Celtic FC
Barry Ferguson: “Todd Cantwell is the pantomime villain for the Rangers, and my painful reminder of the Celtics proves the need for calm.”
The former Ibrox captain and Record Sport columnist is licking his lips in advance of a mouthwatering showdown at Parkhead.
Todd Cantwell appears to have developed into the pantomime villain of Scottish football with fans of each and every team apart from Rangers lining up to give him abuse.
And there’s no doubt he’ll get it tight from 60,000 Celtic supporters at lunchtime on Saturday. It’s going to take real intellectual power for the Rangers playmaker to block it out and concentrate on doing what he does best, which is bringing energy and creativity to a group that is thriving under Philippe Clement.
Look, I recognize it’s not handy and there have been instances I’ve been unable to practice what I’m preaching. August 2000, Parkhead. 6-2 to Celtic and I’m up the tunnel early for two bookings, the second coming after a bit of daft handbags with Jonathan Gould. Let me inform you, that walk off the pitch and into the dressing room should take 10 seconds but it felt like 10 minutes. Then there’s the wait on your personal inside for the ultimate whistle. There’s no lonelier place in football.
And yet, I used that journey as fuel after I served my ban. The subsequent time we played Celtic, we beat them 5-1 at our place. That’s the rollercoaster journey that comes with being at the Old Firm and Cantwell looks to thrive on the experience. Yes, he can get worried in the atypical bit of silliness that makes him a target, however he can play and right now he is the creative spark that is fundamental to this run Rangers take into the Old Firm clash.
They’ll also go into it fresher than they would have been if the Ross County game had been performed on Wednesday. But that’s a double-edged sword. Yes, the likes of Connor Goldson, who got here off in opposition to Motherwell late on, will have had more recovery time, but from a player’s perspective, I always wanted to play when the crew is going well. So, I’d as an alternative have performed the Ross County sport and kept the momentum going, because that’s in reality what Rangers have obtained at the moment.
When you’re triumphing games, you desire to play as many as you can. Right now, Rangers are flying and the manner in which they coped with the stipulations at Fir Park on Christmas Eve informed me everything about the mentality Clement has instilled in his guys very quickly.
I’m only 10 miles from Motherwell, so I understand what the climate was once like. I was on a stroll on Sunday morning and it was horrendous.
(Image: SNS Group)
I used to be thinking: as a footballer, these are the worst prerequisites to play in. Rain isn’t a problem. The peculiar day when it’s a scorcher, you can deal with that – however wind is horrendous. I hated it and idea to myself, this is one of these days when you get in and out of Fir Park as rapidly as viable with three points. The begin of the sport received the game for Rangers. They had been positive and ruthless and had the factors received before Motherwell should get a foothold in the recreation after 1/2 time when Stuart Kettlewell had obviously got into his gamers at the break.
But it used to be a professional overall performance from my old team. Job done. What has really impressed me is the way in which they’ve coped with so many accidents and persevered to discover a way to win. I don’t think everybody in their right idea would have predicted that Rangers would be going into such a fundamental spell with Dujon Sterling and Kieren Dowell as the midfield partnership, but they had been extraordinary at the weekend.
Sterling has been a revelation in that role. He is like a stallion in the middle of the pitch. Big, strong, cell and athletic however greater than that, he can see and play a pass. With Ryan Jack, Nico Raskin, Jose Cifuentes and then John Lundstram all injured, you are wondering there’s a problem. But I constantly consider there’s a window of probability for anyone to come in and exhibit that they can do a job and operate in extraordinary positions.
The prime example is Dujon Sterling and when Clement has all his midfielders available, the huge fella will be giving him a satisfactory headache due to the fact he has made a really strong argument for staying in the team. He was once notable in the cup ultimate and in reality excellent in the 2nd 1/2 against Real Betis in Seville when he came on at the break, so he’s shown he can deal with large strain situations.
That said, the supervisor will be hoping Lundstram and Goldson are match for Saturday. They are both huge game gamers and they don’t come plenty greater than one. Celtic may no longer have been hitting the heights recently, however returned to back wins have steadied their ship and they lift a massive hazard from middle to front with Matt O’Riley playing really well, Daizen Maeda returned from harm and Luis Palma a hazard out wide. Then there’s Kyogo, who has a accurate current report in opposition to Rangers.
The Ibrox support, watching in the pubs or at domestic on their TVs, will be confident and with some justification due to the fact of how they’ve dealt with every task thrown at them. This might be the largest one yet. Have they received the mentality to cope with it? I assume they do.
Paulo Bernardo established trust prior to the Dens Park breakaway, and two Celtic A-listers brighten the dressing room atmosphere
Reo Hatate and Liel Abada are back in the mix with both eyeing surprise slots in the squad for Saturday’s clash with Rangers.
Greg Taylor admits it will be large when key men Reo Hatate and Liel Abada are returned doing damage for Celtic.
And the full-back says it’s in the hands of Paulo Bernardo to kick on again from his magic moment as the champions now get equipped for Rangers. Taylor’s team are top going into the Old Firm showdown with influential stars also making their way again to fitness. Hatate is edging closer to a comeback having been on the sidelines for seven weeks with a hamstring problem. Abada has endured an even longer spell in the therapy room having suffered a quad injury in September.
Although neither are probably to start an Old Firm conflict after such lengthy durations of absence, both the Japanese midfielder and Israeli attacker are worried at training and struggling with to earn surprise spots in the squad for Saturday. Taylor said: “Yeah exactly. Back, not simply for the sport at the weekend, but simply in general. We have ignored these guys. Reo brings a real dynamism. He’s strong on the ball, innovative with actual energy in midfield. And Liel is a chance in behind. He’s a goalscorer so they are two guys who are top gamers for us. They’ve been injured for a lengthy time so to have competition for places and have these guys again who played real quintessential roles remaining season will solely help us.”
In the absence of Hatate, manager Brendan Rodgers has switched between Bernardo, David Turnbull, Odin Thiago Holm and Tomoki Iwata as the 0.33 midfielder alongside Callum McGregor and Matt O’Riley. The Portuguese has landed the position for the ultimate two games in opposition to Livingston and Dundee and staked a actual claim to face Rangers.
Bernardo drew reward from Rodgers for his show in the Boxing Day win over Dundee where a first Celtic goal capped an extremely good day for the 21-year-old. He is now in pole function for an Old Firm begin and when requested if the Dens displaying should raise his team-mate’s chances, Taylor said: “It’s in his hands. I notion he played genuinely well.
“He made some sincerely sturdy runs the different night time as well. So hopefully that can assist him. He’s played a lot of the Champions League games, difficult games, and I assume he confirmed up well in them. Then the remaining couple of weeks he’s had a steady run in the league and I assume he has done well.”
Bernardo’s strike was scruffy however Taylor smiled: “I concept it used to be enormously good! But no, it used to be once more making that run into that area. Obviously there’s a wee bit of fortune with how it goes in however I concept he deserved that with his performance.”
Celtic’s win in Tayside used to be their second on the soar as they recovered from the shock back-to-back Premiership losses to Kilmarnock and Hearts.
Taylor said: “It used to be a sturdy performance, particularly comparable to the Livingston sport in terms of where I assume we had accomplished a lot of the proper matters in the first half and bought the rewards in the second. The two defeats collectively weren’t excellent enough so I think it used to be justified we took a bit of stick,
“We had disappointing performances and when that comes you get a bit of stick. That’s normal, mainly at a
club this size. The supporters demand performances and results. But there are a lot of boys in the dressing room with big, broad shoulders who can take it and go out and prove people wrong.”
Victory over Rangers would be any other massive step in the proper direction however Taylor is taking part in it calmly as regards notions of additional significance for a win and added: “Every sport is important. Saturday is no different. It’s the equal as each different league game, it’s solely three factors on the line.
“We know that at home we desire to dominate the ball and put on a robust performance. That’s the subsequent one so that’s the most important right now. You’ve got some other recreation fantastically rapidly after it. So our focus now after Dundee on Saturday and then after that it will be St Mirren.”
Taylor is, of course, right with his factors call as he keeps a measured method to the derby. But for 60,000 Celtic followers who will flock to the stadium it is about greater than just winning the three available. With no away fans in attendance at the in shape the home aspect will have powerful backing. Although there used to be anger in the stands at the latest loss to Hearts, the Parkhead punters have been loyal in their backing at Dens.
After a failure to score in the opening period, Rodgers’ facet have been still roared down the tunnel by using their followers at half-time in a show of faith and encouragement. Taylor cited the rousing reception and said: “Yeah, they did. I think they have been proper up for it.” That volume will be cranked up numerous notches again on Saturday and the defender added: “Yeah, terrific feeling. Having a stadium full of your personal fans, proper in the back of you pushing you from the moment go. So it’ll be exciting and we’re all searching ahead to it.”
‘I was told,’ Sky Pundit explains why Celtic did not sign a striker this summer
Celtic’s seeming incapacity to signal a striker in the summer time switch window used to be down to one key purpose according to Sky Sports’, Anthony Joseph.
Joseph said he used to be informed that the reason why Celtic never purchased another striker was once down to another summer season signing’s ability to play that ahead role.
Joseph said [The Celtic Exchange Podast], “Celtic nearly have been saying, surely what I was being told, used to be that that they’re not going to be getting a striker in earlier than the stop of the window.
“And also with one supply telling me that Luis Palma can additionally play up front. And I keep in mind placing that out there was that it’s searching increasingly more not likely that Celtic will go again in for Kvistgaarden, they are not likely to carry in a striker because Luis Palma can also play up front due to the fact that was once what I was being told.”
Now I can apprehend the club’s, or Brendan Rodgers‘ reasons for this. With Hyeongyu Oh as the backup to Kyogo Furuhashi, having Palma handy as a 1/3 alternative negated the necessity to payout for any other frontman.
Indeed, even Daizen Maeda can fill in as a lone striker however this design had one deadly flaw. It appears that injuries and the terrible form (or quality) of the other summer signings were not taken into account.
Losing Maeda and Leil Abada to injury has been a large blow for Rodgers. That coupled with Hyunjun Yang and Mikey Johnston both failing to impress meant that the Celtic manager’s capability to utilise his squad efficaciously has hurt consequences on the pitch.
With no creativity from the broad areas, Kyogo has struggled to hit the goalscoring structure that the Celtic fans have come to be accustomed to as the team’s current struggles have shown.
Hopefully with the benefit of hindsight, Rodgers will now seem to be to January to see if he can bolster that vicinity of the team because if he needs to win this title and the £60m that goes with it, the Celtic manager will need to enhance his firepower.
‘Conversations I had’: A Sky journalist discusses the sum he has heard Celtic would accept for Matt O’Riley
The activity in Matt O’Riley from other golf equipment so a ways this season has been huge. The midfielder has been in fantastic structure and is attracting interest from golf equipment throughout Europe.
The 23-year-old’s upward jab to stardom has been quite wonderful and it seems that as his worldwide attention grows alongside his performances in the Champions League, Celtic should earn a fortune if, and when, they figure out to promote him.
So what can Celtic count on to fetch for O’Riley? A report fee? That really looks to be what the club will be searching for after Anthony Joseph shared what he’s been advised would be an desirable sum of money to make Celtic do business.
Joseph stated [The Celtic Exchange Podcast], “Celtic is in a very top function regarding Matt O’Riley. He’s simply signed a new contract, a bumper contract at that.
“Celtic rejected £10 million from Leeds United in the remaining couple of days of the transfer window and that kind of sparked Celtic looking to get him down on accelerated terms.
“I imply when Leeds have been coming in with £10 million bids the thinking method was, certainly from the conversations I had, I don’t assume Celtic would have entertained anything under £15 million.
“But even £15 million probable wouldn’t have finished it. It would have had to be around £20 million to open that conversation, I assume anyway.
“And with a new contract that’s got to be the case again. The reality he signed a new contract I would reckon Celtic wouldn’t open the conversation until until there used to be £20 million perhaps even up to £25 million.”
For me, I hope Celtic don’t appear to promote O’Riley in January. With the league title in the balance and a £60m Champions League bounty up for grabs, it would be foolish for the membership to even ponder it right now.
If Celtic can get the league title over the line then they need to at least strive and hold onto the 23-year-old for some other season.
One extra crack at the Champions League may additionally be enough to tempt him to stay on but Celtic must enhance as a consequence due to the fact O’Riley won’t be joyful to continue to be on the incorrect cease of any more embarrassing results in Europe’s top competition.
Brendan Rodgers makes allusions to Reo Hatate’s impending comeback
The Celtic Star attended the post-match media conference at Celtic Park this afternoon after the Hoops defeated Livingston 2-0, a scoreline that flattered David Martindale’s relegation favourites who furnished a perfect instance of anti-football this afternoon and should be proud of preserving the scoreline decent having had zero photographs at goal and zero corner-kicks.
Jessica Elliott attended on behalf of The Celtic Star and even managed to have a wee chat with the supervisor after the convention ended. Here’s what used to be said:
Q: Feels like you’re getting again to your historic selves?
Brendan Rodgers: “Listen, it used to be a very correct win. It’s obviously been a difficult week on the back of the two league results that we’ve had. Naturally, when you’re a Celtic player or coach, it’s now not what you want. But today, I thinking the gamers have been excellent. Right from the first whistle, the tempo in the game was certainly good. We could manage the game. Created lots of possibilities and possibly the players didn’t get what they deserved out of the game, which was once probably a higher score line. Some in reality accurate moments in the recreation and delighted with the overall performance and win.
Kyogo Furuhashi of Celtic celebrates after scoring his team’s opening goal during the Cinch Scottish Premiership match between Celtic and Livingston at Celtic Park on December 23, 2023. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)
Q: You spoke the day before today about harmony and how every body needs to get at the back of the team. At half-time, there could’ve been frustration about not scoring but there wasn’t?
Brendan Rodgers: “Clearly, the supporters here, they’re no longer daft. They recognize football. You know, there’s been a few games here where we haven’t been as comprehensive as what we had been going into half-time, however I assume they can see that we have been developing opportunities, we simply hadn’t put the probabilities away.
“That’s what I strengthened to the players at half-time. Just that you have to be power now. You don’t want to change anything, simply keep the structure, hold the speed in the game and the possibilities will come. Thankfully we got the early breakthrough, and we may want to push on from that.”
Luiyi de Lucas of Livingston vies with Kyogo Furuhashi of Celtic during the Cinch Scottish Premiership match between Celtic and Livingston at Celtic Park Stadium on December 23, 2023 . (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)
Q: Is it necessary that Kyogo received a goal?
Brendan Rodgers: “I suppose he’s three dreams short of where he was final season. For me, it’s greater important for the team. The team desires it. Clearly, strikers, attacking players, it’s their job to create and rating dreams so I suppose you seen the alleviation in his face. He was pleased to score and it used to be a precise finish due to the fact he’s read it well, move comes and it used to be fantastic for him to get the goal, due to the fact he had some different opportunities that didn’t quite drop for him. From a crew perspective, it’s precisely what we needed.”
Q: What’s Kyogo like? Does he get a bit down when he doesn’t score or is his confidence nonetheless high?
Brendan Rodgers: “I suppose it’s one the place there’s in all likelihood been moments of frustration for him this season because he maybe hasn’t quite had the ball through or maybe had the runs in in the back of that permits him to get into positions that clearly highlights his clever movement. But he’s stored going. He’s saved persistent. He’s of course got this shoulder issue, however he’s kept working and that’s important.
“Like I say, he’s simply brief of where he was once remaining season in terms of goals, however I suppose any striker – they favor to get goals. For me, it’s not about just the striker because you can have a striker that receives 40 goals but it’s not excellent if the different participants of the group aren’t contributing. So yeah, exceptional to get a aim for him. Also great to get one from a set piece as well. For me, we need to be plenty higher in that area, so we looked a threat from these moments and needless to say get the intention from Liam.”
Q: Pleased with the contribution from Luis Palma?
Brendan Rodgers: “Yeah. I assume seeing that he’s come in, in equity to him, he’s created dreams and scored goals. Like you say, he’s very right on these dead ball situations. It was once proper contribution from him.”
Q: Does Reo Hatate have a danger of playing on Tuesday or Saturday?
Brendan Rodgers: “Possibility, however we’ll simply have to see on that. He’s been out on the grass and he’s been working well. He appears sturdy and fit. We’ll simply have to verify that and weigh up the risk.
“For the 2d part of the season, he’s going to be huge for us. He’s such an instrumental player and the dynamic that he offers the team. He hasn’t featured plenty in the first part of the season however a sport he got here in to until now on in the season, the whole pace of the sport used to be different.
“That’s what we’re about, that tempo, that intensity. So the quicker we get him back, it’ll be like a new signing for us.”
Daizen Maeda of Celtic shoots at goal during the Cinch Scottish Premiership match between Celtic FC and Livingston FC at Celtic Park Stadium on December 23, 2023 in Glasgow, Scotland. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)
Q: Maeda came in these days and did his bit. Is Abada close to returning?
Brendan Rodgers: “He’s getting there as well. We’ll just have to see with Liel. He’s been out for a little while, however I think, for the likes of Liel, if it’s now not for the next few video games then virtually by using the 2nd part of the season, he should be a gorgeous help to the team.
“Daizen receives his recreation time today. You can see he’s not thoroughly suit however it’s every other recreation for him, another 60 ordinary minutes and that’ll help him.”
Q: Does having Maeda return to the beginning line-up help elevate the tempo of the team?
Brendan Rodgers: “Football will constantly look exclusive if you’ve got gamers with the profile of velocity in the game, and that’s how this group has been built. The minute you take that out, that penetration to go in behind, then everything can be in the front and that’s no longer how my groups work or how this team works. You can see the chance he affords in behind puts human beings on the backfoot and then it places you into depth which is the place you choose to go due to the fact you favor to create possibilities and be able to score goals. So, he gives us that and it’s precise to have him back. And when Abada comes back, he’ll supply us that and we’ll see what we can do in January as properly to amplify that.”
Brendan Rodgers gives Chris Sutton a slap for “going through the motions” in the Celtics game
BRENDAN RODGERS has refuted suggestions from former Celtic striker Chris Sutton that he is ‘going through the motions’ at some stage in his second spell in charge of the club, saying that he nevertheless has the fire to carry success to Celtic Park.
Speaking on the Daily Mail ‘It’s all Kicking Off’ podcast earlier this week, Sutton argued that Rodgers had to count on greater of the blame for current ‘flat’ performances, saying: “At the second this Celtic team are disjointed and going thru the motions. And there’s a fair argument to suggest Brendan Rodgers has been going through the motions this season.”
But the Celtic supervisor gave short shrift to Sutton’s comments, saying that he would never have had the success he has during his profession if he wasn’t giving his all to his job.
“That’s the first I’ve heard of that,” Rodgers said.
“In my career, I wouldn’t be sat right here if I went thru the motions in anything.
“I had no massive enjoying career, no large records in the game. I had to fight for the whole thing I received in the game.
“That will continually be the case. I’ve in no way been granted any privileges in my existence as a younger coach and as a manager.
“So, no, I’ve sincerely now not long past via the motion, that’s for sure.
“[The fire]’s nevertheless constantly there. I’m here to win, I’ve stated that before, and I understand how to win. It’s now not new.
“I stated that to gamers in here in the past in the season, when we had the game in opposition to St Johnstone at home. I’m here to win, now not to draw and simply not to lose games. And I be aware of how to win. And that’s something that, over time, with any luck I can exhibit here.
“I was here in my first time with a group of players who I used to be able to maximise the attainable of simply all of them. It will be the identical here. With the right profile of gamers – and players we can bring up – they will do that. That’s what I’ve performed all my career.
“So, no, I’m really not going via the motions. It’s a exclusive duration of my managerial career, however I’m virtually not going thru the motions.”
While he bristled a little at that accusation from Sutton, Rodgers insists that the flak presently coming his way after the defeats to Kilmarnock and Hearts has no effect on him or on his team.
“I don’t hear to it,” he said.
“I assume there used to be criticism due to the fact we misplaced but I couldn’t tell you where it’s come from or who it’s been given from.
“That’s phase of the role of a manager. You learn to alter that. I’m also one who, with experience, in no way receives too emotional with words.
“I determine matters logically and the truth was that we weren’t correct enough. For some thing reason. Second 1/2 towards Kilmarnock, towards Hearts – we weren’t excellent enough. There are classes there for us as a team. Hopefully we can heed these lessons, that’s part of the challenge.
“In phrases of criticism, listen, it takes place when you’re no longer winning. It’s some thing that should have an effect on you when you’re a very younger manager, but it doesn’t [affect] me.
“I’m here with a mentality to make this proper and with a bit of luck we can supply that.”
Rangers ‘to endure 2 years without penalty loss’, Celtic acquires an EPL striker, Green Brigade returns, Hibs vs Hearts TV debut – Scottish football news
The trendy news from throughout Scottish soccer as the names of two attainable Celtic transfer ambitions emerge
Celtic move for EPL striker
Celtic have submitted an enquiry to Wolves over the availability of striker Fabio Silva, in accordance to a report. Wolves signed the Portugal Under-21 international from Porto for a club file £35million price again in 2020 and he has scored five goals in seventy two appearances for the Molineux outfit. He has fallen down the pecking order below manager Gary O’Neil with just three begins in the English Premier League this season, whilst his solely intention of the campaign so some distance came in a League Cup win over Blackpool. Silva used to be loaned out twice last season, scoring seven goals in 20 appearances at Anderlecht, before becoming a member of PSV in January, where he managed four desires in 14 matches. Football Scotland claim that Celtic have made contact with Wolves with regards signing the forward, most probable on loan, with Brendan Rodgers keen to add to a striker to his squad in advance of the Asian Cup which should see Kyogo Furuhashi and Daizen Maeda called up through Japan, likewise Oh Hyeon-gyu for South Korea.
Hibs v Hearts TV first
Hibs head educate Nick Montgomery will wear a microphone as phase of Sky Sports’ stay insurance of Wednesday’s Edinburgh derby in Scottish football TV first. The pass is aimed at enabling fans staring at at domestic to hear the specific coaching and procedures from the sideline, whilst a member of the Hibs teaching workforce will put on a bodycam to supply a first-person standpoint of the team on the pitch from the dugout. Sky Sports will additionally be given get admission to to the Hearts crew motel for a pre-match meal, and a bodycam will be strapped to a Jambos player during the warm-up. The enhancements for the Easter Road showdown follows Sky Sports’ EFL ‘Innovation Game’ remaining season, which covered behind-the-scenes access for the broadcast of the Wycombe vs Portsmouth healthy in League One.
Green Brigade return
Celtic ultras, The Green Brigade, are set to return to Parkhead on Saturday for the match towards Livingston following a 13-game ban. The supporters team were denied tickets for all home and away fits after what club bosses described as “unacceptable conduct” back in November . The ban used to be imposed simply days after the group defied requests no longer to fly Palestine flags during October’s 2-2 draw with Atletico Madrid in the Champions League. Celtic have additionally obtained hefty fines from UEFA for fan behaviour during European fits which included lighting flares and exhibiting offensive banners. The dispute has now been resolved with the Green Brigade set to return to their normal corner area of the stadium for the visit of Livingston, and in advance of the Old Firm conflict aganst Rangers at Celtic Park on December 30.
Celtic watch Ivorian midfielder
Celtic have positioned Hacken midfielder Romeo Amane on their transfer watchlist, according to a report. The 20-year-old Ivorian impressed on Scottish soil until now this season when he helped the Swedish facet knock Aberdeen out of the Europa League play-offs with a 3-1 win at Pittodrie. Football Scotland declare Amane was watched through Celtic scouts during the Europa League healthy towards Qarabag in Azerbaijan final week with the playmaker set to be fast-tracked up the doable recruitment shortlist. Amane has scored three goals and contributed three aid for Hacken this season and was once linked with Ajax earlier this year.
Motherwell investment search no knee-jerk reaction
Motherwell supervisor Stuart Kettlewell has careworn the club’s search for funding is section of a herbal force to improve. Chairman Jim McMahon this week introduced he would step down by the give up of the season and claimed the club wished “significant investment” to keep a “competitive player budget”. Interim chief govt Derek Weir is additionally aiming to make way for a permanent successor by using the stop of March. The board will soon unveil plans for a fund-raising initiative which they have been working on for at least two years, however the fan-owned club had never beforehand publicly introduced their intentions. “I think we can dramatise things,” stated Kettlewell, whose crew host Rangers on Christmas Eve as they search for a first win in 15 matches. “The clearest way I can put it is this isn’t a knee-jerk reaction. I can stress from my factor of view, this is only being completed to see if we can move forward. All the add-ons about enormous investment, I have read one or two memories this week about other clubs, we are all trying to improve, we are all looking for that bit greater cash to attempt forward. It’s no one of a kind at Motherwell Football Club. That will have been a mindset for quite a few years at this club.”
Rangers penalty survival odds
A bookmaker has backed Rangers to go two full years besides conceding a penalty in the Scottish Premiership. It is seventy one matches due to the fact the Ibrox side remaining had a spot kick awarded towards them in the league again on January 18, 2022 in a 1-1 draw with Aberdeen at Pittodrie following an Alfredo Morelos handball. IF Philippe Clement’s rejuvenated facet keep away from conceding a spot-kick in their 4 remaining video games before the wintry weather damage – starting at Motherwell on Sunday, then Ross County at home, Celtic away and then Kilmarnock at home – then they will have survived 24 months except one being awarded in opposition to them, with the next match no longer till they travel to Easter Road to face Hibs on January 24. One bookmaker – https://instantcasino.com/ – have caught their neck out and supplied odds of 4/9 on them no longer conceding a penalty between now and then. Punters can get 7/4 on the run sooner or later coming to an stop in any of the subsequent four games.
Livingston will no longer be overawed by means of day trip to Celtic
Andrew Shinnie admitted Livingston are braced for a Celtic backlash on Saturday however the midfielder is adamant there will be “no defeatist attitude” as his bottom-of-the-table facet bid to stem a run of nine games barring a victory at the domestic of the cinch Premiership leaders. The Lions are five points adrift at the foot of the table and, following a slim defeat away to Aberdeen on Wednesday, their challenge does now not get any less difficult as they go to a Hoops facet bidding to soar returned after suffering back-to-back league defeats for the first time in a decade. “It’s not usually a appropriate element (to be taking part in a wounded animal) however either way they’re going to have to react to what’s been a couple of disappointing outcomes for them,” said Shinnie. “We’re awaiting them to strive to come flying out the traps after the closing couple of games so it will be a difficult one. At this minute in time, when you appear at the fixtures they’re all tough due to the fact we’re now not winning games. But Pittodrie is a challenging vicinity to go and we acquitted ourselves nicely on Wednesday. Celtic Park’s usually difficult and no longer many groups win there. But we’ve been there before and got points so there’s no defeatist attitude here. We’ll go there with a recreation design and they’re off the returned of a couple of awful consequences so if it’s a bit worrying there we’ll seem to be to capitalise on that.”
Rodgers and Clement want the same Portuguese striker for January, and Celtic and Rangers are “at the front of the race” for him
Celtic are set to do fighting with Rangers once again, this time for the signing of Fabio Silva from Wolverhampton Wanderers.
That’s according to O Jogo, who say the Old Firm duo are both eager on the striker as he looks to leave Molineux in the January transfer window, with Parkhead and Ibrox plausible destinations for him.
The newspaper reports that Silva is ‘preparing to depart Wolves’ when the market reopens and it appears he will be directed closer to Scottish football, the place Celtic and Rangers both have their eye on him.
The 21-year-old has another unnamed Spanish facet interested in him too, however the two Scottish teams, currently first and 2nd in the table are ‘at the front of the race’ according to O Jogo’s information.
Silva wants to go away again after barely proposing under Gary O’Neil this season and repeat the success he loved out on loan with Anderlecht and then PSV Eindhoven.
It is that which has presumably attracted Celtic and Rangers as they seem to bolster their squads for Brendan Rodgers and Philippe Clement.
Both sides aren’t entirely quick of options, with Celtic having Kyogo Furuhashi, Hyeon-gyu Oh and Johnny Kenny as striker selections while Rangers have Danilo, Cyriel Dessers, Kemar Roofe and Sam Lammers at their disposal, but actually see Silva as a step up on what they’ve got.
With simply two factors separating Celtic in first from Rangers in second, it’ll show to be a hard desire for Silva to make, need to they be the ones he has to pick out between as O Jogo suggest.
“I’m going to make a public statement.” Pundit believes Celtic man regrets ever joining the team
With Celtic apparently going thru a difficult spell at the moment, pundit, Ewan Cameron, believes all is no longer well behing the scenes at Parkhead.
After watching Brendan Rodgers‘ submit match interview, Cameron seen something odd about the Celtic manager and made a claim that Rodgers regrets coming again to Paradise.
Cameron stated [The Big Scottish Football Podcast], “Brendan Rodgers didn’t seem to be like he cared either. He stated he variety of anticipated it. Or it didn’t surprise him.
“I think there’s probable a combat going on behind the scenes politically. I’m additionally going to throw some thing out there.
“I suppose Brendan Rodgers these days regrets coming back. He regrets coming back. Everything about it.
“He wasn’t fully accepted when he walked via the doors. The Celtic fans had been ready to soar down his throat.
“And that’s what’s taking place proper now. And then Brendan Rodgers is now deflecting and hinting that these are no longer my players. This is now not who I favor to be playing.
“There’s Lagerbielke, they spent £3 million for him in the summer, apparently he’s up for sale in January.
“So I suppose there’s there’s a wee bit of infighting at the back of the scenes.”
Rodgers’ demeanour was once strange. Considering this was a manager who was, apparently, definitely livid with his team’s first half perfomance towards St Johnstone, the way the Celtic manager reacted after a meek home defeat in opposition to Hearts just doesn’t sit down right.
Despite bieng very honest about how the team performed, the followers would have been waiting for an agrier response from the Celtic manager.
The Celtic followers certainly made their feelings actually clear on Saturday and it seems now that Rodgers must make sure he alternatives up six factors from his subsequent two games.
With one of them being Rangers, the stress is definitely on the Celtic manager to beat his closest rival because if he doesn’t the fans will need to look at the league table over the New Year with Rangers sitting on top.
Nat Phillips, who had a bad loan experience, is returning to Liverpool
Liverpool defender Nat Phillips will return to Merseyside in January. The centre back has been up at Celtic in view that the summer season window, presenting aid to Brendan Rodgers’ backline amidst an injury crisis.
However, The Record reports that Phillips will return to his dad or mum club, citing lack of first team action.
Since arriving from Anfield, Phillips has made eight appearances and was once terrible in his cameo towards Hibs as properly as being at fault versus Killie. The huge defender has come in in spite of now not enjoying a lot of video games and has not impressed.
It is predicted that upon return to Anfield, the Englishman will be sent out on mortgage once more to get first group football.
However, Brendan Rodgers has been full of praise for the 26-year-old due to his commitment in training. The Irishman has utilised Phillips as his 1/3 defender in the back of Cameron Carter-Vickers and Liam Scales. With Maik Nawrocki and Gustaf Lagerbielke struggling to be concerned in suit day squads, Phillips departure would hopefully improve their efforts in education as they look to get into the first team.
‘A long while’: Pat Bonner reacts to Celtic fans chanting’sack the board’ during the team’s loss against Hearts
You have to say, the reaction from the Celtic followers at some point of the defeat in opposition to Hearts on Saturday used to be something that has been bubbling up for a while.
It was solely ultimate week that the gamers had been nonetheless unbeaten in the Scottish Premiership, only to suffer a deserved loss to Kilmarnock.
What has been most annoying about Celtic’s performances below Brendan Rodgers has been the lack of chew and speed in the team’s play.
Some point closer to the Celtic board and why greater cash hasn’t been spent on proven stars to take the membership forward.
But, when fans started to get restless the day gone by and chants of ‘sack the board’ have been ringing round Parkhed, Pat Bonner disagreed with it all, as he told BBC Radio Scotland (16/12/23).
The Bhoys legend referred to that he ‘didn’t like to see’ the fans arguing amongst themselves, which sparked in the 2nd half.
At 2-0 down, any other poor displaying from the team, and no response after the break, the followers were solely going to react in one way. And you can’t blame them!
But Pat Bonner was also keen to mention that the group is still sitting pinnacle of the Scottish Premiership table.
Celtic fans chant ‘sack the board’
“I suppose somebody is having a go at the Celtic board,” said Bonner as the crowd began to get restless.
Then when the first rounds of ‘sack the board’ chants went round the ground: “They are still in a role (to win the league). It’s nevertheless too early.
“It has been a whilst in view that I have viewed that response – we lost a lot of focal point there round the game. I have obtained to say, thinking about Celtic are nonetheless top of the league – I don’t like to see the followers arguing amongst themselves.”
Celtic v Livingston
There is now going to be huge, large strain on the players against Livingston subsequent Saturday.
You feel that the team have to get out of the traps from the get-go, or else, the players will sense strain like never before.
Three games remain earlier than the year is out – Livingston, away at Dundee and then Rangers.
Just win those matches, and whilst it doesn’t alternate much, it does add a feel-good component returned into the membership due to the fact it is truly needed right now.
Despite Rangers’ comeback under Clement, the Celtic icon is still confident in the title contest
The former Aston Villa and Blackburn Rovers boss is tipping his historical club to raise the Scottish Premiership title again.
After a massive week in European football and a cup remaining taking location this Sunday, now not to mention various key Premiership fixtures for both sides, it is perhaps easy to overlook the first Old Firm derby is quickly approaching.
Celtic and Rangers will go head-to-head at Celtic Park in their remaining fixture of 2023 on December 30 in a in shape that, as ever, is possibly to have huge ramifications on the title race. The Hoops currently have a 5 factor lead over their Glasgow opponents however Philippe Clement’s guys do have a game in hand.
Last weekend’s defeat to Kilmarnock for the reigning champions, mixed with the fact that the Gers have not misplaced a healthy since the Frenchman’s arrival, has many predicting a title race that could go the distance. However, on Celtic legend remains assured that his ancient membership will as soon as again go on and raise the trophy at the stop of the season.
Paul Lambert used to be talking to Betway and believes that the Hoops are still very tons ‘favourites’ to win the league. He said: “It’ll be very hard to claw the title-fight again if they lose the subsequent Old Firm game. This will be Phillipe Clement’s first trip of the Old Firm, whereas Brendan and the Celtic gamers know all about it.
“There will additionally be a ban on Rangers followers – some thing it’s crazy to me as followers are such a huge part of the rivalry. We saw the equal element happen at Ibrox returned in May – and I assume that was once terrible, too.
“Clement is strolling into a recreation the place his global ride means nothing. This sport is specific from any different because of what it stands for. If Celtic win, I suppose they’re in the drivers’ seat. If Rangers get a result, then the title race will be back on. However, I still suppose Celtic are favourites as they’re at home.”
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