Sydney van Hooijdonk ‘destined’ for Celtic transfer after unseen scouting mission The Ange factor could provide the final push

Reports in Italy state that the Dutchman is on the Parkhead agenda with January speedy approaching.

Sydney van Hooijdonk Out of favour Bologna striker Sydney van Hooijdonk is “destined” to make a cross to Celtic in January, according to a report in Italy.

The son of former Hoops’ hero Pierre was touted with a pass to the Scottish Premiership champions remaining summer time but Thiago Motta closed the exit door for the 23-year-old as he used to be supplied a danger to galvanize his boss in Serie A. However, he has struggled for normal sport time netting simply one goal in his nine appearance this term – which have generally come off the bench.

Brendan Rodgers are in dire need of attacking reinforcements when the January window opens – with Yang and Oh Hyeon-gyu heading off for the Asian Cup with South Korea while Daizen Maeda and Kyogo Furuhashi probable to observe when the Japan squad is announced. Reports in Italy had in the past claimed that Celtic chiefs had made “initial” inquiries over Van Hooijdonk’s availability.

And Corriere di Bologna now declare that the striker is “destined” to leave in January with Celtic’s eyes “falling” on the Dutchman. Bologna are stated to open to a deal if they can discover a replacement with Hoops scouts said to have watched the participant this term.

That should require a favour from former Parkhead boss Ange Postecoglou. Several reviews in England say that the Tottenham supervisor is open to shifting on Alejo Veliz on loan – with Bologna registering an interest. That should be the domino that falls to set a Van Hooijdonk arrival at Bologna in motion.

The departure of Harry Kewell from Celtic is imminent

Harry Kewell in the procedure of finalising backroom staff ahead of Yokohama F. Marinos appointment…

Harry Kewell, First Team Coach of Celtic, looks on prior to the Cinch Scottish Premiership match between Celtic FC and Heart of Midlothian at Celtic Park on March 08, 2023. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

Celtic coach, Harry Kewell is in the procedure of finalising his backroom team of workers earlier than he departs Celtic Park for Japan. The Australian was brought to the club two years ago, when fellow countryman Ange Postecoglou added the former Liverpool and Leeds United winger to his coaching staff. It used to be a profitable move all round which garnered foremost results as the Hoops romped to a home Treble remaining season.

The club’s wingers have all remarked how effective an affect Kewell has been on their very own respective careers’ but more importantly, around the whole group up at Lennoxtown generally. Kewell was once always going to harbour ambitions of moving into management again at some point following his stint in the English decrease leagues with various employers.

Harry Kewell, First Team Coach of Celtic, gestures prior to the Cinch Scottish Premiership match between Celtic FC and Heart of Midlothian at Celtic Park on March 08, 2023 (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

Now that we comprehend the man that Ange introduced to the club is certainly leaving in the next few days and has just to finalise the contributors of his very own backroom staff for his new adventure. Brendan Rodgers has previously referred to he wouldn’t stand in any of his coaches’ way if they desired to attempt their personal hand at management on their personal away from Parkhead.

That now looks like becoming a fact and Celtic will as soon as again be on the lookout for a sparkling recruit at Paradise. Harry replaced Damien Duff in essence, after he determined to go his personal way a few years back when Postecoglou first got here into the club. We’re lower back to rectangular one in this respect once more and no doubt Brendan Rodgers will have his very own thoughts and perhaps even an eye on any person who he is aware of well.

No surprises but from what I’ve heard Kewell & Hutchinson to Yokohama #FMarinos both done 🇦🇺

Celtic’s Kewell will replace countryman Muscat at #JLeague club.

Fellow Aussie Hutchinson, who has been working at city rivals Yokohama FC, will return to Marinos as assistant. pic.twitter.com/Sp0eHwsvf5

— Sacha Pisani (@Sachk0) December 27, 2023

Paul Gillespie

Celtic mainstay excited about Rangers match for reasons other than opening up an eight-point lead

Perpetual undulations seem at work for Celtic in this season’s title race.

As they headed out of Dens Park late on Boxing Day after a pleasurable 3-0 success that put similarly distance between them and the latest back-to-back league defeats shaking the club to their core, there was only one discussion-point round Brendan Rodgers’ side. It took the structure of the likely need to keep away from defeat in Saturday’s derby to stop them dropping their region at the summit of Scottish Premiership. However, the storm-induced tour disruptions for Ross County that forced the postponement of their bitter rivals’ web hosting of the Highland side the following night has positioned a specific slant on the disagreement at the weekend.

Suddenly, it is a recreation that affords Celtic the possibility to set up an eight-point hole over opponents fully revitalised below Philippe Clement, but who have contested two fewer video games than the adversaries whose league crown is firmly in their sights. Yet, it is no longer this backdrop that it appears Greg Taylor is set to consider when he ruminates on a match-up where there is “only three factors on the line; like each and every other league game”. Instead, it is the full force of the complete 60,000 ability at Celtic Park willing him and his team-mates on – a end result of his club denying Rangers any ticket allocation – that appears to whet his appetite.

Three weeks ago, the atmosphere at the stadium used to be toxic with chants of ‘sack the board’ reverberating as Rodgers’ guys slumped to a 2-0 loss in opposition to Hearts that consigned Celtic to a first home league defeat in nearly three years. At least initially, the backing will be ordinary – as it was once even as Celtic trooped off the pitch at the cease of a first-half at Dens the place they have been unable to pressure a breakthrough. The Scotland full-back delighting in the travelling fans being “right up for it”, as is a given for Rangers coming to their patch. “[It is an] splendid feeling,” he said. “Having a stadium full of your own fans, right behind you pushing you from the second go. So it’ll be interesting and we are all looking forward to it.”

The Dundee success following on from a convincing-enough 2-0 home win over Livingston prompts the belief in an anticipated temper swing. Taylor, though, doesn’t concur with the contention that in the aftermath of the Hearts reverse – on the returned of a second-half fall down that resulted in a 2-1 defeat at Kilmarnock – there may additionally have been too lots of a rush to forget about that even this season Celtic have proven they can be a pressure to be reckoned with. “No, I wouldn’t say so,” Taylor said. “We had disappointing performances and, when that comes, you get a bit of stick. That’s normal, in particular at a club this size. The supporters demand performances and results. The two defeats together weren’t suitable enough, so, no, I suppose it used to be justified we took a bit of stick, but there are a lot of boys in there [the dressing room] with big, broad shoulders who can take it and go out and show [people] wrong.”

The first leaks of Celtic’s 2024/25 home kit have surfaced

Adidas is currently entering the last year of its five-year partnership with Celtic, initiated in 2020, and has produced a range of football strips that have sparked various opinions among fans.

The designs have oscillated between being hailed as special and elegant to being criticised as unappealing.

The modern speculation about subsequent season’s home shirt, primarily based on leaks mentioned by Footy Headlines, has stirred up discussion. According to these leaks, the new design, which follows a latest Adidas template, has not been officially confirmed yet.

However, if the leaked designs are accurate, the upcoming shirt is already producing strong reactions, with some suggesting it could be regarded one of the least favourable Celtic shirts to date.

This is a diagram that’s been mocked up that Footy Headlines believes will be close to the completed article.

Breaking the hoops… that won’t go down well.

What some followers might think about a daring and sparkling look, others may see as a departure from subculture or an aesthetic misstep.

For Celtic and Adidas, the challenge lies in balancing innovation with tradition, ensuring that new designs admire the club’s rich heritage whilst also appealing to present day tastes. As the present day contract nears its end, it stays to be considered how this partnership will evolve and what impact it will have on the future aesthetic of Celtic’s kits.

Pundit asserts Since Rodgers’ initial stint, Celtic has been considering strikers

It is no mystery that Brendan Rodgers and Celtic are in the market for a striker this January. Marco Tilio has already been misplaced to the Asian Cup, and so ought to the likes of Kyogo, Daizen Maeda, Oh, and Reo Hatate.

This may want to immediate the Hoops into signing a new frontman, and in accordance to Portuguese outlet O JOGO, they are one of two aspects main the race for Wolves striker Fabio Silva.

The 21-year-old moved to Molineux for a enormous 40 million euros (Transfermarkt) as a teenager. He is nevertheless but to spoil into the first-team in the Black u . s . a . after spells on mortgage at PSV and Anderlecht the place he made a combined fifty one appearances, and registered 22 goal contributions all-in.

Any move for Silva would be a loan, but he is a participant who has long been on the radar at Parkhead, in accordance to Andy Walker: “He used to be on Celtic’s radar a quantity of years ago”, he stated (Go Radio via Daily Record). “I consider doing a recreation down south and he used to be enjoying for Wolves. They were all talking about the activity from Celtic. He has obtained skill. He has received capability and performed at a right level. That was throughout Brendan’s first spell in charge.”

Undoubtedly, the champions want reinforcements in attack. Questions have been raised, though, over whether or not Silva is the tested nice that is needed.

Just 21, it would be unfair to count on a player of his age in a hotly contested title race. The judgement of Brendan Rodgers will need to be trusted, however, and Silva virtually looks like a man who is of activity to the Parkhead gaffer.

‘I was told,’ Sky Pundit explains why Celtic did not sign a striker this summer

Celtic’s seeming incapacity to signal a striker in the summer time switch window used to be down to one key purpose according to Sky Sports’, Anthony Joseph.

Joseph said he used to be informed that the reason why Celtic never purchased another striker was once down to another summer season signing’s ability to play that ahead role.

Joseph said [The Celtic Exchange Podast], “Celtic nearly have been saying, surely what I was being told, used to be that that they’re not going to be getting a striker in earlier than the stop of the window.

“And also with one supply telling me that Luis Palma can additionally play up front. And I keep in mind placing that out there was that it’s searching increasingly more not likely that Celtic will go again in for Kvistgaarden, they are not likely to carry in a striker because Luis Palma can also play up front due to the fact that was once what I was being told.”

Now I can apprehend the club’s, or Brendan Rodgers‘ reasons for this. With Hyeongyu Oh as the backup to Kyogo Furuhashi, having Palma handy as a 1/3 alternative negated the necessity to payout for any other frontman.

Indeed, even Daizen Maeda can fill in as a lone striker however this design had one deadly flaw. It appears that injuries and the terrible form (or quality) of the other summer signings were not taken into account.

Losing Maeda and Leil Abada to injury has been a large blow for Rodgers. That coupled with Hyunjun Yang and Mikey Johnston both failing to impress meant that the Celtic manager’s capability to utilise his squad efficaciously has hurt consequences on the pitch.

With no creativity from the broad areas, Kyogo has struggled to hit the goalscoring structure that the Celtic fans have come to be accustomed to as the team’s current struggles have shown.

Hopefully with the benefit of hindsight, Rodgers will now seem to be to January to see if he can bolster that vicinity of the team because if he needs to win this title and the £60m that goes with it, the Celtic manager will need to enhance his firepower.

‘Conversations I had’: A Sky journalist discusses the sum he has heard Celtic would accept for Matt O’Riley

The activity in Matt O’Riley from other golf equipment so a ways this season has been huge. The midfielder has been in fantastic structure and is attracting interest from golf equipment throughout Europe.

The 23-year-old’s upward jab to stardom has been quite wonderful and it seems that as his worldwide attention grows alongside his performances in the Champions League, Celtic should earn a fortune if, and when, they figure out to promote him.

So what can Celtic count on to fetch for O’Riley? A report fee? That really looks to be what the club will be searching for after Anthony Joseph shared what he’s been advised would be an desirable sum of money to make Celtic do business.

Joseph stated [The Celtic Exchange Podcast], “Celtic is in a very top function regarding Matt O’Riley. He’s simply signed a new contract, a bumper contract at that.

“Celtic rejected £10 million from Leeds United in the remaining couple of days of the transfer window and that kind of sparked Celtic looking to get him down on accelerated terms.

“I imply when Leeds have been coming in with £10 million bids the thinking method was, certainly from the conversations I had, I don’t assume Celtic would have entertained anything under £15 million.

“But even £15 million probable wouldn’t have finished it. It would have had to be around £20 million to open that conversation, I assume anyway.

“And with a new contract that’s got to be the case again. The reality he signed a new contract I would reckon Celtic wouldn’t open the conversation until until there used to be £20 million perhaps even up to £25 million.”

For me, I hope Celtic don’t appear to promote O’Riley in January. With the league title in the balance and a £60m Champions League bounty up for grabs, it would be foolish for the membership to even ponder it right now.

If Celtic can get the league title over the line then they need to at least strive and hold onto the 23-year-old for some other season.

One extra crack at the Champions League may additionally be enough to tempt him to stay on but Celtic must enhance as a consequence due to the fact O’Riley won’t be joyful to continue to be on the incorrect cease of any more embarrassing results in Europe’s top competition.

Brendan Rodgers makes allusions to Reo Hatate’s impending comeback

The Celtic Star attended the post-match media conference at Celtic Park this afternoon after the Hoops defeated Livingston 2-0, a scoreline that flattered David Martindale’s relegation favourites who furnished a perfect instance of anti-football this afternoon and should be proud of preserving the scoreline decent having had zero photographs at goal and zero corner-kicks.

Jessica Elliott attended on behalf of The Celtic Star and even managed to have a wee chat with the supervisor after the convention ended. Here’s what used to be said:

Q: Feels like you’re getting again to your historic selves?

Brendan Rodgers: “Listen, it used to be a very correct win. It’s obviously been a difficult week on the back of the two league results that we’ve had. Naturally, when you’re a Celtic player or coach, it’s now not what you want. But today, I thinking the gamers have been excellent. Right from the first whistle, the tempo in the game was certainly good. We could manage the game. Created lots of possibilities and possibly the players didn’t get what they deserved out of the game, which was once probably a higher score line. Some in reality accurate moments in the recreation and delighted with the overall performance and win.

Kyogo Furuhashi of Celtic celebrates after scoring his team’s opening goal during the Cinch Scottish Premiership match between Celtic and Livingston at Celtic Park  on December 23, 2023. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

Q: You spoke the day before today about harmony and how every body needs to get at the back of the team. At half-time, there could’ve been frustration about not scoring but there wasn’t?

Brendan Rodgers: “Clearly, the supporters here, they’re no longer daft. They recognize football. You know, there’s been a few games here where we haven’t been as comprehensive as what we had been going into half-time, however I assume they can see that we have been developing opportunities, we simply hadn’t put the probabilities away.

“That’s what I strengthened to the players at half-time. Just that you have to be power now. You don’t want to change anything, simply keep the structure, hold the speed in the game and the possibilities will come. Thankfully we got the early breakthrough, and we may want to push on from that.”

Luiyi de Lucas of Livingston vies with Kyogo Furuhashi of Celtic during the Cinch Scottish Premiership match between Celtic and Livingston at Celtic Park Stadium on December 23, 2023 . (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

Q: Is it necessary that Kyogo received a goal?

Brendan Rodgers: “I suppose he’s three dreams short of where he was final season. For me, it’s greater important for the team. The team desires it. Clearly, strikers, attacking players, it’s their job to create and rating dreams so I suppose you seen the alleviation in his face. He was pleased to score and it used to be a precise finish due to the fact he’s read it well, move comes and it used to be fantastic for him to get the goal, due to the fact he had some different opportunities that didn’t quite drop for him. From a crew perspective, it’s precisely what we needed.”

Q: What’s Kyogo like? Does he get a bit down when he doesn’t score or is his confidence nonetheless high?

Brendan Rodgers: “I suppose it’s one the place there’s in all likelihood been moments of frustration for him this season because he maybe hasn’t quite had the ball through or maybe had the runs in in the back of that permits him to get into positions that clearly highlights his clever movement. But he’s stored going. He’s saved persistent. He’s of course got this shoulder issue, however he’s kept working and that’s important.

“Like I say, he’s simply brief of where he was once remaining season in terms of goals, however I suppose any striker – they favor to get goals. For me, it’s not about just the striker because you can have a striker that receives 40 goals but it’s not excellent if the different participants of the group aren’t contributing. So yeah, exceptional to get a aim for him. Also great to get one from a set piece as well. For me, we need to be plenty higher in that area, so we looked a threat from these moments and needless to say get the intention from Liam.”

Q: Pleased with the contribution from Luis Palma?

Brendan Rodgers: “Yeah. I assume seeing that he’s come in, in equity to him, he’s created dreams and scored goals. Like you say, he’s very right on these dead ball situations. It was once proper contribution from him.”

Q: Does Reo Hatate have a danger of playing on Tuesday or Saturday?

Brendan Rodgers: “Possibility, however we’ll simply have to see on that. He’s been out on the grass and he’s been working well. He appears sturdy and fit. We’ll simply have to verify that and weigh up the risk.

“For the 2d part of the season, he’s going to be huge for us. He’s such an instrumental player and the dynamic that he offers the team. He hasn’t featured plenty in the first part of the season however a sport he got here in to until now on in the season, the whole pace of the sport used to be different.

“That’s what we’re about, that tempo, that intensity. So the quicker we get him back, it’ll be like a new signing for us.”

Daizen Maeda of Celtic shoots at goal during the Cinch Scottish Premiership match between Celtic FC and Livingston FC at Celtic Park Stadium on December 23, 2023 in Glasgow, Scotland. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

Q: Maeda came in these days and did his bit. Is Abada close to returning?

Brendan Rodgers: “He’s getting there as well. We’ll just have to see with Liel. He’s been out for a little while, however I think, for the likes of Liel, if it’s now not for the next few video games then virtually by using the 2nd part of the season, he should be a gorgeous help to the team.

“Daizen receives his recreation time today. You can see he’s not thoroughly suit however it’s every other recreation for him, another 60 ordinary minutes and that’ll help him.”

Q: Does having Maeda return to the beginning line-up help elevate the tempo of the team?

Brendan Rodgers: “Football will constantly look exclusive if you’ve got gamers with the profile of velocity in the game, and that’s how this group has been built. The minute you take that out, that penetration to go in behind, then everything can be in the front and that’s no longer how my groups work or how this team works. You can see the chance he affords in behind puts human beings on the backfoot and then it places you into depth which is the place you choose to go due to the fact you favor to create possibilities and be able to score goals. So, he gives us that and it’s precise to have him back. And when Abada comes back, he’ll supply us that and we’ll see what we can do in January as properly to amplify that.”

Brendan Rodgers gives Chris Sutton a slap for “going through the motions” in the Celtics game

BRENDAN RODGERS has refuted suggestions from former Celtic striker Chris Sutton that he is ‘going through the motions’ at some stage in his second spell in charge of the club, saying that he nevertheless has the fire to carry success to Celtic Park.

Speaking on the Daily Mail ‘It’s all Kicking Off’ podcast earlier this week, Sutton argued that Rodgers had to count on greater of the blame for current ‘flat’ performances, saying: “At the second this Celtic team are disjointed and going thru the motions. And there’s a fair argument to suggest Brendan Rodgers has been going through the motions this season.”

But the Celtic supervisor gave short shrift to Sutton’s comments, saying that he would never have had the success he has during his profession if he wasn’t giving his all to his job.

“That’s the first I’ve heard of that,” Rodgers said.

“In my career, I wouldn’t be sat right here if I went thru the motions in anything.

“I had no massive enjoying career, no large records in the game. I had to fight for the whole thing I received in the game.

“That will continually be the case. I’ve in no way been granted any privileges in my existence as a younger coach and as a manager.

“So, no, I’ve sincerely now not long past via the motion, that’s for sure.

“[The fire]’s nevertheless constantly there. I’m here to win, I’ve stated that before, and I understand how to win. It’s now not new.

“I stated that to gamers in here in the past in the season, when we had the game in opposition to St Johnstone at home. I’m here to win, now not to draw and simply not to lose games. And I be aware of how to win. And that’s something that, over time, with any luck I can exhibit here.

“I was here in my first time with a group of players who I used to be able to maximise the attainable of simply all of them. It will be the identical here. With the right profile of gamers – and players we can bring up – they will do that. That’s what I’ve performed all my career.

“So, no, I’m really not going via the motions. It’s a exclusive duration of my managerial career, however I’m virtually not going thru the motions.”

While he bristled a little at that accusation from Sutton, Rodgers insists that the flak presently coming his way after the defeats to Kilmarnock and Hearts has no effect on him or on his team.

“I don’t hear to it,” he said.

“I assume there used to be criticism due to the fact we misplaced but I couldn’t tell you where it’s come from or who it’s been given from.

“That’s phase of the role of a manager. You learn to alter that. I’m also one who, with experience, in no way receives too emotional with words.

“I determine matters logically and the truth was that we weren’t correct enough. For some thing reason. Second 1/2 towards Kilmarnock, towards Hearts – we weren’t excellent enough. There are classes there for us as a team. Hopefully we can heed these lessons, that’s part of the challenge.

“In phrases of criticism, listen, it takes place when you’re no longer winning. It’s some thing that should have an effect on you when you’re a very younger manager, but it doesn’t [affect] me.

“I’m here with a mentality to make this proper and with a bit of luck we can supply that.”

Rangers ‘to endure 2 years without penalty loss’, Celtic acquires an EPL striker, Green Brigade returns, Hibs vs Hearts TV debut – Scottish football news

The trendy news from throughout Scottish soccer as the names of two attainable Celtic transfer ambitions emerge

Celtic move for EPL striker

Celtic have submitted an enquiry to Wolves over the availability of striker Fabio Silva, in accordance to a report. Wolves signed the Portugal Under-21 international from Porto for a club file £35million price again in 2020 and he has scored five goals in seventy two appearances for the Molineux outfit. He has fallen down the pecking order below manager Gary O’Neil with just three begins in the English Premier League this season, whilst his solely intention of the campaign so some distance came in a League Cup win over Blackpool. Silva used to be loaned out twice last season, scoring seven goals in 20 appearances at Anderlecht, before becoming a member of PSV in January, where he managed four desires in 14 matches. Football Scotland claim that Celtic have made contact with Wolves with regards signing the forward, most probable on loan, with Brendan Rodgers keen to add to a striker to his squad in advance of the Asian Cup which should see Kyogo Furuhashi and Daizen Maeda called up through Japan, likewise Oh Hyeon-gyu for South Korea.

Hibs v Hearts TV first

Hibs head educate Nick Montgomery will wear a microphone as phase of Sky Sports’ stay insurance of Wednesday’s Edinburgh derby in Scottish football TV first. The pass is aimed at enabling fans staring at at domestic to hear the specific coaching and procedures from the sideline, whilst a member of the Hibs teaching workforce will put on a bodycam to supply a first-person standpoint of the team on the pitch from the dugout. Sky Sports will additionally be given get admission to to the Hearts crew motel for a pre-match meal, and a bodycam will be strapped to a Jambos player during the warm-up. The enhancements for the Easter Road showdown follows Sky Sports’ EFL ‘Innovation Game’ remaining season, which covered behind-the-scenes access for the broadcast of the Wycombe vs Portsmouth healthy in League One.

Green Brigade return

Celtic ultras, The Green Brigade, are set to return to Parkhead on Saturday for the match towards Livingston following a 13-game ban. The supporters team were denied tickets for all home and away fits after what club bosses described as “unacceptable conduct” back in November . The ban used to be imposed simply days after the group defied requests no longer to fly Palestine flags during October’s 2-2 draw with Atletico Madrid in the Champions League. Celtic have additionally obtained hefty fines from UEFA for fan behaviour during European fits which included lighting flares and exhibiting offensive banners. The dispute has now been resolved with the Green Brigade set to return to their normal corner area of the stadium for the visit of Livingston, and in advance of the Old Firm conflict aganst Rangers at Celtic Park on December 30.

Celtic watch Ivorian midfielder

Celtic have positioned Hacken midfielder Romeo Amane on their transfer watchlist, according to a report. The 20-year-old Ivorian impressed on Scottish soil until now this season when he helped the Swedish facet knock Aberdeen out of the Europa League play-offs with a 3-1 win at Pittodrie. Football Scotland declare Amane was watched through Celtic scouts during the Europa League healthy towards Qarabag in Azerbaijan final week with the playmaker set to be fast-tracked up the doable recruitment shortlist. Amane has scored three goals and contributed three aid for Hacken this season and was once linked with Ajax earlier this year.

Motherwell investment search no knee-jerk reaction

Motherwell supervisor Stuart Kettlewell has careworn the club’s search for funding is section of a herbal force to improve. Chairman Jim McMahon this week introduced he would step down by the give up of the season and claimed the club wished “significant investment” to keep a “competitive player budget”. Interim chief govt Derek Weir is additionally aiming to make way for a permanent successor by using the stop of March. The board will soon unveil plans for a fund-raising initiative which they have been working on for at least two years, however the fan-owned club had never beforehand publicly introduced their intentions. “I think we can dramatise things,” stated Kettlewell, whose crew host Rangers on Christmas Eve as they search for a first win in 15 matches. “The clearest way I can put it is this isn’t a knee-jerk reaction. I can stress from my factor of view, this is only being completed to see if we can move forward. All the add-ons about enormous investment, I have read one or two memories this week about other clubs, we are all trying to improve, we are all looking for that bit greater cash to attempt forward. It’s no one of a kind at Motherwell Football Club. That will have been a mindset for quite a few years at this club.”

Rangers penalty survival odds

A bookmaker has backed Rangers to go two full years besides conceding a penalty in the Scottish Premiership. It is seventy one matches due to the fact the Ibrox side remaining had a spot kick awarded towards them in the league again on January 18, 2022 in a 1-1 draw with Aberdeen at Pittodrie following an Alfredo Morelos handball. IF Philippe Clement’s rejuvenated facet keep away from conceding a spot-kick in their 4 remaining video games before the wintry weather damage – starting at Motherwell on Sunday, then Ross County at home, Celtic away and then Kilmarnock at home – then they will have survived 24 months except one being awarded in opposition to them, with the next match no longer till they travel to Easter Road to face Hibs on January 24. One bookmaker – https://instantcasino.com/ – have caught their neck out and supplied odds of 4/9 on them no longer conceding a penalty between now and then. Punters can get 7/4 on the run sooner or later coming to an stop in any of the subsequent four games.

Livingston will no longer be overawed by means of day trip to Celtic

Andrew Shinnie admitted Livingston are braced for a Celtic backlash on Saturday however the midfielder is adamant there will be “no defeatist attitude” as his bottom-of-the-table facet bid to stem a run of nine games barring a victory at the domestic of the cinch Premiership leaders. The Lions are five points adrift at the foot of the table and, following a slim defeat away to Aberdeen on Wednesday, their challenge does now not get any less difficult as they go to a Hoops facet bidding to soar returned after suffering back-to-back league defeats for the first time in a decade. “It’s not usually a appropriate element (to be taking part in a wounded animal) however either way they’re going to have to react to what’s been a couple of disappointing outcomes for them,” said Shinnie. “We’re awaiting them to strive to come flying out the traps after the closing couple of games so it will be a difficult one. At this minute in time, when you appear at the fixtures they’re all tough due to the fact we’re now not winning games. But Pittodrie is a challenging vicinity to go and we acquitted ourselves nicely on Wednesday. Celtic Park’s usually difficult and no longer many groups win there. But we’ve been there before and got points so there’s no defeatist attitude here. We’ll go there with a recreation design and they’re off the returned of a couple of awful consequences so if it’s a bit worrying there we’ll seem to be to capitalise on that.”

Rodgers and Clement want the same Portuguese striker for January, and Celtic and Rangers are “at the front of the race” for him

Celtic are set to do fighting with Rangers once again, this time for the signing of Fabio Silva from Wolverhampton Wanderers.

That’s according to O Jogo, who say the Old Firm duo are both eager on the striker as he looks to leave Molineux in the January transfer window, with Parkhead and Ibrox plausible destinations for him.

The newspaper reports that Silva is ‘preparing to depart Wolves’ when the market reopens and it appears he will be directed closer to Scottish football, the place Celtic and Rangers both have their eye on him.

The 21-year-old has another unnamed Spanish facet interested in him too, however the two Scottish teams, currently first and 2nd in the table are ‘at the front of the race’ according to O Jogo’s information.

Silva wants to go away again after barely proposing under Gary O’Neil this season and repeat the success he loved out on loan with Anderlecht and then PSV Eindhoven.

It is that which has presumably attracted Celtic and Rangers as they seem to bolster their squads for Brendan Rodgers and Philippe Clement.

Both sides aren’t entirely quick of options, with Celtic having Kyogo Furuhashi, Hyeon-gyu Oh and Johnny Kenny as striker selections while Rangers have Danilo, Cyriel Dessers, Kemar Roofe and Sam Lammers at their disposal, but actually see Silva as a step up on what they’ve got.

With simply two factors separating Celtic in first from Rangers in second, it’ll show to be a hard desire for Silva to make, need to they be the ones he has to pick out between as O Jogo suggest.

“I’m going to make a public statement.” Pundit believes Celtic man regrets ever joining the team

With Celtic apparently going thru a difficult spell at the moment, pundit, Ewan Cameron, believes all is no longer well behing the scenes at Parkhead.

After watching Brendan Rodgers‘ submit match interview, Cameron seen something odd about the Celtic manager and made a claim that Rodgers regrets coming again to Paradise.

Cameron stated [The Big Scottish Football Podcast], “Brendan Rodgers didn’t seem to be like he cared either. He stated he variety of anticipated it. Or it didn’t surprise him.

“I think there’s probable a combat going on behind the scenes politically. I’m additionally going to throw some thing out there.

“I suppose Brendan Rodgers these days regrets coming back. He regrets coming back. Everything about it.
“He wasn’t fully accepted when he walked via the doors. The Celtic fans had been ready to soar down his throat.

“And that’s what’s taking place proper now. And then Brendan Rodgers is now deflecting and hinting that these are no longer my players. This is now not who I favor to be playing.

“There’s Lagerbielke, they spent £3 million for him in the summer, apparently he’s up for sale in January.
“So I suppose there’s there’s a wee bit of infighting at the back of the scenes.”

Rodgers’ demeanour was once strange. Considering this was a manager who was, apparently, definitely livid with his team’s first half perfomance towards St Johnstone, the way the Celtic manager reacted after a meek home defeat in opposition to Hearts just doesn’t sit down right.

Despite bieng very honest about how the team performed, the followers would have been waiting for an agrier response from the Celtic manager.

The Celtic followers certainly made their feelings actually clear on Saturday and it seems now that Rodgers must make sure he alternatives up six factors from his subsequent two games.

With one of them being Rangers, the stress is definitely on the Celtic manager to beat his closest rival because if he doesn’t the fans will need to look at the league table over the New Year with Rangers sitting on top.

Nat Phillips, who had a bad loan experience, is returning to Liverpool

Liverpool defender Nat Phillips will return to Merseyside in January. The centre back has been up at Celtic in view that the summer season window, presenting aid to Brendan Rodgers’ backline amidst an injury crisis.

However, The Record reports that Phillips will return to his dad or mum club, citing lack of first team action.

Since arriving from Anfield, Phillips has made eight appearances and was once terrible in his cameo towards Hibs as properly as being at fault versus Killie. The huge defender has come in in spite of now not enjoying a lot of video games and has not impressed.

It is predicted that upon return to Anfield, the Englishman will be sent out on mortgage once more to get first group football.

However, Brendan Rodgers has been full of praise for the 26-year-old due to his commitment in training. The Irishman has utilised Phillips as his 1/3 defender in the back of Cameron Carter-Vickers and Liam Scales. With Maik Nawrocki and Gustaf Lagerbielke struggling to be concerned in suit day squads, Phillips departure would hopefully improve their efforts in education as they look to get into the first team.

‘A long while’: Pat Bonner reacts to Celtic fans chanting’sack the board’ during the team’s loss against Hearts

You have to say, the reaction from the Celtic followers at some point of the defeat in opposition to Hearts on Saturday used to be something that has been bubbling up for a while.

It was solely ultimate week that the gamers had been nonetheless unbeaten in the Scottish Premiership, only to suffer a deserved loss to Kilmarnock.

What has been most annoying about Celtic’s performances below Brendan Rodgers has been the lack of chew and speed in the team’s play.

Some point closer to the Celtic board and why greater cash hasn’t been spent on proven stars to take the membership forward.

But, when fans started to get restless the day gone by and chants of ‘sack the board’ have been ringing round Parkhed, Pat Bonner disagreed with it all, as he told BBC Radio Scotland (16/12/23).

The Bhoys legend referred to that he ‘didn’t like to see’ the fans arguing amongst themselves, which sparked in the 2nd half.

At 2-0 down, any other poor displaying from the team, and no response after the break, the followers were solely going to react in one way. And you can’t blame them!

But Pat Bonner was also keen to mention that the group is still sitting pinnacle of the Scottish Premiership table.

Celtic fans chant ‘sack the board’

“I suppose somebody is having a go at the Celtic board,” said Bonner as the crowd began to get restless.

Then when the first rounds of ‘sack the board’ chants went round the ground: “They are still in a role (to win the league). It’s nevertheless too early.

“It has been a whilst in view that I have viewed that response – we lost a lot of focal point there round the game. I have obtained to say, thinking about Celtic are nonetheless top of the league – I don’t like to see the followers arguing amongst themselves.”

Celtic v Livingston

There is now going to be huge, large strain on the players against Livingston subsequent Saturday.

You feel that the team have to get out of the traps from the get-go, or else, the players will sense strain like never before.

Three games remain earlier than the year is out – Livingston, away at Dundee and then Rangers.

Just win those matches, and whilst it doesn’t alternate much, it does add a feel-good component returned into the membership due to the fact it is truly needed right now.

Despite Rangers’ comeback under Clement, the Celtic icon is still confident in the title contest

The former Aston Villa and Blackburn Rovers boss is tipping his historical club to raise the Scottish Premiership title again.

After a massive week in European football and a cup remaining taking location this Sunday, now not to mention various key Premiership fixtures for both sides, it is perhaps easy to overlook the first Old Firm derby is quickly approaching.

Celtic and Rangers will go head-to-head at Celtic Park in their remaining fixture of 2023 on December 30 in a in shape that, as ever, is possibly to have huge ramifications on the title race. The Hoops currently have a 5 factor lead over their Glasgow opponents however Philippe Clement’s guys do have a game in hand.

Last weekend’s defeat to Kilmarnock for the reigning champions, mixed with the fact that the Gers have not misplaced a healthy since the Frenchman’s arrival, has many predicting a title race that could go the distance. However, on Celtic legend remains assured that his ancient membership will as soon as again go on and raise the trophy at the stop of the season.

Paul Lambert used to be talking to Betway and believes that the Hoops are still very tons ‘favourites’ to win the league. He said: “It’ll be very hard to claw the title-fight again if they lose the subsequent Old Firm game. This will be Phillipe Clement’s first trip of the Old Firm, whereas Brendan and the Celtic gamers know all about it.

“There will additionally be a ban on Rangers followers – some thing it’s crazy to me as followers are such a huge part of the rivalry. We saw the equal element happen at Ibrox returned in May – and I assume that was once terrible, too.

“Clement is strolling into a recreation the place his global ride means nothing. This sport is specific from any different because of what it stands for. If Celtic win, I suppose they’re in the drivers’ seat. If Rangers get a result, then the title race will be back on. However, I still suppose Celtic are favourites as they’re at home.”