Sutton and Boyd are at odds in a heated conversation over the Celtic penalty

Celtic hero Chris Sutton was once left started up as Kris Boyd stated the selection not to award a penalty in opposition to Livingston used to be correct.

Brendan Rodgers’ facet had appeals for a spot-kick in the first 1/2 against Livingston waved away by using referee Don Robertson.

Then, a swift VAR take a look at of the incident surpassed without Robertson being referred to as to assessment his decision by using Alan Muir.

Sutton – who admitted he had to watch the incident severa instances – was once surprised no review was once referred to as after Kyogo went down underneath mission from Mikey Devlin.

The forward regarded to get to the ball first before being caught by means of Devlin.

However, play persisted as Livingston made it to the spoil with the in shape goalless.

Commenting on the penalty claim, Sutton said: “I assume Celtic will experience challenging accomplished by. I’ve had to appear at this numerous instances myself.

“I’m sincerely surprised Don Robertson wasn’t despatched over to the reveal to have a look.

“There is contact, Kyogo receives to the ball first so I assume that is a penalty, I honestly do.”

Boyd then claimed there was no scope for a VAR intervention as he said: “You’ve had to look at it numerous [times], you nonetheless can’t make your thinking up so this is not clear and obvious.

“It’s not clear and obvious.”

The Rangers hero then brought on Sky Sports: “That’s never a penalty. He’s already down earlier than the contact is made.”

Sutton could not trust Boyd’s take on the incident as he actually replied: “Well, he is not.”

“But Boyd used to be unmoved as he doubled down on claims Kyogo used to be on his way down before any contact from the Livingston defender as he added: “Well, he is, watch.”

Concluding the debate, Sutton sighed: “You’re gazing a different game.”

Celtic is not the best team in the league, according to Hibs’ manager

In a stunning moment, Hibs boss Nick Montgomery has made headlines with his bold announcement involving the ongoing combat for dominance between Scottish giants Celtic and Rangers. Despite his team’s defeat, Montgomery has hailed Rangers as “probably the fine team in the competition,” a comment that has stirred the pot. [PLZ Soccer]

Celtic, beneath the instruction of Brendan Rodgers, has confronted its share of challenges this season. Although not performing at their peak, the Scottish champions continue to be warm on the heels of their arch-rivals, trailing via a two factors in the league standings.

Montgomery’s remarks come as a surprise to many, perhaps he is solely seeing it via the lens of his own teams success and screw ups towards each Glasgow sides.

7th February 2024; Easter Road, Edinburgh, Scotland: Scottish Premiership Football, Hibernian versus Celtic; Kyogo Furuhashi of Celtic tackles Elie Youan of Hibernian

The Celtic guide and followers are rallying in the back of their team greater than ever as the title race intensifies. With a necessary conflict in opposition to Livingston looming and a distinctly predicted showdown at Ibrox on the horizon, the Celtic camp is buzzing and decided to show their mettle.

Rodgers is likely to use Montgomery’s feedback as gasoline to ignite his team’s passion and resolve. As the season strategies its conclusion, the Celtic assist is united in their faith that their crew can overcome adversity and cement their popularity as the true kings of Scottish football.

Celtic hero Scott Brown discloses the reason behind his ‘shaven head’ despite his ability to grow hair

Former Celtic midfielder Scott Brown revealed the purpose why he shaved his head for the duration of his profession regardless of being in a position to develop a thick crop

Ex-Celtic and Scotland midfielder Scott Brown printed the high-quality cause why he shaved his head all through his career.

Brown lifted 10 Scottish Premiership titles at Parkhead along with 12 home cups as he captained the Bhoys via one of the most dominant intervals in the club’s history, and he did it all with his trademark shaved skull.

Speaking to BBC, Brown was once requested about his hairstyle during his playing days as he sat down for the interview as the manager of Scottish Championship facet Ayr United with a strong crop of darkish hair as he confirmed: “It’s a hundred percent all my hair, if you favor to touch it experience free!”

The former Hoops captain then printed the psychological nature in the back of his choice earlier than Covid briefly changed his mindset, he continued: “[I did it] just to intimidate people, it labored quite properly if I’m honest.

“During Covid the children asked if I did have hair and I wasn’t 100% certain if I actually did, may want to grow it or if it was once going to grow, it was coming back here (high on his scalp) and I thought I had a recede (receding hairline). So I thinking ‘ah you be aware of what, we’ll go eight, 9 weeks, and it began to develop without a doubt thick and I always had thick variety of Brillo pad hair. No fashion to it whatsoever but it just grows out like a tennis ball.

• What do you make of Scott Brown’s comments? Let us know in the comments section.

The Celtic icon told all about his hair transformation (Image: @BBCSportScot)

“To be honest I ended up getting my first photos going lower back to Celtic when we went again simply after Covid. Got the photos with hair and then shaved it for the first game. So you can imagine the media group had been not glad with me but I made a decision when I retired that I will develop my hair for the kids. So I grew it and I do seem like a more approachable man or woman shall we say.”

Brown gave an perception into his wondering for playing skinhead during the majority of his 20-year contract, where he performed for Hibernian, Celtic, Scotland and one year at Aberdeen before placing his boots, and razor, up in 2022. He continued: “I made that decision simply to be horrible. Not surely talking to absolutely everyone on the park. If players tried, I would refuse to communicate to them.

Scott Brown decided to grow his hair after retiring (Image: NurPhoto via Getty Images)

“Not being huge time however just to make certain my head was focused and I was geared up and organised, because if I had a chortle and a comic story about stuff on the park, I in all likelihood would not have performed as properly as I should have.

“You can be whoever you favor for ninety minutes on that pitch. You can be a winner, choose to dictate games, be passionate, be louder than you normally are in the altering room. It labored without a doubt well for me.”

Scott Brown shares a hilarious story about the media department and explains why he chose to stay bald at Celtic

Celtic have had some gamers with some interesting hair styles over the years that have created dialog amongst supporters.

In one of the strangest articles I’ve ever chosen to write, Scott Brown remained bald for almost all of his Celtic career, and his chosen fashion delivered to his image of being a exceptional enforcer in the middle of the park.

Since retiring and attempting his hand at management, eagle-eyed followers have noticed that he does sincerely have the capacity to develop hair, even though he chose no longer to throughout his enjoying profession for motives we will find out later.

Now in the dugout at Ayr United, the Celtic legend who managed to win 22 trophies at Parkhead has the Honest Men four points off the Scottish Championship playoff positions.

The Ayrshire facet face a tough season run-in; regardless, what a story it would be if Brown should gain advertising and doubtlessly face Celtic come 2024/25.

Like many other years, the 2d tier has proved to be extraordinarily competitive, making it too tough to name when discussing who is the most probable to make the step up to the Scottish Premiership.

Celtic hero Scott Brown tells hilarious media branch tale

Former Scotland international Brown will be back at Parkhead later this 12 months as he prepares to don the captain’s armband again for the Celtic Legends vs Borussia Dortmund charity match on May 26th.

Speaking to BBC Scotland, he printed that shaving his hair used to be only a measure to intimidate opponents, and he has given that grown it back for his children.

Brown stated: “(I did it) To intimidate people. It labored quite well if I’m honest. During COVID-19, the children requested if I really did have hair, and I wasn’t one hundred percent certain if I in reality should grow it or if I had a receeder.

He then added: “I idea ‘we’ll go eight, 9 weeks’, and it began to grow. I always had simply think, Brillo pad hair. No style to it in anyway however it simply grows out like a tennis ball.”

Later on, he said: “I ended up getting my first pictures going returned to Celtic after COVID-19. Got the images with hair and then shaved it for the first game. You can think about the media crew were now not glad with me!”

“I used to be usually going to shave it for the games; it used to be part and parcel of who I was.”

Everybody has their vices, and Brown truly felt that shaving his hair off used to be a way to channel some of his power into being the fine model of himself on the pitch.

On the face of it, there is a certain humorous factor to this conversation; however, it honestly didn’t do him any damage for the duration of his Celtic career, it is honest to say.

How the Celtics’ locker room responded to Joe Hart’s shocking revelation about his burning ambition

The keeper is set to hang up his gloves at the quit of the season and his teammates want to grant a grandstand finale

Stephen Welsh admits the Celtic squad was startled when Joe Hart dropped the bombshell information he was once placing up his gloves at the give up of the season.

But the defender revealed the Hoops dressing room is decided to pocket a couple extra winners’ medals to give the keeper the ideal send off. Hart has been one of Brendan Rodgers’ star performers for Celts this season in the course of a marketing campaign that’s been a conflict at instances with injuries to key players and departures of large names.

The 36-year-old’s revelation he was calling it a day got here as a shock amid a run of fits when the former England hero used to be making crucial saves to maintain the Hoops in the title hunt. Hart desired to make the call public to eliminate any distraction from the struggle for the Premiership and whilst the clock is now ticking, the shot stopper’s overall performance tiers have remained high.

Welsh admitted the information was a primary blow due to the fact the Three Lions legend is a big presence at the club. He said: “When the information came out when he stated that he was once retiring, we were all a wee bit gutted, to be honest. Joe has been an absolute revelation for us. Honestly.

“Since he has come into the club, human beings have viewed it on the pitch, but off the pitch he’s been likely a role mannequin for young boys, lads like me. Having Harty at the back of me, you sense secure. Some of the saves he pulls off and anything with stuff on the pitch and off it, he’s a big assist to us.”

Welsh now wants to return the favour – with the aid of adding to Hart’s extraordinary medal haul. There’s a long listing of set up English Premier League stars coming to Scotland in the twilights of their careers and searching extra fascinated in topping up their pensions than their honours list.

But Hart – who completed a smooth sweep of silverware in his time with Man City – has launched himself into existence in Scotland. The keeper was once one of Ange Postecoglou’s first singings in 2021 and he grew to be one of the major driving forces as the Aussie scooped 5 trophies out of six earlier than heading to Spurs down south.

Hart persevered to be the primary man beneath Brendan Rodgers and no matter the disappointment of dropping out on the League Cup, Welsh is out to make certain the No.1 has every other couple of gongs for his series with the Premiership and Scottish Cup up for grabs.

The centre returned said: “Exactly. Harty has needless to say gained plenty of trophies in his time and, hopefully, I would think about that he will favor to go out on a high. But, as I have said previously, we are only searching at the video games that we can manipulate and that we can go and win.”

Welsh knows Hart will have a big say as nicely as one of the generals in the Hoops dressing room alongside skipper Callum McGregor. He said: “Yes, definitely. He can get after us as well. If we’re slacking off a wee bit, he’s the first person to get us up for it and he’s the first man or woman to reward you for something, too. He’s been notable for us.”

It’s been a season of transition at Celtic Park with Rodgers returning and the squad evolving. Welsh has viewed his role trade as well, as he’s no longer the new youngster on the block.

Instead he admitted his job is to help the next batch of Hoops children coming via the ranks like he did. Welsh had the likes of Callum McGregor, James Forrest and Kieran Tierney for inspiration. And he will be on hand to assist rising talents such as Daniel Kelly and Rocco Vata, who are banging on the first group door.

He said: “I was 24 no longer lengthy ago, they’re making me sense old! Having suitable ride in the team as properly as adolescence is a properly combination. I still feel like one of the young players, there are a few older boys!

“But when there are a few younger gamers coming thru you want to make them sense welcome and make sure they are up to the requirements in coaching as well. From what I can see, the lads have been clearly good.

“We’ve all been thru the identical process, coming in honestly younger and going thru the school. Then the hard work starts offevolved when you are 18, 19 and attempting to spoil into the first team, that’s the hardest point.”

Rodgers hasn’t been afraid to chuck the kids in, with Kelly in specific making the most of his chance. And at one point in the Scottish Cup clash towards Buckie returned in January, Celtic had 5 gamers on the pitch who all went to the equal school. Welsh got here through the St Ninian’s academy hyperlink up, along with Anthony Ralston, Mikey Johnston, Kelly and Vata.

The centre half said: “It’s continually excellent to have the childhood gamers on, that is what the club is based totally on as well, advertising young gamers to eventually become Champions League players. For all 5 of us to come on and do that used to be great, and it’s extraordinary for the club and the machine as well. It indicates that there is a pathway via from younger players.

“Callum, James and KT had been possibly the gamers that I looked up to when they broke through, and now it’s me, Tony Ralston and Mikey Johnston that are the subsequent few to ruin through. It’s about simply building on that each and every three or four years, can we get as many youth players up to instruct with the squad as possible?

“The squad is a bit better just now, so the opportunities might be a bit fewer and farther between, but there are lads like DK (Daniel Kelly). He’s earned that thru hard work and performing nicely in training.”

Former referees referred the SFA as ‘arrogant’ following Don Robertson’s Celtic hiring

The SFA’s selection to appoint Don Robertson as the referee for the upcoming Livingston vs Celtic match has sparked controversy, given its timing just days after Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers is set to research the result of his disciplinary hearing.

Rodgers faces the opportunity of a two-game touchline ban for a heated outburst directed at Robertson and VAR legitimate John Beaton following Celtic’s defeat to Hearts in February.

The announcement of Robertson’s venture to the match at Almondvale has raised eyebrows, particularly thinking about the context of Rodgers’ pending hearing, which ought to see him absent from the dugout for at least two matches.

The decisions made via Robertson and Beaton in the healthy in opposition to Hearts, including a red card for Yang and a penalty awarded towards Tomoki Iwata after VAR reviews, were the catalyst for Rodgers’ criticism.

The SFA’s choice has been criticised by Des Roache and Steve Conroy, two former Category 1 Referees, on their podcast. They took to Twitter to specific their disapproval, labelling the selection as “arrogant, distasteful, and disrespectful.”

They argued that whilst golf equipment should no longer influence referee appointments, the SFA may want to have exercised better judgment with the aid of deciding on a distinct official for the game, particularly before the decision of the disciplinary method involving Rodgers.

They posted: “The SFA don’t do themselves or their Referees and favours. While Clubs need to now not get to dictate who receives to Referee their games. It may additionally have been wise to have allotted the recreation to any individual else before the hearing system was concluded.

“This appointment is arrogant, distasteful and disrespectful to all.”

Joe Ledley believes that incremental transition will give Celtics a title advantage, and James Forrest has significance beyond minutes

The Welshman saw Forrest emerge as a Parkhead boy however insists the man can nevertheless have a massive say in Rangers title race.

Joe Ledley joined Celtic as James Forrest used to be beginning out on his fantastic career of medal winning. Fast ahead 14 years and the winger is nevertheless having an influence.

And Ledley reckons his historical team-mate and buddy can once more be a key contributor as the champions try to see off the mission of Rangers and claim their trendy crown. 32-year-old Forrest has been a peripheral figure through most of the marketing campaign with Brendan Rodgers trying a variety of huge options. However, no one at the membership has greater journey of prevailing titles than Forrest and he gave be aware of his modern-day well being with a lovely strike for a aim in Celtic’s remaining day out in opposition to St Johnstone 10 days ago.

The attacker is now in line for any other opportunity against Livingston on Sunday and Ledley says Forrest’s valuable nous will be key in the weeks ahead. The Welshman, who signed just a few weeks after Forrest made his top-team debut below the administration of Neil Lennon against Motherwell in 2010, reckons there’s no alternative for know-how when it comes to the nitty-gritty stage of the term.

With 23 winners’ medals on his CV which includes eleven titles, Rodgers, who was boss for two of those, is aware of he has a man who can celebrity within his unit. Ledley said: “Obviously, Jamesy is very skilled now. It is in reality some thing that’s vital and you only have to seem returned at what he has won for Celtic. It is remarkable.

“It’s excellent to see him getting some greater minutes on the pitch as well now due to the fact he has been unfortunate with accidents in his career and also thru this season. To have any person like that with that substantial trip of having been there and finished round the coaching floor and bringing humans on is massive at any time, however even extra so this time of a season.

“What you do off the pitch and away from a matchday can be just as treasured to a squad and to a manager. It is all about placing requirements and making sure that every body is up to speed.

“Also making sure anyone round the team realises how lots this title, and any title, skill to the club. Seeing him come on the different day in opposition to St Johnstone and scoring is fantastic, but he can play a large role off the park, too.

“I be aware of he has been restricted with minutes at the moment with some of the different wingers doing so well. Daizen Maeda for example has been doing properly and scored a hat-trick recently.

“It is going to be tough for him to get in there but as soon as you get that chance, it is all about making an have an impact on and Jamesy has shown for a lengthy time he is succesful of doing that.

“What a remarkable career he has had at Celtic. I bear in mind when I signed he was once just coming thru into the first team and I’m sure it was Lenny who gave him his debut.

“You should see even way back then that he was once going to be a unique player. He had the tempo and he had the balance and he simply stored improving his game.

Celtic’s James Forrest (Image: PA)

“He simply started out to get greater and greater dreams and assists and he has been unfortunate in the last few years with injury. He has continually produced for the club.”

With eight games to go, each and every second is going to be vital in the flag fight as the Old Firm go head to head for the honour. With two league derbies in the season remaining, the result of the crunch clashes at Ibrox on Sunday week and Celtic Park after the break up may be pivotal.

Ledley, who will be returned at his ancient membership at the end of May to play in Celtic Legends versus Borussia Dortmund Legends charity match, knows what it takes to deliver in those matches having scored a winner for Lennon’s team as they defeated the Light Blues on their way to the title in 2011/12.

However, though he is conscious the head-to-heads are going to hold essential significance, the former midfielder is cautious about all emphasis going onto the double header. Both Celtic and Rangers have spilled points in different matches this term to attain this point and there ought to be twists and turns away from the derbies.

Ledley said: “It is very tight and, of course, the games between the two teams seem as if they are going to be figuring out video games that dictate who comes out on top.

“But I have seen a few times this season that Celtic and Rangers have slipped up in games the place you felt they would have won and they didn’t. So it is going to be tight. Getting that win in opposition to your competitors in the ultimate two video games in the league is vital.

“But, as I said, we’ve viewed it severa instances this season that there have been slips just when you do not assume it. So if Celtic get that win against Rangers, you can’t think that’s it and the game is over. It’s not. Far from it.

“A draw somewhere and that is two factors of the three factors won long gone and it is all lower back on again. Goal distinction is tight, points are tight, it is going to be one of the tightest finishes in a lengthy time.”

Steve Clarke identifies player who had ‘best game for Scotland’ as manager gives ‘no panic’ message

Billy Gilmour’s overall performance fit to grace No.14 shirt in stadium named after a Dutch icon

Steve Clarke has sought to accentuate the positives following a bruising cease to Friday night’s pleasant defeat to the Netherlands and with the prolonged search for a win moving on to Tuesday night’s clash with Northern Ireland.

The Scotland manager described victory as non-negotiable against Michael O’Neill’s team, who characterize the next hazard to arrest a winless run that now stands at six outings. “The next game I want to win, it is simple,” said Clarke. “I favor to win. I just choose to win. I favor to stop the run of no wins.”

He was sensible about the response to the 4-0 defeat in Amsterdam, which he knew would be targeted on the late crumple amid a couple of substitutions. “The terrible is 4-0,” he said. “You can’t conceal from 4-0. It is a spanking. It used to be sore. The lads are hurting, I am hurting. The staff are hurting. But we will recover.”

At the coronary heart of the healing bid will be Billy Gilmour, who posted another coming-of-age performance in the Netherlands, one Clarke hailed as the midfielder’s quality in a Scotland jersey. It was once excessive praise from the manager when one considers how well he acquitted himself towards England on his full aggressive debut all through the Euro 2020 finals.

It appeared fitting that Gilmour’s modern-day bravura performance must come in the Johan Cruyff Arena considering the fact that he was once sporting the No 14 shirt made well-known via the Dutch legend.

“Yes, that’s nice,” noted Clarke. “It simply indicates the ordinary football he is taking part in for Brighton in the English Premier League is pushing him on. He is getting higher and better. We have continually stated that about Billy. He is one for the future, however he’s additionally one for now. He is a properly player. He confirmed that.”

Gilmour is surely benefitting from ordinary enjoying time. Friday was once his 42nd appearance for membership and united states of america this season, which is already a profession pleasant whole for the 22-year-old.

Clarke revealed he would no longer have opted to take Gilmour off after 69 minutes had the healthy been a aggressive fixture. The manager defined that he wanted to take another seem to be at Lewis Ferguson, who is excelling in Serie A with Bologna. Scotland seemed to fall aside in each Gilmour and left centre-half Kieran Tierney’s absence, who was changed through John Souttar a minute earlier.

“That was once harsh,” he mentioned with reference to Gilmour. “It was Billy’s pleasant game for Scotland, in my opinion. It was his fine game. Outstanding. I took him off because I desired to freshen it up, I desired to give Lewis a bit of time on the pitch. Before those substitutions had a chance to mattress themselves into the sport it is 2-0. And then from 2-0 it all at once became a lengthy night.”

He admits the ragged conclusion to Friday night’s game would possibly alter his questioning earlier than Tuesday’s game against a raw but brilliant Northern Ireland side, who picked up a creditable 1-1 draw in Romania whilst Scotland were falling to a heavy defeat in Amsterdam.

“I need to go away and think about that one,” he said. “I had an thinking in my head. I need to go away and sleep on it. Whatever crew I select need to win a game, that’s how I feel. We hold pronouncing we have precise power in depth in the squad, so whichever team, whether or not I decide to make 5 or six modifications or one or two changes, we still appear to win the game.”

He admitted attempting to play the Dutch at their own recreation as he ponders how to strategy June’s Euro 2024 opener towards Germany. “Sometimes when we play in opposition to the higher teams, now and again we play with a little bit of a decrease block and sit down in and let them play in the front of us and then we strive to counter attack from there,” he explained. “I just felt that searching at what we have and what we have to do to be better towards these groups is to strive and force them a little bit, so you win the ball higher up the pitch and it offers you a chance to score. And we created chances.”

His message to the Tartan Army was no longer to panic – or at least no longer to fret about loss of belief inside the personnel and enjoying group. He stated followers are permitted to panic if they wish. “It does no longer rely to me (the reaction returned home),” he said. “I won’t panic. We don’t panic. We just strive to get better and optimistically supply every person a better night on Tuesday.”

There is no requirement to offer any distinct encouragement to Lawrence Shankland, the 28-goal Hearts striker whose everyday sureness in the penalty place deserted him at a indispensable second on Friday when failing to convert a chance that would have made it 1-1.

Asked if he would put an arm round him this weekend in training, Clarke replied: “Why? Strikers leave out more chances than they rating goals. He will recover from it. I concept he did well.”