Celtic Back To Winning Ways After Stumping Sturm Graz

Celtic 2-1 Sturm Graz Horvat (15′) Scales (61′) Nygren (64′) Celtic got their first European win of the season as they came from behind to defeat Austrian champions Sturm Graz 2-1 at Celtic Park. Tomi Horvat scored a screamer to close the opening quarter of an hour but two corner routines three minutes apart created goals for Liam Scales and Benjamin Nygren to move the Hoops into the top 24 of the league phase. It was a more characteristic performance from the Parkhead club who looked eager to right the wrongs of Sunday when they were deservedly beaten by Dundee. The hosts were stung in the opening two minutes when Kelechi Iheanacho fell to the ground with a muscle injury, and had to be replaced by Johnny Kenny. The Irishman chased down a long ball from a returning Alistair Johnston down the right flank on the 14th minute, and fashioned an opportunity for himself when he knicked the ball from Dimitri Lavalee. The angle was never favourable for the striker however, as his shot flashed wide. Just one minute later, Sturm Graz midfielder Horvat picked up the ball around 30 yards and unleashed a rocket with his left boot that landed into the top left corner of Kasper Schmeichel’s goal. The Dane came under a lot of criticism last time out for Celtic in the Europa League, but there was no stopping the Slovenian’s strike this time. Celtic were forced into another change just 25 minutes in, with the comeback of Alistair Johnston brought to devastatingly early end. The Canadian international looked gutted heading up the tunnel with a suspected hamstring injury, having not played due to a similar issue since Celtic’s home leg draw with Kairat Almaty in August. The Bhoys nearly levelled the scoring immediately after the restart. Reo Hatate broke forward and his left-footed half volley going over the bar woke the home crowd up. But the equaliser would come after a period of sustained pressure on the 61st minute. A short corner found its way inside the box to Colby Donovan, who’s low ball was met by Liam Scales and the Irishman pushed the ball into the bottom left corner with a deft finish. And Celtic put themselves ahead with another corner three minutes later. Arne Engels whipped a ball into the six yard box, and Benjamin Nygren rose highest to nod home. There was a roar of relief from the Swede, having missed four big chances leading up this. The visitors were reduced to ten men on the 70th minute. Tochi Chukwuani was beaten to the ball in a 50/50 by Callum McGregor and the Danish midfielder’s studs caught the Celtic captain too high on the shin for referee Juan Martinez’s liking. The result moves Celtic into the playoff section of the Europa League in 21st. They have three domestic bouts to hurdle, including the small matters of a trip to Tynecastle and Premier Sports Cup semi-final against Rangers, before their next European fixture away to Europa League leaders FC Midtjylland of Denmark.   CELTIC: Schmeichel 5, Johnston 3 (Donovan 26′ 7), Carter-Vickers 6, Scales 7, Tierney 7, Hatate 5, Engels 8, McGregor 6, Nygren 6, Tounekti (Balikwisha 78′ 2) 6, Iheanacho 1 (Kenny 2′ 5) STURM GRAZ: Bignetti 5, Oermann 4 (Mitchell 46′ 4), Aiwu 6, Lavalee 5, Karic 5, Chukwuani 3, Stankovic 6, Horvat 7 (Kayombo 82′ 1), Rozga 5 (Hodl 59′ 3), Malone 6 (Jatta 59’4)

Brendan Rodgers Stands By ‘Honda Civic’ Comments

Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers has doubled down on comparing the Celtic squad with a Honda Civic in his comments that came after a surprise 2-0 defeat to Dundee on Sunday. The Northern Irishman’s comments were in reference to the star-power he has not had adequately replaced in talisman Kyogo Furuhashi, German winger Nicolas Kühn, and Irishman Adam Idah, who left in January and July respectively for a reported combined fee of £36m. Rodgers said that “there’s no way you’ll go into a race and be given the keys to a Honda Civic and say, ‘I want you to drive it like a Ferrari, it’s not going to happen” following Sunday’s defeat which seen him turn to the likes of Johnny Kenny and James Forrest to save try the game from the bench. But the Celtic gaffer has no regrets and stands by what he said. “It [Honda Civic comment] was based around the speed in our team. Clearly, it’s not the same as what we had last season.” Rodgers told the media. “I’m pretty sure both of those cars go at a different speed, so that was the reference to that. It’s something that I said at the time, and I said it because I felt it, so I’ve got no regrets, no. “I’m not really worried [about offending the players], to be honest. You can’t please everyone and nobody’s trying to do that now. The players know that I’m with them, I’ve always been with them.” Celtic defender Liam Scales says that he hadn’t even caught wind of the comments, and dismissed the possibility of them upsetting the Hoops dressing room. “Look, I didn’t even really know about those comments. I don’t look at football outside of the team, and I didn’t know about them until I was told they might be brought up in this press conference. “So that’s how much it was thought about by me, at least. I don’t know about others in the dressing room, but for me, it’s not going to affect me, and it wasn’t a talking point among the players. “We know it was a disappointing result, and if that’s a way to motivate people to do better, then that’s the only way I could really look at it.” Celtic host Austrian side Sturm Graz tomorrow night in Europa League action, who defeated a Russell Martin Rangers side 2-1 on match day two, before travelling to Tynecastle this Sunday to take on high-flying Hearts.  

Partick Thistle Level on Points With League Leaders

Partick Thistle continued their terrific start to this year’s Championship campaign as they came from behind to defeat Ayr United 2-1 at Firhill. Ethan Walker put Scott Brown’s side in front in added time of the first half, before a five minute double after the interval from Tsoanelo Letsosa and Ben Stanway gave Mark Wilson one over his former teammate. The result moves the Jags behind leaders St. Johnstone only on goal difference, with the Perth side inflicting Thistle’s only league league defeat this season on the opening day. It is the first time Ayr have tasted defeat since Thistle dumped them out the Premier Sports Cup in August. The away side were under pressure for large parts of the first half, but Thistle failed to make their advantage count. Jamie Murphy sent Walker through, and the right winger made converted The Honest Men’s only attempt on target of the half in first half injury time. Whatever Mark Wilson said to his players certainly had a lasting impact. One minute into the second period, Logan Chalmers whipped a cross in from the left flank, and Letsosa turned the ball home to bring the scores level. Then on the 50th minute, Stanway pickpocketed Kyle Ure inside the Ayr penalty box, and his finish sailed to the top right corner with the aid of a deflection to complete the five minute salvo. Ayr’s goalscorer Walker picked up his second caution of the match with 18 minutes to play, making Thistle’s job of protecting their slender advantage all the easier. Partick Thistle are now level on points with St. Johnstone, and travel to another one of Wilson’s former teammates in Barry Robson this Saturday to take on Raith Rovers, who have lost their last three games. Ayr are back in Glasgow on Saturday to face Queen’s Park, hoping to keep 5th place Dunfermline from leapfrogging them into the playoffs before facing them in the Friday night fixture on Halloween.

“The Players Have Got To Make it Happen” – County Chairman Addresses Slow Start

Ross County chairman Roy MacGregor stated it is down to the players to come up with an instant solution to fix their current league form. The Dingwall side were relegated from the Scottish Premiership last campaign after defeat against Livingston in the playoffs sealed their fate. Since then, it hasn’t been what the County supporters would’ve expected, as the Staggies sit eighth in the Championship, in which some tipped the Highlanders as favourites for the title. Earlier in the season, Ross County coach Don Cowie was relieved of his duties after crashing out of the League Cup, as well as collecting just one point in their opening three Championship fixtures, with former Dundee man Tony Docherty taking charge. It was a busy transfer window in the Highlands, with Ross County capturing some pretty high-profile players such as Declan Gallagher, Ross Docherty, Garry Mackay-Steven, Jamie Lindsay, Scott Fraser, Dean Cornelius and most recently Trevor Carson, as well as loan signings of Sean Mackie, Ryan Duncan and Miller Thomson. Ross County have suffered league defeats against St Johnstone, Arbroath, Queen’s Park and two defeats against Partick Thistle. They have also drawn with Airdrieonians, Dunfermline, Ayr United, Greenock Morton and St Johnstone, as well as their only league win, which was a 2-0 win over Raith Rovers. Chairman Roy MacGregor spoke to the Press and Journal, saying: “The fans, the management and the directors are all doing their bit. We’re just needing the players to gel. “There’s no lack of effort from the players, but this is a team sport and we haven’t been able to put it together. The lack of league wins tends to create negative vibes. If we go behind in games, you ask, ‘Can we respond?’ “We haven’t been scoring goals as freely as we were. There’s maybe a feeling of being a wee bit more protective rather than expansive — a feeling of ‘let’s not take risks.’ “The habit of winning gets you out of that (mindset). It gives you momentum, and we haven’t been able to create that momentum. Everyone at the club is pulling in the same direction. If we need to tweak things, we will tweak them. “Ultimately, this is a results-driven business. We haven’t yet managed to conquer that. We have to find a way to return to getting three points, particularly at home. Our record has not been good. “Three of the next four games are at home, so we have an opportunity to kick into gear. Everyone is waiting for that to happen, but the players have got to make it happen.”

“We’re Too Easy To Play Against” – Callum McGregor

Celtic captain Callum McGregor claims that his side don’t make things difficult for their opposition anymore, following a shock 2-0 defeat away to Dundee on Sunday. The midfielder and his manager Brendan Rodgers have came under increased scrutiny as the Hoops failed to score in a game for the sixth time this season. But the retired Scotland international insists the focus from him and his teammates is fully on how they can turn things around. “You only win trophies if you’re together and you’re ready to fight, and you’re ready to run, and you minimise the amount of days like this” said McGregor. “Because at this moment in time we’re too easy to play against.” When asked if the squad were taking notice of Hearts, McGregor recognised their start to the campaign but is relishing the Bhoy’s trip to Tynecastle on Sunday. “I think we have enough to be getting on with ourselves. “Obviously Hearts are winning games but the great thing is we get to play them next week, obviously they’ll be full of confidence. “But like I said for us, we’ve so much work to be done and so much that we have to look at ourselves internally first before we can even lift our head and look at anyone else.” The Celtic skipper also stressed how important the job of the players is to bring back a sense of unity at the club. “I get the supporters are frustrated, they’re angry, and again a lot of that comes down to the fact that the performances aren’t there. If we can affect the performances then hopefully the noise will get less. “I think there’s a lot of disharmony, which can make it difficult for a club like this that is so used to winning. “It’s great when you are winning games. From the outside it looks easy, it’s not easy. The reason why we win so many games is because we work so hard. “If you come off the boil slightly, and you’re not quite there and that disharmony is there, then it can be a difficult place to play football. Our job in the changing room is to try and make the team as strong as it possibly can be.” Celtic travel to Tynecastle to take on Hearts this Sunday, as the title holders look to cut the Jambos five point lead at the top.

“You Can’t Drive a Honda Civic Like a Ferrari” – Brendan Rodgers

Celtic failed to trouble a Dundee side who sat joint bottom of the league before defeating the champions 2-0 today at Den’s Park. A header from Clark Robertson and an own-goal from Cameron Carter Vickers gave Steven Pressley’s side much needed relief following a torrid 4-0 loss away to Aberdeen before the international break. It marks the first domestic defeat for Brendan Rodgers’ side this season, but there is a growing discontent amongst the Parkhead club’s fanbase surrounding levels shown in performances. “We had enough of the ball, and were arriving into the areas often enough but failed show that bit of quality that allows you to get the goals that you need and that’s where we’ve suffered up until now.” Rodgers said post-match. “I need to find the solutions in order for us to get scoring goals again. “It’s been a struggle from the beginning of the season. However, we have to stay together and we have to find a way to get the results and the confidence in the team. We’ve lost a lot of speed and a lot of goals out of the team, but that doesn’t matter.” When asked if the headlines between the fans and the board were becoming a distraction, Rodgers was not keen to use this as an excuse: “It [fan protest] was right at the beginning of the game and we’ve still got a long, long way to go after that. It doesn’t stop you giving the ball away, it doesn’t stop you losing a goal on the counter attack, it doesn’t stop you getting blocked off on the pitch. “It’s been simmering really, all summer and into the beginning of the season. However, we can only focus on the pitch, and we can be better on the pitch – for sure. “I’m not going to tell the supporters what to do. they’re frustrated, of course, they are the heart of this club.” The Northern Irishman also faced questions around how much responsibility he accepted and admitted that there is pressure on him also: “When you’re at a club like Celtic, it’s [pressure] always on you. It was on me when I first came back, we got through that. It’ll be on us now when we are not at our best level, and we will get through this as well. “For the new guys coming in, it’s a real eye-opener to the pressures of being at a huge club and you never know that until you’re in and you go through the demands of what is required.” The Celtic manager was also questioned if this was the most worried he had ever been across both his spells in charge, and says it was clear in the summer that reinforcement was necessary: “I think the challenge from the summer now leading into here where we lost a lot of firepower and goals from the team. “There’s no way you go into a race and be given the keys to a Honda Civic and as you take off say I want you to drive like a Ferrari – its not going to happen. “It was clear in the summer but its really the past now. There’s nothing we can do about it. We had the opportunities to do what we needed to do, didn’t happen, so now it’s finding ways.” Rodgers made it clear his focus on Celtic is on ‘the now’, as his side prepare to host Sturm Graz in Europa League action, before travelling to league leaders Hearts a week today.

Dundee Rock Rodgers’ Celtic as Cloud of Negativity Grows Above Glasgow Side

Dundee recorded a historic 2-0 victory against defending champions Celtic, after first half goals from Clark Robertson and a Cameron Carter-Vickers own-goal lifted Steven Pressley’s side further from the foot of the table. It is the first time Dundee have defeated the Glasgow side at home since 1988, before Pressley had even began his playing days. Pressure is starting to grow for his counterpart Brendan Rodgers, with the Celts lacking a convincing performance for most games this season so far, as the boos rang out from the away end when the Northern Irishman and his squad strutted back up the tunnel. There was an immediate stoppage of play for around four minutes when tennis balls were thrown onto the park by Celtic supporters, accompanied with chants and banners against the club’s board, as fan discontent over the way Celtic are being ran grows per game. Dundee created the best of chances in the opening quarter of an hour and would go ahead on the 18th minute from a set play. Cameron Congreve curled in a corner and centre-half Clark Robertson leaped highest to ned it home and give the hosts a shock lead. Celtic nearly had an immediate equaliser just two minutes later. Kieran Tierney found himself through on goal, but his effort whistled passed the wrong side of the post. Moments after the fourth official’s board went up to indicate how much added time was to be played, Congreve drove powerfully down the right hand flank. The Welshman turned Celtic’s Liam Scales inside out, before laying it off to Joe Westley. Westley’s effort deflected off of Cameron Carter-Vickers, and the hosts found themselves two goals to the good against the champions at half time. Dundee were a lot more comfortable sitting In and protecting their advantage for the second period. The majority of the the action took place in the Dark Blue’s half but Celtic were reduced to desperate crosses and attempts from distance. Referee Matthew MacDermid pointed to the spot to award the visitors a penalty kick on the 71st minute when it appeared that Reo Hatate’s volley was blocked by the hands of Paul Digby. VAR recommended an on field review, and the decision was overturned. Hatate then came the closest to pulling one back for Celtic with twelve minutes to play. Tierney’s zipped low ball into the box landed to the Japanese midfielder with room to strike. His goal bound rocket was blocked by Luke Graham, who was getting off from the ground still from Tierney’s cross prior. Celtic failed to break down a resolute Dundee defence, with their next best effort not coming until the first minute of added time. Michel Ange-Balikwisha showed great skill to create space, but his curling shot was tipped over by Jon McCracken to keep his clean sheet intact. The result means that Celtic travel to league leaders Hearts next Sunday after hosting Sturm Graz in Europa League action three days before, knowing that no matter the result, they will leave Tynecastle still behind the Jambos who are now five points clear of the reigning champions. As for Steven Pressley and his side, today’s result brings them up to 9th in the table as they face John McGlynn’s Falkirk at the Falkirk Stadium, as well as a newfound sense of belief as they look to survive this season comfortably. DUNDEE: McCracken 7, Robertson 8, Astley 6, Wright 5 (Ingram 86’ 1), Digby 6, Samuels 5, Murray 5 (Hay 57’ 3), Westley 6 (Robertson 74’ 2), Congreve 9, Graham 7, Hamilton 5 CELTIC: Schmeichel 5, Scales 4, Nygren 5 (McCowan 64’ 6), Yang 3 (Forrest 46’4), Iheanacho 5, Carter-Vickers 5, Tounekti 5 (Balikwisha 64’ 4), Hatate 5 (Engels 82’ 2), McGregor 5, Ralston 2 (Kenny 46’ 3), Tierney 4

‘Its Another New Challenge – and We’ll be Ready’ – Rodgers on Arriving Muscat

Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers says that he is ready to take on Kevin Muscat as the Australian looks set to be announced as the new Rangers. Muscat, currently managing in China with Shanghai Port, is said to be close to agreeing a deal which would see him move to Ibrox at the close of the Chinese domestic season, with his side retaining their two point lead at the summit today with a 4-3 win away at Qingdao Hainiu. Steven Gerrard turned down the opportunity to take the reigns in Govan for a second time, and former Sheffield Wednesday gaffer Danny Rohl pulled himself out of contention earlier this weekend. Muscat, who won a treble with Rangers as a player, is now the firm favourite to replace axed Russell Martin and become the NINTH Rangers manager to be in the opposing dugout from Rodgers across his two spells at Celtic. “I don’t know him that well, but I came across him a few times when I was at Liverpool.” Rodgers said at his press conference. “He’s done a really good job in the teams that he’s been at in Asia, and if he’s to be the new manager coming in, it’s another challenge and as I said for us, we’ll be ready for it.” Muscat has won league titles in Australia with Melbourne Victory, and in Far-East Asia with Yokohama Marinos of Japan, and current side Shanghai Port of China. The Chinese season ends in 4 weeks, with Muscat expected to arrive after then with Neil McCann as his assistant. Steven Smith will take charge of the Light Blues fixture at home to Dundee United this weekend as Rangers sit eighth in the table with eight points, nine behind rivals Celtic and eleven behind league leaders Hearts.

“We Never Got Any Energy Back From The Fans” – Tuchel Demands More From Three Lions Following

England manager Thomas Tuchel felt that the stands of Wembley Stadium were too quiet, despite his side romping to a 3-0 friendly victory over Wales last night. Aston Villa duo Morgan Rogers and Ollie Watkins had England ahead just 11 minutes in, before Arsenal’s Bukayo Saka made it three on the 20 minute mark. This made it 6 wins from 7 under the German’s stewardship for England, but Tuchel believed that the early domination from the Three Lions warranted a better reception from those in attendance at the national stadium. “The stadium was silent, we never got any energy back from the fans and I think the players delivered a lot to get more back from the fans”, Tuchel said in his post-match interview with ITV. “We had top support in Latvia, we had excellent support in Serbia, but today we were 3-0 up after 20 minutes, we had ball win after ball win and I felt “why is the roof still on the stadium?” There was an estimated 7,000 away fans supporting Craig Bellamy’s Welsh side last night, and the number of empty seats around Wembley has triggered discourse suggesting that the stadium is perhaps too sizeable to be hosting friendlies. “If you then hear for half an hour just Wales fans, it’s a bit sad because I think the team deserved a big support today.” England return to competitive action on Tuesday, as they travel to Latvia with hopes of maintaining their 100% win and clean sheet record in World Cup Qualifying. A win for England and favourable results elsewhere will book their ticket to North America next summer already.

Rangers Are Looking Like ‘Wee Boys’ – Ally McCoist

Former Rangers manager and striker Ally McCoist has said the current playing squad at Ibrox look like “wee boys” and claims that sacked manager Russell Martin and co. were not readily prepared before accepting the job offer in the summer. The Gers axed the ex-Southampton boss just 123 days into his miserable reign, with fans being sceptical pretty much from the beginning. Martin won just once in seven league meetings, and only five times out of seventeen matches in all competitions, as he became the shortest serving permanent manager in the club’s history. Speaking on talkSPORT’s Sportsbreakfast, McCoist said: “The new owners and certainly the old management staff probably underestimated the size of the job and the task. “That aligned to really poor business in the transfer market. “The buck rightly and understandably stops at the manager, but sometimes when you get on the pitch you’ve got to take responsibility, and Rangers just look like wee boys.” When asked who he would bring in to replace Martin, McCoist suggested two England legends and one former Rangers player. “I wish we’d taken my advice for the last one and that was Frank Lampard. my exact tip was Frank Lampard. “I’d quite like to see Steven Gerrard coming back. I don’t think he will though. I don’t know the ins and outs of it but I think he probably has to stay out of the country for a while for other reasons. “We probably missed the boat with Derek McInnes who’s doing a fantastic job at Hearts.” Rangers have the luxury of an international break to find the right replacement for Martin, before they host Dundee United at Ibrox a week on Saturday.