Unbelievable: Scott Brown says Celtic ‘magician’ gave him his quality moment at Parkhead

Unbelievable: Scott Brown says Celtic ‘magician’ gave him his quality moment at Parkhead

Earlier on we spoke about how Scott Brown addressed the query of him ever returning to manipulate Celtic.

Brown’s reply used to be very diplomatic but I think it’s honest to say that he would love to return to the club as the manager one day.

However, Broony used to be requested what his preferred reminiscence of picking up trophies for Celtic. Was it the ninth Scottish Premiership trophy? Or the Scottish Cup that sealed the historic Quadruple Treble?

Tom Rogic promises Scott Brown’s iconic Celtic moment

There were so many podiums Brown stood on and so many finals that the former Celtic captain appeared in and won.

But it was once what Tom Rogic did in the 2017 Scottish Cup Final that will live lengthy in the memory of the Celtic legend.

Brown stated [Scottish Football Podcast], “Tom does just what Tom does, doesn’t he? He’s just a magician with the ball. He’s managed to get on to his right foot and I was questioning scrap it, we’ll get a nook and we’ll be fine.

“Tom very not often uses his right foot. That’s for standing on as his different one is an absolute wand.

“Great end previous Joe Lewis. At the time it was once unbelievable.

“I consider leaping in with the followers however to have that opportunity to win the first treble, I had never performed it before as a participant and it was once incredible scenes with the fans going about the streets.”

I remember that day like it was once yesterday. The scenes of party as the realisation that Celtic had simply become Invincible Treble legends was just something special.

We will in all likelihood never see the likes again of that variety of season such was the magnitude of what Brendan Rodgers and his team achieved.

But for now, we can seem to be forward to this weekend’s Scottish Cup tie against Aberdeen and hope that one of the cutting-edge crop of players can produce a moment of magic simply like that to take us into the ultimate in May.

 

Watch: Jeremie Frimpong Silences West Ham Fans

After the beer bathtub he and his teammates underwent at the weekend after securing Bayer Leverkusen’s first ever German title, Jeremiah Frimpong was lower back at it and breaking hearts in London!

The former Celtic player, who nonetheless has a juicy percentage sell-on clause in his contract with the German club, scored the decisive goal for Leverkusen against West Ham in the Europa league to knock Davie Moyes’ guys out of the competition. Moyes also a former Celt! Leverkusen took a 2-0 lead to London, but West Ham had obtained again in the sport scoring first. While pushing for a second to take it to extra time, Frimpong pounced and scored the deadly blow.

Jeremie is one of the freshest homes in European soccer and is expected to make a huge money move some place else sooner as a substitute than later. The more he continues to shine, the larger and higher things should get for him, and Celtic, for that matter.

JEREMIE FRIMPONG ATONES FOR HIS EARLIER MISS 😮‍💨

BAYER LEVERKUSEN PULL OUT ANOTHER LATE GOAL TO PRESERVE THEIR HISTORIC UNBEATEN RUN!#UEL

📺 @TNTSPORTS

 

Plzen saviour nabbing Celtic automated Champions League spot as Czechs stop coefficient surge with loaded reminder

Boss Miroslav Koubek was eager to take the positives from a disappointing Conference League exit.

Viktoria Plzen boss Miroslav Koubek has refused to be downbeat after exiting the Europa Conference League at the hands of Fiorentina – after leading the Czech Republic to an computerized spot in the 2025/26 Champions League team stage.

The Czech Republic have overtaken Scotland in the rankings after thanks to Plzen’s 0-0 draw with Fiorentina in the first leg of the quarter-final conflict – seeing them nabbed the spot and taken 10th location in the UEFA rankings. However, they failed to growth in Europe or pick up any extra coefficient factors in Italy – with the Serie A facet going for walks out 2-0 winners towards the 10-man traffic after extra-time.

While it capacity that the Czechs can not pull in addition away from Scotland in the rankings it will be little consolation for Celtic – who have considered their automated spot in the Champions League disappear. While both the Hoops or Rangers will be assured a spot in a crew stage of Europe’s elite opposition for subsequent season they will then be difficulty the risk of the play-off path.

For Rangers, there is still hope that they can impervious an automatic spot in Europe’s elite competition thanks to their private club coefficient. Their person membership coefficient ranking potential they would tightly closed a spot thanks to the new Champions League format that comes into impact subsequent season, if the membership can end up the absolute best ranked champion in qualifying.

But following defeat for Plzen, Koubek couldn’t help searching again on the impact his aspect have had on the coefficient – with the boss in the past being noticed celebrating the fulfillment after the first leg stalemate. He said: “We wanted to convey a result to Italy that would give us hope of progression and continue our push.

“We managed to do that. We honestly additionally had the coefficient in mind, and that was once also executed and we helped typical Czech football.

“We have now not been able to no longer to finish it but we have to seem to be at it from countless angles. Fiorentina is recognized for being a definitely proper group in phrases of physicality and possession and confirmed that.”

 

A night time of Schadenfreude for Celtic supporters observing Sky Sports

Last night time was a welcome bonus to Celtic’s title hopes this year and the way theRangers have imploded the past two fixtures has been astonishing to see. The declaration of “can you see us now” and “we’re coming for you” has been heard ad nauseam all through the Scottish footballing universe on account that our pre-Christmas stumbles to Hearts and Kilmarnock respectively.

theRangers v Celtic – Brendan Rodgers arrives for the Premiership suit at Ibrox on Sunday April 7, 2024. Photo Andrew Milligan

Supporters of the newest Ibrox outfit and their allies in the mainstream media have had Brendan Rodgers and this Celtic crew written off for pretty some time now. Admittedly, it hasn’t been a season of resplendent football from us, a some distance cry from it actually, however the reality that at times we couldn’t perhaps play any worse and they have been playing to their absolute maximum – with the aid of several officials in this united states of america understand – and we are now three points in advance once more with a decent goal distinction advantage, suggests the gulf between the two sides.

Celtic are now looking as if they are in pole position to win this Scottish Premiership title and emerge as Three-in-a-row Champions below Brendan Rodgers, after he replaced  Ange Postecoglou in June of last year. Five games remain and we need to put our foot to the floor, the usage of all our character and collective electricity to get the job performed besides any hiccups like theRangers suffered at Dens Park final night.

John Lundstram with the unhappy face after the Scottish Premiership suit between Dundee and theRangers at Dens Park on April 17, 2024.

One of the most warming scenarios from that result last night time was once the sombre and despondent nature of Sky Sports Scotland’s resident blue-nose pundit, Kris Boyd. The wannabe shock-jock by no means makes any strive to disguise his blatant bias towards the Ibrox side and it indicates in the way he conducts himself, even on stay telly. Most of the time, he spouts absolute drivel, but even he was on point in the aftermath of his favourite team’s overall performance in opposition to Dundee.

theRangers ‘disappointed’ captain James Tavernier at full time. Scottish Premiership fit between Dundee and theRangers at Dens Park on April 17, 2024.

When the recreation ceased to be, he declared: “At this second in time, (the)Rangers have bought 99 issues however the pitch ain’t one.” A clear and concise message to the unabated rubbish which has emanated from theRangers manager and his membership the previous few weeks.

The strain has been cranked up a notch and they seem to be buckling underneath that sweltering heat of a title race. It’s just as properly Celtic have the bottle for it, having already received a shut contest a few years back under Postecoglou in his first marketing campaign at the club.

Although according to the media, it’s the first “real” title race in years…

🗣️ “At this second in time,

A night time of Schadenfreude for Celtic supporters observing Sky Sports

 

Last night time was a welcome bonus to Celtic’s title hopes this year and the way theRangers have imploded the past two fixtures has been astonishing to see. The declaration of “can you see us now” and “we’re coming for you” has been heard ad nauseam all through the Scottish footballing universe on account that our pre-Christmas stumbles to Hearts and Kilmarnock respectively.

theRangers v Celtic – Brendan Rodgers arrives for the Premiership suit at Ibrox on Sunday April 7, 2024. Photo Andrew Milligan

Supporters of the newest Ibrox outfit and their allies in the mainstream media have had Brendan Rodgers and this Celtic crew written off for pretty some time now. Admittedly, it hasn’t been a season of resplendent football from us, a some distance cry from it actually, however the reality that at times we couldn’t perhaps play any worse and they have been playing to their absolute maximum – with the aid of several officials in this united states of america understand – and we are now three points in advance once more with a decent goal distinction advantage, suggests the gulf between the two sides.

Celtic are now looking as if they are in pole position to win this Scottish Premiership title and emerge as Three-in-a-row Champions below Brendan Rodgers, after he replaced  Ange Postecoglou in June of last year. Five games remain and we need to put our foot to the floor, the usage of all our character and collective electricity to get the job performed besides any hiccups like theRangers suffered at Dens Park final night.

John Lundstram with the unhappy face after the Scottish Premiership suit between Dundee and theRangers at Dens Park on April 17, 2024. (Photo via Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

One of the most warming scenarios from that result last night time was once the sombre and despondent nature of Sky Sports Scotland’s resident blue-nose pundit, Kris Boyd. The wannabe shock-jock by no means makes any strive to disguise his blatant bias towards the Ibrox side and it indicates in the way he conducts himself, even on stay telly. Most of the time, he spouts absolute drivel, but even he was on point in the aftermath of his favourite team’s overall performance in opposition to Dundee.

theRangers ‘disappointed’ captain James Tavernier at full time. Scottish Premiership fit between Dundee and theRangers at Dens Park on April 17, 2024.

When the recreation ceased to be, he declared: “At this second in time, (the)Rangers have bought 99 issues however the pitch ain’t one.” A clear and concise message to the unabated rubbish which has emanated from theRangers manager and his membership the previous few weeks.

The strain has been cranked up a notch and they seem to be buckling underneath that sweltering heat of a title race. It’s just as properly Celtic have the bottle for it, having already received a shut contest a few years back under Postecoglou in his first marketing campaign at the club.

Although according to the media, it’s the first “real” title race in years…

🗣️ “At this second in time, Rangers have acquired ninety nine problems however the pitch ain’t one.”

Kris Boyd’s full-time reaction to the goalless draw between Dundee and Rangers… 🔽 pic.twitter.com/rkqbJOdJYZ

— Sky Sports Scotland (@ScotlandSky) April 17, 2024

Rangers have acquired ninety nine problems however the pitch ain’t one.”

Kris Boyd’s full-time reaction to the goalless draw between Dundee and Rangers… 🔽 pic.twitter.com/rkqbJOdJYZ

— Sky Sports Scotland (@ScotlandSky) April 17, 2024

 

MANCHESTER UNITED COULD OPEN DOOR FOR CELTIC TO SIGN A ‘WORLD-CLASS’ £7.5M ACE

Barely a window has long gone by way of in current years without the Celtic target being linked with one Britsh-based club or another.

Premier League giants Liverpool and Newcastle United had been mentioned around the time that he captained his club to league glory in 2022. HITC, meanwhile, understands that Scottish Premiership leaders Celtic are now looking at the title-winning skipper with one of Brendan Rodgers’ personal key guys on his way out of Parkhead.

Joe Hart‘s forthcoming retirement potential Celtic have little preference but to enter the market for a new shot-stopper. Now, finding a goalkeeper capable of offsetting the loss of Hart – who’s experience and enduring pleasant even at the age of 37 has come in so handy in the course of yet every other title cost – may additionally be simpler said than done. But it’s no longer impossible.

Celtic want a goalkeeper to change Joe Hart

While Liverpool’s Coamhin Kelleher remains Celtic’s first-choice to take Hart’s place, there is also interest in one Ugurucan Cakir.

Like Hart, Cakir knows how to thrive in the warmth of a title fight. He, as we cited earlier, was once the captain of the Trabzonspor aspect who ended their 38-year wait for Super Lig success a couple of seasons back.

Cakir has been labelled a ‘world-class talent’ through some returned home in Turkey too. And, at the age of 28, he should be coming into his prime. A conceivable good buy at a mentioned charge of £7.5 million, even if that stays a hefty sum indeed even for Scotland’s most deep-pocketed club.

But how do Trabzonspor sense about the prospect of losing a man who skippered them to their only league title due to the fact that the mid-1980s? Well, no matter the fact his contract is no longer due to expire till 2027, it appears that the crew from the banks of the Black Sea have few plans to stand in his way.

In fact, Turkish publication Internet Haber go as some distance as to propose that the selection has been made already, and that Cakir will be allowed to go. Trabzonspor have reportedly met with a plausible replacement, too. Altay Bayindir, Cakir’s essential rival for the starting spot in the Turkish countrywide team, ought to be set to take his location at Papara Park.

Manchester United may want to open the door for Celtic

Bayindir, the former Fenerbahce glovesman, only joined Manchester United closing summer.

But after providing solely as soon as – in opposition to fourth-tier Newport County in the FA Cup – and with United reportedly looking at Columbus Crew’s Patrick Schulte as a doable successor, it would now not come as a massive shock if Bayindir had been to depart, even if HITC is familiar with that the Red Devils are presently very glad with their seldom-seen range two.

Celtic, meanwhile, have also been linked with Bournemouth’s Kilmarnock loanee Will Dennis and Michael Zetterer of Werder Bremen. Cakir, however, possesses a confirmed song document when it comes to triumphing silverware, and ought to additionally be that little bit more affordable than Kelleher.

“Ugurcan is a world-class goalkeeper, in my opinion,” Trabzonspor hero Ali Kemal Denizci said after that Super Lig-winning campaign.

“The market value of Ugurcan Cakir (should be) no less than 50 million dollars. An normal provide can’t be accepted. If Ugurcan goes in a group in Europe, consider me, there will be an provide of 50 million dollars.

 

 

Celtic transfer target’s remarkable road to Hoops interest from stabbing horror to resuscitation

The goalkeeper has been linked with making a Celtic transfer this summer.

The Celtic transfer target has had to deal with lots of adversity in his career.

Etienne Vaessen has been linked with becoming the Joe Hart successor at Celtic – and the Dutchman has had a major fight to get to this stage in his career.

The 28-year-old is claimed to have attracted Hoops attention as number one Hart prepares to retire. He has spent his entire senior career at RKC Waalwijk but during his time in the amateur game back in 2014, Vaessen had a huge hurdle to overcome.

While working as a guard for MediaMarkt, the goalkeeper was stabbed while chasing a shoplifter and it left him in hospital with a drain in his lung. That occurred on March 22nd, with the 10-year anniversary close at hand, but Vaessen insisted back in 2019 it gives him strength.

He told BD: “That event has only made me stronger. I’m enjoying every moment now. I also do that during the play-offs in those full stadiums. I have only been in charge for six years and am the first goalkeeper at RKC for the second season. Then it’s great that you play the final of a play-off in front of a large audience. It feels like a childhood dream.”

The 18/19 season was also filled with personal trauma that had to be overcome, with a burglary in his apartment and his girlfriend’s dog was also run over. He said: “I am not ashamed to say that I was quite upset about it. I partly owe this to my grandfather and the Vaessen and Mulder families.”

After overcoming those hardships, Vaessen had another to tackle this season. In a match with Ajax earlier in the Eredivisie season, The game was immediately suspended after he came off his line and collided with striker Bryan Brobbey.

Fans were blocked from viewing what was happening and while there were no heart issues, RKC director Frank van Mosselveld confirmed resuscitation had begun. He said: “He regained consciousness and was taken to the hospital. Etienne was out for a while. A big compliment to the medical people who immediately followed the protocol and started resuscitation. It was a shock for the bystanders because then you immediately think it’s a heart problem. It doesn’t seem like that now.

“Etienne was knocked out for a while. The medical people immediately started resuscitation, but it does not look like a heart problem. When he was taken off the field, he was awake again, but he did not know where he was. Obviously this has a huge impact. It was quite a shock. It also looked serious with the sheets and shielding.”

With that game being abandoned on September 30th, the RKC keeper returned to action during a 1-0 defeat to Go Ahead Eagles on November 11th. Overall Vaessen has made 22 league appearances this term and is claimed to have now put himself in the frame for a possible Celtic shot this summer.

 

The remaining Aussie at Celtic who is desperate to pressure his way into Brendan Rodgers’ plans

Liam Bonetig joined the Hoops formative years academy from Western Sydney Wanderers again in September.

Ange Postecoglou, Aaron Mooy and Harry Kewell would possibly have left Celtic last summer, however there is still one Aussie attempting to make it massive in the east give up of Glasgow.

Teenager Liam Bonetig joined the membership from Western Sydney Wanderers again in September, and has considered motion in each the Hoops’ B team and Under-19 side. The 18-year-old has made eight appearances in the Lowland League, as well as five outings in the UEFA Youth League where he faced off in opposition to pinnacle children from Atletico Madrid, Lazio and Feyenoord. The defender has yet to make an look for Brendan Rodgers’ men however has had the possibility to teach with the first team and reckons he isn’t too far away from getting an opportunity, having considered the likes of Rocco Vata and Daniel Kelly make the step-up this season.

Speaking to FTBL, Bonetig said: “We see the first group every day, and there are times I’ve educated with them – it offers you a style of it and you understand you’re no longer that a ways off. A couple of the boys from the U-23s are getting minutes now under Brendan Rodgers and they’re constantly searching for the children to push on.

“It’s such a huge membership and the opposition is big with a first crew squad of round 35. When you train with the senior facet you see it: the stage is quicker, sharper and stronger. It’s the little small print like the passing, the communication – there are not often any mistakes. It’s been a precise check and top experience.”

Experienced midfielder Mooy impressed in his lone season at Parkhead, but the remaining Aussie to pull on the green and white prior to him was once playmaker Daniel Azrani, who made simply two appearances in an injury-ravaged two-year loan spell at Celtic between 2018 and 2020.

Australia U-19 international Bonetig is aware of he has a combat on his hands to attempt and make the grade in Glasgow but is hopeful he can make an influence going into subsequent season. He added: “Being at a membership this measurement the requirements are so high, a lot of it is off the discipline doing all the right things so you’re body is proper for coaching each day and the next game.

“Coming right here on trial originally opened my eyes to how massive Celtic are and I suppose I’ve settled in noticeably well. The way of playing for the duration of the membership is out from the back, and that fits me as a ball taking part in centre half.

“First I desire to get the ankle sorted, then have a good a pre-season as I can. Perhaps halfway thru subsequent season, if I can’t wreck into the senior squad right here possibly get a mortgage someplace else to journey some first group football. That’s what you frequently see appear here – it’s actually a stepping stone in the direction of the first team.”

 

“Great feeling” – Mulgrew Predicts Celtic Squad Mood Amid Results in Dundee and Dingwall

Charlie Mulgrew reckons the Celtic squad will have a wonderful feeling after the latest results of their title rivals.

Rangers lost via three dreams to two in Dingwall on Sunday before faltering to a goalless draw at Dens Park ultimate night.

Celtic now sit down firmly in the driving seat in the title race. With 5 video games to go, the Bhoys are three factors clear with the subsequent Glasgow derby taking place at Parkhead.

The squad will be feeling confident ahead of the remainder of the run-in, and Mulgrew believes they will have been mainly prompted by way of latest events some place else in Scotland.

Soccer Football – Euro 2020 Qualifier – Scotland Training – Dalmahoy Hotel, Edinburgh, Britain – September 2, 2019 Scotland’s Charlie Mulgrew poses after coaching Action Images by means of Reuters/Lee Smith

He thinks the Celtic gamers will have been continually refreshing their phones when Ross County had been keeping on closing weekend. Mulgrew said: [PLZ Soccer] “I can simply imagine the players looking when Ross County were 2-1 up, and simply keeping looking at their phones, scared to refresh their app to see what the rating was.

“It’s a notable buzz. You don’t prefer to be relying on different groups of course, but if a favour takes place it’s a gorgeous feeling.”

Although results over the previous few days in the Highlands and East Coast have benefitted Celtic massively, they nevertheless have work to do.

Brendan Rodgers’ men need to maintain their heads down and proceed performing in the manner they have in recent weeks to make sure the title returns to Parkhead in May.

 

Scott Brown solutions the Celtic query ‘everyone’ has been asking

Scott Brown will go down in history as one of the most successful captains of the club due to the fact Billy McNeill.

Winning ten Scottish Premiership titles, six Scottish Cups and seven League Cups, Broony was a fundamental part of Celtic dominance of Scottish football that saw the membership rake in a 2nd nine-in-a-row and a Quadruple Treble.

To do that, however, Brown labored beneath managers like Gordon Strachan, Neil Lennon twice, Ronny Deila and Martin O’Neill.

So you should say he has learned from some of the first-rate and largest names in the game. So with his history with the club, does Brown now have ambitions to manage the wonderful Parkhead club?

Scott Brown wishes to ‘earn’ Celtic job

The legendary captain is presently slicing his teeth in the managerial game. Taken on as a instruct at Aberdeen after leaving Celtic, Brown then went on to manage Fleetwood Town where he had a diploma of success and he now finds himself at Ayr United.

Focused on the long-term goal of getting the south coast membership into the Scottish Premiership, Brown used to be asked if one day he would love to take on the Parkhead warm seat.

Brown said [Scottish Football Podcast], “Everyone says that. I think for me, I need to just fear about myself. At Celtic what I have accomplished and how I’ve played that’s all in the past.

“You don’t turn out to be the supervisor because you simply played at Celtic. You’ve not acquired the right to manage Celtic. You have to go and earn it.

 

“And you have to be certified because you’ve taken excellent exceptional players that have a proper good IQ about the game and apprehend that and you need to make certain you can make them better.

Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images

“And you have to also have that passion to the fans. Yeah, I have got that understanding about what they desire and how the membership works however you have to drive them.”

There is no doubt that Brown has the passion to lead our club and he has additionally shown he has good managerial ability.

But could he certainly do a job for Celtic? It’s a question that’s been on the lips of the supporters for alongside time and if he was ever given that opportunity, I am sure that the followers would be one hundred percent behind him if that day ever comes.

 

 

 

Rod Stewart rides to Rangers boss Philippe Clement’s rescue as he slams Ibrox stars and predicts Celtic problems..

Stewart insists the Premiership title race is far from over with champions nevertheless to face Hearts and Kilmarnock in ultimate 5 fixtures.

 

Rod Stewart with his son at Celtic Park

Sir Rod Stewart believes the Rangers players let Philippe Clement down against Dundee but isn’t ruling them out of the title race.

The veteran rocker’s beloved Celtic are firmly in the driving seat after staring at their opponents drop 5 points against Ross County and the Dark Blues. Simply matching Rangers’ effects for the the rest of the season will see the Premiership trophy dwell at Parkhead for the third yr on the bounce.

But Stewart can see post-split troubles on the horizon for the Hoops. They are nevertheless to face Hearts and Kilmarnock in their ultimate five fixtures, with each facets having crushed twice already this season, the Jambos doing a domestic and away double in their ultimate two encounters with the champions. And while Stewart hopes to be facing Steven Naismith’s aspect in the Scottish Cup ultimate subsequent month, he’s properly conscious of the damage they and Killie ought to but do to his very own team’s championship dreams.

“I was once stunned,” he stated of the game at Dens. “I watched the entire suit and for sure wanted Rangers to come unstuck, but I never dreamt in a million years that they would. They looked very lethargic.

“Mind you, it’s now not ever yet. We’ve acquired to play Hearts, we’ve got got to play Kilmarnock and they’ve induced us trouble. But I absolutely didn’t count on them to come unstuck.

“But it can all flip around. There’s solely three points in it. Goal difference is exceptionally top now however whatever can happen. Hearts have given us troubles and they will again. Hopefully they give Rangers troubles on Sunday!”

Asked if he feared Clement was going to be the man to supply the title to Ibrox, Stewart informed talkSport: “I did, and I nonetheless think he is got it right. I hate to say it but I think the players have let him down somewhat. They looked worn-out and they lacked width. They do not seem to have any high-quality wingers like Celtic do.”

The remaining Old Firm conflict of the season on May eleven may want to be decisive and Stewart feels the Hoops have their rivals’ range going into that one. He added: “It would appear that way, in particular as we’ve obtained them at Celtic Park and it will be a sell-out crowd with a noticeably intimidating atmosphere. We went to Ibrox and I thinking we had been top notch in the first half. Then Rangers were wonderful in the 2d 1/2 so again, it is no longer all over.”

 

 

With “no money,” Lee Congerton takes a jab at Celtic’s recruitment, and Nkunku makes a claim.

Lee Congerton goals sharp barb at Celtic recruitment with ‘no money’ and Nkunku claim

Celtic and recruitment are two words that continually generate their honest share of discussion amongst the aid and in wider media circles.

Over current years, the Bhoys have adopted a approach of figuring out proficient gamers with room to increase with the intention of one day selling them on for tremendous profit.

Jeremie Frimpong, Jota, Kristoffer Ajer, and Odsonne Edouard are just some examples of this phenomenon, although there are additionally evident danger elements applied to this chosen mode of operation.

Undoubtedly, there has additionally been an underlying frustration from some followers involving Celtic’s relatively modest switch spend no matter having the financial capability to appeal to a high-calibre fine of individual.

With the globalisation of football enabling the European elite to widen the gap on the field, the Bhoys’ prospects of being able to make a fist of the Champions League group tiers have lessened in stature.

The club continue to be an fascinating proposition for players to showcase their brain on the biggest stage; nevertheless, we haven’t usually maximised our achievable from a recruitment standpoint either.

Head of First Team Scouting Mark Lawwell and Lead First Team Scout Joe Dudgeon will each leave Parkhead at the end of the season amid a patchy document of switch success stories.

Meanwhile, fans will also consider a similar story at some point of Lee Congerton’s spell as Head of Recruitment, coinciding with Brendan Rodgers’ first tenure at the club.

Lee Congerton makes sharp barb at Celtic’s recruitment structure

Congerton spent two years at Celtic earlier than departing for Leicester City in the summer time of 2019 and has on the grounds that spent time as Atalanta’s sporting director earlier than taking up a similar role at Saudi Pro League aspect Al-Ahli, the place he now works.

Speaking to The Telegraph, the 50-year-old has opened up on his time at Parkhead, making some very intriguing observations on running underneath Peter Lawwell.

Furthermore, he additionally claimed he had a function in attempting to bring Christopher Nkunku (now at Chelsea) and Moussa Diaby (now at Aston Villa), who had been each in Paris Saint-Germain’s adolescence system at the time, to Celtic before leaving under a cloud.

He commented on Celtic’s financial fact and why he left the membership in addition, stating: “At Celtic, we had no money.”

Continuing on, he said: “Peter Lawwell is a fantastic man, he’s an accountant. Brendan spoke to me and stated we wanted tempo and power, speed. We all understand PSG has an remarkable childhood programme with gamers at the time who were never going to play for PSG.

“Two of the different players we tried to sign throughout my time have been (Moussa) Diaby, who is now at Aston Villa, and (Christopher) Nkunku, who is now at Chelsea.

“But there had been countless players I didn’t want to be somewhere near them, and that is why I left. Peter knows that, and so did Brendan. Atalanta is very different.”

Celtic fans have regularly been mystified at Congerton’s spell at the club, with signings such as Martin Compper, Youssouf Mulumbu, Oliver Burke and Jeremy Toljan, among others, coming in for stinging criticism during his period of employment in Glasgow.

Nevertheless, we have now heard some of his version of events, which make for fascinating analyzing a few years on.

Celtic followers favor to see a clear recruitment shape this summer

We don’t be aware of who will be in cost of Celtic’s recruitment this summer time yet, although followers will be clear about their demands regardless of what transpires in the Scottish Premiership this season.

The Bhoys need to goal to improve key positions swiftly, and discovering a alternative for goalkeeper Joe Hart is an urgent priority. We only have a quite short wreck between the off-season and pre-season, so it would make experience to acquire gamers early to furnish an acclimatisation period if needed.

On the other hand, if we are to lose the likes of Matt O’Riley, for example, it would make experience to habits a deal before competitive motion resumes in 2024/25, allowing Celtic time to supply a alternative and as a result fending off limbo over any individual’s future at Parkhead.

Trimming extra fat from the squad will also be imperative to facilitate incomings; however, Celtic can also want to speculate to accumulate on the transfer the front and shouldn’t be shy about doing so.

This is due to the restructured Champions League format, which will put more pressure on Rodgers’ men if we qualify for the group stages, both routinely or by qualifiers, depending on our final league function this term.

 

Rangers lose to Dundee, giving Celtic yet another championship race bonus.

Celtic’s grip on the Scottish Premiership table is strong heading into the final five matches of the season after Rangers blew a big chance away to Dundee on Wednesday night.

A victory for Philippe Clement’s side would have reduced the deficit to just one point behind league leaders Celtic but Rangers failed to win for the third successive top-flight fixture.

The Ibrox side were poor in the 0-0 draw at Dens Park. Both sides had opportunities to get that all-important opening goal but there was a real lack of quality and composure on display across the 90 minutes.

A draw for Brendan Rodgers’ Bhoys at Ibrox, followed by a Rangers defeat in Dingwall against Ross County and tonight’s result has completely transformed the complexion of the title race compared to just a couple of weeks ago.

Celtic – three points ahead – are now favourites to see out the final five matches and win the title for the third season in a row after two previous winning Premiership campaigns under Ange Postecoglou.

Celtic’s five-game title gauntlet

The Bhoys are in Scottish Cup action this weekend against Aberdeen at Hampden but will be back on league duty next Sunday 28th April away to Dundee.

There are then home matches against Hearts and Rangers to contend with. After that, we could have a much clearer picture of where the silverware is heading this season.

The final week of the season will see Celtic travel to Kilmarnock on Wednesday 15th May before hosting St Mirren last on 18th May.

Nothing is won yet, of course. There could well be more twists and turns ahead in this title race. But Celtic have it all in their own hands having watched their rivals succumb to real pressure over the last few days.

Rodgers needs to ensure his side stays motivated and hungry. Complacency can’t creep into performances as they have done on previous occasions this season. Let’s finish this off Bhoys!

 

Pictured at Dens Park for the Rangers match is the former Celtics tandem.

Photo: Ex-Celtic duo pictured at Dens Park for Rangers game

Celtic’s Barry Robson celebrates after scoring from a free kick to make it 2 nil all through their Europa League football in shape between Hapoel Tel Aviv and Celtic, at Celtic Park, in Glasgow, Scotland, on December 2, 2009. AFP PHOTO / DEREK BLAIR (Photo savings must read Derek Blair/AFP by Getty Images)

Former Celtic duo Barry Robson and Willo Flood have been pictured at Dens Park this evening. The pair have been in the Main Stand to watch Rangers play Tony Docherty’s Dundee.

In a snap shared on Twitter/X through Football Scotland, Robson and Flood had been taking in the game.

𝗗𝘂𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗲 𝟬-𝟬 𝗥𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗟𝗜𝗩𝗘! 🇨🇷🔵

Former Aberdeen boss Barry Robson and Willo Flood watch on from the stands 📸 pic.twitter.com/LazeYrMiGK

— Football Scotland ⚽️🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 (@Football_Scot) April 17, 2024

The recreation has added pressure for the Ibrox side as they should win to minimize Celtic’s lead at the pinnacle of the table to one point.

Both gamers arrived at Celtic Park from Tannadice, one year apart and performed below Gordon Strachan at Celtic. In January 2010 after Strachan had been changed through Tony Mowbray, they made the switch to reunite with Strachan at Middlesbrough.

Flood is an agent at the same time as Robson was manager at Aberdeen until the give up of January. Robbo will be hoping to get again into the recreation soon after showing bright sparks at more than a few points throughout his reign at Pittodrie

 

Chris Sutton sums up Rangers disaster flawlessly as Celtic experience Wednesday night.

 

Rangers’ dropped factors at Dens Park tonight has surpassed a Celtic a big advantage in the title race tonight.

The 3-2 defeat at Ross County has been accompanied up with a goalless draw at Dundee in a four-day flip of activities that has viewed Celtic manager, Brendan Rodgers, go from having a must-win Glasgow Derby in May to it now being a game the place we can find the money for to make sure we just don’t lose.

Brendan Rodgers will be buoyed by means of the 0-0 stalemate at Dens, the Celtic followers are ecstatic and Chris Sutton has given his instant response now that the Parkhead derby takes a complete new complexion.

Advantage Celtic as Chris Sutton fires Rangers shot

Celtic now sit three factors clear at the pinnacle of the Scottish Premiership with a some distance most efficient five goal difference and with eight extra dreams scored.

It is a far cry from the place we have been simply a few brief weeks in the past and former Celtic hero, Chris Sutton shares precisely what he notion of Rangers’ Dens Park surrender on social media channel X.

Deserved factor for Dundee👏👏 Not so long in the past Rangers had been cheered off the pitch…tonight jeered off…

— Chris Sutton (@chris_sutton73) April 17, 2024

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Celtic can now look forward to their final five fixtures knowing that they have a three-point cushion but the first game after the cut up is at Dens Park to face Dundee.

Tony Docherty’s men have proven tonight that they are no pushovers. But with Rodgers’ Celtic now hitting a first rate piece of structure the Celtic fans will be assured that they can go to the City of Discovery and pick out up every other three imperative points in the defence of the title.

 

Celtic now face Aberdeen on Saturday on the Scottish Cup and it will be a welcome distraction from the madness of the title race that we are now hot favourites to retain.

 

 

Kris Boyd awards Celtic the league championship.

Former Rangers striker Kris Boyd has publicly conceded the title to Celtic following Rangers’ 0-0 draw with Dundee.

This end result has located Celtic three points clear at the top of the table as the league heads into the split, with a integral Glasgow Derby at Celtic Park yet to come.

Rangers’ recent shape has been a difficulty for them, securing simply one win in their ultimate eight league matches. With upcoming fixtures towards St Mirren and Kilmarnock, as properly as a Scottish Cup semi-final towards Hearts this weekend, the stress is mounting.

The sentiment of Rangers’ dwindling title hopes was once echoed on Sky Sports by pundits Chris Sutton and James McFadden, each of whom expressed trust that the league title is destined for Celtic Park this season. Boyd, confronted with the modern standings and the difficult direction in advance for Rangers, admitted the subject of the situation.

“After the Rangers-Celtic sport at Ibrox, it was once going to be a hard ask, but it’s tougher now. Rangers can go to Celtic Park and win and there are still 5 goals in it, I can’t see a way lower back for Rangers now.”

It’s quite something for Boyd to admit that!

Andy Walker responds to a radio host’s ‘wild’ Celtic fan statement with a stern reminder about the Rangers

The title race now taking structure after Celtic’s post-split Scottish Premiership fixtures had been announced via the SPFL yesterday.

Celtic now know that they face Rangers on the 11th of May and depending on how the outcomes go from now until then, it could be a fixture that decides the title.

Celtic, clearly, have the benefit heading into the Glasgow Derby. At home with Parkhead packed with Celtic supporters will be a daunting prospect and with Brendan Rodgers unbeaten against our Glasgow rivals, confidence will be excessive that we can pull off a result.

Andy Walker’s Celtic reminder to Rangers

And it was once this train of idea that led to a conversation between Andy Walker and Paul Cooney concerning the effect of that match.

This is how the conversation went on The Go Radio Football Show:

Cooney: “I suppose a lot of Celtic followers concept they’ve got the measure of Rangers. That’s maybe a wild claim due to the fact they’ve received what, two games?

Walker: “I don’t think it’s wild due to the fact when have Rangers taken care of Celtic? When have they beat them when it simply mattered?

“I can’t see Rangers going to Celtic Park and winning.”

Like Walker, I cannot see how the Celtic followers wondering that we have Rangers’ card marked is wild by means of any stretch of the imagination. And I’ll inform you why.

Celtic vs Rangers recent history

Let’s take a respectable sample size. In the last twelve Glasgow Derby’s, Rangers have only crushed Celtic twice. Once over 90 minutes in a Scottish Premiership game that supposed nothing in phrases of the title race and in extra time in the 2022 Scottish Cup semi-final for the duration of Ange Postecoglou’s rebuild season.

Out of the rest of these fixtures, three have been drawn and Celtic have received the other eight.

To in addition compound the argument, Celtic have scored 18 dreams and conceded simply five in those eight wins. [Transfermarkt]

The Celtic followers have each right to go into the closing derby healthy of the season full of confidence. Especially when we have a supervisor who has misplaced simply as soon as himself in the twelve Rangers video games he has taken charge of.

How can Rangers beat Celtic to the Premiership and revive their Scottish title challenge?

SOME human beings are on the p***! They suppose it’s all over! But is it now?

There have been joyous celebrations in the East End of Glasgow as nicely as in Dingwall yesterday afternoon as Rangers crashed to an sudden and probably catastrophic cinch Premiership defeat to second-bottom Ross County at the Global Energy Stadium.

The 3-2 loss left the Ibrox club 4 factors in the back of cutting-edge leaders Celtic with six matches closing and gave – even even though they have a recreation in hand against Dundee at Dens Park, or McDiarmid Park if the pitch is waterlogged again, to play on Wednesday night time – the defending champions the higher hand in the title race.

If Philippe Clement’s men win all of their last league outings they will still finish first. However, they have to travel across the River Clyde to play their town competitors at Parkhead in the coming weeks. They have not won there because way back in 2020.

On that occasion, too, there were no supporters internal the stadium because of the Covid-19 pandemic. Their opponents will have 60,000 of their followers roaring them on throughout the subsequent Old Firm derby. They will have none. It is very much benefit Celtic.

It is little wonder, then, that their jubilant followers had been uncorking the champagne, getting the beers in and ordering up trebles as Don Cowie’s plucky charges produced the shock result of the season at the weekend. Altogether now! Here we go to Three-In-A-Row!

Nobody who was present in Dingwall yesterday or who watched the action unfold at home on Sky Sports will fancy Rangers’ probabilities of coming from four at the back of with six to play and prevailing. They had been porous at the back, outclassed in midfield and toothless in attack. They were outfought in each and every place of the park.

James Tavernier and his crew mates had been lucky to solely concede three. Their hosts surpassed up a raft of gilt-edged scoring possibilities in the final third and Jack Butland pulled off a few quality saves throughout the direction of the 90 minutes. In stark contrast, the traffic solely netted because Jack 1st Earl Baldwin of Bewdley put the ball in his personal net early on and they have been awarded a late penalty after a VAR check.

Clement and Tavernier made all the right noises in their post-match interviews afterwards. The overall performance fell some way quick of the predicted standards. The supporters have been badly let down. There will be a response to the result.

But neither of them provided any insight into how Rangers can resurrect their faltering title challenge. So can they come from behind, leapfrog a resurgent Celtic and raise the Premiership trophy? And, perhaps greater importantly, how can they?

Getting Ridvan Yilmaz lower back in shape as soon as possible would help their cause. The Turkish left lower back used to be one of Clement’s most steady and influential performers earlier than he picked up an injury throughout the international break closing month. Dujon Sterling and Borna Barisic, who have deputised for him towards Hibernian, Celtic and County, have no longer made the identical impact.

Dropping Connor Goldson would be a huge name by way of the Belgian. The centre 1/2 is his vice-captain and has lengthy been one of the first names down on the team sheet earlier than kick-off. But the Englishman is presently on a desperately disappointing run of personal form.

Does his supervisor simply persevere with him in the hope that he comes proper again? Goldson has played an awful lot of football and would perhaps gain from a rest. Only Jack Butland, Tavernier and John Lundstram have featured greater in the first group this term. Maybe, though, renewing his partnership with Leon Balogun would allow him to get his mojo back.

Leaving Tavernier out of the Rangers facet is unthinkable. The skipper took his tally for the 2023/24 marketing campaign to 24 with his well-taken spot kick yesterday. He is the leading scorer and, no matter being a full-back, important attacking threat. Still, defensively he used to be suspect in opposition to County. He desires to have his responsibilities pushed domestic to him there in no uncertain manner at some stage in education at Auchenhowie.

Further forward, who is first-class positioned to accomplice Lundstram and Cantwell in midfield while Mohamed Diomande is absent? Kieran Dowell was underwhelming on Sunday. Tom Lawrence was once anonymous in the derby seven days before that. But Sterling shone in the center of the park when he was once given an extended run there because of accidents before this season. Could that test be really worth revisiting?

Would it, too, be worth giving Nicolas Raskin a chance? Players who are no longer starting on a weekly basis immediately emerge as far higher than they truly are in the eyes of supporters when the crew is not performing. But he impressed in the 2d half of closing season and has now recovered from the ankle difficulty which kept him out in November and December. He will certainly be fresh.

Up front, Clement has suffered from the absence of Oscar Cortes and Danilo. He has a wonderful lack of picks even with Abdallah Sima returning to the fray. But should moving Fabio Silva into his favoured berth via the center and deploying Rabbi Matondo on the left flank provide Rangers extra pace, invention and penetration going forward?

Cyriel Dessers, who squandered some true possibilities towards County, is another who perhaps desires removed from the front line. The £4.5m summer signing is a mercurial talent, great one minute, bloody lousy the next. A extremely good deal has been requested of him in the 2nd 1/2 of the season and it is showing.

Clement and his coaching personnel have a good deal to consider and many large decisions to make. Do they have the high-quality they need in the squad to catch and overtake Celtic? The coming weeks will tell onlookers a terrific deal about their mentality and ability. They have lots to do to show their doubters incorrect and complete the second leg of a manageable treble.

But one component is without a doubt certain proper now – they need to beat their sixth-placed opponents Dundee at both Dens Park or McDiarmid Park on Wednesday night time and get their Scottish title venture firmly returned on track.

If there is any repeat of the abject showing in Dingwall and any extra points are leaked then it honestly will all be over for Rangers and the birthday celebration in the inexperienced and white half of of the town can get underway in earnest.

Joe Hart reminds Celtic teammates what is necessary in the final push as he pursues league and Scottish Cup triumph

The Hoops take on Aberdeen at this weekend at Hampden whilst they are in pinnacle spot ahead of Rangers in the league.

Joe Hart insists serial winners Celtic are getting ready for a Parkhead exhibit of electricity in the remaining push for silverware.

The Hoops are bang in the hunt for the title following Saturday’s win against St Mirren and are gearing up for a crack at the Scottish Cup in this weekend’s semi showdown with Aberdeen.

Hart is relishing the fighting and he insisted the skilled campaigners in the Parkhead dressing room will be main the way for the new Bhoys in the bid to land extra medals. Hart – who has gained 5 trophies with Celts – said: “What will it take in the ultimate games? Just stay in our lane, continue to be focused. Drawing on the electricity of a club which is used to prevailing things and no longer being intimidated by that. Learning from that, with the boys who haven’t executed it getting to know from the boys who have.

“Just encouraging human beings that we have some easy tasks beforehand of us. We said it before the St Mirren game and we keep saying it, we don’t simply rock up on a Saturday.

“We work certainly challenging thru the week to have a way of playing, to have options when humans do make it challenging for us. So we simply need to rely on the hard work we have achieved all season and come good at the proper time.

“This is a massive week. We have the Scottish Cup and you don’t prefer any pressure off. It was hard now not being worried in the League Cup however we bought beat truthful and square at Kilmarnock and we had to pass on. This is a opposition we favor to be worried in to the very end. We prefer to be there on May 25.”

Hart used to be thrilled to tick off every other win in opposition to Saints at the weekend as Celtic determined a way to destroy down courageous Buddies in the second half. The former Manchester City shot-stopper – who turns 37 on Friday – insisted the Hoops’ squad are keeping a laser focal point on each project in their path.

Hart said: “Yes, 100 percent. There is no different way to do it, you simply have to keep it easy and take it sport by means of recreation and coaching session by means of education session. We have momentum however we are infrequently a crew that have had to go through a couple of draws or defeats in a row. We are a team that wants to win and needs to preserve winning.

“That kind of goes out the window in a scrappy first half when we have to draw on the reality we work damn tough to play a certain way and when we play it properly we are hard to stop.”

Celtic have been boosted by way of the current return to health of Reo Hatate, Callum McGregor and Luis Palma. But boss Rodgers is going through a sweat this week with Daizen Maeda’s season in the balance.

The Japan megastar is being assessed through the club’s scientific group after suffering a hamstring trouble and the manager admitted he can’t warranty what part the winger will be in a position to play in the run in.

Maeda has been a man for the huge occasions with stand out shows in opposition to Rangers and at Hampden in latest years. But Hart insisted the Hoops still have the high-quality to get the job done.

He said: “It’s an extremely good squad with anybody fit. But we don’t stay in an perfect world. We have to be real. This is a excessive intensity job and humans get injured. We are doing everything we can to have as sturdy a squad as possible.”

Dermot Desmond ‘leads rebels’ as Celtic supremo in the centre of an explosive clash at ultra-exclusive golf club

The Irish billionaire is a member of the Queenwood membership and is reportedly main a riot towards extra members’ fees.

Celtic supremo Dermot Desmond is reportedly main a “group of rebels” after an almighty row broke out over members’ expenses for a new irrigation machine at an ultra-exclusive golf course.

The Irish billionaire is a member of Queenwood which boasts the likes of golfing legends Rory McIlroy, Justin Rose and Ernie Els among those who pay £13,000-a-year in annual costs – on top of an eye-watering £175,000 for a share in the membership and a one-off “playing privilege fee” of £48,000.

Despite the wealth of the contributors list, The Times say a row has broken out over a price of £1800 plus VAT that Gerard Tvedt, the chairman of the Surrey Club, wrote to members in January announcing was once wanted for a new irrigation project, at a complete value of £3.4million, to ensure the lawns, greens and fairways are saved to their common standard.

And the report states Desmond is the man who is main the fight. In reference to cash swirling around, the say: “In this context, an greater £1,800 a year for a new irrigation system might have regarded a trifling amount. Instead, it teed up an almighty row between Queenwood and its members. A crew of rebels led by way of the Irish billionaire Dermot Desmond laid siege to the board, demanding answers over Queenwood’s budget and modifications to the way it is run.

“Fred Green, its octogenarian founder, flew to the UK for disaster talks with contributors this weekend in an try to defuse the situation, promising to listen to all people ‘who would like to trade information and categorical their views on the modern talk that has consumed so a lot energy’. The spat offers a rare glimpse into the moneyed world of luxury golf and the extreme passions it arouses among the rich and effective who enjoy it.”

The row reached boiling point when member Aidan Heavey, founder of the energy large Tullow Oil pored over the money owed and sought legal advice on how to change administration – which resulted in his membership being cancelled. And that is when Desmond is stated to have stepped in. The report says: “Then Desmond swung into motion on the rebels’ side. The mustachioed 73-year-old former proprietor of London City airport emailed the board, copying in all 400 Queenwood members, pronouncing the administrators were ‘attempting to bully and intimidate anybody who dares to raise authentic concerns’.

“His observe used to be co-signed through 37 individuals consisting of the former McLaren boss Ron Dennis, former Liverpool FC captain Jamie Redknapp and one-time Chelsea FC striker Andriy Shevchenko. It concluded: ‘If we do not stand united towards this Putinesque regime, the integrity and standing of the club will be profoundly and completely compromised”.

Desmond is ranked is the ninth richest man in Ireland and has Celtic’s largest shareholder when you consider that the start of the century with 34.64% of the shares. His son Ross stated at the club’s AGM last year: “My father grew up a big Celtic fan. We don’t consider ourselves as shareholders, we are custodians. In his lifetime and mine, we will now not promote the club.”

Celtic could suffer more than Rangers from the Dundee tragedy, as Sutton fears the worst

One feasible scenario should play into Philippe Clement’s hands, according to Sutton

Chris Sutton fears it it may want to be CELTIC who lose out most from the complete Dundee-Rangers fiasco.

The Light Blues have been left perplexed by the second postponement of their Dens Park fixture with supervisor Philippe Clement bemoaning the lack of forward planning or effort to get some contingencies in place, for instance choice venues the recreation could have been held at.

Indeed, the Ibrox membership hit out at their Premiership competitors in a strongly-worded assertion which accused them of “negligence and unprofessionalism.” But the Hoops hero is concerned the complete scenario ought to surely work towards his historical facet and in favour of their title rivals.

Rangers are now due to try to play Dundee for a THIRD time subsequent Wednesday, April 17. That skill it falls AFTER the relaxation of the pre-split fixtures and the Dee might also already have secured a top six spot if they can get at least a draw at Aberdeen.

With less for them to play for, that could play into Philippe Clement’s hands, in accordance to Sutton.

Speaking in the Daily Record, he said: “There have been so many tears over this Dundee sport there is a real chance of Ibrox being simply as waterlogged as Dens Park.

“There’s no escaping the reality it is a shambles and big questions have to be answered about the nation of that surface. But spare me the talk this is solely horrific for Rangers. It could clearly flip out worse for Celtic. I understand they have the possibility of going four factors clear at the pinnacle of the table now and no guarantee Rangers will get this one completed subsequent midweek. But if if does take area on Wednesday and effects go Dundee’s at the weekend, the strain should be totally off them.

“They may want to already be certain of a pinnacle six location and alternatively than scrapping to get in, they would possibly feel the challenging work is done. There’s additionally talk of taking it to a impartial venue or in the back of closed doorways but it goes back to the ancient carrying integrity line, doesn’t it?

“The whole factor of playing at home is that there is intended to be some type of advantage. Look, Rangers hitting five up there in the past in the season suggests it’s now not much of an advantage, however it’s supposed to be a degree taking part in field – even if it is a mud heap.

“The complete situation is a mess. I don’t in reality blame Rangers for no longer taking part in final week. It wasn’t their fault the game went off at the beginning and whilst some human beings are panning them for now not playing it at the earliest opportunity, they have every right to do it when they see fit.

“This is all on Dundee. I had to snicker when I heard them blaming world warming. It would possibly be some microclimate up there when there’s a pristine floor 100 yards throughout the street at Tannadice.

“They may be calling in Greta Thunberg for returned up, but, both way, it doesn’t appear desirable for Scottish football.”

Simon Jordan rips Rangers apart on their Dundee stance with a poignant Celtic reminder

Simon Jordan has ripped Rangers’ strongly-worded assertion about Dundee’s pitch apart.

The profitable entrepreneur has branded the club’s behaviour as ‘ridiculous and hypocritical,’ questioning their ‘holier-than-thou’ approach.

Yesterday, the Ibrox club’s rearranged fit in opposition to Dundee was referred to as off for a second time.

This sparked an indignant response from Rangers, with the membership taking aim at the Dens Park facet for their ‘unprofessionalism’ in failing to make sure the sport went ahead.

The sport will now be performed on Wednesday, April 17, simply days earlier than Rangers will play in their Scottish Cup semi-final against Hearts.

But Jordan did not have any moans from these of a Rangers persuasion, as he reminded anyone that there was once a risk to play the sport prior to the derby with Celtic, and he instructed the membership that they have to get their own house in order before having a go at others.

“This is a club that cannot get its act together to let followers in towards their biggest rivals,” the former Crystal Palace proprietor exclaimed. “They are probable breaching SPFL rules themselves by no longer permitting away fans for their biggest rivals.

“So there’s an irony behind that, I’m not positive why Rangers have felt the need to go so robust. They might also be taking part in to the gallery of their followers however it’s a bit ridiculous and hypocritical.

“I do not know why they’re being holier-than-thou. It sounds remarkably pompous and condescending. They don’t have their very own residence in order.

“If you are going to stand there and begin preaching to people, even if you’ve acquired validity in what you are saying, when you are pointing at different people, 4 fingers factor back at you. Because Rangers do not cowl themselves in glory. They should have performed this game final week but it did not swimsuit them.

“I like Rangers and I desire them to win the league. But I don’t understand why they had to be so vitriolic.

“They are standing on the mountain looking down on absolutely everyone else as if they are any one sincerely meaningful. They are a sizeable membership but it’s very high-handed and barely unnecessary. There’s in all likelihood a purpose other clubs don’t like the Old Firm, and this is in all likelihood it.”

Host Jim White then read out the opinions of some Rangers fans who had textual content in the show.

Conspiracy theories had been cited in this breath, and Jordan challenged this view.

He continued: “What’s the conspiracy concept then? What is behind this? Why did not Dundee choose it played? Is there something we’re missing in this conversation? Why are Rangers fans and supporters suggesting this is some form of conclusion? Are they now not going to play Rangers now? Of course they’re going to play them.

“If the pitch is waterlogged, the club could possibly do better. Yes, agreed. But possibly they simply don’t have the money or the means.

“If I was once Dundee, this is what I would say. ‘That’s wonderful, but I don’t give a monkey’s what you think. I will be judged with the aid of the SPFL, not you. Who are you? You cannot get your own house in order. You can’t even have fans coming from your rivals due to the fact you can’t behave yourselves. You get into line.’

“It wasn’t so lengthy ago that we have been gazing these golf equipment argue about the sponsorship of the league due to the fact it compromised the owner of the soccer club who had automobile garages. Let’s have it right.

“If you are going to get on your excessive horse and go all weapons blazing at every other club, you need to be perfect. I admire Rangers, I have an affection for them, and I choose them to win the league. But simply a moment.”

Philippe Clement responds to the Kennedy and O’Riley Ibrox Incidents

Philippe Clement never observed the coins thrown at the Celtic management group in the course of Sunday’s Glasgow Derby at Ibrox.

It has been claimed that Police Scotland are investigating the incident however so some distance there has been no on the report comment from either club, the SFA or SPFL.

Coverage from Celtic TV also confirmed that a bottle of Buckfast was thrown at Matt O’Riley after he scored a penalty, none of Sunday’s broadcasters noticed that incident.

Yesterday Clement staged a media convention to preview tonight’s suit at Dundee with the Glasgow Times reporting the former Monaco boss reacting to those incidents with the aid of saying:

I didn’t see that, I hear that. I don’t choose that matters are thrown on the pitch, no longer at Ibrox. We had it a few times at other pitches towards us so it is no longer a true thing. So the club is busy with that, to see who is doing that. It is no longer what we desire in our club.

Of direction the support we obtained used to be positive. And absolutely everyone desires that and no person wishes whatever else. I didn’t see it, however I hear that it happened. The membership is investigating this.

Pyro at soccer matches seem to be the massive problem at the moment however with more than 90% of fans attending matches Season Ticket holders a working CCTV device must pick out out the culprits.

Both clubs strive to play down these kind of incidents however with alocohol banned from soccer stadiums in Scotland safety needs to be stepped up to stop glass bottles being taken in and as a result thrown onto the pitch.

Philippe Clement confesses that he wasn’t thrilled with two Fabio Silva events against Celtic and that the Rangers show and tell

The Ibrox gaffer has had phrase over certain incidents however has took purpose at critics who branded his player a diver

There was once a whole lot discuss about tinted spectacles at Auchenhowie the day past as Philippe Clement fixed his glare on critics of his side’s behaviour at some point of and after Sunday’s Old Firm powderkeg.

Claims Fabio Silva was guilty of simulation during the ferocious 3-3 draw had the Rangers boss accusing the accusers of seeing solely what they wanted to see. Likewise the flak directed at the Ibrox boss and his gamers for their so-called ‘lap of honour’ after failing to land a blow on their competitors at home had the Belgian narrowing his eyes in incredulity.

The sight of Rangers soaking up the acclaim of 50,000 fans at once after drawing Sunday’s derby blockbuster sincerely delivered scorn from punters normally wearing green-tinted glasses, as Clement would put it. The manager was captured roaring in front of the Union Bears in the Broomloan Stand moments after Rabbi Matondo’s stoppage-time wondergoal rescued a point in a brilliantly chaotic encounter.

The intention stopped Celtic carving out a four-point advantage at the top, having taken the lead in just 22 seconds and should nicely show to be the decisive moment in the most fascinating title race in years.

That’s what Clement used to be eager to center of attention on the day prior to this as he and his players prepared to head to Tayside for a clash with Dundee which, must it beat the weather, should see Rangers go pinnacle of the pile.

Not solely that however the fact Sunday was the first time in three many years that a facet had come again from two down to snatch whatever from the derby was once priceless of raising eyebrows he reckons.

Former Celtic boss Neil Lennon led the criticism of the celebrations afterwards claiming it “wouldn’t have took place in my day” whilst fellow ex-Celt and Record Sport columnist Chris Sutton also had a pop at the Ibrox boss for claiming a “moral victory”.

But Clement is adamant the celebration criticism misses the point. He said: “First, what occurs with the team? We go in the back of after 22 seconds. Then you go 2-0 at the back of in an Old Firm.

“It is more than 30 years in view that a team got here back in that situation. We rating in greater time with a very suitable goal. You can’t be comfortable with that?

“It would be a little bit weird. But I examine a lot of comments. It is a humorous factor is this town – all people has coloured glasses for sure round the Old Firm.

“There are a lot of remarks about everything, but I don’t care what human beings with colored glasses are saying. It is now not important for me. Yeah, we were comfortable that we ought to come returned in that scenario and that we showed resilience and we scored an exceptional goal at the end.

“But earlier than the sport we wanted to win and in the recreation we wanted to win also. After the outstanding intention we have been the team who nevertheless created a chance, we have been now not the group who had bee

“We get a proper danger still with Cyriel at the cease so we had been going full for the three points. We can be blissful after a well-merited point. It could have been greater however it used to be greater about the response after going behind.”

Rangers’ fightback started out with the VAR awarded penalty after Silva crashed to the floor underneath a venture from Alistair Johnston. Ref John Beaton, who had already warned the Portuguese over his antics in the first half, flashed yellow at the Ibrox ahead only for video assistant Nick Walsh to direct him to the monitor.

Beaton’s selection to overturn his choice and award the spot-kick was wrong in accordance to Celtic boss Brendan Rodgers who accused Silva of simulation. But while Clement printed he has had phrases with the Wolves loanee over being more desirable in some instances, he took goal at these who branded him a diver. And he insists the participant has the stud marks to show he was once a target.

Clement said of the criticism: “It is not justified in the whole thing due to the fact I see that some people, again with coloured glasses, throw the whole lot on the same pile.

“There were two movements which I was once now not happy with him about and I show him these days also about that. He should have been better in the duel and he was once not sturdy enough. In other moments he received absolutely kicked.

“He’s additionally acquired two simply deep marks in his calves after this game, cuts from the studs. There had been a few actions the place he ought to go down due to the fact there was once a severe address or duel, and two where there were not that I’ve talked to him about.”

Clement is adamant the penalty award was correct. He said: “It’s clear a penalty. Only if you have coloured glasses you say it’s now not a penalty. People who are neutral, or possibly even if they say they have colored glasses, they say a neutral thing.

“I see the ref watch in England and Dermot Gallagher, who is impartial – although perhaps human beings say he is extra a preferred of Celtic, I don’t know if it’s genuine or now not – however he definitely says it is a penalty.”

And the boss pushed aside guidelines the player’s footballing subculture could be the problem.

He said: “No. Don’t start to create now – and this is what people on the different aspect attempt to do – a sort of narrative round him, due to the fact he’s now not been doing that in different games. He used to be in the starting an emotional young guy. Yes, he’s 21, but it’s getting higher and better.”

‘I’ll be honest’: Pat Nevin makes Celtic title claim after witnessing the draw against Rangers

Celtic’s draw with Rangers on Sunday has now opened up the debate on who is the favourite to win the Scottish Premiership now.

With simply one factor isolating the teams, albeit Rangers do have a recreation in hand, the race to the ending line is promising to be a tightly contested affair.

For Celtic it’s all in Brendan Rodgers‘ fingers after avoiding defeat at Ibrox on Sunday however for Rangers that means the pressure has been ramped up on their outing to Dens Park the following day night.

So who has the edge? Who can now declare to be in the riding seat after the Glasgow Derby stalemate? Pat Nevin seems to know.

The ‘advantage’ Celtic have over Rangers

The BBC pundit used to be commentating on the game when he used to be asked to predict who would win the league.

And at the same time as he says he can’t separate the two, Nevin points out the benefit Celtic have over Rangers with simply six games left to go.

Nevin said [Football Daily], “In easy phrases and in merely mathematical terms, it’s in each their hands. If Rangers win all their games, they’ll win the league if Celtic win all their games, they’ll win the league.

“It all comes down to the recreation between Celtic and Rangers that’s going to manifest at Celtic Park when the cut up comes in a couple of weeks time.

“So if you’re Brendan Rodgers, even although if Rangers win against Dundee on Wednesday night, they’ll be two points ahead but Celtic have obtained the domestic benefit in the remaining game.

“However, today, both managers can walk away and say, we’re confident, we’ve obtained it. I’ll be truthful and I’m not sitting on the fence. You genuinely can’t call it. That’s all it is, you can’t call it.”

And that could show crucial. The final Glasgow Derby being held at Paradise with a stadium packed full of Celtic followers should be pivotal in Rodgers selecting up any other win over Philippe Clement.

We all recognize that when Celtic Park receives going in these games, the crew takes a huge elevate and go on and wins the tie.

If Celtic can do that and win their different five closing fixtures then the title is ours. Over to you Brendan.

‘Very strange’: Pat Nevin describes something “weird” that the Rangers supporters did while Celtic was winning at Ibrox

The extraordinary factor about the current Glasgow Derbies between Celtic and Rangers is that there are no journeying followers allowed to attend this historical fixture.

We all comprehend the motive for that so I won’t bore you with the small print but let’s simply say that if Brendan Rodgers didn’t sub on Odsonne Edouard back in 2018 then we would likely nevertheless have the complete Broomloan Stand to enjoy on these Ibrox days.

However, it is what it is and both Celtic and Rangers needed to face this season understanding that going to their largest opponents except the away aid was once the project in advance of them.

And yesterday used to be no different. But the beautiful factor that Brendan Rodgers will take from yesterday’s 3-3 draw was that his gamers have been no longer fazed via the occasion.

What Rangers fans did ‘en masse’ at Ibrox yesterday

In fact, it was what Rodgers’ players did that Pat Nevin seen had a ‘strange’ impact on the Ibrox crowd as Celtic ran rebellion in the first half.

Nevin said [Football Daily], “The solely time you ever get something like it is when you journey away to the huge European games you go to the San Siro or someplace like that and the way teams score a goal and there is variety of moment of silence.

“Well, it’s form of like that. But the other issue that was bizarre that occurred today, when Celtic had been 2-0 up and Rangers had been playing very poorly, the Rangers followers on masse turned on their team.

“And it used to be a very, very atypical scenario the place all the fans have been then under more strain than every person else. It was an odd, abnormal situation.”

The silence from the Ibrox crowd when Matt O’Riley buried that penalty honestly was once something. I mean, you may want to actually hear a pin drop.

But you do have to wonder, had Celtic had followers in the stadium yesterday, would that have made a fabric difference to the effect of the recreation when we went 2-0 up?

Unfortunately, we will never know. But at least from subsequent season onwards what we do recognize is that some fans will be allowed into each grounds for this fixture.

And that will be welcomed. Even though the ecosystem is nevertheless tremendous at Celtic Park, the fixture is not the equal as it is when each sets of fans are in attendance. And that is some thing we will all get to enjoy from subsequent season.

Kris Boyd’s comments on Fabio Silva’s theatrics against Celtic reveal what his game plan was all along

There are a lot of positives to take away from Celtic’s draw with Rangers at Ibrox this afternoon.

No dropped factors skill that Brendan Rodgers still sits on top of the league and it also potential that when it virtually mattered, Rangers could nonetheless now not muster a fine result in a Glasgow Derby when it simply mattered.

Make no mistake, Rangers had to win at Ibrox today and it appeared like they had been going to try and get that win by any skill necessary.

Fabio Silva performed a critical part in Rangers getting a draw at Ibrox today. His dive at the penalty award sparked a Rangers fightback when it seemed like the Ibrox membership were properly out of the game at 2-0 down.

But it was once earlier than that dive that former Rangers striker Kris Boyd had already marked the Ibrox attacker’s card for his ‘antics’ against Celtic in the first 45 minutes of the game.

Fabio Silva branded a ‘disgrace’ for Celtic antics

During the half-time analysis, Boyd made a factor of criticising the Rangers attacker and, to be honest, John Beaton need to have tackled it before it grew to become an issue.

The Portuguese winger appeared to fall with any contact from a Celtic player in the first half of and Boyd known as him out on it at some point of the Sky Sports analysis.

Boyd stated [Sky Sports], “I assume when you look at the way the recreation has gone, Celtic have definitely dominated and they’ve had the great chances.

“Rangers have Jack Butland to thank for nonetheless being in this game.

“Fabio Silva, who I think has been really, honestly poor. Some of his antics have been a disgrace as well, rolling about.”

Chris Sutton called Silva a ‘gold medal diver’ when the VAR test was going on at the penalty award and it appears like that was the Portuguese winger’s gameplan all along.

No one likes simulation in the game. It’s the bane of expert soccer and it have to be called out at every opportunity.

It’s simply a pity John Beaton wasn’t robust ample to stand by his original selection at the penalty because if he did then Celtic should nicely have walked away from Ibrox with all three points this afternoon.

Watch: Matt O’Riley makes it 2-0 from the penalty spot after VAR steps in

Celtic are 2-0 up at Ibrox thanks to an extraordinary penalty from Matt O’Riley. The Danish Internationalist was once passed the chance from the spot after VAR noticed a Connor Goldson handball. Nick Walsh known as upon his colleague to consult the screen after the ball hit Goldson’s outstretched elbow.

🗣️ “Ibrox is officially silenced!”

Matt O’Riley dinks his penalty down the middle to put Celtic 2-0 up vs Rangers – watch live on @SkyFootball 📺 pic.twitter.com/tOTxejd788

— Sky Sports Scotland (@ScotlandSky) April 7, 2024

It was once a magnificent penalty from O’Riley, who just dinked the ball up the middle, leaving Jack Butland helpless. Brendan Rodgers’ aspect will look to close the 1/2 out and regroup while retaining their discipline.

Chris Sutton loses his mind after Rangers receive “embarrassing” penalty for Fabio Silva’s “dive” against Celtic

Chris Sutton did not hold back in his assessment of Fabio Silva (
Image: BT Sport)

Ex-Celtic ace and Sky Sports commentator Chris Sutton used to be fuming with the decision to award Rangers with a penalty during the Old Firm derby after an “embarrassing” dive

Chris Sutton used to be left seething after Rangers have been awarded a controversial penalty early on in the second-half of their Old Firm clash in opposition to Celtic at Ibrox.

The visitors took an extraordinarily early lead, with Daizen Maeda capitalising on some questionable defender from Rangers skipper James Tavernier. Just over half of an hour later and Celtic had been given a penalty of their own, which was once duly transformed by Matt O’Riley for his first Old Firm goal.

Rangers ahead Fabio Silva, on loan from Premier League outfit Wolves, used to be at the heart of masses of flashpoints throughout. The most doubtful used to be the one that surpassed his aspect a way lower back into the game, at the beginning yellow carded for diving, the Portuguese intelligence used to be sooner or later given the spot-kick after a VAR intervention.

Alistair Johnston clipped Silva with an outstretched leg, however replays seemed to recommend that the ahead went to ground particularly easily. That was surely the view of Sutton, who let rip at the Rangers ace.

“This would be embarrassing if a penalty is given,” the former Celtic celebrity said whilst on commentary duty. “Silva is already on his way down. Of course it’s no longer a clear and apparent error.”

Despite his protests, a penalty was given and Tavernier made up his early error by means of evenly dispatching from the spot. Celtic ‘keeper Joe Hart dived the proper way, however stood little hazard of retaining such an correct effort out.

Just minutes later, it looked like Rangers had bagged any other and levelled things up. After some scrappy play interior the box, Cyriel Dessers lashed domestic from shut range, sparking wild celebrations internal of Ibrox.

They have been soon reduce short, as Tom Lawrence was once judged to have tripped Reo Hatate in the build-up. Rangers boss Philippe Clement should barely believe the decision and was once spotted mockingly laughing from his technical area.

The result of the derby is pivotal to the race for the Scottish Premier League title. Before kick-off, Celtic had been a point in the front of their oldest enemies, having played one recreation extra – a win would provide them some daylight in advance of the season’s final furlong.

Matt O’Riley acknowledges that the pressure to go from Celtic to Atletico Madrid taught him an important lesson

he Spaniards noticed a mortgage with duty to buy offer booted out by using the Bhoys in January after Champions League meetings.

Matt O’Riley admits he felt the switch warmness after seeing a bid from Atletico Madrid rejected.

Diego Simeone’s facet launched an attempted raid on Parkhead to land O’Riley on a six month mortgage with an duty to buy for a said £25million charge this summer. Atleti had truly been impressed via the Danish global after coming up against Celtic twice in the Champions League group stage, with the Spaniards prevailing 6-0 at domestic earlier than a 2-2 draw at Celtic Park.

But Brendan Rodgers proven that the provide had been booted out by the Bhoys, even though there are fears that the La Liga outfit, as well as others, should strive again during the shut season. And O’Riley says he felt some more strain in the aftermath of the transfer window closing, before giving himself a shake and refocusing on the venture at hand in Glasgow. And he mentioned that it is a lesson learned in case he’s the subject of anymore gives going forward.

“If I’m being absolutely honest, the first two or three video games after the transfer window mentally it was a mild assignment due to the fact I felt quite a bit of delivered stress on my shoulders, just slightly. But then I realised I didn’t sincerely know why I was inserting extra strain on myself.

“I did not in reality want to trade anything. I type of got here away from that and targeted on what I carry to the team it clicked again into location again.

“Each season, regardless of it going properly it will nevertheless pose a specific challenge. Of course bids are first-rate but it could nonetheless doubtlessly be a poor thing if you do not see it from the right way as properly so another factor to research going forwards.”

Keith Wyness calls the possibility of Celtic and Rangers joining the Premier League a “disaster.”

Former Aberdeen chief Keith Wyness has insisted there is “no urge for food in England” for Rangers and Celtic to be part of the Premier League.

Speaking on the new version of Football Insider’s Inside Track podcast, the 66-year-old – who served as CEO at Aberdeen between 2000 and 2004, had prolonged spells as the chief of Everton and Aston Villa and now runs a football consultancy advising elite golf equipment – insisted it would be a “disaster” with cities “under siege” from each club’s fans.

There has lengthy been a debate about Old Firm golf equipment becoming a member of the English soccer pyramid – with multiple proposals being rejected each north and south of the border.

Recent evidence has shown the clubs would preserve their very own in England with Uefa currently publishing their European Club Finance and Investment report, which indicates wholesome outcomes for both golf equipment in contrast to their European counterparts.

Both clubs are in the top 20 throughout the continent for gate income (in the economic year up to June 2023).

‘I don’t see it occurring at all’, says Wyness on Rangers and Celtic becoming a member of Premier League

With Fenerbahce’s threatening to exit the Turkish league system making headlines, debate has once once more erupted about the Old Firm transferring to England.

But Wyness has poured bloodless water on the idea, telling Football Insider‘s Insider Track podcast: “In my days at Aberdeen, I was combat this battle.

“We resigned from the Scottish Premier League, leaving Rangers and Celtic alone. We won that hostilities in phrases of getting a fairer share of TV revenue.

“The chance was for them to go to the Premier League, and they tried. They have been searching for any different league in Europe to go to.

“I think that has been dampened down in latest years, and if they have been to attempt again – I simply don’t see it taking place at all.

“As the policies stand right now, they won’t be doing it. I don’t suppose there’s any urge for food at all in England.

“Personally, I think it would be a disaster. People don’t comprehend the problems the fanbases would have coming down here. Cities would be under siege for weekend games.

“It would be a actual problem.

“Never say never, however I surely can’t see them coming.”

Kris Boyd mocks Kyogo’s penalty allegation while Chris Sutton informs him he’s watching a different match

The Celtic talisman used to be left in a crumpled heap after 37 minutes with Mikey Devlin making contact with the striker.

Unimpressed Kris Boyd claims Kyogo’s declare for a penalty was a non-starter as he vehemently disagreed with sparring companion Chris Sutton.

The Celtic talisman used to be left in a crumpled heap after 37 minutes with Mikey Devlin making contact with the striker. Referee Don Robertson allowed the recreation to proceed and brief take a look at from his VAR official Alan Muir decided no in addition action was once wanted with the Japan worldwide left wincing in agony.

But Boyd and Sutton – as is regularly the case – landed on specific sides of the debate with fellow guest Robert Snodgrass siding with Sutton and viewing it as a penalty. Speaking to Sky Sports, Sutton said: “I think Celtic will feel difficult achieved by. I’ve had to seem to be at this severa times, myself. I am genuinely surprised Don Robertson wasn’t despatched over to the monitor to have a look. There is contact, Kyogo receives to the ball first, so I suppose it is a penalty.”

Celtic claim for a penalty after Kyogo Furuhashi is tackled by Livingston’s Mikey Devlin

Celtic claim for a penalty after Kyogo Furuhashi is tackled through Livingston’s Mikey Devlin

But Boyd wasn’t having it, and countered: “So, you had to seem to be at it numerous times, nonetheless couldn’t make your mind up, so it’s not clear and obvious. That’s never a penalty, he’s already down earlier than the contact is made. Watch him, already on the way down. He takes his leg and holds his ankle. It’s never been a penalty.”

A visibly dismayed Sutton told his sparring companion he looking at a exclusive recreation over his verdict on the spot kick shout. And talking from the commentary booth, James McFadden said: “He does kick him, he does kick him. I suppose Mikey Devlin would possibly be a fortunate boy. It’s now not heavy contact however he has kicked thru him to get to the ball.

 

Brendan Rodgers says he and his teammate have benefited from the Celtic star’s suspension

South Korea international ready to play large phase in title race insists Parkhead boss.

Yang Hyun-Jun’s season used to be grounded just as he commenced to take flight at Celtic after seeing purple against Hearts. But Brendan Rodgers insists being sent off in Edinburgh should in reality be the catalyst for the forward’s perfect take off returned in Glasgow.

Not only that but the Hoops boss hopes that controversial Tynecastle choice might simply have helped get two wing options flying in time for the commercial enterprise quit of the title race after Nicolas Kuhn replaced his fellow wide man and moved nearer to top tools following his January arrival from Rapid Vienna. Rodgers blew his top at the officials after Yang was once pink carded for a high boot in the 2-0 defeat to the Jambos. His outburst landed him with a disciplinary date at Hampden on Thursday and he’s nevertheless adamant the choice was wrong.

But the time between Yang’s two-game ban and worldwide wreck has been used accurately away from the highlight and the South Korea worldwide is now nearer to a stage of fitness that Rodgers believes can fuel a cost to the end line.

The 21-year-old is back accessible for resolution as Celtic head for Livingston on Sunday understanding a win is without a doubt necessary to retaining their title defence on course. And Rodgers hopes supporters are about to see the best of Yang. He said: “I can see his progress. He did brilliant towards Dundee and he has been progressing each day in training.

“We spoke to him (after the pink card). It wasn’t his fault, it was once unlucky and unluckily he has neglected a couple of games. He will be back and feeling outstanding and if something it gave us the probability to put Nicolas Kuhn in aswell.

“Now he looks like he has come onto his sport and searching stronger. He appears a unique player in coaching now. It’s been a top notch probability for him.

“So, if nothing else, after these couple of games what we received from that is sport time for Nicolas who has shown up genuinely well, then Yang comes lower back and we have two surely right gamers for that position.

“He (Yang) has been working on his typical game, his grasp out on the field. His analysis at the back of the scenes. Getting his higher physique strength because it’s a bodily recreation here and in Europe.

“Whatever league you are in in Britain it’s a physically demanding league. He has simply grown at some stage in the season and it’s so accurate to see.”

It’s been a stop-start campaign for the South Korean who has made 27 appearances seeing that signing a five-year deal at Parkhead from Gangwon in his fatherland remaining summer.

Voted K League Young Player of the Year the season before arriving in Scotland there were high hopes for the youngster and his exceptional has shone via in patches most quite in home and away wins over Aberdeen and that 7-1 thrashing of Dundee closing month.

Since returning from worldwide responsibility at the Asian Cup in January – the place he made two appearances off the bench against Australia and Jordan – Yang has taken home performances onto the subsequent level with his strong jogging and willingness to take his man on.

But one flick of his proper boot in opposition to Hearts at the begin of the month noticed his momentum all at once stall. Rodgers insists it’s only natural that younger players touring almost 1/2 the world for a new project in their profession take time to settle.

It’s a fact of existence the Parkhead manager fears some critics are too rapid to forget. He said: “People not only forget about it but don’t apprehend it, or don’t desire to understand it.

“You can’t just drop anyone in to a soccer membership from the other aspect of the world and anticipate them to adapt to the culture, food, training… all the a range of aspects it takes.

“Some do, for some others it takes time and you have to supply these players that time. Especially a younger participant to come into a club of this magnitude. You have to work with them and bring them through. We can see clear developments and with a bit of luck that continues.”

Yang, of course, wasn’t by myself in making the ride from his homeland to the east end of Glasgow returned in July. Kwon Hyeok-kyu used to be unveiled on the same day after agreeing a change from Busan IPark.

But if Yang’s shape at Celtic Park has been a slow burner, Kwon’s is nonetheless waiting to ignite. The 23-year-old protective midfielder has but to play a minute for the Hoops, as an alternative being sent on mortgage to St Mirren in January the place he has considering made eight appearances.

Rodgers insists he’s been completely satisfied with the reviews of the South Korea U23 international’s growth in Paisley beforehand of the subsequent selection being made on his profession in the summer. He said: “It’s an opportunity to go and play. We are sincerely pleased.

“I spoke to Stephen, he wished sport time with the squad being too massive here. He is a gifted player and optimistically he has gone and proven that and the guys are really delighted with him there.”

Meanwhile, Rodgers isn’t worrying about Scotland’s automatic Champions League spot which is putting precariously with all our facets out of Europe. Czech Republic will overtake Scotland in the co-efficient rankings if Viktoria Plzen draw even just one leg of their Conference League quarter-final in opposition to Fiorentina – meaning Scotland’s champions would be pressured to qualify again from season 2025-26.

But Rodgers said: “For us it’s about getting there alternatively which way we get there. The co-efficient we need to strive and work it as exceptional we can to get our teams in. Yeah you’d choose the place to be here however we shall wait and see.”

Angus Gunn is a “good” prospect for Celtic, but a Pundit cautions that there is one situation in which the keeper wouldn’t consider a switch

Brendan Rodgers is on the hunt for a new no. 1 with Joe Hart set to retire at the give up of the Premiership season.

With Celtic looking for a new no. 1 this summer, they should do worse than seem to be to the current Scotland keeper.

Angus Gunn has taken over the gloves at some stage in Craig Gordon’s long damage absence, however now the veteran is lower back and combat to regain his region in times for the Euro 2024 finals in Germany this summer. Gunn endured between the sticks as Steve Clarke’s facet went down 4-0 to the Netherlands in Amsterdam on Friday night with Gordon on the bench.

Joe Hart will be hanging up his gloves in the summer, leaving Brendan Rodgers on the hunt for a new pair of palms in goal. Rivals Rangers had been in a comparable situation ultimate yr with Allan McGregor calling it a day. Despite most of his summer time recruitment proving disastrous, Michael Beale pulled a rabbit out the hat in Jack Butland and Rodgers has been advised to look in the same market.

However, Norwich are still in the playoff hunt and if the Canaries do end in the top six and win the ultimate cash prize at Wembley, then that would take Gunn into a distinctive stratosphere. However, failure to go up and former Ibrox captain Barry Ferguson reckons Gunn ought to be on Celtic’s radar providing Norwich remain in the Championship

“It’s a desirable shout,” Ferguson advised Go Radio. “I didn’t suppose he had the best of video games the other night towards the Dutch. but he’s in reality impressed me given that he came into the global fold.

“He’s a appropriate goalkeeper enjoying at a top level down there. But it will all rely if they get into the playoffs, whether they get into the Premier League. If they do get into the Premier League, there is no way that it’s going to cross his mind to go away Norwich.

“But if they do not get promoted, then I assume it should be one that Celtic would without a doubt seem at. He’s a very desirable goalkeeper.”

Rangers suffer twin injury setback as Celtic and Hearts both qualify for Copa America – SPFL international round-up

How the Scottish Premiership gamers on worldwide duty fared throughout the weekend’s matches

Rangers double harm blow

Rangers left-back Ridvan Yilmaz is facing a spell on the sidelines after choosing up an injury playing for Turkey. The 22-year-old gained his seventh cap in the 1-0 win over Hungary on Friday but used to be pressured off after simply 27 minutes with a thigh problem. Yilmaz has been ruled out of Tuesday’s upcoming fixture towards Austria and has been despatched returned to Ibrox for cure and diagnosis. The Turkish football federation stated in a statement: “A mandatory trade has been made in the candidate squad of our National Team, which will play in opposition to Austria in a unique match on Tuesday, March 26. Our defender Rıdvan Yılmaz used to be removed from the candidate squad due to the harm he suffered in his higher left thigh muscle in the in shape against Hungary yesterday.” In a in addition blow to Rangers, winger Ross McCausland has been ruled out of Northern Ireland’s upcoming suit in opposition to Scotland. The 20-year-old neglected the 1-1 draw in Romania on Friday and manager Michael O’Neill admits he is not going to characteristic at Hampden on Tuesday. “Unfortunately, it looks like Ross McCausland won’t make it,” O’Neill stated of the 20-year-old. “It would have been fantastic to get Ross the opportunity.” Both Yilmaz and McCausland now show up in a race against time to match for the upcoming Old Firm conflict in opposition to Celtic on April 7.

Celtic and Hearts duo qualify for Copa America 

Celtic’s Alistair Johnston and Hearts attacker Kenneth Vargas will play tournament football this summer after helping their respective countries reach the Copa America finals.Johnston played 90 minutes as Canada advanced with a 2-0 play-off victory over Trinidad and Tobago, which included St Johnstone’s Dan Phillips. Meanwhile, Vargas came off the bench to assist Costa Rica earn their place in the playoffs with a 3-1 victory over Honduras, who were missing Celtic winger Luis Palma due to injury. Canada, which includes Motherwell attacker Theo Bair, will face defending champions Argentina in Atlanta on June 21.Celtic defender Cameron Carter-Vickers might possibly play in the tournament after the United States qualified last year, however the center-back has been left out of recent squads due to injuries.

Celtic duo earn Ireland caps

Celtic pair Adam Idah and Mikey Johnston both got here off the bench to help Ireland claim a decent goalless draw with Belgium in Dublin on Satuday. Idah was once added as a seventieth minute alternative for Brighton ahead Evan Ferguson, who ignored a first-half penalty, whilst Johnston, who is presently on loan at West Brom, came on a minute later for Sammie Szmodics. Aberdeen midfielder Jamie McGrath remained an unused substitute. Ireland host Switzerland on Tuesday.

No second cap for O’Riley

Celtic midfielder Matt O’Riley used to be left on the bench as Denmark and Switzerland battled out a goalless draw in Copenhagen. The 23-year-old received his first cap against Northern Ireland in November and will hope to be involved when the Danes host Faroe Islands in a pleasant on Tuesday.

Other wonderful appearances

St Johnstone goalkeeper Dimitar Mitov kept a smooth sheet on his 0.33 look for Bulgaria in a 1-0 win over Tanzania on Friday. Aberdeen striker Bojan Miovski netted the 75th minute for Romania in their 1-1 draw with Northern Ireland in Bucharest.

How Rangers and Celtic players rated during Scotland against Holland, as Manchester United great gets 5 and Liverpool man gets 7

 

Players acquainted to Rangers and Celtic have been in motion against the Dutch side.

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

This may have been a pleasant but Steve Clarke’s men had been treating it as something but with valuable locations at the match in Germany this summer season up for grabs. And they commenced bright, with Lawrence Shankland going shut and Ryan Christie rattling the bar.

Tijani Reijnders used to be given space to hit a long-range strike and the AC Milan discovered the top corner, in a sucker punch after some neat play from the traffic in the first half. After a Memphis Depay hazard to double the lead was smartly stopped by way of Angus Gunn, John McGinn and Christie each spurned possibilities to get returned to level terms.

Liverpool ahead Cody Gakpo was once subsequent to check Gunn between the sticks, as the largest risk after the opener fell to Hearts megastar Shankland. An error at the lower back allowed him to pick his spot however he should solely crack the bar.

Soon after the Dutch had doubled their lead, as Georginio Wijnaldum obtained across Rangers defender John Souttar and transformed into the net. Manchester United’s Scott McTominay then ignored a clear header from a pass via Celtic right-back Anthony Ralston as away probabilities refused to locate the net.

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