“What’s going on here?” The manager was astonished by what Celtic did on Saturday with the 32-year-old player

East Kilbride boss, Mick Kennedy, couldn’t believe his eyes when he rocked up to the Excelsior Stadium on Saturday afternoon to face Celtic B.

The Lowland League manager was expecting a normal run-of-the-mill fixture as he appeared to bolster his vicinity at the pinnacle of the table.

But Celtic produced a shock that he and his group ought to now not quite believe. James McCarthy was stripped and ready to play in a uncommon run-out in the inexperienced and white hoops and Kennedy said that the choice of the Irishman used to be a massive motivator for his team.

Kennedy stated [East Kilbride News print edition page 36], “When we grew to become up and saw him in the squad it used to be a massive shock to us.

“Everyone was like: ‘What’s occurring there?’ “But, for us, it didn’t exchange anything.

“Obviously, it intended Celtic had brought excellent but in phrases of the game sketch and tactics, the whole lot stayed the same.

“For James, it likely meant he was getting something a bit one-of-a-kind to a Premiership game, in terms of greater time and space.

“I suppose that is the first time in view that Celtic B have been in the Lowland League that there has been a proper first-team squad member playing, and our boys have been encouraged to do well.”

The appearance of McCarthy couldn’t give up the young Hoops dropping 2-0 to Kennedy’s aspect but his day trip for the early life side is a sign of how the 32-year-old is viewed within Celtic.

McCarthy has certainly in no way been phase of Celtic’s plans for properly over two seasons now. 27 appearances over the remaining two years is now not a splendid return on a participant who was signed by Ange Postecoglou.

The fact he wasn’t taken on the pre-season tours by Brendan Rodgers and that he’s no longer featured for the first crew tells you his days are numbered at Celtic.

Hopefully, McCarthy is one of the players who are moved on in January for the sake of his flailing profession and for Celtic’s finances.

Celtic is expected to sign English FA Cup winner and club icon “Celtic have the pull over him.”

Kieran Tierney is set to return to Arsenal next summer time following his mortgage spell at Real Sociedad, but may want to a return to Celtic be on the cards?

Back for the duration of the 2023 summer switch window, there was really a lot of talk about Kieran Tierney reuniting with Brendan Rodgers at Celtic.

But a cross didn’t materialise, as the 26-year-old headed to Spain to join Champions League side, Real Sociedad until the end of the season.

One man who thinks Kieran Tierney will don the Celtic colours again is his former teammate and captain, Scott Brown.

The Bhoys hero stated that, whilst ‘clubs all over the world’ would favor to signal the left-back, he feels that Celtic have the ‘pull over him’ because of his connections to the club, as he told The Glasgow Times.

At the age of 26, you sense that Kieran Tierney still has a few greater stages to hit in his career, but accidents continue to halt his progression.

That has once once more been highlighted at some stage in his mortgage spell in La Liga, with a hamstring issue preserving him out of motion for over a month, which include Scotland action.

Kieran Tierney return to Celtic?

“I’d love to see him again at Celtic, I would,” said Brown.

“He’s cherished via all the followers and it’s such a huge club for him. It used to be a hard decision for him to depart because the membership capability so an awful lot to him. But at the equal time he’s been away for that long now and skilled special things. Maybe he needs to experience other things now.

“There are a lot of clubs in England who’d take him. In fact, there are clubs all over the world who would take him, to be flawlessly honest. But Celtic have that pull over him which is a tremendous thing. I’d love to see it manifest one day. You never know.

“His entire family aid Celtic. He went to the video games when he was a kid. I’ve seen the pictures of him with Naka (Shunsuke Nakamura) when he received his boots and things like that. It’s in his blood, Celtic.”

Kieran Tierney leaving Arsenal will boost Celtic’s chances

In 2019, Arsenal paid Celtic £25 million for Tierney’s talents. It used to be money the membership couldn’t turn down, nor was it a cross he could decline.

He extra than proved his worth in England, becoming a fan favourite, placing in a number of first-rate performances and prevailing the English FA Cup.

But, as soon as again, it was once injuries that kept hurting him, which compelled Arsenal to sign Oleksandr Zinchenko in 2022.

That put Tierney on the lower back burner again. This isn’t a case of the participant not being correct enough, but looking normal starts so he has long gone out to discover them.

Come 2024, you would assume that Tierney will be wondering down the equal lines again.

All of which will increase Celtic’s possibilities of perchance signing one of their personal again.

Rangers star Graeme Souness highlights growing Celtic fury as he spreads the word about the brutality of Glasgow rule in action

The Belgian boss lifted his first piece of silverware and the Ibrox legend has been impressed with his early work.

Graeme Souness has praised Philippe Clement for his ability to create a machine to get the first-class out the Rangers gamers at his disposal – as he entreated the Belgian to hold the highlight on Celtic in the “brutal” west of Scotland soccer environment.

The Ibrox icon was delighted to see the former Genk, Club Brugge and Monaco gaffer land his first piece of silverware after simply two months in the Light Blues hot-seat with a 1-0 win over Aberdeen in the Viaplay Cup closing at Hampden on Sunday. Souness helped the Rangers board with the interview method in discovering Michael Beale’s successor, although later admitted he would have long gone for Frank Lampard if it had been down to him.

But Clement did provoke him and Souness admitted he would have responded to the Belgian as a participant himself. Rangers’ cup win came 24 hours after Celtic suffered a shock domestic defeat to Hearts which capability the Light Blues should hit pinnacle spot in the Scottish Premiership if they win their two video games in hand over their rivals. There have been anti-board chants at Parkhead regardless of greater than a decade of being the dominant force in Scottish football. And, speakme on talkSPORT, Souness said: “Does that no longer inform you everything about the west of Scotland? They’ve gained eleven leagues out of the final 12 years and they’re sitting pinnacle of the league at Christmas time. It tells you the entirety you want to know! You favor the spotlight on the different team, no longer you. Because it can be brutal.”

And on Clement he said: “You hear it trotted out all the time ‘he performs the game the proper way’ but what he’s realised is that you have to get nice out of everybody you’re working with and he’s doing that. He mixes it up. It’s now not continually rolled out from the again and tippy-tappy stuff on your very own 18-yard line. You go lengthy and contain the two huge strikers. I’m assured he’s going to do definitely nicely at Rangers. He’ll need some assist and they nevertheless want to get a couple of players in so with any luck the board can help him with that however they’re on the right road with this guy.

“I was section of the interviewing procedure and each time I appear at a manager I put myself in the dressing room when I listen to them speaking and ask myself if I would prefer to listen to them. Clement does that, he’s bought presence.

Rangers manager Philippe Clement (Image: SNS Group)

“He’s a huge man and speaks English beautifully with the French accent. People will listen to him. It wasn’t a extraordinary game however we acquired the job carried out and no person will remember it was once a miserable game. The identify is on the trophy again.”

Former Crystal Palace owner Simon Jordan reckons the resurgence of Rangers is first-rate for the Premiership and stated of Clement: “I think he’s got the chops. We’ll see. They’ve acquired two video games in hand over Celtic and if they win those then they go pinnacle of the league. It’s an fascinating time and extraordinary for Scottish football due to the fact it’s no suitable one facet dominating that league. It’s high-quality Rangers are again in the mix and he’s a desirable manager. I idea that when I watched his first press conference the place he used to be very solid. Of course, words are cheap. It’s effortless to be anyone who says something that is much more challenging to supply however he’s now substantiating that.”

What the Rangers Pundit said as McCoist begged for a new contract, Kris Boyd taunted Celtic, and McInnes made an unforgettable joke

It was an evening of utter joy in Seville as Real Betis have been defeated 3-2 and with it top spot in Group C for Rangers.

It was a first win ever for Rangers in Spain but it got here in a tournament which is second nature to this era of Ibrox stars.

And it came on an evening of utter pleasure in Seville as Real Betis had been defeated 3-2 and with it pinnacle spot in Europa League Group C for Rangers. which means they have bypassed a treacherous playoff round, earned brought cash and banked extra coefficient points which will reap rewards in years to come. Many of the fans housed high in the gods suffered heartbreak 18 months earlier in the same metropolis however redemption was on the menu as Kemar Roofe struck to win a thriller.

Rangers followers are buzzing, and rightly so, and that upbeat temper was once reflected via the pundits protecting the action on a pulsating Europa League evening.

Kris Boyd

“It’s an unbelievable result for Rangers. They acquired off to a superb start thru Sima. That man Kemar Roofe got here off the bench and he swivelled and put it beneath the goalkeeper. I assume thinking about they dropped five points to Aris, bottom seeds in the group, surely struggled towards them however have found a way to beat Real Betis and Sparta Prague. It’s huge, financially for the club and to get to that round sixteen Once again, Rangers will fly the flag for Scottish football in the New Year.”

Ally McCoist

“Another element worth citing is will Clement be supported in the switch window? Absolutely, yes, however the moment the first factor I’m doing is getting the goalkeeper on a longer contract. That’s the first component I would do. I would lengthen that, the goalkeeper has been truly outstanding. He will deliver one or two new faces into the membership and deserves to do that but you want to preserve that goalkeeper.”

Derek McInnes

“I concept the supervisor acquired his substitutions spot on, he has rinsed without a doubt the whole thing out of what he has reachable to him. It’s a large result, a excellent end result in the context of their season. They will take so a whole lot self belief beating Real Betis in their very own backyard. A outstanding achievement. Big Dessers turns into Archie Gemmill (for his goal).”

Rory Loy

“The first one did hit the crossbar. The second one, the ball in the air is fantastic, it’s a super retailer from Butland. It does hit Davies in the arm. I am surprised VAR hasn’t had a closer look. It is just above the elbow and inside the arm. There is not a lot he can do about it. But going via the laws of the game, I am surprised they haven’t had a appear at it given the place it took place, right on the aim line.”

Kenny Miller

“Sterling has been outstanding in the 2d half. He’s plugged gaps, he is shown wonderful energy. It’s a position that is a little bit foreign to him but he goes in there and offers you everything. He has suitable legs, he covers the distance. He has had a truly half.”

With few days remaining, John Hartson believes a Celtic great might make an unexpected comeback against the Rangers

Celtic have massively overlooked Reo Hatate’s personality in the middle of the park and it’s magnificent to hear that he is edging nearer to returning to action.

Brendan Rodgers stated that the 26-year-old is looking at a return date of January after missing the last eight Scottish Premiership matches, which includes three European ties via injury.

But for, John Hartson, he thinks there may want to perchance be a shock up the sleeve here and Reo Hatate could be returned sooner alternatively than later.

Celtic will lock horns with Rangers on December 30, with John Hartson adding ‘I wouldn’t be surprised if he is covered in that team’, as he told Go Radio.

Brendan Rodgers did also in the past factor out that it’s unlikely the Japan worldwide will get to participate in the Asian Cup games in January.

That’s possibly him sending out a message that he doesn’t favor his celebrity midfielder chosen due to the fact it without a doubt won’t assist matters for Celtic, that’s for sure.

Either way, Reo Hatate’s identify popping up on the teamsheet for Rangers will genuinely put a smile on fans’ faces and John Hartson thinks it’s a possibility.

Reo Hatate’s damage update

“I think Hatate, he will be a big one to come back,” said Hartson. “They have neglected him. They have overlooked his drive and his intention threat.

“He gets up and down the pitch. But he is higher in the last third. There are 18 greater days to go till Celtic play Rangers.

“He (Rodgers) thinks it’s early January, but if he recovers really, without a doubt nicely then I wouldn’t be too surprised if he is covered in that team.”

Reo Hatate in Celtic’s midfield

The faster he returns, the better it is for Celtic and the team’s below-par performances improving.

That bite, aptitude and arrogance is wished in this Celtic side, with Hatate proving to be a bigger omit in Europe.

Whilst the Bhoys can get about losing key gamers on the home stage and still putting up points, you can’t say the same for the Champions League.

“We want the fans to have something to be happy about when they return home. “Brendan Rodgers”

“We choose to do the whole lot we can to supply the supporters a performance and a result,” Brendan Rodgers…

Q: Where are Daizen Maeda and Cameron Carter-Vickers in phrases of their health and involvement?

Brendan Rodgers: “They won’t be concerned tomorrow however for the weekend they will hopefully be available. ”

Q: In phrases of your conventional approach, how do you balance this sport with essential home matches?

Brendan Rodgers: “Our attitude to the recreation is precisely the same, it’s to go and win the game by playing our way. I think we confirmed at the weekend that once we trade from that we don’t have the identical features and it’s no longer playing to our strengths. We want to go and play the sport we favor to play, we comprehend we are taking part in a excellent facet but it’s our last recreation at home and we desire to do the whole thing we can to provide the supporters a overall performance and result.”

Q: Does the co-efficient come into your wondering in a game like this?

Brendan Rodgers: “No. It’s based on how you are doing in the present. If we are successful at this level then that tags on but subsequently we are here to do the very great for Celtic and if we can achieve points and wins then of route that will always enhance the standing.”

Q: Does this supply you an probability to take a look at fringe players at this level?

Brendan Rodgers: “Because of the situation we have with accidents and with all the games we’ve had before and after this game, it gives opportunities for players to play and I assume that’s… By the time we reach January a lot of players will have had the threat to play games, and video games via all the degrees and then be assessed from there. Whatever group we put out at Celtic it’s to win.

“There’s no gifts. No free games. You need to win and even though, disappointingly there’s nothing to play for in terms of Europe after Christmas we are still playing for satisfaction right here so we will have a crew tomorrow looking to combat for the result.”

Q: What’s the response been like to the end result in opposition to Killie?

Brendan Rodgers: “It’s in most cases been restoration to be fair. We acquired returned in and analysed the game. The beauty and super cost of the recreation at the weekend is that we recognize the place the issues were. A bit like the St Johnstone game, the intensity wasn’t right. We fixed that however sadly for us, we didn’t play with the poise we wished to play with in the second half in our league game. But at least we see that and we can take the getting to know into the recreation tomorrow.”

Q: Can what you do tomorrow give you belief for subsequent season?

Brendan Rodgers: “It’s nonetheless such a lengthy way to go. Come this time next yr the squad might appear a lot one of a kind again. You can only deal with the present and for us it’s about going and performing and playing to the stage we recognize we can consistently. We’ve finished that in spells in this competition the place we have played some certainly high-level football but you have to do that consistently. If you can do it constantly with that quality it will constantly give you a chance of breaking through.”

Q: If you win, can it spur you on domestically?

Brendan Rodgers: “Every win usually improves confidence, but either way, whatever the result we will go into the sport against Hearts honestly centered on getting a result. We will make that breakthrough at some factor in the close to future. It would be a magnificent area to begin to do that the next day but anything the end result we will go into the weekend’s game honestly centered on getting returned to velocity in the league.”

Q: What do you expect from Feyenoord?

Brendan Rodgers: “Jiminez may play. He didn’t in the first recreation and he’s a very gifted striker and has executed simply properly for them. They are a sturdy side. We noticed their quality and played truly nicely in the first half. You can see the physicality in the team and they have a honestly high level of approach and a desirable understanding. Arnie Slot has performed well there and is a genuinely true instruct so it’s a large project however we enjoy that. Any sport in the Champions League is a big game and we appreciate that. It’s our final sport in the competition and we desire to give the followers some thing to go domestic glad about.”

Q: How is Reo Hatate getting on?

Brendan Rodgers: “We assume at this moment in time his recuperation will be into January but he’s doing very well. We verify that as every day goes by.”

Q: You seem at pinnacle groups over the Champions League level, even in your first spell when you had Scott Brown as a bodily presence in midfield who should do the soiled work and permit gamers to push on forward. Is that a player you would like to bring to the membership in the January window or shifting forward to the summer time window?

Brendan Rodgers: “I suppose it’s usually about stability in midfield. For me, the importance of prevailing the ball is a collective, it’s not simply one player. Scott was once extremely good in my time here. We performed with a physical player at the weekend and lost, so it’s all about the balance in your team. I said when I first got here in that with a bit of luck the identity of this group will have power, strength, creativity and velocity over the path of my time here. We’re working closer to that. Technical capability is very important but being aggressive is equally vital in all factors of the pitch.”

Q: The final win in a Champions League sport was once when you were here as manager. How outstanding an success would it be for you once more to information Celtic to every other Champions League win the following day night?

Brendan Rodgers: “It would be great, but extra so for the supporters that have been ready a lengthy time. The Anderlecht recreation was a brilliant win for us and we played truely well in the game. The crew has gone close on activities but it would be pleasant to make that result. It’s more for all and sundry than a non-public achievement. This is a sincerely challenging opposition for a group like ourselves but we always dream and have the ambition to do well. Whilst we’re competing with the shit we’ll continually fight for the result.”

Jessica Elliott – The Celtic Star: Are there any particular things from the relaxation of the team stage games that you’ll be looking to improve on for tomorrow night? Callum McGregor said that you want to be switched on for ninety minutes however is there whatever else that you’ve worked on in coaching that will assist you get a higher result tomorrow?

Brendan Rodgers: “I suppose in terms of these games, I’ve constantly stated they’re games about belief. Callum’s virtually right from a intellectual point of view your concentration is so important. The technical level of players right here capacity they can get via the pitch very quickly, and all of a unexpected they’re in on your back-line. Lots of teams at this level have excellent at the front quit of the pitch so that concentration is important. When you have the ball, it’s all about having that belief and the poise to look after the ball and to attack with speed, however also to be able to play at tempo.

“That’s some thing we continually intention to do here within the team. Most importantly, as quickly as the whistle goes then you go and attack the game, and that is when we are at our best. We’ve shown that right here on a number of games and when we do that, we seem a simply proper side. You comprehend within the game that you have to defend and you’re going to have to be strong, with a little bit of luck alongside the way. If you can do that, then with any luck you can have a terrific night.”

Jessica Elliott – The Celtic Star: The performances in the Champions League have been good, but you perhaps don’t have the points to show for it. What are the positives that you can take from this marketing campaign going into the next one?

Brendan Rodgers: “I look thru each sport and there have been spells where I’ve been honestly happy with things, like the begin in Feyenoord right up to half-time when we lose a poor goal. The Lazio sport here we should have taken something from that game and didn’t. That awareness lapse fee us. The Madrid game at home was a certainly correct overall performance and a in reality thrilling sport in opposition to a surely true side.

“We’ve shown that we can not simply compete but our footballing capacity too. It’s simply about sustaining that, and you can’t drop off in your next games. Madrid away used to be a tough nighttime for us, and when you lose a player at that stage the opposition can punish you, and they did. I’ve viewed a lot in a lot of the video games to be aware of that if we maintain enhancing our experience and seem to enhance the squad then we with any luck can make another step forward.”

Q: Just to contact on recruitment, in the summer season window you signed nine new gamers and at the weekend only two of them began in Palma and Phillips whose mortgage deal finishes soon. In the previous fixture, only Palma started. Looking back, would you say you were comfy with the summer time activity, and are you confident going forward in January that you’ll be in a position to get the first crew geared up gamers that you noted in terms of journey and quality?

Brendan Rodgers: “I don’t need to appear back. The gamers were signed and are in here. They are players that can also not be for now but may be gamers that down the line come to be truely exact gamers for Celtic. when you’re coming into a membership like Celtic, at 20 years of age it can be a real challenge. The adaption of coming to any other us of a can be tough.

“Those guys have signed lengthy contracts, and hopefully, in that time they can show that they can be Celtic players. Looking forward, we want to enhance the squad, and I assume we’ll do that one way with gamers coming again that can show influential for us and hopefully, if there’s the right gamers available we can improve in key areas that we would like to.”

Q: In the European campaign, you have competed properly in the majority of games. Do you have a message for Celtic fans that you experience that you can be the one to take the membership forward and growth in phrases of knockout football?

Brendan Rodgers: “I without a doubt can due to the fact it’s the very cause I got here back. I got here returned here to lead the club domestically to endured success and additionally into Europe where we all want to wreck this barrier and bridge this hole which is a in reality challenging challenge but it’s what I’ve usually performed in my career. I picked the undertaking to come right here and optimistically take us forward.

“That’s going to be us all, the supporters, the board, the gamers and myself all being together. Getting the right players in that can enhance and advance the squad. I have each and every confidence that I can do that over the coming seasons.”