Robbie Keane Emerges as Celtic Frontrunner as Three Man Shortlist is Drawn
Ferencvaros gaffer Robbie Keane is the reported favourite to take the vacant Celtic managerial position at the end of the season. The former Celtic loanee is said to be the frontrunner of three preferred candidates, alongside Motherwell boss Jens Berthel Askou and Wales head coach Craig Bellamy. The news was broken by Ewan Murray of The Guardian last night, and it is the first concrete piece of news Celtic fans have heard since Martin O’Neill’s interim return two months ago. Bellamy and Keane both enjoyed prolific six-month loans at Parkhead in 2005 and 2010 respectively, with the former’s situation being more awkward with a potential World Cup with his homeland Wales. As for Keane, the Republic of Ireland’s top scorer has won domestic titles in both Israel and Hungary with Maccabi Tel Aviv and Ferencvaros, yet is a potential replacement for interim Spurs boss Igor Tudor, a club where Keane spent the majority of his playing career. Martin O’Neill took temporary charge for a second time this season after the ill-fated reign of Wilfried Nancy in January, and countryman Brendan Rodgers’ shock resignation in October. However, with the Northern Irishman being 74 years of age, the understanding was that his tenure would not be going beyond this summer. His backroom staff Shaun Maloney and Mark Fotheringham both remain in contention to stay next season, despite O’Neill’s departure. Motherwell’s Askou has received plaudits for the Steelmen’s style of play this season, having his side in fourth and an outside bet to win the title, but there is reservations about prior experience and the ability to make the leap to a club the size of Celtic. He has the chance to show the Celtic hierarchy what he is capable of this Saturday, as Motherwell make the short journey to Glasgow to take on the defending champions.
“Hopefully More to Come” – Celtic Deputy Speaks on Game Time
Celtic goalkeeper Viljami Sinisalo hopes his time in the starting eleven won’t be ending anytime soon after he kept a clean sheet in a penalty shootout Scottish Cup victory at Ibrox. The Finnish international has started the last four games in place of an injured Kasper Schmeichel, all of which coming away to Stuttgart, Aberdeen and Rangers twice, with the Parkhead side coming through them all unscathed and kept two clean sheets in the process. And the 24-year-old hopes to remain in the net for this Saturday’s contest against Motherwell at Celtic Park. He told Celtic TV: “I’m loving every moment of it. “It’s something I’ve always wanted to do, play, like every footballer does, I’ve loved every single minute of it. “So yeah, hopefully more to come.” Despite being brought in as Schmeichel’s backup from Aston Villa in 2024, Sunday marked Sinisalo’s third derby match against Rangers, all occurring away from home and all three ending as a draw in regulated time. The former Exeter player of the season admits that its s a ‘funny’ record that he wants to maintain. “I suppose it is what every footballer wants to do, we want to play in the biggest games, which that fixture [vs Rangers] certainly is. “It’s the games you come here and really want to be a part of, and hopefully I can stay unbeaten. “That’s funny to hear, and obviously I’m just there to do my best for the team and if we manage to pick up results on the way, I’m happy with that.” Celtic return to their home turf for the visit of Motherwell on Saturday, and Sinisalo is prepared for his own first game in Glasgow’s East End since February. “It’s been a hectic last four games for everyone, a lot of travel, a lot of overnight stays, a lot of hotels and stuff. “It’s great to get home, especially after such a positive run of four games. We’ve just got to kick on, you’re only as good as your next game. “That’s how football goes, and we know how big these games are for us. We’ve got nine league games left, and hopefully a couple more in the cup. “We’ll be fighting and I’m sure we will be fighting right to the very end.” Celtic sit second in the league, five points off of leaders Hearts, one point ahead of third-placed Rangers, and five in front of Saturday’s guests Motherwell as the league takes its fourth last stop before a split for the ages.
Champions League debut disaster for Antonin Kinsky sees him substituted after 17 minutes
Tottenham Hotspur goalkeeper Antonin Kinsky was subbed off after just 17 minutes on his Champions League debut in a 5-2 defeat at Atletico Madrid. The young goalkeeper had a horror start in goal, conceding three goals in the space of 15 minutes. A horrendous season for Spurs just got a whole lot worse, as they seen their Champions League hopes most likely disappear in a 5-2 defeat to Atlético Madrid. And it was goalkeeper Antonin Kinsky, who seen three of they five goals go past him in the first 15 minutes of the match. A slip and slide disaster from Kinsky and defender Micky van de Ven, led to the errors for the first three goals. It was the young Czech goalkeeper’s first appearance for Spurs since October. Alongside that, his Champions League debut in a knockout clash with Spanish giants Atlético Madrid, which sparked attention on why Igor Tudor chose him for such an important fixture. Moments after Julian Alvarez made it three, Igor Tudor went to his bench to remove Kinsky. Following the substitution, Tudor did not acknowledge the young goalkeeper who had his head in his hands, following what was a disastrous 17 minutes. Speaking on TNT Sports, former Spurs goalkeeper Joe Hart said: “He’s had a bad 14 minutes, there’s absolutely no getting away from it. “Even the stadium is feeling sorry for him. You see Tudor doesn’t even acknowledge his goalie. If that’s man management, I’m flabbergasted.” Tudor’s horror start now leaves questions about his future, and with no win since being appointed, many supporters have already had enough of the former Juventus manager.
Real Madrid v Manchester City- Match Preview
Another enthralling tie in this seasons Champions League sees 15-time winners Real Madrid take on Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City. Around this time last year, it was the Kylian Mbappe show, as the Los Blancos’ knocked Manchester City out in fine fashion, resulting in a 6-3 aggregate score. However, these teams have already met this season at the Bernabeu, and it was payback from Manchester City, as they took all three points back to Manchester. For City, it was a win last weekend away in the FA Cup to a difficult venue in St James Park.Guardiola’s side are also unbeaten in 11 competitive matches in all competitions. As for Madrid, it was a last-minute winner away to Celta Vigo to keep their La Liga title hopes alive. Player to watch: Antoine Semenyo He has hit the ground running in Manchester since being signed in January, and with seven goals already for The Citezens, he will be looking to get off to a dream start if he is to make his Champions League debut this evening in Madrid. Player to watch: Vinicius Junior With eight goal contributions in the Champions League so far, the Brazilian was a key factor to Madrid’s progress in the last round against Benfica. And if Madrid are going to progress further in this competition, Alvaro Arbeloa may have to rely on a moment of magic from the very talented winger. On regards to the fixture, Guardiola said: “When we are here, we have to prove ourselves, for my experience arriving in Champions League, semi-finals, finals, if you are not who you are it is more difficult. “We arrive better because we have the squad. Last season we arrive with a lot of fatigue.” Arbeloa on the importance of Vini Jr, he said: “For us, regardless of who is on the field, as long as he is there, he’s going to be very important. “We have key players missing who are fundamental to our team, some of the best in the world, who have earned their place through performance. Vini is taking on a lot of responsibility and is our offensive cornerstone. We need the best from him if we want to eliminate Manchester City.”
Aberdeen given permission to speak to Stephen Robinson regarding Dons job
St. Mirren boss Stephen Robinson has this morning been given permission to speak to Aberdeen regarding the vacant managerial job at Pittodrie. Aberdeen have been struggling big time this season as the Dons sit 9th, with many believing relegation may be a possibility. The Granite City club have been without a manager since their defeat away at Falkirk at the start of the year when Jimmy Thelin was let go. Peter Leven has been taking temporary charge but hasn’t been able to succeed, as his side most recently were knocked out of the Scottish Cup with a 3-0 defeat at Dunfermline. Stephen Robinson has had his contract clause met by Aberdeen as they are set to begin talks between the two sides. Robinson took over the Paisley side in 2022, guiding the buddies to three back-to-back top six finishes with multiple European finishes. The Northern Irish coach won St Mirren the Scottish League Cup back at the start of the season, defeating Celtic 3-1 at Hampden Park, and has led them to multiple top six finishes in consecutive seasons. In terms of league form this year however, it’s been a season to forget as the Paisley outfit sit 10th in the Premiership, and could also be set to fight out a relegation battle. Although Robinson has taken his side into the Scottish Cup semi-final where they meet Celtic again at the National Stadium. St Mirren sit five points behind Aberdeen as Robinson may be set to make his switch up North. Despite his past seasons in charge, Robinson has a win rate of just 36% over his four-year spell in Paisley, which sits at on average 1.3 points per game.
Too Big to go Down? The Ten Biggest Clubs to Suffer Relegation
Tottenham Hotspur’s chances of relegation from the English Premier League increased after a midweek home 3-1 defeat to Crystal Palace to put the Europa League holders just one point above the drop zone. An injury plagued squad last season managed by Ange Postecoglou finished 17th, but twelve points above 18th placed Leicester in a campaign that never threatened the North London club with relegation. However this year, relegation is a stark reality for the side now managed by Igor Tudor, with many suggesting Spurs falling would go down as the most shocking relegation of the Premier League era. Here are ten clubs who were relegated from their respective divisions that evidently were not too big to go down. 1. Hearts & Hibs, 2013/14 Both teams which share Edinburgh suffered relegation in the same season, with Hearts’ suffering a 15 point deduction at the beginning of the campaign that actually kept their city rivals from going down automatically after finishing just 13 points behind them. Hibernian had the opportunity to stay up via the relegation play-offs, but would lose the second leg at home 2-0 to Hamilton Academical, leading to a penalty shoot-out defeat to consign both clubs to a season in the Championship shared with Rangers. Hearts bounced back first time of asking, but it took Hibernian three attempts to climb back up. 2. Atletico Madrid, 1999/2000 Spanish giants Atletico Madrid were brought down to Segunda División in 2000 alongside Sevilla, despite reaching the Copa del Rey Final in the same season. It was the capital city side’s first relegation in 66 years, having won the top-flight and cup double in 1996. It took Atleti two attempts to achieve promotion, and they haven’t looked back since. 3. Manchester United, 1973/74 It is inconceivable to imagine Manchester United in the second tier of English football, never mind a mere six years after winning the European Cup, yet that was the case back in the 70s. They had lost their talented trio of George Best, Bobby Charlton and Denis Law since then, with the ‘Lawman’ scoring at Old Trafford on the final day of the season for neighbours Manchester City after their fate had been sealed. 4. River Plate, 2011 One of the finest teams outside of Europe, Argentines River Plate were relegated for the only time in their history in 2011. The Argentinean relegation system is complicated, with the Buenos Aires side going down through a relegation play-off based off of their point average over the last three seasons, a system brought in to protect the bigger clubs. They lost the play-off 3-1 on aggregate to Cordoba. 5. FC Schalke 04, 2020/21 & 2022/23 Champions league regulars FC Schalke 04 suffered two relegations either side of their 2. Bundesliga promotion. Having possessed a side with quality such as Raul, Manuel Neuer and Klass-Jan Huntelaar in the 2010s, the Gelsenkirchen outfit were relegated during the COVID-19 season amid financial trouble and would go back down in their first season back up. After flirting with another relegation to the third tier, they are now top of the 2. Bundesliga with Edin Dzeko leading the line. 6. Manchester City, 1995/96 & 1997/98 It is fair to say their fortunes have changed now, but the blue side of Manchester long lived in the shadows of Manchester United, going down to the Championship the same year United won the Premier League in 1996, over a decade before their financial takeover. More shocking however was their relegation to League One just two years later, a fate which could be suffered by former Premier League winners Blackburn Rovers or Leicester City this season. Manchester City could join them, depending on the result of their court case. 7. Juventus, 2006 Juventus were relegated under nefarious circumstances amid the Calciopoli scandal which rocked Italian football. Alleged to be involved in a match-fixing scandal which remains contentious today, Juve were brought down to Serie B and stripped of two titles in the mid 2000s. They returned at the first time of asking, keeping hold of star players such as Alessandro Del Piero and Pavel Nedved, despite beginning with a points deduction. 8. Villarreal, 2011/12 The yellow submarine suffered the ignominy of relegation after one disastrous campaign coming after consistent European showings. It paved the way for exits for Giuseppe Rossi and Borja Valero, and their new manager brought in to guide them back to La Liga passed away from a heart attack the same day he was appointed. Villarreal would come back upon their second try, and would win the Europa League in 2021 after an 11-10 penalty shootout win over Manchester United. 9. Leeds United, 2003/04 For fans of a certain age, Leeds and the Championship seems normal. However, their relegation in 2004 after financial mismanagement came just three years after the club reached the UEFA Champions League semi-finals. The Elland Road side would not return to the top-flight until 2020, where they have been a bit of a yo-yo club since. 10. SSC Napoli, 2000/01 & 2003/04 From the Scudetti won in the era of Diego Armando Maradona in 1987 ad 1990, to the Scudetti won by Khvicha Kvartskhelia and Scott McTominay in 2023 and 2025, the Naples side fell as far down as Serie C in between. First suffering relegation to Serie B in 2001, financial woes dragged the Napolitanos to the third tier in 2004, recording attendances as high as 51,000 even at their lowest. They made their way back into the top division in 2007 alongside Juventus and Genoa. Have we missed anyone out? And where would a Tottenham relegation rank in this list if the once unthinkable now slightly probable scenario occurs this season?
“He Can Do Special Things” – Callum McGregor Hails Derby Difference Maker
Celtic captain Callum McGregor had heaps of praise for fellow midfielder Reo Hatate after his late penalty rebound rescued a point away to rivals Rangers. The defending champions grip on the title was loosening more after each Rangers’ attack which seen the Ibrox side only 2-0 up by half time in a contest that could have been out of sight. But goals from Kieran Tierney and substitute Hatate earned the Hoops a deserved point in the second period, and McGregor credited an ‘outstanding’ performance from the Japan international. McGregor said post-match: “Reo was outstanding in the second half. He is a player that can do special things. “When he comes in and he plays the way he does against Rangers then you see him. He’s a real high-level player and you have to stay on top of him all the time to get the best out of him. “I think the last two games he’s been outstanding, so if that is him just starting to creep in terms of levels, and for sure we will need everyone at their best but especially a player like him, he’s a special player and if you can get him firing then he’s a real asset.” Hatate started on the bench to make way for Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, and skipper McGregor believes there is still more to come from the former Liverpool man once he is fully up to speed after he was brought off at half-time for the eventual goalscorer. “The subs probably changed the game for us as well as us doubling down on what it is we want to do. “Obviously Alex has just come in, and it is really difficult to get up to speed. I mean this game is hard enough when you’re fully fit and you’re in the rhythm and everything else, it’s still a difficult game to play. “He’s a top-class player, and has won a lot in the game, so we’ll need that experience and quality.” The salvaged point gives Celtic the opportunity to leapfrog Rangers into second place on Wednesday night in their game in hand at Aberdeen, and McGregor believes the number of late goals shows that they cannot be counted out the title race just yet. “At 2-0 down with their fans going crazy, it’s a tough place to come. That’s not an easy situation, but full credit to the boys for the second half. “Maybe the last four or five weeks, it [mental strength] has been evident. Football’s not easy, it never goes to plan a lot of the time as well. “You can plan for things, but in the moments when you’re up against it, you need characters, you need personality, to take the ball and play your way back into the game. There’s no better place to do that than Ibrox. “It shows everyone that we are right in this. Obviously with a game in hand which hopefully will nudge us closer as well and then we charge down these last sort of eight games and see where we can get to.” A win for Celtic on Wednesday takes them a point above Rangers and five behind leaders Hearts. With both likely to travel to Celtic Park after the split, this title race has plenty more twists and turns in store before May.
“I Can’t Dress It Up, It’s a Huge Blow For Us” – McInnes On Ageu as Injuries Pile Up
Hearts manager Derek McInnes labelled club record signing Ageu’s injury as a ‘huge blow’ following his side’s 1-0 win over Falkirk today. The Brazilian was due to start, but had to be replaced by Blair Spittal just minutes ahead of kick-off due to an injury sustained in the warm-up. And his manager is concerned about the impact his injury could have in addition to a growing list of missing players. “It was far from ideal for Ageu.” McInnes said post match. “The boy is distraught because I thought he would be playing in a position today that suits him today against a team who have a more technical game. “He has a thigh issue, he felt it shooting in the warm-up. We will get it assessed, probably have to get it scanned, but I can’t dress it up it’s a huge blow for us.” The 23-year-old has only made one start since arriving in Edinburgh last summer, with injuries wreaking havoc on the attacker’s season so far. But he is not the only player in Gorgie on the physio bed, with Derek McInnes also explaining Beni Baningime’s absence today. “He just felt his knee. “It settled really quickly, he can sprint fully, it’s just a wee bit of discomfort when he’s trying to change direction. “We think that will settle through treatment this week and hopefully he will be available, we’ve got six centre midfield players injured.” Stuart Findlay also had to be subbed off late on, but McInnes has belief that his central defender will be alright for next week. “I just always assume Stu’s going to be alright. “He’s been toiling a wee bit, we’ve been trying to get him through to next week’s game hopefully. “He’s not really trained this week, [Craig] Halkett’s been struggling a wee bit as well, so we are just trying to get them through these game’s just now and they can get that rest after the Aberdeen game.” Hearts host Aberdeen next week, before having a luxury of a weekend off amid a minor injury crisis due to their elimination from the Scottish Cup, whilst league rivals Rangers and Celtic face off against each other in an Ibrox quarter-final.
“I Don’t Go Back” – Ange Postecoglou Gives Answer on Celtic Return
Former Celtic boss Ange Postecoglou has said that he ‘doesn’t go back’ when asked about a potential return on The Overlap. The Australian won five trophies in his two-season stint in Parkhead, three of those coming in his second season, and made himself a fan-favourite in the process. Now out of work since being sacked by Nottingham Forest in October, the 60-year-old has suggested his next job will not be in Glasgow. He told The Overlap: “I loved Celtic, mate. What a football club. “If I was younger, I would probably have stayed there longer. I probably would’ve stayed there three, four years. I think I could’ve made progress with them in Europe. “But at the time, like I said it had taken me a long time to get to this sort of space that the opportunity to join Tottenham was too good. “In terms of going back, I don’t go back. I just don’t think that’s kind of been my career. “Whatever the next step is, it will be something new, something I can make an impact in, somewhere I can win things. “It doesn’t diminish the affection I have for Celtic. It was a great experience. For two years, to be within a community that is so passionate, and it’s crazy how passionate they are about their football club. “Obviously I was fortunate enough to have success, so it’s a positive experience, and I loved every minute of it. I look back on it fondly but I won’t go back. I don’t think that is how my career has played out.” Postecoglou also commented on how intense the ‘Glasgow fishbowl’ can be, as he found out in his maiden season. “Nobody is going to talk to me about rivalry, I lived and breathed it there. “The perfect weekend in Scotland is Celtic winning, Rangers losing. Celtic winning, Rangers winning is not a good weekend. “I remember the first year I was there we won the double but Rangers were in the Europa League final. I got more text messages the night they lost the Europa League final than the night we won the league.” Celtic have Martin O’Neill in temporary charge for the rest of the season, with fans hoping that a suitable permanent successor will be announced with plenty of time to oversee the squad after the disastrous appointment of Wilfried Nancy.
“I’m Not Closing Any Doors” – Paulo Bernardo On Potential Homeland Return
Celtic midfielder Paulo Bernardo refused to rule out a return to his native Portugal as the former Benfica midfielder struggles for game time. The 24-year-old fell out of favour at Parkhead this season, averaging just over half an hour across his seventeen appearances in all competitions. And with three and a half years left to run on his current deal, there is a possibility that the former Portugal U21’s captain may be offloaded for a fee this summer. Bernardo told Portuguese group Sapo: “I love Portugal. For me, living in Portugal is a privilege, so it [move back] could happen. “I don’t know what will happen, but I see it in a positive light, and I’m not closing any doors.” The Benfica academy graduate last featured in league action when he played the whole first half of Celtic’s 2-0 defeat at Motherwell before New Year under Wilfried Nancy. But even since the return of interim boss Martin O’Neill, the Northern Irishman has opted to use Bernardo for cup ties and and European substitute cameos. And Bernardo himself admitted that this season has been far from plain-sailing. “We struggled for half the season, but we’re managing to get back into the rhythm. “Things have been going well, and I think we’re giving a good response after that more negative period. “It’s been a somewhat complicated season, but I’ve been trying my best to fight for my place and do what I’ve done in recent seasons.” There is a possibility that Bernardo plays a role in Celtic’s Europa League fixture tonight at home to Stuttgart, with club record signing Arne Engels out injured, and new signing Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain unregistered. “We’re in a good moment to face Stuttgart. German teams are quite competitive. “They run a lot, so the game won’t be easy, and we play the first leg at home, so that might give us a bit of an advantage.” Reports suggested that Celtic knocked back a late January window loan move from an unnamed Danish club for Bernardo, however it remains to be seen whether there is a way back in for Bernardo amid a plethora of options. Celtic face VfB Stuttgart at Celtic Park tonight in the Europa League, before another home contest against Hibernian this Sunday in the Premiership.
