“A draw wouldn’t be the worst end result for Celtic,” Jackie McNamara

“A draw wouldn’t be the worst end result for Celtic,” Jackie McNamara

It’s all to play for the next day lunchtime and if Celtic had been to win at Ibrox against theRangers, then it really would be a statement victory which places us in pole role to hold our Scottish Premiership title. However, if we can’t win, it’s imperative that we do no longer lose it -that’s the view of former Celtic first-rate Jackie McNamara.

Jackie McNamara and Henrik Larsson  celebrates with the trophy after triumphing the 119th Scottish Cup Final between Celtic and Dunfermline at Hampden on May 22, 2004. (Photo by means of Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images)

Jackie knows all about these fits and pressurised title fights into the bargain, having been a imperative cog all through the Martin O’Neill-era at Celtic Park, when each aspects were absolutely slick outfits.

Part of a side with the likes of Neil Lennon, Chris Sutton, Alan Thompson and Henrik Larsson, McNamara was once a magnificent utility participant who used to be very adaptable and was once deployed in quite a number areas with the aid of O’Neill in the course of these golden years at Paradise. He used to be always dependable and regularly helped plug holes in that terrific team.

Kyogo Furuhashi celebrates for the duration of the Scottish Premiership healthy between Celtic and St. Johnstone at Celtic Park on March 16, 2024. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

The participant who used to be signed from Dunfermline Athletic returned in 1995 via the Hoops, rekcons that there are differences to Celtic this term under Brendan Rodgers. Speaking to Sky Sports Scotland’s Mark Benstead beforehand of this one, he said: “Yeah, I suppose there’s delicate differences in terms of how they play.

The depth that Ange had in his team, I think positive groups are needless to say sitting in towards them, which makes it a bit extra difficult. Your no longer seeing the fantastic in the likes of Kyogo. You see that they’re at their quality when they’re pressing. It sets the tone. It lets in the midfield to come up and it creates house for them. And it’s difficult for the opposition to get again in. And I think we’ve considered that in the closing few weeks – getting back to that.

Looking returned over some of the goals, he continued: “I think when they’ve received this space to go in to, Kyogo isn’t getting picked up and he’s bought his returned to goal. He’s usually better when he’s going through the opposition goal and there’s area to run in to.

I assume that’s been the predominant distinction from this season. He’s not scored as many dreams due to the fact he’s perhaps bought his back to intention more. But as I said, there’s been exact symptoms the last week’s that we’re starting to see a higher intensity. They’re transferring the ball quicker. They growing more opportunities.”

When requested without delay if depth ought to be extra vital this weekend and if Celtic ought to get any pleasure in a specific region in opposition to Phillipe Clement’s men, he replied: “Yeah, I think they’ve been stable enough. Again, when the supervisor came in there’s been a shielding structure. They’ve modified little bits there. They’re out wider gamers in and it’s saved their full-backs defending more.

But I suppose there’s house there. In between the centre-backs and full-back, Celtic can hurt them. You comprehend just over the top, if it’s Kyogo coming in to the house there. And the ultimate factor you favor is your centre-backs away out in the left-back area.

That’s some thing that I assume Brendan will attempt and implement at the weekend. You recognize simply balls over the top. I know it’s a bit special however you see the electricity there. They seem to battle when their backs are towards goal.”

With the want for the home side to come out and really press the Champions, McNamara counseled it could supply Celtic with the chances they need to win the match in Govan. “Yeah, they’re at home.

Celtic’s won the first two video games this season. Their problems haven’t been against theRangers. It’s other teams sitting in. But you expect theRangers being at home with all the supporters to try and dominate the ball, which creates space and as I said, if Celtic get proper in about it from the begin and preserve that intensity up, which they’re capable of doing, I think it’s areas they can harm them.”

On the decisive nature of the consequence of the fixture for each sides, Jackie said: “Yeah, it’s A without a doubt necessary one due to the fact there’s now not many games left. I think it’s necessary Celtic don’t lose the game. TheRangers have bought the game-in-hand. There’s not many video games to go and a draw wouldn’t be the worst end result for them”

🗣️ “I think it is quintessential Celtic don’t lose the game. A draw wouldn’t be the worst result.”

Jackie McNamara appears at how Celtic could approach Sunday’s recreation against Rangers – stay on @SkyFootball and NOW: https://t.co/kkHulPnZP2 📺 pic.twitter.com/eoeMF9OF5E

— Sky Sports Scotland (@ScotlandSky) April 3, 2024

Part Seven of RODGERS v. RANGERS

BRENDAN RODGERS is preparing for his players for the visit to Ibrox tomorrow, his third derby stumble upon considering that returning to Celtic in June last year.

The Irishman has already loved a double triumph in the preceding meetings – 1-0 at Ibrox on September three and 2-1 at Parkhead on December 30.

Now Rodgers is gearing up to go again in the High Noon showdown.

In his first stint, the Hoops gaffer enjoyed phenomenal success between May 2016 and February 2019 when he faced Celtic’s city foes on thirteen occasions and triumphed 10 instances whilst drawing two and losing solely one.

In another CQN EXCLUSIVE series, we look at the fifteenth conflict before the flip of the year – and another celebration.

JOY RODGERS…the Celtic boss acknowledges the celebrating followers after the 2-1 derby success at Parkhead in December.

December 30, 2023: Premiership:

CELTIC 2 (Bernardo, Kyogo), Rangers 1 (Tavernier)

A SPECTACULAR double strike from Paulo Bernardo and Kyogo Furuhashi fired Celtic to a vital triumph at Parkhead.

It used to be a rollicking, rocking stumble upon as the champions eased eight points in advance at the Premiership pinnacle in their quest for their twelfth title in thirteen years.

The site visitors have been decreased to 10 men in the 71st minute when Leon Balogun floored Daizen Maeda as the Japanese speedster raced through on goal.

Referee Nick Walsh had no alternative however to banish the Ibrox defender and there could be no argument as the player headed for the tunnel.

STRIKE ONE…Paulo Bernardo thunders an unstoppable right-foot force toward the Ibrox net for the opening goal.

The hosts have been two desires in advance at the time and have been in whole control, but, inexplicably, allowed the visitors lower back into the contest when James Tavernier despatched a 20-yard free-kick high previous Joe Hart in the 88th minute.

The deadlock was broken with a surprise strike from Bernardo in the twenty fifth minute that nearly ripped the internet from the stanchion behind Jack Butland.

Luis Palma whipped in a right-wing corner-kick to the near put up where Abdallah Sima rose to head away. However, his clearance fell solely as a ways as the lurking on-loan Benfica midfielder.

Bernardo hit the ball first-time with ferocious timing from 16 yards and his effort sincerely bulleted previous the Ibrox keeper at his left to thump against the net.

Parkhead rocked to its foundations as 60,000 joyous fans rose in unison to greet the superb effort  from the new Bhoy who only scored his first goal for the Hoops in the Boxing Day win at Dundee.

STRIKE TWO…Kyogo Furuhashi fires a breathtaking shot high past jack Butland.

Bernardo picked up a booking from over-fussy fit offical Walsh for celebrating with the supporters.

In the thirty fifth minute, Rodgers was once pressured to make a exchange after Stephen Welsh, in for the injured Cameron Carter-Vickers, hurt his left shoulder in an awkward fall.

Maik Nawrocki, who hadn’t figured considering the League Cup loss towards Kilmarnock in the third recreation of the season, came on in his place.

The Polish centre-back slid into the back-four as although he had been there at some point of the campaign. It was a fantastically stunning return for the summer recruit.

PARADISE…Kyogo Furuhashi is congratulated with the aid of ecstatic Celtic team-mates Daizen Maeda, Paulo Bernardo, Alistair Johnston, Luis Palma, Liam Scales and Callum McGregor after his marvel 2d goal.

The second-half had an explosive start when Kyogo claimed a breathtaking intention for Scotland’s title kings as he notched his seventh strike this 12 months towards the Govan club.

Maeda and Nawrocki have been involved in the build-up on the proper with the defender choosing out Matt O’Riley with an astute forward pass.

The elegant Danish worldwide playmaker moved the ball onto the Japanese hitman lurking 25 yards backyard the box.

The hazard indicators right away flared as Kyogo jinked inside and then dragged the ball to his left before sending a certainly stupendous 47th-minute strike excessive past Butland into his pinnacle left-hand corner.

JOLLY RODGERS…the Celtic boss acclaims Kyogo Furuhashi’s splendid purpose to make it 2-0.

Rodgers made a 2d change in in the 71st minute when he changed Bernardo with David Turnbull and only moments later Balogun saw pink when he hauled down Maeda.

In the 83rd minute, the Hoops gaffer made three changes as he took off marksman Kyogo, Maeda and Palma and despatched on Oh Hyeon-gyu, Liel Abada and Mikey Johnston.

Some slack play allowed the 10-man opposition again into the fit and Tavernier had the nerve ends jangling with a free-kick that swirled high past Hart.

The remaining whistle used to be greeted with almighty cheers amid massive relief as Rodgers smiled at a job nicely executed

Mum who receives her package off for greater cash makes daring Rangers vs Celtic prediction…

EXCLUSIVE: Rangers host Celtic this weekend and one Gers fan has made a daring prediction in advance of the derby – no matter announcing she will be too nervous to sleep the night time before

Cherry Bloom believes Philippe Clement will carry the title again to Rangers (Image: Instagram/cherrybloombabe)

An NHS cleaner turned raunchy model has made a bold prediction ahead of the grudge healthy between Rangers and Celtic at Ibrox.

The Bhoys have a slender one point lead at the top of the table however have played one sport more than their Glasgow opponents – and Cherry Bloom, 42, is assured her cherished Rangers will triumph on Sunday.

Despite feeling positive, the Scottish mum-of-four, whose real title is Lisa, stated she would be too nervous to sleep appropriate the night before the derby.

The mum believes it will be a comfy victory for the guys in blue (Image: Cherry Bloom)

Speaking to Daily Star, she said: “I’m feeling excited about the game. The construct up is first-rate all week and these games are tough to pick out a winner. But the momentum we have just now has absolutely impressed me and I suppose all symptoms factor to a Rangers win that will be a large step to winning the league.

“I’m very confident it will be a 3-0 Rangers win. I simply can’t see any different outcome. I assume the January signings have been huge for us and we have the momentum.

“On Sunday I will be up early and won’t truely sleep – I in no way do. I will attempt to have some food however it will rely on the nerves and then get ready, get my kit on and get settled to watch the game and then have a excellent night time celebrating after.”

The footie lover works part-time for NHS Lanarkshire however she bolstered her bank balance over 12 months ago by growing a subscription web page on OnlyFans.

She recently had a £1,000 advert close to Edinburgh’s Murrayfield Stadium removed after complaints – however despite the setback, embracing her attractive facet has been a welcome enhance for her household all through the cost-of-living crisis.

The married mum works as a cleaner and as a racy mannequin to supply for her family (Image: Instagram/)

Cherry says she will be sporting her Rangers package to the stores if they get the win at the weekend (Image: Cherry Bloom)

While existence may additionally be desirable for Cherry who makes £2,000 a month from her titillating content, that will be difficult to appreciate if Celtic leave Ibrox with three factors this weekend.

She said: “I simply don’t go out if we lose. I’m now not an handy person to be round on the off occasions that occurs lol. I would just continue to be in and have some dinner and would be in mattress early as well. It can take me till the subsequent sport to recover before I’m in a happy mood again.

“But when we win my mood is notable and I typically text or telephone household or buddies and head to the keep whilst shopping in my package – that’s a must.

“I will have a proper night time as well whether or not that potential going out or just a takeaway. I am a completely happy lady, that’s certain.

“I will possibly be on my OnlyFans too because there is big wide variety of fans on there are looking for something extraordinary after a top result so I higher now not disappoint them and make it a great day for everyone.”

Kolo Toure talks about how his Celtics teammate convinced him to retire in the middle of the season

When Kolo Toure arrived at Celtic in 2016 it used to be well-acknowledged that he used to be coming towards the end of his career.

The Ivorian signed for the Bhoys from Liverpool at the age of 35 as Brendan Rodgers looked to bolster his new backline with an experienced professional he depended on implicitly.

He was at first a starter in Rodgers’ team, taking part in European qualifiers, a resounding 5-1 derby win over Rangers and a 3-3 draw away to former club Manchester City.

However, his contribution lessened as the season went on. He found himself on the bench earlier than subsequently retiring at the cease of the Invincibles marketing campaign and transitioning into a coaching role.

Toure has now revealed that this decreased role was once due to his very own realisation he was once no longer capable to compete in the way he’d like and that he was about to hold up his boots.

Selfless Kolo Toure opens up on retirement moment

The embellished defender says that the coaching performances of Dedyck Boyata made him apprehend that he had to step apart for the properly of the Belgian and Celtic.

Toure advised the High Performance podcast: “There was a game. We had a wreck after December and we got here back. I had a conversation with Brendan and he asked if I would be in a position to play that game.

“We had a young player, Dedryck Boyata – he was once doing very well at education that week before we started the 2nd 1/2 of the season. I concept I had to make certain I didn’t play that recreation or I’d make the team lose. I wasn’t at my full potential.

“I said to the boss play that young player. As a human, you have to know your limitations. I realised at that moment, let this boy play. He’s doing very nicely in training, just give him this chance.

“Going again to Martin Keown – he supported me when I got here to Arsenal. He by no means stopped me developing myself and I was once wondering I don’t desire to stop this younger boy from developing.”

Kolo Toure’s Celtic spell used to be quick however sweet

Toure solely ended up playing 17 instances for Celtic but he made pretty an affect on supporters and squad mates.

He was a very famous character and that helped him end up an influential member of Rodgers’ coaching staff.

There’s obviously a lasting mutual perception between Toure and the Bhoys, with the defender additionally not shy about sharing his admiration for the present day manager.

Hopefully, he will stop up back in a distinguished coaching or administration position soon, so we can see where the next phase of his profession takes him.