position.
Celtic supporters make their thoughts clear up at Pittodrie ahead of the first match after the January transfer window closed.
The incoming manager Brendan Rodgers accepted what he was given last summer, after they explained to him how clever they were with this project signing strategy then when he saw what he had to work with he very respectfully made it clear that he was short of four quality signings. Yet they delivered none in January as we watched a ten points swing in the title race where we could be five points behind at kick-off time tomorrow.
The way this Board are lording it up while trying to sympathise and connect with the supporters is a kick in the teeth to each and everyone one of us who have put our hard earned money into the club.
They are the ones reaping the rewards while we get excuses in return, delivered alongside those incredible financial result, numbers actually driven by the outstanding financial support given to the club by the Celtic support. In return get to watch an underwhelming, underperforming side on the pitch, a team devoid of quality and no real hope of improving while they get to enjoy their big fat bonuses.
Aberdeen v Celtic, Celtic fans pack out the away section on 3 February 2024. Photo Stephen Dobsonx PSI
Was there a note in those figures explaining that not a single penny will be paid in bonuses or dividends this season as a result of the failings to deliver in the key aspect of the club, the team on the park? If not, there should have been.
And there’s nothing on the situation in the women’s game were for every pound Celtic spend on the team theRangers are apparently spending three and they are now eyeing a Double Treble in one season, where we’ll be back to world records and all that stuff and the board’s pals in the mainstream media will be lapping it all up. How many pages do you think the Daily Record’s Special pull-out supplement will be? 16? 24, 32?
Dermot Desmond is seen prior to the Celtic vs St Mirren Cinch Premiership match at Celtic Park on May 20, 2023. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)
It can’t be allowed to continue, we need to push for change and we need to hear from Dermot Desmond.
Talking of Celtic PLC’s biggest shareholder, yesterday after the Interim Results were released, Roger Mitchell posted this on his X account:
“For some reason I get to hear stuff about Scottish football, even here. I was told by two different sources that Dermot Desmond is going to have a total clear-out of the Board and Csuite. He’s had enough they said. I have no idea if this is true but I hope it is. We all love this club.”
Roger Mitchell
The former SPL Chief Executive added: “The board has been in place for 23 years and that is just bad corporate governance. Especially in a sector that is changing so much. Some of the CSuite are frankly less than mediocre. The business of football is markedly different than it was in 2002. The model, fans, comms. The club needs a radical injection of new thinking and energy.”
Then this: “It has major weaknesses in needs to draw a line under. The waft of nepotism…the legal and brand concerns over the Boys Club’…the idea that the club has no ambition beyond beating rangers as cheaply as possible, without killing them.”
The good news is this. It’s got money. Give to Caesar that which is Caesar’s…It’s got a diaspora of management talent all over the world who’d join the board likely for free…it’s got a backstory of glory no one can match. This can be fixed. Easily. If there is will.”
And finally: “Football is entering the End Game. Who knows its future? UEFA and the UCL look tired. There will be environment change. The club needs to be ready and tooled up. The big game and prize is not Scotland. I shall watch with interest.”
Mitchell was asked What is Csuite? He explained: “Ceo CFO CRO director of football. CTO. The senior exec team.”
For some reason I get to hear stuff about Scottish football, even here.
I was told by 2 different sources that DD is going to have a total clear-out of the Board and Csuite. He’s had enough they said.
I have no idea if this is true but I hope it is. We all love this club. https://t.co/zRrBQTJ16m
— Roger Paul Mitchell (@RPMComo) February 23, 2024
Make of that what you will. We know that the Celtic support is not happy at the failing in the January transfer window. It’s hard to believe that the manager is happy about it either. The Board’s Chairman yesterday said that they were frustrated and disappointed. What if Roger Mitchell is right and we have a situation where Dermot Desmond is all of those things, angry , disappointed and frustrated? Maybe he will decide to take action?
Or will we say he failed?
Just an Ordinary Bhoy
“Big lion” Jose Mourinho tipped for shock appointment at Celtic in move that would ‘make sense’
Jose Mourinho joining Celtic would make sense.
This is the view of talkSPORT’s Shebahn Aherne, who believes the ‘Special One’ in the Old Firm would bring the ‘magic’ to Scottish football.

GETTY
Mourinho has been out of work for a little over a month since his Roma exit
The legendary manager, a three-time Premier League winner with Chelsea, is currently without a club following his departure from Roma in January.
Mourinho won the Europa Conference League in his first season and Roma’s first trophy for 11 years to add to his illustrious collection that includes two Champions League titles.
However, he left the club ninth in Serie A and is now awaiting his next appointment, one that could be surprisingly made in Scotland.
Speaking on Hawksbee and Jacobs for talkSPORT, presenter and Celtic fan Aherne revealed her belief that the Bhoys could be a potential destination.
Aherne said: “I like the idea. He’s in his 60’s now, he’s a legend, I think he could spice up the Scottish Premiership. I think the idea of Jose Mourinho being involved in Old Firms [derby against Rangers] could be total magic and also it could give them a chance of Europe.
“The [s***]housery would be real, it would be utter chaos and we like to see that. Okay, there’s lines to the chaos here but I do think that there’s something in it there.”
Speaking on his previous job, she added: “You look at the job that Jose did at Roma, the proud moments that it brought for him over his career, Celtic is a massive club all over the world, a world-renowned club.
“And then we talk about money, would they be able to afford him? You look at what he earned at Roma, it was around about €6million the salary over the year, [Brendan Rodgers is on] about £3-3.5million but we all know the cost of living is a little bit cheaper in Glasgow.”
Mourinho reportedly snubbed the Celtic job in 2021 after he was sacked by Tottenham and he has held a previous interest in the club.
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Aherne would love to see Mourinho replace Rodgers should he leave
AFP
The Portuguese manager is one of the best in the business
Aherne added: “He actually spoke about Brendan Rodgers, his first stint at Celtic, and how he credited the job that he’d done at the club. So he does have eyes on Celtic, he is aware of the club and the stature.
“We’re also hearing that there’s links to the Bayern [Munich] job too because he’s been learning German but we can teach him colloquial Glaswegian. He could absolutely have a party up in Glasgow, imagine that? I text my dad, my dad said, ‘I’d love Jose Mourinho.’”
Graeme Souness tells Simon Jordan of Jose Mourinho’s biggest regret at Manchester United was getting rid of Zlatan Ibrahimovic
With Celtic sitting second in the Scottish Premiership behind Rangers and pressure building on Brendan Rodgers, Aherne further added to her case, saying: “It would make sense, wouldn’t it?
“Big manager, big club, experience in Europe. Celtic are terrible in Europe, Brendan Rodgers actually is worse in Europe I think than Celtic are. He’s got a terrible record, so a manager that actually could bring maybe some glory.”
Mourinho has won 26 major trophies during his career, with his most notable spells coming at Porto, Chelsea and Real Madrid.
He recently revealed that he previously turned down the England job and shut down speculation over a return to Manchester United, with whom he won the Carabao Cup and Europa League.
JOSEPH MOURINHO TO CELTIC THEORY GIVEN ANOTHER AIRING BUT ALAN BRAZIL CAN NOT SEE FUNNY SIDE AMID HOOPS PLIGHT
Brazil kept his game face on when asked about Celtic…at least until the topic of Ally McCoist giving him pelters came up.
Alan Brazil says he’d love to see Jose Mourinho add some box office appeal to Celtic – but back in the real world, he has a big question for Brendan Rodgers and his flops.
The recent Parkhead plight has been a source of frustration for Hoops-daft radio host Brazil and Thursday morning was no different as he looked ahead to this weekend’s clash with Motherwell.
Depending on Rangers’ result against Hearts on Saturday, there could be a five-point gap between the Glasgow giants before a ball is kicked at Fir Park, and it already looks like a must-win for Rodgers who is coming under serious scrutiny.
The subject of Celtic was light-heartedly brought up on talkSPORT breakfast by co-host Shebahn Ahern, who once again floated the idea of Mourinho replacing Rodgers at Parkhead. But the vacant Bayern Munich job might be more likely for Mourinho – as Brazil kept his focus on the here and now at Celtic Park.
He said: “I would like Mourinho at Celtic…I thought you were going to say he was going to Bayern there! Look, I don’t know what’s happening at Celtic at the moment. Clearly there’s a problem, I might be wrong but I heard there was a problem with the pitch, and Rodgers wanted money for players but didn’t get it.
“These are things I’ve been told that might not be 100 per cent true. What I do know is, look at the results, there’s something not right….”
It was then put to Brazil by co-host Ahern, who initially floated the Mourinho theory on Wednesday night, that they are missing Ange Postecoglou – and added the caveat that injuries haven’t helped. Before getting to that, though, Brazil was more concerned with the ‘pelters’ he’s been getting from one of his pals on the other side of the Glasgow divide…
THE BEST CELTICS STAR PLAYER BEEN CRITICIZED, ALL THROUGH THE SEASON. SAYS BY PETER GRANT
SINCE THIS SEASON: PETER GRANT SAYS IT’S VERY STRANGE THAT 25-YEAR-OLD CELTIC PLAYER IS BEING HEAVILY CRITICISED
The criticism levied towards Celtic and Brendan Rodgers for their performances and collapse in the league is warranted. Let’s not beat about the bush.
To surrender such a commanding lead in such a weak fashion over the course of the past couple of months is unacceptable.
The players must share a portion of the blame, of course, but there is one player that Peter Grant believes is being harshly criticised and the former Celtic hero has been surprised at just how much of the spotlight Greg Taylor has taken.
Grant said [The Go Radio Football Show], “Greg Taylor’s back from injury, you know all these things he’s gone off in the game. It’s weird. Greg’s getting a lot of criticism but I felt when he went off on Saturday, the game changed.
“I don’t mean necessarily with Bernabei coming on, I know he’s getting a lot of criticism, I don’t necessarily mean with that, because of the position that Greg plays and how well he plays it, but that was a blow.
“I know it was probably 60 minutes he’s got to go off, I understand that, but it was a big change in the performance even after that and that’s the fine lines.
“It’s not a team of champions, let’s not be kidded, so it’s gonna be interesting to see how they respond.”
THE GREG TAYLOR CONUNDRUM
Look, I get it. I understand that Greg Taylor is not everyone’s cup of tea and I also get that the Scotland fullback has his weaknesses.
However, the fact remains that when he is out of the team, Celtic are far weaker without him. That fact has been highlighted with the recent performances of Alexandro Bernabei.
Now I get that that could suggest that Taylor is the best option in a position where Celtic are really weak in quality but no one can deny that over the course of the past two and a half seasons, the 25-year-old has been a major contributor to Celtic’s successes.
Having said that, Celtic must strengthen that area of the team. More quality is required even if only to create healthy competition for that position of the team.
Whether that will happen in the summer remains to be seen as it will all depend on whether or not Celtic successfully defend the title and whether Brendan Rodgers is still the manager.
Assange’s wife tears into ‘dangerous’ Mike Pompeo over plan to kill WikiLeaks founder, slams UK for siding with US
Stella blasted the UK government for supporting the United States, claiming it would be a “very high-risk moment” for Assange if Britain favours Washington.
Assange’s wife tears into ‘dangerous’ Mike Pompeo over plan to kill WikiLeaks founder, slams UK for siding with US
Days after interviewing Russian President Vladimir Putin, Tucker Carlson spoke to WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange’s wife Stella after conclusion of a two-day of crucial hearing on his extradition.
Tucker Carlson speaks to WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange’s wife Stella after conclusion of a two-day of crucial hearing on his extradition.(X@TuckerCarlson)
During her appearance on Carlson‘s show Uncensored on X, Stella blasted the UK government for supporting the United States, claiming it would be a “very high-risk moment” for Assange if Britain favours Washington.
Hindustan Times – your fastest source for breaking news! Read now.
“Well, look, we’ve just been in court for two days, and this decision could be the final one. We didn’t know when we were coming into it yesterday whether we would have a decision today, and if the UK decides in favor of the US, then it will put Julien on a plane to the US,” she said.
Notably, Assange has spent nearly five years imprisoned in London’s highly secure Belmarsh Prison. According to sources, after WikiLeaks released Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) hacking tools, then-CIA Director Mike Pompeo discussed with officials the possibility of assassinating Assange under Donald Trump’s administration. He spent a considerable amount of time detained at the Ecuadorian embassy in London.
Also Read: Timeline of Julian Assange’s court appearances as he makes final bid to avoid US extradition
Stella talks about Mike Pompeo and the murder plot
When Carlson asked her about Pompeo “attempting to murder” her husband, Stella, who is a lawyer and human rights defender, called CIA a “rogue organisation”.
“They are trained to assassinate; they are trained to fabricate information and place it in the media, conduct propaganda warfare, and overthrow governments,” she said.
Assange’s wife chastised Pompeo as “dangerous individual within the CIA”. “And you know, Mike Pompeo’s ability to move around Washington without consequence, I don’t think is because of his attractiveness to the Washington circles, but because there he’s seen as a dangerous person.”
“We know the story about Julian and the murder plot because people within his organization said that he had lost the plot, that he had become obsessed with Julian, that he wanted to kill Julian, and that he was discussing it with the White House,” she added.
Stella blasts UK govt for acting as ‘lap dog’ to the US
Assange‘s wife argues that there will be no more opportunities for an appeal should they lose the current legal battle in the UK. “He can try to go to the European Court of Human Rights, but last year, only one application to the European Court of Human Rights to stop an extradition or deportation was granted,” she stated. Notably, in 2023, 63 applications pertaining to extradition were submitted to the European Court of Human Rights.
Slamming the UK government for acting as a “lap dog” to the US, Stella told Carlson that the European Court of Human Rights “should stop an extradition if the UK finds against him, but it’s not a given”.
“Julian could be on US soil within a matter of weeks,” she continued.
Carlson stated at the start of the conversation that he had just been to the jail where Assange is being held. When the American Conservative speaker questioned Assange about whether he regretted disclosing classified information that belonged to prominent politicians like Hilary Clinton, the founder of WikiLeaks allegedly said, “it was fun.”
Assange won’t know until at least next month if he can fight extradition to the United States on allegations of spying or if his protracted court battle in Britain has come to an end.
Following a two-day hearing in which Assange’s attorneys contended that extraditing him to the USwould result in a “flagrant denial of justice,” two High Court justices announced on Wednesday that they would take some time to examine their decision.
‘Forever downsizing’ ‘manipulating their fans’ ‘What an utter waste’ Celtic PR stunt backfires spectacularly
In times of trouble getting some good news out there to take attention away from the real issues is very worthwhile, it buys time and fools a decent number of people.
During season 20/21 Celtic’s social media team would have been as well going on furlough, with negativity hanging over everything they reverted to wishing obscure former players a Happy Birthday as fans waited for news of change.
The comparisons have been obvious in recent weeks, yesterday the club dug out a feature on the new training complex at Barrowfield with world class and state-of-the-art being used in a similar fashion to the unveiling of Murray Park a generation ago.
Celtic’s Academy and B team will soon have incredible facilities for preparing to face Cumbernauld Colts and Caledonian Braves- along the M8 on Airdrie’s plastic pitch.
Wednesday’s announcement was greeted with no acclaim or fanfare from supporters wise to the tactics of the club.
They know that the club is holding back on the Interim Accounts to 31 December 2023 which will reveal a bank balance of around £100m while the team collapses on the pitch, gift wrapping the SPFL title across the city.In the final week of the transfer window with expectations high for improvements the club revealed that Cameron Carter-Vickers had signed a new contract- a clear signal that there would be very little business completed before the transfer window closed.
Two days after he was pictured in Glasgow the club waited until 10.30pm on Deadline Day to announce the loan signing of Adam Idah. The reaction was almost entirely hostile- the player was excused with the fans hostility all aimed at the Chairman, CEO, Board of Directors and the former CFG Head of Information and Content.
Two days after he was pictured in Glasgow the club waited until 10.30pm on Deadline Day to announce the loan signing of Adam Idah. The reaction was almost entirely hostile- the player was excused with the fans hostility all aimed at the Chairman, CEO, Board of Directors and the former CFG Head of Information and Content.
Australians lobby as Assange awaits extradition ruling
Julian Assange’s wife Stella and Australian Independent MP Andrew Wilkie outside court in London.
Supporters of Julian Assange have gathered in Sydney and London as the WikiLeaks founder awaits a decision on his extradition to the United States.
Trust: “Pundit” has confirmed star player low performance in Celtics …
The true cause of Matt O’Riley’s poor performance at Celtic, pundit said his in picture of it,
“He suffers”: Pundit said he is aware of the true cause of Matt O’Riley’s poor performance at Celtic
The form of the Celtic group is some thing that has bothered the fans for a range of months now.
Gone is the fast, free-flowing football that we cherished under Ange Postecoglou and it has been changed with a tons slower tempo and patient build-up by Brendan Rodgers.
Obviously, the damage troubles Rodgers has had to deal with haven’t helped however overall, the supporters are less than impressed with what they have been staring at from their group recently.
The most urgent trouble for the followers is the alarming drop-off of Kyogo Furuhashi. Clearly struggling for goals, Rodgers modified his procedures to accommodate the Japanese striker by playing Adam Idah as a goal man for Kyogo to work off of.
And it has worked. Two dreams in his last two games mean that Kyogo should be about to recapture his exceptional shape but, it seems, that this has been to the detriment of Matt O’Riley. That’s in accordance to pundit, Gordon Dalziel.
Dalziel stated Dalziel stated [Superscoreboard], “When he bought modified into that wide variety 10 position he scored two goals. I’ve stated from day one that Kyogo, for me is an out-and-out striker.
“Brendan Rodgers, at St Mirren, had to alternate information. It wasn’t in reality working and he was once coming in for criticism with his wingers.
“So he determined to go with the two strikers. He received the sport and they played quite well and all and sundry was pretty happy.
“What I idea used to be the difference for me is, Matt O’Riley was in the form of his life. And each and every time I assume Kyogo gets played on that 10, he suffers from it.
“I don’t assume he can make the identical runs, I don’t suppose his timing is right and the whole lot about it short. He sacrifices a little bit of his game.
“But if I was taking part in my strongest side, I would play Kyogo through the middle all day because I suppose he’s such a brilliant participant on the shoulder of defenders and motives so many problems.”
Matt O’Riley’s Celtic form
Out of all the players off form, Matt O’Riley is one that should challenge the Celtic supporters. The 23-year-old has been one of the team’s most terrific gamers over the past two seasons and it did seem like he had kicked on under Rodgers.
But over the direction of the last few games, he has mostly been anonymous. And his goals and assists in the league have dropped off massively.
In fact, you have to go as a long way again as the commencing of January when O’Riley ultimate contributed with a purpose and help in the 3-0 win over St Mirren but considering the fact that then he has mostly been disappointing. [Transfermarkt]
The Celtic guide will be hoping O’Riley turns this round soon due to the fact with 12 games left of the season, the team wishes him to locate his goalscoring touch if they have any hope of winning the league.
‘I can’t see it happening’ – John Hartson had to destroy punter Rodgers’ bizarre plan B
A current episode from Go Radio vividly illustrates the bizarre spectacle that unfolds when passion, nostalgia, and, frankly, a bit of delusion, collide stay on air.
A caller, most likely fueled by a mix of hope and desperation, floated the thinking of Martin O’Neill, the revered former Celtic supervisor (2000-2005), returning to the helm as an intervening time answer have to Celtic and Brendan Rodgers go their separate ways.
O’Neill, whose tenure is fondly remembered for a heroic run to the UEFA Cup final, has on the grounds that navigated managerial waters a ways and wide, from Aston Villa and Sunderland to the Republic of Ireland. The suggestion itself, while a heartening nod to previous glories, borders on the fantastical in today’s context.
Soccer Football – Championship – Nottingham Forest v Bolton Wanderers – The City Ground, Nottingham, Britain – May 5, 2019 Nottingham Forest manager Martin O’Neill before the match Action Images/Peter Cziborra
Rangers legend Craig Moore, caught in the moment, initially heralded the suggestion as “what a shout that is,” solely to at once tether his enthusiasm lower back to reality. Moore highlighted the monetary impracticality of such a cross by way of paying Brendan Rodgers off, mainly given Celtic’s apparent reluctance to splurge in the switch market.
Adding a layer of credibility to the discussion, Celtic icon John Hartson, who performed underneath O’Neill, expressed scepticism about the feasibility of such a reunion. “I can’t see it happening. “But Michael has thrown the cat among the pigeons there. Celtic fans, get in touch, would you like to see Martin O’Neill back?”
Hartson’s insight gently ushered the dialog from the geographical regions of fantasy back to the harsh mild of day, questioning now not simply the likelihood of O’Neill’s return but the very premise that Brendan Rodgers should be shown the door due to a season’s shortcomings.
26th February 2023; Hampden Park, Glasgow, Scotland: Scottish Viaplay Cup Football Final, Rangers versus Celtic; John Hartson and Michael Stewart
The call to axe Rodgers and beckon O’Neill back to the fold is emblematic of the knee-jerk reactions that often pervade football discourse. It overlooks the complicated internet of decisions, strategies, and, indeed, failures that make contributions to a club’s fortunes. Blaming the manager by myself for a terrible season, except scrutinising the roles of these orchestrating the club’s recruitment and overarching policies, is simplistic and unjust.
it highlights the absurdity that football phone-ins can spiral into. The platform, whilst a precious outlet for fan expression, regularly veers into the territory of baseless speculation and wishful thinking. The name for O’Neill’s return, with all due admire to the legendary manager, is a case in point.
As entertaining as these spectacles can be, they additionally replicate a broader longing among fans for instantaneous options and fairy-tale comebacks. The reality, however, is continually extra complex. Football, for all its magic, is grounded in the hard truths of strategy, finance, and long-term planning.
Sutton is correct about Rodgers, but he ignores the board’s leading role in the Celtic disaster
Chris Sutton’s depressing precis of Celtic’s season is accurate enough in that few Celtic supporters will locate fault in what he says however will have plenty of objections about what the former striker didn’t say as he tried to select the bones over a dreadfully inconsistent domestic marketing campaign the place if some thing the consequences have on the total been higher than the performances merit
Celtic captain Callum McGregor and his team mates look dejected at full-time. Final score Celtic 1 Kilmarnock 1. 17 February 2024. Photo Stuart Wallace/Shutterstock
When Kilmarnock determined to press Celtic high up the park at the weekend with that pleasant header from Kyogo keeping apart the sides, this must have applicable Celtic, who have been complaining about taking part in in opposition to groups with a low block and a parked bus. Yet they had been determined out and discovered out badly when the possibility to punish a crew like Kilmarnock for taking such dangers introduced itself.
While there’s nothing many Celtic supporters will disagree with in what Sutton had to say the day past lunchtime on Sky Sports, as Celtic grip on the title weakened as theRangers moved two points clear with a predictable win against St Johnstone in Perth, it’s what Sutton didn’t say that they’ll have a hassle with.
The Celtic Board misplaced Ange Postecoglou last June. Aaron Mooy determined to retire due to a lower back injury, Carl Starlet used to be allowed to leave, Jota offered to Saudi Arabia of £25m, we had already lost Josip Juranovic and Giorgos Giakoumakis in the January 2023 window and there has been no alternative anywhere near the level of the personnel leaving the building.
Having had incredible success with the good buy buys Reo Hatate and Matt O’Riley, the Celtic powerbrokers reckoned that this was once the way to go and devised a formula and set Peter Lawwell and Gordon Strachan’s (other) son (the one who preceding managed a golf shop) to work to discover from round the world players in their early 20s, paying no extra than £3m in costs and with a wages cap in their remit. And we bought a pile of dross.
David Watson of Kilmarnock scores with a header to tie the score 1-1 during time added on after 90 minutes. The goal stood following a VAR check for a foul. Celtic v Kilmarnock, Cinch Scottish Premiership, Football, Celtic Park, Glasgow, UK – 17 Feb 2024. Photo Stuart Wallace/Shutterstock
The of the two central defenders signed we had one sitting behind Peter Lawwell and Michael Nicholson at the weekend (see picture above) and the different sitting on the bench, and alternatively we had Liam Scales and Stephen Welsh at the centre of our defence.
Reo Hatate and Cameron Carter-Vickers have been massive losses this campaign thorough damage whilst Liel Abada is now not section of the way forward, and it’s practical for these in charge at Celtic to pin that one on the guide the resistance banner from the North Curve in early October.
Celtic v Kilmarnock – Celtic chairman Peter Lawwell and CEO Michael Nicholson during the cinch Premiership match at Celtic Park on Saturday February 17, 2024. Photo Andrew Milligan
Brendan Rodgers changed Ange Postecoglou after Celtic officials and Callum McGregor met him in Majorca however he got here returned to a club in transition and without any manage over the transfer business, admitting he’d coach what he’s given, and no doubt he’s heard of how clever Celtic now had been in the transfer market.
The fashion of soccer is nothing like it was beneath Postecoglou, the squad is nowhere close to as right and why Sutton factors the finger of blame at Brendan Rodgers, it’s no longer his who controlled the switch commercial enterprise or is sitting with greater than £7m in the bank. In the January window we bought a striker struggling for a recreation at Norwich and a participant that leads to the conclusion we’ve been shafted by way of Rapid Vienna yet again. Sometimes it helps to have longer recollections in football. Kuhn leaves mny pining for Mickey Johnson!
Kyogo’s now not scoring as many desires this season, yet closing season his assists got here normally from Jota and Hatate, this time around our (millions of) wingers are growing nothing, every and each one is dreadful. After the recreation at the weekend I said Rodgers have to now go 4-4-2 and just no longer start a single winger. Unless something modifications quickly then this league is gone.
Mark Lawwell used to be curiously noticed at the sport at the weekend and acquired an earful. He played a part in recruiting Ange Postecoglou – credit where it is due – but is he the first-class qualified person to build a squad succesful of beating St Johnstone, Motherwell and Kilmarnock at Celtic Park? That’s a fairly low bar but right there we’ve spilled six points.
If arguing the case for the defence then be equipped for the knock-out blow: Mark Lawwell is assisted through the other Strachan boy who would be extra suited to shifts in the Celtic superstore.
Put it this way if his dad wasn’t WGS he’d be nowhere close to the job that he’s currently in and Celtic go on about exceptional practice. It’s superb that these two are depended on but the supervisor we are supposedly paying £3m per 12 months is not.
“The end result yesterday, I don’t suppose it came as a wonderful shock. Celtic have been bang common this season. The wins have papered over the cracks – performances haven’t been there – they’re not a accurate crew this season.
“Everybody talks about the board, signings and this being a long time in the making this precise moment. Brendan Rodgers has to take responsibility. I can’t think of one participant at Celtic who he has expanded – that’s on the manager,” Chris Sutton stated on Sky Sports.
“You seem at the points they’ve dropped domestically in isolation, they’ve been poor. They’ve been outplayed, I cant keep in mind the final time a Celtic team were outplayed in halves of soccer via so many teams. That’s on Brendan. Why is it? We’ve touched on the extensive players before. They have been taking part in speedy and livid below Ange Postecoglou – the manufacturer of football is slow, predictable.
Celtic v Kilmarnock – cinch Premiership – Celtic Park The Celtic board after the cinch Premiership match at Celtic Park, Saturday February 17, 2024. Photo Andrew Milligan
“There isn’t a concern aspect when groups go up against Celtic – groups fancy getting a result. The end result as awful as it used to be wasn’t a fantastic surprise.”
Celtic Manager Brendan Rodgers, Hyunjun Yang and Paulo Bernardo at full-time. Final score Celtic 1 Kilmarnock 1. 17 February 2024. Photo Stuart Wallace/Shutterstock
Sutton added: This is on Brendan. Celtic need to be inserting groups away domestically. Since Brendan’s come again all we’ve heard is the need for speed, passing, play. Celtic are predictable.
“You appear at Celtic’s backline – I fancy enjoying against them at my age!”
🗣️ “I can’t think of one player he has improved… Their brand of football is slow, it’s predictable.”
Chris Sutton has his say on Brendan Rodgers and Celtic’s current form 👇 pic.twitter.com/oXCxyxhcJ0
— Sky Sports Scotland (@ScotlandSky) February 18, 2024
It has to do with mentality: has Rodgers breached a boundary that calls for action?
One comment from Brendan Rodgers honestly ought to be causing panic in the Celtic boardroom this morning.
Most of the issues of this season surfaced in the 1-1 draw with Kilmarnock, the fourth time this season that Celtic have failed to win at domestic in the SPFL, the third time in 4 video games that they’ve failed to beat Kilmarnock.
Four wingers have been used at some point of the fit with barely a single cut-back for strikers to work on, when Greg Taylor went off injured Rodgers turned to Alexandro Bernabei who was restricted to four alternative appearances in the first 1/2 of the season, more often than not failing to make the matchday squad.
Whatever issues are going on at the membership the manager is predicted to get the excellent out of the players, the majority of whom have been worried in triumphing a domestic treble closing season.
A manager has to get the nice out of the 19 players he selects after working with them for a week in training.
With one comment the previous day suggested by The Scotsman it appears that Rodgers has given up on the gamers he selected:
It is not about capability or approach now, it is about mentality. It is about now not letting that man go past you and having that power and composure to play. We saw it the second half, even although we have been now not underneath extremely good strain we kept making it challenging for ourselves.
Questioning the mentality of gamers is a very serious issue, it isn’t something that can be worked on in training.
Throughout soccer the answer in these situations is to eliminate the manager, that is easier to do than clear out a dressing room of players on long time period contracts.
If Michael Nicholson and Peter Lawwell require any proposal into taking tough choices they can appear throughout the metropolis to see what happened when Michael Beale used to be removed before the first spherical of SPFL fixtures had been completed.
Callum William McGregor comments on Celtic dressing room admission
Celtic’s Title Hopes Dented: Concerns Over Squad Understanding the Standard
Celtic’s title hopes took a hit with a disappointing 1-1 draw against Kilmarnock, leaving them unable to retake a three-point lead at the top of the Scottish Premiership. Kyogo’s opening goal was not enough as Kilmarnock’s David Watson secured a late equalizer, prompting concerns about the team’s performance.
Rodgers Takes Responsibility, McGregor Acknowledges Concerns
Manager Brendan Rodgers took responsibility for the result, and post-match, captain Callum McGregor addressed concerns about the squad’s understanding of the required standard. McGregor emphasized the need for effective communication to make players aware that a certain standard is essential every time they step onto the pitch.
Communication Breakdown and Unmet Standards
McGregor’s statement raises questions about the communication within the squad and suggests that some players may not fully grasp the consistently high standard expected at Celtic. The skipper acknowledged the recurring situation and hinted at a potential breakdown in conveying the required level of performance to some members of the team.11th February 2024; St Mirren Park, Paisley, Renfrewshire, Scotland, Scottish Cup Football, St Mirren versus Celtic; Callum McGregor of Celtic
Changes in the Squad and Concerns Over New Names
While there have been a few alterations to the squad from last season to the current one, with new names regularly among the substitutes, McGregor’s comments indicate that there might be a lack of understanding among some players about the club’s standards. Fans are expressing concerns about how the manager is managing and communicating these expectations to ensure a cohesive and high-performing team.
Long-Term Impact on Title Aspirations
With title aspirations at stake, McGregor’s candid remarks shed light on potential issues within the squad. The need for effective communication and understanding of the expected standards is crucial for Celtic to navigate the challenges of the season successfully. The concerns raised by McGregor amplify the urgency for addressing any communication breakdowns and reinforcing a unified understanding of the performance standards required for the team’s success.
‘Fabulous’ – Mikey Johnston’s performance as West Brom ‘enraged’ against Soton left a Sky Sports Pundit speechless
Controversial Incident in West Brom vs. Southampton: Mikey Johnston’s Cross and Handball Shout
In the West Brom vs. Southampton match, Mikey Johnston’s cross that led to a handball incident was praised by Sky Sports pundit Andy Hinchcliffe on 16 February. Johnston’s cross found Darnell Furlong, whose volley was blocked by Jack Stephens’ hand in the Southampton box.
Hinchcliffe described the cross as “fabulous” and acknowledged that West Brom had a legitimate reason to be “enraged” at the lack of a penalty award by the unsighted referee, Sam Allison. The incident occurred in first-half stoppage time and could have potentially changed the course of the game.
While Hinchcliffe sympathized with the difficulty the referee faced in spotting the handball due to Stephens’ body obstructing the view, he highlighted the contentious nature of the situation. Despite the handball shout controversy, Stephens later made an incredible clearance off the line to deny Okay Yokuslu’s header.
Furlong was convinced he had won West Brom a penalty
The match ended with West Brom losing 2-0, and the controversial incident added to the frustrations for the home side, already dealing with a bizarre red card and an early goal from Southampton.
Mikey Johnston, on loan from Celtic, has previously made an impact for West Brom, scoring his first goal in just his third appearance. The decision to substitute him during the game raised eyebrows, especially as the home side was chasing the game.
The match, marked by the controversial incident, ultimately fell flat, leaving West Brom fans disappointed after the excitement surrounding the Shilen Patel takeover news.
Key Points:
Mikey Johnston’s cross leading to a handball incident was praised by pundit Andy Hinchcliffe.
West Brom had a legitimate reason to be “enraged” at the lack of a penalty award.
The contentious handball incident occurred in first-half stoppage time.
Jack Stephens’ handball and subsequent clearance off the line added to the match’s controversy.
West Brom lost the game 2-0, with frustrations mounting due to various incidents during the match.
“To be honest,” Celtic winger claims that his departure was caused by “frustrating” circumstances
Mikey Johnston’s Impact at West Bromwich Albion and Celtic Departure
Celtic winger Mikey Johnston, having joined West Bromwich Albion on deadline day, has swiftly made an impact by scoring on his first start for the Baggies in a 2-0 victory over Birmingham City in the Sky Bet Championship.
Challenges at Celtic
Despite his talent and trickery, Johnston faced challenges at Celtic, where concerns about end product and fitness issues affected his confidence. Brendan Rodgers had previously emphasized the need for the player to add physical bravery and robustness to his game to secure a regular spot in the first team.
Positive Start at West Brom
Thriving away from the pressure at Celtic, Johnston’s positive start at West Brom provides him with an opportunity to develop and showcase his abilities. At 25, time is of the essence for the Irish winger, and a successful stint at West Brom could potentially open doors for a more prominent role upon his return to Celtic.
Johnston’s Honest Reasons for Departure
In a candid statement, Johnston revealed the frustration of sporadic playing time at Celtic and emphasized the importance of leaving Parkhead for his career. He acknowledged the Championship as a great place for player development and expressed gratitude for the opportunity at West Brom.
Intriguing Comments and Player’s Progression
Johnston’s comments add intrigue to his departure from Celtic, acknowledging the challenges he faced and the need for consistent playing time. While making a definitive case for him to be a regular starter at Celtic might be challenging, his potential match-winning attributes could shine through with consistent development.
Looking Ahead and Potential Return
As Johnston continues to progress and gain valuable game-time at West Brom, his return to Celtic in the summer will be awaited with anticipation. The winger’s journey in the West Midlands provides a platform for personal and footballing growth, potentially shaping his role upon rejoining the Scottish Premiership holders.
‘He’s a shadow’: John Hartson now says ‘excellent’ 22-year-old player could depart Celtic shortly
John Hartson Raises Concerns Over Liel Abada’s Form at Celtic
Former Celtic striker, John Hartson, has expressed concerns about Liel Abada’s recent drop in form, suggesting that it might be time for the Israeli winger to consider leaving the club if he continues to be excluded from the first team.
Devoid of Confidence
Hartson, speaking on The Go Radio Football Show, highlighted that Abada appears to be lacking confidence and has become a shadow of the player who initially made a significant impact upon his arrival. Despite an impressive start alongside Jota, Abada has faced injury setbacks that have hindered his ability to replicate his earlier form.
The Dilemma for Abada and Celtic
The former Celtic striker emphasized that if Abada continues to be sidelined without featuring in the first team, it might be in the best interest of both the player and the club for him to seek regular football elsewhere. Acknowledging the challenges faced by a player who was once a key contributor but is now struggling to replicate past performances, Hartson suggests a departure could be a viable solution.
Abada’s Impactful History
Reflecting on Abada’s history at Celtic, Hartson acknowledged the player’s pivotal role in Ange Postecoglou’s transformation of the club into record-breaking Treble winners. Abada’s goals and assists played a crucial part in defeating rivals, including scoring in the Scottish Cup Final win over Inverness, contributing to Celtic’s eighth domestic treble.
Hope for a Resurgence
While the prospect of Abada leaving Celtic might have been met with resistance in the past, Hartson suggests that the situation could evolve based on the player’s form and role in the team for the rest of the season. Celtic fans, familiar with Abada’s ability to rise to the occasion when needed, hope for a resurgence that could see him reclaim the impactful role he once held.
As the Abada story unfolds, the outcome remains uncertain, with the possibility of a return to form or a departure for a fresh start hanging in the balance. Celtic supporters, eager for success, remain optimistic about the talented winger’s potential resurgence on the pitch.
SFA confirms the kickoff time for the Scottish Cup Final.
Scottish Cup Final 2024: Date and Kick-Off Time Confirmed
The Scottish Football Association (SFA) has officially announced the date and kick-off time for the eagerly anticipated Scottish Cup Final in 2024. Following the recent Fifth Round fixtures, the footballing authorities have set the stage for the grand showdown.
Key Details:
Date: Saturday, 25th May 2024
Kick-Off Time: 3:00 pm
This announcement comes after Ange Postecoglou’s historic Treble victory in June, where Celtic triumphed over Inverness CT. Now, under the leadership of Brendan Rodgers, Celtic aims to once again grace the showpiece final and continue their pursuit of silverware.
🏆 Following last night’s draw, it has now been confirmed that the 2023-24 @scottishgas Men’s Scottish Cup Final will kick off at 3pm, on Saturday, 25 May.
Click below to read more ⤵️#ScottishCup
— Scottish Gas Scottish Cup (@ScottishCup) February 12, 2024
Quarter Final Progression:
Celtic secured their place in the Quarter Finals with a notable victory over St Mirren in Paisley. Brendan Rodgers and his team are now set to face Livingston in the next round. The upcoming clash against David Martindale’s side will determine whether Celtic can advance to the prestigious Hampden stage.
Rodgers’ Unbeaten Record:
Brendan Rodgers boasts an impressive unbeaten record in the Scottish Cup, having clinched two titles in his first spell at the club. The manager’s success in the tournament adds an extra layer of anticipation as Celtic strives for further glory.
As the countdown to the Scottish Cup Final begins, fans eagerly await the outcome of Celtic’s journey through the tournament under the guidance of Brendan Rodgers. The confirmation of the date and kick-off time marks a pivotal moment in the football calendar, setting the stage for what promises to be an enthralling final.
‘Superb’… On Sunday, St Mirren manager Stephen Robinson was astounded by a Celtics player who makes £15,000 a week
St Mirren manager, Stephen Robinson, has shared how he was blown away by one Celtic player’s performance in Paisley on Sunday.
Stephen Robinson
Robinson’s side succumbed to a 2-0 defeat to Brendan Rodgers‘ men and whilst The Buddies boss was disappointed to go out of the Scottish Cup, he reserved special praise for Celtic goalkeeper, Joe Hart.
Robinson said [PLZ Soccer], “Celtic defensively, they don’t really get that kind of credit. They are classed as a very good football team.
“But some of the blocks that they made in the six-yard box and Joe Hart, I thought was superb on the day dealing with corners and deliveries into the box.
“And you know, they deserve credit for that as well. At times the two 18-yard boxes is where the difference is between winning and losing football matches.”
A real touch of class and humility from Robinson there. Hart’s performance at St Mirren was, probably, one of his best of the season.
As I spoke about yesterday, the £15k p/w ‘keeper has been criticised for making some blunders earlier this season but of late, he has really shown his value to the Celtic team.
Against Hibs, he made three brilliant saves and at Aberdeen, he made a further two and ten ball recoveries. [Fotmob]
However, against Rangers at Ibrox earlier this season, Hart showed his true value to the Celtic team. His leadership and experience helped coach an inexperienced centre-back pairing of Gustaf Lagerbielke and Liam Scales through a tough afternoon at Ibrox which led to a 1-0 Celtic win.
With his contract set to expire at the end of the season, Rodgers needs to make a decision on the £1m man and decide whether or not he still has a future at Celtic.
Based on the last few performances, it does seem that despite having a career spanning 20 years, Joe Hart still has a lot left to offer.
Ex-Celtic boss Ange Postecoglou is linked to an incredible Premier League move
Ange Postecoglou’s Rumored Move to Liverpool
Recent rumors suggest that former Celtic manager Ange Postecoglou is being considered for the managerial position at Liverpool, following Jurgen Klopp’s announcement of stepping down at the end of the season.
Soccer Football – Premier League – Tottenham Hotspur v Fulham – Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, London, Britain – October 23, 2023 Tottenham Hotspur manager Ange Postecoglou reacts REUTERS/David Klein
Postecoglou’s Impact at Spurs
Since his move from Celtic to Spurs in the summer, Postecoglou has left an indelible mark on the North London club. He has not only transformed the team’s playing style but has also created a positive atmosphere. Under his guidance, Spurs have gained recognition for their attractive football and are currently competing for a spot in the next season’s Champions League, thanks to their strong performances in the league.
Speculation and Invitation
The speculation regarding Postecoglou’s potential move to Liverpool gained traction when Andy Maher mentioned on SEN 1116 that “Ange Postecoglou’s agent has formally received an invitation to discuss his potential interest in the Liverpool managerial position.” This revelation has added fuel to the ongoing discussions about Klopp’s successor.
Career Milestones and Achievements
If Postecoglou were to take on the managerial role at Liverpool, it would mark another significant milestone in his career. The Australian coach has experienced a meteoric rise, starting from his days in the A-League and J-League to a successful stint at Celtic, where he secured five trophies in just two years.
Stepping into Klopp’s Shoes
Taking over from a managerial giant like Klopp, who led Liverpool to numerous domestic and international triumphs, including the Premier League and Champions League titles, would undoubtedly be a massive step for Postecoglou. The potential move is further complicated by the fact that Liverpool is Postecoglou’s boyhood club, adding a sentimental layer that might make it challenging for him to turn down such an opportunity.
As the managerial saga unfolds over the coming months, the potential shift of Ange Postecoglou to Liverpool will be a storyline worth keeping a close eye on, given its potential impact on both the coach’s career and the future trajectory of the iconic English club.
The Celtic wonderkid whose cost essentially has truly skyrocketed with the aid of 1,267% after leaving in a massive way.
Celtic supporters may have enjoyed the latest sight of academy brain Rocco Vata emerging as a first-team alternative for Brendan Rodgers this year.
The 18-year-old talent has been in five matchday squads for the senior group in 2024 and made two appearances – scoring in opposition to Buckie Thistle in the SFA Cup.
Hopefully, the teenage whiz will be in a position to earn greater minutes on the pitch over the weeks and months to come as he appears to translate his brilliant academy form, with 12 goals in 15 Lowland League fits this season, over to the first-team.
The Hoops will be hoping that Vata can emerge as a everyday for Rodgers subsequently and that they can gain on the pitch from his development.
Whereas, they were now not able to do that with one of the last homegrown wonderkids to come thru their academy as Ben Doak made the jump to be part of Liverpool in the Premier League.
Ben Doak’s market price at Celtic
The Reds snapped him up from the Hoops in March 2022 for a suggested compensation charge of £600k, as he had yet to sign a professional contract with the Scottish giants – due to being sixteen at the time.
He had already made two first-team appearances beneath Ange Postecoglou in the Scottish Premiership at some point of the 2021/22 marketing campaign however that was not enough to convince him to commit his future to the club.
Doak, who used to be once described as “explosive” by way of brain scout Jacek Kulig, used to be spotted by using Liverpool and they moved to take him away from Scotland in 2022 to be part of their academy system.
Ben Doak’s modern-day market value at Liverpool
It is challenging to argue in opposition to that being a exceptional choice for the teenage dynamo as Jurgen Klopp has provided him first-team opportunities and his market cost has soared over the last two years.
At the time of writing (12/02/2024), Transfermarkt fee Doak at a whopping €10m, which is round £8.5m, and that is a fantastic make bigger of 1267% on the £600k that the English giants paid for him.
The 18-year-old gem, who has been sidelined with a meniscus tear on the grounds that December, made five senior appearances for Liverpool throughout the first half of of the season, with three of those coming in the Europa League.
Interestingly, Doak has played more first-team games (ten) for Liverpool than Vata (six) has for Celtic in all competitions, regardless of the Irish teen being seven months older.
The Scotland formative years international, who was once hailed as a herbal “force” through Klopp, has been shown a clear pathway into the senior squad on Merseyside and his soaring market cost displays his wonderful growth down south.
This suggests that there is no reason for Doak to regret his choice to make the go away from Celtic as his profession seems to be heading in the proper course at this moment in time.
Hopefully, the teenage whiz will return from harm and pick out up where he left off as a real choice for Liverpool’s first-team, with a view to incomes a increased function in the future.
Meanwhile, the Hoops might also watch on with a tinge of sadness, at the same time as they have to still be thrilled to see him doing well, as they lost out onu having the homegrown dynamo as phase of their personal group moving forward.
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