Scotland player ratings against Poland as one man gets 9/10 while the surgeon and composed presence impress

Scotland player ratings against Poland as one man gets 9/10 while the surgeon and composed presence impress

Marks out of ten and resumes for the Scotland players involved against Poland

Scotland have finished third in Nations League Group A1 following a gripping 2-1 win away at Poland.

Steve Clarke’s men will now face a relegation play-off in March next year against one of the second-placed sides from Group B and will either be second or third seeds for the World Cup draw next month.

Scotland took the lead just three minutes into the encounter at PGE Narodowy when Billy Gilmour cut the Polish defence open with an excellent pass to Ben Doak, who in turn fed John McGinn to side-foot calmly for the opener.

Both teams fashioned plenty of chances in an action-packed, entertaining game – but it was Poland who found the net next on 59 minutes. The ball was worked out to right-back Kamil Piatkowski and he arrowed it high past Craig Gordon for the leveller.

Captain Andy Robertson, however, had the final say for Scotland in stoppage time as he bulleted in a header to give the Scots a big win.

We give each Scotland player a mark out of ten and assess their performance in Warsaw.

1. Craig Gordon

Made two very smart saves in the first half to deny Karol Swiderski and Adam Buska, but could do absolutely nothing about the rocket unleashed by Kamil Piatkowski on 59 minutes that restored parity. A composed presence between the sticks. 8 | PA

2. Anthony Ralston

Put under a lot of pressure down his right flank by the lively Jakub Kaminski but stood up to the task. Was keen to support Ben Doak in attack with overlapping and underlapping runs. By 76 minutes the Celtic man had emptied the tank, and was replaced by Nicky Devlin. 7.5 | AFP via Getty Images

3. John Souttar

Very solid first half and right at the start of the second period, make an extraordinary block to deny Jakub Kaminski right on the goalline. Swung in a tantalising cross for Andy Robertson to head in the winner. The Rangers’ centre-half is making up for lost time as a Scotland mainstay now. 9 | PA

4. Grant Hanley

Dug in admirably under severe pressure from some lively Polish forwards, especially as the hosts were able to slice through the Scotland midfield at will at times. Can be pleased with his night’s work considering his minutes at club level have been very limited. 8 | PA

Footyheadlines tease release of iconic Celtic away shirt

LONDON, ENGLAND – AUGUST 01: Carlos Vela of Arsenal is challenged by Andreas Hinkel of Celtic during the Emirates Cup match between Arsenal and Celtic at Emirates Stadium on August 1, 2010 in London, England. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)

Celtic fans will see a familiar iconic away shirt return to the pitch next season. The iconic German kit manufacturer has produced Celtic’s kits since 2020 and they’ll be looking to put their own spin on the classic away shirt.

FootyHeadlines have posted a teasing update on Twitter/X that the Scottish Champions will welcome back the Bumblee Bee Hoops.

— Footy Headlines (@Footy_Headlines) November 18, 2024

Adidas and the club are expected to announce an extension to their record breaking deal in the coming months. It is a deal that will see Celtic become one of Adidas’ ‘Elite’ clubs. Celtic will be elevated to join existing elite clubs Real Madrid, Arsenal, Manchester United, Juventus and Bayern Munich. It is certainly esteemed company for Celtic.

Adidas have decided that Celtic’s incredible commercial success during their partnership warrants the upgrade to an elite club. Celtic are in the top 20 for best selling shirts in world football, a place that befits the global status of the club. However, the aim for Brendan and his team are to close the gap between his side and the elite clubs on the pitch.

Celtic’s left back dilemmas and uncertainties

Brendan Rodgers of Celtic before the Scottish Premiership match between Celtic FC and Dundee FC at Celtic Park on October 30, 2024 . (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

Kieran Tierney to return if talk of Valle recall is true? Contrary talk of Celtic speaking to Barcelona about a permanent deal for young Alex who has certainly impressed…

Brendan Rodgers at Rugby Park. Photo Vagelis Georgariou for The Celtic Star

As the weeks roll by it’s now just six weeks to Greg Taylor can speak to other clubs. What is happening at Celtic regarding our plans for that troublesome left back spot?

A Barca recall or a Celtic permanent deal?

There was talk recently of Alex Valle being recalled by Barcelona as early as January, but fortunately all talk has went rather quiet, although that doesn’t mean that things aren’t going on in the background. According to Scottish Daily Mail last week, Celtic were actually planning to open negotiations with Barcelona for the youngster.

Alex Valle competes for the ball with Marten De Roon during the UEFA Champions League match between Atalanta BC and Celtic FC at Stadio di Bergamo on October 23, 2024. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)

A lowish buy-out clause

Much will depend on Valle’s own take on things. Is first team football on the cards back at Barca or is his development best served playing first team – and Champions League football under Brendan Rodgers at Celtic. Valle has apparently a lowish buy-out clause in his contract so if he wants to come to Celtic it should happen.

The young left back is a very accomplished player and you can see why Barcelona supporters were bemused that he was sent out on loan. It’s not a given that he will see out his entire loan spell in Glasgow but on the other hand he might be retained on a permanent contract. If that’s likely Brendan will be looking at playing Valle as much as possible.

Celtic v RB Leipzig, 05 11 2024, Celtic Park, , UEFA Champions League, Matchday 4 , Celtic Glasgow vs RB Leipzig Greg Taylor and Cameron Carter Vickers. Photo Imago (The Celtic Star)

Time running out for a Taylor deal 

Then there’s Greg Taylor, an important and long established member of the Celtic first team who has won four Scottish Premiership titles, three Scottish Cups and two League Cups since signing from Kilmarnock in 2019.

Taylor has never been among the top earners at the club and apparently reckons it’s time that he was. Maybe Celtic’s don’t fancy the kind of pay rise that the player’s agent has in mind and there’s been a stalemate for a long time now. Brendan Rodgers has always praised Taylor and insists that he wants him to remain at the club as a valuable player in the dressing room and on the park. But if it’s not going to happen that’s also fine but the manager wants to know in order to make alternative plans.

Alex Valle in action for Celtic at Fir Park. Photo Vagelis Georgariou for The Celtic Star

Left back will be Brendan’s priority position in January 

Should Alex Valle be recalled in January, it would mean signing a left back would be our biggest priority in the upcoming transfer window. With only Greg Taylor available it would leave us exposed in an area we have struggled to strengthen in years gone by.  And of course the nightmare scenario is Valle gets recalled, Taylor signs a pre-contract with a club in England and Brendan will be facing having no first team left backs in the squad come the summer.

Hibernian v Celtic . Alexandro Bernabei of Celtic after the cinch Scottish Premiership match between Hibernian and Celtic at Easter Road on 7 February 2024. Photo Malcolm Mackenzie PSI

Bernabei likely to be sold for decent money 

Alexandro Bernabei isn’t fancied by Brendan and is nearing the exit door, although the club have certainly landed on their feet with him as there are now multiple clubs in South America after his signature.

We do have young Matthew Anderson who is currently on loan at Admira Wacker although like Valle, he would have to cut his loan spell short in Austria. Mitchel Frame is also an option, but we need experience in that area especially with the chance of advancing in Europe still a possibility.

Tierney attended a Celtic FC Foundation event in London last week, seen here with Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers. Photo Celtic FC

So could a loan deal for Kieran Tierney be on the cards? KT has been touted for a return to Celtic Park since last year, but his injury at the euros put an end to that rumour. However with KT close to regaining full fitness, and surplus to requirements at Arsenal, could that tempt Brendan to bring him back to Celtic, on a temporary basis at least? Can KT set out his ongoing injury problems will be a dilemma for the staff at Lennoxtown and ultimately Brendan Rodgers will have to make a judgement call on that.

KT on a loan with an option to buy in the summer 

An option to buy in the summer, with the prospect of getting Tierney off their wage-bill might suit Arsenal and the player himself would have to be realistic about the money that Celtic could afford to pay him. After his lucrative time at Arsenal, KT might just want to play football again, especially for Celtic , but essentially anywhere where he is valued.

Kieran Tierney of Arsenal breaks away from Daniel Podence of Woverhampton Wanderers during the Premier League match between Arsenal and Wolverhampton Wanderers at Emirates Stadium on February 24, 2022. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)

A head scratcher for Brendan 

This year has been notable for Brendan Rodgers addressing key positions in the team that need strengthening and he has certainly been successful in his endeavours.  His main priority come January is going to be forward planning for the left back position and he will be looking at two players either from the aforementioned names or new signings not yet been linked with a move to the Hoops.

Just an Ordinary Bhoy

Matt Corr’s wonderful new books, Celtic in the Thirties, Volumes One & Two are both out now on Celtic Star Books and you can order a signed copies by clicking on the links below…

Emergence of Alistair Johnston is proof that there are diamonds in Canada’s soccer rough

Men’s national team benefiting from his growth in Scottish Premiership

Alistair Johnston, wearing the captain’s armband, celebrates his goal while playing for Glasgow Celtic in a game on Oct. 30 in Scotland. (Getty Images)

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Alistair Johnston sat in a Toronto hotel lobby on Sunday, still a little bleary-eyed from the seven-hour flight home from Suriname, where he earned his 50th cap for Canada in fitting fashion last week: a 1-0 win in sweltering conditions in a country he struggled to find on a map.

My goodness, it borders Brazil, he thought when he discovered it.

The 26-year-old Johnston has made an equally surprising arrival on the soccer scene.

In 2019, he was playing collegiate soccer at Wake Forest and spending his summer with Vaughan Azzurri in League1 Ontario. Five years later, he is a principal actor in the Canadian men’s return to form and recently captained Scottish club giant Celtic.

“A perfect day,” he said of his afternoon with the armband, a 3-0 win over Motherwell in which he scored for good measure. “The outpouring of love and support I got from Celtic fans and back here, it felt like such an important and special thing.”

In Europe, most future stars sign contracts when they’re as young as eight. The same is becoming true in Canada, where virtually all national youth team picks play in Major League Soccer academies. Talented children on the outside can feel like they’re hopelessly behind.

Johnston is proof they are not.

“I was never silver spooned like that,” he said. “I just really loved the sport. If you are a good player, a good person, you work hard and do all the right things, you will get opportunities. People will see you. It doesn’t really matter where you are.”

Johnston was a key part of Canada’s success at this summer’s Copa America tournament. (Getty Images)

His slow build was helpful in some ways. He had always been a midfielder, but during his senior year in college he was converted to fullback, a position of constant, considerable evolution. At 21, he was still an amateur in every sense.

He excelled in his new role, accelerating his progress enough to see him picked 11th overall by Nashville in the MLS draft. After just two seasons there, and one with CF Montreal, he was off to Scotland.

His rise within the Canadian ranks was somehow quicker.

“Alistair is a huge part of what we’re doing,” men’s coach Jesse Marsch said. “We all know that as a leader and as a player that he’s getting better and better and bigger and bigger in terms of what he means to us.”

The relationship between club and country can sometimes be fraught, especially when massive sides like Celtic have a shared stake in a talent.

Johnston’s twin emergence as a professional and an international has been instructive, happily closer to symbiotic: His play for Canada improved with each new competitive level; in turn, his appearances for Canada boosted his profile, granting him better opportunities.

“It’s helped me so much being on a bigger stage,” Johnston said.

For many soccer fans, Johnston came into view three years ago when Canada hosted Costa Rica and Mexico in cold and snowy Edmonton. He was a revelation during the famed “Iceteca” win over Mexico in particular — defensively sound, an attacking threat, and a leader on and off the pitch.

In the heated days before the World Cup in Qatar in 2022, Celtic bit before his stock could rise even higher. Shortly before Canada’s opening match against Belgium, Johnston spent four hours in Doha getting MRIs to pass the club’s medical.

“It was a lot going on at once,” he said.

Johnston got his first taste of World Cup action at the 2022 tournament in Qatar.

He had been cagey at a World Cup news conference when rumours of his impending move to Scotland first surfaced, confessing only that his phone had suddenly blown up.

Now his career has followed — and with it, he hopes, Canada’s reputation as a producer of all-world soccer talent.

He pointed to last summer’s three-game gauntlet against the Netherlands, France, and Argentina as the sort of high-profile string that generations of Canadian players could only dream of experiencing.

“It keeps pushing the Canadian passport further up the ranks,” Johnston said. “That’s the whole point of growing the game in this country.”

As if on cue, his teammates began pouring out of the hotel elevators behind him. A bus waited for them outside, ready to take them to train for Tuesday’s home leg of their CONCACAF Nations League quarterfinal with now-familiar Suriname.

Asked how many caps he thought he might earn when he was young, Johnston laughed. “One? Maybe ten if I was lucky.”

Instead, he’s on 50.

“It’s not lost on me, that number,” he said, before he lifted himself out of his chair and set off to earn his 51st, knowing better than most what it means to be found.

Honest Mistake and goalkeeper error settle Glasgow Derby

Saoirse Noonan celebrates, Celtic v theRangers, 17 November 2024. Photo AJ (The Celtic Star)

Hard luck for Elena Sadiku’s Celtic side. It seems that theRangers also benefit from extraordinary refereeing decisions in the women’s game…

Elena Sadiku gets sent off. Celtic v theRangers, 17 November 2024. Photo AJ (The Celtic Star)

It was a frustrating day for Elena Sadiku’s Celtic side yesterday as they fell to a home defeat to theRangers in a dramatic and controversial game at New Douglas Park in the SWPL1.

Celtic were hoping for a victory to keep up the pace with Glasgow City and the leapfrog theRangers but it didn’t go that way as we crashed to a 2-3 defeat.

In no way were we outclassed and the game in the end was decided on a very ‘dubious spot kick decision, which of course fell in favour of the Rangers.

Caitlin Hayes scores, Celtic v theRangers, 17 November 2024. Photo AJ (The Celtic Star)

If anything it was a foul to Celtic as the Sky cameras cleared demonstrated. TheRangers player clearly kicked Celtic midfielder Sharron McGregor’s foot, the referee had a decent view yet unbelievably could hide his excitement as he rush over pointing to the spot.

Elena herself was sent to the stands after receiving a red card for sarcastically applauding the referee after seeing one too many ‘dubious’ decisions go in favour of the side in blue.

Saoirse Noonan celebrates, Celtic v theRangers, 17 November 2024. Photo AJ (The Celtic Star)

A reminder that when the sides met at Broadwood Stadium last month and fought out a 2-2 draw, the Rangers goals came from an early goal where a player from theRangers was standing yards offside right in front of Kelsey Daugherty in the Celtic goals. The second goal for theRangers that day came from another penalty after Emma Leon blocked a cross with her arm – she was at least a yard outside the box.

Elena got booked that day for telling the referee that he had gifted two goals to theRangers.

It seems it doesn’t matter if it’s the men or women’s side, the Ibrox outfit always get the decisions going their way. Must be a coincidence eh?

Yesterday’s result means Elena’s side are now five points behind leaders Glasgow City, and four points behind second place theRangers.

Hopefully these decisions will ‘even themselves out’ as the season progresses (no laughing at the back)and along with our undoubted ability we will soon be back in a better position in terms of our title defence.

Kelsey Daugherty, Celtic v theRangers, 17 November 2024. Photo AJ (The Celtic Star)

Celtic got the game back level and had so many great chances to win it before an error from Daugherty gifted theRangers their undeserved winner. Kelsey was understandably gutted after her mistake but she is a top class keeper and has been a huge part in the success that the team has achieved.

Just an Ordinary Bhoy

Long road ahead for Engels

The road to Arne Engels becoming a permanent fixture in the Belgium national team will be a long one, but the player took a significant step towards that goal by starting both his country’s Nations League games in the last week.  Defeat at home to Italy and to Israel in Budapest is likely to mean manager Domenico Tedesco continues to experiment with his side, but our 21-year-old is head of the queue of a new generation of Belgium players.

This international break will be less memorable for Liam Scales, who received a harsh second yellow for Ireland at Wembley last night, precipitating an Irish collapse.  Celtic games come thick and fast after the break, Liam will have plenty of chance to put the disappointment behind him.

The Hearts v Celtic game this Saturday night is LIVE on Sky Sports.

Engurlund v IRELAND yesterday. Liam Scales was treated harshly by the Ref, who would probably argue that only applied the ” Letter of the Law” when issuing the 2nd yellow card, and red card to LIAM.

Liam and Ireland were playing okay until that game changing moment IMHO.

However, I have seen a STILL PIC of Liams challenge in the Irish Penalty area that led to the Red Card……It was plain to see that the contact on Jude Bellingham was ” Minimal” at worst, but in the STILL PHOTO, Bellingham CLEARLY is doing his utmost to win a Penalty, as his Face is DISTORTED in supposed ” AGONY” at the point of falling down ???

In my eyes Bellingham is a CLEAR CHEAT, as there was NO WAY that there was any ” Force” in the contact, that would make anyone go down like that and in supposed ” AGONY”.

It looks to me that BELLINGHAM has been taking ” LESSONS” from that other CHEAT….HARRY KANE ?

I am surprised that Liam Scales didnt appear to have some choice words for Bellingham after his DIVE, as he made his way off the Pitch !

Carsley signs off caretaker stint in style as England thrash Ireland to seal top tier return

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Temporary head coach Lee Carsley has signed off in style as England capitalised on Liam Scales’ sending off in a 5-0 thrashing of the Republic of Ireland that sealed promotion back to the Nations League top tier.

The 17th and final fixture of a year that saw the national team reach another European Championship final marked the end of the Under-21s coach’s six-game stint as Gareth Southgate’s stand-in.

Thomas Tuchel begins his quest to win the 2026 World Cup in the new year and takes over on the back of Nations League elevation after Carsley oversaw a comfortable win against the country he represented as a player.

Carsley said: “I wanted the England team to be exciting to watch, be attacking. I see them day in, day out on the training ground and now people have seen it.

Football

“It’s given the staff and myself the confidence we can do the job. You always doubt yourself, whether you could do it or not.

“There’s a lot of England managers sat in the house picking the team and to have the responsibility to do that and the trust from my bosses has been a massive boost of confidence.”

Heimir Hallgrimsson’s Ireland had started well and frustrated England in the first half, only to spiral after Scales received his second yellow card for bringing down Jude Bellingham in the penalty area shortly after half-time.

Captain Harry Kane, back in the starting line-up, struck home the resulting penalty, with Anthony Gordon then lashing in and Conor Gallagher scoring from close range just as Group B2 rivals Greece took the lead in Finland.

Substitute Jarrod Bowen netted with his first touch and fellow introduction Taylor Harwood-Bellis completed a dream debut by heading in to wrap up a win that saw Carsley’s men top the pool.

Greece, who went on to beat Finland 2-0, finished level on 15 points but England’s 3-0 win in Athens on Thursday meant they boasted a superior head-to-head record.

England score FIVE second-half goals to seal promotion to League A of the Nations League ????????????????????????????

— Optus Sport (@OptusSport) November 17, 2024

Kane, who described Carsley as “top drawer”, said: “Two tough games, we got the job done away in Greece and we had to finish it here today. It was a tough first half and we came out in the second half with a lot more energy and finished it off.”

Erling Haaland leads the Nations League scoring charts after hitting a hat trick in Norway’s 5-0 win against Kazakhastan.

The Manchester City striker took his total to seven goals and is two clear of Viktor Gyokeres, Cristiano Ronaldo and Benjamin Sesko, who are all tied on five.

Norway were promoted to the top tier, ahead of second-place Austria, who drew 1-1 with Slovenia.

Heimir Hallgrímsson Made No Excuses In Assessment Of Humbling By England

Ireland’s bubble of tentative optimism under Heimir Hallgrímsson was resoundingly burst on Sunday evening, as five second-half goals saw England romp to victory in Wembley.

Liam Scales’ sending-off was the pivotal moment in the game, after a brilliant first-half performance when Ireland genuinely threatened to get a massive result out of the game.

The wheels firmly came off any semblance of structure for Ireland after Scales’ dismissal, with England capitalising in demoralising fashion.

Thus far under Heimir Hallgrímsson, progress has been steady. The first window saw disastrous back-to-back 2-0 defeats to England and Greece, before a win in Helsinki and an improved performance in Athens sparked hope in the head coach’s plan.

Though Thursday’s win over Finland was at times nervy, Ireland fans would have reasonably been hoping for another big result as they put in their best 45 of the Heimir era in the first half at Wembley on Sunday evening.

After the bubble burst in the second half, Hallgrímsson did not shy away from the reality of the result in London, refusing to allow any excuses to be made for the 5-0 defeat.

Heimir Hallgrímsson had brutally honest reflection on humbling at Wembley

There were plenty of “what if?” questions attached to Sunday’s drubbing for Ireland. The red card handed out to Liam Scales is the obvious one, with Ireland losing all form of control after going down to 10 men.

Despite the red card being instrumental in the outcome of Sunday’ game, Ireland head coach Heimir Hallgrímsson refused to make excuses.

🏴󐁧󐁢󐁥󐁮󐁧󐁿 5-0 🇮🇪
‘It was six minutes, eight minutes of madness… It was a lot of shock.’
Ireland head coach Heimir Hallgrimsson says his side ‘lost their heads’ in the second half

— RTÉ Sport (@RTEsport) November 17, 2024

Speaking to RTÉ immediately after full-time, Hallgrímsson said that the result had to be the main sticking point of Sunday’s game, regardless of any positives related to the first half performance.

First half was like we wanted it yes but it’s easy to say, ‘We had a good first half.’ When you lose 5-0, there’s nothing basically that you can say.

It was six minutes, eight minutes of madness. Ending up with the penalty…losing the ball is one thing, not reacting to it is another, then conceding a penalty and losing a player. It was a lot of shock 1-0 down and then, in your face, you get the second one. I just felt that we lost our heads after that moment…there was no way back.

[We] kind of just gave up. It’s easy to stand outside and criticise the players but it was kind of a crazy moment that killed everything – not only the gameplan but the momentum, the fight.

There’s hardly anything I can say now. You try and pick the positives and the positives was the first half.

Ireland could feel hard done by not to have been in front before everything fell apart in the second half.

Both Evan Ferguson and Sammie Szmodics had penalty shouts in the first period. In the case of Ferguson in particular, it was hard to fathom why a penalty was not awarded.

Despite agreeing that Ferguson should have had a penalty, Hallgrímsson said that the team could not use the incident as an excuse after such a chastening result.

Like I said before, complaining about some things when you lose 5-0…you shouldn’t do it.

Things like this happen, sadly for us it just totally changed the momentum of the game and, from then on, it was tough.

The Irish support were wonderfully vocal in Wembley despite the outcome, with the Fields of Athenry blaring around the famous cauldron throughout.

Heimir Hallgrímsson saved his final words for those who had made the trip to London.

“The only thing you can say is sorry to the fans, [they were] fantastic again,” Hallgrímsson said. “The Irish fans, even after losing, they cheer the players on. It’s just amazing. The only thing you can say is sorry.”

Celtic defender Liam Scales sent off at Wembley as Ireland defeated

RECORD DATE NOT STATED 13th October 2023 Aviva Stadium, Dublin, Ireland International Football Group B Euro 2024 Qualifier, Republic of Ireland versus Greece Liam Scales of Ireland after the full time whistle PUBLICATIONxNOTxINxUK ActionPlus12564113 PeterxFitzpatrick

Celtic defender Liam Scales was sent off in Ireland’s UEFA Nations League defeat at Wembley. The central defender was shown a second yellow after 51 minutes as Jude Bellingham went down in the box. Scales was sent off as Harry Kane stepped up and converted from the spot.

The ten men of Ireland were then up against it as Ireland scored four without reply. It is a disappointment for Scales, who was performing well as the left sided centre half for Ireland’s back five.

Once the International Break ends – the last one until March – focus will return to Celtic’s efforts to complete on all fronts and to collect the first trophy of the season.

Celtic return to domestic action on Saturday night against Hearts at Tynecastle. Scales will be looking to continue working hard and putting pressure on Trusty and Carter-Vickers, who appear to be the manager preferred partnership.

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.

The Ange Postecoglou era was a memorable one for Celtic fans.

Brought in from J-League side Yokohama F. Marinos, not many knew who Postecoglou was, but it didn’t take him too long to make himself known.

It needs to be remembered that Celtic were in a bit of a mess, for the first time in a long time, they weren’t champions and there were off-field issues.

But that’s when Postecoglou worked his magic and the Bhoys were playing some of the best football fans have seen for a long time.

Rightfully so, the manager himself, and his new Japanese stars, amongst many others, were making headlines and delivering trophies for fun.

But there might have been a moment under Postecoglou at Celtic that was forgotten about and that’s the release of Leigh Griffiths.

Tony Docherty shares insight into Leigh Griffiths

Griffiths scored goals for Celtic and won the trophies, but the sense is that he could and should have done a lot more.

One thing is for sure, the latter stages of his career at Parkhead just drifted away and that’s when Postecoglou opted to let him go as his contract was coming to an end in 2022.

But  man who saw him up close and personal in Scotland colours was Tony Docherty and how he had never seen anything like the left-footed goalscorer.

The Dundee manager expressed how he was blown away by the striker and his ‘unbelievable technique’, as he told PLZ Soccer.

“Leigh Griffiths, my experience with Scotland, Leigh Griffiths struck the ball differently from everybody,” said Docherty. “He had an unbelievable technique with striking the ball with his left foot.

“I remember he used to go after training. Him and Craig Gordon would stay out and there would just be free-kicks. There were the two when I came away from my experience in Scotland where I thought ‘pfff, that’s different from what I have seen at a club level’.”

Griffiths’ Celtic career in numbers

On the international stage, Griffiths played 22 matches for his country, scoring four goals and you feel it should have been more for the talents he had.

Now 34, he is now playing in Australia for Mandurah City and probably wonders what could have been.

But during his days at Celtic, there were still moments to remember, with over 100 goals to his name, as posted by Transfermarkt.

Kelvin Wilson spent two years at Celtic and won three trophies.

It barely took him two minutes to learn just how big a club it really is.

The Englishman had spent time in the Championship down south with the likes of Nottingham Forest and Preston North End but it was not until his Glasgow stint where he discovered what a massive club really is like.

It remains difficult for the 39-year-old to explain to doubters or cynics the expectations at Parkhead or the demands of the fanbase.

Scottish football has forever been disrespected and disregarded by the more arrogant of English pundits as well as fans of even the smaller Premier League sides.

But Wilson has never shared that view.

If anything, all his time in Scotland did was prove to him just how big the Hoops are as an entity and global brand.

Wilson even recalls one afternoon in particular which proved he’d taken a gargantuan step up after a win in the Scottish Premiership was treated like a defeat.

Kelvin Wilson gets frustrated at explaining how big a football club Celtic is

Since that day he knew what to expect and how to handle it and he has found it tough to explain that to anyone who needs told just what Celtic is like as a culture.

Speaking to The Celtic Way, Wilson said: “It gets frustrating trying to explain to people just how big Celtic are as an entity and a club.

“You can’t just win a game 1-0 at a club like Celtic. I remember when we squeaked a game 2-1 and I was thinking at least we’d won the match. We got slaughtered in the papers and I had just signed and that was the first time I realised that you had to play ‘The Celtic Way’ so to speak.

“I was thinking ‘Wait a minute, we’ve won the game’ but that was not enough.

What Wilson said about his time in the Glasgow ‘goldfish bowl’

“The difference between just winning the game and playing ‘The Celtic Way’ was a massive thing for both the fans and media alike.

“The whole goldfish bowl of Glasgow was another thing that was a new experience for me. I keep myself to myself and I have a very low social media profile as that’s the way I like it.

“I don’t thrive off attention that way and that was a massive shock to the system.

“Going for meals was difficult as fans would always want to talk and I totally understand that as I was a football supporter too growing up and some people just get starstruck at times.

“It took a bit of getting used to, let me tell you.”

Lennon Miller tells Celtic and Rangers his non negotiable as Ibrox trump card named amid £4m Motherwell transfer race

Dad Lee regularly runs through scenarios with the Steelmen starlet and it’s good news for the Fir Park club

Celtic and Rangers have reportedly been told to stump up £4million to snap up Lennon Miller from Motherwell.

But the Glasgow giants may already know the answer from the wonderkid about where he sees his future – with dad Lee already dropping a major clue. The Fir Park talent continues to impress weekly under Stuart Kettlewell and recently took on the armband at Hampden in the Premier Sports Cup semi-final in a major show of faith in the 18-year-old.

Reports now suggest that both Celtic and Rangers are considering moves for the youngster – but the Steelmen are looking to smash their record sale if the 18-year-old leaves Lanarkshire in the January window. The Steelmen bagged £3million from the Hoops for David Turnbull in 2020 and look set to surpass that figure for Miller – who has a contract at the Premiership club until 2026.

But ex-striker Lee – who played for the likes of Aberdeen, Hearts and Middlesbrough during his career – told PLZ Soccer in September that the youngster was focussed on a suitable environment to develop. Detailing how he turned down the Old Firm before, he said: “There has always been talk of Rangers and Celtic being in for Lennon, since he was 10 or 11 years old. We have always maintained ‘look, you are in the right place, you are thriving’ – and I think playing on a smile on your face and having people you trust and enjoy playing football with is really important.”

He also noted that first-team minutes was the most valuable thing to Miller at this stage of his career: “He’s not interested in going anywhere else right now in terms of he wants to rack up as many games as possible. Yeah, that time will probably come, and he wants to play at the highest level, Lennon.

“But I go through different scenarios with him all the time. ‘Think if this happened, this could happen’ in different situations. And he’s got ambition, he’s got massive ambition, he wants to be a Scottish international, play at the highest level. The way he’s going just now he will do that, but there’s no rush for that, and he understands that as well.”

He told Go Radio: “Lennon Miller has had a fantastic season and currently I think he could walk into the Rangers midfield area and continue to play there for his development [which] would be ongoing. Interesting time for Lennon Miller in terms of the decisions.

“There has got to be a lot of interest. It’s not just from Celtic and Rangers there are likely to be a lot of other interested clubs.

“But I think the benefit of playing games has been really crucial for him and he will look to find a similar situation where he is continuing to play matches. Motherwell are going to cash in at some stage whether that is January we will find out soon enough.”

‘Such Pressure’ – Celtic Out-on-loan Star Feeling Benefits Of Bhoys Move

Celtic out-on-loan centre-back Gustaf Lagerbielke has insisted that his time at Celtic Park has helped him hugely, due to being at a big club and playing under pressure.

The Bhoys loaned out the Swedish defender in the summer transfer window, sanctioning a temporary exit to Dutch club FC Twente, as he sought game time.

At Celtic, Lagerbielke struggled to win over boss Brendan Rodgers, who preferred Liam Scales and Cameron Carter-Vickers ahead of him, while Auston Trusty was also added to the mix in the summer.

Lagerbielke recalled pre-season with the Bhoys, with games against some of the top sides in the world.

“It was instructive to play at such a big club under such pressure”, Lagerbielke told Swedish outlet Fotbollskanalen.

“During pre-season we also faced teams like [Manchester] City and Chelsea.

“It’s been great to be part of such a big organisation.

“It has helped me a lot when I came to Holland, to deal with it.”

Regular game time has so far been tough for Lagerbielke to secure in the Netherlands and he has played just 124 minutes of football for Twente in the Eredivisie.

He did get a run out in Twente’s Europa League visit to Manchester United in September, a game which ended 1-1.

Top News: Ronaldo and Messi agree on one thing when it comes to Celtic – 20 A-listers rave about a Paradise without compare

The Hoops’ home is regarded by a gallery of the finest players of this generation as the best in the world

Celtic Park

Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo have tasted defeat there. So have Paolo Maldini, Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Andres Iniesta – the list goes on. But regardless of the result they have all come to the same conclusion once the adrenaline wore off – Celtic Park is truly special.

Once the Champions League anthem hits the airwaves, the supporters draped in green and white become completely different animals. The Bhoys grow 10 feet taller as the Hoops fans’ roar shakes the stadium down to its very foundation while the famous song reaches its heavenly crescendo. The players spread to all corners of their half, bathed under the sharp floodlights. The pulsating atmosphere has created memories to last a lifetime for both home fans and visiting rivals.

The house Fergus McCann built has overtaken many famous grounds, including the likes of the San Siro, Anfield and Camp Nou as the zenith of footballing fever pitch for many of the world’s greats. Record Sport has delved into the archives to recall the ultimate recognition for one of European football’s most iconic grounds.

Celtic’s iconic atmosphere in quotes

Xavi

“The atmosphere generated by the fans in Celtic’s stadium for our visit was the most impressive I’ve ever witnessed. The grounds of Liverpool and Manchester United are good and the hostile feeling of playing against Real Madrid in the Bernabeu is also excellent, but the atmosphere against Celtic was the best.”

“When you step out at Celtic Park, the atmosphere they create for their team is incredible. It doesn’t matter how many big games you have played in.

“Walking out into that atmosphere is always intense. I don’t think I have seen anything like the Celtic fans in all the stadiums I have played.”

Paolo Maldini

“Every professional footballer should seek to play at least one game at Celtic Park. I have never felt anything like it.”

Paolo Maldini of AC Milan at Celtic Park in 2007. SNS Group. (Image: GLPDUnknown)

Lionel Messi

“I’ve been fortunate to play in some great stadiums in Europe with Barcelona but none compare to Celtic. The atmosphere their fans create make it a very special European night of football.”

Nemanja Vidic

“Every game I have played in Turkey stands out for passion created by the fans – but the best has been at Celtic Park.”

Oliver Kahn

“The atmosphere here tonight was unbelievable and it’s an honour to play in such an arena.”

Cesc Fabregas

“Celtic has great commitment and those supporters behind them gives them a chance against anyone. We knew what we were coming into and what we would be up against. For me it is always special to play in that fantastic stadium and to experience that atmosphere. We were privileged to be there.”

Gianluigi Buffon

“Playing in the Champions League allows you to experience the most exciting venues in Europe. And when you are young, you take it for granted because many other experiences lie in front of you. But the older you become, you understand that there are things that you may not experience again.”

“The incredible thing was the people, for an opposition player it is quite incredible, I have not seen a better atmosphere from the grounds I have visited.”

Owen Hargreaves

“When we played at Celtic Park for Bayern in the Champions League it was unbelievable and I think all our players said the same thing afterwards. The atmosphere was just totally unique. I’ve played in lots of big games and stadiums but I’ve never witnessed fans making that much noise in 90 minutes.”

Santiago Canizares

“The Celtic fans are amazing in the way they get behind their team.”

Gerard Pique

“The atmosphere at Celtic Park is the best in Europe.”

Karl-Heinz Ruminegge

“That was a football experience of pure culture. Throughout the night we felt goosebumps. It was an atmosphere that felt a bit like the old days. It was a terrific night.”

Toni Kroos

“I was being asked several times which (away) stadium is my favourite. And there is a new number one, I can tell you, Celtic Park. It has been just crazy! We came out, and the atmosphere was good. The Champions League anthem started, and I thought the stadium was going to collapse. Unbelievable, I had never experienced anything like that.”

Frank De Boer

“It’s up there with Madrid and Camp Nou. They are an example how to run a club.”

Zlatan Ibrahimovic

“Then when I got out on the pitch and the match began, I tried to communicate with my team but I heard nothing. The audience had such a mood. I did not hear what my teammates said if they called me because it was such a beautiful and awesome atmosphere. It’s probably the best I have seen on the pitch.”

Cristiano Ronaldo

“The Celtic fans are incredible. It is always great to play there.”

Celtic versus Manchester United in November 2008. PIC: CRAIG HALKETT (Image: CRAIG HALKETT)

Andres Iniesta

“The Celtic fans are very special and the club and players can be very proud of them. They are the best I have ever heard.”

Wayne Rooney

“It is inspiring and intimidating. It’s a stadium with a particular atmosphere you want to experience as a player.”

Eidur Gudjohnson

When I signed for Bolton they presented me to the crowd before the Jimmy Phillips testimonial. The Celtic fans made an impression on me because there were more of them than Bolton supporters at that game. Celtic are popular for testimonials because everyone knows they will fill the stadium – and I’ve always had great admiration of them. Their fans have a reputation as one of the best and that’s on merit because of the great atmosphere they create.”

Samuel Eto’o

“This place makes the hairs on the back of your neck stand up, there is nowhere like it in football, and I can see how the people love to play here and speak so highly of it.”

What the Celtic XI could look like if Rodgers changed every player as frightening squad depth on full show

Celtic have plenty of players on their books – and an alternate XI still looks frightening.

They have bulging squad depth but just what would a Celtic XI look like if you swapped out every player from their last team?

Brendan Rodgers’ side have set the standard alongside Aberdeen in the Premiership this season, winning all but one of their league matches, a draw against the Dons. They are into the final of the Premier Sports Cup where they will meet Rangers and have seven points from four games in the Champions League phase.

The likes of Nicolas Kuhn has hit form after arriving in January while Arne Engels and Adam Idah arrived for big money in the summer. Then there’s the reliable stars like Callum McGregor and Greg Taylor still at the forefront of Rodgers’ plans.

Last time out, Celtic won 2-0 against Kilmarnock thanks to goals from the captain and Kuhn. This was their starting XI on the day at Rugby Park…

Schmeichel, Johnston, Trusty, Scales, Taylor, Engels, McGregor, Hatate, Kuhn, Idah, Maeda.

So what does it looks like you change the entire team? In goals is Viljami Sinisalo, a young talent brought in from Aston Villa. Anthony Ralston is a Scotland international and fills in at right-back, while Carter-Vickers comes in for Auston Trusty. A regular starter, he wasn’t risked on the astro.

Alongside the American is Stephen Welsh with Barcelona loanee Alex Valle in for Taylor. So impressive have his performances been that Barca are said to be considering a potential recall in January. Paulo Bernardo is in for Engels and McGregor is out for Luke McCowan, who has been a bargain signing from Dundee so far.

Finally, Hatate would be replaced by Odin Thiago Holm in our hypothetical team, so the Norwegian’s calf injury isn’t applying here. Kuhn comes out for constant trophy winner James Forrest, talisman Kyogo is selected through the middle ahead of £9.5m Adam Idah and Luis Palma is replacing Daizen Maeda. In truth, their second XI on this evidence could be enough to mount a title charge, a scary thought for teams far and wide in Scotland’s top flight.

Nicolas Kuhn has become Celtic’s main party trick this season as he continues to put on a series of excellent displays on the right flank.

Initially, the 24-year-old took time to ignite at Parkhead after joining from Rapid Vienna in a £2.8 million deal back in January, but it is safe to say Brendan Rodgers will now be delighted with his progress.

Coming to the fore after a strong pre-season, Nicolas Kuhn’s fantastic Celtic form has seen the former RB Leipzig man net ten times and lay on 11 assists in his opening 17 appearances of the campaign.

His most notable contribution was a double against his old employers in the Champions League. Still, in truth, there has been no real downside for the tricky winger over the last few months as he becomes the latest to emerge from the conveyor belt of intelligently identified Bhoys’ talent.

With his form attracting attention, Chris Sutton has made a big prediction involving Kuhn and also moved to warn Celtic about a scenario he feels can’t be allowed to happen.

Chris Sutton makes big Nicolas Kuhn Celtic prediction

Writing in his column for The Daily Record, Sutton warned Celtic that they cannot allow any notion of a Kuhn departure in January, while he also ‘wouldn’t be shocked’ if he eventually became the Bhoys’ most expensive sale of all-time.

He stated: “Kuhn will know there will be a time when Celtic will cash in and agree to let him go. He only needs to look at the Matt O’Riley situation. O’Riley may have been tempted by the likes of Atletico Madrid and Atalanta but Celtic remained firm in their valuation and the player kept his head down and kept working hard for the side.

“Eventually he and the club got their rewards. It’ll be the same for Kuhn. The way he’s going, he’s a cert for player of the year in Scotland and he’s going to be competing for silverware and against the top sides in Europe. There’s no need for him to jump ship right now. Sit tight and keep progressing and the big move will come.

“It’s still early days, but Kuhn already looks destined to become the next record-breaking transfer fee, and while I’d be stunned if he left in January, I wouldn’t be shocked if he does eventually go for even more than O’Riley, Jota and Kieran Tierney’s £25m fees. Big money is on the way for the German – but just not yet.”

Celtic won’t entertain any bids for Nicolas Kuhn

Celtic have Kuhn under contract until 2029, so any interest in his services will likely be given the cold shoulder in January by the reigning Scottish Premiership champions.

Eventually, his time will come in that respect if his form continues, but the Bhoys are in the frame for silverware and flying in the Champions League. How many of his potential suitors could offer him the same at this point?

You already know the answer to that. Kuhn has turned out to be a fantastic addition, and long may his exploits continue.

Luis Palma is the man of the moment at Celtic right now after his two goals for Honduras took down Mexico today.

The Celtic winger has been struggling for minutes under Brendan Rodgers and started Honduras’ CONCACAF Nations League quarter-final against the Mexicans on the bench.

However, brought on for the second half with the scores tied at 0-0, Palma opened the scoring with his first touch of the ball and then sealed the first-leg win with a beautifully placed shot past Guillermo Ochoa.

Palma drew the plaudits from the Honduran media for his goals and his manager Reinaldo Rueda shares what he told the Celtic winger before the big Mexico fixture.

Reinaldo Rueda praises ‘noble’ Celtic winger Luis Palma

The Honduras boss shared a conversation he had with the Celtic winger and explained why he was left out of the last Honduras national squad.

Rueda told Deportes TVC, “Yesterday I had a conversation with Luis and Justin [Arboleda], aware that we had to keep the scoreline and how they could come in to come back in the game. I’m happy with the result thanks to their characteristics.

“The challenge is to know how to assimilate this result. The Mexican national team is a very competitive team. Let this help us to keep believing, to keep growing, we have to support them, without shunning them.

“Luis (Palma) is a very noble guy, but he values his participation in the national team very much. That’s why I preferred that he didn’t come last time and today he came in with a great disposition.”

MORE CELTIC STORIES

[Translated with DeepL.com]

The problem for Luis Palma at Celtic

Luis Palma has the ability. Many Celtic fans don’t doubt that. He has already proven that he can be a very fine footballer on his day.

The problem for the Honduran is that despite that, he has two very fine wingers ahead of him in the pecking order in Daizen Maeda and Nicolas Kuhn.

So that means when he gets the chance to impress Brendan Rodgers he has to take it and cannot afford an off day.

Too often Palma looks like he’s disinterested which leads to frustration by the Celtic supporters from the stands and until he can find more consistency, the 24-year-old is going to spend much more time on the Celtic bench moving forward.

Martin O’Neill says Celtic fans ‘should have respected’ Remembrance silence and labels James McClean’s poppy stance ‘brave’

Wrexham’s James McClean during the Sky Bet League One match on Saturday November 9, 2024. Photo credit: Gary Oakley/PA Wire.

Former Celtic boss Martin O’Neill has said the club’s fans should not have disrupted a minute’s silence on Remembrance Day.

Some supporters booed and sang songs during the silence ahead of last Sunday’s game at Kilmarnock.

Suspected Green Brigade members at the fixture waved Irish and Palestinian flags, and let off fireworks.

Referee Nick Walsh called time on the minute’s silence after just nine seconds.

Supporters also sang a song about the death of Aidan McAnespie, who was shot and killed by a soldier at an Army checkpoint in Aughnacloy, Co Tyrone, in 1988.

Celtic boss Brendan Rodgers later condemned the disruption, saying fans should have respected the minute’s silence.

“Yes, they should. If it’s a minute’s silence, it’s a minute’s silence,” he said.

Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers acknowledges his side’s fans at the final whistle after their victory at The BBSP Stadium Rugby Park, Kilmarnock. Photo: Robert Perry/PA

Kilmarnock manager Derek McInnes also hit out at the ‘awful’ section of away supporters who jeered and chanted.

The matter was discussed by O’Neill and ex-Watford striker Troy Deeney on their Talksport radio show on Friday.

O’Neill, a former Northern Ireland captain from Kilrea, Co Derry, managed Celtic from 2000 to 2005.

He said others need to consider the historical reasons why some Celtic fans are uncomfortable about Remembrance events, but agreed the minute’s silence should have been observed.

Asked whether the same section of fans should be banned from travelling to certain games in the future, O’Neill said: “This is historical. Derek McInnes might have a point because I think there is an idea of having respect for a moment, and because it’s Kilmarnock’s home game.

“But this is historical. We’ve gone through this here before.. for a lot of Irish republicans and nationalists, the poppy does represent a bit of oppression.

“Way back, just after the First World War; in terms of the British Army; a group called the Black and Tans coming in and just running amok – these type of things have happened.

“And so that is historical, and that has had an effect.

“Young James McClean has taken a stance there, because of where he lives, and where he was brought up, and that’s completely understandable.”

James McClean of Wrexham stood away from his team-mates during Saturday’s minute silence before the game against Mansfield Town. Pic: Gary Oakley/PA Wire.

Asked should the section of fans have just remained silent, O’Neill added: “You should have respect for the moment… yes, just being silent. And I would go with that. But in terms of the wearing of the poppy, in terms of all of those particular things during it, there is that historical point.”

Deeney also discussed the matter, and was asked about McClean’s decision not to wear a poppy, while standing away from Wrexham team-mates while they observed a minute’s silence in their League One game last weekend.

Host Jim White said McClean made his point, without disrupting the silence.

Deeney said: “Everyone’s different. Those sections of people feel that they’re entitled to do what they wanted to do because of the arguments that Martin has just laid out.

“I feel that wherever I go in the world, I try and respect their religion or their ways of living.

“For literally one minute, I think you could hold your composure, but I can’t begrudge somebody because they think differently to me.

“I could just try and educate myself and understand why they think like that, and see if you can move to some form of resolution.

“But I’m 36 years old, these things are way before my time. I don’t know everything about it.

“I could speak to James McClean, because he gets dogs’ abuse for years now, and he still stands by what he believes in.

“He still, I think, shows a level of respect in terms of he doesn’t make any noise during the minute’s silence, and he does it in a way that I would consider is fair, but not everyone will believe that as well.

“So it’s difficult. It’s a difficult argument to have.”

McClean and O’Neill were together at Sunderland, where McClean’s decision not to wear a poppy angered some of the club’s fans.

O’Neill added: “James took the stance some years ago, realising that he was putting his career in jeopardy in the sense that he not only was going to be booed by away fans, but he was going to be booed by his home fans at Sunderland.

“And he went from, you know, from being a hero, where he did brilliantly, absolutely brilliantly, in his first season there to being booed at home. That’s very, very difficult to take, but he took that stance.

“I commend James for it. He’s a brave lad. He’s not only brave on the pitch, he’s brave off the pitch as well.”

Anthony Ralston is the gift that can’t be taken for granted at Celtic or with Scotland following another positive showing on the international stage against Croatia.

Despite only 232 minutes of action for the Bhoys this campaign, he continues to stand up during his country’s Nations League A campaign and has played every group stage game under Steve Clarke.

Last night, Scotland went into their penultimate clash knowing a win was the only option to keep their hopes of progression alive.

Ralston delivered a spirited showing against Croatia, forcing a clean sheet over the line as John McGinn’s late winner paid dividends.

With Scotland still having something to play for against Poland on Monday, Barry Ferguson has pointed out why Brendan Rodgers will love working with the Lennoxtown graduate on a daily basis.

Why Brendan Rodgers will love working with Anthony Ralston

Speaking on the Go Radio Football Show, Ferguson believes managers will love having Ralston at their disposal due to the fact he leaves ‘everything’ out on the pitch for club and country.

He stated: “Every time he’s been called upon, I think he’s done a fine job. I think he’s one of those players that managers love. He knows he’s not going to be the regular starter.

“For instance, at club football, he’s not going to play. Johnston is going to play in front of him. International football, he’s got Hickey and Patterson probably in front of him, but he’ll turn up whenever he is called upon.

“I think he’s done a good job. You know what you’re getting from him; he’ll give you everything he’s got.”

Anthony Ralston is showing his reliability on all fronts

Whether it be deputising at club level or coming in to feature for Scotland, Ralston never lets the side down and deserves credit for sticking to his task.

His existence at Celtic into the present day is a byproduct of hard work. Before Ange Postecoglou came to Parkhead, it appeared a certainty that he would leave without fulfilling his potential.

However, the power of recovery is a powerful tool in football that Ralston is reaping the rewards of three years down the line.

Scotland dreaming of possibilities again as true burden of the Tartan Army laid bare

Renewed Scottish optimism as Nations League fate set to be decided in Poland

All it took was one swing of John McGinn’s boot to change the entire discourse around the Scotland national team.

The conversation still centred around figures and statistics as Friday night gave way to Saturday morning. This time, though, the numbers were being crunched more optimistically. No longer simply an update on Scotland’s long winless streak – much of the year has been spent extending the matches and months since a competitive victory – the mood switched dramatically in the aftermath of beating Croatia, thanks to McGinn’s late deflected strike, to one of renewed hope and belief.

Perhaps that is the true burden that the Tartan Army carry. For there can’t be a nation anywhere else on earth so willing to get carried away on the back of the slightest positive development, even one victory carved out after a first half spent under the cosh before the red card arrived that changed the game and, an hour later, the mood of an entire country.

In an instant, the debate about the team’s decline and whether Steve Clarke was still the man to lead it was forgotten. Now Nations League rules and league tables were being consulted with all the thoroughness of a forensic team arriving at a murder scene. From the prior resigned acceptance that Scotland would be relegated from League A without a competitive victory to their name all year, now a possible alternative outcome was emerging and Scotland fans were not slow to get behind it.

Scotland’s Ryan Gauld during the 1-0 win over Croatia at Hampden. (Photo by Craig Williamson / SNS Group) | SNS Group

Could we yet finish second in the group, earn a Nations League quarter-final spot and, remarkably, a place among the top seeds for the World Cup draw? This was all giddy stuff although, in the cold light of morning, not as straightforward as it seemed to many on Friday night as the euphoria of finally seeing Scotland win again went straight to their heads.

First of all, Clarke’s players now need to go to Poland and win if they are to stave off relegation. Even a draw wouldn’t be enough given the Poles’ win at Hampden at the start of this tumultuous campaign that gives them the edge in the head-to-head comparisons.

A victory in Warsaw would guarantee at least a relegation play-off in March against one of the second-placed Nations League B teams, but only a simultaneous Portugal win over Croatia in Split would keep all those other dreamed-of targets on the table. It’s a big ask but, after months of relentless misery, few could blame the Scotland supporters for electing to seize upon the rare chance to focus on something positive.

Not that the Scotland players were getting carried away, of course. Professional athletes have an innate ability to keep grounded while everyone else is espousing speculative scenarios, the overriding emotion instead something more prosaic.

“I think it was a bit of relief as it had been so long since getting a win,” as Ryan Gauld conveyed the mood in the dressing room at full-time. “Just getting over the line, maybe not in the prettiest way, but getting the job done and being in with a fighting chance of still staying in the top group.”

Scotland’s Craig Gordon celebrates John McGinn’s goal that sealed a 1-0 win over Croatia at Hampden. (Photo by Craig Foy / SNS Group) | SNS Group

There was an undoubted irony that Scotland had finally won a game with one of their poorer recent performances, in the first half especially when Croatia had dominated until they had Petar Sucic sent off just before half-time. But given better displays earlier in the campaign had gone unrewarded, it was nice to see the tables finally turn.

“We’ve managed to grind out a win in the end,” said Craig Gordon who became the country’s fifth-most capped player after picking up number 78. “It wasn’t always pretty. I don’t think it was our best performance in the group. I think we’ve played better and lost matches. But it’s about winning.”

It was an achievement forged both out of robust, often unconventional, defending and a relentless commitment to attack. This was a second clean sheet in succession after also rebuffing Cristiano Ronaldo’s Portugal in the previous Hampden outing, a sign that a backline featuring a 41-year-old goalkeeper and Celtic’s second-choice right-back was starting to click.

“Two clean sheets is a good record,” confirmed Gordon. “We need to try and keep that going. It’s important we defend well because goals are difficult to come by at this level. It’s a really big test to score more than one goal. We’ve done it a few times and still not managed to get the win. Defensively, it needs to remain that way.”

Scotland head coach Steve Clarke embraces goal scorer John McGinn at full time. | SNS Group

Goalscorers tend to hog the headlines but one first-half save from Gordon, when he twisted his body to somehow get a toe to a goalbound shot, was just as important.

“The guy’s cut inside and the ball’s come through Soapy’s (John Souttar) legs,” he recalled. “That’s always the most difficult for a goalkeeper. Just as well I’m only 6ft 5. I managed to stretch out a long leg and the end of my big toe managed to slip it wide.”

An attack that grew in confidence the longer the game wore on was led by Ben Doak who tormented Josko Gvardiol down Scotland’s right in a virtuoso man-of-the-match performance.

“His pace is scary,” confirmed Lyndon Dykes, part of a second-half triple substitution that gave Scotland vital late impetus. “The experienced boys here have got him under their arm and he’s learning every day at training and working really hard. I’m sure he’s going to have a great Scotland career.”

The feelgood factor around the team could easily dissipate with a defeat in Warsaw tomorrow night but, finally, Scotland has earned the right to be optimistic once more.

“We’ve managed to get the first win in a while,” added Gordon. “And we want to try and back that up now. There will be a lot of talk of what the possibilities are in terms of the group. But we still need to win the match and see where that takes us.”

Ronaldo and Messi agree on one thing when it comes to Celtic – 20 A-listers rave about a Paradise without compare

The Hoops’ home is regarded by a gallery of the finest players of this generation as the best in the world

Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo have tasted defeat there. So have Paolo Maldini, Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Andres Iniesta – the list goes on. But regardless of the result they have all come to the same conclusion once the adrenaline wore off – Celtic Park is truly special.

Once the Champions League anthem hits the airwaves, the supporters draped in green and white become completely different animals. The Bhoys grow 10 feet taller as the Hoops fans’ roar shakes the stadium down to its very foundation while the famous song reaches its heavenly crescendo. The players spread to all corners of their half, bathed under the sharp floodlights. The pulsating atmosphere has created memories to last a lifetime for both home fans and visiting rivals.

The house Fergus McCann built has overtaken many famous grounds, including the likes of the San Siro, Anfield and Camp Nou as the zenith of footballing fever pitch for many of the world’s greats. Record Sport has delved into the archives to recall the ultimate recognition for one of European football’s most iconic grounds.

Celtic’s iconic atmosphere in quotes

Xavi

“The atmosphere generated by the fans in Celtic’s stadium for our visit was the most impressive I’ve ever witnessed. The grounds of Liverpool and Manchester United are good and the hostile feeling of playing against Real Madrid in the Bernabeu is also excellent, but the atmosphere against Celtic was the best.”

“When you step out at Celtic Park, the atmosphere they create for their team is incredible. It doesn’t matter how many big games you have played in.

“Walking out into that atmosphere is always intense. I don’t think I have seen anything like the Celtic fans in all the stadiums I have played.”

Paolo Maldini

“Every professional footballer should seek to play at least one game at Celtic Park. I have never felt anything like it.”

Paolo Maldini of AC Milan at Celtic Park in 2007. SNS Group. ( GLPDUnknown)

Lionel Messi

“I’ve been fortunate to play in some great stadiums in Europe with Barcelona but none compare to Celtic. The atmosphere their fans create make it a very special European night of football.”

Nemanja Vidic

“Every game I have played in Turkey stands out for passion created by the fans – but the best has been at Celtic Park.”

Oliver Kahn

“The atmosphere here tonight was unbelievable and it’s an honour to play in such an arena.”

Cesc Fabregas

“Celtic has great commitment and those supporters behind them gives them a chance against anyone. We knew what we were coming into and what we would be up against. For me it is always special to play in that fantastic stadium and to experience that atmosphere. We were privileged to be there.”

Gianluigi Buffon

“Playing in the Champions League allows you to experience the most exciting venues in Europe. And when you are young, you take it for granted because many other experiences lie in front of you. But the older you become, you understand that there are things that you may not experience again.”

Steven Gerrard

“The incredible thing was the people, for an opposition player it is quite incredible, I have not seen a better atmosphere from the grounds I have visited.”

Owen Hargreaves

“When we played at Celtic Park for Bayern in the Champions League it was unbelievable and I think all our players said the same thing afterwards. The atmosphere was just totally unique. I’ve played in lots of big games and stadiums but I’ve never witnessed fans making that much noise in 90 minutes.”

Santiago Canizares

“The Celtic fans are amazing in the way they get behind their team.”

Gerard Pique

“The atmosphere at Celtic Park is the best in Europe.”

Karl-Heinz Ruminegge

“That was a football experience of pure culture. Throughout the night we felt goosebumps. It was an atmosphere that felt a bit like the old days. It was a terrific night.”

Toni Kroos

“I was being asked several times which (away) stadium is my favourite. And there is a new number one, I can tell you, Celtic Park. It has been just crazy! We came out, and the atmosphere was good. The Champions League anthem started, and I thought the stadium was going to collapse. Unbelievable, I had never experienced anything like that.”

Frank De Boer

“It’s up there with Madrid and Camp Nou. They are an example how to run a club.”

Zlatan Ibrahimovic

“Then when I got out on the pitch and the match began, I tried to communicate with my team but I heard nothing. The audience had such a mood. I did not hear what my teammates said if they called me because it was such a beautiful and awesome atmosphere. It’s probably the best I have seen on the pitch.”

Cristiano Ronaldo

“The Celtic fans are incredible. It is always great to play there.”

Celtic versus Manchester United in November 2008. PIC: CRAIG HALKETT

Andres Iniesta

“The Celtic fans are very special and the club and players can be very proud of them. They are the best I have ever heard.”

Wayne Rooney

“It is inspiring and intimidating. It’s a stadium with a particular atmosphere you want to experience as a player.”

Eidur Gudjohnson

“When I signed for Bolton they presented me to the crowd before the Jimmy Phillips testimonial. The Celtic fans made an impression on me because there were more of them than Bolton supporters at that game. Celtic are popular for testimonials because everyone knows they will fill the stadium – and I’ve always had great admiration of them. Their fans have a reputation as one of the best and that’s on merit because of the great atmosphere they create.”

Samuel Eto’o

“This place makes the hairs on the back of your neck stand up, there is nowhere like it in football, and I can see how the people love to play here and speak so highly of it.”

Electric’ Aston Villa vs Celtic request as match for the football romantic has Hoops diehard in Villans ranks

Celtic will play Aston Villa in their final Champions League group phase game.

A Celtic legend hopes there’s something riding on Aston Villa versus the Hoops when Champions League battle comes between the pair.

Currently, the Hoops are on seven points from four matches in the league phase. A 3-1 victory over RB Leipzig in a strong position to make it beyond the first stage of the competition, with a match in Birmingham with Aston Villa to come in early 2025.

Unai Emery’s side have nine points currently, so they are also on pace for qualification. Celtic hero John Hartson both clubs have something to play for when the game rolls around, with plenty of connections between the pair, including Aston Villa captain John McGinn.

He told Go Radio: “What a stadium to play it as well, Villa Park. It is one of my favourite stadiums in the Premier League. The Holte End and everything else.

“I used to play against players like Paul McGrath, Dean Saunders, Shaun Teale and Dwight Yorke. That was sort of my era when I was at Arsenal and West Ham. Villa Park was always a great place to play. It really was.

“Now that they are in the Champions League. I can’t imagine what the atmosphere is like. Some of the games I watched, Bayern Munich, for instance. The atmosphere was electric, so you put that in with the Celtic travelling away fans. It will be some night. You are just hoping that there is something riding on the game, then you have sentimental stuff.

“You have got John McGinn playing for Aston Villa, a Celtic fan. You have Martin O’Neill, who did so well as a Celtic manager, also Villa manager. There are little links and talking points.”

Alexandro Bernabei turns into transfer goldust as Celtic misfit eyed for stunning double deal with Sergio Ramos

The wing-back is currently back in South America after being bombed out on loan by Brendan Rodgers

Alexandro Bernabei

Celtic misfit Alexandro Bernabei is reportedly the subject of an ambitious swoop from Brazilian club Corinthians that also involves Real Madrid and Spain legend Sergio Ramos.

The Argentine left back was brought to Parkhead by previous Hoops boss Ange Postecoglou for £3.8million from Argentina’s club Lanus in July 2022 and made 19 appearances in all competitions in his first season. However Bernabei soon fell down the pecking order under the Aussie’s successor Brendan Rodgers, and returned to South America in a loan deal to join Brazilian side Internacional until the end of 2024 back in March.

Internacional officials have stated their intention to try and land the 24-year-old on a permanent deal, but sources in South America claim they will face competition from two other clubs in Brazil’s top-flight. Bernabei is reportedly on the radar of Corinthians, who also want to sign 38-year-old Ramos, a free agent after leaving Sevilla last season.

Brazilian outlet O Tempo also claim that Cruzeiro – owned by Selecao icon Ronaldo – are also keeping tabs on the Celtic loanee’s situation at Internacional. They add that the club will only make a move if Internacional opt not to take up their option to sign Bernabei permanently, which according to reports could cost them as much as £8million.

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Scotland reaction: Steve Clarke has say on Ben Doak, Croatia red card and makes worst display admission

Scotland manager reacts to 1-0 win over Croatia at Hampden

Steve Clarke stressed that Scotland were due a break after a first half red card for Croatia helped his team claim an overdue competitive victory with a John McGinn winner four minutes from time.

Midfielder Petar Sucic picked up a second yellow card after a high challenge on John Souttar two minutes before half-time. According to Croatia manager Zlatko Dalic, the decision from referee Orel Grinfeeld changed the game.

Clarke was not going to disagree. “I think when you put two yellow cards together to get a red, I’m not sure it was strong enough to be a red,” he said. “If I’m being honest, if it had happened against us, I would have been just as disappointed as they were.”

Scotland fought hard to break down the ten men and finally did so with four minutes left through John McGinn, after more thrilling wing play from winger Ben Doak, who picked up the man of the match award aged just 19. Asked to assess the teenager’s performance in what was just his third start, Clarke replied that he had expected such a strong performance from a player he clearly has so much faith in.

“It was good but I thought he might be,” he said. “He’s come into the team, he’s shown a really positive attitude, he brings us something a little bit different to what we’ve had before. So I’m really pleased with Ben and he gets the assist for the goal with the run. He could maybe have had a couple more, could maybe have scored one himself. So that’s a contribution from a young player that we need to protect and look after but realise that he’s good for now and hopefully for a long time in the future.”

Scotland head coach Steve Clarke embraces goal scorer John McGinn at full time | SNS Group

Doak will certainly be vital if Scotland are to secure a win on Monday in Poland required to avoid automatic relegation from the top tier of the Nations League at least. There is still a possibility that they can finish second in the group and reach the quarter-finals, if they win in Warsaw and Portugal beat Croatia in Zagreb and these outcomes also involve a three-goal swing. Clarke is only concentrating on getting another three points in the first instance.

“We have to win,” he said. “First job is to go there and win, if we do that then we’ll count up the goals and whatever afterwards. But let’s take it a step at a time. It’s been a hell of a long time since we got a win, now we’ve got to get another one on Monday night. So it’d be nice to get back-to-back (victories).”

Clarke felt Scotland can play a lot better than they did against Croatia, who were clearly the better side in the first half and had their moments in the second half too. Indeed, the manager rated the performance as the worst so far in this section of the Nations League.

“We can play better,” he said. “I think we can be better with the ball, I think we can be more clinical when we get to the final third of the pitch. Obviously the sending off changes the direction of the game but we were due a little break.”

There was a nice moment at the end when Clarke made a beeline towards Croatia skipper Luka Modric, who had played superbly once more on what could be his last appearance on Scottish soil. Asked what he had said to the 39-year-old, Clarke said: “I just wished him well, good luck for the last game,” revealed the manager. “We had a little chat about the game-changing incident.”

Belgium lost out in a narrow defeat to Italy last night in Nations League action.

The Red Devils faced off against Luciano Spaletti’s side and lost at home thanks to a goal from Sandro Tonali within the first 11 minutes.

It leaves Domenico Tedesco’s side in a spot of bother as they now sit back in third from their group with Italy top on 13 points and France second on 10.

One man who played the majority of the action was Celtic’s record signing Arne Engels.

The 22-year-old Engels is one of 13 Celtic stars on international duty but only won his first start on the night.

Yet his performance was praised by sections of the Belgian media who noted him as a bright-spark on a difficult evening.

The playmaker was singled out for doing the dirty work for his country as opposed to his usually creative and attacking style in the midfield for the Hoops.

Engels has shown he can do his defensive duties for Celtic – a clear role he took up in Atalanta during the goalless Champions League tie earlier this season – and he did the same for Belgium last night.

Arne Engels was praised by Belgian media for his defensive maturity

Media outlet Het Laatste Nieuws, as translated into English, applauded the player for his outing and credited him as being a mature presence in the engine room.

They wrote: “Engels showed maturity and precision in his passing, which was crucial for Belgium’s ball possession.”

Another publication, De Standaard, also lauded Engels’ defensive mind and his desire to win the ball back for his team for 90 minutes.

Arne Engels’ Celtic stats since he arrived from Augsburg on a record fee

They wrote: “Engels was tireless in winning the ball back and displayed impressive stamina throughout the entire match.”

The young man has been excellent since he joined Celtic from Augsburg with three goals and six assists from his 14 matches this campaign so far.

He was the club’s record £11million signing in the summer

Missed Opportunity: SFA Fails to Address Controversial Celtic Incident

The SFA’s Key Match Incident (KMI) panel has been under the spotlight this week, primarily for their ruling that Reo Hatate should have been sent off during Celtic’s 2-0 victory over Kilmarnock. However, an equally controversial moment from the same match has been entirely overlooked by the panel – Liam Donnelly’s elbow on Celtic goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel.

Late in the match, Donnelly appeared to deliberately stick out his elbow as he ran past Schmeichel, who was left furious by the challenge. While Donnelly’s attempt ultimately caught Schmeichel in the chest rather than the face, the intent behind the action was clear. Referee Nick Walsh opted to show Donnelly a yellow card, but many, including Schmeichel, believed the incident merited far harsher punishment.

Clear Violent Conduct Ignored

The incident wasn’t reviewed by VAR during the game, and the KMI panel has reportedly decided not to discuss it further. This decision raises serious questions about the consistency of officiating and post-match analysis. The panel’s focus on Hatate’s late challenge, while ignoring what could easily be classified as violent conduct, leaves Celtic fans scratching their heads.

10th November 2024; Rugby Park, Kilmarnock, Scotland: Scottish Premiership Football, Kilmarnock versus Celtic; Kyle Vassell of Kilmarnock gets a yellow card from referee Nick Walsh

The rules around violent conduct are clear – the intent to harm is punishable, even if the player does not succeed in doing so. Donnelly’s action was deliberate and reckless, with no attempt to play the ball. That such behaviour only warranted a yellow card on the day, and has now been brushed aside by the KMI panel, sends the wrong message about player safety and fair play.

Celtic Fans and Players Frustrated

Kasper Schmeichel’s reaction at the time said it all. The Danish goalkeeper was irate, and rightly so, given the nature of the challenge. For Donnelly to escape with only a booking will feel like a missed opportunity to address a clear act of aggression that could have resulted in serious injury.

This incident highlights the inconsistencies in how decisions are handled. While the focus has been on Hatate’s tackle, incidents like this need the same level of scrutiny to maintain the integrity of the game.

As Celtic prepare for a busy run of fixtures, the lack of action on Donnelly’s elbow is likely to linger in the mind. We head back to Tynecastle in just over a weeks time where last time out we suffered some incredible decisions against us that put us up against it, ultimately losing 2-0. Celtic will hope for stronger officials in the capital this time around.

Welcome to part one of the Andy Walker exclusive. The former Celtic, Bolton, Scotland striker and now pundit and commentator talks exclusively to Last Word on Football about his career both North and South of the border.

A boyhood Celtic fan, Walker started his career at Motherwell before moving to Celtic and helping them win the league and cup double in his first season. Moving South of the border, Walker would become a hero to Bolton Wanderers fans due to his prolific strike rate. However, the lure of Celtic would see him return for a second spell at Parkhead.

Andy Walker Exclusive Q&A Part One: Career Highlights at Celtic and Bolton

Who was your favourite player as a youngster?

My favourite player as a youngster was Kenny Dalglish. I caught the last few appearances of Jimmy Johnstone at Celtic Park when my dad first took me to some games but Kenny had a grace & elegance about him that made him stand out.

You’re obviously remembered as a striker, is this where you wanted to play growing up?

All through my amateur days and with schools football I played in midfield or as a winger and didn’t really see myself as a striker. I was signed by Tommy McLean at Motherwell & without his influence I wouldn’t have had a career. I signed from junior football, playing in the middle of the park or wide but Tommy thought I could do a job up front. He made me understand what being a team player was and saw things in me that made me think where I could be more effective in the team. He was right.

You started your career at Motherwell; however, what was it like to get your dream move to Celtic and play at a ground where you used to stand and watch?

Playing for Motherwell was a dream and scoring against Celtic, Rangers and Aberdeen brought me some attention. I could never have imagined I would be good enough to play for Celtic, my team. Davie Hay was the manager when I learned of their interest but he was sacked at the end of the season and Billy McNeil took over. My dad was Billy’s chartered accountant so he was a family friend and had given me advice on a couple of occasions. When he confirmed Celtic would go ahead and sign me it was a unique feeling. Finishing my first season as top scorer when we won the league and cup double was truly remarkable. I had been a fan watching Celtic achieve so much success, being part of a team that delivered the same memories was very special.

You won the double in your first season at Celtic and played for your country. Does it get much better?

I had a taste of international football when I played for Scotland U21s and scored when we beat Belgium and was also involved in a B game at Pittodrie when we played France but I didn’t get on. Being called up to the full squad and to make my debut as a sub against Colombia was a huge thrill. I travelled with the squad to Wembley to play against England but lost 1-0 to a Peter Beardsley goal.

How did your move to Bolton Wanderers come about?

After 4 years at Celtic, I knew my time was coming to an end, Billy had been sacked and Liam Brady took over. Initially, Liam was OK to deal with but became completely unreasonable towards me when I refused to go to either Falkirk or Motherwell, both of whom made efforts to sign me. A short loan to Newcastle Utd under Ossie Ardilles didn’t work out due to my stupidity. I went there carrying an injury thinking I could play through it and only played a couple of times. Bolton took me on loan in January ’92 and it was a great club with very good players. Phil Neal was the manager but was replaced by Bruce Rioch and he took the club to another level.

You formed a prolific partnership with John McGinlay at Bolton with David Lee supplying the ammunition from the wing. You gained promotion but also famously knocked out Liverpool in the FA Cup at Anfield, and you scored. You must have fond memories of your time at Burnden Park.

I have very fond memories of my time at Bolton. The people behind the scenes were lovely, very warm and considerate, especially to my pregnant wife at the time, people doing the shopping and just always being on hand to help when we were travelling away from home. Bruce put a team together that not only got promotion but we beat Arsenal, Liverpool, Everton, Southampton & Aston Villa in a couple of years of FA Cup wins when all teams played their strongest sides. Scoring at Anfield was wonderful but scoring at Highbury to beat Arsenal was pretty special too after almost a year out through injury.

You then returned to Celtic after around three years at Bolton. Did the return come as a surprise?

The opportunity of returning to Celtic came as a complete surprise. I was negotiating with Bolton for a new contract and was happy with the terms on offer but just wanted the security of a three-year deal rather than two years. Bruce said he would get it approved by the board but in the meantime, Lou Macari had been in touch asking if id go back to Glasgow. Given that my dad was suffering from cancer at the time and didn’t have long to live, it was an easy decision to make. I stayed at home with my mum and dad for a short time before he passed away in October. Those months being close to him at that time were priceless.

You played for your country; something to be proud of; however, do you feel you should have played more?

I have never felt as though I should have had more international caps. My contemporaries at the time were Frank McAvennie, Eric Black, Alan McInally, Robert Fleck, Ally McCoist and Mo Johnston. All of them were brilliant players, no complaints from me on that score.

Barry Dixon, LWOF Site Manager

Barry has been writing for LWOS since March 2015. He covers Sunderland as well as football in general. A passionate supporter of his hometown club, he went to his first game in 1987.

Celtic sent 13 players out on international duty this month with a number having already played their first matches.

Arne Engels made his full Belgium debut against Italy on Thursday while Liam Scales earned his eighth cap for the Republic of Ireland in their win over Finland.

Auston Trusty then played for the USMNT as a substitute in the early hours of Friday morning as they beat Jamaica.

Japanese trio Daizen Maeda, Reo Hatate and Kyogo Furuhashi have now also navigated their first match of the week – but only two were introduced to the field of play.

Here’s how Maeda, Hatate and Kyogo fared as Japan thumped Indonesia 4-0 in 2026 World Cup qualifying.

Daizen Maeda

Celtic’s flying winger has been sensational so far this season, so it may come as a surprise to hear that Japan manager Hajime Moriyasu decided to start Maeda on the bench.

But with Japan 2-0 up and coasting at half-time, Maeda was introduced to play out the second-half.

FotMob handed Maeda a 6.5 match rating as he delivered one shot on goal and completed 90% of his 10 attempted passes.

He had two touches in the opposition box but made also made five defensive actions and recoveries, which won’t come as a surprise to Celtic supporters.

Reo Hatate

Hatate was also named on the bench from the start and was only given the last 16 minutes of the game.

The 26-year-old’s pass accuracy of 67% wasn’t his best but did manage to create one chance in the dying embers of a brilliant win for Japan.

Kyogo Furuhashi

Now for Kyogo, who doesn’t perhaps get as much game time as he deserves under Moriyasu.

The Japan boss decided not to call upon the Celtic striker for this game as he remained an unused substitute.

Kyogo will be hoping for more of a central role when Japan next play on Tuesday away to China.

Scotland are back in business: John McGinn wound healer, unplayable Ben Doak, Steve Clarke’s match-winning tweak

.

How’s that for a first competitive win of 2024? Scotland made everything seem a lot better again to set up the opportunity to end an arduous year on a high.

The Scots might still have to defeat Poland on Monday in Warsaw to avoid automatic relegation from the top tier of the Nations League but that doesn’t seem so fanciful after a spirited second-half performance produced the goal that eventually saw the ten men of Croatia overcome. It’s even possible, if unlikely, that Scotland can still finish second in their group and progress to the quarter finals.

Steve Clarke wasn’t everyone’s cup of tea a few months ago. He might have been back in the firing line had Scotland failed to take advantage of Petar Sucic’s red card towards the end of the first half. But a teenager by the name of Ben Doak, who might have made a difference in Germany this summer had he not sustained an injury, has arrived on the scene in timely fashion.

Clarke deserves praise for putting so much faith in the on-loan Middlesbrough youngster. This was his third successive start for the 19-year-old and while he of course exhibits moments of rawness, what a talent Scotland have at their disposal. Clarke can also take credit for the triple substitution just before the 65-minute mark that helped force the breakthrough. Lyndon Dykes replaced Tommy Conway, who had found the going tough on his first start.

Scotland’s John McGinn celebrates scoring the matchwinner against Croatia at Hampden Park. (Photo by Rob Casey / SNS Group) | SNS Group

Ryan Gauld came on for Ryan Christie and was excellent while John McGinn replaced Kenny McLean and emerged as the match winner, scoring his 19th international goal to equal Ally McCoist’s tally. It came with four minutes of normal time left and with Hampden becoming more and more agitated.

Don’t panic. Doak, who was becoming almost unplayable on the right, evaded Josko Gvardiol for the umpteenth time, before firing in a cross that was only parried by keeper Dominik Kotarski into the path of super sub McGinn who steered the ball past a ruck of bodies. It was a goal that healed a lot of wounds, dating back to the European Championship finals, and perhaps even beyond. It secured Scotland’s first competitive win since September last year, remarkably.

Clarke wants Scotland to copy whatever it is Croatia do to maintain their position as one of the world’s top sides and this was a demonstration why the team in the red and white checked shirts ought to be envied. They are not perfect, however. Somehow they failed to score in the opening 43 minutes before the dynamics were significantly altered.

Croatia’s brand of possession football is all well and good with eleven men. It is a more challenging concept with just ten. Equally difficult can be playing against opponents who are a player down, as Scotland duly proved. There might have been a lot less anxiety had Billy Gilmour worn his shooting boots, with the midfielder blasting high over on a couple of occasions, including when the better positioned Doak was out wide screaming for the ball.

Scotland’s Ben Doak tussles with Croatia’s Josko Gvardiol. (Photo by Craig Williamson / SNS Group) | SNS Group

There was a welcome sequel to the Gvardiol v Doak drama from Zagreb a month ago. Unlike the second instalment of Gladiator, this was not a disappointment. The winger, who has turned 19 since that evening, displayed both his thrilling talent and undoubted rawness. One thing’s for sure, his opposite man from Manchester City will be happy he won’t be coming up against Doak again for a while.

Not that it was all one way in the one-on-one battles. Gvardiol, indeed, even cheekily hoisted the ball over Doak’s head after a delicious touch from the defender left him contemplating his options near the byline after a sweeping delivery from Modric. ‘Bad move, old man,’ Doak might have said to the defender, who is three years his senior.

At the next opportunity, Doak got some revenge, turning Gvardiol inside out with cute nutmeg that recalled a similar incident in Zagreb before the youngster had the precense of mind to pick out McTominay. The Napoli player probably should have done better but his shot still brought off a save from Kotarski, hitherto desperately underemployed.

Referee Orel Grinfeeld (R) shows a red card to Croatia’s Petar Sucic. (Photo by Craig Foy / SNS Group) | SNS Group

It signalled a burst of Scotland pressure that helped rouse a Friday night crowd eager to enjoy their evening. Are you not entertained? Well, no, not yet. Not everyone’s idea of entertainment is watching a 39-year-old pull the strings in the middle of the midfield but it was certainly a privilege to set eyes on Luka Modric again, perhaps for the last time on Scottish soil. We were treated to another Modric masterclass. He manages to wreak havoc with minimal industry. A flick here, a short pass there.

He was able to count on willing and talented support. Two of Croatia’s front four were aged 21 while another was 22. The dangerous No.9 Andrej Kramaric might have helped himself to a couple of goals before Scotland had properly warmed up. A misplaced pass from Kenny McLean gave the striker a chance which he pulled wide of Craig Gordon’s far post. The soon-to-depart Petar Susic then shot over after the ball had been delivered to him, with Kramaric again playing a prominent part, after a burst from Mateo Kovacic.

After dealing with the admittedly short period of pressure Scotland had managed to inflict, the visitors were pushing hard again for the opener before their world fell in. Sucic challenged for a ball he didn’t have to in the middle of the park and left more on John Souttar than the referee felt was necessary. He had already been booked for foul on Gilmour and a second yellow might have been a little harsh on the Dinamo Zagreb midfielder, who took an age to walk off. Even Modric, usually so unflappable, was aghast and picked up a booking for his complaints.

Perhaps one blessing for Croatia was how close it was to half-time. They were able to see out the half, including a couple of minutes of injury time, before re-grouping. They worked hard but left with nothing, a feeling Scotland know all too well.

Arne Engels did his international future with Belgium no harm as he impressed on his first full start for his country against Italy.

Celtic’s record signing bought from FC Augsburg for £11m in the summer had already earned two caps for Belgium before Thursday night’s UEFA Nations League tie.

With no Kevin de Bruyne in the team, Belgium boss Domenico Tedesco opted to start Engels on the right of a midfield three.

Belgium would go on to lose on the night as Italy won 1-0 in League A Group 2. It leaves Engels’ Belgium third in the group with just four points after five games.

But the 21-year-old put in a good individual performance which the Belgian media very much appreciated in this morning’s newspapers.

One outlet labelled Engels ‘tireless’ and ‘impressive’ while another claimed the Celtic star ‘proved that he is ready for the highest level.’

Celtic’s Arne Engels reacts to first Belgium start

But what did Engels himself have to say? As quoted in the Daily Record, Engels said: “I’m happy that I was able to show what I’m capable of.

“People may know me from my Champions League games with Celtic, but I’ve never played at the highest level in Belgium. So a lot of people here don’t really know who I am.

“I hope that with this game I’ve shown what I can do. It was nice to be in the starting line-up for the first time. But of course, it’s a shame we couldn’t win.”

Engels stats vs Italy

Engels was substituted on the 71st minute with Belgium still searching for an equaliser. He managed one shot on goal and registered a pass accuracy of 71 percent (12/17 successful passes).

Moreover, Engels made two key passes into the final third but was also on hand to help his side defensively.

He made three defensive actions and two successful recoveries, although it wasn’t enough to get anything out of the game.

Celtic’s Reo Hatate ‘should have been sent off’ against Kilmarnock

The SFA’s Key Match Incident panel says VAR should have flagged the challenge.

Flashpoint: Reo Hatate was shown a yellow card by referee Nick Walsh.

Celtic midfielder Reo Hatate should have been shown a red card for a foul on Kilmarnock’s Liam Donnelly, according to an independent review.

The Premiership champions won 2-0 at Rugby Park to return to the top of the table last Sunday, with Callum McGregor and Nicolas Kuhn scoring the goals that secured three points for Celtic.

But much of the post-match discussion surrounded Hatate’s challenge, and whether referee Nick Walsh made the right decision to show the Japanese midfielder a yellow card.

The Scottish FA has now published the findings of the independent Key Match Incident panel, who review major decisions on a weekly basis.

The panel concluded that VAR officials should have asked Walsh to review his decision on the pitch-side monitor and that Hatate should have been dismissed.

The decision wasn’t unanimous though, with three of the panelists believing VAR should have intervened but two individuals saying it didn’t meet the threshold for a clear and obvious error.

The report read: “The panel discussed this decision at length with the majority (3:2) deeming the onfield decision incorrect.

“The majority (3:2) believed that VAR should have intervened and recommended an OFR for a red card to be awarded as they believed that the challenge endangered the safety of the opponent.

“Two members of the panel highlighted that they didn’t think the potential foul was clear and obvious enough for VAR to get involved and a caution sufficed.”

Panel Splits 3/2: Friday Evening Reo Hatate Verdict

The SFA’s Key Match Incident (KMI) panel has ruled that Reo Hatate should have been sent off during Celtic’s 2-0 victory over Kilmarnock last weekend.

The decision stems from an incident late in the match, with Hatate sliding in late on Killie’s Liam Donnelly. Referee Nick Walsh opted against showing the Japanese midfielder a red card, and VAR did not recommend an on-field review. As a result, Hatate completed the match without further sanction.

However, upon review, the KMI panel reached a 3-2 decision in favour of deeming the referee’s call incorrect. The majority argued that the challenge “endangered the safety of the opponent” and warranted a dismissal. The two dissenting panel members expressed doubts over whether the tackle met the threshold of being a “clear and obvious” error, highlighting the fine margins involved.

10th November 2024; Rugby Park, Kilmarnock, Scotland: Scottish Premiership Football, Kilmarnock versus Celtic; Referee Nick Walsh yellow cards Reo Hatate of Celtic after a foul on Liam Donnelly of Kilmarnock

Our Verdict

Hatate’s tackle has sparked debate, with many questioning whether it truly merited a sending-off. While the midfielder appeared to pull out of the challenge at the last moment, the panel’s ruling indicates that intent was irrelevant given the perceived danger to the opposing player. In our opinion, we couldn’t have many complaints if he was sent off.

The match itself saw Celtic navigate a tough test at Rugby Park, where Brendan Rodgers’ side eventually secured a vital three points to reclaim top spot in the Scottish Premiership. Goals from Callum McGregor and Nicolas Kuhn sealed the win.

Celtic’s Packed Schedule Ahead

The Hoops are currently using the international break to recharge ahead of a gruelling fixture list. From November 23rd, Celtic face a relentless schedule, playing twice a week through to mid-January as they juggle domestic and European commitments.

With matches coming thick and fast, Rodgers will be keen to keep his squad disciplined and fully fit for the challenges ahead. Whether the SFA’s verdict on Hatate impacts Celtic in future decisions remains to be seen.

Mark Guidi says Lennon Miller could join Celtic

Celtic have been heavily linked with a move for Motherwell youngster Lennon Miller.

The Bhoys are reportedly expected to make a move for the 18-year-old midfielder in the January transfer window.

Scottish rivals Rangers and Premier League leaders Liverpool are also thought to be in the race to sign the highly-rated teenager.

Miller has become one of the hottest properties in the country after producing some great performances in the Scottish top flight.

Southampton are also keeping tabs on the Scotland U21 international, but Motherwell chief Brian Caldwell has made it clear that the Fir Park club are under no pressure to sell their prized asset.

Mark Guidi says Lennon Miller could join Celtic

Mark Guidi doesn’t think Rangers will be able to compete against Celtic to sign the youngster.

Speaking on the Go Radio Football Show Podcast, Guidi said that it wouldn’t come as a big surprise if Celtic win the race to land Miller.

He said: “It wouldn’t surprise me to see him at Celtic and to see a deal happening in January. Motherwell will be in a great position, and so will the boy. I can see him having five or six excellent options.”

Celtic have money to spend in January

Miller has progressed through the academy ranks at the club and has done incredibly well in the Scottish top flight this season.

Recently, he was handed the captain’s armband in the absence of injured Paul McGinn and Stephen O’Donnell, which shows how much he is valued by the club.

Miller has a contract at the club until 2026, and Motherwell are expected to demand a fee of over £4 million.

They banked £3.25 million for selling David Turnbull to Celtic back in 2020, and they would not budge for anything less than a club record fee.

Celtic have done incredibly well in the summer transfer window, bringing in some quality players, and they will continue to do so in January.

The Bhoys are doing well in the Champions League, and they have money to spend.

There is a high chance that Celtic could move for Miller in January and submit an offer that Motherwell cannot refuse.

Auston Trusty draws Celtic and English giants parallel as defender makes ‘love or hate’ admission

The defender spent some time down south but is now loving life in Glasgow

Celtic’s Auston Trusty

Celtic defender Auston Trusty backed himself from day one in Glasgow and has praised the fans for helping him settle in.

The 26-year-old has started to cement his place in Brendan Rodgers’ starting line-up week after week and is forming a formidable duo with his central defensive pattern, and fellow countryman, Cameron Carter-Vickers. The summer signing, who arrived in a deal reported to be worth around £6 million, wants to give the young fans, in particular, someone to look up to as he continues his strong start at Celtic Park, racking up 13 appearances so far and shining on the European stage too in the Champions League.

When asked how big a club Celtic are, Trusty compared them to an English Premier League giant in Arsenal – a club he signed for a few years back but spent his time out on loan. Despite a lack of first-team action for the London side, he still sees plenty of parallels between the Gunners and the Hoops.

He told GOAL: “It’s a whole different realm, and the closest thing I can compare it to is Arsenal

“Think about Arsenal. We’re in London, so there are so many different teams. In Glasgow, it’s a big city, not as big as London, but it’s a big city. There are only two teams, so there’s a good chance that they hate you or a good chance that they love you.

“The welcome was amazing. Everyone there is super, super passionate, and I think they could see from the start the value that I could bring to the team, so I think that they were excited as well.

“I try to play every game and be that person for this team, for Celtic and for fans look up to me and to support me, and little kids who aspire to be professional athlete to look up to me. I think the fans can see that hopefully and respect that.

“They’ve got behind me, so it’s been really, really nice. Here and Birmingham City have been the best in terms of getting behind me to make me feel at home.”

It is being reported that there is friction within the Club Brugge camp less than two weeks before they play Celtic in the Champions League.

The Hoops will return from the international break to face Hearts next Saturday evening in the Premiership before attention turns to Club Brugge.

Celtic face the Belgian champions on November 27 under the lights at Celtic Park with a fantastic opportunity to effectively guarantee a knockout play-off spot.

Club Brugge will have the same ambition but a recent report has stated that there is disharmony between chairman, manager and players at the club.

Club Brugge friction reported as Celtic take notice

After beating Aston Villa 1-0 in the Champions League, Brugge failed to follow that famous win up with a victory in the league.

They drew 2-2 with bottom of the league Beerschot and Belgian media have been reporting that the chairman Bart Verhaeghe wasn’t best pleased with the result.

In fact, it’s being claimed that a ‘furious’ Verhaeghe burst his way into the dressing room and ‘reminded the players of their responsibilities.’

Moreover, one player at the club has publicly expressed his disdain at not being handed enough game time by the Club Brugge boss Nicky Hayen.

The player in question is Belgium international Hugo Siquet who was brought to Brugge in the summer from Freiburg for a reported £3m.

As quoted by freelance journalist Mark Walker via The Celtic Way, Siquet has said: “The situation for me is not good and mentally it is very difficult.

“I try to give everything for the club and I will continue to do so until the last moment, but I get little in return.

“I have the right mentality, I think I show a lot of maturity and when I get my chance, I will be ready and seize it.”

What does this mean for Celtic?

Naturally, Celtic fans may be encouraged by the fact there is infighting inside Club Brugge – but it could deliver the opposite effect.

A rollicking from the chairman isn’t exactly commonplace and it might give the Brugge boys a kick up the backside with just 12 days until they meet the Hoops in Glasgow.

Club Brugge are third in the Belgian top-flight at the moment and have the chance to right the wrongs of the Beerschot result when they face STVV who sit eight places below them in 11th.

Then it’s a trip to Parkhead when Celtic will hope their struggles on and off the park have continued until the eve of the big clash.

Belgium lost out in a narrow defeat to Italy last night in Nations League action.

The Red Devils faced off against Luciano Spaletti’s side and lost at home thanks to a goal from Sandro Tonali within the first 11 minutes.

It leaves Domenico Tedesco’s side in a spot of bother as they now sit back in third from their group with Italy top on 13 points and France second on 10.

One man who played the majority of the action was Celtic’s record signing Arne Engels.

READ MORE: All 13 Celtic players on November international duty and how to watch their games live

The 22-year-old Engels is one of 13 Celtic stars on international duty but only won his first start on the night.

Photo by Joris Verwijst/BSR Agency/Getty Images

Yet his performance was praised by sections of the Belgian media who noted him as a bright-spark on a difficult evening.

The playmaker was singled out for doing the dirty work for his country as opposed to his usually creative and attacking style in the midfield for the Hoops.

Engels has shown he can do his defensive duties for Celtic – a clear role he took up in Atalanta during the goalless Champions League tie earlier this season – and he did the same for Belgium last night.

Arne Engels was praised by Belgian media for his defensive maturity

Media outlet Het Laatste Nieuws, as translated into English, applauded the player for his outing and credited him as being a mature presence in the engine room.

They wrote: “Engels showed maturity and precision in his passing, which was crucial for Belgium’s ball possession.”

Another publication, De Standaard, also lauded Engels’ defensive mind and his desire to win the ball back for his team for 90 minutes.

Arne Engels’ Celtic stats since he arrived from Augsburg on a record fee

They wrote: “Engels was tireless in winning the ball back and displayed impressive stamina throughout the entire match.”

The young man has been excellent since he joined Celtic from Augsburg with three goals and six assists from his 14 matches this campaign so far.

He was the club’s record £11million signing in the summer.

Celtic defender Liam Scales delivers masterclass display for Ireland in win v Finland

Several Celtic players were in action for their respective countries on Thursday. 

Liam Scales was one of the 13 Celtic players on international duty, and Brendan Rodgers will be absolutely thrilled by his efforts.

The Bhoys defender started for the Republic of Ireland and played the entire game in the 1-0 win against Finland.

Scales has made ten starts in the Scottish Premiership this season and has one goal to his name.

Celtic have been flying high in the league this season, and Scales has helped the Hoops to keep eight clean sheets so far.

The 26-year-old continued his impressive form for his country and delivered a masterclass performance.

Scales delivers defensive masterclass v Finland

The Irish defender is not someone who commits to making tackles. He makes 1.4 tackles and 4.4 ball recoveries per game.

Scales manages 91% passing accuracy and makes 5.1 clearances per game.

The defender made 12 clearances against Finland and blocked two efforts. He won six out of seven duels and only lost possession seven times during the game.

Rodgers should be thrilled by Scales display

The Celtic boss will be very pleased to find that both Scales and Auston Trusty are playing exceptionally well.

Cameron Carter-Vickers has become almost undroppable at Celtic Park, but these two defenders are forcing Rodgers to pick them in the starting eleven.

In the previous game against Motherwell, both Scales and Trusty started at the back, and the pair did really well, although Kasper Schmeichel grabbed all the headlines for his outstanding performance.

Rodgers will definitely welcome this selection headache. It also reflects how strong Celtic are at the moment and that all players are fighting for their places in the side.

Celtic will play Hearts away from home after the international break, followed by an important Champions League game against Club Brugge.

Rodgers will hope that Scales will continue his impressive form for the Bhoys.

How Celtic could net a £7m transfer windfall without selling a single player

The transfer move that could have knock-on effects

Celtic have made millions in the transfer market in recent years through buying players at a low price and selling them on for sizeable profits. Now they could be set to bank another major windfall without selling a single player.

Matt O’Riley is the most recent example of Celtic’s recruitment success with the £1.5million signing from MK Dons in January 2022 being sold to Brighton in the summer transfer window fora whopping £26m. Jota and Kieran Tierney were sold for similar amounts, while the likes of Liel Abada, Josip Juranovic, Odsonne Edouard and Kristoffer Ajer have all earned the club significantly more than their original purchase price.

Another player to add to that list is Jeremie Frimpong. The Dutch right-back joined Celtic from Manchester City in a deal worth £350,000 back in 2019. He was subsequently sold to Bayer Leverkusen for a reported £11.5m in January 2021 before going on to become a Bundesliga title winner and a fully fledged Netherlands international.

Former Celtic defender Jeremie Frimpong, right, in action for Bayer Leverkusen. (Photo by INA FASSBENDER/AFP via Getty Images) | AFP via Getty Images

His impressive form in Germany has attracted the interest of some of the biggest clubs in Europe with the likes of Liverpool, Real Madrid and Manchester City all quoted as potential destinations for the 23-year-old. A possible move to Anfield was mooted this week with the Daily Mail reporting that Liverpool have put Frimpong at the top of their potential list of replacements for Trent Alexander-Arnold, who appears likely to depart the club when his contract runs out at the end of the season.

The report claims that Liverpool are prepared to meet the £35m release clause in Frimpong’s Leverkusen contract, with Celtic due 30 per cent of any profit the German club makes. That would equate to Celtic receiving a sell-on fee of around £7m, further strengthening the coffers of the Scottish champions, whose latest annual accounts showed a record bank balance of £77m.

Celtic even managed to make a profit in the most recent summer transfer window despite spending a combined £20m recruiting both Arne Engels and Adam Idah, with the sale of O’Riley absorbing the financial outaly. And with £40m coming into the club from participation in this season’s newly-revamped Champions League, and in-form winger Nicolas Kuhn tipped to be the next £20m plus departure, the financial situation at Parkhead continues to go from strength-to-strength.

Celtic’s next Champions League opponents in turmoil as raging Club Brugge chairman storms into dressing room

The chairman blasted players after surrendering a two goal lead now defender Hugi Siquet is taking aim at the manager

Beerschot’s Marwan Al-Sahafi celebrates after scoring against Brugge

ahead of facing Celtic after the chairman slammed his players for surrendering a two-goal lead.

And now manager Nicky Hayen is in the firing line after being blasted by Belgian international defender Hugo Siquet, who has added to the gloom by hitting out over a lack of game time. The Belgians are next up for Brendan Rodgers‘ side as they head to Glasgow later this month for a Champions League showdown. But tensions reached boiling point last weekend after Brugge were held to a 2-2 draw by bottom club Beerschot despite being two goals up.

That has only compounded an indifferent start to the season, and Belgian media have reported Club Brugge chairman Bart Verhaeghe was so angry, he stormed into the dressing room after the match to remind the players of their responsibilities and was reportedly ‘furious’ after the game. Now young defender Siquet has publicly criticised boss Hayen for a lack of game opportunities despite the club splashing out £3million to land him during the summer from Freiburg.

He said: “The situation for me is not good and mentally it is very difficult. I try to give everything for the club and I will continue to do so until the last moment, but I get little in return. I have the right mentality, I think I show a lot of maturity and when I get my chance, I will be ready and seize it.”

Celtic could spend £1bn on player recruitment and still lag behind Champions League heavyweights such as Real Madrid.

That’s according to former Hoops manager Gordon Strachan, who has poured cold water on any ambitions Celtic may have in levelling the playing field at Europe’s top table.

Strachan joined former Scotland boss Craig Levein and Sky Sports loudmouth Kris Boyd on the SPFL’s new podcast ‘The Warm-Up Unfiltered’ as they initially discussed whether a club outwith Celtic or Rangers could win the Premiership title.

Boyd stated that Hearts have more of a chance if indeed they secure investment and expertise from Brighton & Hove Albion chairman Tony Bloom’s analytical company.

But Levein and Strachan weren’t so definitive and said both Celtic and Rangers would have to have ‘freaky’ seasons at the same time for Hearts or Aberdeen to have any sort of opportunity.

Levein and Strachan then went on to compare the financial gulf between Hearts and Aberdeen to Celtic and Rangers with the divide between the Bhoys and European football giants such as Real Madrid.

And Strachan explained why it would be futile for Celtic to ditch their very successful current player trading model and splash the cash recklessly in an attempt to compete with the Champions League big boys.

The futility of Celtic trying to compete with Real Madrid

Here’s the conversation in full:

Levein: “The thing with Celtic is, they know they can’t close the gap on the European giants, they can’t do it.

Strachan: “There’s no point in doing that. What if you spend £200m, how many players are you going to get for that? Then you have to pay the wages.

“So say you pay £10m for someone, they’ll want £50k a week. Then the other players there (at Celtic) say, ‘well I want £50k a week, I want £45k, I want £40k’.

“And before you know it, it’s out of control. If you then have one bad season, you’re done and the club is at risk (financially). That’s the problem you’ve got.”

Levein: “There’s no point in Celtic spending fortunes to try and compete with Real Madrid.”

Strachan: “They’re not going to get anywhere. If you gave them £1bn, they still won’t get there!”

Strachan on Celtic’s development strategy

Earlier in the podcast, Strachan stressed that Celtic’s current player trading model is the way to go, for instance combining analytical data and player development while spending within your means.

He said: “There’s two things you have to have. You don’t just have data and recruitment, then the next stage is development.

“You don’t have to chuck a lot of money about, but fans want money chucked about. If you look at Celtic, they want £5m or £6m players, maybe even £8m players.

“But Hatate was £800k, Kyogo was £1.6m, Maeda was £1.6m, Matt O’Riley was £1.2m. What I’m saying is, you don’t have to spend a lot of money. It has to be data AND development.”

Celtic could spend £10m in January as Scotland star puts SPFL clubs on alert by becoming free agent

The latest transfer headlines from the Scottish Premiership as a 14-time Scottish international is made available for free

The January transfer window is on the horizon in the Scottish Premiership and it could prove to be a make or break month in the season of capital sides Hearts and Hibs who have both endured disastrous starts to the new season.

Hibs boss David Gray brought 12 new players to Easter Road during the summer transfer window, but has so far been unable to get any real run of results.

Pressure is mounting on the 36-year-old to turn things around in his first permanent stint in the capital after his side’s run of just one victory in their opening 12 league games, leaving them bottom of the table.

The Hibs board have vowed to give Gray more time to turn the corner despite speculation over his future, but on the other side of the capital, time ran out for Steven Naismith, who was unable to keep his job after a huge drop off in performances and results for Hearts.

The Jambs, who finished third last term, picked up just one point from their opening six league matches under Naismith and were on a losing streak of eight across all competitions before his departure.

His successor Neil Critchley has overseen a mini-revival in recent weeks, but the winter window will be the real test of his ability to strengthen the team and make his mark at Tynecastle.

Ahead of what promises to be a crucial transfer window in Scotland, we take a look at all of the main headlines including updates on Celtic and a former Dundee United hero.

Celtic tipped to spend big in January

Celtic are flying high at the top of the table with a near perfect 10 wins and one draw from their opening 11 league matches.

However, the Hoops face firm competition for the title by the season’s surprise package Aberdeen, who remain locked level with the champions on 31 points.

Celtic have been excellent throughout the campaign and have even been able to translate some of that confidence into Europe, with notable victories over Slovan Bratislava and RB Leipzig.

However, Brendan Rodgers is far from finished with signings for this season and according to Football Insider, is in fact willing to sign between £5m and £10m worth of new players in January.

Keith Wyness, who once worked at Aberdeen, explained: “We know there’s money.

“They’ve managed to turn around their performances in Europe, it’s fantastic.

“There is money in the bank, there’s Champions League money coming in.

“I do think they’ll open the wallet in January to a degree and try and give Brendan the chance to go further in Europe.

“It won’t be significant. I wouldn’t think it was anything more than £5-10million mid-season.

“They have proven they can get young talent in. The problem is now getting them acclimatised to European games going forward and get them to a level where they can make the difference at that level.”

Former Dundee United hero becomes free agent

Ex-Dundee United talisman Johnny Russell is a free agent after MLS side Sporting Kansas City opted not to renew his contract.

Russell, who spent the first six years of his professional career at Tannadice Park was dubbed a “legend” following a sensational seven years in MLS, becoming the most prolific Scot in the history of the league.

The 14-time Scotland international racked up 67 goals in 232 appearances and even became the captain of the Western Conference side for a number of years.

Sporting’s official X account wrote: “Our 9th captain in club history, you inspired generations on and off the pitch. Thank you for everything, Johnny.”

MLS’ own account even paid tribute, writing: “Forever a pleasure, salute to the Sporting KC LEGEND Johnny Russell.”

The 34-year-old, who starred for Derby County between 2013 and 2018, who has a proven track record in Scotland’s top-flight, is unlikely to be short of offers, due to his versatility, leadership and eye for goal.

Auston Trusty has become an established member of Brendan Rodgers’ Celtic XI.

The American joined in the summer from Sheffield United in a deal worth around £6million.

He was the final piece of the puzzle for the Hoops with the manager always making it clear he wanted another left-sided centre-back to compete with Liam Scales.

Trusty has already managed 13 appearances for the club and played beside both Scales as well as Cameron Carter-Vickers.

Photo by John Dorton/ISI Photos/USSF/Getty Images for USSF

Trusty compares ‘whole different realm’ at Celtic to Arsenal

Trusty’s best performance for Celtic was against Atalanta in the Champions League and the US international, 26, has not taken long to adapt to the demands and winning mentality necessary to succeed in Glasgow.

That’s because he has already turned out for another world heavyweight in Arsenal back before his move to the Blades in 2023.

The player even compared the two clubs when asked how he is enjoying his time at Parkhead so far during international duty.

Asked about how he has coped, Trusty explained how the welcome he received from Celtic supporters went a long way towards bringing him into the family.

And he noted the size of the club as a whole, noting the only team he could possibly relate playing for Celts with is the Premier League giants at the Emirates.

What Auston Trusty said about Celtic fans and being ‘someone to look up to’

“It’s a whole different realm, and the closest thing I can compare it to is Arsenal,” he told Goal.

“Think about Arsenal. We’re in London, so there are so many different teams. In Glasgow, it’s a big city, not as big as London, but it’s a big city. There are only two teams, so there’s a good chance that they hate you or a good chance that they love you.

“The welcome was amazing. Everyone there is super, super passionate, and I think they could see from the start the value that I could bring to the team, so I think that they were excited as well.

“I try to play every game and be that person for this team, for Celtic and for fans look up to me and to support me, and little kids who aspire to be professional athlete to look up to me. I think the fans can see that hopefully and respect that.

“They’ve got behind me, so it’s been really, really nice. Here and Birmingham City have been the best in terms of getting behind me to make me feel at home.”

As Celtic & Adidas plan tartan hoops, this subtle concept nails it

Celtic x Adidas 2025/26 home kit concept (Image: FIFA Kit Creator – HariboHeron)

According to prolific football kit leak site Footy Headlines, Celtic and Adidas are not only set to extend their lucrative contract beyond this season, but the duo also has some big plans for 2025/26.

This reportedly includes a “never-before-seen” third kit design for next season, as well as a much-welcomed return of the iconic bumblebee kit that blends black and fluorescent yellow hoops as first seen in the mid 1990s.

As for the mostly unchangeable hoops home design, Footy Headlines reports that Celtic and Adidas are planning to implement a tartan design “for the first time in history”.

The New Balance-manufacturer 2018/19 home kit included a faint tartan-esque design that was barely noticeable from a distance, however how this fresh tartan take will be presented, assuming it’s true, remains to be seen.

As always, the creative minds at FIFA Kit Creator don’t miss a trick, with creator HariboHeron having now whipped up a concept kit that masterfully adds tartan to the signature Celtic home top without being too outlandish.

As teased in the header image above, here’s the speculative kit in full:

What’d you reckon – would you be happy with something in this space for next season, assuming Celtic and Adidas do plan to apply tartan to the tried and tested formula?

The Celtic Way Transforms Ahead of Brugge Visit

Celtic Park is getting into the Christmas spirit as the club has unveiled its festive decorations on the iconic Celtic Way. A video shared by the club in the past 24 hours showcases the arrival of the Christmas tree, along with the installation of sparkling lights that now illuminate the walkway leading up to Paradise.

The Celtic Way, a cherished gathering spot for Hoops fans on matchdays and a popular photo spot throughout the year, has been transformed with a seasonal touch. The towering Christmas tree, standing proudly outside the stadium, is complemented by rows of festive lights lining the pathway, creating a warm and magical atmosphere.

The preparations come as Celtic gear up for a busy festive period, with the decorations now in place for the upcoming matches. Fans returning to Celtic Park after the international break will be greeted by the dazzling display when the Bhoys host Club Brugge in the UEFA Champions League.

Santa we’ve been very good this year 🎅🏼🍀👀

— Celtic Park Events (@celticparkevent) November 14, 2024

This festive addition not only brightens the approach to the stadium but also enhances the matchday experience for supporters. Thousands are expected to gather on the Celtic Way to soak in the atmosphere and snap pictures under the glistening lights.

As the festive season kicks off, Celtic’s efforts to bring a touch of Christmas cheer to Paradise will undoubtedly be appreciated by fans of all ages. The decorations are sure to make the Champions League nights and domestic fixtures all the more special as the team continues its campaign on all fronts.

New bhoy Engels makes huge international landmark

The development of Arne Engels took another huge step forward last night when he started for Belgium against Italy in the Nations League.

The team sheet for the match was loaded with players from Europe’s leading clubs with the Celtic man in good company with four appearances this season in the Champions League.

After coming on as a substitute against Israel and France, Belgian boss Dominic Tedesco gave the midfielder his first international start.

When Engels made the switch from Bundesliga side Augsburg to the SPFL there were a few sceptics questioning the decision.

Not that he needs to prove himself but last night’s competitive debut for Belgium reinforces the view that Celtic was the perfect step for him as his career development accelerates.

Arne Engels played for 72mins in Belgium’s Nations League match against Italy ??

— Celtic Curio (@Celticcurio) November 14, 2024

Engels appeared to suffer an injury that saw him substituted in the 72nd minute.

Two years ago Engels was playing for Club NXT (Club Brugge reserves) in the Belgian Second Division, doing enough to attract a cut price transfer to Augsburg.

Starting 32 Bundesliga matches last season was everything that a 20-year-old midfielder could ask for with Augsburg pocketing a £10m profit when they sold the midfielder to Celtic in August.

Engels made a stunning start to life at Celtic, dipped a little but his quality was obvious in the League Cup semi-final win over Aberdeen followed by the Champions League victory over RB Leipzig.

Next up for Belgium is a trip to Budapest to play Israel on Monday, after that he returns to Celtic for the SPFL clash away to Hearts followed up by an intriging reunion with Club Brugge in the Champions League.

Lennon Miller: Insider names leader in Celtic and Rangers transfer race

Celtic are the favourites to land a deal for Motherwell sensation Lennon Miller despite facing competition from Rangers.

That is according to former Man United chief scout and Sir Alex Ferguson number two, Mick Brown, who remains very well-connected within the game, as he exclusively told Football Insider that Celtic will outmuscle their rivals financially.

This comes after Football Insider revealed on 3 November that Rangers will struggle to land the midfielder due to their ongoing financial situation.

Miller, 18, has attracted interest from the top Scottish outfits and abroad after his excellent start to the season at Fir Park.

He has featured 18 times already this season, starting all 11 of their league games so far and all but one of their seven League Cup fixtures before the semi-final defeat to Rangers.

Both Celtic and Rangers have put extra emphasis on landing the best young, Scottish talent in recent years, with Miller the latest on their list.

Brown, meanwhile, has claimed Celtic’s current domestic dominant has given them the edge in the race to land the Motherwell star.

Celtic tipped to beat Rangers in race to sign Lennon Miller

Football Insider revealed on 2 November that Celtic have an advantage over their rivals in the race to secure the 18-year-old’s signature.

Join the Football Insider WhatsApp channel to get all our exclusives and the breaking transfer news FIRST.

Now, Brown, who has a wealth of experience in top-level player recruitment after over a decade at Man United during their most successful period, has echoed those reports and insisted Brendan Rodgers’ side are the current front-runners.

“Both clubs have put an emphasis on signing Scottish talents,” he told Football Insider.

“But you do worry a bit for Rangers, because they’re being outmuscled financially, and that restricts the type of players they can bring in.

“The choice, if he’s going to stay in Scotland that is, will be between Celtic and Rangers.

“It usually comes down to which club is top at any given time, particularly when they both go on runs of winning so many league titles in a row.

“At the moment, that’s Celtic, and Rangers have been struggling. So they’re definitely the favourites.

“They’ve got the financial power and the success in the league to attract anybody in the league.

“So it doesn’t surprise me that they’re both looking at Miller, but Celtic have the advantage in that particular race when you look at it on paper.”

Despite Celtic only being a few months on from the summer window, attention is already starting to turn towards their January transfer endeavours.

Brendan Rodgers will be delighted by a stunning start to the campaign that has saw the Bhoys position themselves nicely across all competitions, but his desire for constant improvement is likely to fuel further reinforcements.

Overnight, reports emerged claiming Celtic are keen to land Lennon Miller in January, with a £4 million price-tag placed on his head by Motherwell.

Recently, 67 Hail Hail told you that the Bhoys are also back in for Brondby striker Mathias Kvistgaarden and have sent scouts to watch the Danish forward on several occasions this campaign.

The Denmark Under-21 cap has been on fire in his homeland, scoring 13 times and laying on five assists in 20 appearances across all competitions.

With his situation at Brondby Stadium unclear, the forward has now addressed his future as speculation does the rounds surrounding his potential next career step.

Mathias Kvistgaarden addresses Brondby future

Speaking to Bold, Brondby’s Kvistgaarden admitted that he does ‘dream’ of leaving Brondby at some point down the line and is excited to see what opportunities could present themselves for him to take on a new challenge.

He stated: “It would be great if (bids from elsewhere) came from outside. You dream of leaving at some point.

“There are still games left, and if that were to happen, then you know (where you) stand, and suddenly you have the last few games in the Brondby shirt this time around.

“So, right now I’m just looking towards the next game and enjoying every single second I wear this shirt.”

Celtic’s Champions League progress could tempt targets

While Celtic are an enormous club on the stature front, one of the main selling points to potential targets in January will undoubtedly be their potential to play knockout Champions League football.

Seven points from four matches has put the Bhoys within touching distance of booking a knockout playoff berth, with the Hoops’ victory over RB Leipzig an ideal example of the excitement high-calibre players could experience if they make the move to Parkhead.

The club need to capitalise on their involvement at Europe’s top table. When you couple it with regular domestic silverware, there is a lot to like about the current project unfolding in Glasgow’s east end.

Arne Engels arrived at Celtic from Augsburg in a blaze of publicity this summer after Brendan Rodgers made him the club’s record-ever signing.

The young Belgian was signed by Celtic for a club-record fee of £11.5m from Bundesliga side Augsburg, smashing the previous record set when Odsonne Edouard was purchased from PSG in 2018.

Since his arrival, Engels has made 14 appearances in the green and white Hoops scoring three goals and creating six with three of those assists coming in the Champions League.

The 21-year-old also scored his first Champions League goal for Celtic against Slovan Bratislava and since then, Engels has been developing nicely under Brendan Rodgers.

And now, a recent study by CIES Football Observatory has placed Engels’ value at almost double what it was when Celtic first signed him.

Arne Engels valued sky rockets after flying start to Celtic season

Engels has slotted well into Rodgers’ Celtic and after a couple of games where he seemed to lose his way, the Belgian has still produced the good.

So much so that CIES now has Engels valued between £14.1m and £19.9m using their ‘Fair Price’ tool. The value is worked out from the price that was paid for the player and taking into account inflation and who could potentially afford to but the player.

With Engels being in the high-tier pricing range (in relative terms) the Belgian is likely to attract attention from Europe’s top teams considering he is a full Belgium international.

Engels’ age and how much he still has to develop means that even at the high-end valuation, the Celtic midfielder would represent a bargain for any of Europe’s top teams should any want to secure his services in the future.

Global players who have the same value as Celtic midfielder Arne Engels

There are only a handful of players who come into the same estimated value price band than Arne Engels in the report so here, 67 Hail Hail lists all players who are valued in the same bracket as the Belgian.

Andy Diouf- RC Lens

David Fofana – Goztepe SK

Luciano Gondou – Zenit St Petersburg

Claudio Echeverri – River Plate

Taylor Harwood-Bellis – Southampton

Yuri Alberto – Corinthians

Joe Scally – Borussia Monchengladbach

Diego Gomez – Inter Miami

Mohamed Simakan – Al-Nassr

Rodri Zalazar – Braga

Brendan Rodgers won’t be beaten in Lennon Miller race by Glasgow rivals

Lennon Miller of Motherwell hit the post. Photo Vagelis Georgariou for The Celtic Star

If it’s a straight fight between Celtic and theRangers for Lennon Miller, then there’s only going to be one winner…

Motherwell have apparently set the price for their highly rated 18 year old midfielder Lennon Miller.

Miller is continuing to impress and is one of Scottish football’s hottest young talents, with a big future ahead of him in the game.

According to multiple reports, the hierarchy at Fir Park would be willing to do business for around £4 million. While that may seem a lot for an 18 year old, it’s quite a reasonable price for such a talented young player with huge potential, and the Steelmen are quite within their rights to put such a price tag on their most prized asset.

Lennon Miller in action against Celtic. Photo Vagelis Georgariou for The Celtic Star

The SMSM are predictably proclaiming it as a battle between Celtic and theRangers for the youngster, but as everyone knows, the Ibrox club are short of cash and are highly unlikely be able to put in a bid of that sort.

There’s also the fact that the player will have the choice to progress his career at the best club in the country, while being coached by a manager who has a great track record of improving players. Or a club who don’t even know who’ll be managing them in the long run.

Mid-Season Friendly, Showgrounds, Sligo 9/10/2024 Sligo Rovers vs Celtic. Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers 9/10/2024. Photo: INPHO/Tom Maher

Don’t get me wrong, we could also be blown out the water by a side from down south, but if it comes to a battle between ourselves and theRangers, there is only one winner. If Brendan Rodgers wants the player then theRangers aren’t likely to frustrate the Celtic manager.

Just an Ordinary Bhoy

Matt Corr’s wonderful new books, Celtic in the Thirties, Volumes One & Two are both out now on Celtic Star Books and you can order a signed copies by clicking on the links below…

Building on Celtic FC Women’s Champions League development

Celtic v Chelsea, UWCL, Wednesday 13 November 2024. Celtic Park. Photo AJ (The Celtic Star)

Celtic FC Women have made giant strides to be able to compete at UEFA Women’s Champions League level and they will be all the better for the experience gained in their first year playing at the highest level of club football…

Celtic v Chelsea, UWCL, Wednesday 13 November 2024. Celtic Park. Photo AJ (The Celtic Star)

Celtic  took on Chelsea  at Celtic park last night in the UEFA Women’s Champions League, in front of a decent crowd of 7390 but despite their best efforts they lost out by two goals to one to the English Champion.

There is no shame in that and Elena and her side can hold their heads high despite losing on the night and all three of their first three fixtures, after previously losing to FC twente and Real Madrid.

Celtic v Chelsea, UWCL, Wednesday 13 November 2024. Celtic Park. Photo AJ (The Celtic Star)

They’ve not been outclassed as such, just beaten by sides with better experience at this level. Just to get to this stage was an achievement in itself and the team have done themselves and the supporters proud in their first round of fixtures.

Of course there is still three fixtures remaining and while qualifying for the latter stages might prove difficult, the players will give their all as they continue to grow as a team at this level.

Football is all about learning and the woman have went from strength to strength since winning their first league title last season, and competing in the Champions League for the first time will only benefit them in the long run.

Celtic v Chelsea, UWCL, Wednesday 13 November 2024. Celtic Park. Photo AJ (The Celtic Star)

We are at the half way stage and Celtic will now play the three opponents starting with Chelsea next Wednesday night at Stamford Bridge. Elena Sadiku will be targeting taking as many points as possible as in particular the three points on offer against FC Twente in Holland. Real Madrid at New Douglas Park might also be a viable opportunity for the Ghirls.

Celtic v Chelsea, UWCL, Wednesday 13 November 2024. Celtic Park. Photo AJ (The Celtic Star)

This season’s campaign is all about progression and the key factor is retaining the title so that we can do it all again next season. And with over £500,000 in additional revenue for the women’s side then the club can certainly back Elena Sadiku who will be able to attract a higher standard of recruit with Champions League football on offer.

Well done to the Ghirls for that brilliant effort last night.

Just an Ordinary Bhoy

Matt Corr’s wonderful new books, Celtic in the Thirties, Volumes One & Two are both out now on Celtic Star Books and you can order a signed copies by clicking on the links below…

Top flight boss ‘will not accept’ Rangers role if Clement is sacked as Celtic ace says club is in ‘good place’

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A former Rangers man has ruled a Scottish Premiership manager out of contention for the Light Blues hotseat.

We are currently in the midst of an international break – as such, the Scottish Premiership is on hiatus. Scotland are gearing up for Nations League games against Croatia and Poland – let’s take a look at what is happening back home in the meantime.

A Scottish Premiership manager has been rumoured to be one of the potential successors to Philippe Clement at Rangers – however, a pundit has his doubts. Meanwhile, a Celtic star has spoken on his admiration of the club since his arrival, lauding the mentality at Parkhead and how it is a ‘new experience’ for him.

Derek Ferguson believes Derek McInnes will ‘not’ take on Rangers job

Philippe Clement’s status at Rangers is looking especially precarious at the moment. The Light Blues currently sit third in the Scottish Premiership table, nine points behind both Aberdeen and Celtic.

As such, fans are beginning to speculate who may take over if the Belgian head coach is sacked in the coming months. One of the names being thrown around is Kilmarnock boss Derek McInnes – but ex-Rangers midfielder Derek Ferguson has his doubts as to whether he will take the job or not.

Speaking with Ibrox News, Ferguson said: “I’m not so sure about Derek. Derek’s had the opportunity before and had a look at it, didn’t think it was the right time. Would he look at the club now and think it’s the right time? Absolutely not, because the club’s in a mess.

“You look at the structure behind the scenes, it’s all over the place. So I wouldn’t see Derek McInnes taking that opportunity to go and take the reins. We get that Derek has been a Rangers supporter, but the one thing about Derek McInnes, he’s very professional. He’s a clever guy, so he’s not going to take that.”

Kasper Schmeichel speaks his time at Celtic so far

Kasper Schmeichel has been a success since he arrived at Celtic in the summer. Not only is he ‘very satisfied’ with his time at the club, he is also relishing the challenge of the ‘pressure’ he feels at Parkhead.

Additionally, the former Leicester City man complimented the ‘really good football’ that Brendan Rodgers has implemented since his return to Celtic Park.

Speaking with Danish outlet Tipsbladet, Schmeichel said: “I am very satisfied. I have been playing really well and I love being part of the team. It’s a cool style of play that we have, and it suits me really well

US comedy legend in retro Celtic kit painting will make your day

Danny DeVito plays Frank Reynolds in It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia (Image: Zooligan on Instagram)

Anyone who watches It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia knows Frank Reynolds. Anyone who doesn’t, surely, knows Danny DeVito.

As brought to our attention by cool football mag Mundial on Instagram, here’s Reynolds in Paddy’s Pub – the make believe bar his character owns – wearing the Celtic home top of 1995-1997:

The artist behind the artwork goes by the name Zooligan on social media, and their portfolio covers similar works reimagining famous TV stars and celebrities in retro kits.

Among them is Curb Your Enthusiasm’s Larry David kitted out in a late ’90s Parma top, David Brent and Alan Partridge wearing retro England tracksuits, and The Sopranos’ Chris Moltisanti wearing a Napoli shirt while presumably chilling in Satriale’s.

As for DeVito’s character in It’s Always Sunny, he makes no mention of being a Celtic fan in the show… but he does own an Irish bar.

The complete opposite of how he carries himself in reality, DeVito’s character is, like the rest of the cast, hardly likeable. But the antics he and co-dependent on-screen character pals – Mac (Rob McElhenney, Charlie (Charlie Day), Dennis (Glenn Howerton) and Dee (Kaitlin Olson) – get up to are often hilarious.

First launched in 2005 on US television channel FX, It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia has since been on air for more seasons than any other American live-action sitcom, running for 16 seasons so far.

If you don’t watch the show, you’ll likely recognise McElhenney as the other guy who now owns Wrexham alongside Hollywood actor, Ryan Reynolds.

Slow news day? Of course it is, we’re in the throes of another international break. But hopefully this puts a smile on your face.

Celtic midfielder Arne Engels handed Belgium start

GLASGOW, SCOTLAND – SEPTEMBER 18: Arne Engels of Celtic celebrates scoring his team’s third goal during the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 League Phase MD1 match between Celtic FC and SK Slovan Bratislava at Celtic Park on September 18, 2024 in Glasgow, Scotland. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

Celtic midfielder Arne Engels has been named in the Starting XI for Belgium’s UEFA Nations League game against Italy. The 21-year-old has been named in a midfield alongside Aston Villa’s Onana and Arsenal’s Trossard as he looks to impress.

Belgium host the Italians in Brussels at the King Baudouin Stadium but Celtic fans will be keen an eye on the game as they see how Engels fares.

— Belgian Red Devils (@BelRedDevils) November 14, 2024

Engels has impressed since making the £11m switch from Augsburg, which made him Celtic’s record signing. In 14 appearances, Engels has scored 3 goals and assisted on 6 occasions. The Belgian international will be keen to continue his upward trajectory under the watchful eye of Brendan as he looks to audition for the new age of Belgian football.

Arne Engels Receives Brilliant Thursday Night Boost

Celtic’s record-breaking summer signing Arne Engels has been handed his first international start for Belgium as they face Italy tonight.

Soccer Football – Scottish Premiership – Celtic v Rangers – Celtic Park, Glasgow, Scotland, Britain – September 1, 2024 Celtic’s Arne Engels before the match Action Images via Reuters/Jason Cairnduff

The young midfielder, who joined Celtic for £11 million—smashing the club’s transfer record—has quickly established himself as a key asset, with impressive contributions across competitions this season.

Belgium currently sit third in their group with four points, trailing behind France and Italy, with tonight’s result unable to affect their standing in the table. Nevertheless, this opportunity for Engels to start in a high-profile international fixture marks a significant step in his career.

— Belgian Red Devils (@BelRedDevils) November 14, 2024

Since joining Celtic, Engels has demonstrated his versatility and playmaking ability. In eight SPFL matches, he’s already netted two goals, while in the Champions League, he’s contributed a goal and three assists. He’s also made his mark in the League Cup, providing three assists in Celtic’s campaign.

Engels had previously come off the bench twice for Belgium, and his promotion to the starting XI tonight underscores his growing reputation on the international stage.

For Celtic fans, his progress with the Belgian squad is exciting to watch, as his performances continue to validate the club’s substantial investment and hint at his potential to become a mainstay in both Celtic’s and Belgium’s setups.

Celtic in the Thirties: Unpublished works of David Potter – Paddy Connolly

Paddy Connolly, Celtic FC – Celtic in the Thirties, image by Celtic Curio

Celtic in the Thirties: Unpublished works of David Potter today features Paddy Connolly…

The late David Potter

Name: PADDY CONNOLLY
Born: April 14 1901
Died: February 18 1969
Appearances: 296
Goals: 46
Scottish League medals: 1925/26
Scottish Cup medals: 1922/23, 1924/25, 1926/27
Glasgow Cup medals: 1926/27, 1927/28, 1928/29
Glasgow Charity Cup medals: 1923/24; 1925/26
Scotland Caps: 0

Paddy Connolly, Celtic in the Thirties graphic by Celtic Curio

Paddy Connolly’s Celtic career barely touched the 1930s but he did play a few games in this decade, even though he was better known for his achievements in the 1920s. He might have, with better management, played for Celtic for a lot longer than he did.

He was born in Hamilton in 1901, and was therefore, mercifully, just too young for the Great War. He joined the club from Kirkintilloch Rob Roy in the middle of the 1921/22 season. He was slightly built, but what was immediately apparent was that he was possessed of great speed. In years to come he would deserve the name of “The Greyhound”, and it was commonly believed that he was faster than Eric Liddell, the British Olympic champion of 1924 and WR Applegarth the famous professional sprinter of the day.

Paddy Connolly, Celtic FC.  The Celtic Wiki

He was a right winger, but not in the Jimmy Johnstone sense of being a bag of tricks, nor of the Jimmy Delaney “roving commission” type of player. His role was to get the ball, charge down the right wing and cross for the head of McGrory. Paddy himself in later years delighted to tell the story of how as a young player, he was taken aside by the prodigiously talent and street-wise Patsy Gallacher and told that when he crossed the ball for Mr McGrory, he had to make sure that the lace was facing away from Mr McGrory’s head!

He would struggle for a while to get the right wing place in the team, for the sitting tenant was Andy McAtee, one of the club’s all-time greats, but he was too good a player to be left out altogether, and he was tried on the left wing. This proved to be more than a little successful, and it was on the left wing that he played in the 1923 Scottish Cup final against Hibs. It was not a great game, but Connolly with a long swinging ball found Joe Cassidy in the move that led up to the only goal of the game, and Connolly had his first Scottish Cup medal in the game that meant so much to so many people.

McAtee disappeared from the scene in 1924, and Connolly got the right wing spot as a good team developed. He played a large and important part in the Scottish Cup semi-final 5-0 defeat against Rangers in which the tactics were to suck Rangers into the midfield, prevent them from scoring and then hit them on the break. Connolly was up against the hard tackling Ulsterman Billy McCandless. In the second half, it was as if McCandless wasn’t there as the greyhound tore past him time and time again.

Celtic in the Thirties – Volume One

Celtic in the Thirties – Volume Two

In the final, Gallacher and McGrory earned immortality, but the following year 1925/26 saw one of the best forward lines in the team’s history as Connolly, Thomson, McGrory, McInally and McLean won the Scottish League for the club to the delight of the fans who revelled in the wing play of Paddy Connolly and Adam McLean. Adam was a steady and reliable winger, but he could not match the ripple of anticipation when a ball from Peter Wilson or Jean McFarlane found “the Greyhound” who had already anticipated the move.

He was phenomenally popular, not least because he was simply a supporter who could play. At the end of the game, he would happily merge in with the crowd, and not everyone would immediately identify him as the great football player that he was. Diffident, self-effacing and still in awe of men like McGrory and McInally, Connolly seldom put himself forward, and this was perhaps the reason why one niggardly cap for the Scottish League against the Irish League in 1926 was the only International honour won by Connolly. He was certainly good enough to deserve more.

Rather surprisingly, Jimmy McGrory puts Connolly as the best right winger that he had ever seen, ahead of McAtee, Thomson, Delaney, Tully and Johnstone. Yet he denies that Paddy was “classy”. He says quite simply that he was fast and direct and knew how to cross a ball. A good cross, of course, only becomes a good cross if there is someone waiting for it. Very often McGrory would indeed know where exactly to wait for the crosses of Paddy Connolly.

He won another Scottish Cup medal against East Fife in 1927, and won a Glasgow Cup medal three years in a row in the late 1920s, but these were difficult times for Celtic, not least because a new stand needed to be built and paid for. Maley tried in vain to sell Jimmy McGrory and John Thomson, and tried to reduce the wages of others, one of them being Paddy Connolly.

Author Matt Corr gets to see copies of Celtic in the Thirties, Volumes One & Two – out now on Celtic Star Books. Celtic in the Thirties, Published by Celtic Star Books, 4/11/24. Image: The Celtic Star

Paddy was the mildest of men and loved the Celtic with a passion but he was not keen to be taken to the cleaners either. He did in 1928, 1929, 1930 and 1931 hold out against signing, although he always did yield in the end. This did not, of course, increase his value in the eyes of Willie Maley who, paranoid as always, began to see him an a rebel or an agitator.

Things became more complicated when a rival appeared on the scene for the right wing spot. This was Bertie Thomson, and once Bertie established himself on the right wing and, more importantly, in the heart of Maley, there was no way back for Paddy Connolly. He played for Celtic for the last time in the Glasgow Charity Cup final in May 1930, a very honourable 2-2 draw, but Rangers then won by the toss of a coin!

The early 1930s saw him being loaned out to teams like Morton and Shelbourne, then he was transferred to Hibs and then Airdrie, before quietly (and in many ways characteristically) slipping out of the game. But he remained a Celtic supporter, and there was a report of the game in the Scottish Cup in February 1939 at Celtic Park in a Scottish Cup replay against Hearts when the gates had to be shut and thousands were locked out of the ground. One of them was Paddy Connolly!

We do not know a great deal about the subsequent life of this naturally quiet man. He was a publican at one point, and died in Hairmyres Hospital on February 18 1969.

Celtic score historic goal past Chelsea in Women’s Champions League but first point proves elusive

Celtic give Chelsea a scare at Parkhead

Celtic made Chelsea fight all the way to maintain their 100 per cent start to their Women’s Champions League campaign as the English side came from behind to win 2-1 at Parkhead.

The hosts, group-stage debutants this season who were 50/1 outsiders before kick-off, took a shock lead in the 22nd minute when Murphy Agnew’s strike gave them their first ever goal in the competition proper.

The strike raised hopes among the 8000 home crowd for a momentous victory, however, much-changed Chelsea managed to quickly turn things around through goals from Maika Hamano and Ashley Lawrence.

After boss Sonia Bompastor made three substitutions at the interval, they then had numerous chances in the second half but were unable to make the most of any of them, with Celtic goalkeeper Kelsey Daugherty pulling off some good saves.

Chelsea subsequently had Aggie Beever-Jones sent off in stoppage time as they emerged with a narrow win that took them to nine points from three games in Group B – and extended their winning start to the season to nine matches in all competitions.

They are three points clear in the pool of second-placed Real Madrid, while Elena Sadiku’s Celtic stay bottom, yet to get a point on the board, three behind Twente. The two sides meet again in the return fixture at Chelsea’s Kingsmeadow Stadium in London next week.

Murphy Agnew celebrates scoring Celtic’s first ever goal in the Women’s Champions League group stages as the hosts gave Chelsea a scare in a 2-1 defeat. (Photo by Ross Parker / SNS Group) | SNS Group

The early stages saw the visitors make unsuccessful attempts via Oriane Jean-Francois and Wieke Kaptein – and they then found themselves behind as Celtic scored an historic opener with their first chance of the contest, Amy Gallacher playing in Agnew, who slotted past Zecira Musovic to bring a huge roar around the stadium.

Chelsea hit back six minutes later when Beever-Jones produced a cutback and Hamano hit a shot that Daugherty got a hand to but could not keep out. Four minutes on from that and they had another, Lawrence firing in at the second attempt after Erin Cuthbert’s shot was blocked by the legs of Daugherty.

Cuthbert tried her luck again to no avail, while Lucy Ashworth-Clifford saw an attempt dealt with by Musovic just before half-time.

Bompastor opted to make a triple substitution at the break, bringing on Lucy Bronze, Guro Reiten and Johanna Rytting Kaneryd. And within a few minutes, Bronze had a header cleared off the line and Reiten struck over the bar.

A further Chelsea adjustment brought Catarina Macario off the bench, and she was then swiftly to the fore, unleashing three shots in quick succession. Daugherty parried the first and after the second curled wide, the goalkeeper did well to tip the third over.

After Nathalie Bjorn skewed over from a good position, Ashworth-Clifford brought a save out of Musovic.

Chelsea’s push for a third then quickly resumed, but with Daugherty keeping out a Jean-Francois shot and Beever-Jones header and Macario blasting a free-kick off-target, there remained only a goal in it.

They then got to the final whistle with only 10 players as Beever-Jones was dismissed in the closing moments following a challenge on Colette Cavanagh.

Willie Miller is a former player who is respected by many Celtic fans for what he achieved in the game with Aberdeen in the 80s.

That Aberdeen side were formidable and proved time and time again that they were the real deal by winning trophies at home and abroad.

This season the Pittodrie club have been riding the crest of a wave as they keep up with Celtic in the race for the league title. And, to be fair to them, they are doing well.

However, they were dealt a hard dose of cold reality just over ten days ago when Celtic battered Aberdeen 6-0 in the League Cup semi-final at Hampden in a game where Jimmy Thelin found out who really are the top dogs in Scottish football.

The Dons recovered from that humiliation well with a 4-1 win over Dundee and that has prompted Willie Miller to make a bold statement that will make Celtic fans smile.

Celtic told they have just seen the REAL Aberdeen

Miller wrote in the Press & Journal, “The Dons have ensured one bad result has not derailed their fantastic start to the season.

“Manager Jimmy Thelin and his players did a great job to respond to the heavy loss to Celtic.

“They went out against Dundee with a desire and energy to prove there are no doubts about the quality Aberdeen have this season.

“And they are still standing shoulder to shoulder with Celtic at the top of the Premiership table.

“A lot of observers will have been wondering if the semi-final defeat to Celtic would have a negative impact on Aberdeen.

“The Reds have proven it hasn’t, and the 11-game unbeaten Premiership run, with 10 wins, represents the REAL Aberdeen.”

Aberdeen got a taste of the REAL Celtic and are close to tasting it again

Forgive me, but the REAL Aberdeen Celtic fans know is a team that is on the constant end of hammerings from the Parkhead club.

Earning a draw at Celtic Park was credible for Aberdeen but they have done nothing of note to warrant Miller exclaiming that their unbeaten run so far represents what the ‘real’ Aberdeen are all about.

The Dons legend is starting to produce soundbites that normally come from Ibrox when the truth is that when it came to the crunch a pressured high-stake game like Hampden, the ‘real’ Aberdeen did turn up.

It’s just not the Aberdeen Miller thinks it is.

And come the 4th of December when Celtic visit Pittodrie and if Aberdeen win, then and only then can Miller even start to think about bullish statements like this.

Remind us all again the last time Aberdeen won a trophy? It was the 2014 League Cup final which had to be done on penalties after a 0-0 stalemate with Inverness Caley Thistle.

That is the ‘real’ Aberdeen.

Celtic head into the international break in strong form and serious excitement about what these next few months will bring.

In Brendan Rodgers’ return to the club last summer, Celtic won the double and this was after the team wasn’t really at their best.

So, imagine what the Bhoys can produce or win playing the football they are displaying now because it has been incredible.

From Celtic outclassing RB Leipzig to how they dealt with the second-best team in Scotland during the League Cup semi-final.

It has been a joy to watch, but you sense that the best is yet to come, especially with the League Cup final on the horizon and knockout Champions League football at Parkhead becoming more of a reality.

A big reason behind that is the club’s recruitment because more gems are emerging in the green and white colours.

Johan Mjallby says Nicolas Kuhn won’t leave Celtic

The man who is talk of the town is Nicolas Kuhn, who has had an outstanding week for the club, from his performance against Leipzig to that goal against Kilmarnock.

The Christmas lights aren’t even up yet and Kuhn already has 21 goal involvements to his name.

Given his strong form, there has been transfer talk around his name, but Johan Mjallby has shut all of that down, as he told Premier Sports.

He made it clear that ‘it’s not going to happen’ regarding Kuhn leaving in January and stated that it would take Matt O’Riley-like money to lose

“I am pretty sure they will do everything to keep him,” said Mjallby. “He’s on fire. On good form. In a way, he is like a new signing this summer.

“The first six months were stop and start for him. He had this tooth problem as well. He didn’t really show what he was all about. Now he is doing so well and is perfect in the way Brendan Rodgers wants his teams to play.

“It’s not going to happen. I will tell you guys. Maybe if they come in with a ridiculous bid for, we are talking Matt O’Riley figures, then they might be tempted. If it’s going to happen, then it’s going to happen next summer.”

Kuhn is the best player in Scotland

O’Riley hit the headlines over the weekend after scoring Brighton’s winner against Manchester City.

He was Celtic’s best player last season and the best performer in Scotland. You would think his departure would have been felt, but it hasn’t.

Players like Kuhn are reasons behind that and it just goes to show how this trophy-winning train of Celtic works because it is unstoppable.

Is it crazy to think that Kuhn could possibly record close to 50, if not above, goal contributions this season because he is already halfway there with 21, as posted by Transfermarkt.

Kasper Schmeichel opens up on Celtic love and new contracts talks

Kasper Schmeichel was Man of the Match. Photo Vagelis Georgariou for The Celtic Star

Celtic goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel has said that he’s loving life playing for the Scottish Champions. The 38-year-old has been excellent since replacing former colleague and pal Joe Hart in between the Celtic goals.

The Premier League winner has settled into the club, pulling off some impressive performances and bringing quality in distribution. Speaking to Tipsbladet, Schmeichel said he was very happy and loving being at Celtic.

“I’m very happy. I’ve been playing really well and I love being part of the team. It’s a great style of play that we have and it suits me really well.

“We’re off to a good start, but it’s not about how you start. I can’t complain. We are playing really good football.

“The last week has been characterised by our team. In pre-season we beat City and Chelsea, and then we’ve taken it further and beat Leipzig in the Champions League. We’re in a good place and we can play many different types of games.”

Celtic goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel. Celtic v RB Leipzig, UEFA Champions League, Group Stage, Celtic Park on – 5th November 2024. Photo Stuart Wallace Shutterstock

Schmeichel then turned to the pressures of playing for Celtic and the demands of winning every game, regardless of opponent.

“Anything other than a win is a failure. I feel great about that. It’s a completely different type of pressure than what I’ve been used to in my career. It’s a new experience.”

Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers with Celtic goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichelafter the match. Copyright: Robert Perry

Matt O’Riley touched upon these pressures in a recent interview after his Brighton debut. The midfielder will likely have updated his compatriot when they shared a dressing room at the start of the season.

Schmeichel admitted that he and Celtic will have discussions about a new deal into the New Year as they look to decide whether or not to extend the deal.

“One thing at a time. It’s an option for another year, but we’ll decide at some point next year.”

Celtic signed Schmeichel with an option and you would imagine if the player wants to then Brendan will want to retain him as his No.1 with Sinisalo deputising ahead of assuming the role from Schmeichel.  Given that the Celtic manager has eighteen months remaining on his current deal, however, might be another pressing issue for the club’s hierarchy.

Celtic prospect Daniel Cummings is attracting a growing audience as he continues to be a lynchpin in attack for the B Team this season.

Enjoying a brilliant run of form, the 18-year-old has netted 20 times in 18 appearances across all competitions, providing Stephen McManus with a reliable focal point.

Most notably, Cummings struck a double for Celtic against Leipzig as the young Hoops recorded their second UEFA Youth League victory since the new Swiss-style format came to fruition.

With his contract running into it’s final year at Celtic, several English clubs are said to be keeping tabs on Cummings as he illustrates his potency in front of the target without any signs of his form tailing off.

Now involved with Scotland Under-19’s in their Euro qualifying triple-header against Wales, Liechtenstein and France, his international boss Neil MacFarlane has touched on his recent displays after including the poacher among his offensive ranks.

Neil MacFarlane impressed by Daniel Cummings’ Celtic form

Speaking ahead of the Tartan Army’s clash with Wales, MacFarlane noted how impressed he has been with Cummings and how his firepower can help the young Scots over the course of their next three matches.

He stated: “Daniel’s done really, really well. He’s scored a lot of goals in the Lowland League and scored in the UEFA Youth League as well.

“He’s been doing really well for them, just as a number of the lads at Celtic have been doing. It just adds to the attacking options at the top end of the pitch.”

Cummings will now vie for a starting slot alongside the likes of Sheffield United talent Ryan One and on-loan Ayr United forward Alfie Bavidge during his involvement with Scotland.

Daniel Cummings is a talent Celtic won’t want to lose

Comparing the situation to the last few years, it is rare that Celtic have a promising homegrown forward on their hands with genuine potential to make the step up from the Academy set-up to first-team level in a few years.

However, with his contract situation, the Bhoys will need to cater for his needs and ensure there is a pathway for the striker to continue to develop at Lennoxtown with a plan to eventually hoist him into the senior fold.

Celtic haven’t done too well in keeping young talent on board in recent times, so there is work to be done on that front before Cummings’ long-term potential can truly be tapped into at Parkhead.

Since joining Celtic on a free transfer during the summer window, Kasper Schmeichel has proven to be a beacon of security behind Brendan Rodgers’ defensive line.

Brought in after an extensive search to find Joe Hart’s replacement, the veteran Denmark international has certainly lived up to expectations at Parkhead.

Making 18 appearances for his new club, Kasper Schmeichel has kept 11 clean sheets for Celtic across all competitions, satisfying supporters with his show-stopping saves and clean distribution.

Despite turning 38 earlier this month, the former Leicester City man is showing no sign of decline. Last weekend, Schmeichel’s heroics against Kilmarnock helped the Bhoys record a vital shutout and three points at Rugby Park in a match where he was worked on six occasions without faltering.

Now, the Celtic goalkeeper has opened up on how he is finding life in Glasgow alongside addressing his contractual situation.

Kasper Schmeichel on time at Celtic and his contract situation

In an interview with Tipsbladet, summer signing Schmeichel admitted he is relaxed about his Celtic contract situation. The veteran’s current terms expire in the summer, but he has an option for an extra year at Parkhead.

He explained, firstly on life at the Bhoys: “I’m very happy. I’ve been playing really well and I love being part of the team. It’s a great style of play that we have and it suits me really well.

“We’re off to a good start, but it’s not about how you start. I can’t complain. We are playing really good football.

“The last week has been characterised by our team. In pre-season we beat City and Chelsea, and then we’ve taken it further and beat Leipzig in the Champions League. We’re in a good place and we can play many different types of games.”

Later, he added: “Anything other than a win is a failure. I feel great about that. It’s a completely different type of pressure than what I’ve been used to in my career. It’s a new experience.”

On his contract, Schmeichel ended by stating: “One thing at a time. It’s an option for another year, but we’ll decide at some point next year.”

Celtic will sort out Schmeichel’s contract when the time comes

Although Celtic supporters are delighted by what they have seen from Schmeichel, it would be illogical to read into his contract situation too much until later down the line.

Strictly speaking, he isn’t even half of the way through his year at the club, so you suspect the decision will be taken at some point next year.

However, the matter will be a seed in the back of Brendan Rodgers’ mind. Both have enjoyed an excellent reunion after their time at Leicester City, which is something everyone is keen to see continue for as long as possible.

Regardless, any decision beyond this campaign will require input from both player and club. Let Schmeichel continue to thrive for now before he decides on his own future.

Opinion: Coote’s Outburst Stokes Scottish Referee Debate

PGMOL has suspended Premier League referee David Coote after a leaked video surfaced showing him using expletive-laden language about former Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp. The 42-year-old’s derogatory comments about the German tactician have left English football reeling, raising serious questions about neutrality within the officiating ranks. With the video spreading rapidly online, it has sparked a heated debate over whether referees can truly keep their personal feelings out of their professional decisions.

The implications for the Premier League are considerable, but Coote’s outburst has also cast a long shadow over refereeing closer to home in Scotland. Here, the likes of Willie Collum and his colleagues have repeatedly defended the integrity of Scottish officiating, insisting they remain immune to personal biases or preferences. Indeed, even the mere suggestion that a Scottish referee might harbour personal grievances or partialities is met with outright dismissal. This, despite the fact that Scotland has seen a judge retire early over accusations of football-related bias [THE TIMES] – yet our part-time officials are supposedly above reproach.

Fans may feel they’re in the dark about what goes on behind the curtain, but Coote’s indiscretion offers a rare and unsettling glimpse into the unseen dynamics at play. Only days ago, English fans might have scoffed at the idea of a referee publicly slating a manager; today, they’re left to ponder whether bias and preference have affected past decisions. Could referees – who are, after all, only human – be swayed by personal feelings towards certain players, managers, or even clubs?

Human nature dictates that everyone carries biases, conscious or not. It’s perfectly plausible for a referee to hold a grudge against someone who’s insulted them in the press, publicly embarrassed them, or clashed with them behind closed doors. Coote’s record in games involving Liverpool has already come under scrutiny, with fans now wondering if grudges or personal animosities may have played a role in certain decisions.

In a profession that demands impartiality, this scandal raises the uncomfortable question: can referees be trusted to set aside their personal opinions, or are we naïve to assume they do? In an era when every decision is dissected by millions, Coote’s comments have left many wondering just how far biases truly reach.

Neil Lennon disgusted by the cause of Celtic ‘paranoia’

Neil Lennon (Image: SNS)

Neil Lennon has told the Celtic mole they’re doing Brendan Rodgers nor the club any favours.

The Northern Irishman insists the current boss will suspect everyone until they discover who is leaking confidential team news.

Rodgers was outspoken against the mole that has been leaking his starting XI the day before matches in recent times.

Ahead of their Scottish Premiership game against Dundee and the Premier Sports Cup semi-final versus Aberdeen, the team line-up was shared online.

Rodgers is determined to get to the bottom of the situation.

Lennon – who went through a similar situation during his final season as manager of the club – has lifted the lid on the damaging impact it can have.

“It’s something I faced at the club as well as Brendan Rodgers in his first spell, it’s really disappointing,” he told OLGB. “You do all your preparation and you name the team the day before the game, and then somebody’s leaking it.

“That can give the opposition the upper hand or some sort of advantage, you have to go a long way to get an advantage over Celtic at the minute, but that still hurts.

“Knowing that somebody within the building or within the club is wanting to leak the team for whatever reason, whether that be financial or not, it’s very disappointing.

“When you’re working hard behind the scenes, you want some privacy especially at a big club like Celtic, it causes mistrust and paranoia sometimes. You’d subconsciously be looking at innocent people and not wondering if it’s them, and it creates a bit of an uncomfortable atmosphere which is totally unnecessary.

“Especially when the team is going so well at the minute and there’s a connection at the minute between the supporters and the team that everyone’s enjoying. It’s disappointing.”

Rangers icon in teasing reveal over I’m a Celebrity offer after dropping Celtic one-liner in making decision

The Rangers legend has been linked with taking part in the reality TV show.

Ally McCoist has dropped a Celtic one-liner into his response over negotiations about becoming part of this year’s I’m a Celebrity Get Me Out of Here cast.

Producers were in talks with the Rangers legend about appearing on the reality TV show this year, having failed to lure him into the Jungle during the 2019 and 2022 runs of the ITV programme hosted by Ant and Dec.

The cast for the show has been released and there is one sporting legend who will be taking part in the show, Barry McGuigan. This season’s first episode of I’m A Celebrity will be broadcast on Sunday with the likes of Coleen Rooney, Maura Higgins and Tulisa coming on.

Rangers icon McCoist – who has broadcasting commitments with the likes of TNT Sports – was chatting about the show on the radio this week. And he raised a wry nod and wink to the his possible participation in the programme.

He told TalkSPORT: “It will be brilliant this year. It could have been better… but it will be brilliant.”

When pushed by his co-hosts on the airwaves for an answer on the talks, McCoist said of them recently: “No, there’s your answer.

“It’s brilliant, my wee mate Durranty [Ian Durrant] phoned me, he says, ‘What a decision you’ve got to make.’ Sitting on the half way line in the best seats in the house, at the San Siro watching Inter Milan vs Celtic or Inter Milan vs Arsenal or eating a bag of spiders. It’s not bad, is it?”

Scotland squad rally round struggling star – ‘he’s around good people who help him’

John Carver backs striker to rediscover scoring touch

Scotland coach John Carver says “everyone is in full support” of goal-shy striker Lawrence Shankland ahead of the national team’s upcoming matches against Croatia and Poland.

The Scots require at least one victory to avoid finishing bottom of Nations League A1 and will be without the services of Che Adams, who started the 0-0 draw against Portugal last time out. The Torino hitman has a hamstring issue and withdrew from the squad on Tuesday along with Lewis Morgan as Stuart Armstrong was drafted in for the first time since the Euros. It leaves Shankland to fight out the striking berth with Lyndon Dykes of Birmingham City and Middlesbrough’s in-form Tommy Conway.

Shankland has struggled badly for goals at club Hearts this season, scoring just once across all competitions with the Jambos sitting second-bottom of the Premiership. However, Carver has been impressed with the 29-year-old’s all-round play and believes the goals will come sooner rather than later.

Lawrence Shankland during a Scotland training session at the City Stadium. | SNS Group

When asked who in the Scotland camp has been rallying around Shankland, Carver said: “Everybody, everybody, because we know what he’s going through. I’ve watched all the games. I’ve watched the game against Omonia, because it was my ex-team, and he had a couple of chances, and listen, when you’re a good player and you’re a goal scorer, eventually that barren spell happens, and he’s around good people who help him, and sometimes it’s a bit of a relief coming away from a poor spot, because you’re in a different environment.

“We all know what he’s about. He’s a goalscorer, he gets between the posts, he plays inside the 18-yard box, and if he has to play for us, or start, or come on, that’s what we want him to do, and we’ll encourage him to do that, and the good thing is, he’s actually getting into those positions, to actually try and score goals.

“It’s just not coming off for him now, where it did last season and the season before that, so everybody’s in full support of Lawrence. We love him to bits, and the players around him understand it. You’ve got Dyksey in there, you’ve got young Tommy Conway, who’s just started his career, and everybody’s been supportive. They actually sit next to each other in the dressing room, before training, which is good, and the spirit’s good. I sat with Lawrence this morning, and had a good chat with him, and he’ll be okay.”

Don’t judge a book or certain players by its cover because that has been the case with Celtic this season.

Everything is rosy in the Celtic garden, you can’t have too much to complain about, either on the domestic circuit or in Europe.

Yes, well done to Aberdeen for keeping up with the pace, but Celtic are steamrolling nearly everyone in front of them and even put six goals past Jimmy Thelin’s side in the League Cup semi-final.

Added to that, Celtic are showing serious fight in the Champions League after that one game to forget against Borussia Dortmund.

Yet, only last season, you could argue that Brendan Rodgers’ return wasn’t plain sailing, even if he delivered two trophies, including another title.

There came one point during the winter period when there were chants of ‘sack the board’ because supporters weren’t happy with the recruitment.

The argument was that fans didn’t like the project-like signings that were brought in, but that didn’t stop the club from doing the same in the January transfer market.

And one man sums it all up.

James McFadden and Kris Boyd change their minds on Nicolas Kuhn at Celtic

Nicolas Kuhn arrived in January, with a lot of expectations and hope that he could hit the ground running, but that didn’t happen.

James McFadden touched upon how he wasn’t showing that ‘explosive pace’ and he was playing too ’safe’, as he told Sky Sports Football (10/11/24 at 5:15 pm).

Kris Boyd even claimed that, come this summer, Celtic fans would have ‘wished they had the receipt’ for Kuhn.

But, fast forward to the present, and everything has changed on its head, including how Kuhn is now being perceived.

“When he arrived, he was under pressure and he was brought in, everyone expected him, Jota had left, you are looking and thinking ‘he needs to perform’,” said Boyd. “It might have been the best thing to happen to him. He was getting a little bit of stick.

“Sometimes when you come in and everything is all rosy, you think ‘I have arrived’. Getting that criticism, then having to come back in summer and knowing ‘I have to work my socks off’. Probably not to get into the team, but back to a level of performance that have shown why Celtic wanted to bring him to the football club. You go back to pre-season when Celtic were in America, he was outstanding over there as well. He has come back and been unbelievable. He is at the top of his game right now. A lot of Celtic fans would have wished they still had the receipt in the summer, maybe send him back, they won’t now, that’s for sure.”

McFadden added: “He is a player full fit and fully confident. You think back to last season, we didn’t see that explosive pace we told he had, but we didn’t see it. He was coming back. His first touch was always back. It was safe. He didn’t look to be taking risks. I know he had a dental problem where he was struggling when he first came to Celtic. The pre-season has been exactly what he has needed because he is bringing the numbers, scoring goals and providing assists – he has shown he isn’t a one-trick pony. He was potentially showing that he was going to be that – the numbers he is putting up right now are really impressive. What’s that going to be come the end of the season? Because his levels don’t look like they are going down. They are going up.”

Kuhn’s stats last season compared to this season for Celtic

It has been well-documented that Kuhn had dental issues, which meant that he couldn’t eat right and that seriously affects your physical performance.

And let’s be honest, it’s not like Celtic were playing free-flowing football at the time, the performances were pretty scratchy.

So, as a player, you have to walk into that, plus the pressure cooker of a club like Celtic, that’s why he only had three goals and three assists to his name.

CompetitionGamesGoalsAssistsMinutes playedPremiership921484′Scottish Premiership Top Six Split5–1298′SFA Cup411196′

But after 17 games in all competitions this season, he has ten goals and 11 assists to his name.

And it’s scary to think about the levels Kuhn can reach because, at the same time Matt O’Riley scores a memorable debut goal for Brighton, the Bhoys have found their next superstar.

No Price Tag Set – Nicolas Kuhn Reports Refuted

Nicolas Kuhn has started the season brilliantly, racking up interest from the Premier League.

Soccer Football – Champions League – Celtic v RB Leipzig – Celtic Park, Glasgow, Scotland, Britain – November 5, 2024 Celtic’s Nicolas Gerrit Kuhn REUTERS/Russell Cheyne

After reports have emerged over the past few days about price tags, Celtic has refuted reports suggesting they’ve placed a price tag on winger Nicolas Kuhn.

The German winger has 21 goal contributions so far this season stirring speculation about a potential €30 million (£24.8 million) transfer fee. [Kronen Zeitung]

Kuhn’s standout performances, particularly his eye-catching display against RB Leipzig in the Champions League, have heightened interest. His contributions have made him one of Celtic’s most valuable assets, yet the club remains firm that no official valuation has been placed on him, signalling that they’re in no rush to part ways with the player.

Celtic signed Kuhn from Rapid Wien in January for just £3 million, a move now looking like a bargain given his rapid impact. Although the rumoured fee aligns with the club’s record sales—such as Kieran Tierney’s transfer to Arsenal and Matt O’Riley’s summer move to Brighton—Celtic’s stance indicates they intend to retain the winger at least through the season unless an extraordinary offer arises.

As the January transfer window nears, Celtic fans will be keeping a close watch on developments, and hopefully, the club can resist the lure of the Premier League and retain Kuhn’s services for at least the remainder of the season.

Chelsea face the Scottish champions at Celtic Park looking for a third successive victory in Group B; Celtic captain Kelly Clark wants to end Chelsea’s unbeaten run in Europe: “It’s an amazing occasion for us to enjoy“

Image:Chelsea’s Mayra Ramirez (left) scored in the win over Liverpool at the weekend

Sonia Bompastor revealed Millie Bright, Mayra Ramirez, Sjoeke Nusken and Kadeisha Buchanan have not travelled to Scotland for Chelsea’s Champions League match with Celtic on Wednesday.

The French boss, whose Blues side are currently unbeaten in the Women’s Super League, revealed she is rotating her squad in a bid to maintain fitness.

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Chelsea face the Scottish champions at Celtic Park looking for a third successive victory in Group B.

Bompastor said: “The squad is in a good place and we have a good dynamic and we are full of confidence. We have been playing a lot of games and this week we play three games so it’s important to manage players as individuals.

Image:Millie Bright has not travelled to Scotland for the game with Celtic

“We have some players who didn’t travel for this game. Kadeisha Buchanan, Millie Bright, Sjoeke Nusken and Mayra Ramirez didn’t travel.

“As you know, Chelsea have a good squad with quality and a good team will start the game and be competitive because we want to finish first in this group.”

Highlights of the Women’s Super League match between Liverpool and Chelsea.

Chelsea claimed a 3-2 win over Real Madrid in their first fixture and followed that with a 3-1 victory over Twente in the Netherlands.

Bompastor, who won the competition as both a player and manager at Lyon, added: “We’re focused on the games and the one that’s coming [next] is Celtic.

“The Champions League is important and we have ambition and we want to make sure we finish first in the group.

Image:Chelsea coach Sonia Bompastor has her sights set on topping the group

“We have ambitions and if we want to go for all the competitions then you need to beat every team.

“It will start again in March and that’s when the really important games start, but right now we are focused on the group stage.”

Celtic captain Kelly Clark wants to end Chelsea’s unbeaten run in Europe.

“It’s an amazing occasion for us to enjoy,” she said.

“People look at the fixture and have one outcome in their head, it’s our job to make that prediction wrong. We know we’re against some of the best players in the world but it’s a challenge we will embrace.”

The Celtic USA experiment that was ‘very close’ as Dundee chief hints at bringing American dream back to life

John Nelms wants to try and take the Scottish top flight stateside again after suggested Hoops clash across the pond never happened

John Nelms

Dundee chief John Nelms has revealed he wants to have another crack at playing a Premiership game in the United States.

The Dark Blues and Celtic explored the possibility of doing just that in 2015. The idea was eventually abandoned two years later but Nelms insists the game was very close to going ahead. In May, FIFA set up a working group to look at the potential impact of competitive domestic matches being played abroad, and American Nelms admitted he would jump at the chance of playing a game in his homeland if the opportunity arose.

The Dundee managing director said: “Is it something we’d look at again? Yes, we’re open to all of these things. We’re in the entertainment business so anything we can do to entertain, we’d certainly do that. That project nearly happened, it was very, very close. It would have been fantastic for everybody, financially for the football club, for the eyes that you’d get on the game, everything we thought that that would be fantastic for.

“The NFL are doing it just now, they were in Germany last weekend. They see the benefits in doing that. Now, with benefits also comes the negative side of it which is making sure that your national identity and the league’s identity is there.”

Nelms admitted the American MLS sides were wary about allowing foreign teams to play league games on their soil because of the huge interest in Mexican football in the US. Nelms added: “In the United States, their concern was the Mexican League potentially playing a lot of their games because of the loopholes that we found and how we could make it happen.

“In the US, especially in the southern states, the following for Mexican football is huge. If you put the two games up against each other, an MLS game versus a Mexican League game, you’d have a big group of people that would choose the Mexican League game in certain states in the US. So I understand what the fears were.”

“But if it ever arose again that we’re able to do that, we have a little bit more of an understanding of how it works now and we’d certainly be up for something like that.

“The question is how it would affect the MLS and I understand that. If we had English Premier League games being played up here, I think we’d be a bit concerned that our stadiums might be empty that week because Man Utd are playing Man City at Hampden.

“We’d all have a little bit of a fear of that so I understand it.”

Matt O’Riley tells Brighton ally why Celtic are just different as he has answer ready for the million dollar question

O’Riley was asked if he missed Celtic and had an honest answer ready

Matt O’Riley reckons most people can’t even IMAGINE what it’s like to play for Celtic – let alone hack it under the Parkhead pressure.

And he made sure Brighton legend Glenn Murray knew it when he appeared on the club’s official podcast this week. O’Riley is off and running in the Premier League at last after an injury-hampered false start, and came off the bench to score the winner against Manchester City to sign off for the international break.

It was the first real return on his £25m transfer fee and he’ll be hoping for more moments like that now he’s finally motoring down south. His rise since joining Celtic from MK Dons for a bargain £1.5m almost three years ago has been startling and his two-and-a-half seasons at Parkhead certainly left their mark on O’Riley.

Speaking on the club’s regular podcast, hosted by broadcaster Paul Hayward and legendary frontman Murray, he was asked what it was like to play for Celtic and dominate Scottish football. And while the hosts might have expected an answer indicating the Premier League has been a step above, he said: “Respectfully, the pressures of playing at Celtic are for most people unimaginable. It is not easy to win every game of football regardless of who you are playing against.

“If you have 11 men behind the ball who are well-organised sometimes it is difficult to score. The longer the game goes on, the anxiety bulids up in the crowd. And you just need to learn to be able to accept that but also just somehow block it out and stay focused.

“To do that every single game is really tiring, you know – mentally and physically – to sustain it as well. Anyone who is able to play at Celtic for a long time, like James Forrest and Callum McGregor, to have that kind of relentless mentality .. it is genuinely tiring. I have so much respect for them to do it over and over again, 60 games a season.

Celtic player jokes he’s surprised manager hasn’t broken hand from slamming table

Celtic goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel has spoken to the Danish media about his thoughts on recently installed Denmark manager Brian Riemer.

Signed by Brendan Rodgers in the summer to replace Joe Hart, Schmeichel’s performances for Celtic have helped him keep hold of the No.1 jersey during the last two international breaks.

Speaking to Tipsbladet, the Celtic stopper was asked about the Riemer’s character after he played under the Dane whilst at Anderlecht.

Seen in the Danish media as a mellow manager, Schmeichel revealed Riemer can be hard with his players at times. The Celtic man said there were a few occasions at Anderlecht when the former Brentford coach would lose it with players if his instructions weren’t be followed.

“I remember several times that during breaks and after games, he spoke with big words. As a coach, you have to be able to do both, and he certainly can. There are a couple of times that I have not been able to understand that he has not broken his hand from slamming things,” said the Celtic keeper.

Schmeichel will be looking to win his 110^th cap when Denmark face Spain this week and will be hoping to replicate the form he’s shown since signing for Celtic in the summer.

The 38-year-old has let in just three goals in eleven league games this season and is also yet to concede in the UEFA Nations League.

Peter Lawwell likes to get bang for his buck and is known for digging his heels in during negotiations.

The chairman has a tight fist around his cash as Celtic fans have learned over the years.

When it comes to selling players, too, the experienced campaigner knows what it takes to get the best value for money and recent transfers such as Matt O’Riley, Jota and Kieran Tierney can attest.

So it was perhaps somewhat unexpected to hear that back in 2014/15 the 65-year-old had agreed to let one Hoops player leave on a free transfer.

And it was even more baffling to learn that the manager of the other club rejected the offer in the end. Only to wind up regretting doing so.

Former Dundee United chairman Stephen Thompson has recalled the moment his old club were offered the chance to sign Jackson Irvine from Parkhead on the cheap.

It came after then-manager Jackie McNamara had also opted against signing a young St Mirren talent by the name of John McGinn for a pittance for him to then become a Scotland and Premier League superstar via Hibs instead.

Not the best forward planning by the man now credited as agent to Celtic midfielder Luke McCowan and Ben Doak among others.

Dundee United rejected the chance to sign John McGinn and Jackson Irvine

Thompson blames McNamara for those big calls which would coincide with relegation from the Scottish Premiership the following year.

And he still questions whether or not those players could potentially have made a difference in the battle against the drop.

Speaking to BBC’s Off the Ball show, Thompson recalled: “I was sitting in a hotel with Peter Lawwell and Gordon Strachan and I got a call from a guy who works for me saying we had an offer of £60,000 in for John McGinn and do we want to up the bid?

“I said, ‘To what? About £150,000?’ But I needed to phone the manager. I told the manager, and he said no, we didn’t want him any more. So, I didn’t up the bid.

Jackie McNamara is Luke McCowan’s agent and took him to Celtic from Dundee

“At the same meeting, Peter Lawwell said we could have Jackson Irvine for a 30 percent sell-on and, again, I phoned up and it was, ‘No, we don’t want him.’

“This is the summer before we got relegated and Jackson Irvine is the captain of Australia now.

“There were a lot of decisions that happened that summer that defined us getting relegated that season.”

McNamara, a Celtic legend, had the Tangerines playing some sublime football during his time at Tannadice.

He did go on to lose Stuart Armstrong and Gary Mackay-Steven to Celtic in what came as a major blow to his hopes of building a strong United side and they would be relegated without the pair.

Matt O’Riley ‘misses’ Celtic as Brighton’s £30m man recalls ‘unimaginable’ experience

The midfielder marked his Premier League debut with a winner against champions Man City

Brighton star Matt O’Riley celebrates his winner against Man City (Image: Getty Images)

Matt O’Riley climbed off the bench to score the winner against Man City on his Premier League debut.

But Brighton’s £30million man admits he STILL misses life at Celtic. O’Riley capped a dream return from injury for the Seagulls at the weekend by netting the goal that condemned Pep Guardiola’s superstars to a fourth successive defeat. Competing against Europe’s elite every week is why O’Riley decided to call time on his trophy-laden two-and-a-half years in Glasgow in the summer.

And while the Denmark international has set his sights on making his mark in England after a nasty injury stunted his start at the Amex, the 23-year-old insists nothing will compare to the pressures of playing for the Hoops. So much so the playmaker works with a life coach to help improve his mental strength.

In an interview with Brighton’s official podcast, he said: “Respectfully, the pressures of playing at Celtic are for most people unimaginable. It is not easy to win every game of football regardless of who you are playing against. If you have got 11 men behind the ball who are well organised sometimes it is difficult to score.

“The longer the game goes on, the anxiety bulids up in the crowd. And you just need to learn to be able to accept that but also just somehow block it out and stay focused. To do that every single game is really tiring, you know – mentally and physically – to sustain it as well.

“Anyone who is able to play at Celtic for a long time, like James Forrest and Callum McGregor, to have that kind of relentless mentality .. it is genuinely tiring. I have so much respect for them to do it over and over again, 60 games a season.”

He said: “Of course [I could block it out] but I was also aware that whatever I did on the pitch contributed to so many fans’ happiness, you know. They are so mad up there. To the point that I know when they’re at their daily jobs they are having banter with their Rangers pals all week if the result isn’t good.

“I think for me as a player in terms of preparation to go somewhere else it is perfect just because the demand is so high. I really enjoyed the pressure of it, though, the responsibility of it. You really test your limits every single week, you’ve got to do it again and again and be better.

“If you don’t then they’ll let you know about it, the fans. It is only because they care so much. In that sense, that is why you don’t take it personally. They just care about their team doing well. “

Asked if he missed Glasgow, he said: “Yeah, a little bit. I miss the people, I think the people are really friendly up there, I grew up down south in London so I know what the people are like but people up north are super friendy which is quite nice.”

Now that the international break is in full swing, Celtic fans will already be looking forward to when the domestic football starts up again.

Watching their team return to the top of the table after Celtic’s win at Kilmarnock, it does seem as though the challenge of Aberdeen is set to run for a little bit longer after Jimmy Thelin’s men beat Dundee 4-1 on Saturday night.

Brendan Rodgers has a tough run of Celtic fixtures coming up when the international break is over with Hearts, Ross County and then Aberdeen at Pittodrie.

After Celtic left Rugby Park with a win yesterday, Robbie Savage pushed Chris Sutton on what he thinks of the Aberdeen challenge and whether or not they can hold up the current challenge to Celtic’s title.

Chris Sutton delivers title verdict amid strange pushing by Robbie Savage

Speaking after the match, an English football fan called Sutton’s show and said that it doesn’t look like anyone else in Scotland can win trophies apart from Celtic.

And when Sutton agreed with the caller is sparked this exchange with Savage.

Savage said on BBC 606 [23m], “Aberdeen. You’re ruling Aberdeen out, Chris?”

Sutton: “Hey, what do you want?”

Savage: “You’re ruling Aberdeen out?”

Sutton: “No, no. It’s a great story, Rob.”

Savage: “Anthony [caller to the show] just said, obviously, no one else is winning anything up there. and you said, ‘Yeah, good point’.

“So you ruled Aberdeen out?”

Sutton: “I think that Celtic will win the league.”

Savage: “Oh, so you’ve ruled Aberdeen out? You’re a huge fan of Scottish football, so you’ve just ruled Aberdeen out, yeah?”

Sutton: “Of the title race? I think there’s a title race on, Robbie, you have to respect teams, but I think Celtic will win it.”

Aberdeen’s next three fixtures before the visit of Celtic

With Celtic heading to Pittodrie on the 4th of December, Aberdeen also have another three fixtures to worry about before then.

A tricky away trip to St Mirren is their first fixture after the international break as the Paisley club sits in the Scottish Premiership table in 6th place.

Three days later, Thelin heads to Edinburgh to face a struggling Hibs who are bottom of the league and in desperate need of some points.

And then on the 1st of December, another visit to Edinburgh with Tynecastle on the cards offers another tough fixture for Aberdeen as Neil Critchley’s men look to climb from second bottom in the league.

Aberdeen have some tough games ahead of them and Celtic will be the last team on their minds because if they do want to sustain a title challenge, the Edinburgh clubs could pose a huge problem for them.

‘Reo Hatate guilty of serious foul play’ – Fifa expert on Celtic controversy

Keith Hackett has admitted he hopes that Martin Atkinson’s skillset will help improve the overall VAR performance in Scotland following a new controversy in the Celtic match against Kilmarnock.

Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, Hackett admitted the referee “should have been encouraged to go and see the monitor” during Celtic’s 2-0 win against Kilmarnock on Sunday (10 November) with Reo Hatate then being shown a red card.

There was controversy when Hatate’s late tackle was only met with a yellow card, despite the fact his studs were up as he caught his opponent without getting the ball.

The referee opted to award a yellow card and there was no review of the incident from VAR, which caused significant question marks over whether or not the system is being used correctly.

Atkinson will become the new Scottish FA’s VAR manager in December, which will potentially open up some changes in how things are done.

Atkinson takes plenty of Premier League experience with him north of the border, and that is set to come with some pressure to help alleviate the accusations that the ‘big two’ are favoured over other teams in the Scottish Premiership.

Martin Atkinson will be under pressure to improve VAR in Scotland

Hackett told Football Insider, “It’s a red card.

“I cannot understand why, even with VAR operating, they didn’t see this as serious foul play.

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“The player has come in from a yard, yard and a half, his boot is high and he’s not made any attempt to withdraw it.

“He’s clattered the player and this is serious foul play.

“I understand the referee being close up on it and that created a degree of problem, but it should have been reviewed by VAR and he should have had a red card, I’ve no doubt this is a red card offence.

“I look at each individual incident and this player should have gone, he didn’t and it’s a clear error.

“In recent days, we’ve seen the announcement that Martin Atkinson, a long-standing Premier League referee, will now become the VAR manager in Scotland.

“Let’s hope he can add his skillset to improving the VAR performance.

“The VAR should have come in on this one, and the referee should have been encouraged to go and see the monitor.”

In other news, Rangers senior figure quits as new Ibrox hire made – official paperwork filed.

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Aston Villa chances of Champions League progress ranked after defeat amid Celtic and Liverpool wins

Defeat in Belgium last week has had ramifications on Aston Villa’s predicted finish in the league phase of the UEFA Champions League.

Aston Villa are no longer being predicted to finish in the top eight of the Champions League following their defeat to Club Brugge.

The Villains suffered a 1-0 defeat to the Belgian side at the Jan Breydel Stadium last Wednesday. Tyrone Mings was penalised for a handball and Hans Vanaken made the most of it by scoring from the spot in the 52nd minute.

The latest league table has Villa still inside the top eight, ahead of Atalanta by a point. Villa are now halfway through the league phase, and are the second best performing English club following Liverpool’s 4-0 win against Bayer Leverkusen.

Manchester City suffered a shock defeat to Sporting in what was Ruben Amorim‘s penultimate match before he takes up the job at their inter-city rivals Manchester United. Arsenal were also on the losing side during their travels, as they lost 1-0 to Inter Milan at the San Siro, courtesy of a Hakan Calhanoglu penalty.

Nicolas Kuhn scored a brace for Celtic as they ran out 3-1 winners against Leipzig. They should join Aston Villa in the knockouts of the Champions League. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Scottish Premiership champions Celtic had a good night though as they 3-1 against RB Leipzig. Nicolas Kuhn scored a first-half brace after Christoph Baumgartner had given the visitors the lead. Reo Hatate made sure of the victory and now there’s a feeling of optimism around Celtic Park.

After the latest round of results, Villa are now longer predicted to finish in the top eight, which would give them a bye. According to Foot Rankings with information provided by Piotr Klimek, they are now tipped to finish 12th, with Arsenal finishing ahead of them. They would advance to the knockout phase play-offs as a seeded team if the predictions are right.

Their position of 12th has them just behind Bayern Munich, but ahead of 15-time Champions League winners Real Madrid who are the current holders. Villa are also being tipped to finish ahead of Italian giants Juventus and perennial French title winners Paris Saint-Germain.

Aston Villa have been given a 33.1% chance of finishing in the Top Eight, a 75.6% chance of finishing in the top 26, and then a 99.4% probability of finishing at least in the top 24, which would prolong their involvement in UEFA’s main club competition.

Predicted final Champions League table

xPts. XGD. Top8. Top 16. Top 24.

Liverpool – 20.01. 13.17. 94.5%. 99.6%. 99.9%

Inter – 18.18. 10.61. 83.7%. 98.2%. 99.9%

Sporting CP – 16.85. 9.16. 65.9%. 94.1%. 99.9%

Borussia Dortmund – 16.56. 10.68. 64.0%. 93.8%. 99.9%

Barcelona – 16.34. 13.06. 63.0%. 92.6%. 99.9%

Manchester City – 15.71. 12.45. 57.8%. 90.9%. 99.8%

Atalanta – 15.59. 9.26. 48.3%. 89.7%. 99.8%

Arsenal – 15.49. 7.87. 46.9%. 87.4%. 99.6%

—————————————————————-

AC Milan – 15.50. 7.45. 45.2%. 87.1%. 99.4%

Bayer Leverkusen – 15.16. 6.26. 38.8%. 83.2%. 99.4%

Bayern Munich – 14.75. 10.88. 36.7%. 83.0%. 99.4%

Aston Villa – 14.89. 5.71. 33.1%. 75.6%. 99.4%

Stade Brestois – 14.48. 3.94. 24.4%. 70.1%. 99.6%.

AS Monaco – 14.44. 3.62. 24.1%. 70.3%. 99.5%.

Atletico Madrid – 13.52. 0.19. 11.6%. 51.1%. 95.4%

Lille – 13.16. 2.15. 11.0%. 51.7%. 95.9%

Celtic – 13.34. 1.22. 12.0%. 50.7%. 94.2%

Real Madrid – 12.83. 4.88. 10.3%. 47.5%. 96.1%

Juventus – 12.80. 2.44. 11.1%. 46.9%. 92.%

PSV – 12.25. 5.20. 7.3%. 41.6%. 91.8%

Stuttgart – 12.39. 2.45. 5.2%. 41.7%. 92.4%

Benfica – 10.78. 0.825. 2.5%. 19.1%. 75.6%

PSG – 10.17. -0.79. 1.2%. 13.5%. 66.1%

Feyenoord – 10.51. -5.36. 0.6% 9.5%. 63.4%

—————————————————————-

Dinamo Zagreb – 9.72. -7.79. 0.5%. 5.8%. 50.0%

Club Brugge – 9.19. -6.86. 0.2%. 4.0%. 40.8%

Sparta Praha – 6.93. -7.73. 0.1%. 0.7%. 15.1%

Girona – 6.71. -7.25. 0.0%. 0.4%. 13.3%

Leipzig – 5.74. -4.91. 0.0%. 0.0%. 8.8%

Bologna – 5.37. -7.07. 0.0%. 0.0%. 8.8%.

Shakhtar Donetsk – 5.72. – 11.03. 0.0%. 0.1%. 3.9%

Salzburg – 4.66. -15.75. 0.0%. 0.0%. 1.2%

Crvena zvezda – 2.95. -17.00. 0.0%. 0.0%. 0.6%

Sturm Graz – 2.39. -11.57. 0.0%. 0.0%. 0.0%. 0.3%

Young Boys – 2.69. -15.96. 0.0%. 0.0%. 0.3%

Slovan Bratislava – 0.92. -24.40. 0.0%. 0.0%. 0.1%.

Heartwarming message from Tony Mowbray as ex-Celtic boss looks for management return

Celtic’s manager, Tony Mowbray watches his team play against Hamburg during their UEFA Europa League, Group C, football match at Celtic Park, Glasgow, Scotland, on October 22, 2009. Photo GRAHAM STUART/AFP via Getty Images)

Former Celtic manager Tony Mowbray has issued a heartwarming message about the importance of family after a horrible year. The experienced manager was diagnosed with bowel cancer, which prompted a surprise departure from Birmingham City.

In a clip that was posted on Twitter/X, Mowbray spoke about his family have supported him through this ordeal, while offering some comic relief.

This message from Tony Mowbray is as lovely as it is important.

He’s always struck me as one of the most likeable and humble people in the game; hopefully he’s back working soon. ❤️

— HLTCO (@HLTCO) November 11, 2024

Mowbray confessed his love for chocolate while in the middle of a press conference with Sunderland, not realising that the cameras were rolling. The 60-year-old will be keen to get back into football but he is doing it at his pace, not wanting to overdo it.

Mowbray made 94 appearances for Celtic as a player from 1991 to 1995. He was a central defender and even captained the team during his tenure. Mowbray joined Celtic from Middlesbrough and became known for his leadership and solid defensive performances. He left an indelible mark on the club by introducing The Huddle to the club’s prematch routine. After leaving Celtic, he continued his playing career at Ipswich Town before eventually moving into management.

Mowbray was appointed Celtic manager in 2009, replacing Gordon Strachan. The experienced manager had helped West Brom to the Premier League but failed to really make an impact at Celtic, despite some free-flowing football. After a 4-0 defeat at St Mirren, Mowbray parted ways with Celtic but has always spoken positively about being Celtic manager.

Celtic have changed their fortunes around in the Champions League.

It wasn’t so long ago that Celtic’s morale was on the floor and Brendan Rodgers was being heavily criticised again.

To be fair, Celtic’s 7-1 defeat to Borussia Dortmund still stings, but it has proven to be a blessing in disguise because it has brought something out of the players.

Go back to the draw at Atalanta, how the team defended was a joy to behold because Rodgers had shown a side many had never seen from his team before in Europe.

And then, under the lights of Parkhead, the Bhoys produced a masterclass against RB Leipzig to prove to the world that they have many gears to their game.

There aren’t many teams who can match Celtic on European nights, it’s perhaps the best atmosphere out there.

And James McFadden shared what he was telling people before the Leipzig match.

James McFadden labels Celtic Park’s Champions League atmosphere as ‘mental’

It’s the halfway stage of the Champions League and Rodgers has four more games to deal with in Europe’s elite competition.

Celtic fans eviscerated by ex FIFA supremo for ‘desecrating’ Remembrance minute’s silence – ‘The meaning is being lost’

Jim Boyce hasn’t held back on the Hoops’ supporters who caused controversy at Rugby Park

Former vice-president of FIFA vice-president Jim Boyce has hit out at Celtic fans for interrupting the minute’s silence against Kilmarnock.

The actions of away supporters at Rugby Park has dominated the headlines post-match after Killie the Hoops joined clubs across the country in holding a minute of contemplation ahead of kick-off for Remembrance Day. However, the tribute was disrupted by singing and booing from sections of the Hoops’ support forcing referee Nick Walsh to bring the silence to a close after just nine seconds before starting the Scottish Premiership clash.

And former Cliftonville chairman Boyce – who is ex-FIFA President and Honorary Life member of the Association – has called out the Celtic support for their actions before the game. He told the Belfast Telegraph: “It’s very sad that in this day and age we still have people who can’t respect a minute of silence no matter what it’s for.

“It’s very sad we haven’t moved on. From when I was a child, Remembrance Day was to remember the people who lost their lives in two world wars. People are now trying to make it out to be something it shouldn’t be.

“I think the real meaning of Remembrance Day is being lost by many people. Desecrate people from this whole island of Ireland, irrespective of whether they were Protestant, Catholic or anything else, lost their lives in world wars. And what saddens me is a lot of that meaning has been taken out of it.”

Sky Sports reporter says Premier League clubs make contact over standout Celtic star

Nicolas Kuhn of Celtic celebrates scoring his team’s first goal during the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 League Phase MD4 match between Celtic FC and RB Leipzig at Celtic Park on November 05, 2024. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

Sky Sports Germany reporter Florian Plettenberg has said that two Premier League clubs have made enquiries over Nicolas Kühn’s availability. The German winger has been a standout this season, catching the eye in the recent Champions League win over RB Leipzig.

Taking to Twitter/X, Plettenberg has stated that Brentford and Fulham are monitoring the situation of Kühn.

🚨🆕 Fulham and Brentford have already inquired about Nicolas #Kühn and are monitoring his situation.

This season, the winger has scored 10 goals and provided 11 assists across all competitions for #Celtic. Most recently, he impressed with strong performance in a 3-1 victory…

— Florian Plettenberg (@Plettigoal)

Celtic are unwilling to entertain any bids for Kühn, especially given he’s under contract under 2029. The club will look to continue developing the player before moving him on for a sizeable fee.

Kühn has scored ten goals and assisted on eleven occasions in 17 appearances so far this season. The £3m arrival from Rapid Vienna struggled to hit the ground, scoring 3 goals in 18 appearances. It later emerged that Kühn had suffered from a dental issue, which had impacted upon his ability to really kick on in the early stages of his Celtic career.

The 24-year-old has been Celtic’s standout this season, which is saying something as the level of performance across the first team has been excellent. Kühn has made the right winger role his own, working well with Alistair Johnston on the right and creating chances in attack.

Celtic transfer interest in €5m striker emerges again as Hoops send scouts to run the rule over Euro club’s talents

Celtic have gone into the international break on the back of a win

Celtic have been credited with an interest in Brondby attacker Mathias Kvistgaarden and have sent scouts to watch him in action, according to a report by Tipsbladet. The Scottish Premiership side have been linked with a move for the forward again ahead of the January transfer window.

The Hoops have the chance to bolster their ranks this winter ahead of the second-half of the season. They are currently sat at the top of the Scottish Premiership table level on points with Aberdeen following their 2-0 away win at Kilmarnock over the weekend and are nine points ahead of Rangers in 3rd.

Celtic could see Kvistgaarden, who is valued at €5million on Transfermarkt, as someone to add more competition and depth to their attacking department. They have a couple of players at their disposal in his position already such as Adam Idah and Kyogo Furuhashi as they chase down another title under the guidance of Brendan Rodgers.

Kvistgaarden has been in fine form for Brondby so far in this campaign and has scored 12 goals in 19 games in all competitions, nine of which have come in the league. At the age of 22, he would be a useful long-term addition for the Hoops if they were able to land his signature.

The Denmark youth international played for Skjold Birkerød and Lyngby before joining his current club in 2015. He has since become a key player and they will face a battle to keep hold of him with the way things are going.

Pundit Alan Hutton said earlier this year, as per Football Insider: “You’re always looking for different options – we know what Kyogo brings and what they had with players like Adam Idah. They’ve tried different avenues and different profiles – and I think that’s what you need, and it’s what clubs are always searching for, something different.

“To bring in someone like [Kvistgaarden] is ideal for them, but paying that sort of money, you’re hoping he’s going to be an absolute star. Let’s not kid ourselves, up in Scotland that’s a huge fee, so they’d be putting a lot of faith in him. But every squad needs these ‘different’ types of players and I believe he fits that bill.”

When asked about Celtic’s links to him over the summer, Kvistgaarden said: “Well, I’ve read the headlines. I’ve read the same headlines as you – you’ve probably made some of them. I didn’t read the articles. They just popped up when I scrolled through social media.

“So I couldn’t avoid seeing that occasionally there was a picture of me, and then something about Celtic. A couple of years ago I was bad at that. Back then, I read a lot about what was written about me. I’ve gotten much better at letting it go. It doesn’t help me to read such things.
He added: “The dream is obviously to go abroad at some point. It’s every player’s dream, but it’s not something I want to talk about now. I’m sitting here in a Brøndby jersey and have a season to play. So it doesn’t bother me at all

“It would be an extra bonus for me, having come all the way from the youth department. This club has created me as a football player, so there is no doubt that I would like to repay them with a good transfer fee.”

See Bad News for Adam Idah

Celtic forward Adam Idah has withdrawn from international duty with Ireland after sustaining a facial injury in Sunday’s match against Kilmarnock. The 22-year-old was initially set to join up with the Republic of Ireland squad on Monday but informed the FAI that he would not be available due to the injury.

The incident occurred during Celtic’s 2-0 win at Rugby Park, where Idah took a heavy elbow to the face, resulting in a nosebleed and requiring significant treatment on the pitch. Though Idah managed to finish out the game until being subbed for Kyogo Furuhashi, the knock appeared severe enough for him to reconsider playing through the pain for Ireland’s upcoming fixtures.

10th November 2024; Rugby Park, Kilmarnock, Scotland: Scottish Premiership Football, Kilmarnock versus Celtic; Adam Idah of Celtic bleeding from his nose on the pitch after a collision with Kyle Vassell of Kilmarnock

Celtic’s Hectic Fixture List

With Celtic’s fixture list packed following this final international break of the year, it seems likely that the striker is prioritising his club duties. The injury, if limited to his face, could see Idah return to the lineup in time for Celtic’s clash against Hearts on 23rd November.

The Hoops went on to secure a comfortable 2-0 victory over Kilmarnock, courtesy of goals from captain Callum McGregor and Nicolas Kuhn. Brendan Rodgers will be hoping to have Idah fit and ready to go for the busy weeks ahead, as Celtic look to maintain momentum across domestic and European fronts — not to mention a Glasgow Derby Cup final.

The dreaded international break is upon us as Celtic go into storage for a week or so.

A number of key first-team stars will leave Lennoxtown to meet up with their international squads this weekend with the Nations League back in action.

Other players including Japanese trio Kyogo, Daizen Maeda and Reo Hatate will also be in action outwith the European competition but supporters will have the same feelings heading into the break.

Punters will have their fingers and toes crossed that the players involved with their countries will head off and then come back to the fold injury free.

There are massive fixtures for the club on the horizon in the Champions League as well as in next month’s Premier Sports Cup Final and the New Year derby match.

Photo by Emmanuele Ciancaglini/Ciancaphoto Studio/Getty Images

That’s why Brendan Rodgers and the fans will hope to have a clean bill of health even after the break.

One player who won’t be heading away with his nation having had to pull out due to injury is striker Adam Idah.

The Republic of Ireland international seemingly picked up a knock in his side’s 2-0 win over Kilmarnock at Rugby Park and he had to go off to be replaced by Kyogo.

Adam Idah withdraws from Republic of Ireland squad with injury

And now the Irish FA has confirmed the striker won’t travel for the clashes with Finland and England this coming weekend.

Idah put in a solid shift against Kilmarnock as his side won 2-0 at Rugby Park and he was a pest all afternoon.

The big attacker cost the club a previous record fee of £9.5million when he signed from Norwich City earlier this year.

Squad update | A trio of changes as Seamus Coleman, Shane Duffy & Adam Idah are ruled out of the squad through injury

Ryan Manning, Jake O’Brien & Matt Doherty all join up for our two UEFA Nations League fixtures 🇮🇪

— Ireland Football ⚽️🇮🇪 (@IrelandFootball) November 11, 2024

Idah’s Celtic goal scoring record since his £9.5million summer move

It came after a strong loan stint last term where he hit nine goals throughout his 19 appearances since January.

He has been reduced to coming off the bench in most games this campaign so far and has notched five goals thus far from 15 games including one against Slovan Bratislava in the Champions League.

His crowning moment in a Celtic jersey came in last season’s Scottish Cup Final vs Rangers where he hit the late winner and he has earned 29 caps for his country.

Swiss Ramble has pored over Ibrox financial results which were rounded on by concerned onlookers

A leading football finance expert has lamented Rangers‘ inability to “run a tight ship” like their Scottish Premiership rivals as he seized upon the club’s sobering £17.3m pre-tax loss.

The Swiss Ramble has pored over financial results which were rounded on by concerned onlookers when they were released last month. And his biggest concern centres around the size of the loss compared to their peers. Rangers’ losses were £13m more than second worst Hearts – who aim to arrest their £4.4m deficit.

The revered expert underlined the scale of the task they face in unseating Celtic as the dominant force in Scottish football as he pointed to Celtic’s iron-clad £17.8m profit which leaves an eye-watering £35m difference between the fierce Premiership rivals. Rangers interim chairman John Gilligan is attempting to offer stability, however, fans’ concerns have escalated with Philippe Clement’s side sitting nine points adrift of Celtic and Aberdeen.

The top table at last year’s AGM

Both the club and manager have hinted at a correction at Ibrox to move on from older players and usher in a new era of younger talent. And that has been noted by the Swiss Ramble. He said: “Rangers are clearly making efforts to get their cost base under control, as wages reduced by £3m (4%) from £64m to £61m, while player amortisation fell £2m (14%) to £11m. However, they did book £2.9m player impairment, while other expenses climbed £4m (13%) to £32m.”

The under-fire board and Clement will meet their public at the club’s AGM on Thursday, December 5 with shareholders demanding answers over a litany of outstanding questions. Those who bleed Light Blue want answers on the direction of the club, who the next permanent chairman will be and when will James Bisgrove’s CEO role be filled.

Celtic had a very busy summer transfer window with record fees smashed left and right.

Adam Idah arrived for more than £9million while Arne Engels beat that a few days later in a deal worth around £11million to the club.

7 Best Footballers OUTSIDE Europe’s Big 5 Leagues

It was a sign for supporters that Brendan Rodgers had finally, seemingly, got through to the money-men at Parkhead and convinced them to speculate to accumulate.

There were no fewer than eight signings made – including Alex Valle on loan from Barcelona – and the recruitment team had been busy keeping on top of their main targets.

Paul Tisdale is now in the door as head of football operations and his primary role will involve identifying talent for the Hoops to target and he has just over a month to get his feet under the desk before the January window rolls around.

Photo by Foto Olimpik/NurPhoto via Getty Images

There is one player already on the shortlist – or should we say BACK on the list – having previously been targeted.

67 Hail Hail understands Celtic have had a representative at a handful of Brondby fixtures this season already with Mathias Kvistgaarden the main man being watched.

The Danish striker has been a target for the club for over a year with approaches made last season.

Celts submitted a bid of around £4million for the player but that was kicked into touch.

And with his form significantly improving this term – with 13 goals and five assists in just 20 outings this campaign so far – the attacker’s price tag has sky-rocketed.

Mathias Kvistgaarden asking price as Celtic scout transfer target numerous times in person

We understand that Brondby are looking for between €12m-15m for their star man who is still contracted until 2027. The Danish outfit made it clear they valued him highly last year.

The Glasgow giants are not the only club sniffing around Kvistgaarden. Atalanta of Serie A, Celtic’s Champions League foes, have also been in attendance to watch the striker.

Eintracht Frankfurt have also taken in some of his matches.

Kvistgaarden is believed to be on the cusp of a full international call-up with Denmark.

What Kvistgaarden has said about his Brondby future

Speaking to Danish outlet Campo, Kvistgaarden admitted previously when asked about the prospect of trying his luck in another European league: “There is no doubt about that.

“I think I have shown myself in a lot of ways, which means that I have shown that I can hopefully also play internationally at some point.”

“I am a soccer player. I meet here around 8:30. So I’m hired to play soccer. And then there are a lot of others who are employed to do what they are employed to do.”

Roy Keane turns Celtic party pooper as ‘fantastic’ Champions League moment blasted after Parkhead ‘madness’

The Man Utd icon was running the rule over a moment in a Celtic clash at Parkhead.

A brilliant Celtic moment in the Champions League has not won the full approval of Roy Keane.

The Man Utd icon and ex-Hoops midfielder was one of the onlookers last week as Brendan Rodgers’ side beat RB Leipzig 3-1. But he and ex-Man Utd, Everton and West Ham boss David Moyes took different views to the second goal of the night for Celtic.

They pressed Leipzig into submission, eventually winning the ball back near the 18-yard line before Nicolas Kuhn eventually converted a cutback. It moves them onto seven points from four games in the revamped league phase of the competition.

It seems as though the Bhoys had a few interesting parties watching on in the form of David Moyes and Roy Keane, as they discussed the match. While Moyes was left impressed by the rate of Celtic’s pressing, Keane was disappointed with how Leipzig lost the ball near their own box. The pair had the debate via The Overlap. Read their thoughts below

Keane: “I don’t think anyone has a problem with Manchester City doing it because they are brilliant at it. But when you see the other teams, and getting caught! You obviously lose it high up the pitch and then some teams, you are in on goal. That’s the issue I have.

“If teams can do it, then I love it. But, for me, the madness. You must come in as a staff on Monday morning and go ‘lad’s we lost again’. Someone must go, ‘Why do we keep playing out from the back when we get caught constantly and you are constantly under pressure.”

Moyes: “A lot will depend on the quality of players. I watched Celtic and I thought the players they had, several of them Japanese players, were fantastic at their pressing.”

Keane: “Weren’t they encouraged though by the opposition? That would be my point. Encouraged by the opposition taking the ball, a minute before half-time and they are giving the ball away. They are trying to beat players literally on the edge of the box. They lose a goal. it’s madness. Absolute madness.”

Rangers star opens up on return after club dispute as Alan Shearer turns fan of record-breaking Celtic hero

The latest headlines with some Rangers and Celtic flavourings.

Rangers and Celtic were both in Premiership action over the weekend.

First up it was Kilmarnock at Rugby Park for the latter, as both sides played TV games on Sunday. They weren’t at their best but did enough to win thanks to goals from Callum McGregor and Nicolas Kuhn.

It was then the turn of Rangers to try and reduce an already daunting 12-point gap Celtic have built. They did that with a 1-0 win but Cyriel Dessers’ sole goal handing victory did not please fans, who shared frustrations throughout the match,

Here are the latest headlines surrounding that have some flavourings from the Glasgow pair.

Hagi’s return

Ianis Hagi has opened up on his return to the Rangers team. He is now back part of Philippe Clement’s plans after a loan at Alaves in Spain last season, and a contract dispute that prohibited him from taking part in senior matches.

The Romanian playmaker told Rangers TV: “Well it was definitely different. Starting from the city, the country, weather. Just everything was different. I enjoyed my time in Spain just because I appreciate a lot how they think about football and how they coach you.

“But at the same time I found it quite hard to adapt to the mentality of not winning every single game and the day-to-day mentality which was definitely tough. With all due respect I think there’s different type of people out there, different type of football mentalities out there which people enjoy more, less you know, in different environments.

“At the age of 26, I’ve actually found a lot about myself up until now and I know what I enjoy and I know what environments make me a better person, a better player. I’m in a moment where I’ve discovered myself quite a lot and I just I’m really happy that I’m back. I missed everything about Rangers so, yeah, it’s just good to be back.”

Shearer a Celtic hero fan

Alan Shearer was left made up for Celtic hero Matt O’Riley at the weekend. After a record-breaking £30m move in the summer from Parkhead – the most expensive Scottish transfer – he suffered a long-term ankle debut on his debut in the Carabao Cup vs Crawley Town.

He made his Premier League bow on Saturday following that, scoring the winner against Man City. Newcastle United and England legend Shearer said on Match of the Day: “What a moment for Matt O’Riley, he got injured very early in his Brighton career. He got his goal and can celebrate with the fans.”

“It was a brilliant win for us. It was never going to be like last Saturday or Tuesday,” Brendan Rodgers

Nicolas Kuhn scores Celtic’s second goal against Kilmarnock. Photo Vagelis Georgariou for The Celtic Star

Brendan Rodgers spoke to the media at Rugby Park after Celtic’s 2-0 win over a battling Kilmarnock side that sent Celtic back to the top of the league heading into the International break. Here’s what the Celtic manager was asked and how he responded…

Rodgers hails Schmeichel’s effort to block Kilmarnock scoring

Brendan Rodgers at Rugby Park. Photo Vagelis Georgariou for The Celtic Star.

Q: What did you think of the team’s performance and result today?

Brendan Rodgers: “It was a brilliant win for us. It was never going to be like last Saturday or Tuesday. You know, Kilmarnock and what they do. They do it exceptionally well. They are very direct. They get it forward. You’ve got to fight and for that, the players deserve a huge amount of credit because they showed another side to the team. I am so pleased. As I said, it’s a pressure game that Kilmarnock play and if you can’t stand up to it and you’re not strong enough and win you’re duels as a team, then you can come unstuck. So, it was a fantastic win for us.”

Greg Taylor in action at Rugby Park. Photo Vagelis Georgariou for The Celtic Star

Q: You talk about showing the other side of you. It’s a pressure game out there. When you win games like that, can it be just as rewarding for you as a manager, or a group of players, as the big wins on Tuesday night?

Brendan Rodgers: “Yeah, because it’s still a game of football and I think the supporters want to see you stand up and be counted in games like that. The players did that very well.”

Q: Is that a game that maybe 12 months ago you wouldn’t have won?

Brendan Rodgers: “We would have suffered more. I think that we did lose them. That was the reality. We lost in that first six-month period. Now I think you see the difference in the team and the structure and the togetherness, the spirit, everything that you need to win a game like that because you come off the back of two absolutely brilliant wins. You’ve got to come here. It’s not going to be all about the football as much as you want it to be. It wasn’t, but it showed another side to our game, which is very important to have.”

Nicolas Kuhn scores Celtic’s second goal against Kilmarnock. Photo Vagelis Georgariou for The Celtic Star

Q: They say goal wins matches, defence wins titles. You’ve got Nicolas Kuhn up top, you’ve got Kasper Schmeichel at the back. They were two big, important players for you today, weren’t they?

Brendan Rodgers: “Aye, Kasper made some great saves. You could see him with the ball as well, how he could play through the pressure, which is important. At times we could have held it up better to allow us to join in more. He was tested and had to make saves. I know that’s what he’s world-class at. His shot-stopping is unbelievable. So he was a big reference for us. The first goal came at a really good time for us. In the second half, we know that the next goal is important. Nic does what he’s done well. I think the goal itself was great because Cal comes into space that we like him when there’s pressure on the back line. That frees up Ali to get his touch, plays into depth and then Nicholas’s touch finish. space was so, so good. He was actually more annoyed. he missed the other one before it. That was when I spoke to him afterwards. He’s now starting to get numbers to his game and that was key for us.”

Nicolas Kuhn celebrates with Callum McGregor. Photo Vagelis Georgariou for The Celtic Star

Q: That’s 21 goal contributions, 10 goals and 11 assists they are incredible numbers, aren’t they?

Brendan Rodgers: “It’s absolutely brilliant but that’s his job. That’s why the money’s in his bank every month. He makes that contribution and he’s been so good.”

Q: Is there a better player in the country right now than Nicholas?

Brendan Rodgers: “There are lots of really good players in the country but I think I’m only focused on what he’s doing for Celtic. He’s doing so well.”

Q: How pleased were you with the game management of your players after that second goal?

Brendan Rodgers: “Yeah, well we had to manage it and break the game up a little bit. I just think naturally how it was as well. So then you’ve got to change the rhythm of the game and slow it down and at times look after the ball. It’s still when you don’t have it, it was coming direct. So you have to deal with that pressure. I thought how he dealt with it was so, so good. I wasn’t a great football guest. I wasn’t like Tuesday night or last week but that’s OK. It takes all different types. But you have to be able to play those different types of games and thankfully this team has come away with a great victory in that type of game.”

Brendan Rodgers at Rugby Park. Photo Vagelis Georgariou for The Celtic Star.

Q: Just in general how would you assess where the team is at this stage of the season?

Brendan Rodgers: “I think we’re in a really good place. I said to the players before the game that in life it’s really all about staying on your path. Sometimes that can be difficult but by staying on it you get your rewards in the end. I think this team is just consistently staying on the path, learning, developing, improving and playing some amazing football but also having the dig and the bite that you need to keep clean sheets. So I think we’re in a really good place. We have a little break now. Come back to the absolute ultramarathon spell where every single player will be needed. But it’s so exciting. I think that some of the play that we’ve seen, some of the fight that we’ve had today, I’m so pleased with that.”

Q: Ultramarathon? Is that the way you see it?

Brendan Rodgers: “Ultramarathon? There’s your headline. No, I think it is. Just look at the games between now and February. There is no rest. There’s no breather but we’re fit and ready for it. We’ll keep working, and keep developing the players. I think that’s what’s key. The games are great and the wins and everything but it’s developing the individual player because I always say it’s the individual to get better and then by a consequence, the team improves. So we’ll keep working on that. Lots of the players are going to get lots of game time over the course of the coming months and we will need it.”

Adam Idah celebrates the opener, which was scored by Callum McGregor. Photo Vagelis Georgariou

Q: You did it on Tuesday and you did it on Sunday in terms of scoring just before half-time. How important is that for controlling the narrative of the game?

Brendan Rodgers: “Yeah, it doesn’t change the narrative so much but it gives a different feel. It’s a challenge because either way you go in, okay it was 0-0, 1-0. We know the things we’ll have to do in the second half to win the game. Of course when Kilmarnock put so much into the game and physically put everything into it and then you’re still behind, then that’s a challenge. No, I thought it was a great time to score. We’re always alive from the first minute to the last, always looking to attack the game when we can. And we had a few little moments in that first half where we settled the game and nearly got in. Obviously, then we get a bit of fortune for the first goal. But it was always going to take another goal to settle the game for us.”

Celtic players after the game at Rugby Park. Photo Vagelis Georgariou for The Celtic Star.

Q: You’re talking about progression and development and the team winning football matches and important ones as well. How enjoyable is this for you as a manager and your time as a career?

Brendan Rodgers: “It’s a great spell. I think everything from the adversity from last year, you’ve got to get through that, which we did do. And then we can settle and progress and develop. But I’ve seen it really from the first day of pre-season. I’ve seen it all map out. The key thing as the manager is always to make sure that the inner voice in the team is strong and the players then get on to the pitch, they’re there to learn and develop and then just continue with that sequence. It’s not just about one or two games, it’s that consistency So I think the players have been absolutely amazing. What physically they’ve given to games, how they’re coping with games and getting the results ultimately. We’re performing to a high level. Then today, like I said, we had to show a different side. It’s a great group to work with but it’s still early. We’ve still got a lot of work to do.”

Celtic fans protest at Rugby Park. Photo Vagelis Georgariou for The Celtic Star.

Q: Derek McInnes has spoken about the protest for the minute silence before the game. Do you have a thought on that at all?

Brendan Rodgers: “Yeah, I think if it’s a minute of silence it should be a minute. That’s the reality of it. I think you guys know the script up here at this time of the year. It’s always a challenge but if it’s a minute silence, it’s a minute silence. I think we all want to respect that and we all understand that some don’t. So it can be a divisive one. I understand. But my chat is really for the football and that’s something else that’s outside of that, sadly.”

Celtic messed up with Rodgers flop who earned as much as Matt O’Riley

Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers endured a busy summer transfer window at Parkhead for the second year in succession, since his return to Glasgow.

After replacing Ange Postecoglou in the dugout in 2023, the Northern Irish head coach had to deal with Jota and Carl Starfelt moving on, to Al Ittihad and Celta Vigo respectively, as well as Aaron Mooy deciding to retire.

The board did back him with a host of new signings, though, including the likes of Luis Palma, Paulo Bernardo, Maik Nawrocki, and Hyun-jun Yang, among others.

Nicolas Kuhn and Adam Idah were also brought in during the January transfer window to bolster the attack, and the former has registered 12 goals and 13 assists in 34 games for Celtic to date.

This summer, Rodgers was dealt another blow as attacking midfielder Matt O’Riley was sold to Premier League side Brighton & Hove Albion, where he scored the winning goal in a 2-1 victory over Manchester City down south on Saturday.

It was a big blow to lose the Denmark international from the squad during the summer transfer window, because of his form for the club in the 2023/24 campaign.

Matt O’Riley’s form for Celtic last season

After Postecoglou moved on from Parkhead, Rodgers came in and helped O’Riley to find his best form at the top end of the pitch from a central midfield position.

In the 2022/23 campaign under the Australian boss, the Danish wizard only found the back of the net three times in 38 appearances in the Scottish Premiership, which shows that he was not a reliable scorer for the Hoops.

Rodgers found a way, with his 4-3-3 system, to get the left-footed ace more involved in the game in the final third, with O’Riley going from 1.8 shots per game to 2.9 shots per game in the Premiership.

The 23-year-old magician ended the 2023/24 campaign with a staggering return of 18 goals in 37 appearances in the division, 15 more than he managed in the previous season.

This shows that the Northern Irish boss unearthed a superstar by unlocking the midfielder’s goalscoring potential, whilst O’Riley also provided the team with 13 assists in the Premiership.

23/24 Premiership

Matt O’Riley

Squad rank

Sofascore rating

7.91

1st

Goals

18

1st

Assists

13

1st

Big chances created

14

1st

Key passes per game

2.5

1st

Stats via Sofascore

As you can see in the table above, the Denmark international was the star of the show for the Scottish giants in the top-flight last season under Rodgers, with his ability to score goals, assist his teammates, and create high-quality opportunities.

Celtic got incredible value for money out of the central midfielder, who was sold to Brighton for more than £25m this summer, when you consider that he reportedly was only on £14k-per-week, the 14th-highest in the squad.

However, his performances whilst earning £14k-per-week also shined a light on how much of a blunder the signing of Gustaf Lagerbielke was for the Hoops.

How much Celtic paid for Gustaf Lagerbielke

In the summer of 2023, during Rodgers’ first transfer window back at the club, the Celtic head coach dipped into the market to bolster his options at the heart of the defence, following the departure of Starfelt to LaLiga.

Maik Nawrocki was brought in from Legia Warsaw and the club also swooped to sign Lagerbielke from Swedish side Elfsborg for a reported fee of £3m, as well as signing him to a wage of £14k-per-week – as much as O’Riley last season.

The young, right-footed, centre-back was brought in to compete for a starting position alongside Cameron Carter-Vickers at the back for the Hoops, after Starfelt’s exit left a hole on the left side of the defence.

In the 2022/23 campaign under Postecoglou, the now-Celta Vigo star made 28 appearances in the Premiership and won 67% of his duels and completed 92% of his passes for the Scottish giants.

2023 Allsvenskan

Gustaf Lagerbielke

Appearances

16

Pass accuracy

81%

Tackles + interceptions per game

2.6

Ground duel success rate

53%

Aerial duel success rate

64%

Stats via Sofascore

As you can see in the table above, Lagerbielke had made 16 appearances in the Swedish top-flight in 2023 before his move to Celtic but had matched Starfelt’s showings for Celtic.

The Swedish titan won a lower percentage of his duels in comparison to the former Hoops colossus and completed a much lower percentage of his attempted passes.

Celtic’s Gustaf Lagerbielke blunder

The 24-year-old flop failed to convince Rodgers that he had the quality or consistency to play week-in-week-out for Celtic in the Premiership last season.

He ended the 2023/24 campaign with seven appearances and four starts in the Premiership, as Stephen Welsh, Nawrocki, Liam Scales, and Carter-Vickers all played more games in the division at centre-back.

This shows that Lagerbielke was the fifth-choice option out of the manager’s central defenders, which may not be what the aim for him was when the club decided to spend £3m and £14k-per-week in wages on him.

Celtic’s best player, certainly from an attacking perspective, earned £14k-per-week but the Hoops did not get anywhere near the same value from the central defender for the same price.

In the 2023/24 season, Lagerbielke, who was sent off against Feyenoord in the Champions League, made ten appearances and started six times in all competitions for the club, having cost £3.7m in transfer fees and wages – over £600k per start, which is why he has been a flop.

He was then sent out on loan to FC Twente in the Eredivise by Rodgers, who brought in Auston Trusty from Sheffield United on a permanent deal this summer, ahead of the 2024/25 campaign.

This showed that the manager did not trust him to be an option for him in the first-team this term, whilst the addition of Trusty is potentially an admission that the Swedish flop does not have a future at Parkhead – as he has already been replaced.

Lagerbielke is yet to start a league game for Twente, coming off the bench three times so far, and it currently looks unlikely that Celtic will make much of the £3.7m they have spent on him so far back, which means that the club have messed up and had a howler with the defender.

Celtic returned to the top of the Scottish Premiership table on Sunday by beating Kilmarnock at Rugby Park.

Only 24 hours before, Aberdeen continued their outstanding start to the season by putting four goals past Dundee.

After 11 matches, Jimmy Thelin’s side are neck and neck with the champions and, as of this moment, they are showing everyone that they aren’t going anywhere anytime soon.

But Brendan Rodgers’ side did what they do best and that’s return to the top of the table.

Celtic’s win over Kilmarnock wasn’t easy and the manager did make some changes to his XI following the gruelling, yet satisfying week for his side.

It all started with that semi-final thrashing of Aberdeen, before Celtic put on a show against RB Leipzig and, understandably so, that took a toll on the legs.

That’s why players like Adam Idah came into the XI, but he didn’t put in the performance he would have liked.

James McFadden critical of Adam Idah’s performance as Celtic beat Kilmarnock

The great thing about this Celtic side is that the competition for places is growing and there is some serious quality on the bench.

Even those from the Rangers side are scared of Celtic’s bench strength, but Idah couldn’t show it on a difficult afternoon against Killie.

McFadden highlighted what the player was doing wrong and how he was almost taking ‘four touches’ at times just to control the ball.

The former midfielder added that, when Idah tried to lay the ball off the first time, that didn’t work either and it was a poor performance overall, as he told Sky Sports Football (10/11/24 at 4:00 pm).

“It can happen,” says McFadden on Celtic struggling after the performance against Leipzig.

“I think they struggled because it worked before with Idah. They can beat the press, play up to Idah and he holds it in, and then they play from there.

“He’s not been able to hold it in. His touch has been poor. He has taken three or four (touches) just to get it under control. He’s trying to lay things off the first time and it isn’t working, so it stops Celtic from getting forward, in that sense.”

Idah’s stats for Celtic against Kilmarnock

There is no doubt that Kyogo Furuhashi is the main man for Celtic and he will play in the big games.

But that doesn’t mean Rodgers won’t turn to Idah because he did fairly well during that goalless draw against Atalanta in the Champions League.

The difficult nature of playing at such a high level is that, as soon as your performance drops, it is felt and it can be seen.

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