In a “disaster” call, Celtics manager Brendan Rodgers was criticized as the “worst coach I’ve ever had.”

Italian movie star Mario Balotelli has blasted Brendan Rodgers as the worst supervisor he has worked beneath in the course of his career.

The 33-year-old, who is currently enjoying his football in Turkey with Adana Demirspor, labored with the Celtic boss at Liverpool in the course of the 2014/15 season.

The pair did no longer see eye to eye alternatively and after scoring just one aim over the campaign, Balotelli was once despatched out on mortgage to AC Milan, where he had arrived from permanently for £16million.

Rodgers also clashed with the frontman at some stage in a Champions League fit when Balotelli swapped shirts with Real Madrid star Pepe at half-time.

In a recent interview with TVPlay Balotelli took purpose at his former supervisor insisting he used to be the worst boss he has worked under. He said: “Brendan Rodgers is the worst teach I have ever had.

“He was once variety one as a long way as coaching classes were concerned, what with preserving possession of the ball and the small-sided games. But as a man or woman he was once a disaster.”

Meanwhile, Callum McGregor believes victory over Feyenoord in their remaining Champions League sport would be no extra than Celtic deserved in a doomed campaign.

Lazio’s 2-0 triumph over the Hoops in Rome on Tuesday night time tested final region in Group E for Brendan Rodgers’ side, who will now not have European football of any sort in the second half of of the season.

Substitute Ciro Immobile’s two late goals kept Celtic on one point from 5 fixtures before they host Feyenoord next month and McGregor believes it is integral that the Scottish champions, who will end bottom in their Champions League team for the 2nd straight year, end on a high.

The Scotland midfielder told Celtic’s YouTube channel: “It’s vastly important. If nothing else, we experience like we deserve it.

“We feel like we’ve performed properly sufficient to simply have greater than one point. So, if we get the result then it’s possibly been deserved over the piece.

“Obviously we want to finish strong, we are at home, we prefer to get the crowd in the back of us and attempt to get them a little bit of hope for perhaps subsequent season’s competition as well.

“So there’s truly a lot to play for, and when you put on a Celtic jersey you’re continually taking part in for everything. So we will certainly be going into that final recreation attempting to win and do every person proud.”

Approach made: in January, Celtic sent a request to sign a “flamboyant” left-footed forward

• The Hoops have made various enquiries to find out the availability of a new remote places target.
• Celtic have made contact about signing an overseas ahead in January.
•  The precedence role for new signings is a goalkeeper.

Tiago Araujo, a left-winger, is one of the potential attacking candidates below consideration.

Celtic have made contact and countless enquiries to talk about a deal to sign an foreign places forward in January, according to a clean record this week.

Celtic transfer targets

According to Football Insider, Brendan Rodgers is looking to secure three new signings during the upcoming window, and whilst he’s keen to improve his outfield ranks, the priority role is to recruit a goalkeeper between the sticks who may want to go on to emerge as a long-term number one.

The Daily Record have stated that Real Madrid’s Andriy Lunin is one of the alternatives under serious consideration, however with regards to roles greater up the pitch, the identify of a achievable attacking candidate has emerged in the Scottish Premiership.

Estoril’s left-winger Tiago Araujo only put pen to paper at his membership ultimate summer time from Benfica, where he’s made a total of 46 appearances to date (Transfermarkt – Araujo statistics), and his wonderful structure has caught the eye at Parkhead.

Portugal’s former formative years global nevertheless has two years final on his deal (Estoril contracts), but that hasn’t stopped the hierarchy from taking a chew at the cherry to see if they can attain an agreement for the services of the 22-year-old ahead of January.

Celtic keen on deal for Tiago Araujo

According to The Telegraph, Celtic are exploring a deal for Araujo, and with the probability to signal him for a good deal price up for grabs, this is a deal that they desire to get over the line in the new year.

“Celtic are making an attempt to seal a deal for Portuguese winger Tiago Araujo for the begin of the January transfer window. Araujo, 22, has been taking part in for Estoril in the Primeira Liga this season as a left-back and left-sided midfielder, alerting the Scottish champions with his performances after moving from Benfica 18 months ago.

“He has been the challenge of enquiries from Celtic, who are looking at a deal well worth round £4million to land the former Portugal Under-21 international.”

Araujo’s “flamboyant” style would pleasure Parkhead

Despite running as a left-back greater instances than any different function due to the fact that the start of his career, Araujo is additionally capable of playing in the midfield and higher up on the left and right flanks as a winger, so his versatility would make him a magnificent option to have at Celtic.

Sponsored via Adidas, the left-footed ace has posted 23 contributions (12 assists and eleven goals) in 122 appearances following his arrival on the professional scene, and he possesses a steady wish to create as many chances as feasible in the ultimate third.

Rodgers’ goal has recorded forty six crosses over the route of the current campaign which is extra than any of his fellow teammates (FBRef – Estoril statistics), highlighting what a standout performer he is when it comes to whipping balls into the opposition’s area.

As described by soccer talent scout Jacek Kulig, Araujo is a “flamboyant” player for his assorted skillset up and down the left side of the pitch, so there’s no doubt that he could be an thrilling signing for the manager must he put pen to paper in January.

“Absolute joke” Alan Brazil criticizes the Lazio star’s play during Celtic’s loss

Alan Brazil wasn’t fine thrilled with Ciro Immobile’s ’time-wasting’ as Celtic crashed out of Europe at the palms of Lazio on Tuesday night.

To the shock of many, Lazio’s legendary ahead was on the bench for the imperative Champions League showdown against Celtic – Maurizio Sarri reacted post-match.

Even although the 33-year-old performed solely half of an hour, he punished Brendan Rodgers’ Celtic side with a brace and inflicted every other post-Christmas except Europe for the team.

During Ciro Immobile’s celebrations, he proceeded to jump the fence and have fun with the followers and Alan Brazil was irritated that he wasn’t punished or given a yellow card, as he told talkSPORT Breakfast (29/11/23 at 6:30 am).

The Celtic-mad pundit labelled it an ‘absolute joke’ because he idea the Italy big name was ‘time-wasting’.

It was once some other nighttime of VAR controversy, no longer in Celtic’s game, but with Newcastle United conceding a late and questionable stoppage-time penalty at some stage in their 1-1 draw towards PSG.

Week by way of week, officers are coming underneath more stick and pressure, with Alan Brazil expressing his thoughts on his modern gripe.

Ciro Immobile towards Celtic

“They won’t listen,” said Brazil about VAR troubles after PSG-Newcastle. “The different aspect that is killing me is this 102 minutes and stuff like that. I have simply had adequate of this.

“Here’s another one, something befell to time-wasting? Immobile, he scores, jumps the fence, he is there for about three minutes.

“Does he get a yellow for that? That’s all long gone out of the window now. Absolute joke.”

What subsequent for Celtic?

Well, it’s lower back to home action and focusing on attempting to, at the very least, tightly closed another title.

After losing factors towards Motherwell ultimate time out, three factors are a need to against St Johnstone at the weekend.

The Champions League structure adjustments subsequent season, with more money on offer, so it’s even more paramount that Celtic book their ticket.

The hurt and annoyance of getting knocked out early will nevertheless linger over the team even if the title is delivered because this is a long-term problem that desires sorting out.

Rangers reach a deal but Celtic suffered a blow to transfers

The brand new Scottish football information and transfer rumours from Hearts and Hibs’ Premiership opponents along with Rangers and Celtic

Hibs and Hearts both loved securing any other three factors in the Scottish Premiership’s return to action as the Hibees beat Dundee 2-1 throughout the bridge and Hearts took down their former participant and manager Craig Levein to beat St Johnstone 1-0.

The fans of the latter, however, seemed less enthused with the aid of their side’s triumphs and have come to criticise their squads manner of play. The Jambos are sitting fourth in the league, having loved their 0.33 successive league win which marks the first time this has been accomplished when you consider that January 2022.

In the hope of impressing the fans in greater style, this weekend sees Nick Montgomery’s facet welcome Aberdeen while Steven Naismith heads via to Kilmarnock. Ahead of the weekend’s action, right here is the trendy information from the Edinburgh clubs’ Premiership rivals…

Ex-Celtic celebrity to experience switch battle

Aston Villa are very fascinated in Arsenal defender Kieran Tierney, the 26-year-old Scotland left-back who is on mortgage at Real Sociedad – and the La Liga club are also keen on signing the former Celtic defender completely (Football Transfers).

The Scotland worldwide used to be sent to Spain in the summer time but his Gunners manager Mikel Arteta retains a long-term interest in the player, hoping he will be back at the Emirates for the 2024/25 season. However, Real Sociedad have ramped up their activity in buying the participant and may additionally well push to make the deal everlasting at the stop of the season while Premier League’s Aston Villa are additionally keen to make investments in the 26-year-old as it has been suggested Unai Emery is turning into unhappy with Lucas Digne at left-back.

Emery used to be the Arsenal manager who took Tierney to the Emirates from Celtic lower back in 2019 for £27 million and the Scotland star is now set for a three way transfer conflict next summer.

Rangers key man concurs new contract

Rangers winger Ross McCausland has agreed terms on a new contract till the summer time of 2027 in spite of developing activity from golf equipment in England and throughout Europe in the 20-year-old (Sky Sports). McCausland has impressed underneath new Rangers boss Philippe Clement who exceeded the teen his first start for the club in a 2-0 win at Livingston until now this month.Rangers would have solely obtained in the area of £350,000 in compensation if McCausland signed a pre-contract with a membership outside of Scotland.

Gers boss Clement has been vocal in his wish for McCausland to continue to be at the membership and insisted he used to be blissful giving the participant greater senior crew action earlier than tying him down long-term.”I should have treated the scenario in a different way and first let him signal a contract earlier than I let him play,” he said. “I did not do that due to the fact I be aware of how essential Glasgow Rangers is for Ross. I assume we’re on the proper way and I have complete trust that it is going to be a positive story.”

Aberdeen set for club switch record

Former Aberdeen striker Duncan Shearer will be amazed if Bojan Miovski does no longer emerge as the club’s report switch sale (Press and Journal). The North Macedonia international’s intention tally is now at eleven following his purpose against Rangers at Pittodrie on Sunday.

Miovski is under contract for some other couple of seasons and Shearer believes Aberdeen will have to be “well compensated when – not if – a club comes calling for his services. The first-class praise I can pay Miovski is to say I’ll be amazed if he does now not turn out to be Aberdeen’s document sale. He scored 18 dreams in his first season at Pittodrie and is nicely on his way to beating that tally in this campaign.”

A prominent Palestinian group has written an open letter to the Celtic Board

The Aida Refugee Camp’s Palestinian team reached out to the Celtic board on Monday, advocating reconsidering the suspension imposed on the Green Brigade. The suspension of approximately 2 hundred Green Brigade members’ season tickets was once a response to what has been described as “repeated incidents of unacceptable behaviour,” compounded by means of escalating fines from UEFA.

The Scottish Champions recently confronted a £15,200 high-quality from UEFA following the show of “provocative messages of an offensive nature” in the course of a Champions League conflict against Atletico Madrid. This motion by means of Celtic fans, regardless of prior warnings against showcasing Palestinian flags at some stage in the match, has intensified the scrutiny on the club. However, CeltsAreHere has been advised with the aid of a source shut to the situation, the waving of Palestinian flags is now not what the club acquired their fine.

The Green Brigade’s affiliation with Palestinian causes, pretty thru funding Aida Celtic – a football crew in the Aida refugee camp in Bethlehem, has been a defining issue of their identity. The recent UEFA sanctions have triggered a poignant response from this group, highlighting their perspective on the state of affairs and the role of Celtic fans in their struggle.

A statement from the crew underlines the depth of their gratitude toward Celtic followers and the Green Brigade: “On behalf of Lajee Celtic League in Aida Refugee Camp, Palestine, we’d like to share our gratitude for the Celtic FC fans and the Green Brigade for their unwavering aid of Palestine. This help goes beyond sports, it is a symbol of cohesion against the oppression of the Palestinian people. Our partnership with the Green Brigade permits us to host countless groups with a number of a long time of boys and young men to carry out their desires of being a soccer player in well-renowned league, unifying and empowering communities to convey hope via sports. As football is acknowledged to be an internationally loved sport, our younger athletes grew up enjoying football wherever they ought to within the camp.

“With little area due to the constraints of the refugee camp and very few soccer fields available, they dream of one day turning into professional soccer players and hope to have a Palestinian team that is properly recognized around the world, enjoying towards other expert teams and players in stadiums such as Celtic Park. Receiving the moral guide of the Celtic FC followers and Green Brigade capacity so a good deal to the people of Palestine.

“Palestinians and supporters are beneath severe scrutiny from the global community, and now more than ever, elevating the flag has been considered a crime punishable through serving time or paying fines, in Palestine and in many countries around the world. It has come to be symbolic and evermore vital to fly our flag to defy these who proceed to silence us. After the public show of the Palestinian flags at some stage in the Celtic match on the twenty fifth of October, it no longer only provided Palestinians with hope, however also gave us extraordinary honour to be acknowledged by using a famous European football team and showed our human beings that the world knows of our combat and are standing with us at some stage in these horrific times.

“However, we have been saddened through the decision of the UEFA to impose a best and a ban on the Green Brigade for showcasing their assist for Palestine and the Palestinian human beings beneath a genocidal war as we speak. Not solely does this selection increase worries on the barriers of free speech, however additionally sends a sturdy and unsafe message to the Palestinians and their oppressors. We hope the Celtic Football Club reconsiders their decision in punishing groups or particular human beings for their aid of our cause.”

In the aftermath of the 2-2 draw in opposition to Atletico Madrid in Glasgow on October 25, Celtic acquired a whole best of £25,000 from UEFA, of which £15,000 was attributed to the show of a “provocative message of an offensive nature.” The last fines had been due to “blocking of public passageways” and “lighting of fireworks,” with no specific point out of the Palestine flag display.

As Celtic fan media, we at CeltsAreHere surely hope for a fine resolution to this situation, both for the Green Brigade and the club, fostering an surroundings where ardour for soccer and social attention can coexist harmoniously.

Take a look at this brilliant moment. Buckie Celtic players learn they have been drawn

Celtic have been drawn in opposition to Highland League opposition Buckie Thistle in the fourth round of the Scottish Cup.

The bhoys will begin the defence of their trophy against the Scottish minnows at Celtic Park in what will be a big day for Buckie Thistle.

They have bought to this part of the Scottish Cup on advantage and their reward is playing in Celtic Park. Gracing the same discipline as the Celtic stars and following in the footsteps this season of players like Antoine Griezmann and Ciro Immobile.

While we don’t normally take kindly to players celebrating drawing us on the cup, we couldn’t help however elevate a smile when a video of the the Buckie Thistle players looking at the draw surfaced online.

The gamers went nuts in a nearby bar as their identify came out the pot next to Celtic’s.

It’s a sport Celtic will be expected to win with no trouble but these gamers will be trying to make it uncomfortable as viable for the cup holders.

The cash worried in it for Buckie Thistle will be big to the club and the community. the teams share the gate in the Scottish cup and while it might now not be the largest flip out at Celtic Park, the HCTS have to pay dividend for the decrease league side.

We seem ahead to the tie, however Buckie will have to bring their away kit due to the fact we’ll be enjoying in the inexperienced and white!

DATE OF CELTIC’S SCOTTISH CUP

HOLDERS Celtic will go into the Scottish Cup fourth round draw which will be held tomorrow night.

The ballot will be broadcast stay on Sportscene on the BBC Scotland channel with coverage beginning at 7.15pm. It will additionally be proven on tablet, cellular or laptop computer can do so for free with the aid of the BBC iPlayer.

The Hoops have won the trophy five instances in the previous seven years, reclaiming the silverware in Ange Postecoglou’s remaining hurrah at Hampden on June 3 with a 3-1 win over Inverness Caley Thistle in the Scottish Cup Final when Kyogo Furuhashi, Liel Abada and Filipe Jota netted the goals.

CUP THAT CHEERS…Callum McGregor and his Celtic team-mates have fun the Scottish Cup success in June.

The third round takes place this weekend earlier than the Premiership groups enter the opposition to make the whole of 32 clubs going into tomorrow’s draw.

Raith Rovers and Clyde are the first two aspects through to the next stage after final night’s wins over Dunfermline and Jeanfield Swifts respectively.

The Kirkcaldy outfit eased to a 3-0 victory over their Fife opponents at East End Park while Clyde relied on two second-half strikes to overcome their East of Scotland League visitors.

Brendan Rodgers backs the Celtic board’s decision to ban the Green Brigade and insists that ideals be upheld

The Hoops boss wishes to see the state of affairs resolved however thinks the board are in the right

Brendan Rodgers would like to see the Green Brigade state of affairs resolved quickly but has backed the Celtic board’s sturdy stance on it.

The ultras team have acquired a blanket ban on all Hoops domestic and away matches after club chiefs lost staying power with their unacceptable behaviour at matches. There was a fall-out over the displaying of Palestine flags with the board eager no longer to see their fits used as a political vehicle.

That wasn’t the purpose for the ban but it did assist put similarly stress on an already hard relationship. The Green Brigade have demanded a meeting with CEO Michael Nicholson and have threated a “day of action” at tomorrow’s Premiership assembly with Motherwell.

Rodgers has so a long way kept his suggestions on the scenario however has now spoken – and while he would like to see it all sorted out, he feels the board are proper to clamp down.

The Northern Irishman said: “It’s all about values. It’s the greater picture, the values of this club, which are about respect, integrity and the whole lot else. That far outreaches some thing else, and if these values are compromised in any way, then we the club will appear at that.

“If humans are deemed to have misbehaved, you can’t go along and receive that just due to the fact it makes the ecosystem better.

“We all live to sure values, and I hope we can discover a solution due to the fact the fans have created a definitely excellent atmosphere.

“My private view is it’s now not a political arena. Football is football, you come to aid the team, and revel in the group playing. Especially when we play like we did towards Aberdeen.

“Hopefully we can get a resolution, but meantime, we will remain focused. The narrative can every now and then be built round us not being together. It’s not the case.

“We’re in a notable region as a club and as a team.”

‘He will leave’: Former Celtic star believes he will depart the club in 2024

Former Celtic defender Mark Wilson fears that this will be Matt O’Riley’s last season at the Scottish Premiership giants with the Denmark global going from energy to energy beneath Brendan Rodgers.

Celtic rejected an ambitious £10 million bid from Leeds United at the end of the summer season (The Sun). And, in truth, you’d be fortunate to get even Matt O’Riley’s weaker proper leg for that these days.

Since Leeds’ offer came and went, the former Fulham teenager has emerge as a full worldwide with Denmark, has brought desires to his game, and is making a splash on the Champions League stage too with a ‘beautiful’ assist against Spanish giants Atletico Madrid the apparent standout.

Following a season of such progress, Wilson fears that O’Riley is sure to emerge as the modern day in a sequence of big-money Celtic departures.

Is Matt O’Riley’s time at Celtic coming to an end?

“I suppose there is a precise hazard that he will go,” Wilson, a three-time Scottish Premiership champion between 2006 and 2008, tells the Daily Record.

“I say that as Celtic knocked lower back a big bid this summer. £10 million. Now, he’s a full international. And, on the lower back of the six months he’s had from summer season to now, you see him getting better.

“I simply assume anyone will recognise that. I assume people will already have recognized that. It will take a large bid and I assume it will be a lot of money. But my worry is Matt O’Riley won’t be at Celtic at the begin of next season.”

Interest from Ange Postecoglou’s Tottenham

At £1.5 million from third-tier MK Dons, O’Riley is one of Celtic’s great pound-for-pound signings in the cutting-edge era. And that is saying something given that Moussa Dembele, Victor Wanyama and Virgil van Dijk all handed through Parkhead.

The elegant, left-footed playmaker has six desires and seven assists already this term. A ‘goal contribution’ each and every 1.3 video games under Rodgers.

Clubs the dimension of Arsenal, Manchester United and Newcastle have all been linked with O’Riley at quite a number points. According to The Sun, there is a threat that the London-born Dane could eventually be reunited with former Celtic boss Ange Postecoglou at Tottenham Hotspur too.

Disaster for the former £5 million Celtic player, only 37 minutes have passed since the Hoops departed

When Albian Ajeti touched down in Turkey on the final day of the summer time transfer window, the former Celtic striker would have strolled off the aircraft with a renewed feel of optimism and a ravenous urge for food for a fresh start.

It had been a lengthy time, after all, since Albian Ajeti was banging in the goals at Basel. The striker flopped at West Ham United and didn’t precisely fare much better at Celtic either, while a loan spell at Sturm Graz proved in a similar way underwhelming.

Celtic recouped simply £500,000 worth of their £5 million investment when Ajeti put pen to paper with Turkish Super Lig outfit Gazientep at the begin of September (Sky Sports). It is testament to how things have gone for the luckless striker in Turkey, however, that Celtic show up to have got the higher of that late-summer deal as matters stand.

Albian Ajeti struggling after Celtic exit

Ajeti has played solely 37 of a plausible 680 minutes so far at Gazientep. A intention on his debut in opposition to Istanbulspor is as suitable as things have gotten so far. That early optimism hastily changed by using a familiar, déjà vu inducing sense of frustration.

Ajeti has overlooked Gazientep’s closing 4 video games with a muscle tear. The injury curse which wrecked his hopes of a everlasting move to Sturm Graz following him to the furthest reaches of Europe.

Injured again

“I had a wonderful, superb time,” Ajeti told Laola1 a few weeks ago, a bittersweet tang to his tone. “I sincerely enjoyed it, I met first-rate human beings and was once capable to work with amazing human beings – from the teaching team to the employees, the board, to the teammates and fans.

“It was once fun.

“The solely component that wasn’t as fun have been the injuries I stored having,” he adds with a sigh. “Unfortunately, I couldn’t keep away from them.”

Try as he might, Ajeti simply cannot get away the health issues which continue to canine his once-promising career.

John Hartson plays the Celtic blame game in the Green Brigade defense after the AGM lightning rod sparks ‘singled out’ dread

The Welshman has pointed the finger at other clubs amid fears the Hoops are being handled unfairly.

Celtic hero John Hartson has set up a defence for the Green Brigade following the club’s AGM.

The Celtic ultras are at loggerheads with Parkhead chiefs after the membership introduced that every body who belonged to the team – round 2 hundred human beings – had their season tickets suspended for the foreseeable future. They stated it was due to an “increasingly serious escalation in unacceptable behaviours and non-compliance with applicable regulations.”

Fingers have been pointed at the controversial fan group for the club racking up several UEFA sanctions over the years – but it remained a hot subject matter at the AGM with any point out of the Green Brigade being met with a combine of cheering and booing from the gathered crowd. But Celtic hero Hartson fears that both the club and supporters have been “singled out” with supporters of other side being branded “no angels.”

He instructed Go Radio: “It looks like in a way that they are singling Celtic and the Green Brigade out. Yes, they have acquired their faults.

“Yes, they have price Celtic a lot of money over the years in fines but additionally you have to appear at different golf equipment – and I hope they are – due to the fact all the golf equipment will have exact eggs and awful eggs. In phrases of what they sing, how they act; I played in Scotland for 5 years and I have been at away grounds and heard what they say and what they are chanting.

“I simply hope that Celtic are no longer the only membership being regarded at. I hope it is looked at across the board as other golf equipment fans are no angels either.”

Jim Goodwin admits to making the ‘worst error’ at Celtic before leaving.

Jim Goodwin has published his “biggest mistake” at Celtic as a participant came when he provided to play right-back on his debut.

The Dundee United boss made his solely appearance for Celtic beneath Kenny Dalglish back in 2000.

Goodwin – who before managed Aberdeen, St Mirren and Alloa – has revealed he supplied to fill in at full-back on his debut as he allowed John Kennedy to play in central defence.

The League Cup winner used to be in line to play centrally himself in the healthy in opposition to Dundee United however offered to change function with Kennedy to help his team-mate.

However, Goodwin reckons his strive to exhibit a “good attitude” came again to “bite him on the a***” as Kennedy went on to play in addition suits for Celtic and transition into a teaching function at the club following his playing career.

Discussing his debut on Open Goal, Goodwin commented: “When John Barnes got the sack then Kenny Dalglish and Tommy [Burns] had taken over simply on a caretaker role.

“And listen, they had been giving out debuts like packets of crisps at that time.

“Guys like myself and one or two others had been given that danger in the ultimate sport of the season.”

And on his role change provide that backfired, Goodwin explained: “I started out the sport and one of the mistakes I made in the build-up to that game that I haven’t certainly spoke about a outstanding deal however we were shaping up and John Kennedy was once supposed to play right back.

“I do not understand if he will have in mind it but he was once like a duck out of water taking part in at proper lower back and I used to be taking part in at proper centre-half which used to be my position coming via the system.

“And I had offered to play right returned rather because Kendo didn’t favor to do it and I thought, ‘I don’t idea taking part in there’.

“That was probable my biggest mistake. He was once gorgeous at centre-half and I was once bang average at centre-half! I went off with cramp after about seventy five minutes because I was walking up and down the line and I wasn’t used to doing that!”

The Dundee United boss joked: “Listen, I would by no means have been the Celtic centre-half for 20 years! I said to Tommy, I said, ‘If he would not desire to play there I don’t idea taking part in there’.

“I thinking I used to be doing a exact issue and displaying a properly mindset to the manager however it got here again to chew me on the a*** due to the fact Kendo went on to play a hell of a lot of games at centre-half!”

‘Bad, bad man,’ The National media react to the current international performance of the 25-year-old Celtic player

Celtic’s players are starting to have a fantastic international week as the fixtures pile up.

Callum McGregor was crucial in Scotland’s 2-2 draw with Georgia on Thursday night, and TBR Celtic reported on Luis Palma’s 2-0 win against Mexico.

Cameron Carter-Vickers is the next in line. The 25-year-old Celtic defender started for the USMT in their 2-0 win over Trinidad and Tobago, and if the ratings from the US media are any indication, the Celtic defender has also impressed.

Cameron Carter-Vickers is a great ambassador for Celtic in America.

The’man mountain’ of a defender looked great as he helped the USA preserve a clean sheet, and it appears that the Celtic stopper has wowed the media.

Goal: (7/10) Provided physical presence in the few instances that T&T did go forward, which were few and far between.

ESPN’s review: “7 — Few complaints about the central defender that worked well with Tim Ream while providing crucial defensive interventions.”

“7” MLS Soccer Carter-Vickers, who started alongside Ream, had nothing to complain about as he and the defense recorded a clean sheet.”

Cameron Carter-Vickers: 8 — NBC Sports The Celtics’ running back is a bad, bad man. At the age of 25, he is clearly approaching his prime.”

Carter-Vickers is an important first-team member for Celtic.

Celtic’s £6 million signing from Tottenham Hotspur has been outstanding thus far this season. With the exception of his gaffe against Lazio, the US defender has been dominant in the Hoops backline.

Carter-Vickers, who has formed a combination with the excellent Liam Scales, seems just as strong this season as he did the previous two seasons with Carl Starfelt, averaging a 7.3 in the Scottish Premiership according to football ratings site SofaScore.

He has previously impressed at the international level. His return to US play in October had been widely anticipated, with the media claiming that he would bring’stability’ to what seems to be a frail backline.

Carter-Vickers’ next match is a return trip to Trinidad on November 21st, where Celtic fans will be praying for another strong performance and an injury-free CCV.

Another Celtic star qualifies for EURO 2024, which might be significant for the Bhoys’ form

After Scotland’s authentic qualification for next year’s European Championships booked a area for Callum McGregor and the rest of the Celtic contingent in the Scottish squad, every other Bhoys player may want to be heading to the principal tournament.

Matt O’Riley was on the bench for Denmark as they beat Slovenia 2-1 on Friday night, confirming their spot at the finals in Germany next summer.

O’Riley was a late addition to the Danish squad after missing out on the initial announcement but has now been protected in manager Kasper Hjulmand’s group in two consecutive global windows, giving the midfielder real hope of making a similarly push into his plans.

There’s even a threat he makes his debut for the country over the coming days, with Denmark taking part in away to Northern Ireland in a match that can now be used for experimentation with qualification secured.

Celtic should benefit from brought O’Riley motivation

O’Riley has already been in great shape for Celtic this season. He’s scored six dreams and assisted seven instances when you consider that Brendan Rodgers arrived at the club, marking him out as one of the Bhoys’ most superb performers this season.

High-profile pundits such as Chris Sutton are calling him the pleasant participant in Scotland right now. Meanwhile, journalist Fabrizio Romano reckons he’s now well worth over £25m in the transfer market.

Now, with the introduced motivation of potentially booking a ticket to his first-ever global tournament, we could see even more from O’Riley over the coming weeks and months.

It would be outstanding to see Hjulmand provide O’Riley a debut in Belfast on Monday night and mild a fire below the midfielder to prove himself in addition at membership level.

A hungry and ruthless O’Riley can be a terror for opposition defences at domestic and abroad. We could well see the quality of him from this factor onwards and that’s an thrilling thought.

Raging Rangers fan pulls pyro panic button over ‘fine’ as Celtic hero erupts into spiky on air ‘killjoys’ defence

Rangers followers display for the duration of the go to to Dens Park has sparked issues internal the SPFL.

Irked Mark Wilson has insisted that the SPFL are not being “killjoys” with the aid of searching to cast off pyrotechnics from the stands.

It came as the former Celtic defender fielded issues that the Rangers will be hit with an SPFL sanction following the controversial display in the stands against Dundee. The players were ordered to go away the pitch through ref Kevin Clancy just two minutes into the Scottish Premiership when a surprising show of pyro from the Rangers fans compelled a fire alarm to go off.

Police Scotland and the Scottish Government have expressed issues over the event and Dundee have slammed the moves of the away support. This sparked problem from Clyde 1 Superscoreboard caller Billy as he hit out at the pyro declaring: “As a Rangers fan I was disgusted with the aid of it. All the delays, and I know there is going to be a fine coming for Rangers.”

Host Gordon Duncan chimed in: “I’m definitely now not positive there will be. The SPFL handle these matters a bit otherwise to UEFA.”

That sparked a heated rant from former Hoops defender, stating: ‘There is a proper safety situation here for supporters. Never thought the players, it is horrific sufficient when you are disrupting them and your focal point on getting a fantastic outcome, however what about the followers that don’t have flares?

“Does anybody ever assume about them being surrounded through the ones who managed to light these things up? There is a true protection problem – it is not due to the fact the SFA and SPFL choose to be killjoys. It’s due to the fact the protection officers don’t think there is a secure way of conducting it.”

Fans mild up the Bob Shankly stand with pyro at some stage in the cinch Premiership healthy between Dundee and Rangers at The Scot Foam Stadium at Dens Park on Wednesday night

Duncan then put it to Wilson that they might also need to come up with a protected way of allowing fans to use the general pyro: “How do you do that with some thing that incorporates heat? I’m no longer an expert.

“In my previous position I did some work with Police Scotland and they have enlightened me to some of the issues. I get that it appears colourful – however when it is to the detriment of your own fans definitely there has received to be some common sense. Are they in England? The largest league in the world? Do we need them?”

Record Sport understands that any sanctions for Rangers show up not likely as golf equipment have previously now not been punished if in a position to show they had taken reasonable precautions.

Who exactly is Kanji Okunuki? Celtic’s scouting subject is in the spotlight after Hearts completed summer research on Japanese sensation

Brendan Rodgers wishes reinforcements in January and the champions have reportedly been observing the Nurnberg attacker.

It should come as no shock that Celtic have been linked with any other Japanese talent.

The Hoops have reportedly been scouting Kanji Okunuki “intensively” over the final few weeks after playing massive success plundering the Japanese participant market below Ange Postecoglou. Kyogo is the primary man whilst compatriots Reo Hatate and Daizen Maeda are key participants of the squad, with Brendan Rodgers persevering with to rely heavily on them notwithstanding a change in style when you consider that the Aussie’s departure. Tomoki Iwata stays on the fringes, however scored his first intention for the membership towards Hearts remaining month and looks like he has something to offer.

Yuki Kobayashi looks like he should be on his way out, failing to be quoted even all through a central defensive harm crisis, solely named on the bench once this season. Yosuke ideguchi has grow to be something of a forgotten man out on loan at Avispa Fukuoka again in Japan, although nonetheless has over two years left to run on his Celtic contract.

Okunuki ought to be the cutting-edge Japanese import to swell the ranks. But who is he and what would he add? Record Sport takes a nearer look.

Who is Kanji Okunuki?

The 24-year-old was once born in Saitama and advanced thru the youth ranks with local membership Omiya Ardija earlier than graduating to the pinnacle team in January 2018. 14 goals in almost 100 appearances caught the interest of Gornik Zabrze of Poland. He joined the Ekstraklasa membership on a season-long mortgage in August 2022, which blanketed an choice to make the deal permanent.

However, that wasn’t taken up and Okunuki joined Nurnberg ultimate summer. He’s scored four goals in 15 appearances for the Bundesliga two outfit and received his first call up to the Japan squad last month, however is yet to make his debut for the Samurai Blue.

What type of player is he?

Okunuki is right footed but performs on the left. With Liel Abada out injured and Yang set to join Oh in the South Korea squad for the Asian Cup, that ought to come in handy. He can also operate in the No 10 position and as a 2d striker, even though it is a No. 9 Brendan Rodgers virtually wants with Kyogo additionally set to be away with his country.

With nearly four possession recoveries in the opposition’s 1/2 per game, Okunuki would show up to suit Celtic’s urgent style, even if it’s no longer as extreme as it was once under Ange. He has two assists this season, though that quantity would be expected to go up playing in a crew like eltic’s, which dominates most video games and create extra chances.

Haven’t we heard his name before?

Yes, he was closely linked with Hearts last summer time before making the move to Germany. The Jambos had been in the market for a 2d striker or attacking midfielder and Okunuki healthy the invoice after Yutaro Oda impressed after an preliminary settling in period. However, a quoted price of £400,000 made him an luxurious proposition for the Tynecastle club and after an initial enquiry, there was no concrete approach, which allowed Nurnberg to get their man.

That kind of charge would not have been an difficulty for Celtic. However, Nurnberg’s willingness to let him depart and what kind of rate they would be looking for remains to be seen.

Conor McGregor praises the Green Brigade tifo as he unveils Celtic plans

Conor McGregor has said that he hopes to visit Celtic Park one day.

The UFC fighter used to social media to applaud a fan display put on by the Green Brigade several years ago as part of an online Q&A.

McGregor is a big Celtic fan, and he hasn’t been shy about admitting it.

During Kierney’s first stint under Brendan Rodgers, he formed a strong friendship with him.

This is incredible! Hopefully one day for sure! https://t.co/mpIDS40Val

— Conor McGregor (@TheNotoriousMMA) November 15, 2023

His fellow Celtic fans have also been major followers of the MMA fighter.

McGregor was mentioned in a banner raised by the Green Brigade ahead of Celtic’s 5-0 triumph against Astana in Champions League qualifying.

His catchphrase, which he employed after defeating Diego Brandao in 2014, was “We’re not here to take part, we’re here to take over!”

He earlier stated about the banner, “Celtic Football Club STAND UP!!!” This is what die-hard fan support looks like! What an amazing sight! What a group! Thank you very much!”

Now, in response to a fan on X, the 35-year-old addressed the famous banner once more and disclosed his plans to attend a Parkhead game.

“Any plans to visit Celtic Park in the future?” inquired one user. I’m sure you’d be greeted as a hero by all your brethren from across the pond. I’m sure Kieran Tierney would be pleased.”

“This is incredible!” exclaimed the Notorious B.I.G. Hopefully, one day!”

Gustaf Lagerbielke, however, almost signed for a “half-assed team in Belgium”