Celtic have ‘huge’ plan for Paulo Bernardo as £20m+ deal on the cards – sources.

Celtic have ‘huge’ plan for Paulo Bernardo as £20m+ deal on the cards – sources.

Pete O’Rourke, Transfer Correspondent

Celtic plan to develop on-loan star Paulo Bernardo with a view to sell him for a big profit, sources have told Football Insider.

Bernardo, 22, joined the Hoops on loan from Benfica in the summer for the remainder of the season and has an option to buy for £6million.

It is believed that Celtic want to make his move permanent this summer as they believe he can develop into a £20million-plus valued player, meaning they could net up to £14million in profit.

Well-placed sources have told Football Insider that Celtic chiefs believe the Portugal under-21 international has “huge” potential that can be fulfilled at Parkhead.

Celtic have “huge” plans for on-loan ace Paulo Bernardo

He has recently broken into Brendan Rodgers’ plans after a patchy first half of the season.

The central and attacking midfielder made just two league starts before Christmas, but has since been named in Rodgers’ starting line-up nine times, bagging two goals and two assists.

He also featured in all of the Hoops’ Champions League group-stage games and scored in the fourth round of the Scottish Cup against Buckie Thistle in January.

Bernardo has been a regular for Portugal’s under-21s and recently captained his nation in a 5-1 victory over Croatia in their Euro qualifier on Tuesday (26 March).

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Rodgers also revealed in January that the club is confident that they can finance Bernardo’s permanent move in the off-season.

Celtic sit top of the league, but rivals Rangers sit just one point below them in second with a game in hand.

They are next set to face Livingston away from home on Sunday afternoon (31 March).

 

 

Who’s kidding who? Kris Boyd blasts Celtic over Rodgers statement

Kris Boyd isn’t accepting Celtic’s reaction to the touchline ban on Brendan Rodgers.

The hoops boss will be in the stand at Livingston tomorrow as a result of his post match comments after the defeat to Hearts on March 3.

A Notice of Complaint was issued to the Celtic boss by the SFA, if found guilty the minimum punishment would be a two match touchline ban covering trips to the Tony Macaroni Arena and Ibrox, two matches being covered live by Sky Sports.

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The interpretation was maybe misconstrued- Rodgers has no regrets over ban comments

The SFA duly found Rodgers guilty of breaching Rule 72, a two match ban has been applied but one will be suspended until the end of the season dependent on the good behaviour of the Celtic boss.

Soon after the decision was made public Celtic issued a statement saying that they were clearly disappointed, writing in The Sun Boyd took issue with that sentiment:

CELTIC claimed that they were “disappointed” with Brendan Rodgers’ SFA punishment.

That official club statement gave me a good laugh when I read it. Who’s kidding who?

A one-game immediate ban, with one suspended, was a major result for the Celtic boss after his “incompetent” outburst towards Tynecastle VAR John Beaton.

I only have one word for the punishment given to Rodgers at Thursday’s hearing — WEAK. And I would love to know the thoughts of Scotland’s top referees when they heard the news.

You single out an official and call him “incompetent” and only have to sit in the stand for one game?

Don Robertson refereed the match at Tynecastle that prompted the comments and will be in charge of tomorrow’s match at Livingston.

 

 

Referee fails to send player off for ‘two footed lunge’ right in front of his face

Scottish football is known for it’s physicality, but even former Celtic midfielder Scott Brown was left furious with a tackle carried out on his player

Patrick Austen-HardyUS Sports Journalist

The tackles were flying in the Scottish Championship (Image: BBC)

Former Celtic midfielder Scott Brown was furious after a two-footed lunge on his player went unpunished.

The former Bhoys skipper is now the manager of Ayr United, who are fighting for promotion in the Scottish Championship. They managed to grab an impressive 2-1 home victory over Airdrieonians to move up to sixth place.

Yet, Brown was seething with a two-footed challenge from Dean McMaster on Harry McHugh. Despite the referee being less than five yards away from the flashpoint, the Airdrieonians midfielder remained on the pitch, to the fury of Brown.

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When a loose ball rolled into a space in the middle of the pitch, both McMaster and McHugh went in for a 50/50 challenge. While McHugh slid in, hoping to poke the ball away to a team-mate, McMaster lunged in with both feet off the ground.

It was a tackle which immediately triggered a furious backlash from Ayr players, who were incensed with the recklessness of the challenge. McHugh was only given a yellow card for the stomach churning tackle by referee David Munro.

One fan wrote: “Just when you think Scottish refs couldn’t get any worse, that’s given as a yellow.” A second added: “Comedy refereeing again. Then again it’s not funny that’s a potential leg breaker and like the referee’s performance the tackle goes unpunished.”

Do you think it was a red card? Let us know in the comment section below

The air time on the tackle was extraordinary (Image: BBC)

A third added: “Is the ref blind he’s right there two footed off the ground how is that not a red.” A particularly angry fourth also said: “That’s like one of those crazy Sunday league tackles that pop up on your timeline! He’s airborne going in!”

Luckily for Brown, his side managed to come back from behind to secure a 2-1 victory against their promotion rivals. Second half goals from Anton Dowds and Sean McGinty cancelled out a first-half strike from Josh O’Connor.

Yet, there was only one thing on Brown’s mind at the end of the match. “The tackle on Harry near the end was a disgrace,” the ex-Celtic man, who was partial to a fierce challenge

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“It could have ended someone’s career. The referee is stood yards away from it and thought it was a yellow, which I don’t understand.”

When asked about the incident, Airdrieonians player manager Rhys McCabe said: “I haven’t seen it back but if it’s a bad one I’ll make sure I speak to Dean. That’s certainly not something I’m for or encourage my players to do.”

Why I think Celtic will be relieved with one Brendan Rodgers bonus clear despite every Parkhead misstep – Chris Sutton

Rodgers will serve a one-match ban against Livingston as the Scottish Premiership emerges from cold storage.

Chris Sutton

Brendan Rodgers and Philippe Clement

Celtic can claim they are disappointed Brendan Rodgers has been hit with a one game ban for speaking his mind. But we all know they will be secretly delighted with the result of Thursday’s SFA disciplinary hearing at Hampden.

Rodgers will be in the technical area at Ibrox next weekend – and that has to be a win. Unlike his first spell at the club, there might have been some missteps this season and some questionable calls over the campaign. We all know the two transfer windows were not good enough, too many performances have been under par to allow a pretty average Rangers side back into the title race, and the less said about Europe the better. The manager has to carry some of the can for all of that.

Yet there is no doubt to me having Rodgers in the technical area for the Glasgow Derby is a major bonus. He has shown over the years that is where he is at his best. You go back to his time in charge in the 3-2 win at Ibrox with 10 men. Rodgers’s in-game management was superb, and his bill move to keep two up top paid off and probably delivered the title that day. At Leicester City as well. Look at the way he won the FA Cup against a Chelsea side that went on to win the Champions League a few weeks later.

Brendan Rodgers insists Celtic NEVER wanted to cut Rangers allocation as he wants more tickets for each club

Chris Sutton champions Rangers and Celtic ‘common sense’ over away allocations but demands another step

The same with his 5-2 win against Manchester City. No one can argue about Rodgers’ tactical acumen. He has an ability to see things on the pitch and make the key decisions that can alter games.

That will be crucial for the derby when anything can happen and all hell can break loose at any moment. Rodgers will need to pit his wits against a Rangers manager who knows what he is doing, unlike some of the previous guys who sat in that dugout.

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The Celtic boss will also be in the dressing room in those crucial minutes before kick-off. Mind you, a lot is made of these big pre-match speeches. Martin O’Neill always found the right words to say but if we didn’t already understand what was at stake, we didn’t deserve to be at the club.

If you can’t get yourself up for this kind of fixture then you are in the wrong job. What is important though is helping the players keep their cool and delivering the last minute tactical messages.

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And I’m sure Rodgers is relieved he’ll be in the thick of it next Saturday, rather than cut off in the stands. The fact it was in doubt is a strange one mind you. As soon as he said the word ‘incompetence’ and named VAR official John Beaton along with Don Robertson, we all knew he was in bother and a ban would be inevitable under the rules.

But I just wonder how come no other manager has copped it this season? Pretty much all of them have been critical of VAR or referees. I’ve seen strong stuff from Derek McInnes, Steven Naismith, Stuart Kettlewell has recently gone to town and Philippe Clement has taken the odd pop. Neil Warnock was only here a few weeks and moaned about it after most games.

None of those guys ended up in the dock. It seems it’s okay to infer officials are incompetent – but you can’t actually say it. Rodgers just said what they are all thinking – what most of us are thinking. In courts you can’t get done for defamation if what you say is true. But it doesn’t seem to work that way in the SFA legal system. Even if the officials were incompetent, you are not allowed to say it.

Rodgers will take his slap on the wrists but for everyone’s sake I hope the people in charge take note and raise their game. The Celtic manager will be in the stands at Livingston tomorrow and I doubt he’ll be sitting comfortably.

I’ve spoken about big decisions – but he’s got a few to make this weekend. It remains to be seen just how close Callum McGregor and Reo Hatate are to returning.

Reo Hatate during today’s session

There’s a suggestion it’s imminent but Rodgers has been suspiciously coy. That might be a hint of mind games but either way, the prospect of a crucial match on Livi’s monstrosity of a pitch will give him food for thought.

It’s the same with Cameron Carter-Vickers given the troubles he’s had this season. I get the fears from some that these players shouldn’t be risked with Rangers around the corner.

But this is no time to be wrapping anyone in cotton wool. If they are fit they need to be on the pitch to be ready for next week. And Celtic simply cannot afford to drop any points ahead of Ibrox against a Livingston side destined to go down. McGregor has been out for five weeks and we don’t know how hard he’s been able to train.

Chris Sutton champions Rangers and Celtic ‘common sense’ over away allocations but demands another step

Away fans will return be back inside Ibrox and Celtic Park next season on derby day.

Rangers fans at Celtic Park..

Common sense has finally broken out over Old Firm tickets. I just hope this is just the start on the road back to a return to full away allocations.

Getting around 2500 visiting supporters in to Ibrox and Celtic Park is a step in the right direction. It’s also long overdue. The decision to cut the away attendances was petty in the first place and no one can tell me it didn’t diminish the fixture. The reduced amount of 700 was a waste of time and there’s no doubt it made it a nightmare for those fans penned into tiny corners of the stadiums.

The total shut out was even worse. The Glasgow Derby is one of the biggest in world football and a lot of that is down to the atmosphere created in the grounds. The noise and passion is what makes it, and there has been something lacking with the away supporters locked out. It took away from the spectacle for the neutrals as well. Scottish football is trying to sell itself as a global product but armchair fans were being left short changed by getting the watered down version of the derby.

Ex-Celtic star gets brutal takedown from Tottenham icon amid Hoops transfer sell-on confirmation…

A former Celtic player has been the recipient of some scathing criticism from an ex-Tottenham star.

On Friday evening, March 22, Scotland were defeated 4-0 by The Netherlands in an international friendly in Amsterdam. Former Celtic star Jeremie Frimpong featured in the game for the Flying Dutchmen – but ex-Tottenham star Rafael Van der Vaart was not impressed with the 23-year-old’s performance.

He drew ire with his team’s display as a collective unit, saying the game ‘could easily have finished 4-0 for Scotland’ and branded the performance as ‘average’ – however, he singled out Frimpong to bear the brunt of his criticism. He called upon Netherlands boss Ronald Koeman to start Denzel Dumfries instead of Frimpong at the Euros, saying he is ‘not there yet’ in terms the ‘level required’ on the international stage.

Frimpong signed for Celtic in the summer of 2019, following the end of his nine-year stay in Manchester City’s academy. He went on to make 36 league appearances for the Bhoys, scoring three goals along the way – in 2021, he was snapped up by Bayer Leverkusen for an undisclosed amount.

What did Rafael Van der Vaart say about Jeremie Frimpong?

In the wake of The Netherlands’ victory over the Tartan Army, Van der Vaart said: “I didn’t learn much watching us against Scotland. We were very mediocre. Actually, it was unbelievable that we won 4-0, because it could easily have finished 4-0 for Scotland.

“We did see some good moments, but not many and it was a very average display from us to be honest. The conclusion I came to in terms of the players is that Denzel Dumfries simply must play instead of Jeremie Frimpong at the Euros. That became very obvious against Scotland. Look, Frimpong is a good player and may well get to the level required. But he’s not there yet and Dumfries is our first choice right back.”

 

 

Don Robertson handed Celtic game just three days after Brendan Rodgers hearing for ‘incompetent’ rant

Robertson will be in the middle in West Lothian just three days after Rodgers’ hearing.

Yang is shown a red card by Don Robertson

Don Robertson will referee Livingston vs Celtic this weekend – just three days after Brendan Rodgers finds out if he is banned for a furious rant directed at the whistler.

Rodgers will stand in front of an SFA panel on Thursday and if found guilty of breaching regulations on managerial conduct, he will be hit with a two-game touchline ban which will keep him out of the dugout for the trip to Livi and, crucially, the Old Firm derby with Rangers the following week. It comes after a raging tirade from Rodgers aimed at Robertson and his VAR John Beaton following their defeat to Hearts in February.

But just three days after the hearing takes place and Rodgers finds out his fate, Robertson will be in the middle at Almondvale. The SFA announced the appointment on Tuesday afternoon and it’s sure to put eyeballs on Robertson, whose decisions to red card Yang and award a penalty for handball by Tomoki Iwata, both after VAR reviews at Tynecastle, sparked Rodgers’ fury.

Rodgers’ anger was however more aimed at VAR Beaton – who is not on the officiating team for their game this weekend. Instead it’s Alan Muir in the VAR room.

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Rodgers said after the game in Gorgie: “I try to respect decisions and give the benefit of the doubt. But I think when I see that level of incompetence, which is the only word I can use, then that makes me worry for the game. In such a tight title race that can make the difference. I also think that VAR is not the problem here. That’s clear. It’s competence.

“The first one is the sending off when there is no force. Show a still image of that and of course and you will see a foot up with the head near it, but it’s not the reality of the move.

“Don got it actually right on the field. It was a high boot, so it’s a yellow card – no malice or force. For John Beaton to actually look at that in VAR, supposedly under no pressure, and say that was sending off? I find that incredible. The second one is WORSE. If you have a penalty go against you for that then there will be penalties every single weekend and midweek.”

As it’s international week, it’s always good to keep a close eye on the Celtic players who are away representing their countries over this two week period.

Celtic have ten players on international duty with the likes of Adam Idah at the Republic of Ireland and Matt O’Riley away with Denmark.

Unfortunately, Callum McGregor couldn’t make Steve Clarke’s Scotland squad due to his recent injury and after the 4-0 defeat to the Netherlands last week, the Scotland boss certainly needs him back in the squad.

Not because his team played poorly but merely because having McGregor in the team may have given Clarke a better chance of pulling off a result with the Celtic captain’s experience and quality in the heart of the Scotland midfield.

If we are all honest, the national side did play well without McGregor in the team and it prompted Tam McManus to make this weird claim after the 4-0 Rotterdam result.

McManus: McGregor could struggle to get back into Scotland team

Yeah, you read that correctly. Tam McManus believes the Celtic captain will need to work hard to get his place back in the Scotland midfield.

McManus said [PLZ Soccer], “I thought Scotland for 60-70 minutes was superb. He made a lot of changes. I thought our midfield was superb against a good Netherlands team.

“And I thought that three in there with McTominay, John McGinn and particularly Billy Gilmour, who I thought was superb.

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“It’s going to be a job for Callum McGregor possibly to get back into that midfield because I thought the three of them really dominated a good Netherlands team.”

With 53 caps to his name, McGregor has been an ever-present for Scotland and, in particular, Steve Clarke ever since the former Kilmarnock manager got the job in May 2019.

McGregor has missed just five games for Scotland under Clarke, two through injury and rested for the 4-1 France defeat as the Celtic midfielder helped the national side to two back-to-back Euros.

In the 47 times McGregor has been capped by Clarke he has only not finished a full 90 minutes on 17 occasions. In eight of those 17 appearances the Hoops legend was on the park for 75+ minutes. And not only has he just turned up, McGregor has been superb for Clarke in all of his appearances. [Transfermarkt]

Does McManus seriously think that the Celtic captain is about to be dropped after just one good performance without McGregor in the side?

What’s that good old Scottish phrase again? Give your ‘heid a wobble son’.

Callum McGregor Backed To Start Key Scotland Game Despite Recent Absence

Celtic captain Callum McGregor has been backed to start for Scotland in their Euro 2024 opener versus Germany despite his current injury struggles.

McGregor, who is key for both club and country, wasn’t in Steve Clarke’s squad for the current international break. He missed the game versus the Netherlands on Friday and won’t play against Northern Ireland tonight.

Soccer Football – Scottish Premiership – Celtic v Rangers – Celtic Park, Glasgow, Scotland, Britain – December 30, 2023 Celtic’s Callum McGregor celebrates after the match REUTERS/Russell Cheyne.

For Celtic, the skipper hasn’t featured since the end of February. He is expected back post-international break, though, and Neil Lennon, who was McGregor’s boss during his second spell in charge of the club, thinks he will immediately return to the Scotland team.

The national side has two warmup games for this summer’s Euros in June against Gibraltar and Finland but things kick off against Germany in the tournament. Lennon reckons that despite missing out on the March squad, McGregor will seamlessly slot back in this summer.

He said: [PLZ Soccer] “In the opening game, Callum McGregor has to play in that game for me.”

Host Peter Martin backed up this viewpoint, predicting that the 30-year-old coming into the team will be one of a few changes for the Germany game from Friday’s: “I actually can only see one change in that team, maybe two. Maybe [Lyndon] Dykes coming in for [Lawrence] Shankland but [Ryan] Christie coming in for McGregor”, he said.

Whether it be for Celtic or Scotland, the quality of McGregor always shines through. He is a standout each time he plays for club and country.

He has uncharacteristically missed the past few weeks, but the quadruple-treble-winner faces an arduous end to the season amid a crucial title run in and hotly anticipated Euros.

SFA Choose Same Referee as Hearts Game to Officiate Celtic in Week of Rodgers’ Trial

The officials have been confirmed for Celtic’s trip to Livingston this Sunday in the Scottish Premiership.

The Hoops will travel to West Lothian at noon in the first game back after the international break. Currently, we don’t know if manager Brendan Rodgers will be in the dugout for the game with his SFA trial set for Thursday.

The Association, though, have announced who will take charge of the game. Indeed, Don Robertson – who was at the centre of an officiating disaster involving Celtic a few weeks ago at Tynecastle – is set to referee the clash.

3rd March 2024; Tynecastle Park, Edinburgh, Scotland; Scottish Premiership Football, Hearts versus Celtic; Referee Don Robertson

It is hugely intriguing that the SFA appointed Robertson for the game in the week of Rodgers’ trial given the gaffer is being charged for his words following the last Hoops match he refereed.

Graeme Stewart and Andy Milne will run the lines while Euan Anderson will take up fourth official duties. Alan Muir and Graeme Leslie are on VAR.

This weekend is the start of a crucial run-in for Celtic. The next nine (potentially ten) games will define the Hoops’ season and whether Brendan Rodgers’ return to the club is immediately successful.

With some key players set to return, fans are becoming quietly confident that this team can go all the way and bring home the bacon.

What makes this situation particularly ironic is the timing. Crawford Allan, the head of Scotland’s referees, has announced his decision to step down, although he will linger in his role until a successor is found. This decision came in the wake of what can only be described as a vote of no confidence by the Premiership clubs, a collective expression of disillusionment with the current state of officiating and the VAR system Allan oversees.

3rd March 2024; Tynecastle Park, Edinburgh, Scotland; Scottish Premiership Football, Hearts versus Celtic; Celtic Manager Brendan Rodgers

In this context, the prospect of the SFA punishing Brendan Rodgers isn’t just baffling; it’s incredulous. It’s a move that would not only spotlight the SFA’s detachment from the clubs’ and fans’ growing frustrations but also raise questions about the organisations priorities.

Are we to understand that critiquing perceived incompetence, an opinion formed in the heat of competition and supported by a significant portion of the league, is more egregious than the ongoing issues within the refereeing system itself?

Rodgers’ comments, though direct, were far from incendiary. They were the reflections of a manager seeking fairness in competition, voicing concerns that many within Scottish football have whispered in quieter tones.

To penalise such comments, especially at a time when the SFA’s refereeing department is under intense scrutiny, would not only be paradoxical but could also deepen the rift between the governing body and the clubs it is meant to serve.

This situation transcends Celtic and Brendan Rodgers; it touches on the very integrity of Scottish football. It’s about the ability of those within the game to express valid concerns without fear of retribution.

It’s about the SFA’s response to those concerns — whether it chooses to address the criticisms constructively or opts to silence dissenting voices.

3rd March 2024; Tynecastle Park, Edinburgh, Scotland; Scottish Premiership Football, Hearts versus Celtic; Referee Don Robertson

If the SFA proceeds with punitive measures against Rodgers, it risks not just further alienating clubs and fans but also undermining its credibility even further. Such a decision would send a clear message: that maintaining a facade of infallibility is more important than engaging with the substantive issues plaguing the game.

As the head of referees, Allan’s position — both his impending departure and his current “lame duck” status — symbolises the need for renewal and reassessment within Scottish football’s officiating ranks. Rather than punishing those who highlight the system’s flaws, the SFA should seize this opportunity to initiate meaningful reform, to rebuild trust with clubs, players, and supporters alike.

In this moment, the SFA has a choice. It can continue down the path of defensiveness and denial, or it can acknowledge the validity of the criticisms laid at its doorstep and work towards genuine improvement. For the sake of Scottish football’s future, let’s hope it chooses the latter.

With Rocco Vata’s contract at Celtic still due to expire at the end of the season, his future at the Bhoys is far from certain.

The Bhoys have rebuffed bids for him this season, indicating they are keen to tie him down to more years in Glasgow. However, the teenager has yet to officially put pen to paper on a new deal.

Vata again attracted attention during this international break after a hat-trick for the Republic of Ireland U21s on Friday night.

Now training full-time with the first-team squad at Lennoxtown, manager Brendan Rodgers has recently indicated talks have taken place on a new contract for the talent – alongside fellow Academy graduate Daniel Kelly.

Celtic face competition to keep Rocco Vata

The Daily Record has now reported those talks are ongoing and that Vata has an offer ‘on the table’ that would extend his current contract to the summer of 2027.

It’s said that scouts from AC Milan, Bologna and Atalanta were in place to watch Vata net his trio of goals against San Marino last night, suggesting that teams are still keen on landing him.

English side Watford are also said to be in discussions with Vata’s representatives about a possible summer move.

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Celtic would receive just £400,000 in training compensation if the winger, who turns 19 next month, decides to make an exit.

Several young talents have left Celtic for bigger leagues in recent seasons, most notably Ben Doak. It would be a blow to see another with potential choose to say goodbye before really making a notable impact at the Bhoys.

Celtic star watches ‘slapstick drama’ unfold on bizarre national camp as he turns on the international jets

The Celtic star has more rest after an odd call-off on international duty.

Maeda featured for Japan this week.

Celtic star Daizen Maeda says speed is one of his primary weapons – as the possible reasons for Japan vs North Korea being called off are discussed.

The Hoops winger started during a 1-0 win for the Land of the Rising Sun on Thursday in World Cup qualifying. They were due to face North Korea again on Tuesday but in a bizarre twist, the game has been called off for reasons unknown.

It’s sparked a slamming in Japan, with media outlet Sponichi asking “Forfeited? Postponed? Another slapstick drama, team disbanded.” They added on the reasons, which means Maeda has a week free from action ahead of Livingston vs Celtic: “FIFA will decide how to handle the match, including the possibility of holding it on another International A Match Day or confiscating the match.

“Conflicting information about the match against North Korea on the 26th, which was suddenly decided not to be held in Pyongyang on the 21st, caused confusion. The team was originally scheduled to leave Japan on the 22nd, but in preparation for the away game against North Korea, which was cancelled, they stayed in the country, secured a hotel, and practiced.

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“Some staff members stayed at a different hotel from the team, and they also incurred more expenses than expected, including cancellations of training grounds in Beijing and flight tickets.”

Speaking after the win on Thursday with Sponichi, Maeda didn’t hide the fact his speed is weapon he likes to use. The Celtic attacker added: “I have speed, so it would be a waste not to take advantage of it. I was able to put it to good use today.

“In the second half, things got tough as the opponents attacked at times, but we knew it was going to be a difficult game. A win is a win. It was an important game leading up to the next one. We held them to zero, including the defenders. I think it’s a big deal.”

Rangers and Celtic alerted to bold UEFA salary plan that could impact transfers as idea not ‘ditched’

UEFA have been defeated in the courts for now but they haven’t parked an idea that could hit Rangers and Celtic.

Rangers and Celtic have been alerted to a willingness from UEFA to impose a salary cap for clubs in European competitions.

The Hoops took part in the Champions League this season, but finished bottom of their group, while Rangers were recently knocked out of the Europa League at the last 16 phase by Benfica. Both will look to go far on the continent next season, with a new Swiss model coming to give competitions a jolt.

UEFA meanwhile are keen on bringing new financial measures into the game, according to the Times. It is claimed that the organisation has, for now, been forced to shelve ideas for a salary cap for clubs in continental action after suffering court defeats in attempting to limit agents’ commissions.

The agents won their case against FIFA in Europe and against the English FA after claiming the suggested caps breached competition law. Despite the loss, it is stated “UEFA has not completely ditched the idea of a cash limit that clubs could spend on wages, transfers and agents fees, sources say the court cases have caused European football’s governing body to put fixed salary caps on the back-burner.”

Read More

Rangers and Celtic are superior financially when it comes to the rest of Scottish football. But the tides shift in Europe where they are regularly the side, particularly in the Champions League, who have the smallest budget of the two competing teams.

The football authorities were working towards a proposal that would satisfy the EU, and it’s claimed “with the idea being it would run alongside the new squad-cost rule, under which clubs in UEFA competitions are only allowed to spend 80 per cent of revenues on wages and transfers in 2024, dropping to 70 per cent in 2025.” The players union has also rejected the salary cap idea.

SIX IN A WOE

CALLUM McGREGOR was the lucky one – he missed Scotland’s sixth game without a win as Steve Clarke’s side collapsed to an embarrassing 4-0 loss in Amsterdam last night.

The international squad are gearing up for the Euro 24 Finals in Germany in the summer, but shot themselves spectacularly in the foot with a procession of awful misses against the Netherlands.

The Scots have now conceded EIGHTEEN goals in their six in a woe and injured Celtic skipper McGregor was forced to watch the latest struggle by his country’s team-mates as they nosedived to defeat following a bewildering display of inept finishing.

His ex-Hoops colleague Ryan Christie had a close-range effort pushed onto the woodwork in the first-half and the midfielder contributed to the mesmerising array of misses with a miscued header after the interval that sailed harmlessly wide of the post.

Scott McTominay, usually a stalwart for the Scots, also headed past from a superb position and John McGinn was off target with a couple of shots which should have worked the opposite netminder.

The most mystifying failure was delivered by Lawrence Shankland when he was through on the exposed keeper with the chance to make it 1-1. Alarmingly, the Hearts man leaned back as he struck his shot and the ball soared high before nicking the top of the crossbar and sailing to safety.

That x-certificate howler summed up a Scotland side that had 13 attempts on goal – the same as their opponents – with only two on target.

The first one that counted for the hosts, with former Celts Virgil van Dijk and Jeremie Frimpong in the line-up, arrived five minutes from the interval when a long-range drive from Tijani Reijinders eluded the flapping hands of Angus Gunn.

Georginio Wijnaldum was left unmarked to head in No.2 in the 72nd minute and Anthony Ralston made his appearance two minutes later as he replaced Nathan Patterson. Greg Taylor remained on the bench throughout the evening.

Two goals in the final six minutes flattened the visitors when Wout Weghorst and Donyell Malen scored simple efforts.

Looking at the worrying failure of his back lot to keep rivals at bay, a gutted boss Clarke said: “It’s a lot of goals and if you concede that many you are not going to win games.

“The scoreline, 4-0, you can’t hide. It’s painful.

“The players are suffering and I am suffering. But don’t forget there was a lot of good stuff in the game.

“We were very competitive with a good Dutch team for 70 minutes. I will probably spend a long time looking at that period because that is what we have to build on.”

Clarke, speaking to the Scottish Sun, added: “We had the same amount of shots as the Netherlands.

“They were clinical, we weren’t clinical enough. That’s something we can work on.

“If we get the 1-0 with Ryan Christie’s header, it can be a totally different night, but there is no point talking about it we have to go on the pitch and do it. We will learn our lessons and move forward.”

Scotland now face Northern Ireland at Hampden on Tuesday night.

Steve Clarke points to former Celtic star in what could have been Scotland tale as he offers no Dutch excuses

The national team boss has been reflecting on a tough night in Amsterdam for Scotland

Steve Clarke reckons Netherlands vs Scotland could have had a whole different outcome had former Celtic star Ryan Christie netted in the first half.

A painful 4-0 friendly loss was inflicted upon the visitors in Amsterdam after a controlled first hour. The game was at 0-0 when a cross into the box found Bournemouth midfielder Christie, but his header was turned onto the bar. The midfielder who played 151 times for Celtic before moving to Bournemouth missed a chance in the second half while Lawrence Shankland also struck the crossbar.

Tijani Reijnders had put the hosts up with a terrific first half strike but late collapse allowed Georginio Wijnaldum, Wout Weghorst and Donyell Mallen all to score in a brutal lesson ahead of Euro 2024. Clarke wonders what may have been had the first goal gone his side’s way but he refuses to offer up defeat excuses. Northern Ireland come next in a Hampden friendly on March 26th.

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Clarke said: “There was a loss of composure on the pitch and suddenly the game opened up and it was too open and that didn’t suit us.

The Dutch have some fantastic players and they started to open us up which is something we have to look at. Obviously we conceded a poor second goal and then we didn’t handle the rest of the game very well.

“We had the same amount of shots (13) as the Netherlands. They were clinical, we weren’t clinical enough. That’s something we can work on. If we get the 1-0 with Ryan Christie’s header it can be a totally different night but there is not point talking about it we have to go on the pitch and do it. We will learn our lessons and move forward.”

Lawrence Shankland display hailed ‘outstanding’ by Scotland team-mate as Northern Ireland clash branded must-win

John McGinn gives his thoughts on the 4-0 defeat to Netherlands in Amsterdam

Scotland’s John McGinn looks for a way past Netherlands’ Cody Gakpo during an international friendly match at the Johan Cruyff Arena, Amsterdam.

John McGinn knows Scotland must get back to winning ways against Northern Ireland on Tuesday after kick-starting their preparation for the Euros with a 4-0 defeat to the Netherlands in Amsterdam.

The loss of late goals to Wout Weghorst and Donyell Malen soured what had been an encouraging display from Scotland despite falling 2-0 behind through efforts from Tijjani Reijnders and Georginio Wijnaldum in either half.

Scotland enjoyed plenty of possession and carved open numerous chances, hitting the bar twice through Ryan Christie and Lawrence Shankland, but McGinn admitted the late collapse took the shine off the performance.

“There was so much to take from the game but the scoreline is an embarrassing one for us,” the Aston Villa captain admitted. “We’re all experienced players. We know what we’re coming up against at places like this so it’s not a surprise. Most of us are all playing European football against these sides.

“When you get good spells in the game, and get good chances, one of them has got to go in. You can say you played well and had chances but we’ve got to be more streetwise and when it goes to 2-0, shut up shop a little bit, be a bit less ambitious, be narrower. That’s the thing that hurts the most.

“We’re going into a tournament where goal difference is so important. I think over the piece we can take the positives in the sense we don’t feel the Netherlands were a million miles ahead of us, but the last half hour is not one we look at with many positives.”

Scotland now welcome Northern Ireland to Hampden on Tuesday and McGinn admits a win is required to restore some positive momentum after a run of six matches without victory, conceding 18 goals in the process.

“We need to win on Tuesday night,” he stressed. “We’re on a bad run of results at the moment. We know the country is very positive. Tonight was, up until a certain point, one of our best away performances I’ve experienced but it means nothing.

“They’ll be thinking, ‘how did we win 4-0?’, but it is up to us to make sure it doesn’t happen again. It’s happened too many times in the past. We’ve got away from that and we can’t let those bad habits slip back in.”

Hearts striker Shankland was handed only his second Scotland start and McGinn backed his team-mate to bounce back from the glaring second half miss while the match was still 1-0, clipping the crossbar when clean through on goal with just goalkeeper Mark Flekken to beat.

“I thought Shanks was outstanding,” McGinn said. “It’s not easy coming in and playing against [Virgil] Van Dyk – one of the best defenders in the world. But he was so strong, holding it up, laying it off, linking the play really well. He was a good outball for us and I think he’ll be happy. The goals will always come when you’re a player like Shanks. And we’re proud of how he played. The chances come and go and the next one will be in the back of the net.”

John McGinley

Just as Celtic close in on getting their strongest players available and back on the pitch, injury problems are reportedly mounting up across the city.

As discussed this morning, Chris Sutton feels that Brendan Rodgers could soon get his best eleven back playing together ahead of a critical period in the Scottish Premiership and Scottish Cup.

Reo Hatate played a bounce game during the international break and Callum McGregor is expected to return quite quickly too.

With Cameron Carter-Vickers getting back to 100% and Kyogo again involved heavily, Celtic are have their trophy-winning core ready for the big push for silverware.

Celtic and Rangers title race heats up

In contrast, The Daily Record reports that Ridvan Yilmaz is the latest injury concern for Rangers after he limped out of Turkey’s defeat to Hungary with a thigh complaint.

The paper says that Yilmaz is one of six on the sidelines including Abdallah Sima, Oscar Cortes, Ryan Jack, Kieran Dowell and Danilo – all of whom are said to likely miss their first match after the break at least.

Yilmaz has played 28 times for his clubs this season and is firmly part of Philippe Clement’s plans, so losing him would be another big blow for them.

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The Ibrox side face Hibernian at home next week before hosting Celtic. The Bhoys, of course, travel to Livingston ahead of that massive derby in Govan.

If Celtic manage to win both matches – having already won in West Lothian and at Ibrox this season – they’ll be at least four points ahead before Rangers play their game in hand away to Dundee the following mid-week.

Rodgers getting his strongest players on the pitch with few injury problems could be a key factor in these closing weeks. Especially if rivals are flagging.

Watch the double edged hat-trick from young Celt

Rocco Vata scored a 30 minute hat-trick as Ireland’s u-21 side beat San Marino 7-0 in a European Championship qualifier.

Former Celt Armstrong Okoflex, now of FC Zurich also scored with Bosun Lawal strolling through the match in midfield.

Obviously San Marino aren’t the strongest of international sides but scoring a hat-trick in the heart of Italy is bound to have been picked up by some of the Serie A clubs that have been linked with Vata this season.

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“Mama Mia, Rocco Vata”?

Enjoy Rocco’s hat-trick as much as the Italian commentators ?

A great night for our Under-21s ??#IRLU21 | #COYBIG pic.twitter.com/jBXojcxV8J

— Ireland Football ???? (@IrelandFootball) March 22, 2024

A month short of his 19^th birthday, Vata is in an awkward situation as his three year Celtic contract expires in the summer.

During the first half of the season he wasn’t involved in the Celtic first team squad, a January transfer was anticipated but international call ups opened the door with the teenager coming off the bench to score against Buckie Thistle.

There has been three brief substitute appearances since then, Brendan Rodgers has spoken encouragingly of Vata but a big decision is looming at the end of the season.

Under Ange Postecoglou Vata made a few brief first team appearances on the wing but he has evolved more towards playing as a striker with two of the goals against San Marino showing the penalty box instincts that are almost impossible to coach into players.

ALEX’S ANGLE: CONNING REFS AND VAR: SLEEVELINES, SILHOUETTES AND SNEAKY PETES

I WOULD prefer to sit down with a physicist and attempt to decipher the intricacies of splitting an atom than try to unravel the complexities of what constitutes handball in football these days.

As an irrational seeker of knowledge, I am inflicted with the requirement to embark upon the journey of discovery that propels an individual down a labyrinth of unfathomable terminology, a collision of bizarrely-worded statements and utterly confusing instructions.

The wisdom of Solomon would be required to attempt to decode the legalese of the rule book which is at best merely convuluted and obtuse. Did I miss out paradoxical?

According to the law-making gurus at IFAB (International Football Association Board), the arm is defined as starting at the armpit.

So, that explains why learned observers refer to the sleevelines of an imaginary t-shirt when that awkward sphere takes on a life of its own as it bounces waywardly around a penalty box and comes into contact with an illegal part of a player’s anatomy? Well, not quite.

Those damn sticklers for detail at IFAB state: “To determine handball offences, the upper boundary of the arm is in line with the armpit.”

In other words, it is only legal to use the part of the arm that cannot make the outline of a player’s body any bigger.

Hmmm. Okay, think I’ve got a handle on that. So far so good.

First up, though, the possessors of the silver whistle, who are obviously lavished with a few more grey cells than us mere mortals, must determine if contact is deliberate in a handball situation. They also have to take into consideration other factors such as the shape of the player’s body when the ball strikes him.

If the silhouette of the body is deemed to be “unnaturally big” then a penalty can be awarded, whether the player meant to touch the ball or not.

Curiously, these footballing Einsteins fail to make any consideration for a dastardly offender actually looking in the opposite direction as witnessed in incidents involving Alexandro Bernabei v Dundee United November 2022 and Tomoki Iwata v Hearts this month.

Befuddled Bernabei was also booked for his cardinal sin by match official David Dickinson, a referee who appears to be on nodding terms with Philippe Clement. No wonder the wee defender has fled back to South America. We’ll probably never see him again.

Guidance for the benefit of numbskulls such as your humble scribe, the laws also state that if the ball is either kicked or headed by a player and then goes on to their own arm, it is not handball unless the ball then goes directly into the opponents’ goal or the player scores immediately afterwards.

Some football associations encourage match officials to take into account the proximity of the player to the ball when kicked or headed and whether a bigger body silhouette could be considered natural given the player’s action at the time. (See previous reference to Messrs Bernabei and Iwata.)

It is not clear if this advice has been circulated by the SFA among the whistle-blowing fraternity of dear, old Caledonia.

Don’t know about you, dear reader, but I haven’t viewed much evidence that this gem of guidance has been communicated to the guys with the red and yellow cards I see pontificating every week.

I was watching highlights of a Premier League game last weekend when I noticed something that might just be construed as being devious in the extreme.

A winger came in from the right, driving towards the penalty area. His immediate opponent attempted to jockey him. The defender thrust out his right hand to point out an area in the box to one of his team-mates as a rival raced into a good position.

The wide player immediately played the ball forward in the direction of the exposed hand and there was the inevitable coming together of hand and ball. One set of supporters immediately screamed for a penalty-kick. There was no argument the ball struck the hand which was away from the body.

Penalty-kick? As the talking heads on TV yitter with monotonous regularity: “I’ve seen them given.”

Thankfully, the referee didn’t buy it, VAR agreed with the onfield official and the game went on without interruption.

I am well aware of the laws of libel and slander in this country, so I would stop short at calling the winger a potential cheat.

What I would say, though, is that he is a gifted individual whose timing of a pass or cross and the accuracy that goes with the movement is a strength. The ball he hit against his opponent’s arm was from about two yards and was not heading in the general direction of anyone wearing the same colour of shirt.

Possibly, he had a momentarily lapse of executing a simple manoeuvre with his usual precision. Maybe, though, it could be something altogether more sinister.

Think about it. You have the ball in a wide position and have an instant to size up the situation in your opponents’ box. There’s nothing happening, there are no team-mates in a good position. But there is a member of the rival team only a few yards away and he is not trying to block a possible cross while doing an impersonation of a penguin.

For a split-second, the defender has forgotten to put his hands behind his back. To some of the more unscrupulous among the football-playing brethren, it’s an invite to try to bounce the ball off a limb that might just entice a gullible referee to point to the spot.

Try proving the winger is among the unprincipled who would attempt to con the match official into a potential match-altering decision. Only one person would know for an absolute certainty what his intention was at that precise moment.

There are Sneaky Petes everywhere, as we know to our consternation. Alas, there are also exploitable match officials, on and off the field, as we know to our cost.

Please note the aforementioned handball laws do not necessarily apply to a performer answering to the name of Connor Goldson who appears to have modelled his football-playing style on the skills of US basketball superstars Michael Jordan and Magic Johnson.

spotted Celtic pass on for Kyogo and you can bet your last coin Reo Hatate would have too – Chris Sutton

In his latest Record Sport column, the former Hoops striker reckons Hatate and Callum McGregor returning are key to title bid.

Reo Hatate and Brendan Rodgers

Reo Hatate wasn’t in favour at the start. Now he could well be golden boy at the end.

Hatate and Callum McGregor are the two best midfielders in Scotland. If Celtic boss Brendan Rodgers can have them both back fit and firing for the run-in, it’ll be a monumental boost for the defending champions at a perfect time. Let’s face it, Hatate has endured a horrendous season. He was my Player of the Year last term with his fabulous talent and ability to make things happen with his excellence.

It puzzled me at the beginning of the season when Rodgers left him on the sidelines in favour of David Turnbull. As I said at the time, it had to be an issue with something as regards fitness or his mindset because, with the greatest of respect, there is no way on earth that Turnbull should have been in any starting line-up ahead of the Japanese when the Premiership kicked off based purely on ability.

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It went downhill from there with that injury on the second weekend of the season at Aberdeen claiming him for another lengthy spell. I stand by the fact that Celtic played their best stuff of the season during the little run in October when Hatate got back to full speed.

Celtic train ahead of Atletico Madrid match

Rodgers had talks with him which seemed to work. He was outstanding against Kilmarnock at home and Hearts away and the performances of the team matched it. He lifted the levels, yet was slammed back onto the sidelines with another injury against Atletico Madrid and we’re barely seen him since.

Hatate’s injury at the Asian Cup was just another headache in a long line of them for Celtic this season and, of course, they will have to be careful with him. But that midweek bounce-game appearance is huge as I’ve no doubt his absence has been a big factor in the inconsistency of the side and the up and down fortunes,

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Rodgers has tried various options in the middle of the park without Hatate as McGregor and Matt O’Riley have had to do the heavy lifting. Turnbull was given that first opportunity and the fact he just wasn’t up to it was proven when packed off to Cardiff in January.

Odin Thiago Holm never got started with the red card against Feyenoord followed by a succession of failed chances when dished out. Paulo Bernardo gave some hope that he could fill the gap and there was a period around the festive fixtures when he looked the part.

However, the Portuguese hasn’t really kicked on since the mid-season break in the way Celtic would have wanted and Tomoki Iwata now has the job.

GLASGOW, SCOTLAND – MARCH 10: Celtic’s Paulo Bernardo during a Scottish Cup Quarter Final match between Celtic and Livingston at Celtic Park, on March 10, 2024, in Glasgow, Scotland. (Photo by Craig Foy / SNS Group)

He, too, has looked tidy enough in recent matches and played well against St Johnstone seven days ago, but holds nowhere near the levels of influence that Hatate possesses.

Losing McGregor was another boot for Rodgers, especially with the timing of it. Celtic had given away their advantage at the top of the table, yet an opportunity to seize it again arose with a shock Rangers home loss to Motherwell. Rodgers and his team had the chance to grab that title initiative back the following day against Hearts at Tynecastle, yet without McGregor, they failed to take it, although, of course, the red card to Hyunjun Yang and the bizarre VAR calls made during the Gorgie game had an effect on the eventual outcome.

Unlike last season when McGregor missed key games, Celtic did not have an Aaron Mooy to fill the void or a Hatate. The captain is so valuable and some fans only see his true worth when he’s not in the team. He’s an outstanding footballer and does so much to knit the whole side together.

He and O’Riley were having to try and do three jobs in the first-half of the season and it had an effect of wear and tear. The Danish international has been left holding the fort, but the opportunity to be reunited with his best sidekicks will put a shot of energy into his play, too.

Kyogo Furuhashi looked more like his old self last weekend in the win over Craig Levein’s team and he would benefit massively from his countryman being in the side again. I saw a passage of play in that St Johnstone game when the striker made a brilliant run from deep which cut him straight through the visitors’ defence.

Had Iwata spotted the pass, Kyogo would have an age to go through on the keeper and pick his spot. Unfortunately for Celtic, he didn’t see it, but you can bet your last coin Hatate would have spotted it. It’s not being harsh on Iwata, it’s just a fact. The tempo and fluency in Celtic’s play will rocket if Hatate, McGregor are in tandem again.

Scotland and Lawrence Shankland verdict as Netherlands defeat provides reasons to be optimistic and fearful

Scoreline harsh on Steve Clarke’s side after late flurry in Euro 2024 warm-up friendly

Chosen as an approximation of the conditions Scotland might expect to find in Munich when they face Germany in a high-octane Euro 2024 opener, this friendly at the Johan Cruyff Arena in Amsterdam provided some shards of optimism along with several reasons to be fearful.

There was something of a curveball prior to kick-off, with news emerging that the roof would be shut for the game. It did seem an overreaction to a bit of rain that had fallen earlier in the day although Scotland initially relished the environment. It seemed a far cry from when they shipped six goals here in a Euro 2004 play-off 21 years ago although a late Dutch flurry gave Scotland cause to worry about suffering a similar scenario. All-out collapse looked horrifyingly possible.

Late goals from substitutes Wout Weghorst and Donyell Malen gave the impression of it being a bit of a rout, which was harsh on Steve Clarke’s side. But nothing can alter the fact they have now conceded 18 goals in their last six matches.

Scotland’s Scott McTominay feels the force of a challenge from Netherlands’ Mats Wieffer. (Photo by MAURICE VAN STEEN/ANP/AFP via Getty Images)

They did have reason to curse the bar at either end of the stadium. It stood between goals for Ryan Christie and then Lawrence Shankland, handed a Scotland start for only the second time.

Ajax might have retired the No 14 shirt but not the Dutch national side. Clarke might have been alert to the significance of Tijjani Reijnders, who was wearing said number, setting the Dutch on their way in a stadium named after the great Cruyff. Scotland’s own No 14 Billy Gilmour, otherwise excellent, failed to close him down quickly enough and the AC Milan midfielder, winning only his sixth cap, slammed the ball into the net from 22 yards five minutes before half time.

It was a bolt from the blue that jolted Scotland, playing in their new Euro 2024 kit for the first time. They had generally coped well with the Dutch danger men and looked the more likely team to score for large parts, with Christie seeing his header brilliantly tipped onto the bar by Mark Flekken after 18 minutes. It came during a period when Scotland were dominating the play.

Chances came their way in the second half too, although the Dutch made sure of a victory with a second goal after 72 minutes. Scotland were still seemingly reorganising after a triple substitution, with John Souttar, one of those who had come on, losing track of Georginio Wijnaldum as the Dutch midfielder met Cody Gakpo’s cross.

It was infuriatingly slack from the Scots, although an even greater frustration was the profligacy in front of goal. Scott McTominay almost immediately headed a glaring chance from substitute Anthony Ralston’s cross past the far post.

The most obvious detail to note, other than the starting XI containing no Rangers or Celtic players, was Shankland’s inclusion. Clarke was living up to his promise to have a proper look at the Hearts striker and if it was a nod to the old Craig Brown ploy of allowing players to play their way out of contention, then the player clearly didn’t suffer that fate. An early header from Nathan Patterson’s cross looped over the bar. Although difficult, it was the kind of chance you’ve seen him convert in a maroon jersey. That most certainly applies to the opportunity that came his way just after the hour mark after McTominay robbed Mats Wieffer.

Shankland latched onto the ball and tried to lift it up and past Flekken but immediately put his head in his hands as he watched his shot strike the bar and go over. As we said, the kind of chance he converts in his sleep normally. He was replaced by Che Adams shortly afterwards.

Shankland had shown some good touches when laying off balls to teammates before fading slightly in the second half. What has Clarke learned? That he’s a fine striker to have in his squad, just maybe not from the start against Germany on 14 June.

Some poignancy meant the atmosphere was more charged than might have been expected for an international friendly, “competitive” friendly though it might have been dubbed.

Kees Rijvers, who while Dutch national manager handed a debut to current boss Ronald Koeman, passed away earlier this month at the grand old age of 97 and was afforded the respectful minute’s silence his status in the game deserved. He also gave debuts to Ruud Gullit and Marco van Basten.

The Johan Cruyff Arena descended into silence before the volume was pumped up considerably as play began and Scotland, get this, started dictating play. The Dutch were of course dangerous on the counter but this was not what anyone had been expecting, perhaps not even Clarke. After all, he had spoken on the eve of the match about wanting to see how Scotland fared against a team who would have most of the possession. Scotland flipped that expectation on its head by keeping the ball for passages of play involving multiple passes and fluid positional interchange.

Okay, it wasn’t quite Total Football as branded by the Dutch but it was a pretty good attempt to play them at their own game, although it’s also incumbent to recognise that it was a somewhat callow home team. But the quality was undeniably there, including the currently in-form RB Leipzig forward Xavi Simons.

But right wing back Jeremie Frimpong looked suspect defensively as Andy Robertson and Ryan Christie probed. The Bayer Leverkusen player was easily robbed by Robertson on the touchline although the skipper could not pick anyone out with his cross. Frimpong also allowed Christie to get the better of him at the far post as he rose to meet Gilmour’s cross from the right after 18 minutes. Brentford ‘keeper Flekken performed a miraculous save, tipping the ball onto the bar.

At the same end, just a minute into the second half, Angus Gunn produced something similar to deny Memphis Depay, but the ‘keeper was well beaten by headers from Wijnaldum and Weghorst, with McTominay missing a cross to aid the latter’s cause.

Malen wrapped things up with a neat finish inside Gunn’s far post with four minutes left.

How Rangers and Celtic players rated during Scotland vs Holland as Man Utd star gets 5 and Liverpool man a 7

Players familiar to Rangers and Celtic were in action against the Dutch side.

Scotland fell to a painful 4-0 defeat against Netherlands during a Euro 2024 warm-up match.

This may have been a friendly but Steve Clarke’s men were treating it as anything but with precious places at the tournament in Germany this summer up for grabs. And they started bright, with Lawrence Shankland going close and Ryan Christie rattling the bar.

Tijani Reijnders was given space to hit a long-range strike and the AC Milan found the top corner, in a sucker punch after some neat play from the visitors in the first half. After a Memphis Depay chance to double the lead was smartly stopped by Angus Gunn, John McGinn and Christie both spurned chances to get back to level terms.

Liverpool forward Cody Gakpo was next to test Gunn between the sticks, as the biggest chance after the opener fell to Hearts star Shankland. An error at the back allowed him to pick his spot but he could only crack the bar.

Soon after the Dutch had doubled their lead, as Georginio Wijnaldum got across Rangers defender John Souttar and converted into the net. Manchester United’s Scott McTominay then missed a clear header from a cross by Celtic right-back Anthony Ralston as away chances refused to find the net.

It was a brutal lesson in the end, as Wout Weghorst headed home and an offside trap gone wrong allowed Donyell Malen to add a fourth in clinical fashion. Next up is a friendly with Northern Ireland on the 26th. Here’s how Glasgow World rated the Scotland players in Amsterdam, including stars from Celtic, Liverpool, Manchester United, Rangers and more.

1. Angus Gunn – 5/10

A statue for most of the first half before the goal gave him no chance. Terrific save to deny Memphis Depay but will be disappointed by the goal rush. Established number one.

2. Nathan Patterson – 5/10

Great crosses into the box caused havoc early on. First goal came from play down his side but little he could do. Second he didn’t stop the cross before Ralston replaced him.

3. Ryan Porteous – 6/10

Couldn’t get near Reijnders for the goal although hardly at fault for the raker that followed. Great gallops into the opposition half to win possession high up but drew too far across for the second goal.

4. Jack Hendry – 5/10

Instrumental in building out from the back. Steady presence in the back three but turned too easily against Depay before a great Gunn save. Caught wanting at the third as a corner wasn’t dealt with.

1 / 5

Watch: As Rocco Vata’s Superb Strike as Celtic Youngster Bags a Hat-trick

Rocco Vata, the 18-year-old sensation, has once again proven why he’s one of the most talked-about young talents at Celtic and in the Irish youth set up.

During an away game at San Marino, Vata scored a remarkable second-half hat-trick for the Ireland U21 team, a feat that not only secured a victory for his team but also etched his name deeper into the ‘ones to watch’ category. Ireland won the game 7-0 in the end.

Vata’s exceptional performance takes his tally to an impressive five goals in just two appearances for the U21s, showcasing an innate scoring ability that few possess at such a young age.

— Rep of Ireland Player Tracker (@reptracker) March 22, 2024

Currently in the final stretch of his deal with Celtic, Vata has a crucial decision looming over his career. Despite Celtic offering him a new contract, speculation is rife that Vata might be looking to spread his wings and explore new challenges come summer.

While Daniel Kelly might have been the breakthrough player for Celtic this season, Vata’s recent outing with the Ireland U21s underscores a talent that refuses to be overshadowed. His departure could represent a significant loss for Celtic.

Ridvan Yilmaz sparks Rangers injury sweat as Philippe Clement dealt ANOTHER blow with Celtic clash looming

The left-back limped off on international duty with Turkey during the clash with hungary after just 27 minutes.

Rangers facing a fresh injury sweat after Ridvan Yilmaz limped out of Turkey duty.

The left-back was a late call up to Vincenzo Montella’s squad after he was initially overlooked for this week’s friendly clashes against Scotland’s Euro 2024 foes Hungary and Austria. But the Ibrox ace last just 27 minutes on his return after he was thrown straight in for his seventh cap against the Magyars in Budapest. Yilmaz had to be replaced by Fenerbahce’s Mert Muldur midway through the first half at the Puskas Arena after pulling up while clutching his left thigh.

News of another injury concern is the last thing Gers boss Philippe Clement will need as he prepares for the Light Blues’ return to action against Hibs on Saturday. The big Belgian is already without Abdallah Sima, Oscar Cortes, Ryan Jack, Kieran Dowell and Danilo for a match that could see the Ibrox side reclaim the Premiership’s top spot.

Follow Record Sport on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram for all of the up-to-the minute breaking news, video and audio on the SPFL, the Scotland national team and beyond.

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Celtic have had lots of popular personalities during the period of rebuild and success following the dreadful pandemic season.

Josip Juranovic caught the imagination of the support, as did Giorgos Giakoumakis before leaving for pastures new. Jota was an undoubted superstar during his time here, as was former manager Ange Postecoglou.

The Bhoys will be losing another this summer when Joe Hart finally calls time on his long footballing career.

The trophy-laden Englishman has been an integral part of the team since joining Celtic but will leave the club this summer after announcing his retirement in February.

Yes, there have been complaints about Celtic potentially upgrading the position and some mistakes along the way but overall he’s been a consistent presence in a very successful group.

Joe Hart is an example to others at Celtic

He’ll be a big miss in the dressing room, too. Many have shared how important his leadership and defender Greg Taylor is the latest to talk about that.

The left-back said [Daily Record, 22/03 print edition]: “Joe is the perfect professional. He’s always willing to put an arm round a player if he needs it and if someone needs a bit of firing up he is there as well.

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“He really reads every situation well and carries himself like the top professional that he is. How humble he is after everything he has done in the game is unbelievable.

“He’s been massive. Certainly since Christmas, it’s been picked up on some of the massive saves that Harty has made for us, it’s been vital in some of the games.

“I think that has been pretty consistent throughout his time here, he’s made big saves when he’s been needed and we’ll miss him of course when he goes. But he wants to go out when he’s feeling good, he doesn’t want to carry on any longer than he feels is necessary. As I said, and also he believes, he wants to try and finish the season right.”

Celtic can still move on strongly in the goalkeeping position

Hart undoubtedly needs to be replaced with a new signing. Neither Scott Bain nor Benjamin Siegrist have shown anything to suggest they can step up and take a number one spot.

Celtic have an opportunity to go out and spend money on a quality alternative to Hart – a player who can cement himself as the go-to choice over the next several years.

The Bhoys have the resources and the time to do that. There can be no excuses when it comes to strengthening this position in the upcoming transfer window. It’s too vital a part of the team

Celtic could repeat their Jota masterclass with swoop for “star”

The Hoops are reportedly interested in a deal to sign the impressive forward this summer.

The Celtic board have backed manager Brendan Rodgers in both transfer windows throughout the season so far to bolster his playing squad at Parkhead.

He was brought in to replace Australian manager Ange Postecoglou last summer, after he moved down south to the Premier League, and made nine new signings ahead of the 2023/24 campaign.

Nat Phillips, Gustaf Lagerbielke, Hyeok-kyu Kwon, Hyun-jun Yang, Luis Palma, Odin Thiago Holm, Marco Tilio, Maik Nawrocki, and Paulo Bernardo all came through the door during the summer.

These signings failed to start the season well, however, as Celtic were knocked out of the League Cup by Kilmarnock in August and dumped out of Europe as they finished bottom of their Champions League group during the first half of the campaign.

Nicolas Kuhn was then snapped up from Austrian side Rapid Wien on a permanent deal in January, before Adam Idah arrived on loan from Norwich City on deadline day at the start of last month.

The Hoops boss is now already eyeing up another player to add to his group at the end of the season, as the club are reportedly keen on a Portuguese winger, who could be their next Jota – figuratively and literally.

Latest Celtic transfer news

According to HITC, the Scottish giants are among a clutch of clubs looking at a possible swoop to sign Vitoria Guimaraes forward Jota Silva this summer.

Rodgers is far from the only head coach keeping an eye on the Liga Portugal star as a number of Premier League and Championship teams are also showing an interest in him.

Southampton and Leicester City, who are currently competing to secure promotion to the top-flight, have been keeping tabs on the 24-year-old whiz.

Meanwhile, Premier League sides Bournemouth, Brentford, Wolverhampton Wanderers, and Brighton & Hove Albion have also been monitoring his progress with Vitoria.

However, the report does not reveal whether or not any of the aforementioned clubs, including Celtic, are prepared to go in with a firm offer to acquire his services at this moment in time.

HITC also does not mention how much Vitoria would demand from any of the interested teams to cash in on their “star” – as per journalist Graeme Bailey – forward.

Therefore, whilst Rodgers is eyeing up the young attacker, it remains to be seen whether or not a deal for Jota Silva is a viable one for the Glasgow-based outfit at this moment in time.

If the Hoops can strike a deal to sign the Portugal international, though, then they could repeat the masterclass they played with the signing of his compatriot and namesake Jota back in 2021.

Celtic’s Jota masterclass

Former Celtic boss Postecoglou swooped to sign the winger on loan from Benfica ahead of the 2021/22 campaign, and he hit the ground running at Parkhead with electric performances on the flank.

Jota racked up ten goals and ten assists in 29 appearances in the Scottish Premiership during his first season at the club, along with two goals and two assists in five Europa League outings.

In total, the young whiz produced 13 goals and 14 assists in 40 matches for the Hoops in all competitions, which convinced them to trigger their option to buy him for £6.5m.

22/23 Premiership

Jota

Appearances

33

Goals

11

Assists

11

Big chances created

13

Key passes per game

1.9

Stats via Sofascore

As you can see in the table above, the Portuguese wizard continued his fine form in front of goal over to the 2022/23 campaign after Celtic snapped him up on a permanent deal.

Jota ended the season with a return of 15 goals and 12 assists in 43 games in all competitions for the Scottish giants, which took his tally to 28 goals and 26 assists in 83 outings for Postecoglou’s team over his two years at the club.

His terrific displays on the wing in Scotland convinced Saudi Pro League side Al Ittihad to swoop in to complete a staggering £25m deal for the magician, of which £7.5m went to Benfica – thanks to their sell-on clause as part of the move that sent him to Parkhead in 2022.

This shows that Celtic played a masterclass with the signing of Jota from the Portuguese league as they had a superb player on the pitch who went on to make them a mouth-watering amount of money.

Why Celtic could repeat their masterclass with Jota Silva

The Hoops could now repeat that masterclass by returning to Liga Portugal to sign another exciting winger who could catch the eye in Glasgow – Jota Silva.

He has been in impressive form for Vitoria in his breakthrough season in the top-flight of football in his home country, and earned a debut for Portugal against Sweden this week.

Jota Silva has showcased his quality as a scorer and a creator of goals throughout the 2023/24 campaign so far, with a return of 13 goals and seven assists in 32 matches in all competitions.

This has come after the young forward, who can play on either flank, produced four goals and four assists in 40 outings in all competitions last season for Vitoria.

So far this season, the 24-year-old phenomenon has plundered nine goals and five assists, to go along with six ‘big chances’ created, in 25 Liga Portugal clashes.

Statistic

Jota Silva – 23/24 Liga Portugal

Jota – 22/23 Premiership

Appearances

25

33

Goals

9

11

Goals per game

0.36

0.33

Assists

5

11

Assists per game

0.20

0.33

Dribbles completed per game

1.2

1.5

Stats via Sofascore

As you can see in the table above, Jota Silva is similar to the former Celtic star in the sense that they both score goals at a similar rate, both love to dribble past opponents to push their respective teams up the pitch, and can both create for others.

Like the current Al Ittihad whiz, the Vitoria maestro is also a right-footed forward who can be deployed out on the right or the left flank, and still cause chaos on either side.

Therefore, Rodgers could repeat the club’s Jota masterclass by swooping for Jota Silva this summer, as the 5 foot 10 gem could be another Liga Portugal starlet who goes on to thrive in Scottish football.

Celtic prospect Rocco Vata showed more of his goal threat tonight with a hat-trick for the Republic of Ireland U21s against San Marino.

Vata was representing his country at that age level for just the second time this evening, selected in the starting eleven for the U21 Euros qualifying clash.

He netted a double on his U21 debut against the same opposition back in September and has now followed that up with a second-half trio of goals this evening.

His first came from close range after a mix-up in the San Marino defence, but the second was a sumptuous strike from distance.

The Celtic youngster received the ball in the centre circle before surging forward, coolly tricking an opponent before unleashing a fierce low shot from distance into the far bottom corner. You can see a clip of the effort via X or embedded below.

San Marino 0-5 Republic of Ireland

Rocco Vata with the goal of the game as he advances forward and unleashes to the bottom corner of the San Marino net – his second in a matter of minutes.

RTÉ News channel and RTÉ Player https://t.co/MAhK8HZ6qV pic.twitter.com/SFMxQ2J4ou

— RTÉ Sport (@RTEsport) March 22, 2024

Vata would go on to net his third in the 90th minute, with San Marino thrashed 7-0.

Celtic talent Rocco Vata has a bright Irish future

Although also eligible to play for Scotland and Albania, Vata has long been a part of the Irish youth set-up and looks destined to become a full international for the country.

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Turning 19 next month, he’s also on the verge of making strides at Celtic. He’s training with Brendan Rodgers’ first-team squad at Lennoxtown regularly and appears to have moved on from the B team set-up.

His contract is due to expire at the end of the season but Rodgers has confirmed the club have been in talks with him regarding a new deal.

The youngster scored his first senior goal for the Bhoys back in January and is now a consistent part of Rodgers’ match-day squads, though hasn’t been selected as a substitute since February.

The Celtic manager recently praised his progress and named him alongside Daniel Kelly as one to watch for the future.

On-loan Bhoys talent Bosun Lawal also started for the Irish U21 side this evening.

Two men arrested over explosion that killed Scots Celtic fan at petrol station

 

Martin McGill, from Kirkintilloch, died in the blast at the Co Donegal garage after stopping to use the cash machine in October 2022

Martin McGill, 49, one of the ten victims of the explosion at Applegreen service station in the village of Creeslough in Co Donegal (Image: PA)

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Two men have been arrested over a massive explosion which killed a Scots Celtic fan at a petrol station.

Martin McGill, from Kirkintilloch, died in the blast at the Co Donegal garage alongside nine other people in October 2022.

The 49-year-old, known locally as ‘Scotch Martin’, had moved to Creeslough to care for his late father Joseph and mum Mary before the blast

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He was understood to have stopped to use the ATM when disaster struck. The tragedy became apparent when his car was seen at the petrol station after the explosion.

Transit van bursts into flames yards from Flintshire petrol station

Two men in their 50s were arrested by the Gardaí on Friday morning for alleged offences contrary to the Non-Fatal Offences Against the Person Act 1997.

Emergency services at the scene of the explosion at Applegreen service station (Image: PA)

“It seems a bit steep if it is £6m,” former Celt suggests Scottish alternative to Bernardo

Andy Walker reckons that the £6m asking price for Paulo Bernardo does not represent good value for money and the former Celtic striker reckons that a better alternative for Brendan Rodgers would be to sign an alternative midfielder from another one of his old clubs.

Yesterday it emerged that Celtic would be prepared to sign Bernardo on a permanent contract IF his parent club Benfica would be prepared to re-negotiate the option to buy fee. Essentially Celtic have had a season long look at the player and reckon he’s maybe worth £3m but not £6m. How will Benfica react to this and will both clubs be willing to compromise to reach an agreement?

Celtic v Dundee – cinch Premiership – Paulo Bernardo during the cinch Premiership match at Celtic Park on Saturday September 16, 2023.Photo Andrew Milligan

Those will be questions for the end of the season, and while Andy Walker’s view is probably shared by the majority of Celtic supporters. They have watched the player over the course of the season and are unconvinced. It should also be noted that there’s real potential there with the Portugal u21 star and that’s exactly where Brendan Rodgers comes in, in terms of player development.

Speaking on Go Radio the former Celtic and Motherwell striker gave his thoughts on Celtic’s window shopping for midfielders, ahead of the transfer window opening. And on Celtic getting value for money by paying £6m for Paulo Bernardo, Walker is not convinced.

Greg Taylor with Lennon Miller. Motherwell v Celtic, Scottish Premiership, Fir Park, 25 February 2024. Photo Stuart Wallace/Shutterstock

“It seems a bit steep if it is £6m and that is the type of fee you need to pay. I look around Scotland and, for example, Lennon Miller at Motherwell. I think he has great potential. Celtic have a history of going and getting players like Stephen Pearson from Motherwell in midfield, David Turnbull and my good friend Phil O’Donnell.

“Lennon Miller I think is someone who will go on to bigger and better things but £6m for Bernardo? It seems very steep. I think it is a lot of money for someone who has played a decent amount of games but not really impressed that much other than that little purple patch that he had.

“There have been a lot of ineffective games that he’s played too,” Walker noted.

Former Celtic striker poised for Liverpool move as he’s set to play key role in Richard Hughes revolution

The former Celtic striker is set to get the chance to work at Liverpool.

Liverpool could be set to hire the former Celtic man.

Mark Burchill is set to complete a move to Liverpool and join Richard Hughes’ Anfield revolution.

The former Celtic striker played with the new Reds sporting director at Portsmouth and they worked alongside each other in Bournemouth’s recruitment department. They will join forces once again as Hughes – currently Cherries technical director – starts the unenviable task of finding a suitable successor to Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp, who will leave this summer.

Burchill is reportedly set to join as a member of his scouting team at Liverpool, having acted as chief scout at Bournemouth since 2019. He started his playing career at Celtic and featured between 1998 and 2001 before featuring at a host of clubs north and south of the border before retiring in 2015 at Livingston, who he also managed. Hughes, a former Scotland international, has been appointed by Michael Edwards, who was recently named Fenway Sports Group’s CEO of Football. The new Liverpool sporting director said of the task at hand: “I am incredibly proud to be offered this opportunity. Liverpool FC is a unique club and I’m grateful to be given a chance to serve it in this capacity.

Read More

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Liverpool star reveals the Celtic transfer ‘dare’ that paved route to Anfield and a blockbuster fee

“I am fully aware of the expectations and responsibilities that come with taking this position. It will be my job, working with Michael [Edwards] and leading the football operations team already in place, plus the wider staff at the AXA Training Centre, to make good decisions.

“That’s really what the job entails: you have to make the kind of good decisions which enhance the prospects of having a team that wins and excites the supporters. It is what Liverpool have done well for a very long time and the benefits are there for everyone to see.”

Dermot Desmond Attends Celtic Event

Celtic fans were treated to a rare appearance by the club’s elusive billionaire majority shareholder, Dermot Desmond, at a New York Gala on Thursday evening.

The event, held in Manhattan, was organised by the Celtic Foundation to raise funds for various causes the organisation supports both domestically and internationally.

— Celtic FC Foundation (@FoundationCFC) March 22, 2024

Henrik Larsson Makes Special Celtic Appearance

Henrik Larsson made a special Celtic appearance overnight in New York City. The legendary striker was in attendance at the Celtic foundation’s annual Gala in Manhattan where they always raise an incredible amount for great causes.

The event is always attended by some of our most famous Celts and it doesn’t get any bigger than Henrik!

— Celtic FC Foundation (@FoundationCFC) March 22, 2024

Larsson, who joined Celtic in 1997, is revered not just for his goal-scoring prowess but also for his significant impact on the club. Over seven years, he became Celtic’s third-highest scorer, netting 242 goals in 315 appearances.

His journey with the hoops was marked by remarkable resilience, including a dramatic comeback from a career-threatening leg injury in 1999.

Under manager Martin O’Neill, Larsson experienced a golden era, forming a lethal partnership with Chris Sutton and leading Celtic to domestic and European success.

Soccer Football – Champions League – Celtic vs Paris St Germain – Celtic Park, Glasgow, Britain – September 12, 2017 Henrik Larsson before the match Action Images via Reuters/Lee Smith

His Hoops highlight’s include stopping the ten under Wim Jansen, a domestic treble in the 2000/2001 season and a memorable run to the UEFA Cup final in 2003, where Larsson’s performance solidified his status as a Celtic legend.

Celtic eyeing second move for “incredible” player after failed January deal

The Scottish giants are not letting this one go…

With the Scottish Premiership title race on a knife edge, Celtic have turned their attention towards summer reinforcements during the international break, with a second attempt to sign a long-term target.

Celtic transfer news

For some time, it looked as though Celtic were on course to comfortably win the Scottish Premiership once again, but the arrival of Philippe Clement has swung the tide in Rangers’ favour ever since. Now, Celtic sit just one point clear at the top, having played one game more than Rangers, who have fate in their own hands after an incredible comeback.

Celtic “powerhouse” out on loan could be Rodgers’ new Ndidi

Hoping to avoid such a tightly-contested race next season, the rumour mill has already started regarding potential additions at Celtic Park. Reports have already linked the Bhoys with a replacement for the retiring Joe Hart in the form of RKC Waalwijk goalkeeper Etienne Vaessen and the number one spot may well be the focus this summer.

Away from incomings, meanwhile, reports have suggested that Brendan Rodgers is on “borrowed time” and the Celtic boss and could yet find himself out of a job come next season following a disappointing return to Celtic Park.

That said, with or without Rodgers, the Scottish giants are seemingly eyeing a move to finally land a long-term target. According to TeamTalk, Celtic are eyeing a second attempt to sign Hugo Bueno from Wolverhampton Wanderers this summer after they saw their loan offer for the left-back turned down in January. A move this time around is “possible” after Wolves opted to maintain their squad depth during the winter window.

Bueno was reportedly open to the challenge of playing in Scotland and given that he is still keen to gain consistent first-team minutes, a move to Celtic Park could go through in the coming months. With Spanish and French clubs to contend against though, Celtic will need to act swiftly if they are to finally sign Bueno.

“Incredible” Beuno needs Celtic move

Currently stuck behind Rayan Ait Nouri in the pecking order at Wolves, Bueno needs Celtic as much as they need him to strengthen the left-back spot alongside Greg Taylor.

That said, given that he’s been at Wolves since he was 16-years-old, a permanent deal may be a difficult one to negotiate, perhaps making a loan deal the most viable option this summer.

If on loan in Scotland, those in the Midlands will be watching on hoping to see the left-back make strides towards his best, including Wolves sporting director Matt Hobbs, who told the club’s official website: “Since joining us as a 16-year-old number 10, the work that Hugo and the coaches have put into changing his position, and the acceptance he had of doing that, shows what a good pro he is. To be able to get his head around a new position and develop at the rate he has was incredible.

“Hugo’s one of the huge success stories of the club. Bringing him in from a grassroots team in Spain when he was just 16, and he’s now 21, playing in the Premier League and being a regular Premier League player, it’s testament to everyone involved.”

With the season drawing to a close and the league title race closer than ever, Celtic’s challenge has been seriously impacted by injuries and poor business in the transfer window.

Brendan Rodgers has had to deal with some horrendous luck with players being consigned to the treatment table but recruitment, on the other hand, is a different matter entirely.

Celtic have signed too many players who are clearly not good enough for some incredible sums of money.

Gustafe Lagerbielke and Maik Nawrocki alone cost the guts of over £7m this season. And when you look at the money wasted on the likes of Alexandro Bernabei, better work needs to be done by the recruitment department to get value for money.

And they could be just about to do that. A report from TEAMtalk claims that Celtic are about to make a second attempt at signing Wolves left-back, Hugo Bueno.

Brendan Rodgers wants Wolves defender Hugo Bueno

Celtic made an unsuccessful attempt to get the 20-year-old on loan in January but now, it seems that Brendan Rodgers is looking to make his move for him in the summer.

Bueno recently suffered an FA Cup heartache when the youngster thought he had sent Wolves into the semi-finals of the FA Cup with an 88th-minute strike to put his side 2-1 up against Coventry.

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But two late goals on the 97th and 100th minute sent Wolves crashing out and leaving Bueno heartbroken at the weekend. [BBC]

And as for value for money. Bueno certainly shows that you don’t have go splashing millions of pounds to get quality.

Wolves paid just £3,000 for the ‘exceptional’ young fullback in 2019. Purchased from the Spanish side CD Areosa, Bueno struggling to break into the Wolves side and Celtic see that as the perfect opportunity to offer him first team football next season.

President now willing to sell £12m goalkeeper who Celtic want to replace Joe Hart

Celtic could now find it quite easy to replace Joe Hart this summer when the England international retires.

The 36-year-old announced back in February that he will be hanging up his gloves at the end of the 2023/24 campaign, meaning Brendan Rodgers needs to find a new No.1 at Celtic Park.

A story from the Daily Record mentioned that Real Madrid No.13 Andriy Lunin was wanted by the Northern Irishman to replace Joe Hart – and that switch could now be possible…

Real Madrid now willing to sell Celtic target Andriy Lunin

Well, Thibaut Courtois had endured a nightmarish campaign with injuries, while Kepa Arrizabalaga – signed on loan from Chelsea last summer – has struggled to deputise for the Belgian.

That has seen Carlo Ancelotti turn to Lunin, and the Ukraine international has performed heroically for Real Madrid with eight clean sheets across 17 appearances in La Liga.

The 25-year-old’s rise from third choice glovesman to hero has made him a fan favourite at the Santiago Bernabeu, while he has also earned respect from Club President Florentino Perez.

As such, the Spaniard will allow Lunin to leave this summer if he chooses to depart in search of regular playing time – according to Defensa Central – with Real Madrid intending to have Courtois back as No.1 next season.

MORE CELTIC STORIES

The Spanish news outlet believe Real Madrid would love to keep the Ukrainian as a backup for the Belgium international when he regains full fitness and are preparing a new contract, but recognise that he may want to continue playing as a No.1 somewhere else.

Lunin – who Real Madrid signed from Zorya Luhansk for €14m (£12m) back in 2018 – will soon have just 12 months remaining on his contract, which expires in July 2025.

Brendan Rodgers may have a tough time convincing 25-year-old to replace Joe Hart

Rodgers may have a task on his hands to convince Lunin, as the man from Krasnohrad has previously said he loves Real Madrid, and would ideally like to stay despite his lack of playing time.

In October 2023, Madrid Xtra quoted the Real Madrid No.13 as saying: “At the end of last season I was thinking about it (leaving Real Madrid).

“It’s normal when you don’t play, but Real Madrid has always been a dream since I was young, you don’t really want to leave.”

Therefore, Rodgers will surely have to promise Lunin an immediate No.1 role – and perhaps more – if Celtic are to sign the Real Madrid fan favourite this summer.

Celtic Handed Potential Psychological Ibrox Boost

Celtic have the opportunity to go to Ibrox at the beginning of April as league leaders, it has emerged.

The bhoys are top of the league at the international break due to the Dundee v Rangers game being postponed due ti pitch problems.

It leaves Rangers playing catch up for the moment.

Now the SPFL have confirmed the rescheduled fixture won’t be played until after the Glasgow Derby – it means if Celtic can grab the win at Livingston – they would head to Ibrox top of the pile.

Soccer Football – Scottish Premiership – Rangers v Celtic – Ibrox, Glasgow, Scotland, Britain – September 3, 2023 Celtic’s Kyogo Furuhashi scores their first goal Action Images via Reuters/Lee Smith

While it’s so tight at the top, many people won’t believe it’s a big deal. But it would give Celtic a physiological edge going into the fixture. A win or draw at Ibrox for the Hoops would see an interesting final Glasgow derby fixture at Celtic Park post-split.

The bhoys in green have been inconsistent this season and can’t take any game for granted, especially Livingston away. Any more dropped points for Brendan Rodgers men would almost certainly mean they are going to relinquish their crown as champions of Scotland. We can only hope these bhoys are up for the fight.

Celtic have won both derby games this season and will be hoping to continue that trend.

Celtic have had a plethora of genuine world-class players grace the Parkhead turf over the decades.

Jimmy Johnstone, Billy McNeill, Paul McStay, Shunsuke Nakamura and Henrik Larsson are names that automatically come to mind and roll off the tongue whenever we speak of iconic Celtic figures.

I’m sure we could be here all day listing them. And Virgil van Dijk is certainly one of them.

The Dutchman joined Celtic in 2013 after the Parkhead club discovered him at Groningen as a relatively unknown player for £2.6m in the summer of 2013.

Neil Lennon took a chance on the player when his career was in its infancy stages back in his homeland. And whilst he had undoubted talent, Van Dijk has now shared the reason why three top clubs in the Netherlands didn’t ‘dare’ go where Celtic did and splash the cash to land his signature.

Ajax, Feyenoord and PSV ‘not convinced’ by Virgil van Dijk

It’s quite incredible to think that these three teams with the talent they produce let Van Dijk slip through their fingers for such a modest fee.

And what is more incredible is, at the time, the current Netherlands manager, Ronald Koeman, was in charge at Ajax.

And here, the £75m defender shares the real reason why Celtic won his signature back in 2013.

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Van Dijk said [The Sun], “Koeman wanted to bring me from Groningen when I was at Feyenoord.

“But they thought I was too expensive at the time.

“When you play for Groningen as a young boy, a step to the top of the Dutch league is logical – it’s the traditional route.

“But the top three clubs, Feyenoord, Ajax and PSV, were not convinced of my qualities.

“So it was Celtic for me. That was the club that did dare to take me on.”

I personally don’t think van Dijk will be all that bothered now. After winning two league titles and a League Cup at Celtic, the Dutch defender landed his big move to the English Premiership to Southampton in 2015 for £13m. Ironically, under Koeman. [BBC]

Two seasons later, Liverpool then splashed out £75m for his services [BBC] and the medals just kept rolling in.

Winning the Champions League in 2019, van Dijk was also named Liverpool’s Player of the Year and UEFA’s Best Player 2019.

He has since gone on and picked up an EPL title, a UEFA Super Cup, FIFA World Club Cup, an English FA Cup, two League Cups and a Community Shield.

He is also competing in the last 16 of this season’s Champions League and is on course for another Premier League title.

Is van Dijk bothered by the Ajax snub of 2013? Absolutely not as he still talks up Celtic whenever he can.

Celtic to try again for Wolves star after failed January approach as Rodgers eyes cover for priority position

Celtic remain interested in Wolves star Hugo Bueno

Celtic had a disappointing January transfer window and publicly stated that most of their targets were not available, including Wolves star Hugo Bueno.

Brendan Rodgers was left with no defensive reinforcements despite a need for fresh legs, especially in the full-back position .

Bueno was one player Celtic were extremely interested in signing but fell short in their efforts because the Premier League side wanted to maintain their squad depth.

TEAMtalk can exclusively reveal, however, that a summer move to Celtic Park for the Wolves left-back is still possible.

EXCLUSIVE: Wolves record-breaker set for summer exit after Gary O’Neil decision made; sale to fund Arsenal raid

Wolves dismissed the offer from Celtic in January to take him on loan until the end of the campaign, but the player himself was open to the experience of playing in Scotland.

Celtic’s Media Man Announces Parkhead Departure

Ryan Maher has announced his departure from Celtic’s media team, marking the end of a significant chapter both for him and for the club’s media presence.

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

Having joined Celtic as a senior reporter in November 2021, Maher quickly became a familiar face to fans through his work on Celtic TV and as the host of the Official Celtic Podcast. His tenure of two-and-a-half years saw him become a key part of the club’s media outreach, engaging fans with insightful content and bringing them closer to the team they love.

He also occasionally hosted Celtic TV’s matchday coverage for subscribers across the world.

Taking to X, formally Twitter, he shared the news of his departure, posting:

“Goodbye Celtic

“Ticking of countries, continents, trophies and unlocking moments that will live forever

“A childhood dream fulfilled and a properly special three seasons being able to travel the world and represent my club

“Onto something exciting.”

He seemed to really push Celtic’s online presence, particularly the video content, including vlogging his perspective of his trips with Celtic.

He’ll be a big miss to the Celtic media team and his replacement will have big boots to fill.

Celtic’s Handed Potential Psychological Ibrox Boost

Celtic have the opportunity to go to Ibrox at the beginning of April as league leaders, it has emerged.

The bhoys are top of the league at the international break due to the Dundee v Rangers game being postponed due ti pitch problems.

It leaves Rangers playing catch up for the moment.

Now the SPFL have confirmed the rescheduled fixture won’t be played until after the Glasgow Derby – it means if Celtic can grab the win at Livingston – they would head to Ibrox top of the pile.

Soccer Football – Scottish Premiership – Rangers v Celtic – Ibrox, Glasgow, Scotland, Britain – September 3, 2023 Celtic’s Kyogo Furuhashi scores their first goal Action Images via Reuters/Lee Smith

While it’s so tight at the top, many people won’t believe it’s a big deal. But it would give Celtic a physiological edge going into the fixture. A win or draw at Ibrox for the Hoops would see an interesting final Glasgow derby fixture at Celtic Park post-split.

The bhoys in green have been inconsistent this season and can’t take any game for granted, especially Livingston away. Any more dropped points for Brendan Rodgers men would almost certainly mean they are going to relinquish their crown as champions of Scotland. We can only hope these bhoys are up for the fight.

Celtic have won both derby games this season and will be hoping to continue that trend.

Celtic to try again for Wolves star after failed January approach as Rodgers eyes cover for priority position

Celtic remain interested in Wolves star Hugo Bueno

Celtic had a disappointing January transfer window and publicly stated that most of their targets were not available, including Wolves star Hugo Bueno.

Brendan Rodgers was left with no defensive reinforcements despite a need for fresh legs, especially in the full-back position .

Bueno was one player Celtic were extremely interested in signing but fell short in their efforts because the Premier League side wanted to maintain their squad depth.

TEAMtalk can exclusively reveal, however, that a summer move to Celtic Park for the Wolves left-back is still possible.

EXCLUSIVE: Wolves record-breaker set for summer exit after Gary O’Neil decision made; sale to fund Arsenal raid

Wolves dismissed the offer from Celtic in January to take him on loan until the end of the campaign, but the player himself was open to the experience of playing in Scotland.

The 21-year-old is keen to get consistent playing time and the Hoops may present that opportunity in the summer.

Celtic face competition for Wolves full-back

Signing a new left-back is a priority for Celtic and Bueno has been on the Scottish champions’ radar for a long time.

TEAMtalk sources state that they will face a battle for his services in the upcoming window as clubs in France and Spain look set to enter the conversation.

Bueno was signed by Wolves in 2019 from small Spanish side CD Areosa for just £3,000 and within just three years the 20-year-old rose from the under-18s to the first team.

However, he has struggled to nail down a spot in Gary O’Neil’s team and has started just four games in the Premier League this season.

Wolves face multiple bids for some of their most important players this summer, with Pedro Neto expected to leave for a high fee.

Rayan Alt-Nouri is also coveted by some of Europe’s biggest sides and his departure could be the one roadblock to the exit of Bueno.

Bueno may have to fill in for Wolves with many of their players set to depart in the summer, he is also on a long term deal until 2028 and seen by the Midlands side as an important player for the future.

Bueno is represented by Footfell and Echo who also look after the likes of Lautaro Martinez and former Rangers striker Alfredo Morelos.

Their connection to Celtic’s huge rivals is why some see Bueno ending up at the Gers, but they have a deal in place for Brazilian defender Jefte as an alternative.

News update: Celtics may overtake Rangers to win title if points deduction threats is Justified

BREAKING NEWS: Celtics may overtake Rangers to win title if points deduction threats is Justified – Considering yesterday’s win

The Celtics might defeat Rangers to win the championship and become like Everton if the risk of a points deduction is legitimate.

Dan Plumley emphasized that Rangers had to issue a statement following an earlier meeting with the SFA.

Fans are cautioned about pyrotechnics.

Celtics may overtake Rangers to win title if points deduction threats is Justified

Following their meeting with the Scottish Football Association and Police Scotland, the Ibrox club confirmed in an official

declaration on December 3 suggesting that penalties might be applied.

The finance expert stated that early fines would most likely have a negative financial effect on the club and that additional infractions would result in a

deduction of points.

He said just to Ibrox News, “That statement needs to be released.”

The club will be impacted financially first and foremost.Pitch invasions have resulted in penalties in the English game.

Numerous fines have been applied historically for disruptive fan behavior.

As a result, the club must communicate with the authorities in a clear and concise manner.

You could perhaps lose points if this continued, but at the very least, you would undoubtedly expect fines.

It has been argued how to best prevent this kind of behavior.

Ultimately, the point deduction causes more harm to the supporters than the money.

I won’t say that it will proceed that far, but if it does, additional fines and penalties will apply.

“The club should release that statement to the public, or at the very least,

The outcome will be financial loss for the club, but if it continues, you don’t want to incur a larger risk in the future.

Plumley has suggested that Rangers may argue they were passed over for a contract that was signed for at least £900 million.

Sydney van Hooijdonk reveals Celtic transfer truth as Hoops ‘fan’ takes brutal swipe at Scottish Premiership standard

The Hoops had been linked with the striker before he moved to Norwich City with Adam Idah arriving from the Canaries

Sydney van Hooijdonk in action for Norwich City

Sydney van Hooijdonk has revealed the “TRUTH” over his Celtic links as he hammered the standard of Scottish football.

Brendan Rodgers was linked with a move for the striker as he hunted to add to his firepower. But the Norwich City loanee has admitted NO talks took place with the Scottish champions this winter but claimed there was contact last summer. His arrival at the Canaries allowed for Adam Idah to move north of the border and he has hit the ground running and played a major role in the comeback win over Motherwell with two strikes before adding a further goal to his tally in the thumping win over Dundee on Wednesday night.

Van Hooijdonk – son of former Celtic star Pierre – has admitted to being a Hoops fan despite his views on the Scottish game. Speaking to Pink Un, he said: “To be honest, I didn’t speak with Celtic this winter.

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“You see a lot of things, but this winter, I didn’t speak with them. Yes, last summer, there was a bit. It is a lovely club, and I am a fan of them as well, but the Championship and a team that is fighting for the play-offs was really nice. This league is at a higher level than that league, so I’m really happy to be here.”

Kanji Okunuki – Celtic target’s career in numbers

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.
7

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

Stats via Sofascore

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.

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.

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“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.

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?’

Rodgers is under pressure amid a tight title race with arch-rivals Rangers in the Scottish Premiership.

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’…’

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.

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“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

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

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

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.

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“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 on having the homegrown dynamo ad phase of their personal group moving forward.