Watch Video: Arne Engels opens the scoring for Celtic

Watch Video: Arne Engels opens the scoring for Celtic

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

Arne Engels has opened the scoring for Celtic after just six minutes. The Scottish Champions survived two early chances from Hibs with Kasper Schmeichel denying with two smart stops.

Alistair Johnston bombed forward and was fed in by right sided colleague, Nicolas Kühn, before the Canadian fired a drilled cross across the deck for Engels to slide in and convert.

Engels 1-0

— Celtic Goals (@celticgoalsreal) December 7, 2024

Celtic 1-0 Hibs

Engels 🇧🇪

Disnae look too pleased 😂

— Fitzy (@Fitzy__07) December 7, 2024

It was Celtic’s first foray forward and they’ll fancy a few goals today against an out of sorts Hibs team. With that said, Hibs showed that they can break forward at pace and will need to be watched.

Luke McCowan could have made it 2-0 shortly afterwards with a Daizen Maeda cutback coming off the bar and going out for a goal kick.

Good News: Deserved Start For Hoops Backup; Starting XI vs Hibs

Celtic have named their starting XI for this afternoon’s SPFL clash against Hibernian at Celtic Park. Brendan Rodgers has made a few notable calls as the Hoops aim to continue their unbeaten league run.

Here’s the team tasked with delivering the goods at Paradise:

Starting XI

Kasper Schmeichel

Alistair Johnston, Auston Trusty, Liam Scales, Greg Taylor

Callum McGregor (captain), Arne Engels, Luke McCowan,

Kúhn, Daizen Maeda, Adam Idah

A key talking point today is the inclusion of Engels in midfield. The player has endured a dip in form recently, but Rodgers has shown faith by handing him a start—an opportunity to regain his confidence and rediscover his rhythm in the heart of the park. Alongside him, captain Callum McGregor will look to lead by example and keep the team ticking.

23rd November 2024; Tynecastle Park, Edinburgh, Scotland; Scottish Premiership Football, Hearts versus Celtic; Adam Idah of Celtic celebrates after he shoots and scores from the penalty spot in the 94th minute to make it 4-1 to Celtic

Daizen Maeda, Kuhn and Adam Idah spearhead the attack, with their blend of pace and power expected to unsettle the Hibs defence. At the back, the reliable Liam Scales and Auston Trusty start with CCV being rested

Veteran goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel remains a calming presence in goal, ready to guide the team through any sticky moments.

Celtic are unbeaten in the league this season and will hope to continue that today.

Rude Celtic squad health that means only Hibs are punished by the one player who can’t play

Brendan Rodgers can chop and change as he sees fit with everyone available and competition fierce

Luke McCowan during a Celtic training session

It’s a full strength Celtic squad that’s available for today’s Premiership clash with Hibs.

And the Hoops are in such good health that it’s the visitors who are affected by the only one of their players who is unavailable. Kwon, who is on loan to the easter Road outfit from the champions, can’t play due to the agreement that loan stars can’t face their parent clubs.

Such is the competition for spot in Brendan Rodgers‘ midfield and the quality available to him, that the South Korean has been shipped out to Leith after spending the second part of last season with St Mirren. Celtic having more strength in depth than the rest is almost a given when you consider the far greater resources available. But is’ especially noticeable this season as, despite being in the midst of a hectic winter schedule, Rodgers barely has an injury worry and can rotate with virtually no weakening of his starting XI.

It means club record signing Arne Engels can take a backseat while he continues to adapt to his new surroundings following his summer move from the Bundesliga. £1million man Luke McCowan can step in and step up, or Paulo Bernardo slots into the engine room.

At the back, Auston Trusty has dislodged last season’s regular starter Liam Scales. Alex Valle looks to have solved the left back depth problem for now, while up top, another big money addition in the shape of Adam Idah can ease the load on Kyogo while offering a different sort of threat.

Brendan Rodgers had plenty to smile about at Pittodrie as Celtic recorded a 1-0 victory over Aberdeen in midweek to extend their Scottish Premiership lead.

The Bhoys had to brave the elements against a stubborn Dons outfit, but Reo Hatate managed to settle the scoring with a wonderful caress and finish as his side claimed a statement result at their closest challengers’ home.

Now that the dust has settled on Celtic’s victory over Aberdeen, full focus at the club has now turned to seeing off Hibernian later today at Parkhead.

Brendan Rodgers has decisions to make on his line-up against the Hibees. Rotation is set to be a key element of his thinking, with a swift turnaround between this afternoon’s action and the trip to face Dinamo Zagreb next midweek.

Before that takes centre stage, some details of a brilliant exchange the Irishman had post-match have entered the public domain.

Ross Doohan opens up on exchange with Brendan Rodgers

Formerly of the Celtic Academy, Aberdeen goalkeeper Ross Doohan has admitted that he shared a moment with Rodgers after the match and detailed what the Irishman had to say during their exchange.

He stated [Daily Record]: “Brendan Rodgers came up and said, ‘Well done’ and then, ‘Best of luck’. I was happy with how it went.

“The result on Tuesday result was a bit disappointing but I got a good comment from Brendan and their goalie coach Stevie Woods so I just need to look forward to the game on Saturday.”

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Despite a polished performance between the sticks, Doohan was powerless to stop Hatate guaranteeing the visitors three points as they opened up a seven-point gap in the Scottish Premiership.

Celtc now keen to build on triumph over Aberdeen

Everyone connected with Celtic would’ve taken a second to bask in the glory of what was a pivotal result against Aberdeen.

In context, digging deep at Pittodrie could go a long way when looking back on achievements at the end of the season.

However, complacency has to be guarded against today. Hibernian will come ready to try and take the shine off the Bhoys’ unbeaten start, so composure is needed to see off David Gray’s men.

Nevertheless, this group have shown they can win at all costs. Hopefully, another three points can send the Celtic support home jubilant.

Transfer speculation involving Celtic has started to crop up in recent weeks, while Brendan Rodgers still has work to do in retaining key stars for the future.

Protecting assets has become part of the model at Parkhead over the last couple of years, with the likes of Kyogo Furuhashi, Daizen Maeda and Cameron Carter-Vickers committing their future on long-term deals.

Recently, James Forrest signed a Celtic contract extension to tie himself to his boyhood side until his 35th birthday, prolonging his one-club-man legacy as he bids to overtake Bobby Lennox as the most decorated player in Bhoys’ history.

In his pre-match press conference before Celtic take on Hibernian, Brendan Rodgers addressed Kasper Schmeichel’s future and claimed he could look to play on with the 2026 World Cup in sight.

Hopefully, that can be in Glasgow’s east end. Now, Chris Sutton has paid some attention to the other elephant in the room at the moment.

Chris Sutton urges Celtic to keep hold of Greg Taylor

In his Daily Record column, Sutton has indicated Celtic should look to retain Greg Taylor and called out some of the unwarranted criticism the defender receives at the club.

He stated: “Then there was Greg Taylor. Alex Valle kept his place in the side at his expense but there’s no doubt it’s Taylor who is more comfortable in that inverted full back role.

“Valle had some moments in the first half but Taylor really helped to get to grips with the game in the second and then he popped up with the crucial assist for the winner. I would like to see him sign a new deal at Celtic. Taylor gets some undeserved stick at times from a section of the support and, okay, there are moments when the Champions League can be a stretch for him.

MORE CELTIC STORIES

“But he’s not alone in that and he’s more than shown over the years he’s a valuable member of the team and the squad. I don’t know if he’s holding out for more money or he fancies a change in scenery. But do know he’s worth keeping around – even if Rodgers does target new signings in that position.”

Celtic need to come to a solution on Taylor’s contract

It goes without saying, Taylor’s Celtic contract situation needs to be sorted one way or another, but supporters are still none the wiser on the direction he could opt to go in.

Starting the campaign strong, the Scotland international has lodged five assists in 18 appearances, with his midweek contribution against Aberdeen the most vital yet.

However, there is still uncertainty over his future, and he is weeks away from being able to discuss a pre-contract agreement elsewhere.

Hopefully, an agreement of some form can be found, ending speculation over his next move after months of silence.

Report: Celtic look to offer forgotten £20m Chelsea ace lifeline as Rangers boss forecasts a repeat of Abdallah Sima saga

Scottish champions Celtic have set their sights on a loan move for forgotten Chelsea starlet Carney Chukwuemeka in the January transfer window.

Brendan Rodgers is understood to be keen to bolster his squad depth in midfield to boost Celtic’s chances of competing both domestically and in Europe, and has identified Chukwuemeka as the type of profile that would hugely benefit the current dynamic he has in place. Chukwuemeka made a name for himself at Aston Villa after joining the academy from Northampton in 2016.

The former England Under-20 international thrived at youth level and was a key component in the team which became FA Youth Cup winners in 2021 while also picking up the Team’s Academy Player of the Season award in the process.

The 6ft 2in midfielder was fast tracked into the first team at Villa Park by Steven Gerrard and was described by Sky Sports pundit Paul Merson as someone that was destined to be ‘an absolute star’ after shining in a 6-0 victory over Barrow in the Carabao Cup.

Chukwuemeka made a total of 14 Premier League appearances before departing Aston Villa for an eyecatching fee of around £20m during Thomas Tuchel’s final summer at Stamford Bridge.

The youngster racked up 14 Premier League appearances and showed signs of promise in a chaotic season which was marred by a number of managerial changes and the team’s failure to qualify for Europe in 2022/23.

He also made a strong first impression on Mauricio Pochettino and started both of the opening two games last season before sustaining a serious knee injury which ruled him out for most of last season.

However, the 21-year-old is not thought to be a part of Enzo Maresca’s new-look team in West London and has so far been limited to two 15 minute cameos in the League Cup and Europa Conference League without getting onto the pitch for a single Premier League game.

Football Insider claims Chelsea are keen to cut their losses on Chukwuemeka with a permanent sale but adds that the Stamford Bridge side could be open to a loan offer from Celtic in January.

Philippe Clement makes honest Vaclav Cerny admission

Rangers boss Philippe Clement says that he hopes Vaclav Cerny will not be the latest Ibrox loanee that the club miss out on in the summer.

The Czech Republic winger has been a shining light this season with nine goals across all competitions, with his most recent coming in the 6-0 hammering of Kilmarnock.

Many supporters are keen to see the Wolfsburg man extend his stay beyond the end of the season. But as things stand, £6.5m rated Cerny looks destined to head back to Germany after Ibrox chiefs failed to negotiate a permanent option in the contract.

Clement is a huge admirer of the player but has hinted that the situation could prove to be similar to what happened with fan favourite Abdallah Sima last summer after his impressive loan spell from Brighton.

He said, via Daily Record :“Yeah, I had discussions with the board in June about the wages, which had to be lowered a lot. One of the points that we talked about is having players on loan, it’s something we need for the moment.

“We don’t have the money to buy Vaclav for the moment now and we didn’t have the money to buy Abdallah at that moment. But we need to to try every year to have one player less on loan and one player more that’s an asset for the club because we’re going to have a similar situation at the end of the season in that way.

“Abdallah wanted to stay here, loved to stay here. But of course other teams are also interested and in one moment he chooses also for his career, for his wages, for everything. So of course all the club wants to lower the amount of players on loan and that’s a strategy for the next couple of years, but you cannot solve all these problems in one transfer window.

“Vaclav loves it here clearly, he told me also last week that he never felt better in his career than now physically, mentally, in the team, in the dressing room, with the staff, in the club, with the fans, everything. But of course he has a contract with another club at the end of the season, so that’s negotiations again.”

Brendan Rodgers had 5 words for Aberdeen keeper following Celtic’s battle, and they told him all he needed to know.

Ross Doohan takes heart from what Rodgers told him after Celtic’s win at Pittodrie

Brendan Rodgers after Celtic’s win in Aberdeen (Image: SNS Group)

Walking off the pitch to praise from Brendan Rodgers gave Ross Doohan an idea of how well the Aberdeen keeper had done on his first league start of the season.

The 26-year-old put on an inspired display against his former club Celtic at Pittodrie during the week before he was finally beaten by Reo Hatate. The keeper, who will start at home to St Johnstone today, has had to be patient but has been plunged into the Dons’ firing line since Dimitar Mitov injured his hamstring during a 1-1 draw against Hearts at Tynecastle.

Doohan said: “Brendan Rodgers came up and said, ‘Well done’ and then, ‘Best of luck’. I was happy with how it went. The result on Tuesday result was a bit disappointing but I got a good comment from Brendan and their goalie coach Stevie Woods so I just need to look forward to the game on Saturday.”

Doohan’s night was almost over before it got started as he was left floored after being caught by Kyogo Furuhashi. He was able to resume after some intense treatment. He added: “As soon as it happened I thought, ‘Just take a minute, compose myself’ and then we went through all the protocols with the doc and the medical staff.

“Everything was all clear but you need to put your body in to try and get the ball. Thankfully it was all right and we just move on to the next game.”

Doohan came through the ranks at Celtic and had loans at Dundee United, Ross County and Ayr. He then moved on to Tranmere and Forest Green before he returned to Aberdeen where he was understudy to Kelle Roos and now Mitov.

But he now has the chance in the next few weeks to stake his claim to become Aberdeen’s long-term No.1. Doohan said: “Obviously you won’t be playing every game but you just need to come in, work hard every day and prove yourself in training –put yourself in the manager’s eyeline.

Aberdeen’s Ross Doohan

“We’ve got a good goalie group that pushes each other on. Dimi’s been supportive the last week or so when he’s been injured with me playing and before that I was supportive of him. That’s just life as a goalie.”

After four games without a win the Dons are keen to get back on track at home to St Johnstone. Doohan said: “Listen, at a club like Aberdeen you need to win every game and we’ve been pushing to do that.

“We’ve been working hard on the training pitch, the team spirit from the start of the season to now has been absolutely brilliant, nothing’s changed. It’s just we need to get going and that starts again against St Johnstone. We’ve been great at the start of the season, we just keep going, keep going and believe in ourselves, that’s the main thing.”

Jimmy Thelin has been impressed with the job new manager Simo Valakari has started in Perth. The Dons boss said: “Simo Valakari has done very well and used the qualities of the squad in a very good way.

“Their manager changed some parts since our first game and they are doing well. It’s quite clear what he brings to the table with how they want to play and an identity is there. But it’s up to us to show the energy we did against Celtic in the last game. Then we need to find a way to use the Pittodrie atmosphere to make sure we take the points.”

Celtic cautioned Hibs that they are in a’much better place’ to face champions despite the enormous gap in league positions.

‘You need to carry a threat,’ says Gray as he preps balanced game plan

Celtic will face a Hibs team transformed in tomorrow’s contest in Glasgow, according to Easter Road boss David Gray. And the rookie head coach has told his players that, despite Hibs trailing the champions and league leaders by 10 places and a whopping 28 points just over a third of the way into the season, they must carry the fight to their hosts whenever possible, declaring: “You can’t just sit back and wait to be beaten.”

Hibs faced Celtic in back-to-back contests in August, losing 2-0 at Easter Road in the league and 3-1 at Celtic Park in the League Cup on consecutive weekends. Gray, whose starting line-up tomorrow is likely to show at least half a dozen changes from the previous visit to Parkhead, insists the Hibees are a much improved side heading into a hectic December.

“There are players who have joined the group since then, there were players who had just joined the football club and hadn’t played many games and were also working with me for the first time,” he said. “I know there are players like Joe Newell who have been here for a while but there are players who had just joined the club and my message, and the way we want to work was new to them. So naturally they’ll be a lot more understanding of what I expect from the players and the way we want to play.

“The players have got fitter and stronger as the weeks have gone on. I think the biggest thing was we went into both games against Celtic after a heavy defeat in our first league game (3-0 away to St Mirren). To have to play them back-to-back, Celtic Park is a difficult place to go and they’re a difficult team to play anyway, never mind back-to-back.

“So it was a real challenge for the players, particularly so for those just starting their Hibs career. But I believe we’ve progressed a lot since then, even just the players individually.

“We’re in a much better place now than we were then because it was such a new squad. The players have now had four or five months to work together.”

Gray, who watched Brendan Rodgers’ men grind out a hard-fought win against Aberdeen at Pittodrie in midweek, insists any team visiting Celtic Park must carry some threat to hurt the hosts. Or risk simply being swept away.

“The message is always that you need to be on your guard for 90-odd minutes because if you’re not quite there, that level of opposition will punish you straight away,” he said, adding: “That’s something they’ve felt now in the two games against them this season, that any little mistake is punished because of the level of opposition.

“But then you also think about the moments in the game where we actually got success and caused them problems. We need to be mindful of that but at the same time, be very resolute in what we’re trying to do.

“And you need to be able to take your chances when they do come. You don’t get as many chances especially away from home against Celtic, so you need to be ready to do that.

“You need to carry a threat. You can’t just go there and sit in and hope for a result or wait to be beaten.

“We need to be on the front foot as much as we can in certain areas of the football pitch without being gung-ho. We need to be tactically right – but also we need the players to play the best they can.”

Why Hibs’ manager believes they’re better positioned to face Celtic

Head coach David Gray spoke to the media ahead of Hibs’ trip to Celtic in the Scottish Premiership. Here’s every word he had to say…

Warren O’Hora said there was a really good feeling among the group before last weekend’s game. Was that something you felt as well? 

“Yeah, I think I did. The biggest thing I’ve been saying to the players relentlessly this season is believing in what we’re doing, keep doing the things we’re doing, cut out the areas where we’ve let ourselves down in. I’m trying to get the players to keep buying into that, and credit to them, because they have. They’ve always stuck by it. Even the way we started games during difficult periods – on the front foot. I’ve said numerous times about the togetherness and I think the equaliser against Aberdeen is a massive moment for confidence. They definitely took that into the game against Motherwell,  which is great to see. As a result of that, as you’d expect, everyone seems to be in a good place at the moment.”

Scoring goals can become a habit, is that something you want to get into them?

“Yeah, that was a big thing, taking the chances we had. We actually had a few other big chances that we missed within the game as well and as I’ve said a lot as well, I would have been much more concerned had we not been creating chances all season or, you know, we’re scrambling around wondering where a result was going to come from. We did truly believe it was going to turn but that’s not completely turned the corner.We know that we’re where we are. It doesn’t stop doing the things we’re working on. We continue to work hard at these areas and then we also go into a game at the weekend which is a real difficult test.”

Does four points in the last two games mean a release of pressure going to Celtic Park?

“You talk about pressure and expectation. I think Celtic are the team that are expected to go and win so they have to deal with that. We just have to look at ourselves and build on what we’ve done at the weekend, take the confidence from that and go and believe you can get a result. It’s a real difficult place to go. The players have already been there. Great side, top players, top coach.  It’s a daunting task, we know that, but it’s certainly one that if you believe you can go and get something.

Are there ways you can get at them?

“I think you just have to. As a team, for us, we need to concentrate on what we can do.We need every player to be at their absolute maximum and you need to hope that that’s enough. You need to have a good game plan, you need to be structured in what you do. At times you need to ride your luck, that’s what happens.But you need to have that confidence going there that you’re not just going there hoping, you need to go there and believe in what we’re doing and really back yourself in these situations. It’s also a really good test that the players can look forward to, testing them against Champions League players.. A lot of players who are in my squad at the moment have aspirations to go and play at higher levels if they can or they want to try and reach the highest level they can. So it’s a great opportunity for them to test themselves against a good side in a great arena to play football.”

Garvan Stewart has been confirmed as joining the club. Have you met him? What are your impressions of him and how is he going to help going into these next few months? 

“I’ve met him just once briefly. Obviously with experience, he comes with a vast knowledge and experience in that area and I think it’s a great addition for the football club. That’s an area that’s such an important part of the club. The work there never stops and at any time you can improve in that area and anything that can be done to strengthen the club is something that everyone’s on board with and it’s a good appointment.

How do you look at the window coming up?

“I think the work, I know the window closes but as soon as the window closes the opportunity. The work never stops basically in that department. Trying to always look to see if you can strengthen on ins and outs. It’s just natural with the window being open. We’ve got a lot of players that will attract interest as well so it’s probably about being proactive as much as you can.

In an ideal world what would you like?

We’ve always got plans in place of what we’d like to achieve but at the same time you can only do what we can do. If it’s possible and something that we feel is right for the football club we’d like to do it but at the same time I was heavily backed in the summer and I’ve got a really good squad of players here. My full focus between now until the window opens and I’m being asked questions about that is on trying to get to January in the best position we can be and trying to turn around our league position and then the hard work that’s been going on continuously will be looked at come January.”

What did you make of Celtic’s performance at Aberdeen? 

“It was obviously a really difficult night for both teams; a typical winter night in the north-east which means wind, rain – all the difficult elements.

“And then it was Celtic being Celtic – they always find a way, don’t they? They’ve got quality at the top end and take the ball incredibly well but Aberdeen were good in the game as well, they restricted them to a few opportunities and had chances themselves so for an away performance, I’m sure Celtic will be delighted to have gone up there in those conditions and come back with three points.”

What do you take from Aberdeen’s couple of performances against them this season? 

“They have done well. When I look at the two games we’ve had against Celtic already and the areas in which we struggled, in both games we started really slow – actually, we started really fast for the first two minutes which sounds mental but on a positive note it wasn’t as if Celtic got the ball right at the kick-off, we were positive in both games at the start, but we lost goals too early in the games and when you give Celtic early goals, it becomes a real challenge.

“The pleasing side from my point of view and the message to the players is from that point in both games after 15-20 minutes we were 2-0 down but were still very much in the tie, especially the second one until late on in the game, so we need to take the positives from that and how we went about our business.

“You need to be able to take your chances when they do come – you don’t get as many chances especially away from home against Celtic so you need to be ready to do that; you need to carry a threat: you can’t just go there and sit in and hope for a result or wait to be beaten.

“We need to be on the front foot as much as we can in certain areas of the football pitch without being gung-ho, we need to be tactically right but also we need the players to play the best they can.”

You played them back-to-back early on. Do you think you’ve improved since then to be a better team? 

“There are players who have joined the group since then, there were players who had just joined the football club and hadn’t played many games and were also working with me for the first time.

“I know there are players like Joe Newell who have been here for a while but there are players who had just joined the club and my message, and the way we want to work was new to them so naturally they’ll be a lot more understanding of what I expect from the players and the way we want to play.

“The players have got fitter and stronger as the weeks have gone on. I think the biggest thing was we went into both games against Celtic after a heavy defeat in the first league game. To have to play them back-to-back… Celtic Park is a difficult place to go and they’re a difficult team to play anyway, never mind back-to-back so it was a real challenge for the players, particularly so for those just starting their Hibs career but I believe we’ve progressed a lot since then, even just the players individually.

“We’re in a much better place now than we were then because it was such a new squad and the players have now had four or five months to work together.”

How do you strike a balance between the temptation of parking the bus for the first 15-20 minutes, and having a go?

“It’s definitely a bit of both. The message is always that you need to be on your guard for 90-odd minutes because if you’re not quite there, that level of opposition will punish you straight away.

“That’s something they’ve felt now in the two games against them this season, that any little mistake is punished because of the level of opposition but also the moments in the game where we actually got success and caused them problems.

“We need to be mindful of that but at the same time, be very resolute in what we’re trying to do.”

Brendan Rodgers is set to give Johnny Kenny a first-team shot.

SSE Airtricity League Premier Division, Richmond Park, Dublin 21/4/2023 St. Patrick s Athletic vs Shamrock Rovers Rovers Johnny Kenny celebrates scoring the first goal of the game Johnny Kenny celebrates scoring the first goal 21/4/2023 INPHO/Ryan Byrne

Johnny Kenny set to be handed an opportunity in the Celtic first team…

Shamrock Rovers v The New Saints – UEFA Europa Conference League – League Stage – Tallaght Stadium Shamrock Rovers Johnny Kenny right celebrates scoring their side s first goal of the game during the UEFA Europa Conference League match at Tallaght Stadium, Dublin. Thursday November 7, 2024. Photo Brian Lawless

Johnny Kenny, remember him? The Irish under 21 international who joined the club in 2022 from Sligo Rovers? Yes that Johnny Kenny who is currently showing fine form in a loan spell with Shamrock Rovers back in his homeland.

Johnny never made a first team appearance for the club and was quickly loaned out to Queen’s Park, but failed to score in his 12 appearances with the Spiders.

SSE Airtricity League Premier Division, Richmond Park, Dublin 21/4/2023 St. Patrick s Athletic vs Shamrock Rovers Rovers Johnny Kenny celebrates scoring the first goal of the game Johnny Kenny celebrates scoring the first goal 21/4/2023 INPHO/RyanxByrne

However following a loan spell at Shamrock Rovers, Johnny has pushed himself back into contention by scoring 21 goals in 69 games including a couple of strikes in the Irish sides impressive performances in the UEFA conference league that has took them on the brink of a play off spot.

 

Johnny is still contracted to the club until 2027 and according to the ever reliable Stephen McGowan at the Scottish Daily Mail, he will be given a chance to prove himself in Glasgow when his current loan deal ends in January.

Kyogo scores. Hearts v Celtic, 23 November 2024. Photo Vagelis Georgariou (The Celtic Star)

With only Kyogo and Adam Idah as our current strikers, it would make sense to give the Irishman a chance to see if he can make the grade and save the club forking out for another striker come January.

Adam Idah shoots at goal during the Scottish Premiership match between Celtic FC and Ross County FC at Celtic Park on November 30, 2024. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

Just an Ordinary Bhoy

Celtic in the Thirties by Matt Corr, Volumes One & Two, Published by Celtic Star Books

More suffering for Dinamo Zagreb before the match against Celtic..

More misery for Dinamo Zagreb ahead of Celtic clash

Ahead of facing Celtic on Tuesday, Dinamo Zagreb have held to a 1-1 draw at home by Slaven Koprivnica.

New boss Nenad Bjelica goes into the Champions League match without a win in five games with the current Croatian champions in third spot this season, trailing leaders Hadjuk Split by six points having played a game more.

Despite that worrying form Dinamo do have seven points from their five Champions League matches and face Celtic knowing that a win would give them a very good chance of being involved in the February Play Offs for a place in the last 16.

Midway through the first half of today’s game Dinamo opened the scoring through Lukas Kacavenda but the visitors equalised 11 minutes into the second half through Alen Grgic.

Despite their recent form, wins over Salzburg and Slovan Bratislava and a draw at home to Monaco have Dinamo in a strong position going into the match against Celtic.

While their recent form is poor Brendan Rodgers won’t be fooled, knowing that Celtic will have to be in top form to add to the eight Champions League points that have been collected so far.

Potential postponement of Celtic vs. Hibs due to Storm Darragh fears

Celtic are in action against Hibs this weekend, but the erratic Scottish weather can often complicate matters at this time of year.

For those currently unaware, parts of the UK are to be exposed to the elements this weekend due to Storm Darragh, which is set to pick up on Saturday.

At the time of writing, southwest Scotland appears to be the area that will be most affected.

Winds could reach up to 80 mph, and an amber alert has been placed on the region that could potentially cause damage to homes and buildings.

Where Celtic are concerned this weekend, there is the small matter of the Hoops’ home clash against Hibernian on Saturday afternoon in the Scottish Premiership.

With Brendan Rodgers looking to prolong his side’s unbeaten league start, could Celtic vs Hibernian be influenced by Storm Darragh?

Celtic vs Hibernian and whether Storm Darragh could interfere

67 Hail Hail understands there are NO plans right now to delay or postpone the clash at Parkhead tomorrow.

It is understood the SPFL do not have intentions of calling any top flight games off right now, however the Scottish weather can change, dramatically, in an instant.

Storm Darragh has impacted some games across the UK and Scotland

Celts will be hopeful of having the game on with Rodgers’ troops in the midst of some strong form following their hammering of Ross County last week.

They followed that up with a statement win at Aberdeen.

Only Forfar vs Stranraer has thus far been impacted in the SPFL while the Merseyside Derby down south is currently under pressure of being called off.

 

Alastair Johnston causes an INEOS frenzy and the crowd is horrified by Cantwell and Co fees. These are the six Rangers AGM takeaways.

The club’s annual shareholders meeting took place on the banks of the River Clyde – and the waters weren’t as choppy as predicted

Rangers switched their AGM venue to the Clyde Auditorium after last year’s was too cramped at their own New Edmiston House – and the Ibrox hierarchy were given plenty of wiggle room.

Despite sitting third in the Scottish Premiership behind Aberdeen and trailing Celtic by 11 points, crashing out of the Champions League at the first hurdle and an almighty construction cock-up that saw them temporarily flit to Hampden for the early part of the season it wasn’t as stormy as had been predicted.

It is often the case but that didn’t mean those who took to the stage, including boss Philippe Clement, weren’t made to feel too hot under the collar. But there were still some fascinating nuggets at the Armadillo. Here’s six takeaways from the annual meeting…

Boardroom shake up

Perhaps the most significant news to come out of the AGM was the fact that the board will be “reconfigured and refreshed”. It will now including non-shareholders and non-executives, having been made up entirely of investors. Asked how the club ensure decisions aren’t made based on personalities at club and instead on process, Gilligan, who will welcome new CEO Patrick Stewart later this month, said: “Every decision made by the board is made in best interests of the club. You can question use of cash and results. I have to admit sometimes it’s not been good enough. But we’re now going to create a board that is Scottish-based that will have much more advice and help from people in west of Scotland.” George Taylor and Julian Wolhardt are both based in the Far East but stood for re-election for one year only. It means all directors will be up for re-election in 2025.

Cash for Cantwell and Co gobsmacks audience

When it was listed in the accounts that Rangers received just £800,000 in combined in fees for Todd Cantwell, Scott Wright, Sam Lammers, Connor Goldson and Robby McCrorie fans thought there had to be some sort of explanation. It turns out there WASN’T. There were gasps all around the Clyde Auditorium when chief financial officer James Taylor confirmed that was in fact the case.

Todd Cantwell of Rangers celebrates with teammate Sam Lammers (Image: Getty Images)

He admitted: “Player trading hasn’t been working for a number of years” and that players must be brought in on “more sustainable” levels. The likelihood is they did receive higher fees but had to pay the players off. Newly-promoted technical director Nils Koppen added: “We always go into talks trying to get best possible deal but we also have to deal with market reality.” Rangers fans could point to some of the cash raised for Celtic fringe men as a counter argument.

A Nice little partnership on the horizon?

This is one that was open to interpretation. Former chairman Alistair Johnston, in a lengthy answer when asked for his take on what’s gone wrong, dropped in the fact he was chewing the fat with some influential figures while in the south of France for Rangers’ Europa League clash with Nice.

Former Rangers Chairman Alastair Johnston

He said: “I come from an American sports business where it’s all about entertainment. You don’t have to win. I know there is interest. I was in Nice and had lunch with several friends and directors there and the owner there is Jim Radcliffe. We’re looking at whether club formations can be an option for us. We’ll look for Patrick Stewart to provide advice on that. I want the new chairman and new CEO to look at the big issues. Why do we get such poor media money. Why do club finishing in bottom of EPL get 28 times more than we do?” The obvious conclusion to jump to is Man Utd co-owner Radcliffe’s INEOS which wholly owns FC Lausanne-Sport in the Swiss Super League and boasts a minority interest in Nice. Could Gers become part of a stable?

Steel not happy as true cost of shambles revealed

The Copland Road construction cock-up was always likely to be a hot topic given it’s had such an impact on the Rangers both on and off the park and particularly for fans. First of all, in financial terms, how much did it actually cost? “It runs to six figures and will be in next year’s accounts,” said Gilligan.

Construction equipment is pictured at Ibrox Stadium (Image: SNS Group)

“It was an inevitability but we had no choice.” Gilligan had earlier apologised on behalf of the club but said the eventual end result was vastly improved facilities for disabled fans that rank among the best in Europe while they will think carefully before committing to similar work in the Broomloan Road stand. Work on the sports bar was also paused while they focused on the Copland so it was a hefty price to pay. But who picked up the tab? Chief financial officer Taylor couldn’t discuss penalty clauses but said the club were exploring all options on project management. “From my perspective the steel was ordered when we were told to order it by our professional advisors,” he says. “Look, it was an ambitious project. Overly ambitious.”

Belgians backed

A question from the floor asked why both Philippe Clement and Nils Koppen, despite bringing in the meagre fees for the aforementioned players, were given new deals when many felt the jury was still out. But Gillian referred to that rinse and repeat of sacking managers that former chairman John Bennett vowed to put a stop to. Gilligan said: “We have history of making decisions under duress mid season. We wanted the manager to have comfort that he had time to bring in younger players. Time will tell if it’s right decision but we stand by it.”

Gilligan’s steady hand

Given the feeling around the club right now it is an unenviable task to address the shareholders and take on the role of club chairman. But Gilligan being that man probably helped in bringing down the temperatures in the Clyde Auditorium. Having been managing director of Tennent’s he is undoubtedly a shrew businessman but it’s his affection for Rangers that allows fans to relate to him. This is a guy who postponed his engagement to his future wife after using the money he had put aside for a ring to watch the Light Blues lift the European Cup Winners’ Cup in their finest hour.



Rangers interim chairman John Gilligan (Image: SNS Group)

Having seen so many charlatans hold positions of power, fans see Gilligan as one of their own and that can only help. He’s only in interim charge after John Bennett stood down for health reasons but he made sure order was kept. He appealed for calm before the Q&A section, saying: “I understand the mood. If I was sitting where you were I’d be itching to ask a question. You will get total respect from the stage. All I ask is you show the same respect to us,” and in a rousing closing speech said: “All I can say is thank you to supporters. It’s Rangers then, Rangers now, Rangers forever.”

Ange Postecoglou speaks out on the intense Spurs altercation.

Ange Postecoglou downplayed the furious confrontation (Image: PA/social media)

Ange Postecoglou has downplayed his furious confrontation with Tottenham Hotspur supporters after the loss to Bournemouth.

The former Celtic manager exchanged words with angry fans at the Vitality Stadium after the 1-0 loss in the Premier League.

Postecoglou had walked over to the away section at the conclusion of the match where he was met with a chorus of boos from the travelling support.

“I got some pretty direct feedback…”

Ange Postecoglou on the reaction from Spurs fans to their defeat to Bournemouth…

— Amazon Prime Video Sport (@primevideosport) December 5, 2024

However, Postecoglou downplayed the exchange with fans after the match as he opened up on the “pretty direct feedback”.

“I wasn’t having a word,” he told Amazon Prime Sport. “They are pretty disappointed and rightly so.

“I got some pretty direct feedback as to how we are going, and that’s fair enough.”

The Australian coach appeared to exchange words with a number of supporters before pointing at the Spurs badge on his jacket.

As supporters continued to vent their frustrations, Postecoglou then quickly applauded fans before walking back across the pitch.

The loss leaves Tottenham in 10th place in the Premier League with six wins, two draws and six losses in their 14 outings so far.

Postecoglou later added in his post-match press conference: “They are disappointed, rightly so. They gave me some direct feedback which I guess is taken on board.”

On what was said, he stated: “Yeah probably not for here mate.”

He continued: “I’ve got no issue with it. I didn’t like what was being said because I’m a human being but you’ve got to cop it.

“I’ve been around long enough to know that if things don’t go well, you’ve got to understand the frustration and disappointment.

“They’re right disappointed tonight because again we’ve let a game of football get away from us.

“That’s ok, I’m ok with all of that.”

Undercover: Watch the fancam behind the goal as the Celts celebrate Hatate’s scoring.

Officially, there were less than 1,800 Celtic fans inside Pittodrie for last night’s top of the table clash in the SPFL Premiership.

Rod Stewart was spotted in the Directors Box before kick off but inside the Red Shed there seemed to be one fan with a very steady hand on his phone as Reo Hatate scored the only goal of the game.

Not only did the fan keep a steady hand throughout the move and goal but after the ball hit the net the focus switched to the celebrations in the away section of the South Stand.

The Red Shed is where the Aberdeen Ultras back their team but it seems that among their ranks there was someone fairly sympathetic to the visitors scoring to go seven points clear in the title race.

Video from the Aberdeen end for the Celtic goal ?

— . (@oranstorrie99) December 5, 2024

That goal from Hatate and the assist from Taylor were about the only moments of quality on a night when the elements killed off any hope of a match worthy of the billing.

Celtic never got close to playing their normal brand of football while Aberdeen rushed at the half chances created with Kasper Schmeichel barely tested.

Stand-in keeper Ross Doohan pulled off two great saves from Adam Idah  and Hatate midway through the second half but could do nothing to stop Hatate from making it eight away wins on the bounce for the league leaders.

See Reo Hatate sent Celtic into December in the best possible position thanks to his winning goal away to Aberdeen on Wednesday night.

It was a moment of brilliance from the midfielder as he controlled a Greg Taylor pass and drilled a low controlled shot beyond Ross Doohan for the only goal of the game.

Into the final the final 15 minutes of the game most league leaders would settle for a point away from home against their closest rivals but finishing his third year as a Celtic player Hatate knows differently.

A mix of his own natural talent alongside hard work on the training ground created the goal which gives Celtic a little breathing space in the title race.

Hibs at home on Saturday doesn’t look the most daunting of tasks before the SPFL is put on the back-burner for a fortnight.

Trips to Zagreb and Hampden will go a long way to shaping how Celtic go into the new year, Hatate and his team mates will be looking to book Champions League football into February and secure the first trophy of the domestic season.

For the 1,800 fans inside Pittodrie and the thousands watching on television last night set the month up brilliantly with Hatate getting into the spirit with the emojis added to Celtic’s Instagram post.

Rangers lost to Celtic in the race for my signature, but I quickly left after Neil Lennon’s “broken promise.”

The striker was at the centre of an Old Firm transfer tug-of-war in January 2012 but opted for a move to Parkhead

He was at the centre of an Old Firm transfer tug-of-war as Celtic and Rangers battled it out for his signature. But it’s fair to say he failed to live up to the hype during a miserable short-term loan spell in Glasgow.

Pawel Brozek was the man in-demand in January 2012 as Neil Lennon and Ally McCoist attempted to add some firepower to their ranks for the title run-in. A prolific goalscorer in Poland with Wisła Kraków, the 28-year-old was keen to kickstart his career after a sticky year-and-a-half with Trabzonspor. In the end, Celtic won the race to sign the striker on loan as the Pole opted to join fellow countryman Lukasz Zaluska at Parkhead.

However, the Polish international’s hopes of making the Euro 2012 squad suffered a heavy blow as he struggled to get a look-in at the Hoops. Brozek found himself rooted to the bench and third-choice behind lethal pair Gary Hooper and Anthony Stokes. He slipped even further down the pecking order when he was hauled off in his only start for the club away to Motherwell for teenage prodigy Tony Watt, who marked a dream debut with a deadly double. After just three appearances in green-and-white, Brozek wasn’t seen again and packed his bags weeks before the curtain fell on Celtic’s title-winning campaign.

Rather than concede he simply wasn’t up to the job in Glasgow, Brozek opted to lay the blame at Lennon’s door by accusing the Irishman of going against his word. He lashed out: “Things did not work out for me as planned. I changed club as I wanted to play as much as possible. I do not want to complain about any of the other players or say that the coach did not like me and that is why he did not choose to put me on the pitch.

“But the facts are there that Neil Lennon promised me something and then another thing happened afterwards. I did not get many opportunities from him and I was left dry of games.”

Despite the fact he couldn’t hit a barn door at Celtic, the frontman was somehow handed an international lifeline by landing a place in the 23-man squad for the Euros. National boss Frantisek Smuda stood by the misfiring forward as he declared: “Brozek has been for years one of our most talented strikers. He has scored goals against Argentina, Mexico and hungary and, with three weeks to prepare, he will be able to enter the finals of Euro 2012 and show his class.”

Unsurprisingly, he made just a couple of cameos from the bench as he played second fiddle to Borussia Dortmund superstar Robert Lewandowski. Brozek’s career seemed to be fizzling out after another ill-fated year at Spanish second-tier club Recreativo de Huelva. But after returning to first club Wisła Kraków, he quickly rediscovered his shooting boots – plundering 65 goals across seven seasons before retiring in 2020.

As Neil Lennon’s decision pays off, Man City may be ready to give Celtic £7 million.

Celtic could bank a windfall from a Manchester City transfer.

Neil Lennon was Celtic manager when Jeremy Frimpong was sold to Bayer Leverkusen (Image: Getty)

Manchester City could be set to pay Celtic a bumper £7.3million if the Premier League club land Jeremy Frimpong from Bayer Leverkusen. The reigning champions are reportedly interested in a deal for their former academy star.

City sold Frimpong to Celtic for £300,000 in 2019, with the speedy wing-back failing to make an appearance for Pep Guardiola’s senior squad. He excelled in the Scottish Premiership and was signed by Bayer Leverkusen in a £11.75m switch in 2021.

The 23-year-old has since become one of the most in-demand stars in European football. His performances at right-wing-back were crucial as Leverkusen went unbeaten in the Bundesliga last season.

Xabi Alonso could face a major battle keeping hold of the Netherlands international. According to the Daily Mail, City have entered the race to sign their former player.

The report claims that Celtic will be due 30 per cent of any profit Leverkusen make in a future transfer, an agreement which was struck during Neil Lennon’s tenure. Frimpong has a £34m release clause, meaning the club that eventually buys him will owe the Scottish champions £7.3m.

City are in dire need of a refresh after a horrid run of form. Seven winless games, compounded by Sunday’s 2-0 defeat at Liverpool, is the worst run of Guardiola’s managerial career.

A deal for Frimpong would re-energise City’s right-hand side, where a 34-year-old Kyle Walker has struggled to meet his previously high standards. Rico Lewis can also play at right-back but the England teenager’s form has also suffered a drop this season.

Speaking last year about the possibility of a return to City, Frimpong said: “It would be great, but I don’t know. They have just won the Champions League and are the best team in the world. In the future we will see.”

Jeremie Frimpong has been linked with a return to Manchester City (Image: Getty)

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Liverpool have also been linked with a move for Frimpong. The Reds are looking at alternatives to Trent Alexander-Arnold should the academy graduate snub a new contract and accept a free transfer switch to Real Madrid.

Just like Alexander-Arnold, Frimpong is extremely prolific for a full-back and is known for his creativity. He scored 14 goals and provided 13 assists across all competitions last season. This term, Frimpong has scored twice and assisted seven times.

The former Dutch youth international has the bonus of being versatile. He can also play on the left and has featured in midfield and attacking roles for Leverkusen.

Neil Lennon comments on the Celtic goal that was disallowed against Aberdeen as the referee sounds the whistle early.

Paulo Bernardo thought he’d given Celtic the lead against Aberdeen earlier this evening when his corner soared into the back of the net.

Referee Don Robertson, however, blew his whistle early to rule out the first-half “opener” for a foul inside the area.

Daizen Maeda was adjudged to have made unacceptable contact with goalkeeper Ross Doohan who attempted a punch at the ball only to see it nestle into the corner.

But by this time, whistler Robertson had called for a foul and the goal was chalked off without complaint.

Speaking on Sky Sports’ punditry duties, Neil Lennon had his say on the situation and he claimed it was the right decision from the ref to disallow the Celtic opener.

And he cited the laws of the game in his reasoning for the decision being spot on while criticising Maeda for the challenge on Doohan – one the Northern Irishman claims the winger did not need to make.

Asked by presenter Eilidh Barbour if it was the correct call, and if Robertson blew ‘rightly or wrongly’, Lennon said: “Rightly and the referee blew early, before the ball went in the net.

Neil Lennon says ref Don Robertson was right to rule out Celtic’s goal

🗣️ “There’s not a lot in that at all… I’ll tell you what, goalkeepers are overprotected”

Celtic have the ball in the net but it’s ruled out for a foul by Daizen Maeda on Ross Doohan

— Sky Sports Scotland (@ScotlandSky) December 4, 2024

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MORE CELTIC STORIES

“You hear the whistle go, it’s gone already and the referee made the decision early.

“When you look at it again, I agree with Chris (Sutton) on commentary, Maeda doesn’t have to go and make contact with the goalkeeper.

“He just needs to stand his ground and nine times out of 10 they’re given as a free-kick against the goalkeeper, whether us old yins think it’s soft or not. It’s the rules of the game.

Chris Sutton agreed with Lennon and claimed goalkeepers are ‘overprotected’

“Maeda doesn’t need to back into him. Just stand his ground and try to put the goalkeeper off.”

🗣️ “[Maeda] doesn’t need to back into him really”

🗣️ “[Doohan’s] got to stand strong and make sure he commands that area”

Neil Lennon and Kris Boyd on Celtic’s disallowed goal. Your thoughts? ⬇️

— Sky Sports Scotland (@ScotlandSky) December 4, 2024

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VAR officials were called into action on the infringement but did not take long to come to the conclusion that Robertson was correct with his on-field whistle.

Lennon’s teammate, Chris Sutton, had also claimed it was the right decision but insisted goalies continue to be overprotected.

He said on comms: “I think Maeda interferes and he doesn’t need to. There’s not a lot in that at all, I think it’s weak goalkeeping. He doesn’t want to come for that.

“The fact that Don Robertson has already awarded a free-kick, he says he’s seen enough of a foul, but I’ll tell you what… goalkeepers are overprotected.”

Reo Hatate would be the man to win the game for Celts with a left-foot volley on 78 minutes.

It came, finally, after Doohan had kept out Celtic’s strikers with some smart stops.

Celtic and Rangers learn Scottish Cup opponents as fourth round draw made

Philippe Clement’s side will face a familiar Highland League opponent while Brendan Rodgers’ men have been handed an all Premiership tie.

Celtic and Rangers have discovered their fourth round opponents for this season’s Scottish Cup as the two Glasgow sides enter the competition next month.

Philippe Clement’s side will welcome Fraserburgh of the Highland League to Ibrox. It’s a side that Gers fans will be familiar with having previously faced them in this competition as recently as 2018 where a Josh Windass hat-trick secured the win at Bellslea Park in the north east.

Meanwhile, Celtic will also be at home but have been handed a much tougher draw against Premiership rivals Kilmarnock. It is one of three all Premiership ties to have been drawn as the top flight clubs entered the 2024/24 competition.

Other notable ties include a Dundee derby at Dens Park as well as Aberdeen making the trip to Elgin City and Falkirk facing Raith Rovers in an all Championship contest. Hearts will face Brechin City at Glebe Park, Hibs host Clydebank of the West of Scotland Football League and St Johnstone welcome Motherwell in other intriguing clashes.

Former Hearts, Rangers and Scotland and ex Jambos head coach Steven Naismith was the man who drew the balls live on BBC Scotland following Falkirk’s 3-1 win at East Kilbride as the Bairns became the final team to put their name in the pot. Here is the Scottish Cup fourth round draw in full:

Dumbarton v Airdrieonians

Cove Rangers v Forfar Athletic

Dundee v Dundee United

Dunfermline Athletic v Stenhousemuir

Falkirk v Raith Rovers

St Johnstone v Motherwell

Queen’s Park v Montrose

Ross County v Livingston

Hibernian v Clydebank

Rangers v Fraserburgh

Brechin City v Heart of Midlothian

Queen of the South v St Mirren

Hamilton Academical v Musselburgh Athletic

Elgin City v Aberdeen

Broxburn Athletic v Ayr United

Celtic v Kilmarnock

Ties are set to be played the weekend of January 18. A total of five live matches are expected to be broadcast across the weekend with both Premier Sports and BBC Scotland having broadcast rights

Who are Celtic’s fourth round Scottish Cup opponents?

GLASGOW, SCOTLAND – MAY 25: Celtic Manager Brendan Rodger lifts the Scottish Cup during the Scottish Gas Men’s Scottish Cup Final between Celtic and Rangers at Hampden Park, on May 25, 2024, in Glasgow, Scotland. (Photo by Craig Foy / SNS Group) (Image: SNS Group)

Celtic have been drawn against Kilmarnock in the fourth round of the Scottish Cup.

Brendan Rodgers’ side will begin the defence of their trophy at Celtic Park against Derek McInnes’ team, who they have already played twice this season – winning 4-0 and 2-0 home and away respectively.

Celtic defeated Buckie Thistle, St Mirren, Aberdeen and Rangers en route to their 42nd Scottish Cup triumph, with Adam Idah proving to be the difference in the Glasgow Derby cup final last May at Hampden.

The fourth round ties are scheduled for the weekend of January 18, 2025 – more information will be disclosed in due course.

Repor Holders Celtic face Kilmarnock…

Holders Celtic face Kilmarnock; Dundee host rivals Dundee Utd; Rangers face Highland League club Fraserburgh; Hearts visit Brechin City; Hibernian to welcome sixth-tier Clydebank; scroll down for details of every tie; matches will be played on the weekend of January 18/19

Image:All 16 Scottish Cup fourth-round matches will take place on the weekend of January 18/19

Holders Celtic will begin the defence of their Scottish Cup title against Kilmarnock.

All 12 Scottish Premiership clubs enter the competition in the fourth round, with city rivals Dundee being drawn against Dundee United and St Johnstone taking on Motherwell in the three all-top-flight ties.

Highlights of a dramatic Dundee derby draw that kicked off both club’s Scottish Premiership season

Philippe Clement’s Rangers have been drawn against one of the five non-SPFL sides – with Highland League outfit Fraserburgh heading to Ibrox after the fifth-tier club beat Annan Athletic 2-0. Highland League leaders Brechin City, meanwhile, will host Hearts.

Image:Philippe Clement’s Rangers will face Highland League club Fraserburgh

West of Scotland League leaders Clydebank – who are the joint lowest-ranked club left in the competition – have been rewarded with a trip to face Hibernian. Fellow sixth-tier club Musselburgh Athletic – who top the East of Scotland League – will take on Championship side Hamilton Academical.

David Gray’s Hibernian face the joint lowest-ranked club Clydebank

Elsewhere, Broxburn Athletic of the Lowland League – Scotland’s fifth tier – will face Ayr United, plus St Mirren are away to Queen of the South, League Two leaders Elgin City welcome Aberdeen and Ross County host Livingston,

The ties will take place on the weekend of January 18-19.

Scottish Cup fourth-round draw in full: ​​

Image:Celtic won the Scottish Cup after beating Rangers 1-0 at Hampden Park last season

Dumbarton vs Airdrieonians

Scottish Premiership live on Sky Sports

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Cove Rangers vs Forfar Athletic

Dundee vs Dundee United

Dunfermline Athletic vs Stenhousemuir

Falkirk vs Raith Rovers

St Johnstone vs Motherwell

Queen’s Park vs Montrose

Ross County vs Livingston

Hibernian vs Clydebank

Rangers vs Fraserburgh

Brechin City vs Hearts

Queen of the South vs St Mirren

Hamilton Academical vs Musselburgh Athletic

Elgin City vs Aberdeen

Broxburn Athletic vs Ayr United

Celtic vs Kilmarnock

Clement Delivers December Celtic Warning

Philippe Clement has delivered an early Christmas laugh for Celtic fans or a warning to us, depending on what side of the fence you sit on, potentially likening his Rangers side to Manchester City’s treble winners after their laboured 1-0 victory over a struggling St Johnstone. Despite being a daunting 11 points behind Celtic in the league, Clement remains adamant that “nothing is decided in December.”

Reflecting on his team’s slim win, secured thanks to an own goal rather than a moment of brilliance, the Ibrox manager looked to Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City for inspiration. “I think Manchester City a few years ago was a really good example because everybody didn’t give them any chance in December and everything was bad,” he said. “But they won a treble.”

It’s a bold comparison, to say the least. Guardiola’s side had the likes of Kevin De Bruyne and Erling Haaland at their disposal, while Clement’s Rangers outfit has struggled to put away teams sitting at the bottom of the SPFL. St Johnstone barely laid a glove on Rangers, but Clement’s team failed to impress in response, stumbling to victory.

Soccer Football – Scottish Premiership – Celtic v Rangers – Celtic Park, Glasgow, Scotland, Britain – September 1, 2024 Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers and Rangers manager Philippe Clement Action Images via Reuters/Jason Cairnduff

Clement is keen to downplay the growing gap between themselves and Celtic at the top of the table, insisting that his focus is solely on the immediate future. “I’m not counting,” he explained. “I want the mentality from my players that they look to the next game and put all their energy into that and not start calculating or whatever.”

This so-called “winning mentality” hasn’t exactly shone through in Rangers’ performances, but Clement remains steadfast in his belief. “Nothing ever in a season is decided in December about the season,” he told The Rangers Review, as if to reassure a fanbase that has seen Celtic dominate the league so far.

Fantasy Football

Clement’s words may be aimed at galvanising his squad, but they’re unlikely to strike fear into the hearts of Celtic fans. Comparing his side’s faltering form to the incredible feats of Manchester City feels like a stretch at best and delusional at worst.

Celtic, meanwhile, have been relentless. With Brendan Rodgers at the helm, the Hoops have barely broken a sweat while building their commanding lead. Rangers’ patchy displays, by contrast, have left their fans relying more on hope than expectation.

As Clement urges his players to “win every game,” the reality is that Celtic, even if they do go through a sticky patch will likely drop less points than Rangers have already this season.

Celtic and Rangers learn Scottish Cup opponents as fourth round draw made

Philippe Clement’s side will face a familiar Highland League opponent while Brendan Rodgers’ men have been handed an all Premiership tie.

Celtic and Rangers have discovered their fourth round opponents for this season’s Scottish Cup as the two Glasgow sides enter the competition next month.

Philippe Clement’s side will welcome Fraserburgh of the Highland League to Ibrox. It’s a side that Gers fans will be familiar with having previously faced them in this competition as recently as 2018 where a Josh Windass hat-trick secured the win at Bellslea Park in the north east.

Meanwhile, Celtic will also be at home but have been handed a much tougher draw against Premiership rivals Kilmarnock. It is one of three all Premiership ties to have been drawn as the top flight clubs entered the 2024/24 competition.

Other notable ties include a Dundee derby at Dens Park as well as Aberdeen making the trip to Elgin City and Falkirk facing Raith Rovers in an all Championship contest. Hearts will face Brechin City at Glebe Park, Hibs host Clydebank of the West of Scotland Football League and St Johnstone welcome Motherwell in other intriguing clashes.

Former Hearts, Rangers and Scotland and ex Jambos head coach Steven Naismith was the man who drew the balls live on BBC Scotland following Falkirk’s 3-1 win at East Kilbride as the Bairns became the final team to put their name in the pot. Here is the Scottish Cup fourth round draw in full:

Dumbarton v Airdrieonians

Cove Rangers v Forfar Athletic

Dundee v Dundee United

Dunfermline Athletic v Stenhousemuir

Falkirk v Raith Rovers

St Johnstone v Motherwell

Queen’s Park v Montrose

Ross County v Livingston

Hibernian v Clydebank

Rangers v Fraserburgh

Brechin City v Heart of Midlothian

Queen of the South v St Mirren

Hamilton Academical v Musselburgh Athletic

Elgin City v Aberdeen

Broxburn Athletic v Ayr United

Celtic v Kilmarnock

Ties are set to be played the weekend of January 18. A total of five live matches are expected to be broadcast across the weekend with both Premier Sports and BBC Scotland having broadcast rights.

Celtic have a heavy fixture schedule to contend with as Brendan Rodgers looks to defend his Scottish Premiership crown and make progress in the Champions League.

After Celtic’s draw with Club Brugge, the Hoops put themselves firmly in the driving seat to qualify out of the league phase for the first time since 2013.

However, it’s not Celtic’s Champions League results that have the Croatian media in a spin. It’s what Rodgers’ team are doing in the Scottish Premiership that has them all in a tizz.

Celtic labelled ‘a firecracker’ after Ross County win sets fear in Croatia

Brendan Rodgers set down a marker as he watched his Celtic team hammer Ross County on Saturday and it seems that that performance has made the Croatian media sit up and take notice.

Media outlet Sportske said, “Dinamo’s next opponent in the Champions League suffered a ‘firecracker’, in the first half.

“A new easy victory in the Scottish Premiership was achieved by Celtic, who defeated Ross County 5-0 at home in the 14th round.”

Telesport was equally blown away but delivered a scathing verdict on Don Cowie’s men, “Although the weak Ross County may not be an authoritative opponent, Celtic have already shown a handful of times this season that they have a serious attacking arsenal and a solid defence.

“In 13 games played, the team scored 40 and conceded only four goals. This is by far the best league ratio.”

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Celtic’s form vs Dinamo Zagreb ahead of Champions League clash

Celtic fans will be confident ahead of the big Champions League clash against Dinamo Zagreb. Brendan Rodgers has negotiated what is widely regarded as the Hoops’ hardest games with a defeat to Borussia Dortmund, a draw against Atalanta and a win over the Bundesliga’s RB Leipzig.

So with that in mind, 67 Hail Hail decided to take a deep dive into Celtic and Dinamo Zagreb’s form for the whole season before the two clubs meet next Wednesday night.

PlayedWonDrewLostGoals scoredGoals concededChampions League placeChampions League pointsCeltic211731641720th8Dinamo Zagreb231166453923rd7Stats from FCTable

So it seems that looking at the stats, Celtic are looking very good heading into the game with Zagreb not only leaking points domestically but also plenty of goals.

With the firepower Rodgers has at his disposal, Celtic have a great chance of picking up a positive result in Zagreb.

Pat Bonner Predicts Surprise Celtic January Signing

Former Celtic goalkeeper Pat Bonner thinks the Hoops will sign a midfielder in January.

Despite other areas of the squad looking weaker in depth – particularly the frontline – Irishman Bonner reckons manager Brendan Rodgers needs another player in the engine to help supplement Callum McGregor.

23rd November 2024; Tynecastle Park, Edinburgh, Scotland; Scottish Premiership Football, Hearts versus Celtic; Celtic Manager Brendan Rodgers gives the fans a thumbs up after the win

One has to admit, the Bhoys bringing in another centre-mid in January would come as somewhat of a surprise.

McGregor, Reo Hatate, Arne Engels, Paulo Bernardo, and Luke McCowan have all proven themselves to be more than ample options for Rodgers, and the boss has even given young Francis Turley minutes this campaign.

Regardless, Bonner thinks the Scottish champions could use a more physical, defensively minded midfielder, particularly for European games, to play alongside skipper McGregor in a double pivot: “Rodgers [is] here for the period,” said the pundit (Sportsound via RecordSport).

“He’s enjoying himself at the moment. He’s building a team. And I think there’s a little bit more to go on. I think he’ll go to the market again and try and find the player that could come in alongside Callum McGregor.

“Callum could play, actually, further forward for the team. But when it comes to Europe, where you’re looking for maybe two players to play in that number six, I think he could do with one, bigger, stronger, but still technically good player. And that may take a bit of money, but it could also be the one that would finish this team off.”

Celtic fans have long wanted a ‘destroyer’ type midfielder, but there would appear to be other priorities in January, and given the Hoops’ current engine room depth, rightly so.

Indeed, Stephen McGowan reported at the end of last week that the Celts are focusing on signing a left winger and a young, third-choice striker next month.

It doesn’t look like Luis Palma has a long-term future at the club, and given Adam Idah and Kyogo Furuhashi are the sole two natural centre-forwards in the building, attending to the aforementioned areas seems wise.

Celtic set sights on signing Mathias Kvistgaarden – sources

Celtic have set their sights on signing Brondby IF forward Mathias Kvistgaarden in January, sources have told Football Insider.

Speaking on the latest edition of Football Insider’s Inside Track podcast, senior correspondent Pete O’Rourke revealed that Celtic scouts are continuing to “keep tabs” on the 22-year-old.

The striker himself has suggested that he would be interested in a move away to a new league for a fresh challenge, and the Hoops are long-term admirers of him.

The striker has scored 13 goals in 20 appearances across all competitions this season which has seen him gain plenty of admirers around Europe.

If a deal isn’t possible in January then the Scottish giants are prepared to be patient and look at seeing if he could be signed next summer.

It is believed that Brendan Rodgers has a strong enough squad to compete on all fronts if there are no injuries between now and the end of the season, but further strength in depth is something he’s looking to secure.

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Celtic are aiming to strengthen their squad to be more competitive

Rodgers wants to enhance his squad if possible to give his team the best chance of succeeding on all fronts, especially in Europe.

The Scottish giants are currently 20th in the Champions League table after the opening five games.

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

Another player that the Hoops are monitoring is Motherwell teenager Lennon Miller, who is catching the eye of numerous teams.

Celtic will be back in action in a top of the table clash against Aberdeen on Wednesday (4 December).

Celtic are in a strong position heading into the January transfer window.

Compared to last season, when there were chants of ‘sack the board’ during Celtic’s defeat to Hearts in November, the club enters this window in a far healthier manner.

Brendan Rodgers has stated that Celtic want to do business and talk about who could come in has already started.

Quite a lot of noise has centred around the midfield places, with some arguing that could be the strongest part of Rodgers’ squad.

From Motherwell star Lennon Miller to Burnley’s soon-to-be out-of-contract star, Josh Brownhill, many names have popped up.

But another name was discussed, in regards to the forward areas, especially after Rodgers stated he wants three strikers back in August.

As of this moment, Kyogo Furuhashi is Celtic’s main man, with Adam Idah, who scored during the thumping win against Ross County on Saturday, as the back-up option.

But how about a man who is expected to leave his current club and arrive, not in the winter, but perhaps in the summer of 2025?!

Andy Halliday says Lawrence Shankland would ‘go to Celtic’

The Scotland international isn’t hitting the high notes of last season, but that still hasn’t stopped noise around his future.

As Si Ferry touched upon on Open Goal, Lawrence Shankland ‘expects to leave Hearts’, with his contract expiring next summer.

Andy Halliday stated that Shankland would ‘go to Celtic’, but former Bhoys youth product Paul Slane shut it down by stating that he simply ‘wouldn’t suit’ Rodgers’ style.

“In the last few games, where I have watched Shanks, every part of his game, apart from goalscoring, has been great,” shared Ross McCormack.

“Shankland said he expects to leave Hearts and there is ‘no progression made on a new deal, he is free to talk to other clubs in January,” shared Si Ferry. “Would Celtic take him?”

Paul Slane responded: “No, I don’t think so.” And then McCormack asked: “Do you think he would go to Celtic?”

Andy Halliday then chipped in: “I think he would go to Celtic.” Before Ferry reminded the panel: “He did say he wanted three strikers at the start of the season, didn’t he, Rodgers?!”

Slane then claimed: “I don’t think he suits Celtic’s style. The way we press.”

Shankland’s stats v Kyogo Furuhashi and Adam Idah

At the end of the day, it’s about the here and now, as Shankland simply isn’t good enough for the levels of Celtic.

Yes, he scored 31 goals last season in all competitions, but it’s December now and, as posted by Transfermarkt, he only has one goal for Hearts this term – Callum McGregor has scored more from just outside of the box.

Then you need to look at the competition facing Shankland, if Rodgers wants and gets that third striker, then he needs to have the ability to challenge what is ahead of him.

Shankland wouldn’t be able to do that, with Kyogo, not just levels above, but miles ahead of the Scotsman.

The Japan star has seven goals to his name this season, including five in the Premiership, with Idah doing better, in comparison to the minutes he is playing.

CONFIRMED: SAME AGAIN CELTS AS KYOGO LEADS THE WAY

BRENDAN RODGERS has given a vote of confidence to the Celtic starting eleven who beat Hearts on Saturday when he said same again for the Champions League encounter against Club Brugge at Parkhead this evening.

Kyogo Furuhashi will start the match after opening the scoring in the 4-1 win at Tynecastle before making way for two goal Adam Idah.

Arne Engels will take his place in midfield alongside Callum McGregor and Reo Hatate to face his fellow-Belgians with Paulo Bernardo starting on the bench.

TEAM: Schmeichel; Johnston, Carter-Vickers, Trusty, Taylor; Engels, McGregor, Hatate; Kuhn, Kyogo, Maeda. Subs: Sinisalo, Scales, Palma, Idah, Valle, Yang, McCowan, Nawricki, Bernardo, Forrest, Ralston and Welsh.

Earlier today, we asked how much you could remember about Celtic’s Belgian Connection in CQN‘s fun five-minute quiz to test your knowledge.

Now we repeat those questions and provide the answers.

QUESTIONS:

1: Martin O’Neill bought a Belgian international defender as he prepared for his Celtic managerial debut in season 2000/01. Can you name the player?

2: Ronny Deila signed Belgian centre-back duo Dedryck Boyata and Jason Denayer from which English club: A: Arsenal, B: Chelsea or C: Manchester City?

3: Brendan Rodgers enjoyed a 3-0 success over Anderlecht in Brussels in his first outing against Belgian opposition seven years ago. Scott Sinclair and Leigh Griffiths were two of the marksmen. Who scored the other goal?

4: Celtic have had one Belgian goalkeeper in their history. Can you remember the identity of the netminder?

5: Arne Engels cost the Hoops a record £11million when he joined from Bundesliga outfit Augsburg on deadline day. Can you name the previous Belgian to be signed by the Parkhead club? Clue: Neil Lennon paid £3million to Rapid Vienna for him in the summer of 2019.

ANSWERS:

1: Joos Valgaeren, £4.8million from Rhoda FC.

2: C: Manchester City.

3: Patrick Roberts.

4: Logan Bailly.

5: Boli Bolingoli.

Ten out of ten if you got all five correct. Go to the head of the class!

Football Meets Data updates Celtic’s likely Champions League final placing

Despite being held to a 1-1 draw at home to Club Brugge, Celtic are still on course for a place in the Round of 16 Play Off in the Champions League.

A top eight place in the 32 team format now looks very unrealistic but with three matches left to play Football Meets Data is projecting Celtic to finish in 20^th place of the eight match format.

That would comfortably ensure a place in the February Play Offs but finishing below 16^th would mean playing the first leg at home against a side finishing between ninth and sixteenth.

After five rounds of fixtures the modelling is getting more accurate but with their Pot 1 and 2 opponents already faced Celtic have in theory easier opponents that they’ve faced so far.

Matchday 7 at home to pointless YB Berne seems to be the ‘banker’ for many fans with the Swiss champions losing 6-1 at home to Atalanta on Tuesday night.

Next up on December 10 is an away match against Dinamo Zagreb who lost 3-0 tonight at home to Borussia Dortmund.

While that appears a winnable match Dinamo will be thinking much the same with seven points from their first five matches.

Celtic earned a crucial Champions League point in a 1-1 draw with Club Brugge after battling back from going behind for the second time in a row.

Brendan Rodgers’ team went behind midway through the first half after a Cameron Carter-Vickers mistake led to a horror own goal as he lost Kasper Schmeichel’s bearings with a backpass.

However, Celtic battled back to draw with Club Brugge after Daizen Maeda’s wonder goal pulled the Hoops level but the Bhoys just couldn’t find that winner to ensure the three points stayed in Glasgow.

Stop what you’re doing and watch this finish from Daizen Maeda 🔥

It’s all square at Celtic Park!

— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) November 27, 2024

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And speaking after the match, Celtic boss Brendan Rodgers offered his thoughts on his team’s Champions League draw with Club Brugge.

Brendan Rodgers hails the ‘tough character’ of Celtic hero Cameron Carter-Vickers

The Celtic boss was asked about the goal that put his team behind and Rodgers’ reaction to Cameron Carter-Vickers’ mistake was just first-class.

Rogers told BBC Radio Scotland, “Well, listen, mistakes happen, and it was just unfortunate. He’s played that pass a million times and has gone back, and then we’ve been able to play forward. It’s just one of those unfortunate moments in the game that happened for you.

“But like you say, he’s a really, really tough character. He’s a great guy. He picked himself up. He was really strong and aggressive again in the game and got on with it and had real bravery in the second half because he was the one carrying the ball forward for us to start the attack.”

So Celtic earn a vital point as they keep their hopes of getting out of the league phase intact.

Where Celtic stand in the Champions League table after Club Brugge stalemate

A point leaves Celtic sitting in 20th place in the UEFA Champions League table as Rodgers’ hopes of qualifying remain on track.

Celtic are just two points off the automatic qualification places and just one point from the play-offs.

If Rodgers can nab a point from Dinamo Zagreb and then beat Young Boys in December, the Celtic boss will most likely be guaranteed a play-off fixture with the Hoops not too far from the automatic places.

With three games still to play, there is plenty left for Celtic to aim for and whilst there is disappointment at not getting another win, Rodgers remains in the driving seat to progress in UEFA’s premier tournament.

Revealed: Full-Time Celtic Dressing Room Anger

Celtic managed to secure a Champions League point after being 1-0 down at halftime at Celtic Park, but that clearly wasn’t good enough for the team.

As the full-time whistle blew, Celtic players on the pitch were fuming because they hadn’t managed to win, and that’s exactly what you want in a team.

It highlighted the winning mentality in the team, with the mindset at Celtic taking Auston Trusty by surprise.

He said: (Daily Record), “I’ve been in locker rooms when you get away from this kind of game and guys are excited, but you go back in the locker room tonight and see guys p***ed off and really, really upset and that shows a lot of the character that’s in the team.

“We weren’t happy with how we played in the first half, but we thought that we should have won this game and it was a real opportunity for us, not just to get one point but to get three points. Obviously, you take the point, but it’s good to see that guys are angry going into the locker room and sitting there just quiet.

“We just weren’t playing in our character in the first half, so I think we all felt it. Sometimes you need that little huddle to wake everybody up and say, okay, what’s happened has happened, now we can move on from it.

“So that was a moment for us to make some changes and get some momentum back in the game.”

With most supporters likely content with the draw due to the nature of the comeback, the Celtic team were upset with the draw, and this highlights the players’ demand for more from themselves.

Brendan Rodgers brings a winning mentality to the club, and a mindset to always strive for more and perfection, and this is clear to see from Trusty’s comments.

The USA international is learning from a dressing room that breathes success, and on a night like tonight, a draw is seen as below the standards required.

Club Brugge manager on ‘the hand of Brendan’ and Celtic style of play

Club Brugge manager Nicky Hayen at Parkhead tonight (Image: PA)

CLUB Brugge manager Nicky Hayen is convinced the visitors can silence Parkhead when they play Celtic in the Champions League tomorrow evening – if they embrace the intimidating atmosphere the home supporters will generate.

The Belgian champions defeated Sturm Graz 1-0 in the Worthersee Stadium in Austria in their second league phase game and then gave AC Milan a serious scare in the San Siro in Italy in their next outing before being reduced to 10 men and losing 3-1.

Hayen, who was Arne Engels’ coach when the midfielder was a youngster at Club NXT, the Brugge academy side, is confident his charges can pick up all three points against Brendan Rodgers’ team.

However, he has acknowledged they will have to block out the noise the 58,000-strong crowd will make to replicate their previous displays on the road and come out on top.

“I think the first 35 minutes were really good in Milan,” he said. “Unfortunately, we got a red card and that changed the picture of the game. But that match was a good preparation for this game.

“We know the atmosphere is really amazing here and this is something that we have to embrace. You can’t fight against it and this is not what we want to do.
“Every footballer who wants to play football at the highest level wants to play in this kind of atmosphere.  If there are 60,000 people or 5,000 people, for us it doesn’t matter. You just have to perform on the pitch.

“We did that in Milan, but we also did that in the games we played at home against Aston Villa and Dortmund [they beat the English side 1-0 earlier this month and lost 3-0 to the Germans in their opening fixture back in September].

“Those performances were also a very good level. And this is the level that we have to perform at every single time. When you perform on that level, whatever competition it is in, then you can have a good result.

“I heard from people around the club hat the expectations here are really big, that the atmosphere will be crazy and that they are waiting for us. But, like I said, these are the games that you want to play as a player. We just have to stay calm, embrace those kind of feelings and perform on the pitch.”

(Image: Belga/PA Wire)Hayen added: “I think it’s a game between two teams who really want to play football, try to play dominant football with a lot of attacking options. I don’t think it will be a tight game. I think it will be open and there will be a lot of transition moments.
“You see that he [Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers] is a coach who really wants to play football, even from behind. He wants to invite the pressure and tries to always find the right solution. They’re complete as a team, but also with strong individual players.
“You see the hand of Brendan over here. You can say British football is more kick and rush, but here in Celtic you never see it. It’s always a clean build up from behind. And that’s exciting.”
Club Brugge centre-back Brandon Mechele has told his team mates they will have to improve on their showing in their 1-0 triumph over Aston Villa in the Jan Breydel Stadium earlier this month if they want to prevail.

Mechele said: “As long as we give it our best, we can do great things. It will be a difficult night and we have to be there to support each other and help each other in the difficult moments. Then if we can create and play our own game, then we can do something special.
“I think that the level we showed against Aston Villa will be the level at least that we have to bring against Celtic, maybe even more. We have to give our best, and then we will see what we can get.”

“It is my job to stop the attackers of Celtic. That’s my first concern. And if I do my job well, then we have at least one point. That’s what we must do.”

Why Bernardo will get the nod over Engels – predicted XIs

GLASGOW, SCOTLAND – NOVEMBER 05: Celtic’s Paulo Bernardo replaces Arne Engels during a UEFA Champions League 2024/25 League Phase MD4 match between Celtic and RB Leipzig at Celtic Park, on November 05, 2024, in Glasgow, Scotland. (Photo by Craig (Image: Craig Williamson – SNS Group)

Celtic assumed the top spot in the Scottish Premiership table all on their own at the weekend with a convincing 4-1 victory over Hearts that moved them three points clear of early challengers Aberdeen and 11 ahead of rivals Rangers in the title race.

Now the focus of attention has switched to the Champions League as Brendan Rodgers’s men go in search of the perfect 10. A win over Belgian champions Club Brugge would put the Irishman’s side in dreamland on Matchday Five in the Champions League league phase and give the Scottish champions a massive shot in the arm and wonderful chance of reaching the knockout phase.

Celtic now need to show that the performance against RB Leipzig on Matchday Four was no fluke and a one-off.

The 51-year-old is determined to make Celtic a big noise in European football once again and the men in green and white could extend their unbeaten Champions League run at Parkhead to five matches.

Can Celtic take a step closer to achieving their Champions League dream of qualifying for the knockout stages? The Celtic Way’s Tony Haggerty and Ryan McGinlay each have their say…

Tony Haggerty

Celtic have set the bar in terms of the Champions League displays. The performance and result against RB Leipzig on Matchday Four was one for the ages. Rodgers even admitted that he had heard the RB Leipzig contest referred to as a ‘generational game’. He was not wrong.

That’s in the past and if Celtic can replicate those levels then they will be more than a match for their Belgian counterparts. A win would see Celtic edge closer to a play-off spot and possibly even automatic qualification for the last 16.

The Irishman went hard and strong at Tynecastle at the weekend and one would expect nothing less in the rarified atmosphere of Parkhead on a Champions League night.

Kasper Schmeichel will remain in situ between the sticks. He will be ably assisted by the excellent Alistair Johnston at right-back with an all-American central defensive pairing of Auston Trusty and Cameron Carter-Vickers. The duo have started to bond and form a solid partnership of late. Greg Taylor usually gets the call for the bigger matches but he won’t this time and Barcelona La Masia graduate Alex Valle will be asked to step up to the plate in the left-back berth just as he did in Bergamo against Atalanta. Valle’s style can be more conducive to European football.

In midfield, captain Callum McGregor is the constant and he will be joined by Reo Hatate who will be asked to produce another majestic creative performance just as he did against the Germans. The dilemma will come in the engine room concerning the third midfielder – is it, Arne Engels or Paulo Bernardo? The Portuguese under-21 skipper will get the nod for this one despite £11 million man Engels having local knowledge of his previous employers. The Belgian has suffered a dip in form domestically but has produced his best on the Champions League stage. However, this may be a night when Celtic need to dig deep to secure a result. Bernardo possesses drive, commitment and an eye for a pass and a goal whenever he drives forward and is impacting games to the point where his form simply cannot be ignored.

The attack picks itself, despite Republic of Ireland striker Adam Idah serving notice that he can still score big goals when it matters with his brace at the weekend against the Jambos. He will come off the bench at some point but Kyogo Furihashi will lead the line. Either side of the Japanese talisman will be his compatriot Daizen Maeda on the left and the irresistible and irrepressible Nicolas Kuhn. The German winger took his tally to a ridiculous 22 goal contributions in Edinburgh (11 goals and 11 assists). Kuhn is King and he is the man for the big occasion thus far this season.

Celtic to win a tight one by the odd goal in three.

Tony’s team: Schmeichel; Johnston, Carter-Vickers, Trusty, Valle; McGregor, Bernardo, Hatate; Kuhn, Kyogo, Maeda

Ryan McGinlay

Perhaps surprisingly, Celtic’s European campaign thus far has been very positive – but it could get even better if they do the business versus Club Brugge on Wednesday in Glasgow.

Perhaps the most even match of Celtic’s Champions League campaign on paper, Rodgers’ side will be looking to all but seal their place in the play-offs with a victory on the night – a result that many will expect the club to manage against the Belgian champions, despite their recent reputation.

Three points must be the aim – especially at home – which means the club need to name their strongest team to face Brugge. Because of this, a couple of changes will be made to the team that defeated Hearts at Tynecastle on Saturday night in the capital.

In goals, Schmeichel will continue to ply his trade in between the sticks for Celtic, while three of the defence from four days ago will start in the shape of  Trusty and  Carter-Vickers at centre-back, as well as Johnston in the right-back slot. At left-back, however, there will be a change, as Alex Valle will replace Greg Taylor due to the latter’s poor first-half performance in Edinburgh. Valle gives Celtic a more expansive style with his running and dribbling on the left – he will get the nod ahead of the Scotland international.

In midfield, captain McGregor will sit at the base of the three, while Hatate will play as the furthest-forward middle-man. However, Arne Engels will have to make do with the bench for Wednesday’s proceedings, as Paulo Bernardo will finally get the start he has been waiting for against Brugge. Dig, commitment and drive are the orders of the day when it comes to Bernardo – Celtic will need that on the night to make it to 10 points in five games.

Up front, Kyogo will pip Idah to the number nine position, despite the latter’s two-goal showing versus Hearts off of the bench. The in-form Kuhn will play on the right, while Maeda will be called upon to bring both attacking drive and defensive grit when out of possession.

A tough game ahead, but I reckon Celtic will win by two clear goals – essentially booking their place in the play-offs as a result. Another big match at Celtic Park – you cannot beat it.

Ryan’s team: Schmeichel; Johnston, Carter-Vickers, Trusty, Valle; McGregor, Bernardo, Hatate; Kuhn, Kyogo, Maeda

THE TRAMPOLINE EFFECT My Bhoys bounced back from pain of Dortmund but we’re ready to suffer again at this highest of levels, admits Rodgers

Rafa Nadal finally brought two decades at the summit of professional tennis to an end last week.

Amid the tears and the tributes it was easy to overlook the fact that the 14-time French Open champion spent much of his career in agony. He wrestled with a chronic foot condition call Mueller-Weiss syndrome for years and spent most of 2023 nursing a hip injury.

The pain and the torment were the price to be paid for winning 22 Grand Slam titles. A masochistic streak ran through everything when he admitted: ‘I learned during all my career to enjoy suffering.’

Celtic have done their share of suffering in the Champions League. And enjoyable isn’t the first word which springs to mind.

When Scotland’s champions were thrashed 7-1 in Dortmund, they were savaged. Winning four points from six in the two games since, Rodgers can afford to be philosophical over the experience now, comparing it to a bounce on a trampoline.

Huge win over RB Leipzig helped Celtic consign Dortmund hammering to history

It was all a far cry from the night they were thrashed 7-1  by Dortmund in Germany

Rodgers shares a joke with scorer Reo Hatate after the Leipzig victory

‘Failure is a part of the journey,’ states the Northern Irishman

‘And I said it at the time, and I was probably looked at a bit funny, but it can be that trampoline effect and it can bounce you back even higher. But it’s how you deal with it which is important.

‘So dealing with the setback that we had that night, you can see where it’s trampolined the players and bounced them forward. It’s all in how you react to the difficult moments. This team have shown that and proven that – and I believe there’s still a lot more to come.’

In the euphoria following the 3-1 win over RB Leipzig earlier this month – Celtic’s biggest European win in years – it was easy to forget how edgy it had all become when the Bundesliga side claimed the lead with a cheap opening goal.

They should have scored from another effort moments later. Antonio Nusa then slashed a glorious chance high and wide as Celtic rode their luck. When Nicolas Kuhn equalised with their first shot on target, the hosts never looked back.

After a decade without a victory against Europe’s elite at Parkhead, the team have now claimed three on the bounce. For the first time in years, Celtic are now expected to win a home game in Europe.

The expectation ignores the fact that Club Brugge beat Sturm Graz away, Aston Villa at home and were unfortunate to lose 3-1 to AC Milan in the San Siro. Like the Leipzig game, Celtic won’t have this game tonight all their own way. They’ll have to suffer at times, no question.

‘As much as you want to dominate, you’re just not going to do it,’ said Rodgers. ‘You can’t do it at this level.

‘You’re going to have spells where the opposition, who have real quality in their team and are very well coached, will make you suffer. And it’s having that ability to suffer.

Kuhn was hero against Leipzig and will hope to score again in clash with Club Brugge

Cameron Carter Vickers gets up to speed for the visit of the Belgian champions

Rodgers is feeling cautiously confident ahead of the game with Club Brugge

‘I think that was the great thing with the Leipzig game. We suffered, we went behind after making a really good start. So we had to weather a wee bit of a storm for 10 minutes or so, but then we grew back into the game again and ran out very, very convincing winners. But you have to be ready for it and that’s something that we’re developing all the time.’

If any club have cracked this Champions League lark, it’s Real Madrid. In the biggest overhaul to the competition format in 32 years, however, even the 15-time winners are being asked to suffer like Rafa.

Like Bayern Munich and Paris Saint-Germain – the club bankrolled by the state of Qatar – Carlo Ancelotti’s team are finding the new single league unsettling. There’s the expectation that they’ll pull through in the end, because these teams usually do. That’s one of the reasons why Rodgers is reluctant to take anything for granted yet.

With seven points from four games and four more matches to come – against Brugge, Dinamo Zagreb, Young Boys and Aston Villa – a kind draw offers a real chance to reach the last-16 play-offs at least.

Little over a month since his managerial record in the Champions League was being battered from pillar to post, Rodgers won’t make the mistake of thinking he’s cracked it just yet.

‘You’ve always got to be on, you’re always learning,’ he said. ‘Things can be tricky. Never think you’ve ever got it sussed.

Rodgers conducts a final training session ahead of the Club Brugge showdown

Kasper Schmeichel is put through his paces as Celtic get ready for latest Euro game

Kyogo Furuhashi will be one of the main men in another big night at Parkhead

‘Especially, with the greatest respect, clubs like ourselves.

‘It’s always the case that we have to bring our ability at the highest level into every game if we’re going to have that opportunity to progress. It’s a brutal competition in terms of the level and the slightest mistakes get punished.

‘In the Leipzig game, we started the game really well and then we gave the ball away – once. It leads to a corner, you concede and then all of a sudden you’re on the back foot for 10 minutes.

‘But we all know that, I think we’ve all seen it enough. You have to be laser focused in your concentration, you’re bringing your performance level and then, like I said, you have to make it really difficult for the opponent.

‘We’re playing against a very, very good opposition and we’ll be ready to try and control as much of that as we can.’

‘Our objective is to get into the play-off phase first and foremost and then we just have to see what points total (we can get). But. for us, it really is focusing on this game and bringing the performance level.’

When the going gets tough – and it usually does at some stage – Rodgers preaches the need for calm.

That’s an easy thing to ask for and a good deal harder to deliver when 60,000 fans are functioning at their wits’ end.

Atalanta away and Leipzig at home showed promising signs of a team learning to keep their head when everyone around them is losing theirs.

‘When you can go away to Atalanta and keep a clean sheet, that gave us great confidence that -at the very highest level – we can be strong defensively. Then we took that into the RB Leipzig game,’ said Rodgers.

‘Same idea, but then we’ve got the home crowd behind us as well. So the level of our football then gets elevated and overall we produced a really consistent performance. ‘Along with some of the other performances we’ve had over the journey in the last 14 months, that has given us a real good hope that we can keep progressing and developing in this competition.

‘We want to make it really, really difficult for teams to play against us – and we know that we’re going to have to suffer at times. But that’s the level.’

Celtic and Rangers keen to take ‘special’ £60m Premier League star on loan, January deal possible

EXCLUSIVE with Graeme Bailey

Rangers need to do something special in January if they are to make up the current 11-point gap on Celtic.

Philippe Clement has overseen a woeful start to the 2024/25 campaign at Ibrox, winning only seven of 12 Scottish Premiership outings so far this season, with Celtic still unbeaten under Brendan Rodgers.

A gap of this margin will take some effort to make up, but TBR Football understand Rangers are motivated to do exactly that by bringing a top Premier League talent to Glasgow in Evan Ferguson – although Celtic are also keen.

Celtic and Rangers set to do battle over Evan Ferguson

Sources have now informed TBR Football that both the Bhoys and the Gers want to sign the Republic of Ireland international on loan this winter – after Brighton made him available for a January move.

Ferguson – who Jamie Carragher called a “special” talent – has struggled for playing time under Fabian Hurzeler at the Amex Stadium so far this season, making just one Premier League start.

TBR Football understand the £60m-rated Irishman has become frustrated with his lack of action, and the Seagulls have now given the green light for a loan exit in January.

Celtic and Rangers have both expressed an interest in Ferguson – who has been compared to Alan Shearer – while TBR Football are also aware that West Ham, Southampton, Leicester and Fulham are keen.

However, Brighton want assurances from whoever wins this transfer battle that the 20-year-old will play regularly during his loan spell.

Ferguson – who TBR Football have been told is still rated as one of the best young strikers around by Brighton – also has interest from clubs in Spain, France, Italy and Germany.

What Evan Ferguson has previously said about Celtic

Celtic and Ferguson actually have some history.

The Drogheda-born striker underwent a trial with the Hoops as a youngster, and has also expressed his admiration for Liam Scales.

When asked if Celtic had ever made a bid for him during his time with St Kevin’s Boys and Bohemians, Ferguson told Open Goal: “Nah I don’t think so, but I went on a few trials when I was younger. (When asked for his favourite Celtic player) I don’t know. At the minute I am going to say Liam Scales.”

If Celtic can make an enticing proposal to the Brighton No.28 this winter, he could well be a teammate of Scales for the second half of the 2024/25 campaign.

Celtic’s season continues to go from strength to strength.

That was proven at the weekend as Brendan Rodgers watched his team score four goals at Tynecastle to go three points clear at the top of the Premiership table.

Celtic weren’t even at their best, yet they walked away with all three points and it looks like no one can stop them on the domestic circuit.

The team that did come close was Aberdeen when they drew 2-2 at Parkhead in October, but then they got slapped up in the League Cup semi-final.

There have been occasions when the champions have just been too good, but when they are under pressure, like they were at Hearts, or previously before against Kilmarnock, then they are still winning the contest and sometimes comfortably.

One of the main reasons behind that is the devastating form of Nicolas Kuhn.

Nicolas Kuhn is the ‘best player’ in Scotland

Rewind back to January and Kuhn was being questioned in Celtic colours, but just like that, he has turned it all on its head.

That’s 22 goal involvements for the player, including scoring critical goals during, at times, very difficult moments.

Go back to his brace against RB Leipzig, the second goal against Killie when the team was under serious pressure and then the second goal against Hearts to provide his team with the cushion.

That’s why Marvin Bartley feels Kuhn is the ‘best player in the country’ and how he is a ‘real game-changer’ on the flanks, as he told The Scottish Football Podcast.

“I don’t think scorelines ever flatter you because you get out of the game what you deserve,” stated Bartley about Celtic’s performance at Tynecastle.

“I definitely think in the first half Hearts were very, very good, again, they would have gone in at half-time and been happy with their performance. But Celtic showed what champions do. They go out in the second half and score four goals. You come out of it and say ‘were they at their best?’ No, they weren’t.

“They have a man right now in Nicolas Kuhn, who is the best player in the country, no doubt about it. He is a real game-changer. We speak about Rangers not having a clear identity to what they are doing. Celtic have that. Celtic will wear you done by making the same runs. Underlapping runs.”

Kuhn’s stats for Celtic

This could be a record-breaking season for Kuhn because he is already on 22 goal involvements and there is still a lot of football to be played.

There are extra games in the Champions League and Celtic are heading towards the knockout stages.

Plus, the League Cup final is around the corner and you would back the team to reach the Scottish Cup final too. All in all more games for Kuhn to fill his boots.

That’s why WhoScored have rated his performances at a staggering 7.60 this term.

Ahead of a crucial Champions League clash tomorrow evening, Club Brugge head coach Nicky Hayen was clearly not underestimating Celtic.

The current Belgian champions head to Scotland full of confidence, having won their last league game 7-0 against Sint Truiden and having beaten Aston Villa in their most recent European game. However, they know that Celtic are a tough side to beat at home.

Hayen, speaking to the press ahead of the game, was highly complimentary of Brendan Rodgers and his side.

Hayen said ‘Celtic are a complete team, but individually they also have a lot of quality. It is not kick and rush. They build up well, and that is exactly what Rogers wants’. However, the sides head coach is also confident in his own side.

He went on to say that their recent performances have given him confidence that they can get something from their trip to Scotland.

Three points may be enough to get through to the next round, yet even a point would be a good return.

Club have a tricky final few matches, with Sporting, Juventus and Manchester City still to come.

Who will win Celtic vs Club Brugge? Our writers deliver their predictions for Champions League showdown

The Record Sport team have had their say on the big one at Parkhead with the Belgians the visitors to Glasgow

Celtic v Club Brugge – Champions League preview

Celtic are looking to make it three in a row at home in the Champions League with Club Brugge heading to the east end of Glasgow.

And another Hoops victory will push Brendan Rodgers and his men a step closer to securing their place in the competition beyond the current league phase. Celtic enjoyed an epic European night at Parkhead with RB Leipzig put to the sword last time out. Can the Scottish champions repeat that and move to the brink of qualification for the knockout stages? Or do the Belgian side pack enough of a punch to set them back and put a real dent in their European ambitions?

Record Sport’s top team are all in agreement when it comes to the outcome of the big showdown.

Craig Swan

This could be a classic. Celtic and Club Brugge both have goals in them and are in hot form in front of the target. Brendan Rodgers’ side will need to produce a Leipzig-level of performance to get the job done and can do it in a Parkhead thriller.

Celtic 3 Brugge 2

Scott McDermott

Celtic have Champions League momentum and the bit between their teeth in Europe after dismantling RB Leipzig last time out. The Belgians won’t know what’s hit them when they walk out at Parkhead and will struggle to cope with the intensity of Brendan Rodgers’ side. Expect Nicolas Kuhn and Kyogo to get on the scoresheet.

Celtic 2 Club Brugge 0

Scott Burns

This Celtic team have now found their feet in the Champions League. Celtic Park is an intimidating place and one where Celtic are riding a crest of a wave. Club Brugge are a decent side but I think Celtic will have too much for them with Kyogo Furuhashi again proving instrumental.

Celtic 3 Club Brugge 1

Gavin Berry

This will be a different mental test for the Hoops players from the RB Leipzig fixture given the fact they will be expected to win this one following the stunning victory against the Germans.

Nicolas Kuhn is mobbed by Celtic pals after Champions League heroics

But it’s another examination Brendan Rodgers and his troops can pass.

Celtic 2 Club Brugge 1

Fraser Wilson

Strap in for another pulsating night at Parkhead but don’t expect the Belgians to be a pushover. They’ve already shown they can win on the road in the Champions League this season and their home victory over Aston Villa also serves as a warning. But Celtic have found a new gear in Europe especially at home and they should have enough quality to grab another three points.

Celtic 2 Club Brugge 1

Andy Newport

The Hoops are free-scoring right now and if they can plug into the Parkhead energy again, they can charge off towards another huge result.

Celtic 2 Club Brugge 1

Erin Cuthbert booed by Celtic fans as TNT Sports commentator forced to address awkward reception live on air

The Scotland international was given a frosty reception by travelling Hoops fans after coming off the bench in the Champions League clash with Chelsea at Stamford Bridge

Erin Cuthbert before Chelsea’s clash with Celtic (Image: Chelsea FC via Getty Images)

Scotland Women’s star Erin Cuthbert found herself subject to boos after coming off the bench for Chelsea in their Champions League meeting with Celtic – leaving the TNT Sports commentator to awkwardly point out the reasons for the jeers.

The two sides were facing off on matchday four of Europe’s premier competition, with the Blues coming from behind to claim a 2-1 victory at Parkhead last Wednesday. And early in the second half with the WSL giants in cruise control at 2-0 up, Cuthbert – who started her professional career with Rangers before moving onto Glasgow City in 2015 – was introduced by Blues boss Sonia Bompastor to a chorus of boos from travelling Hoops fans inside the stadium.

And the jeers were noticed by TNT Sports commentator Jacqui Oatley during the coverage of the game, who quickly realised just why the away fans were not best pleased to see 72-time Scotland cap Cuthbert. She said with a chuckle: “If you did hear any boos from the Celtic contingent, that’s likely why, as we just heard a minute ago. The Rangers supporter from the south of Glasgow.”

Cuthbert saw the funny side of the boos and was visibly smiling as she entered the field of play. The Irvine born-midfielder – who has scored 27 goals for her country – arrived at Stamford Bridge seven years ago and has won seven WSL titles, four FA Cups and two League Cups.

Celtic Luis Palma special request to Honduras FA revealed

Luis Palma had limited involvement for Honduras during the international break (Image: SNS)

Celtic made a request to the Honduran FA to limit the minutes of Luis Palma because of concerns over their pitch in their international break, according to local reports.

And Honduras boss Reinaldo Rueda revealed he then had to sub Palma off at half time in Mexico because he couldn’t cope with the high altitude of the venue.

Palma has been lightly used by Celtic this season and has made just one league start and three substitute appearances so far this campaign.

He was on international duty this week in a rollercoaster few days where he netted a double after coming off the bench in the first leg of the Concacaf Nations League quarter finals.

But he played for only the first 45 minutes in the return leg where Honduras were crushed 4-0 and eliminated.

And reports from the Central American country state Celtic asked Honduras manager Reinaldo Rueda to restrict the amount of minutes for Palma in the home leg because of the artificial surface at the General Francisco Morazán Stadium in San Pedro Sula.

And that’s why despite being Honduras’ star man, he wasn’t brought on until the 63rd minute.

Rueda also hooked Palma at half time in the return leg at Toluca, which is 2,600 metres above sea level.

The manager explained: “Luis had a hard time with altitude previously and it was always going to be hard for him here.

“Unfortunately, the full back had the better of him and we made a change because Mexico attacked us a lot on his wing.”

The change turned into a disaster for Honduras because his replacement, Juan Carlos Obregon was so impacted by the altitude, he needed oxygen on the pitch and had to be subbed off himself as Honduras crashed to a big defeat.

Luke McCowan’s move to Celtic in the summer is one that took the Parkhead support by surprise this summer.

Celtic were busy on transfer deadline day and the £1m capture of McCowan capped off a very good transfer window for Hoops boss, Brendan Rodgers.

Since then, McCowan has gone on and made an impact not only domestically but also in the Champions League with Celtic.

It seems that Dundee boss, Tony Docherty, is feeling the pain of losing McCowan to Celtic as he laments his current injury issues at Dens Park.

Luke McCowan ‘difficult to replace’ after big move from Dundee to Celtic

Docherty is looking ahead to Dundee’s fixture against Hibs on Saturday and speaking about losing two players to injury, the Dens Park gaffer shared how losing McCowan to Celtic has hit his team hard.

Docherty told The Courier, “On the back of losing my captain Joe Shaughnessy, my vice-captain Trevor Carson (both to injury) and then Luke (McCowan, to Celtic) – I’ve lost three captains. That’s difficult.

“Luke had a huge influence in the dressing room.

“It is difficult to replace that, but there are good, good ones there.

“The timing of it as well. At the start of the season we were absolutely flying, we’d scored the most goals in Scotland.

“Luke was a big part of that, so when you take that out of your team it’s hard to replace.”

What Dundee boss Tony Docherty has said about Celtic and Luke McCowan so far this season

Docherty is clearly hurting at losing a player of McCowan’s quality to Celtic but, to be fair to the Dundee gaffer, he has taken the loss well.

Docherty shared what he told the Dundee players after McCowan’s Celtic move as he credited his team for the part they played in getting the life-long Celtic supporter his dream move.

The Dundee boss also complimented Celtic after they beat his side 2-0 at Parkhead this season calling the Hoops a ‘top, top opponent’.

And Docherty even admitted that since moving to Celtic, McCowan has just got ‘better and better’ as he highlighted improvements in his movement and game intelligence.

There is little doubt that McCowan is going to be a big player for Celtic this season and the fans will be looking forward to watching him improve even more under Rodgers.

Celtic head to Tynecastle this week in what will be Brendan Rodgers’ first encounter with new Hearts manager Neil Critchley since his arrival in Gorgie.

Brendan Rodgers’ side looks to pick up where they left off before the international break, with tough challenges ahead in the congested fixture list heading into Christmas.

Although this will be Celtic’s first league clash with Hearts since Critchley’s appointment, Rodgers is familiar with the Englishman from his tenure at Liverpool.

Critchley worked in various roles in Liverpool’s youth set up in a seven-year stint in Merseyside before pursuing his own managerial career. It was here he grew an appreciation for Rodgers’ way of working.

Neil Critchley a fan of Brendan Rodgers after Liverpool link-up

The man in the Tynecastle dugout had glowing words of praise to give Rodgers from their time working together in Liverpool.

In a pre-match press conference before his Blackpool side played the Liverpool U23s in 2023, he spoke of his admiration.

Critchley said: “Brendan Rodgers and Jurgen Klopp were incredible at giving young players opportunities.”

He also drew similarities between his and the Celtic manager’s careers: “Brendan came through a similar pathway to me, in terms of his journey of working at U18s and U21s, so he was a believer of giving young players an opportunity.”

Critchley labelled the clear pathway to the first team set out by both Brendan Rodgers and Jurgen Klopp as “inspiring”.

“Brendan came through a similar pathway to me, in terms of his journey of working at U18s and U21s, so he was a believer of giving young players an opportunity.

“Jurgen carried that on. He always wanted to have the young academy players training with him, and some of them are now playing in the team.

“It was inspiring for the coaches to know there was an opportunity at such a fantastic football club in a period when they were so successful.

Rodgers and Critchley face off in Saturday’s league clash

Any pleasantries exchanged pre-match between the pair will surely be gone when the first whistle is blown at Tynecastle on Saturday night, with a highly charged game on the horizon.

The Celtic boss will be looking to avoid a similar result to the one the Hoops suffered in their last game in Gorgie which saw Celtic suffer a 2-0 defeat which was marred by refereeing controversy.

They face a Hearts side that sits 11th in the Scottish Premiership, having only won two games all season, and will be desperate to cause an upset to start clawing their way back up the table.

Heart Of Midlothian

20:45

Celtic

Celtic ran out comfortable 2-0 victors in the previous fixture at Celtic Park and Rodgers will be hoping to emulate that result against his old colleague in their first clash.

Celtic player reveals 2 approaches from Barcelona – Has major dream for future

Since Celtic trounced RB Leipzig 3-1 in the Champions League, Nicolas Kühn has been getting a vastly increased amount of attention in the German media.

That the 24-year-old scored two of those goals is obviously a big reason for that, however, that he’s got 10 goals and 11 assists for Celtic so far this season tells an even bigger story.

Kühn has made some interesting career choices, and there’s now a belief in Germany that the move to Celtic could turn out to be an inspired decision and lead the player to the German national side.

This week’s edition of SportBild has had a chat with the man of the moment, and he spoke about his dream to represent Germany at the 2026 World Cup.

Asked if manager Julian Nagelsmann has contacted him yet, the Celtic player said: “Unfortunately not yet. Every boy who plays football dreams of playing for the national team at some point. I have often said that the DFB team is a huge goal of mine.

“I know that I have the quality for the national team and make no secret of the fact that I dream of the 2026 World Cup in the USA. But there is no other way than to keep working hard, scoring goals and preparing. Then the rest will follow by itself.”

Asked about claims Barcelona have been interested in his development, Kühn said: “Yes, that’s true. Even before I moved to RB Leipzig’s boarding school at the age of 14, there was contact between Barça and my agent. And even before my time at Ajax Amsterdam (from 2018), they wanted to sign me. But I saw a better chance of making the breakthrough at Ajax.”

That was another good decision from Kühn, who will again be attracting interest from clubs if he continues the sparkling start to the season he’s had.

Should he achieve his goal of making it to the 2026 World Cup then Celtic will have a fight on their hands to keep him ahead of and beyond that tournament.

Luis Palma was the man of the moment for Honduras last week as the Celtic winger scored twice to sink Mexico in the CONCACAF Nations League quarter-final.

The 2-0 lead gave Palma’s Honduras a great chance of progressing to meet Alistair Johnston’s Canada in the semi-final after the Celtic winger was deadly against Mexico in the first leg.

Coming on as a substitute in that match, Palma scored with his first touch to put Honduras 1-0 up and then sealed the win with a late second goal to give Honduras a healthy advantage for the follow-up match in the Estadio Azteca.

However, after holding out for 42 minutes, Raul Jimenez opened the scoring before a late collapse saw Honduras concede a further three goals after Henry Martin (72 & 90+7) and Jorge Sanchez (85) sunk Palma and his teammates for the second year in a row.

Luis Palma’s lack of Celtic game time exposed for Honduras vs Mexico

After praising Palma for his first-leg Honduras performance, boss Reinaldo Rueda pointed the finger at the Celtic winger after he was exposed by the Mexicans as the weak link in the early morning defeat.

Rueda told Deportes TVC, “For all we know from the previous match at the Azteca, the altitude is hard for Luis when he comes with rhythm and today without rhythm it was going to be harder for him.

“He played a good half but the full-back he had overcame him and he was left alone with Rosales and that’s where Mexico attacked us a lot.

“We had Obregón, who is a striker, a goal scorer, and to stop that full-back and the offensive depth to accompany Yustin Arboleda, but unfortunately he didn’t get into the game and was unbalanced.”

Luis Palma’s Honduras stats have a familiar Celtic feel to them

Palma was hooked at halftime after being given the nod to start for Honduras against Mexico.

Rated at 6.2 by Fotmob, the Celtic winger was largely anonymous in the 45 minutes he was on the pitch.

With just 13 touches of the ball, Palma made just four passes with three of those finding a Honduran teammate.

However, defensively Palma won five duels, made one clearance and won two out of two tackles as he tried to keep the Mexicans at bay.

Unfortunately, the Celtic winger didn’t create any chances or had any shots on goal as Honduras crashed out of the CONCACAF Nations League at the same stage to the same team for the second season in a row.

Journalist Gives Update on Lennon Miller Situation Amid Celtic Interest

Mark Guidi has weighed in on the mounting speculation surrounding Motherwell’s young sensation, Lennon Miller, predicting a January move to Celtic for the highly-rated midfielder.

27th October 2024; Fir Park, Motherwell, Scotland; Scottish Premiership Football, Motherwell versus Celtic; Lennon Miller of Motherwell shoots on goal

Speaking on the Go Radio Football Show, Guidi detailed the significant interest in the 18-year-old from top clubs across Europe, but believes Celtic are best positioned to secure his signature.

Miller has been a standout performer in the Scottish Premiership, and with just 18 months remaining on his contract, Motherwell face a pivotal decision. Guidi suggests that a fee of £3-3.5 million, with potential add-ons, would represent a strong deal for the Steelmen while fitting comfortably within Celtic’s transfer strategy.

“I’m sure there is interest from Italy because they do their homework; they now scour this market, Mark Guidi told Go Radio.

“I know 100% there’s interest from Germany and Spain and obviously down south.

“I’ve no doubt that Celtic and Rangers will have registered an interest, I’ve no doubt about that. I’ve got a feeling he will end up at Celtic; I think he’s definitely going to go in January, and I think he’ll be sold in January because for Motherwell, he’s hot, and he might get hotter, but you need to be careful you don’t run the risk with 18 months on his deal.

“If they’ve got a concrete guaranteed £3 million-£3.5 million with the potential for a couple of million in add-ons here and there, Motherwell have got to take that. They’ve got to; Celtic can afford that kind of fee all day long. For me, longer-term, getting someone like Lennon Miller the way he looks just now, I think £3 million to £3.5 million with add-ons would be a bargain.

“Right now if you’re asking me, I said it on Thursday night, he’s going to have four or five really good options in January, I think he’ll end up at Celtic.”

If a January move materialises, the teenager would join an already impressive group of players making their mark under Brendan Rodgers.

However, Celtic’s midfield is already stacked. Summer signing Luke McCowan is struggling for minutes despite impressing since his arrival. Reo Hatate and Arne Engels seem to have the position locked down at the moment, with McGregor sitting behind them.

It could be an option for Celtic to sign the player and then loan him out so that he can continue his development and growth while still playing consistent minutes at a high level.

It will be interesting to see what Celtic do in regards to their interest in January.

‘I Couldn’t Have Imagined’ – Star Indicates Why Summer Celtic Move Didn’t Happen

Switzerland and Lorient goalkeeper Yvon Mvogo has indicated that the need to pay a transfer fee put Celtic and other clubs off signing him in over the summer transfer window.

Celtic needed to bring in a new goalkeeper in the summer after the retirement of Joe Hart and eventually ended up signing Kasper Schmeichel.

Swiss shot-stopper Mvogo was keen to move on from French side Lorient following their relegation from Ligue 1 and a host of sides were keen, including Manchester United.

No move happened though and the goalkeeper stayed at Lorient beyond the closure of the transfer window.

Celtic were linked with wanting Mvogo and the Switzerland international indicated that no move happened because clubs, including the Bhoys, did not want to pay a fee and he was under contract with Lorient.

“Yes, there were a lot of offers”, Mvogo told Swiss daily Blick when asked directly about offers from Celtic, Parma and Augsburg.

“They all came relatively early. At that point, I wanted to take my time with the decision.

“I couldn’t have imagined how difficult the market would be during the summer.

“Many clubs wanted free goalkeepers or ones that could be loaned out.

“But I had a contract with Lorient, which meant a transfer fee would have been due.”

Despite refusing to pay a transfer fee for the Swiss goalkeeper, the Bhoys ended up paying a club-record fee to sign Arne Engels from Augsburg.

Their work was made easier by the departure of Matt O’Riley to Brighton & Hove Albion.

Michael Stewart loved ‘incredible’ moment from Rangers ace this week as Celtic hero hails international class

The Rangers star has been praised by the outspoken pundit and a Celtic favourite.

Michael Stewart and a Celtic hero have been quick to praise a Rangers star after their colossal Scotland contributions.

John Souttar made big blocks and crossed brilliantly to set up the winner in a 2-1 win over Poland. It means Scotland avoid Nations League A Group 1 relegation and will have a play-off to fight for their survival in 2025.

Stewart was on commentary duty for Viaplay and was piling on the praise for Souttar, who’s become a key player at the back for national team head coach Steve Clarke. Upon a block made by the defender in the opening stages of the second half, the pundit said “John Souttar, what a block that is. That is quite incredible.”

Then on his match-winning cross, where he lifted a brilliant ball for Andy Robertson to head home, Stewart added: “What a ball from John Souttar. Another outstanding performance from the defender. What a header, what a goal, look at this ball from Souttar! Incredible stuff.”

John Collins was also quick to jump on the Souttar hype train, and hailed the Rangers star with one key word. Collins signed for Celtic in 1990, and was the club’s first million pound player. The midfielder went on to score 55 goals in 273 Celtic appearances. He added on Sportsound: “John Souttar looks like an international centre-back now.

“Clarke’s change of system has brought more freedom. The players look more comfortable in possession and they have more options in front of them. To win the game in that manner is the perfect end to the campaign.”

The international break always brings out some weird and wonderful content for the Celtic fans and they also get to know a bit about players they might not previously have known.

For example, earlier today 67 Hail Hail discussed how Alistair Johnston said tennis icon Roger Federer’s career reminds him of the pressures of playing for Celtic.

The Hoops defender was speaking about his sporting hero as he said the amount of travelling and pressure to always win that Federer had reminds has ‘correlations’ of Celtic about it.

And now, Johnston has shared how Celtic winger James Forrest made a claim about Scottish tennis legend, Andy Murray after the Celtic defender said he’s one of the best tennis players in the Hoops squad.

Celtic hero James Forrest claims he could ‘have replaced’ Andy Murray on the tennis circuit

Johnston told The Official Celtic FC Podcast [11m], “Apparently James Forrest, he always tells me that I hope with some tongue and cheek, that he thinks that he could have broken into the big four.

“He could have replaced Andy Murray if he’d stuck to tennis. And I said, ‘I’m not sure there’s too many top tennis players in the world of the height of five foot eight’. But actually, I think about [Diego] Schwarzman.

“But other than that, no, there’s not really a lot of small tennis players. So I take that with a pinch of salt. He always tries to bring that one up.

“It winds me up a little bit. It’s hard for me not to nibble on that one. But yeah, I’d like to think I’m one of the best ones on the team.

“Yeah, I’d say my level’s okay.”

The four Celtic appearances where James Forrest has been ace this season

Forrest has made 16 appearances for Celtic so far this season and whilst the legendary winger has contributed in all his outings, there are four standout fixtures where he has made a material difference.

Celtic 5 v 1 Slovan Bratislava. Coming on as a second half substitute, Forrest created the assist for Adam Idah’s goal.

Hibs 0 v 2 Celtic. Forrest creates Nicolas Kuhn’s opening goal in the 2-0 win in the captial.

St Mirren 0 v 3 Celtic. Once again James Forrest creates Celtic’s opening goal with an assist for Callum McGregor.

Celtic 2 v 0 Hearts: The Celtic winger creates Celtic’s second to wrap up three precious league points.

So whilst Forrest hasn’t been prolific in the goalscoring stakes, his contribution to the team in big games when it matters has been so crucial for Brendan Rodgers this season.

Elena Sadiku makes Celtic red card vow after mocking gesture in Rangers defeat

The Swede saw red on Sunday for sarcastic applause after she had already been booked by referee Jamie Wilkie following the award of a Rangers penalty

Celtic manager Elena Sadiku has said that her red card against Rangers on Sunday is the “first and last” of her managerial career.

The Swede was dismissed for sarcastic applause after she had already been booked by referee Jamie Wilkie following the award of a Rangers penalty. It consigned Sadiku to the stand for the remainder of a game that Celtic went on to lose. “It was the first. And my last,” she said. “I would like to not speak about it. It is what it was and it is not how I want to be perceived. I am never going to do it again.”

Sadiku has also insisted that she has not had to lift her players since Sunday’s defeat. They face Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on Wednesday night as their mad schedule of games continues. And she believes the weekend defeat will act as motivation for the players to prove themselves.

“I think losing against Rangers and the way we did, I don’t think we felt that we were a bad team or anything like that,” she said. “It became the opposite. We became even more hungry and confident – I didn’t need to pick them up and the players are ready for this challenge now.”

Celtic are without a point in the Champions League so far following defeats to Twente, Real Madrid and Chelsea. The 2-1 defeat against the London club last week at Celtic Park has offered some encouragement to Sadiku.

“We have been growing into the competition,” she said. “Playing the way we did against Chelsea the last time will encourage us even more.

“What the players have learned the most has been to be braver in possession and that is something that we want to do again tonight. We will see how Chelsea line up but I think we know what to expect from them. But we want to do better and that is up to us.

“I know that Sonia [Bompastor] was not really happy with the performance in the last game and we were the happier of the teams. Chelsea will want to show what a good team they are.

“I think they may change some players and may change their shape. We are expecting a Chelsea side who want to prove that they are much better than us and obviously we are going to have the same mindset to produce another good performance.”

Rangers blow as £1.8m EBT recipient delivers great news for Celtic

Nicolas Kuhn of Celtic celebrates scoring his team’s first goal during the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 League Phase MD4 match between Celtic FC and RB Leipzig at Celtic Park on November 05, 2024. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

You might remember Christian Nerlinger. He signed for Rangers from Borussia Dortmund in 2001 and stayed at Ibrox for three years, collecting an (ultimately unlawful) EBT payment of £1.8m from Sir(!) David Murray, presumably alongside his side-letter that never was disclosed to the Scottish FA…

David Murray (L). (Photo by Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images)

16.09.2003 Photo: imago/Ulmer Stefan Klos and Christian Nerlinger (Glasgow Rangers); Champions League 2003/2004, Glasgow Rangers, Photo Randmotiv Personen

These days Christian Nerlinger is a football agent

These days Christian Nerlinger is a football agent and Celtic star Nicolas Kuhn is one of his prized assets or clients. Nerlinger has been speaking to Daily Record about the player amid speculation linking him with a big money move as one of the European football’s top performers this season, not only domestically but also in the Champions League.

Kuhn’s form has also attracted the attention of the Germany national team manager Julian Nagelsmann who this week admitted that the Celtic winger is very much on his radar.  For Nerlinger any speculation in not an issue and he predicts that in time Celtic will turn their £3m investment in Nicolas Kuhn back in January when he was signed from Rapid Vienna, into a £25m plus fee for the club’s latest hottest asset.

Nicolas Kuhn at Rugby Park. Photo Vagelis Georgariou for The Celtic Star

“We have found a home for Nicolas at Celtic”

“The speculation is not an issue for us. We have found a home for Nicolas at Celtic,” Nicolas Kuhn’s agent Christian Nerlinger said. “We are not, never, walking out on Celtic without being together with the club because this success story was created by Celtic.

“I know from my time at Rangers it was very hard to get something out of the television rights, so, of course, they need to find these success stories – identify a player, buy him for £3million and sell him for £20-£25million – but we will do everything together with the club.

“We are very grateful for how Brendan Rodgers developed the player,” Nerlinger said.

Nicolas Kuhn runs with the ball under pressure from Amadou Haidara of RB Leipzig during the UEFA Champions League match between Celtic FC and RB Leipzig at Celtic Park on November 05, 2024. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

“Nicolas feels the power of this club”

“Nicolas feels the power of this club. I was in the stadium against RB Leipzig and you see the quality of the team. I know that Nicolas has total confidence in Brendan Rodgers in developing him and making him a better player, and for me as a business partner I have total trust in Michael (Nicholson, Celtic CEO) so we will take this step by step.

“Perhaps at some point there will be movement, but we will not pressurise things. It’s a massive season and we are really relaxed. We are just happy that Nicolas is at the right point, at the right time with the right manager who develops him. We are really grateful for that.

Nicolas Kuhn celebrates scoring his team’s second goal during the UEFA Champions League 2024/25  match between Celtic FC and RB Leipzig at Celtic Park on November 05, 2024. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

“We are more than happy with him at Celtic”

“It’s a good team. He is enjoying the philosophy of the manager and is enjoying Glasgow. We are enjoying the kind of things that are happening with Celtic and for me he is just at the right point with the right people He feels totally comfortable.

“We are more than happy with him at Celtic but we will always work and cooperate with Celtic about what is the next step. It’s a very exciting time.”

Celtic in the Thirties by Matt Corr, Volumes One & Two, Published by Celtic Star Books, November 2024.

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

Nicolas Kühn’s agent breaks silence on winger’s future amid Premier League links

Nicolas Kuhn of Celtic celebrates scoring his team’s first goal during the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 League Phase MD4 match between Celtic FC and RB Leipzig at Celtic Park on November 05, 2024.

Nicolas Kühn is loving life at Celtic and is not looking to leave any time soon, according to his agent Christian Nerlinger. Fulham and Brentford have recently been touted as being interested with the 24-year-old’s signature as he impresses for Brendan Rodgers’ Celtic side.

The ex-Rangers midfielder told Record Sport that Kühn has found a home at Celtic and that he will only depart when it suits both parties.

“The speculation is not an issue for us. We have found a home for Nicolas at Celtic.

Nicolas Kuhn at Rugby Park.  Vagelis Georgariou for The Celtic Star

“We are not, never, walking out on Celtic without being together with the club because this success story was created by Celtic.

“I know from my time at Rangers it was very hard to get something out of the television rights, so of course they need to find these success stories – identify a player, buy him for £3million and sell him for £20-£25million – but we will do everything together with the club.”

After signing from Rapid Vienna back in January, Kühn took some time to adapt but really hit the ground running this season. The German has scored ten goals and assisted on eleven occasions in all competitions, including a brace against RB Leipzig.

Kühn was identified and signed by Celtic as one of Europe’s top creators, fitting the profile as being a youthful attacker with promising room for development.

Kühn was recently name checked by Julian Naglesmann as a potential future call up for the German National Team.

“Kuhn is also a good player with a lot of desire. He’s someone we’re keeping an eye on.

A call up would be astonishing for Kühn and it would be affirming for his efforts so far this season. Moreover, it would reflect that Celtic can attract, develop and retain top talents.

As another SPFL club heads for administration, the SFA continues to allow the Ibrox side to trade whilst insolvent. Imagine if it was Celtic?

Only a few short weeks ago, despite the best efforts of the club’s supporters, Inverness Caledonian Thistle entered into administration.

As a result, many people, including the manager, lost their jobs.

They were also hit with a 15 point deduction.

Which resulted in them plummeting to the bottom of League 1.

Today, they have been replaced at the bottom of League 1 by Dumbarton FC.

Dumbarton is one of Scotland’s oldest clubs, and has been trading continuously since 1872.

This morning, it was announced that they have also entered administration.

Their points deduction has pushed them below ICT as it has completely wiped out their tally for the 2024/25 season to date.

Late yesterday evening, the Record reported that Dumbarton were likely to enter administration.

That was followed by a report in the Sun this afternoon, confirming the news that administration was a certainty.

It’s deeply concerning that two clubs in the SPFL have entered into administration in such a short space of time.

Yet despite what has happened to Dumbarton, nobody bats an eyelid when the Ibrox club reports losses exceeding £17 million.

That’s all fine and dandy.

One rule for them, but the SFA applies the letter of the law to every other club in Scottish football.

Now, in a normal footballing landscape, you would think that a club that has recorded losses in the hundreds of millions would be taken to task by their football association, wouldn’t you?

As clubs elsewhere in the Scottish League pyramid struggle with miniscule debts in comparison, are hit with points deductions, and all the sanctions that go with entering into administration.

But no, it’s fine for the Ibrox operation to trade whilst insolvent.

Because there’s no other description for that kind of reckless behaviour.

Shouldn’t the SFA be asking themselves why clubs like Inverness Caledonian Thistle and Dumbarton are struggling the way that they are?

Are they not concerned that the very existence of one of Scotland’s oldest footballing institutions is under threat?

Remember how massively concerned they were when another club founded in 1872 went to the wall 12 years ago?

Despite their best efforts, they couldn’t save that club either.

The question is, why are clubs like Dumbarton and ICT going to the wall?

Is it down to bad governance at club level?

Or is it down to bad governance at the SFA’s level?

Well, I suppose if you allow a convicted criminal to pass a fit and proper person test to become the chairman of a football club, then that gives you an indication of what goes on in the halls of the SFA.

The simple fact is that two SPFL clubs have gone into administration within weeks of each other.

That’s not a good look for Scottish football.

Nor is it a good look that one club is allowed to post tens of millions in losses.

While all of the rest try to work within the constraints of the rulebook.

How many more clubs are going to go to the wall before someone in the SFA steps up and asks what the hell is going on?

I’ll put it this way, just imagine if Celtic were operating as recklessly as the Ibrox club?

Do you think that we would be allowed to do so without facing any kind of sanctions?

Think again, I’d say.

The SFA would use every rule in the book to make an example of us.

We are blessed to have excellent corporate governance at Celtic Park.

And I know I call out the board more than most when I feel they can do better.

But I cannot flaw the way our club operates in comparison to the basket case across the city.

There is no comparison.

And thankfully, because of that, we’ll never come close to a situation like the one we found ourselves in on a cold and bitter January day in 1994.

It makes you wonder though, how long will it be before the Ibrox club is in that kind of position again?

Will they get their act together?

Or will they go all Gung-ho and bring Steven Gerrard back if Clement leaves for Belgium, as I alluded to in this morning’s article?

We all know that Gerrard is a chequebook manager.

We also know they’re in the kind of financial position they’re in now as a result of his previous spending.

With each passing day, the idea of Gerrard returning to Ibrox grows on me more and more.

They think he’s the answer to all of their problems over there.

When in fact, he could be the one cause of even more.

Oh please, oh please, bring him home.

That said, spare a thought for the supporters of Dumbarton on this dark day.

They definitely deserve our sympathy.

Celtic’s future transfer endeavours have received airtime over the international break and Lennon Miller has cropped up as a name to watch out for.

Continuing his superb form for Motherwell this term, the 18-year-old has registered four goals and three assists in 18 appearances across all competitions.

In light of his rise as one of the most exciting talents in the Scottish Premiership, there is no surprise that Celtic have become a player in the race for Lennon Miller as his deal at Fir Park ticks down.

According to reports last week, Celtic will need to pay £4 million to land Miller as suitors start to circle for his signature. Rangers are admirers, and Liverpool could also enter the picture.

With his future the talk of Scottish football, Mark Guidi has shed some further light on what is an evolving situation.

Mark Guidi shares Lennon Miller latest amid Celtic speculation

Speaking on the Go Radio Football Show, Guidi has shared that he ‘100%’ knows that there will be interest from Germany and Spain in Miller, though he expects the Scotland Under-21 international to end up at Celtic.

He stated: “I’m sure there is interest from Italy because they do their homework; they now scour this market. I know 100% there’s interest from Germany and Spain and obviously down south.

“I’ve no doubt that Celtic and Rangers will have registered an interest, I’ve no doubt about that. I’ve got a feeling he will end up at Celtic; I think he’s definitely going to go in January, and I think he’ll be sold in January because for Motherwell, he’s hot, and he might get hotter, but you need to be careful you don’t run the risk with 18 months on his deal.

“If they’ve got a concrete guaranteed £3 million-£3.5 million with the potential for a couple of million in add-ons here and there, Motherwell have got to take that. They’ve got to; Celtic can afford that kind of fee all day long. For me, longer-term, getting someone like Lennon Miller the way he looks just now, I think £3 million to £3.5 million with add-ons would be a bargain.

“Right now if you’re asking me, I said it on Thursday night, he’s going to have four or five really good options in January, I think he’ll end up at Celtic.”

Lennon Miller would fit Celtic’s long-term vision

In the short-term, it would be hard to envisage Miller getting in front of the likes of Callum McGregor or Reo Hatate at Celtic, but looking to the future has to be an optimal stance for the Bhoys.

The club captain isn’t getting any younger despite his glowing performances this term, while potential transfer movement in the opposite direction could occur at some point further down the line.

Having the next star ready-made and in position to step in has to be the priority for Celtic, and Miller certainly fits that bill with the added carrot of being a homegrown talent.

Speculation surrounding his next move will continue to heat up over the next few months, so his situation is worth keeping an eye on for supporters.

Player admits that he spoke to Celtic this summer – “Was very sad” he couldn’t get transfer

Switzerland goalkeeper Yvon Mvogo has admitted he spoke to Celtic in the summer, before eventually remaining at FC Lorient.

Blick have an interview with the goalkeeper this week in which he discusses the various transfer options which he had on the table this summer, and those options included Celtic.

The 30-year-old found himself in an awkward position with the French side after they were relegated from Ligue 1 at the end of last season.

He made it clear he would like to depart and had offers on the table, with reports putting Celtic firmly in the mix for him.

They were said to have positioned themselves at the beginning of May, with reports after that claiming he had accepted an offer to join Brendan Rodgers’ side.

That was later denied, although interestingly in the same week that Celtic completed the signing of Kasper Schmeichel on a free transfer from RSC Anderlecht.

That removed their need for a new number one and a move for Mvogo, who eventually ended up staying at Lorient for this season.

He’s more than happy to admit there was an offer from Celtic, though, with Blick asking him directly about the Scottish champions, Parma and Augsburg.

“I’ll be honest, I was very sad about how things turned out,” he said.

“It wasn’t an easy time. I wanted to leave Lorient after relegation so that I could continue to compete and prove myself at the highest possible level. I knew it could be problematic if I played in the second division.

“Yes, there were a lot of offers. They all came relatively early. At this point I wanted to take some time with the decision. I had no idea how difficult the market would be during the summer.

“Many clubs then wanted free transfer goalies or those who could be borrowed. But I had a contract with Lorient, so a transfer fee would have been due.”

And that is perhaps why he didn’t end up at Celtic.

Kasper Schmeichel has become an almost instant fan favourite at Celtic after the Denmark international was signed to replace Joe Hart in the summer.

As one of 13 Celtic players currently on international duty, Schmeichel produced a wonder performance last night as the Hoops ‘keeper helped Denmark create history and qualify from the Nations League after a 0-0 draw with Serbia.

But it seems that Schmeichel is not without his critics in his homeland but after the Celtic star’s heroics for Denmark against Serbia, former professional players Mads Junker and David Nielsen have leapt to the defence of the 39-year-old after hearing what has been said about him recently.

Denmark can ‘count on’ Celtic ‘keeper Kasper Schmeichel after heroics vs Serbia in Nations League

Junker was capped for Denmark seven times between 2006-12 and played for Brondby, Vitesse Arnhem and Mechelen.

And when he heard people question whether or not Schmeichel should continue to be Denmark’s number one, Junker dismissed moved quickly to dismiss that opinion of the Celtic goalkeeper.

Junker told Sport TV2, ” I still don’t think there is anything to indicate that Schmeichel should not be our first goalkeeper. He comes into action early when he has an early save on Andrija Živković at the post.

“There is also one from Dusan Vlahović. I think that time and time again he shows the security that is needed down there. We can count on him to take the balls he has to take.

“There are a lot of finishes of them against Serbia that he always takes, so it’s hard to say it’s a dazzling game from Kasper Schmeichel. But he takes what comes.”

Kasper Schmeichel ‘so important’ to Denmark as Celtic hero impresses vs Serbia in Nations League

David Nielsen never managed to earn a full international cap for Denmark despite appearing 50 times from the U16-U21 level.

His playing career stretched from almost 20 years playing in Sweden, England and Denmark coupled with a 13-year career in management and even he wasn’t having any of the ‘ridiculous’ chat about the Celtic goalkeeper.

Nielsen added, “It is too ridiculous that we have to stand and spend time discussing who should be in the goal for Denmark.

“It will be Kasper who will be standing. As long as he is fit, he will be our goalkeeper, and he will be until the World Cup in 2026. Then we don’t have to ask about it anymore. I’ve seen our team stand with a different goalkeeper once, and we didn’t look like ourselves.

“He is so important to have standing down there in relation to communication. The fact that we can change that backline and that they succeed, it’s because there is someone down there and communicating.

“And no one hears or talks about that afterwards. But his communication and the way he is in his body language, it helps these players to play the game, and when you as a back line make a clean sheet, you don’t do that without a good goalkeeper.”

With the Nations League quarter-finals set to take place in March next year, if Schmeichel continues his impressive form for Celtic both domestically and in the Champions League it would be very difficult for anyone in Denmark to deny him the No 1 international jersey

Everyone and anyone seems to have had their say on how serious Aberdeen’s challenge is.

Are they in a title race with Celtic? Or is second all they can realistically achieve? Can they even do that?

There seems to have been a range of opinions between all three of these points as a series of former players and pundits give their take.

For Pittodrie boss Jimmy Thelin not of that matters right now as he tries to ensure his players and staff simply focus on the job at hand.

12 May 1990: Brian Irvine of Aberdeen celebrates after he scores the winning penalty during the Scottish Cup Final against Celtic at Hampden Park …

Aberdeen can compete with Celtic

Brian Irvine knows all about going head to head with the clubs from Glasgow in the red of Aberdeen.

A cup double-winning centre half with the Dons in the early 90s, Irvine scored the winning penalty in a shootout victory over the Hoops to seal the second part of that, the Scottish Cup.

He also finished runner up in the Scottish top flight with the club five times, so knows all about ‘splitting the Old Firm’.

But he insists it is very difficult to predict what will happen with the current squad after their flying unbeaten start to the season. He does think the question over whether they can do what he did and split the Glasgow clubs is already redundant though.

Speaking exclusively to Not the Old Firm, the ex-Pittodrie defender said: “I don’t know what they’ll do. I think the main thing is just to enjoy while the team are doing well.

“Celtic are obviously a good team and they’re not going to suddenly become a bad team. There is competition there with Aberdeen with the two teams right up clear of Rangers. I think the question ‘can we split the Old Firm’… we’ve done that already.

“Rangers have got too big a gap to catch up overnight with us, so we’ve split them. Whether we’ve got enough to win the league time will tell, but just enjoy it while things are going well.”

Aberdeen managed a 2-2 away draw against the champions in the league already this season but the next time they met they were crushed 6-0 at Hampden in a Premier Sports Cup semi-final.

That obviously has no bearing on league prospects but Irvine answered whether it could have a psychological impact.

“The next game against Celtic will be a test,” he said. “It will be at Pittodrie which is a bonus. The team can play well at Pittodrie which is a fortress this season.

“Celtic are a really good team and you can’t take that away from them but you’ve got to compete and without a doubt we can compete.

“The next game being at Pittodrie gives us a really good chance to react to that defeat. Even though it was a heavy defeat there was no difference from a 1-0 defeat, you’re still out the cup.

“So there was no damage to the league position and it was just a cup knockout in the semi-final, which was no disgrace. When it gets to that stage it’s just who does well on the day.

“I know in my experience, I think we lost 5-0 once at Parkhead and in the next game without a doubt it’s in the back of your mind.”

Three key Aberdeen players

Irvine still does some ambassadorial work for Aberdeen and gets along to plenty of the games.

Like all of the Red Army, he has been enjoying watching the team play this season.

But he has picked out three who will be key to their ongoing prospects.

Asked if there were any standouts, he said: “Yeah, the goalkeeper (Dimitar Mitov).

“He’s made crucial penalty saves which…the Ross County one was a three-pointer and then against Dundee was a crucial save. So yeah the goalkeeper has been influential.

“I think the manager has made good signings that have played their part so the recruitment has been fantastic.

“Even Kevin Nisbet, his goals have been important. The £6.8million for Miovski that’s just money in the bank because we haven’t missed him for a minute.

“There’s a whole mix in there – stability, defensive solidness, good activity in the midfield with Shinnie driving on the team. And they’ve got the forwards to score goals.”