Robert Snodgrass admits to transferring to Celtic following Johnston’s actions for West Brom

Celtic loanee Mikey Johnston’s time at Parkhead used to be up when he made the change to West Brom in the January switch window, in accordance to Robert Snodgrass.

The 24-year-old winger has been in first-rate structure because becoming a member of Carlos Corberan’s side and started the Baggies’ 1-1 draw with Hull City at the MKM Stadium on Saturday (24 February).

Johnston’s stunning displays have seen some pundits and followers advocate the Hoops made a mistake in loaning him out, however Snodgrass believes it had come to be clear the Northern Irishman was once always going to be “replaced.”

Speaking on Sky Sports Main Event on Saturday (24 February, 12:16) he said: “I’ll be sincere with you, I think him simply stepping away from Celtic used to be the first-rate aspect for Mikey Johnston.

“He wasn’t getting a lot of sport time, he wasn’t getting the danger to categorical his talent. He’s played five video games and he’s got two desires in his final three. No rely what he did at Celtic, I continually felt as though he was once going to be replaced.

“They had some remarkable wingers there as you saw final season and they signed the boy Kuhn and I assume that was his time actually to strive and move and I assume he knew that.

“Going to West Brom with a manager that needs him to categorical himself, I think you saw with his goal midweek, the way he cuts interior and bends it into the a long way corner. That’s Mikey Johnston, I wasn’t getting to see that at Celtic so he’s truly executed the proper thing.”

Could West Brom sign Mikey Johnston permanently?

It’s safe to say that all and sundry around West Brom has been blown away by using just how well Johnston has taken to the English sport with the Baggies this season. Few supporters could have predicted him to start this well.

Join the West Brom News WhatsApp channel to get all our exclusives and the breaking switch information FIRST.

There will honestly be some regrets at Parkhead that they didn’t hold the 24-year-old round until the cease of the season at least, specially as Brendan Rodgers’ facet continues to combat in their pursuit of Rangers.

Carlos Corberan has used Mikey Johnston well since he arrived from Celtic.

But, Snodgrass’ admission that Johnston’s time in Glasgow may already be up could enhance the Baggies’ hopes of securing the winger on a permanent groundwork come the end of the season.

Hopefully, the Northern Irish worldwide can continue to provoke between now and the end of his mortgage spell and then Corberan and his recruitment team can make a long-term choice over his future.

Peter Lawwell’s Celtic statement was insufficient, and I don’t accept any transfer-related justifications – Chris Sutton

The chairman’s assertion has introduced up extra questions than solutions says the Celtic legend.

Peter Lawwell did not have anywhere to go with Celtic’s interim report. He knew it, all of us knew it, he essentially admitted as much and a truthful few of his feedback didn’t cut it for me.

Celtic non-executive chairman Peter Lawwell (Image: SNS Group)

I’ll be honest, I’m now not positive there had been sufficient exceptional solutions in there to key questions. Mainly, the disappointment of failing to further add to the squad. Collective responsibility was taken, but it doesn’t exchange some thing and the big question is why have been these mistakes made? Who is to blame? If money were available, there’s a culpability somewhere and, though they’ll never certainly say, that’s the point and it leaves Celtic wide open to criticism and speculation.

Identified ambitions had been unavailable. Well pick out greater or some alternatives. Because, quite simply, are you telling me there wasn’t a single left-back out there handy as better cover to Greg Taylor than Alexandro Bernabei? Come on. Also, I’m no longer totally positive what switch pastime being at its lowest in England for 10 years has to do with Celtic. Regardless of happenings in England, given Brendan Rodgers talked about desiring to be braver in the market, would they have spent large to buy from the Premier League down south anyway?

In any case, what about the summer that surely mattered for Celtic. Odin Thiago Holm, barely kicked a ball; Marco Tillo; gone. Kwon, gone; Hyun-jun Yang, project; Gustaf Lagerbielke, advised he ought to have long past in January; Maik Nawrocki, now behind Stephen Welsh in the queue.; Luis Palma, performed ok however has diminished and desires to get fitter; Nat Phillips, been and gone; Paulo Bernardo, took time to get going and lost his vicinity in the facet when he did.

The cause Celtic had been scrambling in January is because of those errors final summer season and the two arrivals Nicolas Kuhn and Adam Idah aren’t automatic starters, which says it all. There was some suitable chat. Talk of renewing contracts such as those of Matt O’Riley and Cameron Carter-Vickers is effectively pointed out. That’s awesome business, brings balance and provides and protects fee to the individuals.

Words about Celtic’s new Barrowfield facility additionally struck a effective chord. This is a suitable investment. Producing top brain from the academy squads is vital due to the fact the club has to unearth their personal gems.

Bettering Lennoxtown is also of gain to current senior stars with greater scientific and sports activities science amenities with a bit of luck preventing the type of situations which sees Reo Hatate pass over most of the season.

But, simply like the switch talk, the European feedback baffled me. The chairman’s statement talked of taking comfort from a number of top performances which will serve our squad well.

How does finishing backside of a gentle team serve a squad well? Am I lacking something? This season’s Champions League was a wasted chance and would have executed greater harm than good, I suspect.

Under-fire Celtic were knocked off the top of the Premiership table at the weekend as rivals Rangers took over (Image: SNS Group)

In terms of an thrilling new format in European football, Celtic fans are searching at their club, with money in the attic, having their computerized vicinity in subsequent season’s main competition put into jeopardy from a function of strength. I don’t feel there was sufficient in there to fulfill a support which is deeply sad at the occasions of the past few months.

I did note Lawwell saying that there stays a lengthy way to go, all to play for and it being about uniting at the back of the group for these purposes. That I do agree with wholeheartedly for their sake. They have to draw a line beneath the chaos and unrest.

If it rumbles on, they’d be as nicely handing Rangers the title right now. Rodgers has spent his complete two-spell Celtic career as the hunted. Now he’s going to be the hunter.

You have to ask yourself one large question. Does he or his crew right now seem like they have the killer instinct?

Not to my eye and that has to change. And it has to alternate immediately.

If Celtic are going to chase this title down, they need everybody on board. The manager has to locate a way and stick with it and locate the proper personnel for it.

My instant feeling would be to revert back to the 4-3-3 system with Kyogo Furuhashi up top. That’s no huge criticism of Adam Idah, however the device that has delivered Celtic success in the previous couple of years has labored this season. Just appear returned to the Rangers recreation at New Year.

It’s now not the system that was broken. It was once the work that was taking place inside it. Pick two wingers and stick with them. For me, they would be Daizen Maeda and Luis Palma.

Get again to three in midfield with Bernardo filling until Reo Hatate gets again and the lower back four almost choices itself with Cameron Carter-Vickers due to return. Joe Hart’s announcement of retirement subsequently make any lasting doubters understand what a accurate signing he has been.

He’s made errors and isn’t perfect, however he’s been big in latest weeks and is nowhere close to as awful as some critics were making out last season or the begin of this. Hart is going to be imperative for the run-in because, again, Celtic didn’t buy a suitable back-up for him in the closing window.

Celtic simply can’t have enough money to be making any more errors at this stage of the season. Rangers aren’t perfect, but Philippe Clement is getting a tune out of them.

I keep hearing people say that Celtic nonetheless have an higher hand due to the fact they have gamers who have been over the path before, but the trouble is the ones in the squad who now have not. As was once proven in opposition to Kilmarnock ultimate weekend, your senior boys can only do so much.

It is now not lost. Far from it. But it will take a unified effort and it is time to draw a line below what has long gone before. That can, come May, provide the the right and definitive title answer.

His mouth is bigger than his club – Minnow’s manager criticizes Celtic

Celtic have been scalded by a footballing counterpart (cough)for being unwilling to be involved in an Atlantic League within European football. The assaults got here from the mouthy Shelbourne FC’s Vice-Chairman, Andrew Doyle, who has insisted that Celtic extra usually are content material in being top of the pile in Scotland and also-rans in European competition.

This is nothing new of course, as there have been rumblings for many years about Celtic leaving Scottish soccer to be a part of the English Premier League or some improvised European league involving groups of a similar stature who are starved of greater revenues because they play in uncompetitive home football. It has in no way come to fruition at any stage and it looks like it in no way will in any case.

With the disparity between the top five leagues and the rest developing at a fast charge with every passing year, the chasm that exists is on exhibit almost each yr in the UEFA Champions League group stages, which is why they determined to change the format from crew tiers to a league model. Not that this will significantly advantage groups such as Celtic however, as it’s merely to keep the giants of European football content that while longer and stall the onwards push for a European Super League.

Doyle published it kind of already is that way presently, with teams from smaller nations simply unable to compete with Manchester City, Real Madrid, Paris Saint-Germain and Bayern Munich on a everyday basis. The Shelbourne executive has mentioned the solely way to bridge the gap would be an progressive thought such as a cross-border league with teams from one of a kind international locations competing.

When requested whether or not Celtic should be involved in those plans, he stated: “Yes it could, of course, but Celtic would have to desire to be aggressive in Europe and my bet is they’re perfectly comfortable being at the pinnacle of a depreciating SPFL invariably and then being perennially uncompetitive in the Champions League.

“It’s a gravy educate and they’re on it. The new UEFA Champions League layout is even higher for them – extra European games equals even more European money for them. So lengthy as the contemporary device remains and Scotland’s place in the UEFA access listing stays incredibly high, Celtic are most unlikely to go for it. I think they’ll be very joyful to continue winning the Premiership greater years than not, where they’ll gain automatic access to the round of 32 and then get hockeyed there, but nonetheless get all that European cash,” he said to Scottish Daily Mail.

“That, of course, ensures that Scottish football remains hopelessly uncompetitive, because no one can match Celtic’s cash. Our structure would have exceeded all sensible UEFA standards due to the fact it benefited all stakeholders, now not simply Celtic and (the)Rangers, in Scotland’s case. The debate shouldn’t be whether there’s a fantastic league or no notable league.

“It’s whether or not UEFA or some other birthday celebration operates a revised model of the existing exceptional league, with extra competition and larger gain to all. The Champions League is already UEFA’s very personal great league. The champions of some countries, Ireland, for instance have never even performed in the damn thing, ever. So, of course, the device is broken. Completely broken.”

Paul Gillespie

“He Doesn’t Rate Them” – Pundit Says Celtic Duo Are Not Rodgers Signings

In a recent dissection of Celtic’s poor method in the switch market, the conversation has moved to how man players in the door over the past eight months have been simply players Rodgers wanted.

The club’s strategy to player acquisitions and departures has been under the microscope, specifically following the surprising retention of Gustaf Lagerbielke, regardless of anticipation of his exit. Lagerbielke, notably, has yet to make an look in the squad since his cross was known as off, an incidence that has no longer long past overlooked among the Celtic support.

In January, Rodgers and Celtic allowed players, including Marco Tilio, who has due to the fact that joined Melbourne FC on a mortgage spell, Hyeokkyu Kwon, who made the switch to St Mirren in Paisley, to hyperlink up with Stephen Robinson’s side, and the aforementioned Lagerbielke had one foot out the door, three men who only signed in the summer.

11th February 2024; St Mirren Park, Paisley, Renfrewshire, Scotland, Scottish Cup Football, St Mirren versus Celtic; Hyeokkyu Kwon of St Mirren on loan from Celtic takes a seat in the stand

Shock jock Ewan Cameron weighed in on the depend throughout his appearance on the Big Scottish Football Podcast.

Cameron posited that Rodgers has had little to no influence on who has come in the door to this point, and whilst Cameron is anybody we don’t normally agree with, the statistics seem to talk for themselves.

7th February 2024; Easter Road, Edinburgh, Scotland: Scottish Premiership Football, Hibernian versus Celtic; Daizen Maeda of Celtic and Maik Nawrocki of Celtic arrive for the match

Cameron’s analysis suggests a disconnect between Rodgers and acquisitions, citing their scant taking part in time as evidence, speakme about Lagerbielke and Nawrocki he said: “They’re really no longer Brendan Rodgers’ signings… He doesn’t fee them,” Cameron stated, hinting at a possible divergence in approach between Rodgers and the scouting department, with the latter possibly having more impact over these decisions.

Right now, due to the fact of injury, we have two players in the coronary heart of defence Stephen Welsh and Liam Scales who couldn’t get a sport over the previous two seasons while Celtic hoovered up silverware. Rodgers starting each or even one of them over both Nawrocki or Lagerbielke says a lot.

‘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.”