Celtic lock themselves into vicious circle of self harm to leave Rangers pushing at an open door – Keith Jackson

Celtic lock themselves into vicious circle of self harm to leave Rangers pushing at an open door – Keith Jackson

Our man has his say on what could be a significant weekend in the Scottish Premiership title race.

 

It’s beginning to feel very much like Rangers are pushing at an open door, now that they have hit the top of the Premiership table for the first time in 18 months.

Yesterday’s 3-0 win at St Johnstone may have made for a difficult watch but even though it was a fairly scruffy, largely unedifying 98 minutes in Perth, in the end Philippe Clement and his players didn’t just edge into pole position. They romped their way there.

On a problematic playing surface, they scored three and could have helped themselves to more but, even so, it was enough to open up a two point gap on Celtic, while also hitting the front on goal difference into the bargain.

And it all comes at a moment in time when the champions have entered a state of significant disarray having locked themselves into a vicious circle of self harming. So much so that, if they were to manage to recover from here – to stabilise and then reclaim their title – it might come as something of a surprise.

Whatever way you slice it, that’s a truly remarkable state of affairs given where they were just a few months ago when Brendan Rodgers was ragdolling Michael Beale and sending another rival from across town to the local job centre.

Celtic Manager Brendan Rodgers looks dejected

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That Rodgers has recently been reduced to jabbing a finger around, trying to blame outside forces for overblowing and perhaps even engineering Celtic’s sharp decline is in itself an indication that the manager finds himself in something of a muddle. The attempt to create a siege mentality feels rather like a last roll of the dice.

But let’s get one thing straight, where the Northern Irishman is concerned. Rodgers remains one of the best in the business and anyone who suggests otherwise is either jaundiced or suffering from a serious credibility issue.

He is also an expert when it comes to winning on derby day which is an X factor that can’t be ignored now that the season is building towards a crescendo.

Rodgers has roughed Rangers up twice already this season and, with two more yet to come, if he can maintain this winning streak then he could well end up celebrating a happy ending and asking, ‘Crisis? What crisis?’.

The trouble is, he played that card last week and followed it up by dropping two points at home to Kilmarnock on Saturday with yet another lacklustre, low energy performance. The latest in a long line of them.

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Rodgers is smart enough to know that he can’t possibly fool all the people all of the time with insinuations of a conspiracy against a club which has won 11 titles out of the last 12.

Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers alongside John Kennedy and Gavin Strachan
Rather, by crying wolf, he was attempting to appeal to the hearts and minds of the very people who really are doing the most to disrupt his campaign. And that’s the Celtic support itself. Saturday provided a perfect example of the challenge he is up against.

Rodgers was about to square up to an old foe in Derek McInnes – a manager who has caused him nothing but trouble over both of his forays into Scottish football and particularly in this, his second spell in charge.

But when he needed everyone around him to be focussed and aligned, the club’s ultras hijacked the build-up to the match to stage a geo-political protest with the aim of ‘raising awareness’ about the current plight of the people of Palestine.

As if the whole world was not already looking on in absolute horror at all of the bloodshed and the escalating death toll in the region. And they did so without the slightest regard for the psychological damage they are inflicting upon Liel Abada, who is so distressed by the actions of the Green Brigade that he no longer feels able to pull on the shirt.

If Rodgers had been hoping that Abada might still return to play a significant role in what lies ahead between now and May then Saturday’s protests will have disabused him of that notion.

By claiming that Celtic as a club was effectively coming under attack from the bogey men of the media, the manager had been attempting to strike a chord with the support and galvanise them ahead of the run-in.

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He pointed to a run of nine games during which Celtic had dropped only two league points while reaching the quarter finals of the Scottish Cup as proof that rumours of his side’s demise were being deliberately exaggerated.

But it was an insult to the intelligence of a support which is not so easily fooled – and a gamble that backfired as soon as his side served up another feeble performance against Kilmarnock.

The truth is Celtic have been malfunctioning for weeks and, even when the wins were piling up, they were not covering the cracks for those looking closely enough.

If Rangers defeat Hearts at Ibrox on Saturday then Rodgers and his players will be trailing by five points by the time they take on Motherwell at Fir Park the following day. And no amount of managerial mind games will lighten the mood if another sub-standard display is offered up at Fir Park.

 

Rangers have all the momentum and Celtic seem hellbent on self-destructing but who will win the title? Monday Jury

The Record Sport team debate all the big talking points on a big weekend in the Scottish Premiership.

CELTIC V RANGERS – SEASON IN NUMBERS

Rangers are now top of the table – will they go on to claim the title?
KEITH JACKSON: It’s starting to look very much like it.

All the momentum is behind Philippe Clement’s at a moment when Celtic seem hellbent on self-destructing. But derby day specialist Brendan Rodgers knows how to win Old Firm games and with two of them still to come Rangers can take nothing for granted.

ANDY NEWPORT: The momentum lies at Ibrox and so you’d have to say Gers are favorites but with two Old Firm games still to come don’t be surprised if there’s a couple more twists and turns to come.

CRAIG SWAN: There’s still a long way to go, but Rangers are now in the driving seat and signs are yes unless Celtic regain some vigour.

GAVIN BERRY: Given the mentality Philippe Clement has instilled in his side then there is every chance. It’s still a different test being hunted rather than the hunter, but a combination of Rangers turning into a winning machine and Celtic wobbling could see the unlikeliest of title wins for the Ibrox side.

Rangers’ Mohamed Diomande celebrates after making it 1-0

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Are Livingston going to catch Ross County and dodge automatic relegation?

KEITH: It’s certainly a possibility. County are in a terrible state and Livi might just be playing their way back into some kind of form at the right moment. With only three points between them there’s plenty of time for a turnaround.

ANDY: Davie Martindale has worked wonders at the Tony Mac and County look vulnerable after their misadventure with Derek Adams but it would be a miracle on another new level if Livi dodge demotion.

CRAIG: Saturday is momentous. Victory in Dingwall for Livi could see them kick on and do it.

GAVIN: They have given themselves a real chance. Victory against the Staggies this weekend and the Lions can roar again in the top flight next season.

Will Derek McInnes keep Kilmarnock in fourth spot in the Premiership?
KEITH: It’s tight but Killie are where they deserve to be under a shrewd manager in McInnes.

A fourth place finish would represent a superb achievement and they’re in good shape to get there.

ANDY: St Mirren will push them all the way. The Buddies have been up and down lately but I fancy Stephen Robinson’s team to take it to the wire.

CRAIG: Yes. Killie are performing superbly and have both attacking weapons and defensive solidity.

GAVIN: Absolutely and what a remarkable job he’s done at Rugby Park. A top Premiership manager who so often hasn’t had the credit he deserves during his dug-out career.

Will Raith Rovers overhaul Dundee United in the race for the Championship title?

KEITH: No. United may have stumbled on Friday night but they still have enough quality in their squad to finish the job they have started. They’re heading back into the top flight as champions.

ANDY: Dundee United have the experience quality to hold off the Kirkcaldy threat.

CRAIG: No. United played well at Stark’s Park and were a bit unlucky to lose. They will still win it.

GAVIN: No. It was a brilliant result for the Fifers to breathe life into their title challenge, but the Tangerines will still have just too much.

 

Sky is the limit for Kilmarnock goal hero David Watson

David Watson can go right to the top of the game, according to Kilmarnock captain Kyle Vassell.

Kyle Vassell has seen plenty of young players with ability throughout his career. And Kilmarnock midfielder David Watson, who bagged his side’s late leveller against Celtic at the weekend, falls firmly into that category.

But what separates Watson from most is his willingness to work at his game, and his determination to do absolutely everything he can to make himself the best player he can possibly be.

It is a recipe for success that Vassell believes can lead Watson to the very top of the game.

“It’s truly up to him,” Vassell said.

“I’ll look after him and I’ll support him until the cows come home because he is such a great lad.

“He works so hard. He is out doing finishing with me every day and he really, really wants to be a player. He’ll keep kicking on.”

READ MORE: Celtic 1 Kilmarnock 1: Late Watson header sees Celtic spill points at home yet again

In fairness, Watson isn’t alone at Rugby Park in his dedication, with Vassell giving an insight into the culture Derek McInnes has fostered at Killie that has contributed hugely to their impressive season so far.

“It’s all of them,” he said.

“I don’t know how they recruit. It started with Clarky [Craig Clark) and now Burkey [Chris Burke] has taken [them on] and all the boys are so hungry.

“They all want to learn. They are all out on the training ground longer than anyone else which is brilliant to see because I’ve been at clubs here that hasn’t been the case.

“You don’t actually have to push the boys. You just have to guide them and coach them a little bit and help them.

“Bobby Wales is the same, Aaron Brown is the same and I’m not mentioning some. They genuinely all work their tails off and that is the fundamentals of having a good club.

“I’ve seen boys with ability. Loads of them. And with hunger. Sometimes you have to tell them. You have to do this, you have to work hard. None of these boys here you have to tell them. It’s honestly a privilege to work with them.

“There are times they need to be coached a little bit or go on loan with the step up, but if we are talking about the younger boys, they do have the work ethic, they do have the hunger, they just have to learn the game.”

As well as the work ethic that McInnes has instilled in his squad, Vassell says there is a real belief within them too which was evident at Celtic Park, with the visitors showing no fear whatsoever as they went toe to toe with Brendan Rodgers’ side.

“He’s always believed in us and he’s put a belief into us to get the senior boys to push the younger boys to believe that this dressing room can achieve do something this year,” he said.

“We came [to Celtic Park] full of confidence. We’ve beaten them twice this year. We haven’t necessarily got the result [there] but I feel like that performance just shows where we are.

“It’s anyone. With Rangers at times we felt like we could have got a result there if I’d scored a chance early on – maybe it would have been a different game. Even still, we’d chances late on.

“We truly believe to can go toe to toe with them in the league. The depth we’ve got just now just helps us even more.

“We’ve got such a good dressing room. The gaffer has brought in boys and it’s the job of the senior boy and mine as captain to get the boys to believe and want to work hard for each other, And they do that.”

READ MORE: Crisis meeting called as Celtic lose their fear factor

The contrast in the mood of the Killie players and their Celtic counterparts then was stark after the game at the weekend, with the visiting squad and their supporters leaving on a high as they look forward to the remainder of the campaign with European football and an extended Scottish Cup run in their sights.

“It’s been brilliant,” Vassell added.

“We know where our budget is. It is nowhere near these boys and it’s not even necessarily near the top six because we know what the other clubs pay in the league.

“But we’re just fighting. We’re a team who rolls our sleeves up and if we can get goals on the counter like through Davie Watson, then happy days.

“We work hard, make it difficult for teams. That’s what we are good at. Then we will try and score goals from set-pieces and other ways, but first and foremost, we are hard to play against and we showed it again here.

“Let’s just go one game at a time. We’ve still got a really tough run-in to come and then we have got the split.

“First and foremost, let’s look at getting into the top six. Once we achieve that, then we can look forward.”

 

On This Day: Celtic results, including Ange thumping Aberdeen last year

Callum McGregor celebrates after scoring the opening goal during the Cinch Scottish Premiership match between Celtic and Aberdeen at on February 18, 2024

On This Day in 2023, Ange Postecoglou’s Celtic blew Aberdeen away as they prepared for the League Cup Final against Rangers. The Scottish Champions put together an impressive 4-0 display against the visitors from Pittodrie.

The visitors from the North East, led by interim boss Barry Robson, conceded within the first two minutes after Callum McGregor slammed the ball into the net from within the box.

Reo Hatate made it 2-0 to Celtic within fifteen minutes with a a wonderful goal. The Japanese midfielder showed incredible finesse as he danced through the Aberdeen defence before curling an effort into the net.

Hatate made it 3-0 in the second half with another tidy finish after using smart footwork to get out of a tight spot on the touchline.

It was 4-0 late in the game as Sead Haksabanovic cut the ball back for Liel Abada as the subs combined to round off the scoring.

 

Also On This Day…

2017 – Celtic 2 Motherwell 0

Goals from Moussa Dembele and James Forrest delivered three points to Brendan Rodgers’ side as they marched towards an Invincible season.

18th February 2017, Celtic 2:0 Motherwell.

Dembélé and Forrest. @MDembele_10 pic.twitter.com/W9vz85c2dO

— Li’l Ze (@LilZe785) February 18, 2024

1995 – Celtic 3 Meadowbank Thistle 0

18th February 1995, Celtic 3:0 Meadowbank Thistle.

Pierre(2) and Falconer. @pierrevh17 pic.twitter.com/xUHXM0QfLU

— Li’l Ze (@LilZe785) February 18, 2024

1989 – Celtic 4 Clydebank 1

18th February 1989, Celtic 4:1 Clydebank.

Burns(2), Stark and McAvennie. @MaccaFrank

Tommy Burns last goals for Celtic. pic.twitter.com/w6KU0w00aH

— Li’l Ze (@LilZe785) February 18, 2024

1939 – Celtic 2 Hearts 2

18th February 1939, Celtic draw 2:2 with Hearts in the Scottish Cup.

Cracking footage. pic.twitter.com/ZnUhdqfzcB

— Li’l Ze (@LilZe785) February 18, 2024

SEE MORE
Former Ajax and Aston Villa winger offers to play for Celtic for free

Born just as Celtic were stopping the Ten, Lubo98 follows Celtic home and away and helps run his local Celtic Supporters Club. He goes to all the games and is a Law Graduate. Has a particular fondness for Tom Rogic among the current Celts and both Lubo and Henrik form his earliest Celtic memories.

 

Former Ajax and Aston Villa winger offers to play for Celtic for free

Aston Villa celebrates after scoring their side’s second goal from the penalty spot during the Premier League match between Aston Villa and Newcastle United at Villa Park on August 21, 2021 in Birmingham, England.

Former Ajax and Aston Villa winger Anwar El Ghazi has offered to play for Celtic for free. The Dutch Internationalist responded to the Green Brigade’s latest show of support for Palestine by offering his services.

The 28-year-old is embroiled in a bitter dispute with Mainz, who terminated his contract over support for the Palestinian people. Now, he has offered his services to the Scottish Champions.

Anwar el Ghazi is truly a legend. He literally offered to play for Celtic at no cost after the Green Brigade showed their support for Palestine.

pic.twitter.com/Z7CmB1CP5m

— Leyla Hamed (@leylahamed) February 18, 2024

The club’s recruitment in recent seasons has been poor. This has contributed to the discontent around the club after Ange brought success in his two seasons at the club. Although, the club have been struggling to bring in quality and results have suffered.

It seems very unlikely that the club would consider El Ghazi as an option. There are a number of difficulties owing to his dispute with Mainz, too.

In 119 appearances for Villa, El Ghazi scored 26 goals and assisted on 16 occasions whilst for Ajax, the winger scored 23 goals and 16 assists. Celtic have been lacking in quality in the attacking areas and a player of El Ghazi’s experience would probably have improved the club.

 

 

Greg Taylor reveals crunch Celtic dressing room title talks as below par stars reach two clear conclusions

 

Taylor wasn’t for dropping details but suffice to say a few home truths were told amongst Brendan Rodgers’ squad.

Greg Taylor applauds the fans

Greg Taylor has revealed Celtic held crunch dressing-room talks after another title slip.

The Parkhead defender admits it’s been laid on line to all that improvements simply must be made as they aim to stay as champions. Celtic were booed-off after losing a stoppage-time goal in the 1-1 draw with Kilmarnock, which led to an instant and frank post-match inquest.

Taylor kept precise details of the talks in-house as, when asked if there had been raised voices or if it was calm during the discussions, he said: “It’s probably better just to leave it in the changing room.”

But, on a general theme over having the chat, he explained: “Yes we did. It’s important to realise there are still 12 league games to go. But we obviously need to improve, that’s clear, in terms of performance.

We want to hit the levels we know we can hit, so we need to do that. We’re a team, coaches, manager, players, we’re all united as one and want to put on a better showing for the fans, that’s clear.

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“Dropping points is disappointing and I feel for the supporters as they expect so much more from us and rightly so. But you have got to have perspective, it’s only February at the moment, there is still a long way to go, so we do need to find a level of performance.”

Taylor is amongst the senior stars within the dressing room, but says everyone within the unit has to grasp what is needed. When asked if the newer faces understand and get-it as regards the demands of Celtic, the full-back made it clear it involves every single member of the squad and not just certain sections.

Taylor said: “When you have leaders like Callum McGregor, Joe Hart and even myself, they have to (get it). It’s not a case of the new lads, everyone needs to understand.

“It’s not a case of just boys coming in and a case of boys that have been here, it’s everyone as a collective having to understand that this club demands success, it demands a way of playing. And, when you don’t hit those levels, then the supporters are rightly disappointed.

“At this club, even a draw like that feels like a defeat, definitely. Any time you drop points, that is the way that it does feel.”

Taylor says more talks will take place today in the hunt for solutions and improvement. He explained: “We’ll do a debrief on Monday, we need to see where we went wrong in this game and where we can improve, and we’ve got to take that into the final part of the season.”

 

 

 

 

Celtic ‘move forward’ in Prospect talks after summer scouting missions

 

 

 

 

The Celtic January transfer rumour mill has thrown the name of Wolverhampton Wanderers forward, Fabio Silva into the hat.

The 21-year-old was once a £35.6 million club-record transfer for Wolves, but now he is struggling to come off the bench for the bottom-half English Premier League side.

 

With Brendan Rodgers wanting attacking reinforcements next month at Celtic, the name of Fabio Silva has been mentioned, as reported by TEAMtalk.

Andy Walker has shared that in Brendan Rodgers’ first spell at Celtic, the one-time wonderkid was linked with the club, as he told Go Radio.

But given his struggles at Wolves, it now seems like he will be heading for the exit door in January.

 

Approach made: Celtic ask about move to sign “highly talented” £15M striker, they’ ve had a reply

The Scottish Premiership side are looking to bolster their attacking ranks in January.

Celtic have made an approach to ask about a deal to bring one of their long-term targets to the Scottish Premiership, according to a fresh report that has emerged.

Hoops eyeing Kvistgaarden

Ahead of January, Brendan Rodgers will be assessing his options in the market to see if there are any players he could strengthen his squad with. One recently identified is Brondby forward Mathias Kvistgaarden if claims are to be believed.

The Bhoys are reportedly preparing an improved offer for the striker having seen their opening bid turned down over the summer, but should a deal for him fail to come to fruition for whatever reason, the hierarchy appear to have alternative centre-forward targets.

Sturm Graz’s Szymon Wlodarczyk only put pen to paper at his club during the previous window from Gornik Zabrze where he’s so far made 28 appearances to date (Transfermarkt – Wlodarczyk statistics), but he was on the board’s radar long before his most recent move.

Back in January, Mark Hendry first claimed that Poland’s youth international was of interest to the green and white stripes, though a switch hasn’t yet taken place, hence why he moved elsewhere, and it still sounds like the 20-year-old won’t be making the trip to Glasgow anytime soon despite new efforts.

Celtic submit enquiry for Wlodarczyk

According to Football Scotland, Celtic have asked about signing Wlodarczyk again next month, but after learning his price tag in a response from Sturm Graz, have decided that they couldn’t afford to complete a deal in January.

“Football Scotland can also reveal Celtic reached out to Sturm Graz in an effort to revisit another former transfer target, Szymon Wlodarczyk, but were told his valuation has sky-rocketed to around £15m which would financially be out of their reach in January.”

Wlodarczyk is a “highly talented” striker

Since joining Sturm Graz, Wlodarczyk has racked up 11 contributions (nine goals and two assists) from 28 appearances, displaying how prolific he can be in the final third, and he’s able to pose a constant threat to the opposition’s defence in the attacking areas of the pitch.

Sponsored by Adidas, Walbrzych’s native has recorded 32 shots over the course of the current campaign which is more than any other of his fellow teammates, highlighting what a standout performer he is in front of the net compared to his peers (FBRef – Sturm Graz statistics).

Standing at 6 foot 2, Rodgers’ target is also able to provide a real physical presence up top with his height, with his ability to win aerial duels making him a real handful for any backline to deal with, alongside how dangerous he can be with the ball at his feet.

Described by football scout Jacek Kulig, Wlodarczyk is a “highly talented” player with an extremely bright future ahead of him, but with Celtic not set to splash the cash to get their long-term target in the coming weeks, it could prove to be a blow considering the positive impact that he may have been able to make.

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Chloe is an experienced football journalist and podcaster having worked in the sports media industry for the past three years.

Combining her love of the beautiful game with a passion for writing, Chloe started out creating and editing articles for Our MFC before going on to cover the Euro 2020 tournament with Overtime Sports Online.

In March 2022, Chloe was selected to join the academy team at Snack Media and later secured the role of freelance writer for The Transfer Tavern before moving over to the company’s flagship site, Football FanCast.

Chloe is also a huge Stoke City supporter having been a season ticket holder at the Bet365 Stadium for over a decade.

 

Celtic hero Chris Sutton blasts SFA over ’embarrassing’ mic ruling

Celtic hero Chris Sutton has blasted the SFA for their decision to block Hibernian boss Nick Montgomery from being mic’d up during the Edinburgh derby, calling it “embarrassing”.

 The Easter Road manager had agreed to fans watching on Sky Sports at home to hear him throughout the fixture after Hibs agreed to a request from the broadcaster.

It would have been a first in Scottish football along with Montgomery’s assistant Sergio Raimundo wearing a body cam.

And Sutton, who provided live commentary for the game, did not hold back when giving his thoughts on the decision.

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Writing on X, he said: “Nick Montgomery was open and happy to be mic’d up for tonight’s Edinburgh derby.

“It would have been fascinating to hear how he worked and his mindset ingame. But for whatever reason the SFA blocked it.

“The SFA are an embarrassment and stuck in the past. Dear me…”

READ MORE: Why Celtic’s Luis Palma is the club’s most dangerous player

Meanwhile, Celtic coach Harry Kewell is poised “to leave the club in the coming days”.

This is according to the Scottish Sun who claim that the Australian “edging closer to being appointed as the new Yokohama F. Marinos boss.”

Kewell did not travel with Brendan Rodgers’ side on Boxing Day as the Hoops defeated Dundee 3-0.

Reports in Australia  state that John Hutchinson, who worked with Ange Postecoglou at Marinos, is expected to be his No2.

Rodgers previously confirmed that he would not stand in the way of Kewell joining the former J1 League champions.

He said: “”Harry has already managed before, so it is not new to him. He has had a taste of it and I am always one that if staff members want to broaden their horizons then I am very encouraging of that.

“It is also a sign that you have talented people if other clubs want them.”