Its normal’ Rangers boss Philippe Clement shares what he hates about Celtic

Its normal’ Rangers boss Philippe Clement shares what he hates about Celtic

Rangers boss Philippe Clement says that Celtic are ahead of them at the moment. 

The Bhoys are the reigning Scottish champions and they have made a strong start to the season, whereas the Ibrox giants have made a stuttering start so far, and have lost the first Old Firm derby of the season.

Clement is convinced that Rangers have a squad capable of challenging Celtic for the league title. However, at the same time, he understands that it won’t be easy, as the Bhoys have been building a strong squad for more than a year.

The Belgium boss says that he hates the fact the Celtic are ahead of them at the moment and the Gers want to change the scenario as fast as possible.

“The other side of the town have been building their squad for more than one year and playing together. It’s normal that they are ahead now. I hate that and I want to change that as fast as possible,” said Clement, as quoted by Glasgow World.

Rangers are going through rebuilding process yet again

Graeme Souness recently said that Rangers wouldn’t be the same team if they had £50 million to spend. Right now, the Bears cannot spend the money like their rivals, so they will have to innovate in how they deal in the transfer market.

Celtic lost Matt O’Riley this summer to Brighton for a club-record fee, but they have been able to rebuild the squad with quality signings. They spent big money on Arne Angels and Adam Idah among others.

In contrast, Rangers lost 16 players this summer, including a few who left the club for free. It wasn’t an easy task to replace with players that cost money.

The loss to Celtic in the Old Firm showed that there is a gulf in quality between the two sides, but Rangers fans will love the fact that their manager is confident of closing the gap.

Paulo Bernardo Posts on Instagram After Standout Portugal Performance

Celtic midfielder Paulo Bernardo is on a terrific run of form.

The 22-year-old has replaced Matt O’Riley in Brendan Rodgers’ starting lineup over the past few games and not looked out of place.

25th August 2024; St Mirren Park, Paisley, Renfrewshire, Scotland, Scottish Premiership Football, St Mirren versus Celtic; Paulo Bernardo of Celtic warms up

He was impressive away at St. Mirren in a 3-0 victory before putting in a standout display against Rangers in the Glasgow derby a week later.

Bernardo was like a bulldog in the middle of the park, constantly hassling his opponents, winning the ball back, and playing it forward through the lines. He was unfortunate not to score after sitting down several Rangers players in the box and finding space for a shot.

After dominating the midfield against the Ibrox club, Bernardo flew out to play for Portugal’s under-21s.

The midfielder is captain of the age group and scored in their recent win over Croatia.

Bernardo smartly knocked home from close range after a nice move.

It was a successful international break for the former Benfica man, who took to Instagram following it.

The Celt shared a picture of himself in a Portugal shirt, writing, albeit in Portuguese, ‘Another great win! We’re still together!’:

Portugal’s victory in Karlovac kept them on course to qualify for next year’s under-21 Euros.

Bernardo and his teammates lead their qualifying group by four points with two games to go.

They could officially secure their place in next summer’s tournament in October when they face the Faroe Islands and Andorra back to back.

Report – Celtic to Offer Key Star Bumper New Deal

Celtic are set to offer Alistair Johnston a new bumper contract, which would put him among the club’s top earners, according to RecordSport.

It comes after the Canadian made a sensational start to the new season.

25th August 2024; St Mirren Park, Paisley, Renfrewshire, Scotland, Scottish Premiership Football, St Mirren versus Celtic; Richard Taylor of St Mirren tackles Alistair Johnston of Celtic

Johnston has been key for the Hoops in their opening five games, marauding up and down the right-hand side with ease. He scored in a 3-0 win away at St. Mirren a few weeks ago and set up Daizen Maeda for the opener in the recent Glasgow derby.

Now, the club looks set to reward the 25-year-old for his recent efforts. Indeed, they want to give him a pay rise and extend his current deal, which is due to run out in three years.

Celtic will soon open talks with the player’s agent in a positive update for supporters.

The news comes after the Hoops ended the transfer window in a busy fashion. The Scottish Premiership champions brought in three players on deadline day but remain busy.

They now aim to tie down Johnston after extending several players’ contracts at this stage last term.

The likes of Reo Hatate and Matt O’Riley were both given new deals in September 2023, and a year later, Johnston could be the next.

Fans will hope this one is done swiftly and that Johnston gets what he deserves.

Celtic Park’s unique atmosphere needs no second introduction, and it is known worldwide as one of the most exciting venues for fans or players to experience.

There are many arenas of similar size or standing to Paradise, but within its walls, there is a tradition and passion that has eroded slightly elsewhere in the world of football.

Many players have noted the decibel level in Glasgow’s east end on matchdays in the past, and European nights are always a popular topic of discussion among those who have experienced them on the pitch.

In reality, the reputation Celtic Park has forged goes hand in hand with the club’s reputation as one of the most iconic around the globe.

Either way, there is a special feeling in the air when the Bhoys are in action on home soil, something Kilmarnock loanee Oliver Bainbridge noted after making his debut for the Ayrshire side on Flag Day.

Oliver Bainbridge on Celtic Park debut

Speaking to Sunderland’s official website, Bainbridge has admitted that he will cherish his loan debut at Celtic Park ‘forever’ after starting in what turned out to be a 4-0 defeat back in August. If you can’t tell, Sunderland are his parent club.

He also expanded on the noise levels on Flag Day, claiming he needed a few minutes to settle into the action amid a passionate atmosphere in the stands.

Bainbridge stated: “It was a no-brainer for me to go and get that experience in first-team football.

“I signed on the Friday, travelled to meet the team on the Saturday and the Manager just asked me how I’d feel going straight in for the league opener against Celtic. I obviously said yes.

“The defeat was disappointing, but the experience was one I’ll cherish forever. It was the noise that shocked me. You always know it will be a good atmosphere, but it takes you a few minutes to adjust and focus on the game.”

There isn’t much else to say here, really; every Celtic fan knows how special the atmosphere can be on home soil, especially when a celebration such as hoisting the league flag is pencilled in before kick-off.

Hopefully, there can be many more examples of the support coming together in the stands over the season to generate a noise that makes it difficult for the opposition to function effectively.

Celtic have started the campaign in strong fashion and look primed to make further strides in their hunt for silverware.

Celtic ready to offer improved deal to January 2023 signing

Celtic are reported to be ready to open talks to provide Alistair Johnstone with a new improved contract.

Following the 2022 World Cup Finals in Qatar Celtic signed the defender on a five year deal with Johnston taking over from Josip Juranovic in a perfect example of succession planning.

After some injury issues at the start of last season Johnston was a key player in delivering the domestic double, taking that form into the international arena with Canada reaching the semi finals of the Copa America.

Last season Celtic improved the contracts of Callum McGregor, Reo Hatate, Daizen Maeda, Kyogo Furuhashi, Matt O’Riley and Cameron Carter-Vickers.

That policy looks set to continue with transfer specialist Scott Burns of the Daily Record reporting:

Celtic are set to open talks with Alistair Johnston over a new deal to bring him in line with the club’s top earners.

The Hoops hierarchy have got the transfer window out of the way and want to continue the trend of tying up their top stars on long-term contracts. The Canadian international still has three years left on his existing deal but they want to extend that and hand him improved terms.

The 25-year-old moved to Scotland from CF Montreal back two years ago and has pretty much made the right-back slot his own. Johnston is still on the existing contract when he first arrived at Celtic. Brendan Rodgers is keen to bring him in line with some of his other first-team stars. The Hoops have already made initial contact with the player’s representatives to get the ball rolling.

It seems a win-win situation for players to renew their contract with the case of O’Riley demonstrating that if the price is right players will be sold.

Johnston picked up a hamstring injury during the international break with Brendan Rodgers likely to provide an update on that at his media conference on Friday

Alistair Johnston due ‘new Celtic contract’ as Hoops to bring him among top earners

The Hoops defender has become one of the key performers at Parkhead

Alistair Johnston (Image: SNS Group)

Celtic are reportedly set to offer Alistair Johnston a contract extension to bring him “in line” with their top earners.

The Canadian international full-back, 25, has become one of the key performers at Parkhead in recent times with his performance in their 3-0 win over Rangers a particular standout. In recent times the club has been credited with tying down their top talents down to long-term deals and they did so with the likes of Matt O’Riley, Reo Hatate and Kyogo in recent times.

Now Johnston is the next in line to be considered by the boardroom for new terms and the Daily Record are reporting that conversations have already begun on a bumper deal to take him up towards the upper echelons of the wage structure

Johnston is believed to still be on the same terms as he was when he arrived but after 67 appearances over a season-and-a-half, Brendan Rodgers wants to reward the player.

It comes as the defender is nursing a knock he picked up on international duty with Canada as boss Jesse Marsch moved to allay Hoops fears about his chances of a sharp turnaround.

“Alistair said he felt a little bit of tightness in his hamstring and he felt it was smarter to step out. I am hopeful that he will be okay,” Marsch said.

Celtic and Rangers fans in line to spend over £2,500 to attend European away games this season

A general view of Celtic and Rangers supporters | SNS Group

Combined, fans of both Celtic and Rangers can expect to spend a total of £2,567 on flights and hotels to follow their team in Europe

New research has revealed that Rangers fans will pay £125 more than Celtic fans to watch their team play away games in Europe this season – but fans of both teams will have to fork out more than £2,500 travelling the continent.

The combined cost of the Ibrox club’s trips to Athens, Copenhagen, Manchester and Nice is the second most of any UK clubs competing in the Champions League or Europa League this season.

The study carried out by football betting tips, predictions, and news site Footy Accumulators calculated the cost of flights and accommodation for the four away trips that fans of the eight English and Scottish teams competing in Europe’s top two competitions will have to pay to watch their team abroad this season.

And Gers fans will have to cough up a combined £1,039 for flights to see their team play at each of the four Europa League away games, as well as an additional £307 for hotels. Their most expensive trip will be against Malmo, which will set fans back £341 for the flight alone, and a further £100 for the hotel. Rangers fans can also expect to fork out £393 for the trip to face Olympiacos, and £381 for the journey to France for their game against Nice.

The cheapest trip will be their final away game against Manchester United, where an open return ticket via train from Glasgow is much more affordable and expected to set fans back around £61, with a further £70 for a two-night hotel stay, meaning a total of £131.

Meanwhile, Celtic supporters will pay the fourth most for their European away games at £1,221, although they play a step above in the Champions League. The Hoops’ most expensive away trip will be to Zagreb, which will cost fans £408. Flights are available at around £338 for this, and a two-night stay in a local hotel is another £70.

Shockingly, the Parkhead side’s second most expensive away trip is for their game against Aston Villa in January. A direct flight to Birmingham is currently priced at £283, and a local hotel will add a further £63 to this for a total cost of £346. Celtic other away games are better priced, with fans being set back £258 for the match against Atalanta, whilst the trip to Dortmund is the cheapest as return flights will cost as little as £132 and the hotel £77.

Here’s how the total travel costs ranked for the eight competing UK clubs

Celtic Paid A Lot For Me – New Bhoy Keen To Repay Faith

New Celtic signing Arne Engels has stressed his desire to repay the faith the Hoops have shown in him by paying a big amount to sign him.

Following drawn-out attempts to replace midfielder Matt O’Riley, the Bhoys finally managed to seal a deal for Augsburg midfielder Engels.

The deadline day move cost Brendan Rodgers’ side a club record £11m.

Acknowledging the huge amount the Scottish side paid for him, Engels insisted that his desire is to repay their trust.

Engels further took time to stress the need for him to have faith in himself rather than trusting others for that.

“It’s nice to see this and to experience it, and I also believe in myself because I think that’s even more important than other people believing in me”, Engels was quoted as saying by the Daily Record.

“But yeah, it’s a really nice feeling that you see they did everything to get you.

“They paid obviously a big amount for me and I want to return a lot for the club.”

Rodgers handed Engels his Celtic debut in the 3-0 win over Rangers before the break.

He came on as a second-half substitute and played 28 minutes at the heart of midfield at Celtic Park.

Engels will hope for more first-team action when domestic action returns against Hearts this weekend.

Willie Collum tackles ‘insulting’ Celtic and Rangers ref conspiracies as he reveals what must be declared…

The SFA head of referees took to the airwaves after releasing VAR audio from several Premiership incidents

Willie Collum on Clyde 1 Superscoreboard

Bullish Willie Collum insists it’s INSULTING for referees to face questions over their integrity based on who they could support.

The SFA head of referees has fired back at cynics who have “barraged” by “comments in the west of Scotland towards one club of the other” amid conspiracy theories emerging from some sections of the Celtic and Rangers support. The refereeing supremo fielded a series of questions on Clyde 1 Superscoreboard after releasing VAR audio from a series of controversial flashpoints in the Scottish Premiership on Wednesday afternoon – and was sparked into a passionate response following a question over whether then men in the middle should declare who they support before taking charge of a game.

Collum responded: “First off all, referees need to declare an interest. We had a top assistant a couple of years ago and his son was playing for a senior club, even though he was playing for an under-19 club he declared that as an interest. Also, if somebody is working for a company that sponsors a particular club, these are the things we would expect the referee to declare an interest in.

“In terms of a team that somebody might support or a connection with a family member, where do we draw the line? We want to encourage people into refereeing and say you can referee the top games – you can referee the top games. We would put a blocker on that, and I keep saying where do you draw the line?

“If somebody’s third relative had a connection somewhere, or had a season ticket to support somebody – what I would say is, and I want to be really honest with people, when you are refereeing at the top level of the game you have a passion for it, you want to achieve well. Refereeing took me places as a young kid that I never dreamed I would go to. Why would I jeopardise or risk that to say ‘I want this team to win or affect this’ – I want people to trust me that it’s not the case.

“We are barraged by comments in the west of Scotland towards one club or the other – that is not the case. People make genuine decisions, genuine errors and we are honest.

“If referees weren’t honest we would have a problem. It’s 2024, I think we need to move away from that. I would ask people to shift that narrative, let’s get behind referees rather than try to pick a fault because a person is associated with that or that. They are top referees for a reason and it’s been a long journey to get there. And when they get there they want to stay there.”

Pressed on how referees feel about claims of bias towards Rangers or Celtic, Collum went on: “I think it is insulting because it is questioning people’s integrity. Referees integrity is alway at the utmost. What I would say as well is people say geographically a referee comes from here, or comes from there and has a background as I mentioned earlier – I don’t care about any of these things. I want quality, and that is what we (the SFA) judge referees on. “

Celtic to offer Alistair Johnston improved terms, surely Greg Taylor deserves the same

Alistair Johnston is set to be offered a new contract by Celtic, according to Scott Burns…

The well informed journalist reports that the Celtic Board are keen to tie the Canadian International right-back down on an extended contract and he will be rewarded with a bumper new deal that will take him up amongst the top earners at the club.

Johnston arrived from CF Montreal just after the World Cup in Qatar and made his debut at Ibrox in the New Year 2023 game in Ange Postecoglou’s second season at the club. The full back still has three years of his existing deal to run so rewarding the player while protecting the club’s position seems sensible and is in line with previous activity at this time of the year after the transfer window closed.

Celtic according to Scott Burns writing in Daily Record, have made contact with AJ’s representatives to set the ball rolling.

What remains a mystery is the lack of progress on Greg Taylor’s deal at the club which is actually ending at the end of this season. Taylor has been outstanding for Celtic for the past three seasons, after having a difficult time adjusting following his move from Kilmarnock.

There is no doubt that securing Alistair Johnston on a long term deal is the clever thing to do but surely Taylor too deserves to be rewarded for his contribution and for his own salary to increased to reflect his importance to the Celtic team?

Meanwhile after his tight hamstring scare at the weekend in the win over the USA, the Canadian defender will be assessed before the game against Hearts at Celtic Park on Saturday. With the Champions League starting next midweek, it’s likely that Johnston will not be risked against the Tynecastle outfit, who are currently joint bottom of the league.

Celtic set to open talks with Alistair Johnston over new deal

Celtic are looking to open discussions with right-back Alistair Johnston regarding a new contract that would make him one of the highest-paid players at the club, according to Daily Record.

The Hoops have closed the summer transfer window and will focus on tying their stars with long-term contracts.

Johnston still has three years remaining on his current deal. However, Celtic are keen to extend his contract and offer him improved terms. They want to give him a salary that reflects his importance to the team.

The 25-year-old joined Celtic from CF Montreal two years ago and has established himself as the mainstay at right-back. He has played all their Scottish Premiership fixtures this season, scoring once and creating four big chances.

He has helped the club keep two clean sheets in four of those games, winning 69% of his duels.

Manager Brendan Rodgers is eager to reward the Canadian international for his performances and bring his salary in line with other first-team regulars. Initial contact has already been made with the player’s representatives to lay the groundwork for negotiations.

After representing Canada on international duty, Johnston returned to Celtic’s training ground this week.

He limped off during the 2-1 victory over the USA with a hamstring injury, but Canadian head coach Jesse Marsch does not anticipate a serious issue. Johnston will undergo further assessment by Celtic’s medical team before the Hoops resume their Premiership campaign against Hearts.

Celtic have already flown to the top of the standings after winning all four of their opening fixtures. They lead their arch-rivals Rangers by five points and look set to retain their league crown.

Celtic hope to blitz their way to a domestic treble like they did in the 2022/23 season with the momentum they have started the season with.

More importantly, they will be desperate to give a decent account of themselves in the UEFA Champions League after some shambolic European campaigns over the past decade.

Willie Collum in Celtic fess up over VAR howler as defiant ref chief defends madcap Rangers incident and 3 others

The SFA’s refereeing guru opened up on a host of big decisions

Willie Collum

SFA head of referees Willie Collum has admitted that VAR got a big penalty call wrong during Celtic’s first game of the season.

However, the ref chief has launched a defence of a string of other incidents in the opening weeks of the campaign. Brendan Rodgers’ side opened their Scottish Premiership campaign against Kilmarnock and ran out 4-0 winners on the day – but things could have been worse for Derek McInnes’ side after goalkeeper Robby McCrorie collided with Kyogo Furuhashi as the Celtic attacker looked to control a looped ball into the box.

At the time, the Killie No. 1 avoided punishment with man in the middle Don Robertson waving play on while Craig Napier in the VAR room backed up the referee. However, Collum has now conceded that the match officials got it wrong. Speaking to the SFA’s VAR Review, he said: “We believe this is the wrong decision.

“We have coached the referees and the VARs that a penalty should have been awarded here. There are a couple of things I would like to discuss about the clip. Firstly, it is an unexpected free-kick with the way the ball is chipped over the wall and it catches the on-field referee by surprise.

Kyogo was taken out by Kille keeper McCrorie

“It is then very difficult for the referee to find an angle around that wall to get a view of the incident, because the referees priority is that if there is a shot there is potential for handball in the wall. So, he has positioned himself correctly to judge that and it then becomes a very difficult decision for him to make on-field.

“The Celtic player clearly gets ahead, wins the ball, touches the ball past the goalkeeper and we then think the goalkeeper’s actions are reckless. So for us, this should have been a penalty kick and an on-field review should have been requested and the referee then asked to make a judgement on the call.”

Collum also conceded that Dundee defender Luke Graham should have been penalised for a handball in the penalty box during the 2-2 draw with Dundee United adding: “For us this was a missed handball, a punishable handball. The cross comes from a distance and the proximity doesn’t come in here. The Dundee player when he comes in, in our opinion, is in an unnatural position.”

Kilmarnock’s Danny Armstrong was penalised for a tumble on the edge of the box against St Johnstone and shown a yellow for simulation – which Collum conceded was “incorrect” – but that the VAR had got it right as it was “impossible” for the off-field officials to intervene because the contact didn’t happen in the penalty box. But the Ayrshire men were told that Brad Lyon’s red card against Aberdeen was the right call.

But Collum did stand by a host of decisions by on-field officials and the VAR teams across the country. Hibs defender Marvin Ekpiteta was cleared of a tackle at Celtic Park when James Forrest claimed for a penalty – with both the VAR and whistler standing by their on-field decision.

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Hearts were snubbed for a penalty in the first game of the season when Yan Dhanda’s cross struck the hand of Rangers’ man Connor Barron, while Ross County protested about a foul by Tom Lawrence in the build-up to Cyriel Dessers goal for the Light Blues. Collum stood by his officials over both flashpoints.

He also insisted that the Dessers’ opening goal against St Johnstone at Hampden was ultimately correct after ref Matthew MacDermid appeared to penalise the Rangers striker – before VAR intervened and the strike was given. The striker found the net but it appeared to have been chalked off by the on-field whistler, who gestured for a St Johnstone free-kick for an adjudged foul on Jack Sanders – seemingly before the ball hit the back of the net.

The goal was reviewed in the VAR room by Greg Aitken and assistant Alan Mulvanny. MacDermid was called over to the monitor and after a review of both the foul and a possible offside, he gestured for the goal to stand. Despite fury from St Johnstone, Collum stood by MacDermid.

Rangers’ Cyriel Dessers collides with St Johnstone’s Jack Sanders before he scores to make it 1-0

He said: “So the starting point for us is we coach the referees about good body language, and the referee here probably doesn’t use good body language. We see on the edge of the penalty area everything is edging towards a free-kick, body language wise.

“His body language is showing that but he correctly delays the whistle. He correctly communicates to the VAR what he is intending to do if a goal is scored, and when the ball hits the net he then blows the whistle for a defensive free-kick punishing the Rangers player for a challenge.

“The VAR then goes into a check and they quickly come to a conclusion after accessing the correct angle that there is no infringement. I would also say this is a normal footballing contact, something people have said to me ‘would this have been a penalty had it been against the attacker’ – for me this is normal footballing contact and would have been played on. VAR checks and realise the Rangers player has not committed a foul and they refer the referee to come to the screen for a review.”

Willie Collum admits VAR errors – Celtic and Dundee United denied penalties as contentious Rangers goal addressed

SFA head of referees explains big decisions in new VAR review show

Willie Collum has claimed that Celtic and Dundee United should have been awarded penalties following his early-season assessment of VAR.

The Scottish FA’s head of referees also criticised referee Matthew MacDermid’s body language before Rangers striker Cyriel Dessers scored against St Johnstone in their Premier Sports Cup win at Hampden Park last month.

Former referee Collum, who took charge of Scotland’s officials this summer, explained some big decisions from the first four weeks of the season in ‘The VAR Review’, a new monthly show on the Scottish FA’s YouTube channel.

He reviewed the controversial incident at Celtic Park when Hoops striker Kyogo Furuhashi touched the ball past Robby McCrorie before colliding with the Kilmarnock goalkeeper.

Referee Don Robertson and VAR officials concluded that “the goalkeeper just makes himself big”, but Collum said: “We believe this was the wrong decision. We have coached the referees and the VARs that a penalty kick should have been awarded here.

“It is an unexpected free-kick with the way the ball is chipped. It catches the on-field referee by surprise and it’s very difficult for the referee to find an angle round that wall to get a proper view.

“The Celtic player clearly gets ahead and touches the ball past the goalkeeper and we then think the goalkeeper’s actions are reckless. An off-field review should have been requested and the referee asked to come to the monitor.”

Celtic striker Kyogo Furuhashi is brought down by Kilmarnock goalkeeper Robby McCrorie in an incident that should have resulted in a penalty, according to SFA head of referees Willie Collum. (Photo by Craig Williamson / SNS Group) | SNS Group

Collum also highlighted the incident when referee David Dickinson turned down Dundee United claims for a spot-kick after the ball struck the arm of Dundee defender Luke Graham.

“This was a missed handball,” said Collum. “The ball firstly travels from distance, from a corner kick.

“The Dundee player, when he jumps, his arm is in an unnatural position and he’s not jostling with an opponent.”

Collum also cleared up a contentious Rangers goal against St Johnstone when Dessers netted after dispossessing Saints defender Jack Sanders.

Some of the players and manager Craig Levein suggested their defenders had been distracted by MacDermid signalling for a Saints free-kick.

Collum revealed an audio recording confirmed that the official had not blown his whistle before the goal was scored.

“Here, the referee probably doesn’t display good body language,” said Collum. “His body language when the challenge is made is edging towards a free-kick.

“But he correctly delays the whistle, he correctly communicates so the VAR is aware of what he intends doing if a goal is scored and, when the ball hits the net, he then blows his whistle for what he deems to be a defensive free-kick.

“VAR checks and realises the Rangers player hasn’t committed a foul and they therefore recommend an on-field review.

“Apart from the body language, the correct process was followed and ultimately the correct decision was reached.”

Celtic’s storming start to this season has been extremely impressive as Brendan Rodgers launched the defence of his Scottish Premiership title.

Four wins out of four with 12 goals scored and none conceded has sent a message to our rivals that that is going to take something special to remove Celtic from the top of the Scottish Premiership.

Brendan Rodgers has his team playing some superb attacking football and that was on full display as Celtic easily beat Rangers at Parkhead just before the international break.

That result caused pundit, Kris Boyd, to display a public show of anger on Sky Sports as the former Rangers striker lost the plot after watching Celtic hammer his old club.

And it seems now, that after watching that defeat and Celtic’s performance, Boyd has come to a stark realisation about Rangers’ chances of pipping Brendan Rodgers to the title.

Boyd: Celtic will have ‘too much’ for Rangers

Boyd sounded defeated when he was asked to give his predictions of where he thinks all the SPFL teams will finish this season and when it came to Celtic, he admitted that he has been ‘impressed’ with how the Parkhead club has started the season.

Boyd told Sky Sports, “Even I’ve been impressed by the way Celtic have started the season and that takes a lot for me to say that!

“I just get the feeling they’re going to have too much. The business they’ve done, they’re strong enough and they will win the league by a good few points.”

Boyd’s Rangers prediction still hands praise to Celtic

The former Rangers man was then asked to give his prediction on where Rangers will finish and whilst he believes his old club will be runners-up, he reckons it’s not going to be an easy season trying to catch Celtic.

Boyd continued, “I knew it was going to be a tough season, I didn’t think it would be as tough as this. I still think they’ll have more than the rest but I don’t think it’s going to be as easy as it’s been over the last few years to get that second place.

“Once the season settles down a bit and players get up to match speed, they’ll be ok. Once injuries start to hit the smaller teams that’s when you see the bigger ones pull away.

“Rangers will have more than enough to finish second but I don’t think they have enough to challenge Celtic.”

Whilst nothing is won in September, the Celtic fans will be confident that the team Rodgers has assembled will be good enough to defend the title.

Wit the Champions League campaign starting next week, European progress is the aim this season and the Celtic supporters will be hoping that Brendan Rodgers will deliver that this season.

The VAR Review – Willie Collum admits Kyogo penalty error but ignores offside

The VAR Review is a brand new monthly show that gives Scottish football fans a behind the scenes look at some of the big decisions made across the game – whether they are right or whether they are wrong – and how those decisions are reached…

Match official Willie Collum arrives at the stadium prior to the Scottish Premiership match between Celtic and theRangers at Celtic Park on May 11, 2024. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

The intention is to provide a unique insight through the use of VAR and referee audio.

Host Gordon Duncan is joined by Head of Refereeing, Willie Collum, for the first show, which looks back at the opening of the 2024 season, up until the September international break but does NOT cover the Kyogo ‘offside’ goal in the 3-0 victory over theRangers.

Talking of theRangers we get shown two incidents that went their way against Hearts and St Johnstone and are told that both are correct decisions, although the handball on the opening day would have been a penalty last season. Not like them to catch a break from the referees is it?

Celtic had two penalty incidents reviewed, neither of which was given. The James Forrest one against Hibs, Collum reckons was a correct call not to give it but he believes that the Kilmarnock goalkeeper clearing out Kyogo after Matt O’Riley chipped the ball over the wall should have been a penalty.

❌ | 𝙑𝘼𝙍 𝙒𝙖𝙩𝙘𝙝 – 𝘾𝙚𝙡𝙩𝙞𝙘 𝘿𝙚𝙣𝙞𝙚𝙙 𝙋𝙚𝙣𝙖𝙡𝙩𝙮

Celtic should have been awarded a penalty in the opening day vs Kilmarnock according to Head of Referees Willie Collum.

It’s hard to get behind VAR when this wasn’t given on the day👇🏼

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— Everything Celtic (@aboutceltic) September 11, 2024

Not surprisingly the most controversial decision of the lot – the offside call in the Glasgow Derby match at Celtic Park – was NOT featured, so we didn’t get to hear Andrew Dallas’ assessment on how Kyogo was offside and how he got to draw those lines in the manner that he did.

Nor did we hear Gordon Duncan question Willie Collum on this call and ask what happened to giving the benefit of the doubt to the attacker?

The more the Scottish FA come clean the more it looks like they are still hiding their dirty little secrets.

No surprises there. Everyone could see that it was a penalty for the challenge on Kyogo the moment it happened. The big question is why was it refused in real time when it was obvious to everyone, and then again after a closer inspection on VAR? https://t.co/OPmCwovJU1

— JustAnOrdinaryBhoy (@ordinarybhoy) September 11, 2024

Confirmation that VAR made a wrong decision in failing to award Kyogo a penalty in the opening day of the season when he was wiped out by Kilmarnock goalkeeper Ross McCrorie.

The speed in which the VAR (Greg Aitkin, from Ayrshire…) dismissed the claim is worrying. https://t.co/spfWyCvB4o

— ᴘʙ 🍀 (@p_bov1) September 11, 2024

So the VAR review said today this was a penalty (which even sitting in the stands we knew it was) and the reason it wasn’t reviewed at the time by VAR is because the referee didn’t request it. Seems odd, had the ball rolled into the net it would’ve been!
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— Matt McGlone (@MattMcGlone9) September 11, 2024