Celtic title challenge all but over after dominant City display

Celtic’s title and European ambitions hang by a thread as they were blown away by Glasgow City in an impressive first-half. Beating a retreating Celtic defence for pace, Nicole Kozlova had it all to do but fired home the opener from an angle tighter than the gap between the two sides up until that point. Putting some distance between the two teams, Kozlova bagged a brace before the half-hour mark after a poor clearance from Kelsey Daugherty allowed Brenna Lovera to put the opportunity on goal for her teammate on a plate. Disaster struck for the visitors with the Celtic keeper again at fault, unable to shift the ball before Lovera picked her pocket and opened a three goal margin to leave Elena Sadiku scrambling to save her season. Despite the difficult half, Celtic began to mount a comeback as Lucy Ashworth-Clifford tapped the ball in at the back post after some good work from substitute Katherine Loferski to get the ball across the face of goal. Kolzlova came ever so close to a hat-trick but for a strong save from Daugherty at point blank range late in the first-half, the keeper also forced into a fingertip save as Hayley Lauder’s cross looked to be heading for the top corner. Celtic struggled to create chances but Murphy Agnew was brilliantly denied by a sprawling Lee Gibson in a rare goalscoring opportunity for the away side. Victory sees City move level on points with Hibernian having played a game more whilst Celtic trail both by eight with three games of the seasons left to play. More to follow …   Line-ups: Glasgow City: Gibson, Smit (Muir 84), Walsh, van Diemen, Määttä (Fulton 71), Gambone, Lauder (c) (Whelan 71), Motlhalo (Lockwood 84), Evans, Lovera (Wróbel 87), Kozleva Unused subs: Anderson, Easdon, Forrest, Love Goals: Kozlova (24, 30), Lovera (45) Booked: Smit, Lovera Celtic: Daugherty, Barclais, Bruna Lourenço, Clark (c), Lawton, Nakao, Ashworth-Clifford (Harrison 77), McAneny (Smith 77), Gallacher (Cavanagh 86), Noonan, Agnew (Loferski 53) Unused subs: Carstnes, Dawson, Rodgers Goals: Ashworth-Clifford (54) Booked: Gallacher

Hearts rally to down Staggies

Hearts came from a goal behind to condemn Don Cowie’s men to a sixth straight league defeat in a 3-1 victory in Dingwall on Saturday.Ronan Hale’s 14th goal of the season proved to be the only highlight as a double from a rejuvenated Lawrence Shankland and a late strike from Alan Forrest was enough to give interim manager Liam Fox a win in his first game in charge. Hale’s strike just before the half-hour mark was as good as it got, the Irishman unleashing a brilliant strike 20 yards from goal, which was drilled into the bottom corner. Shankland has been deployed in midfield for large parts of the season, but Fox opted for the traditional number 9 role with Elton Kabangu and James Wilson on the bench, marking a departure from the Neil Critchley era. Those changes proved dividends as Shankland brought Hearts level just shy of half-time, the Scottish International received the ball from Beni Baningime and struck low below Jordan Amissah. A flurry of Staggies chances and a VAR check for a penalty gave Cowie hope that they might be able to retake the lead, but it wasn’t long before Shankland fired Hearts in front, to the delight of the near-900 Hearts fans in the Highlands. A brilliant passing move from the Jambos saw the ball worked from defence to attack, resulting in a terrific ball from Vargas across the Ross County goal, which had the Staggies defence at a standstill as Shankland was his classic predatory self and swept the ball cooly past Amissah. Blair Spittal spent three years in the Highlands and almost hit a sweet strike from distance that cannoned off the crossbar as the Staggies looked down for the count. Cowie made sweeping subs to try and inject some life into the County attack and claw themselves away from the relegation playoff spots. That change did little to appease the Staggies faithful, however, and the pivotal fourth goal would follow late into the game. Akil Wright slipped under pressure from Shankland, who raced down the left and flashed the ball to an unmarked Forrest, who calmly slotted Hearts’ third to take the three points back to Edinburgh. County remain two points behind Dundee but the threat of a third straight relegation play-off is looming large for the Dingwall side with three games remaining. They travel to Perth next weekend to take on a seemingly doomed St. Johnstone side. Hearts are looking to finish best of the rest as they chase top  spot of the bottom half of the split in pursuit of Motherwell. With the games remaining, it remains to be seen if boss Fox can use them as an audition for his own shot of the Jambos job. FULL-TIME: ROSS COUNTY 1 – 3 HEARTS Ross County: Amissah; Wright, Tomkinson, Ashworth, Brown, (Nisbet 63), Kenneh, (Efete 63), Randall, Harmon, (Grieves 74); Samuel (Robesten 83), Hale, White 6 (Phillips 63). Subs not used: Ross, Campbell, Lopata, Smith. Hearts: Gordon; Forrester, Kent, Halkett, Penrice, Baningime, Spittal (Nieuwenhof 70), Vargas (Dhanda 80), Grant, Forrest, (Wilson 90), Shankland. Subs not used: Fulton, Kingsley, McKay, Steinwender, Kabangu, Kartum. Referee: Don Robertson Man of the match: Lawrence Shankland.

Robinson’s Buddies defeat the Dons as they set up a late dash for Europe!

St Mirren ended Aberdeen’s unbeaten run of eight games with a 1-0 win at St. Mirren Park. This win, along with Hibs’ defeat of Dundee United at Easter Road, has given the Buddies a chance at a European place. A set piece on the hour mark from Captain Mark O’Hara found its way through to Mikael Mandron, who sealed the three points.  Last weekend, Aberdeen managed to end Hibs’ record-equalling unbeaten run of 17 games at Pittodrie, extending their unbeaten run to 8 games. St. Mirren earned a well-deserved point in their 2-2 draw with Rangers, with some fans believing they may have deserved more from the game. The first half started, and for the opening 10 minutes, it was one-way traffic from the Dons with the Buddies struggling to get out of their half. After this, it became a feisty affair between the two sides, but the visitors looked the most dangerous from chances. In the 25th minute, the travelling side had the ball in the back of the net. A cross into the box, along with scrappy defending, allowed the ball to fall to the feet of Okkels, who slotted it past Zach Hemming. However, the ball appeared to hit the hand of Kevin Nisbet on the way in and was chopped off via VAR. After this, it seemed to spur the home side into life as they began to create more chances in the game. Chances from O’Hara, John, and Mandron came but did not find the back of the net. The first half whistle blew, and both sides had periods of control throughout this feisty encounter. The second half kicked off and continued that feisty display from both sides. The opening 15 minutes continued this way, and then on the hour mark, the home side struck home, thus breaking the deadlock. A set-piece cross from Captain Mark O’Hara 40 yards out found its way through to the far-left hand side of the goal, and Mandron, after signing a new contract this week, fired it home. For the remainder of the game, the visitors controlled the possession of the game but failed to take their chances. This, along with St. Mirren’s physical presence at the back, meant the Dons failed to record a single shot on target in the game. This past week, Manager Stephen Robinson spoke about a push for a European Place. After today’s result, he said;  “I know this group of players, the talent they have, they desire they have, and people thought we’d turn up for these two games and not put everything into it, that’s not how my teams work, and not how my players work”. Don’s manager Jimmy Thelin said; “It was a difficult game, I don’t think we were good enough to deserve the win, but maybe not bad enough to lose. It was a typical 0-0 game with something extra needed, a set play or one against one situation, and today they did it and we didn’t do it”. This result makes the race for third between Hibs, Dundee United and Aberdeen all the more interesting as Hibs now have the advantage with the Buddies slowly closing the gap to United. 

Advantage Hibs in race for Europe

Hibernian secured a first home win over Dundee United since 2020 as Dwight Gayle’s late finish sealed the three points, taking the side one step closer to qualifying for Europe next season. An uncharacteristic lapse in concentration allowed Martin Boyle to poke the ball home just four minutes in after Declan Gallagher could not untangle his legs from the ball, a twelfth league goal of the season for the forward. Failing heed the warning, Mykola Kukharevych was able to saunter into the box and drive a shot onto the inside of the post before ricocheting behind a helpless Jack Walton. Two changes at the break surmised Jim Goodwin’s displeasure at the lackadaisical approach his side took after going down, the results immediately providing the side with a much needed impetus as Kristijan Trapanovski took advantage of a poor corner clearance to pull one back. As the game approached its end, three minutes after coming on fan favourite and the soon to be retiring Gayle lifted propelled himself to header a third to ensure the points would not travel back to Dundee with the visitors. United in truth were fortunate to not find themselves standing before an even greater mountain to climb as Walton parried efforts from Junior Hoilett and Kukharevych in quick succession. The stopper would deny Josh Campbell with a stunning save from close ranger after the break to keep his side in the game as the midfielder pummelled the ground in frustration. Jordan Smith played his part too at the other end, throwing himself to deny Emmanuel Adegboyega from less than a metre out. Both sides desperate to take advantage of Aberdeen’s defeat at St Mirren. Victory leaves Hibs six points ahead of United and three clear of the Dons with three games left to play. Hibs strength in depth As sides in the league count the casualties in the infirmary, David Gray must take some pleasure in having a bench almost as strong as the starting XI. Having done the dirty work in the first half, the manager could bring on the likes of Kieron Bowie, Nicky Cadden who assisted fellow replacement Dwight Gayle. Gray spoke after the game of the importance of players understanding that the role of substitute is as important as those who started and as their opponents showed signs of running out of steam, the bench might be as important as ever with three to go. Goodwin hopes season does not peter out To finish in the top half is already quite an achievement for a side only just promoted but having come so tantalisingly close it is understandable that anything but a European place would feel like disappointment for Jim Goodwin and his players. Speaking in the press conference, the manager pointed to tired bodies throughout the squad but was keen to point out that Hibs were far and away deserved winners, philosophical in understanding that they have done well to sit where they are whilst not wanting it to end on a sour note. Unimpressed with the way his side played in the first-half, Goodwin said he wanted more from his players to ensure they gave themselves every chance of placing in the top four. After all, they were only three points behind Aberdeen. What the managers said Hibs boss David Gray: “The way they started the game, I thought it was an excellent first-half performance, especially. (0:29) Then, obviously, the way the game went in the second half, the next goal in the game was always going to be huge. Dundee United made a few changes, scored the next goal, but the players showed massive character.” “I said before the game to the players about us controlling the controllables.  All we can do at the moment is take care of what we are doing.” ” The line I use all the time with the players is, the team that starts is never the team that finishes. So, subs need to be ready to impact it in a positive way and that’s happened on numerous occasions now this season.” United boss Jim Goodwin: “I thought Hibbs were the better team over the whole piece and deserved the victory in the end.” “Ultimately, what it boils down to is the fashion in which we concede the goals, far too easy.” “Sometimes you get beaten by the better team and I think if you look at the players that Hibbs have got, individually across the board, I just thought that they were better than us.  That is, of course, disappointing given what is at stake but we’re very much still in the fight. Line-ups:
 Hibs: Smith, Iredale, Bushiri, O’Hora, Obita (N. Cadden 84), Levitt, Triantis, C. Cadden (Miller 84), Hoilett (Campbell 62), Kuharevich (Bowie 69), Boyle (c) (Gayle 84) Unused Subs: Bursik, Ekpiteta, Manneh, Moriah-Welsh Goals: Boyle (4), Kuharevich (14), Gayle (87) Booked: Levitt Dundee United: Walton, Ševelj, Gallagher, Adegboyega (Campbell 78), Ferry, Sibbald, Docherty (c), Strain, Babunski (Middleton 46), van der Sande (Trapanovski 46), Dalby Unused subs: Harding, Fiorini, Fotheringham, Moult, Paton, Richards Goals: Trapanovski (50) Booked: Docherty 18,399

The Bairns come from behind to earn back-to-back promotions!

Falkirk FC are premiership bound after defeating Hamilton Accies 3-1 in the last game of the season. John McGlynn and his men did it the hard way after a poor run of form allowed a red-hot Livingston side back into title discussions. The stage was set for an absolute cracker as both sides sat on the same points heading into this game. Goals from Calvin Miller and an Ethan Ross double were enough to send the Bairns into the Premiership for the first time in 15 years. The first half kicked off and there were certainly no nerves amongst the fans as they were creating a party atmosphere. That was short lived however as after only 5 minutes the Accies took the lead. Poor defending and nerves from the home sides defence allowed Captain Scott Robinson to slot it home. Following this it was one way traffic with the Bairns throwing everything at the Hamilton back line. Falkirk playing some nice intricate football but just lacking that cutting edge in front of goal. The Championship trophy was Livingston’s until the 33 rd minute when Scott Arfield was brought down on the edge of the box with many calling for a penalty. A freekick was awarded, Ethan Ross stepped up and curled the ball into the top left-hand corner of the net putting the trophy back in Falkirk hands. In the 38 th minute cheers rang out around the stadium as news had filtered through that Partick Thistle had scored against Livingston. The home side continued to push for a goal to put themselves in the lead, but Steven McLean blew the whistle for half time. The second half kicked off the fans split between party mode and nail-biting nerves. It began initially a little less one sided than the way the first half ended. Hamilton had a little more of the ball in the first ten minutes of the half. The home side then found the form from the first half and in the 59th minute scrappy defending in the Accies box fell to the feet of Ethan Ross who fired the ball from close range in the back of the net. This was his second of the night and put the home side 2-1 ahead, 3 points above Livingston, and put one of John McGlynn’s hands on the championship trophy. In the 71 st minute the party atmosphere was heightened when the ball found it’s way to the feet of Calvin Miller on the left-hand side of the goal. He smashed it low, finding the bottom right corner of the goal to put the Bairns 3-1 up, taking them that bit closer to the title and automatic promotion. Scott Arfield, who was part of the Falkirk team that suffered relegation 15 years ago rejoined the club this past February said; “It is the most fulfilled and content I have felt on a football pitch because it was a story I was desperate to make happen”. When asked where it ranked in his managerial career John McGlynn said; “To go back-to-back, it’s amazing, absolute amazing, it has to be the best”. With their flare, style of play and story Falkirk will be a welcome addition to the Scottish Premiership. We now wait to see who out of Livingston, Ayr United and Partick Thistle will face in the playoffs.

Away Day in Munich: Your Ultimate Guide to the 2025 Champions League Final at Allianz Arena

The 2025 Champions League Final is set to take place at Munich’s iconic Allianz Arena, home to FC Bayern Munich and a modern marvel of European football. This guide covers everything you need to know about experiencing an away day in Munich—from where to eat, drink, and stay to the cultural highlights, how to get around, and tips for making the most of this special event.   Getting to Allianz Arena The Allianz Arena sits on the northern edge of Munich, about 10 km from the city centre, and is well connected by Munich’s efficient public transport. – By U-Bahn (Metro): Take Line U6 towards *Garching-Forschungszentrum*, getting off at *Fröttmaning*. From there, it’s a 10-15 minute walk to the stadium entrance. – By Car: The Allianz Arena has its own parking spaces, but be aware that on game days, the area can get extremely crowded, so public transport is usually the better option. – By Bike: Munich is a bike-friendly city with dedicated lanes, and there’s bike parking at the stadium. This can be a fun way to arrive if the weather’s good! Where to Stay With thousands of fans flocking to Munich for the final, hotels are likely to fill up fast, so book early! Here are a few suggestions for all types of travellers: – Hotel Bayerischer Hof – This luxurious hotel in central Munich offers top-class amenities and is known for its rooftop bar with city views. Ideal for those looking to make the most of their stay. – Holiday Inn Munich – City Centre – A comfortable, mid-range option just a short metro ride from Allianz Arena and close to central attractions. – Meininger Hotel Munich City Center – A budget-friendly, hostel-style option that’s popular with travellers. It’s near Munich’s main train station, with easy access to U-Bahn and S-Bahn lines. Where to Eat Munich is known for hearty Bavarian cuisine and beer gardens, so take some time to sample the local flavours: – Hofbräuhaus – This historic beer hall is an absolute must for first-time visitors. Enjoy Bavarian dishes like Weißwurst (white sausage), pretzels, and a cold stein of Munich’s finest beer. – Augustiner-Keller – One of the oldest beer gardens in Munich, Augustiner-Keller is perfect for an outdoor meal, with classic Bavarian food and a lively atmosphere. – Viktualienmarkt – Located near Marienplatz, this famous open-air market is ideal for a quick pre-match snack. Try local treats like leberkäse (Bavarian meatloaf) and freshly made juices or pastries. Food Costs: Expect to pay around €15-€25 for a meal at traditional spots and beer gardens. Higher-end restaurants range from €40-€60 per person, depending on what you order. Where to Drink Munich is practically the world capital of beer, so whether you’re a fan of lagers, pilsners, or traditional Bavarian brews, you’re in for a treat: – Paulaner Bräuhaus – A traditional brewery offering both beer and hearty Bavarian food. A good spot for groups looking to meet fellow fans. – Giesinger Bräu – For craft beer lovers, this brewery offers a great selection beyond the usual German lagers, with a cosy atmosphere and friendly service. – Die Goldene Bar – Located in the Haus der Kunst museum, this chic bar is perfect for fans looking for a more sophisticated vibe pre- or post-match. Cost of Drinks: Beer typically ranges from €4-€6 for a half-litre. For a night out, budgeting €20-€30 should cover a couple of rounds. What to Do Before the Match Munich is packed with cultural sites and activities, so here are a few must-dos to add to your trip: – Marienplatz & Glockenspiel – The heart of Munich’s historic centre, Marienplatz is where you’ll find the famous Glockenspiel. Stop here for a photo, then explore the surrounding shops and cafes. – English Garden – If you have time, take a stroll through the English Garden, one of Europe’s largest city parks. The beer gardens here are scenic and ideal for pre-match relaxation. – Deutsches Museum – For fans of history and technology, the Deutsches Museum is a fascinating stop with exhibits covering aviation, engineering, and more. What to Expect at Allianz Arena The Allianz Arena is famed for its distinctive, colour-changing exterior, which lights up in the home team’s colours on match days. For the Champions League Final, expect a sea of blue lights and an electric atmosphere both inside and outside the stadium. – Before Kickoff: Arrive early to soak up the atmosphere. There will likely be fan zones set up near the stadium entrance with live music, merchandise stands, and food stalls. – Inside the Stadium: Allianz Arena’s design allows for superb views from all seats, so you won’t miss a moment. Bayern Munich fans are known for their passionate yet welcoming spirit, so expect plenty of chants, especially during the Champions League anthem. – Fan Etiquette: German fans are passionate but respectful. If you’re supporting a visiting team, join in the fun but be mindful not to interrupt any chants or ceremonies. Budget Tips for a One-Day or Weekend Trip Munich isn’t the cheapest city in Germany, but with a bit of planning, you can enjoy an incredible football trip on a budget. One-Day Budget (€100-€150) – Meals – €30-€40 for a traditional Bavarian lunch or dinner and some street food – Transport – €8 for an all-day Munich travel pass (valid on U-Bahn, S-Bahn, buses, and trams) – Stadium Ticket – €70-€150 depending on seating for the Champions League Final – Drinks – €20 for a couple of beers or a drink at a local bar Weekend Budget (€300-€400) – Accommodation – €80-€150 per night for a mid-range hotel (book early for Champions League rates) – Meals – €60-€100 for traditional dining and beer garden visits – Cultural Activities – €30-€40 for museum or attraction tickets – Transport – €20 for a weekend Munich travel pass Dos and Don’ts in Munich DO: – Take time to try local delicacies like brezen (pretzels), bratwurst, and apfelstrudel. – Respect the local culture in

SPFL Shelves Premiership Expansion but Eyes Overhaul of Lower Leagues

Plans to alter the structure of Scottish football remain on the table — but any changes to the size of the top-flight division have effectively been ruled out. The Scottish Professional Football League (SPFL) confirmed that while discussions around league reconstruction are ongoing, there is “no reasonable prospect of achieving consensus” on changing the 12-team format of the Premiership. The current setup — introduced in the 2000-01 season — sees the Premiership split into two halves after 33 matches, with each team playing a further five fixtures within their section of the table. Despite periodic calls for reform, the format remains firmly in place. Below the top tier, the Championship, League One, and League Two each consist of 10 clubs, playing each other four times per season. Promotion and relegation are determined through automatic spots and play-offs, while a pyramid play-off system allows champions of the Highland and Lowland Leagues the opportunity to gain SPFL entry. While the Premiership appears off-limits for now, the SPFL says there is “broad agreement around potential changes” to the structure of the leagues below. A formal consultation process involving clubs and key stakeholders is expected to follow as league officials develop these proposals further.

Hearts woes continue as Murray Dundee poach crucial win for Dundee

Having missed missed out on the top six and a Cup final, Hearts’ misery prolonged itself with the Edinburgh club now just five points above the relegation play-off place as Dundee executed a perfect smash and grab at Tynecastle. Opening the scoring was none other than Dundee’s own prodigal son Simon Murray, whose brilliant season continued as a cleared ball landed at the striker’s feet, making no mistake in slotting home his 22nd goal in all competitions late in the first-half. As Hearts struggled to mount a convincing attack, Dundee were all too happy to sit back and counter with a lack of creativity keenly felt. Dundee were guilty of wasting a golden opportunity presented to them as Seb Palmer-Houlden was guilty of stuffing a golden opportunity with a header sent wide of Craig Gordon’s goal. This was a Hearts side that had put eleven past Dundee in their last three meetings and yet they looked a side transformed for all the wrong reasons, unable to muster a goal in a dispiriting opening half for the home fans. Struggling under the weight of the Dundee defenders bearing down on him, Elton Kabangu having two chances. The first a nicely weighted through ball which the striker could only send wide and the second fired directly into Trevor Carson after James Penrice had drilled a low ball into his feet. Frankie Kent would come agonisingly near to levelling the score, heading a whipped in corner just over the bar as the fans’ frustration continue to grow. Kenneth Vargas came closest to an equaliser in added time but was denied by a good Carson block from a short distance. With the sounding of the final whistle, Dundee could relish putting themselves two clear of Ross County and out of the play-off place. Dundee find solidity off the back of a gritty win and a clean sheet to boot, you would hardly believe that this was the same Dundee side that had shipped an astonishing seventy-one goals this season. The 4-0 defeat to Hibernian was perhaps straw that broke the camel’s back, or perhaps thanks to the realities of the relegation battle settling in, Tony Docherty and his players have been forced to adapt, closing ranks as soon as Murray had done was Murray does. Of course the striker will make the back pages, but immense credit should go to Joe Shaughnessy and company for their tactical discipline and ability to hold concentration to see out the victory. Now two points clear of eleventh, Dundee’s tactical shift may pay dividends yet. Critchley feels the heat If the fans’ displeasure wasn’t clear to Neil Critchley during the game, he certainly couldn’t avoid it as a shower of abuse rained down as the side made their way down the tunnel. On the scale of lethal to languid in possession, Hearts veered completely towards the latter. Looking to pick holes in an unrelenting Dundee defence was never going to be an easy task as the visitors demonstrated a newfound defensive resolve. But it was made even more difficult by an inability to take the chances that came their way. Kabangu was certainly guilty, but he was not alone. Fourteen shots and only four on target might not paint the clearest picture of how those chances unfolded but Carson was allowed to stay on his feet far more often than he should have. Four games to go and all of sudden last season’s third best side risk proving that there is no such thing as ‘too big to fail’ in the Scottish top flight. What the manager’s said Dundee boss Tony Docherty: “Hugely, I think you use that sometimes, proud of your players, really delighted with the level of performance I got from the players there. It’s been a hard two weeks.” “I said to the boys when I came into the dressing room, some of them went to go on their phone, I don’t want them to go on their phones. I don’t know the results now, I just want to focus on my own team.” “They’re such an honest, hard-working group to leave everything on the pitch and to make sure they go over and above for their teammates, and I think you’ve seen a team that did that today. So to come here and to get that performance and to get that result, as I say, I’m hugely proud of them.” Hearts boss Neil Critchley: “Yeah, it’s a tough day, no doubt about that. And probably the way the game transpired is probably how it’s going for us a little bit at the moment.” “We’re in a fight. There’s four games to go and there’s 12 points to play for, and you’ve seen Dundee today, the fight that they showed.” “I’m used to it. That’s football, that’s supporters nowadays. Everyone’s entitled to opinion, there’s emotion, there’s passion, it’s an emotive game, particularly here at Tynecastle and it means a lot to people, and I’m comfortable with that.” Line-ups: Heart of Midlothian: Gordon (c), Penrice, McCart (Kingsley 46), Kent, Forrester, Devlin, Baningime (Drammeh 46), Spittal (Dhanda 77), Grant, Kartum (Vargas 63), Kabangu (Forrest 90) Unused subs: Fulton, Halkett, Nieuwenhof, Steinwender Booked: Kabangu Dundee: Carson, Larkeche (Samuels 80), Robertson, Shaughnessy (c), Astley (Ingram 91), Portales (Fraser 91), Tiffoney, Cameron, Mulligan, Palmer-Houlden (Robertson 63), Murray Unused subs: Koumetio, Donnelly, McCracken, Reilly, Sylla Goals: Murray (38) Booked: Palmer-Houlden, Carson, Cameron, Robertson

Celtic Crush Saints in Semi-Final Showdown to March Into Final

Celtic unleashed a breathtaking blitz of first-half brilliance to dismantle St Johnstone 5-0 at Hampden Park, booking their place in next month’s Scottish Cup final against Aberdeen and staying firmly on course for an unprecedented ninth domestic treble. Brendan Rodgers extended his perfect personal record at the national stadium to 14 wins, as his side lit up the semi-final with a ruthless display of attacking football, scoring four times in just 12 minutes before the break. The tone was set early. From the opening whistle, Celtic pinned St Johnstone deep into their own half, probing and pressing with increasing menace. The breakthrough arrived courtesy of Callum McGregor, who guided in a pinpoint finish to cap a dominant opening spell. That goal opened the floodgates. McGregor turned provider moments later, slipping in a sublime pass toward Daizen Maeda. Sam Curtis’s attempted interception only redirected the ball kindly into the Japanese forward’s path, and Maeda made no mistake. From there, the goals kept coming. Adam Idah tapped home the third after slick build-up play, and Maeda struck again almost immediately to make it 4-0—his 33rd goal of a remarkable season. St Johnstone, who had upset Celtic in the league just a fortnight earlier, were left shell-shocked. The team that once dared to dream of another Hampden upset now looked desperate for half-time refuge. But Celtic weren’t done. Rodgers brought on fresh firepower in the second half, with Jota and Nicolas Kuhn joining the action. Jota added a fifth from a tight angle, just minutes after James Forrest saw a penalty award overturned by VAR. Mackenzie Kirk had a stunning finish chalked off for offside, rubbing further salt into the Saints’ wounds. For Celtic, this was a statement—a warning shot fired not only at Aberdeen but at anyone questioning their domestic dominance. Alistair Johnston had said the recent league defeat in Perth had been a needed jolt. If that was a wake-up call, this was Celtic wide awake and in full flight. Maeda and Forrest tore down the wings, the midfield controlled the tempo with authority, and the relentless press never let up. With five players coming off the bench who would walk into most starting XIs, Rodgers has an enviable depth. His side looked every inch the champions-in-waiting, with only 90 minutes now standing between them and another historic clean sweep. As for St Johnstone, they’ll need to shake off this bruising loss quickly. Simo Valakari’s men were simply outclassed, and though they managed a league victory over Celtic earlier in the month, they were nowhere near the same level here. There were glimpses of effort, but mistakes proved fatal. Misplaced passes, failed clearances, and a struggle to break Celtic’s press led to an afternoon of damage limitation. With five Premiership matches left to secure survival, the Saints must regroup fast. Post-match reactions Brendan Rodgers, Celtic manager:“I’m delighted with the performance. After the first goal, we really took control. Five goals and it could’ve been more – a great display to reach another final.” Simo Valakari, St Johnstone manager:“Celtic can do that to any team. They’re ruthless. We didn’t do enough to get a result and gave away soft goals. But I’m still proud of the team’s effort throughout this cup run.”

Celtic One Result Away from Title as Post-Split Premiership Fixtures Confirmed

Celtic could secure the Scottish Premiership crown on 26 April when they visit Dundee United, needing just a draw to mathematically confirm their dominance. The reigning champions hold a commanding 15-point advantage over Rangers with only five games left, putting them on the verge of a 13th league title in 14 seasons. In a post-split schedule that raises some familiar concerns about fixture balance, the SPFL has now confirmed the remaining fixtures for both the top and bottom halves of the table. The final Old Firm clash of the campaign is set for Sunday 4 May at Ibrox – a potentially fiery occasion even if the title is already wrapped up. Aberdeen kick off their top-six run with a home tie against Hibernian, while Rangers will travel to face St Mirren in their opener. The top-six fixtures will all conclude on Saturday 17 May with simultaneous 12:30 BST kick-offs. However, the post-split format has once again led to some uneven home-and-away tallies. Hibernian must travel to St Mirren for a third time this season, granting the Buddies 20 home matches and only 18 away. Motherwell, meanwhile, will end their campaign having played 20 away fixtures. It’s the first season since 2017-18 where fixture balance couldn’t be maintained across the league. At the other end of the table, St Johnstone begin their survival bid away to Motherwell. They sit bottom, five points behind the rest with time running out. Just six points separate seventh-placed Hearts from 11th-placed Dundee, with only the side finishing 12th relegated automatically. The team in 11th will enter the play-offs. Bottom-half clubs will conclude their campaigns a day later than the top six, with all games on Sunday 18 May at 15:00 BST. 🔝 Top Six Fixtures Saturday 26 April Dundee United v Celtic (12:30) Aberdeen v Hibernian (15:00) St Mirren v Rangers (15:00) Saturday 3 May Hibernian v Dundee United (15:00) St Mirren v Aberdeen (15:00) Sunday 4 May Rangers v Celtic (12:00) Saturday 10 May Celtic v Hibernian (15:00) Dundee United v St Mirren (15:00) Sunday 11 May Rangers v Aberdeen (12:00) Wednesday 14 May Aberdeen v Celtic (19:45) Rangers v Dundee United (19:45) St Mirren v Hibernian (19:45) Saturday 17 May (All 12:30) Celtic v St Mirren Dundee United v Aberdeen Hibernian v Rangers 🔻 Bottom Six Fixtures Saturday 26 April Hearts v Dundee (15:00) Kilmarnock v Ross County (15:00) Motherwell v St Johnstone (15:00) Saturday 3 May Dundee v Motherwell (15:00) Ross County v Hearts (15:00) St Johnstone v Kilmarnock (15:00) Saturday 10 May Hearts v Motherwell (15:00) Kilmarnock v Dundee (15:00) St Johnstone v Ross County (15:00) Wednesday 14 May Dundee v Ross County (19:45) Hearts v St Johnstone (19:45) Motherwell v Kilmarnock (19:45) Sunday 18 May (All 15:00) Kilmarnock v Hearts Ross County v Motherwell St Johnstone v Dundee