Celtic FC
‘Needs to be better’: Paul Hartley predicts Brendan Rodgers’ chances of winning the championship at Celtic
Celtic are in a title race that may want to go to the wire, and Brendan Rodgers will need to navigate some complicated challenges to ensure his aspect are topped champions.
As matters stand, the Bhoys are taking part in catch-up following a sequence of activities closing weekend that led Rangers to trap top spot in the Scottish Premiership ahead of the modern-day round of fixtures.
Rodgers’ side dropped the ball in opposition to Kilmarnock at home, surrendering two factors in a feeble manner courtesy of David Watson’s header at the death.
Nevertheless, the show have to go on for Celtic, who tour to face Motherwell this Sunday at Fir Park in a must-win game, factoring in the context of the title race.
Willie Collum has been appointed referee for the clash, which will be live on Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Football from 12 pm sharp.
Heading into proceedings, the Hoops may also be as many as 5 points at the back of if situations go with the flow in a positive route elsewhere. However, there is no margin for error, regardless of occurrences outdoor our control.
Paul Hartley has his say on Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers
Taking a trip down memory lane, former Celtic midfielder Paul Hartley found himself in a similar quandary to his historic club’s contemporary occasions inside his two profitable title-winning campaigns at Parkhead.
The 47-year-old has had his say on whether the Bhoys can claw lower back the two-point deficit they need to overcome under Rodgers.
Speaking to The Scottish Sun, Hartley believes that Irishman is the ‘ideal man to settle things down’ over the coming weeks, comparing the scenario to his own experiences beneath Gordon Strachan.
He stated: “Brendan won’t panic. He is far too correct a manager. He was once very truthful after the Kilmarnock game last Saturday and admitted Celtic didn’t put in the overall performance he desired or expected.
“But he has properly gamers and he is the ideal man to settle matters down again. Brendan has won so plenty in his career, and he will stay calm and clear. Gordon (Strachan) used to be the equal in 2008 — he made things genuinely simple
“We knew it used to be a case of struggle and fighting to get the wins. Myself and Barry Robson performed together in midfield towards Motherwell and it worked well. We gained that game 4-1 and it used to be a real turning point.
“We had to play Rangers twice soon after, and we gained each of them. Suddenly, we had the momentum in the title race, and we never seemed back. Brendan will be aware of that Celtic will need to be better shifting forward, but there is a long way to go this season.”
Celtic need to stay calm in the face of growing pressure
Realistically, there is usually an aspect of stress at Celtic due to the exceedingly high requirements held at Parkhead.
Nevertheless, prevailing is all that matters proper now, and three points on Sunday ought to assist breed some self assurance to take into a run of climactic fixtures.
Five league matches continue to be before the Bhoys journey to face Rangers at Ibrox on April 7th, making it imperative that Rodgers’ guys don’t drop any extra useless points.
Should they build some momentum in the next weeks, there may also nevertheless be a likelihood they can warranty the future of the Scottish Premiership title will be in their very own hands.
Chris Sutton ends Happy Clapper live on radio as he witnesses the Celtic “fear factor” vanish before his eyes
Sutton believes Rodgers has to raise the can for horrific outcomes and wasn’t having the defence that they had been pinnacle of the league until today.
Chris Sutton put the blame for Celtic’s descent closer to crisis at Brendan Rodgers’ feet – and reckons everyone who doesn’t recognize where fans are coming from absolutely does not get the Scottish game.
The Parkhead membership drew with Kilmarnock yesterday and allowed Rangers the risk to go clear on their personal at the top of the Premiership today. Their rivals obliged, beating St Johnstone 3-0 and with Celtic having as soon as regarded so in manage of the title race, it’s now Gers who are favourites to go on and carry it in May.
Discontent has been brewing in Glasgow’s east give up for a while with followers feeling the club have sat still. Much of the frustration until now has been directed at the board for failing to invest but now there is a real feeling Rodgers is dramatically underperforming with a squad that have to be doing better.
Sutton was requested for his ideas on the count number on BBC Radio five Live and he sympathised with fans getting on Rodgers’ back. He said: “There’s a lot of unhappiness among the fanbase about Celtic now not spending a massive quantity of money, however my point is Brendan Rodgers should be doing better domestically than he is at this moment in time with the gamers he has available.”
That was when host Robbie Savage cut in, pointing out they have been pinnacle all season until Rangers took over on Sunday. But Sutton wasn’t having that as he blasted back: “They’ve been papering over the cracks with their performances. You do not pretty apprehend Scottish football, 2nd is last. You can not be behind in Glasgow. There are Celtic followers out there now who assume they can’t perhaps win the league. I do not always agree with that due to the fact there’s a lengthy way to go…”
This was where fan Paul was once added into the conversation and he agreed with Sutton. He did however add that they have no threat of winning the title enjoying like they did towards Killie – and raised the point that Rodgers should be able to do extra with the present day crop of players, many of whom have regressed under his tutelage.
Sutton replied: “This season, Celtic have dropped so many points domestically. What would worry me about yesterday is that Kilmarnock had greater pictures than Celtic in their very own back yard. There’s no longer a worry issue any more when groups home teams play Celtic. They don’t worry them, they fancy their chances.
“People can smartphone in and tell me if I’m wrong, however I don’t take into account the closing time that happened. You look at durations this season, away to Aberdeen, away to Hibs, Kilmarnock 2d half. Teams are enjoying Celtic off the park. That is the fear and that, domestically, falls on the manager.”
Joe Hart of Celtics is candid and believes there will be “difficult” questions after Kilmarnock’s draw
Celtic goalkeeper Joe Hart used to be one of the few gamers to get away with skip marks in the Bhoys’ 1-1 draw at home to Kilmarnock yesterday.
The 36-year-old earned a in shape rating of 7.9/10 for his exploits, making five saves and completing 30 of his 35 attempted passes on what turned out to be a dreary day at Parkhead [Sofascore].
At present, the four-time Golden Glove winner has an uncertain future in Glasgow, given that his contract expires at the stop of the campaign.
Nevertheless, Hart appears decided to give the whole thing to declare silverware in what may want to be his remaining season at Celtic, leading via example seeing that the turn of the year.
His commitment also can’t be questioned. Back in January, Brendan Rodgers revealed that the skilled wide variety one has been living north of the border without his family during his stay at the club.
Rodgers shed some mild on his future closing month, stating: “We haven’t spoken about it (what occurs next). At that age, I think he’s simply glad to be playing. Joe’s family is down south so he’s proven brilliant commitment to be up here.”
Granted, there are likely higher goalkeepers on hand in the world of football than Hart and sentiment shouldn’t be reserved when due diligence takes place surrounding his attainable successor.
However, his mind-set is 2nd to none, and he will go down as a fantastic servant when he passes via the Parkhead doorways for the last time.
Joe Hart makes frank admission as Celtic draw with Kilmarnock
In the aftermath of the Bhoys’ disappointing stalemate with Kilmarnock, Hart didn’t mince his phrases when analysing his side’s performance.
Giving some trustworthy answers, the Shrewsbury-born man admitted Celtic didn’t deserve three points and indicated some ‘difficult questions’ would be asked amongst the crew in days to follow.
Hart cited [Celtic FC YouTube]: “We almost managed to walk away with three points in a sport where we didn’t play specifically well, however I assume conceding the late intention solely highlights it wasn’t a notable overall performance and we probable didn’t deserve the win.”
He then added: “We had been hoping to get over the line as an alternative than dictating the game; the tempo, it wasn’t there in the final 20 minutes, which is the commercial enterprise end of the match where we assume to dominate, however we didn’t today, and Kilmarnock stayed in it and received the result.”
When requested about how the Celtic squad will look to recover from the result, Hart finished with the aid of saying: “You discuss about it, you highlight it, you ask people questions, some challenging questions and see what answers people are going to give, who’s willing to be there in the large moments, who wants it?
“That’s for all of us to seem to be at ourselves in the mirror. There’s a long way to go; there’s lots we can nevertheless gain this season, and with challenging work and dedication and every single one of us pulling in the same direction, we nevertheless consider we can do it.”
Joe Hart’s remarks surrounding Celtic stand up to scrutiny
Anyone who took in the game the day gone by could’ve identified that Celtic were searching to grasp in towards Kilmarnock as an alternative than having an urgency to put the recreation to bed, which is regarding in itself.
Not for the first time this season, the Bhoys went into their shell and have been punished by means of a tender purpose late on after failing to do the fundamentals when it mattered.
This isn’t a signal of a crew that is outfitted to go all the way in the title race, even though we will need to wait and see if Rodgers can get a higher tune out of the players over the coming weeks.
Amidst a “chorus of boos,” a BBC Pundit described one Celtic player as “terrific.”
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The player has been attracting plenty of pastime from England.
There have been some high-profile exits from Celtic during the January switch window, possibly most notably David Turnbull’s move to Championship facet Cardiff City. Elsewhere, Yosuke Ideguchi sealed a everlasting return to Japan with Vissel Kobe, while Mikey Johnston joined Turnbull in the English second tier at West Brom (on loan).
One player who stayed at Parkhead, however, was James Forrest, despite receiving presents from six exclusive Championships golf equipment on the final day of the transfer window. The matter isn’t closed yet, though, with “several” Major League Soccer franchises eyeing up an out-of-window move. That interest stays “active” as severa suitors hold “close tabs” on his state of affairs in Glasgow.
McAvennie expects “huge” Forrest to stay
Speaking to Football Insider, former Celtic participant Frank McAvennie expressed self assurance that Forrest would figure out to remain with the Hoops, and continue to play a key role as a substitute for Brendan Rodgers as they chase Scottish Premiership glory.
“I don’t think Forrest would choose to depart Celtic. He’s been at Celtic for a lengthy time and he’s been on respectable money for a long time – I assume he’s settled. He’s financially secure and it’s his testimonial year so I can’t see him going.
“He can nonetheless do a job for Celtic coming on from the bench and he’s the type of participant you favor at your disposal, which is large for Brendan. You have to offload players however I assume you comprehend what you get with James.
“I suppose he will finish his career at Celtic. If he was to leave, it would be with everyone’s blessing. I’ve not constantly agreed with the way he plays football, however he’s been an brilliant servant to the club.”
Celtic icon Forrest can nonetheless produce massive moments
There’s no disputing Forrest’s fame as a Celtic legend. He’s played a whopping 483 video games for the club after graduating from their academy, extra than any player who’s nevertheless energetic in the game. Within that group, only Leigh Griffiths (123) has scored extra than his 104, and he’s also the solely one to surpass a century of assists (101).
When he does in the end retire, the 32-year-old will do so with a giant trophy cabinet, having received eleven Scottish titles, seven Scottish Cups and seven Scottish League Cups for the duration of his career. At the character level, he was named the country’s player of the year in 2018/19 after supporting his aspect win a treble treble.
This season, he is had to be content material with more of a back-up role, beginning simply two league games. He’s come off the bench 13 times, 2d only to Oh Hyeon-gyu (16) in the Celtic squad, but did make his mark via discovering the internet in the away wins over Ross County and St Johnstone late last year. He ought to still produce one or two key moments earlier than the season is out, and he remains under contract for every other 18 months yet.
How the Celtic midfielder is able to flourish despite external noise thanks to Cristiano Ronaldo’s input
THIS has been a demanding season for Paulo Bernardo for a range of distinct reasons.
The Portuguese midfielder, who joined Celtic on a season-long loan from Benfica in his place of origin again in September, took some time to pressure his way into the Scottish champions’ first team.
Manager Brendan Rodgers only gave him an prolonged run when his membership mates Reo Hatate and Tomoki Iwata had been dominated out of motion via injuries.
Since organising himself as a normal starter, the 22-year-old has had to deal with severe media criticism of the Parkhead club’s performances as nicely as occasional unrest in the stands.
Yet, Bernardo is not, just like his legendary countryman Cristiano Ronaldo, the type of character to shy away from a challenge.
He grew up, like so many football-daft kids in his hometown and around the world, idolising the former Sporting Lisbon, Manchester United, Real Madrid and Juventus forward.
But he continually marvelled at the determination that CR7 showed to attain and continue to be at the very pinnacle of the international game just as plenty as his technical ability, football intelligence and bodily prowess.
So Bernardo was never, having witnessed a child from an impoverished historical past in Madeira become one of the greatest footballers of all-time, going to let himself get downhearted by terrible comments from pundits or boos from the crowd.
“Ronaldo is honestly incredible,” he said. “Do I see him as a role model? Of course. It is his intellectual strength. He is like an idol to each and every player.
“We all seem up to him. It is possibly a bit much to count on to gain all the matters that he has finished and is still doing.
“But he is an notion to every player. He came from nothing and he succeeded and done so much. We continually look to him and try to do our exceptional as well.”
Bernardo, who endeared himself to Celtic followers substantially when he opened the scoring in the cinch Premiership win over Rangers at Parkhead in December, used to be delighted when Portugal had been drawn in the equal Nations League team as Scotland in Paris ultimate week.
Ronaldo, who has a world file 205 worldwide caps to his name, is 39 now and is plying his exchange at Al Nassr in Saudi Arabia. Will he nevertheless be involved when the event receives underway in the autumn? His compatriot will not be in the slightest bit surprised if he is.
“It’s a very interesting draw with Portugal taking part in Scotland!” he said. “The boys haven’t said too much, but I am positive we will be talking about it nearer the time. It will be a excellent recreation to see.
“Will Ronaldo be playing? Probably yes! You in no way know. He’s 39 however he keeps going. I don’t be aware of if I will be taking part in at that age. I’ll need to look after my physique like he does.”
Bernardo, who acquitted himself admirably alongside his captain Callum McGregor in the Champions League team video games towards Atletico Madrid, Feyenoord and Lazio this term, has represented Portugal at each age-group stage and is currently a member of their under-21 squad alongside with Rangers striker Fabio Silva.
He appreciates that forcing his way into the senior team in future will be extraordinarily difficult. Manager Roberto Martinez can deploy the likes of Bruno Fernandes of Manchester United, Ruben Neves of Al Hillal and Vitinha of Paris Saint-Germain in his function at the moment. However, it is a exact long-term goal and drives him on every day in training and at some point of matches.
“It’s a very sturdy group of gamers coming thru with Portugal right now,” he said. “But I have always dreamt about taking part in for the national team. It is an ambition of mine and it is additionally a huge motivation to get to that stage and play for my country.”
Bernardo’s most important center of attention at the moment, though, is ensuring Celtic, who will be overtaken at the top of the Premiership tonight if their town rivals Rangers beat Ross County by way of three goals at Ibrox, maintain the Scottish title and Scottish Cup this season.
He helped the treble winners to win their challenging cup tie with St Mirren 2-0 in Paisley on Sunday and book their vicinity in the quarter-finals of the Scottish Gas-sponsored countrywide cup competition.
However, he is adamant they can perform even higher in the coming weeks and months and is determined to stay involved and help them do so. He burdened that no one in the squad is downbeat about their potentialities of touchdown silverware and playing a profitable 2023/24 campaign.
“We have a long season with ups and downs,” he said. “We simply have to stick together, the players, the coaches and the fans, hold going and preserve improving. We’ve had some injuries, however I suppose we are doing pretty well. We simply need to take our opportunities in the front of goal.
“We are doing some matters well and there are some things we want to improve. Sometimes we have wished two extra possibilities to score one purpose and that makes matters more difficult. We seem to be at the matters we are doing correct and also the matters that are now not so good.
“It’s always correct to play. The self belief tiers go high and we enhance a great deal extra in the video games than simply in training.”
Paul Lambert can’t help but laugh at the hysteria of the fans due to the “strange” Celtic crisis element
“For me,” David Friel predicts between Celtics and Rangers who will win the league this season
Adam Idah: The X-Factor in Celtic’s Title Bid
Introduction: Tension in the Title Race The Scottish Premiership title race is shaping up to be a nail-biter this season, with Celtic surrendering a ten-point lead before Christmas and allowing Rangers to close in. While the media and pundits in Scotland relish the competition, Celtic fans are incensed at the ease with which Brendan Rodgers’ side relinquished their commanding lead.
Celtic’s Perch and Signs of a Turnaround Despite faltering performances, Celtic currently tops the league. The recent Scottish Cup victory over St Mirren has sparked hope that the team might have turned a corner. However, uncertainty looms over their ability to defend the title and secure the lucrative £60 million Champions League spot.
David Friel’s Title Prediction: The Adam Idah Factor Pundit and journalist David Friel shared his insights on Superscoreboard, predicting the potential title winner for this season. Despite acknowledging Celtic’s recent struggles, Friel believes they still possess more quality at the top end. He pointed out the heavier schedule and injuries faced by Rangers, suggesting that Celtic might gain an edge. Friel highlighted the impact of one summer signing by Rodgers, stating, “Adam Idah coming in could make the difference as well.”
Adam Idah’s Immediate Impact: Goals and Bottle Amidst debates about the deal that brought Adam Idah to Celtic, the on-loan Norwich striker has made an immediate impact. With two goals in three appearances, Idah showcased his composure by converting two penalties against Hibs. Beyond the scoreline, his performances against Aberdeen and St Mirren demonstrated a refreshing and versatile option in Rodgers’ attacking arsenal.
Linkup Play with Kyogo: A Winning Formula? One aspect that stands out is Idah’s fruitful linkup play with Kyogo, contributing to Celtic’s opening goal against St Mirren. This partnership offers a promising alternative for Rodgers as the league title race enters its decisive phase. The Hoops faithful anticipates that this dynamic duo could play a pivotal role in securing crucial points in the remaining fixtures.
Conclusion: Adam Idah – Catalyst for Celtic’s Title Aspirations As the tension escalates in the title race, Adam Idah emerges as a potential catalyst for Celtic’s aspirations. Friel’s prediction hinges on the Irish striker’s ability to maintain his impressive start and provide a unique dimension to Rodgers’ attacking strategies. With the league’s final stretch approaching, all eyes are on Idah to see if he can indeed be the X-factor that propels Celtic to championship glory.
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‘Spoiled’ Celtic fans are going through Rangers actuality take a look at as pundit senses new Rodgers tactic to stem the tide
Kenny Miller reckons Celtic fans have been ‘spoiled’ through their success over the ultimate decade and a half – and wonders if they will purchase into the ‘siege mentality’ Brendan Rodgers is trying to create.
Celtic have been heavy favourites to see off Rangers in the early section of the season, with Rodgers returned at the helm and Michael Beale struggling to get things going. Philippe Clement’s arrival even though has helped to level the taking part in subject and simply three factors separate the two groups – with Rangers understanding they can go top with a convincing win over Ross County in the course of the week.
The Hoops have become accustomed to triumphing the league having taken the title in eleven of the final 12 seasons – Steven Gerrard’s charge to glory in 2020/21 the solely blemish on that impeccable latest record. Miller although believes Rodgers has sensed that changing and is attempting to construct a ‘siege mentality’ to hold his crew on top.
Stephen Robinson in Derek Adams takedown as Ross County ranter served it straight from special angledailyrecord
He stated on Clyde 1 SSB: “I do assume Celtic fans have been spoiled over the years for the success of the league titles, cups, trebles. Now they’ve received a actual task and they want to live up to that, stand up to it and strive to continue to supply success.
“They’ve now bought a rival with a man in cost that are chasing them but there is that siege mentality you feel Brendan would possibly be attempting to create. But it has come from within.
“In Glasgow, unfortunately, there normally is anyone getting it in the neck and any one being praised. Even though consequences propose Celtic have been doing well, they’ve been on the receiving cease of the poor facet of the Glasgow at the moment.”
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