Celtic Archives - SNN Sports

Rangers are in a great position to win the league but crunch game against Hearts is a MUST win – Scott Bradley

It was a frustrating result for Rangers last night as they conceded a late equaliser to ten men Motherwell at Fir Park and now the crunch game against Hearts is MUST win. This Scottish Premiership season has been one for the ages and it’s delivered a title race that nobody could have predicted between Hearts, Rangers and Celtic. The Jambos have been sitting top of the league for the past four months and Derek McInnes deserves all the credit in the world for the incredible job he’s doing at Tynecastle. Danny Rohl is another man who has done an exceptional job since arriving in Glasgow and has worked wonders with what is an average squad. After the sacking of Russell Martin in October, many believed the Light Blues were dead and buried and had no chance of getting back into the title race. Rohl has won 13 of his 18 league games in charge and has got the Ibrox club right back in the title hunt. Before the draw against the Steelmen, the German head coach hadn’t really put a foot wrong but last night he got the tactics and substitutions all wrong. The Gers never tried to kill the game off after the Well got Lukas Fadinger sent off. Rohl decided to put ten men behind the ball and see the result out, which backfired. It felt like a defeat conceding so late on and in a title race every game is a cup final and after failing to win last night – the pressure to get a victory against the league leaders at Ibrox this Sunday is even more intense and important than it already was before. The Teddy Bears are five points behind the Gorgie club and a point ahead of the Hoops who have a game in hand. The 49ers fully backed their man in the January window bringing in four signings and spent around £12 million. That was a clear sign that the Ibrox higher ups aren’t messing about and want to win the club’s 56th league title. There’s been many twists and turns in this historic Premiership season with many more to come but if Rohl’s side were to lose to McInnes’ men and if the Hoops beat Kilmarnock – it’ll be a monumental task to get back into the race. Rohl’s last outing against the Jam Tarts was a 2-1 defeat – his only league loss. The 36-year-old needs to go with his strongest side and not tinker things about with the team selection like he did last night. This will be a real test of this Rangers squads mentality because the pressure is fully on them to get a result and Hearts will be right up for the occasion. Sunday will be Rohl’s biggest and most important game so far in his managerial career and it’s one he cannot afford to lose.

February 12, 2026

Celtic 2-1 Livingston: Debut Delight for Oxlade-Chamberlain

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain scored on his Celtic debut to earn his new side a 2-1 victory over bottom of the league Livingston. The former Liverpool midfielder came off the bench with the game tied at 1-1, with Marcelo Saracchi, who also got his first Celtic goal, opening the scoring in the first half before a Robbie Muirhead penalty restored parity. It was a ferocious start from Martin O’Neill’s men, who peppered Jerome Prior’s goal with threats from Callum McGregor and Tomas Cvancara in the opening stages. Yet Livingston still managed to warn the champions that they won’t be having it all their own way, with Stevie May forcing a fantastic save from Kasper Schmeichel after a catalogue of chances up the other end inside the first ten minutes. Daizen Maeda had an effort bundled off the line but Livingston’s resilience was broken on the 15th minute. A corner fell to Marcelo Saracchi at the edge of the penalty box, and the Uruguayan’s effort sailed beyond Prior to break the deadlock. The goal seemingly sucked any life out of the game. Celtic, who could have had a hatful before scoring, failed to create chances at the same rate they had done and went down the tunnel with a slender advantage. This was all the initiative that Marvin Bartley’s side needed. Reo Hatate brought Robbie Muirhead down inside the box and gave the away side a way back into the match from 12 yards. Muirhead stepped up, and fired down the middle whilst Schmeichel dived to his left. The Hoops threw the kitchen sink at Livi in seek of a winner, turning to the likes of Kieran Tierney, James Forrest and cup hero Junior Adamu from the bench for a changes of fortunes. But it would be debutant substitute Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain who would deliver the largest impact from the bench in added time. The former Champions League winner opened up his body just outside the area after receiving it from left-winger Sebastian Tounekti, and curled it home to secure all three points for his new employers. Livingston had a penalty claim for handball waved away in the final minute of injury time, with referee Calum Scott’s whistle bringing an end to proceedings as the Lions now sit nine points adrift at the foot of the table. Celtic close the gap on second placed Rangers to a sole point, albeit with a game in hand. Their attention turns to this Sunday as they travel to Kilmarnock with a chance of leapfrogging their rivals for at least a couple of hours before they host Hearts in a mouthwatering top of the table clash. Livingston’s winless run in the league extends to 24 matches following tonight’s late defeat. The all-time record belongs to Morton from 1987/88 who went 28 without victory, Livi are running out of chances not to beat this as they face Dundee up at Den’s Park this Saturday. CELTIC: Schmeichel 5, Saracchi 6 (Tierney 4 61′), Scales 6, Trusty 5, Araujo 6 (Oxlade-Chamberlain 78′ 5), Engels 2 (Hatate 2 32′), McGregor 5, Maeda 4 (Forrest 2 78′), Nygren 6, Tounekti 5, Cvancara 4 (Adamu 2 61′) LIVINGSTON: Prior 6, Kabongolo 6, Finlayson 5, Wilson 5, Kerr 4 (Montano 2 61′), Lawal 4, Danso 3 (Sylla 61′ 2), Tait 4 (Smith 73′), Pittman 6, May 3 (Wanner 67′ 1) Muirhead 6 (Bokila 1 72′)

February 11, 2026

Celtic Complete Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain Signing

Celtic have signed former Liverpool midfielder Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain on a free transfer. The 32-year-old has been without a club since having his contract terminated at Turkish side Besiktas in August last year and has been maintaining his fitness by training at former club Arsenal. Reports suggested Mikel Arteta was weighing up a short-term deal for Oxlade-Chamberlain amid an injury crisis, but no offer materialised. Oxlade-Chamberlain told club channels: “Speaking with the manager, it just felt like the perfect fit for me and I feel like I can come in and help out the lads. “Just talking to the manager, and Shaun Maloney as well, who told the expectations on the club and what it means to play here, what our targets are that he’s going to push me. “It’s exactly what I need. I need another challenge and lucky enough at a massive club like this. And they can help me get back to where I need to get to and, more importantly, I need to help the team achieve the goals that we want to do.” The ex-England international’s career began at Southampton before moving to Arsenal a week before his 18th birthday. He spent six years at the Emirates, where he won three F.A Cups, and then switched to Liverpool. He enjoyed the most successful period of his career at Anfield, winning the Premier League in 2020, and the Champions League in 2019, where he would stay until 2023 before moving to Besiktas. Amassing 35 caps for England, two of Oxlade-Chamberlain’s seven goals for his country have came against Scotland, including the opener in a 3-1 victory in a 2014 friendly at Celtic Park. Celtic’s next game is at home against Livingston, which could see Martin O’Neill hand his newest recruit a debut either in the starting eleven or from the bench.

February 7, 2026

Aberdeen vs Celtic – Match Preview

Aberdeen host the holders, Celtic in the Scottish Premiership tomorrow evening as Celtic hope to ramp up their title hopes as Aberdeen look to return to winning ways. Celtic have had the better of the meetings between the sides except from that Scottish Cup Final last campaign where Aberdeen took home the cup for the first time in 35 years making history at Hampden. In terms of league action, it hasn’t been quite the same as last time the two sides met was just before Christmas as Celtic defeated Aberdeen 3-1 at Parkhead marking Nancy’s first win in the Celtic dugout. Last meeting at Pittodrie came in game week two as Nygren and Hatate wrapped a 2-0 win in the Granite City. The last win for the Dons at Pittodrie against Celtic came back in 2016 as Jonny Hayes and Simon Church were on target for Aberdeen with Griffiths striking late as the Dons won 2-1. It’s been a pretty poor season for the Dons, sitting 7th with defeat possibly making Aberdeen drop to 8th should Dundee United defeat Hibernian. Aberdeen have only won twice in their last 10 which came against Raith Rovers and Livingston. Aberdeen are coming off of the back of a disappointing 3-0 defeat at Kilmarnock earning Neil McCann his first victory as Killie boss. Aberdeen are in severe need of something tomorrow as Aberdeen sit 5 points behind 6th place Falkirk with a tough round of fixtures to come. Celtic haven’t had a great campaign themselves despite sitting second in the table. Celtic sit six points behind league leaders Hearts and are joint second with rivals Rangers making it even more important to pick up all three points in the North-East. Since Martin O’Neill returned for his second stint this season, Celtic are now unbeaten in their last seven outings with a most recent 2-0 win over Falkirk at Celtic Park. Celtic have been through three managers this season with Rodgers departing early on with O’Neill taking interim charge as Wilfried Nancy took over which went horribly wrong which as Martin O’Neill return until the end of the season. Celtic’s last defeat came back one month ago as Danny Rohl secured derby delight in a 3-1 win at Celtic. Aberdeen this window have added seven additions with loan signs of Lyall Cameron, Liam Morrison, Toyosi Olusanya who have already featured for Aberdeen as well as Per Kristian Bratveit, Afeez Aremu, Dennis Geiger and Tom McIntyre all hoping to make their debuts tomorrow. Celtic have added five players while spending £0. Julian Araujo came in a month ago with Cvancara joining on loan who has scored two in two already as well as loan signings Chukwubuike Adamu, Joel Mvuka and Benjamin Arthur with the trio looking for their Celtic debuts at Pittodrie. Aberdeen have netted seven in their last five with six of the goals coming in their 6-2 win 10 days ago. Topi Keskinen has had the most shots (0.8) per game for the Dons while Mitov is ranked 3rd for saves per game (3.3) despite his struggles this season. Lazetic is the top goal scorer for Peter Leven’s men with 4 goals after top goal scorer Jesper Karlsson’s loan spell ended. Celtic have netted 12 times in their last five and are ranked the third best on their travels this campaign while winning their last two matches against Aberdeen while Nygren who loves a goal against the Dons sits as the top goal scorer for the hoops netting 12 times this season.

February 3, 2026

“They Knew in That Dressing Room What They’d Done” – Kenny Dalglish Exclusive on Parkhead Return

Celtic hero Kenny Dalglish lifted the lid on what went wrong upon his return to Celtic Park as Director of Football in 1999, speaking exclusively on The Warm-Up, presented by William Hill. The Parkhead legend’s comeback overseen the ill-fated tenure of John Barnes as manager, with Dalglish quick to remember that his fellow Liverpool icon enjoyed a successful start to life in Glasgow. However, the 74-year-old revealed that he was apprehensive in showing Barnes support to avoid undermining him. Speaking to The Warm-Up, Dalglish said: “They asked me to make recommendations, and that [appointing Barnes] was one I made. “He had the second best start of any Celtic manager, at that time. They went to Aberdeen first game of the season and won 5-0. “Really, I didn’t know when to help him. I could maybe have helped him, and maybe I should’ve helped him, then I’m saying I don’t want to show up in front of the boys. I didn’t want to try and feel like I was trying to do that [undermining] because I never. “So I suppose that was my mistake.” Dalglish would step in as interim manager until the end of the season following Barnes dismissal after an infamous home 3-1 defeat to Inverness Caledonian Thistle, and pulled no punches on how he felt about the players he inherited. “They were disgraceful. Well there’s an example, the last game of the season, there was eight or nine boys making their debut. “I didn’t regret going back. I regretted not helping maybe more than I could have, but I was trying to do it in John’s best interests. “When he left, I think they knew in that dressing room what they’d done. And if they never they got told anyway.” ‘King’ Kenny’s first role in management came as player/manager at Liverpool in 1985. Replacing Joe Fagan after the Heysel Stadium disaster, Dalglish took the reins at Anfield despite having three years left of a four-year playing deal, to the disbelief of himself and his wife Marina. “They [chairman and chief executive] said “we want to offer you the manager’s job” and I put the phone down. “And I said to Marina, they’ve just been on the phone there, they want to offer me the manager’s job. “She went ‘why?’. I says I don’t know, I was doing alright as well in the games! “I still don’t know why [they offered him the job]. I said yes, but if I’m garbage I’m going back to being a player, that was the first thing I said to them.” His first season ended with the club’s first double, pipping city rivals Everton to the league title by two points, in a season which seen Dalglish select himself and score the winner on the final day, before making the Toffees runners-up again in the F.A Cup final. As a player, he is revered at club and international level, amassing 102 caps and scoring 30 goals for Scotland, both of which are still national records. With current Scottish captain Andrew Robertson hot on the heels of his record with 90 current caps, Dalglish has some friendly advice for another Liverpool legend. “I think he should retire from international football! “It would be nice if we would [break the caps record], wouldn’t it? “I’ll let him have it!” Dalglish talks on the above and much more on the full episode of The Warm-Up, brought to you by William Hill, including breaking through after the Lisbon Lions at Celtic under Jock Stein, as well as a hilarious story with host Chris Sutton fancying himself at centre-half during Dalglish’s time as Blackburn Rovers boss. Kenny Dalglish features on The Warm-Up, the William Hill SPFL’s weekly preview show. Check out the full episode: https://www.youtube.com/@WilliamHillSPFL

February 3, 2026

Celtic Sign Junior Adamu on Loan Until End of Season

Celtic have signed SC Freiburg striker Junior Adamu on loan until the end of the season, with an option included to later make the move permanent. The Austrian International has scored one goal in nine Bundesliga appearances this season, and becomes the Parkhead side’s third arrival this window. And the 24-year-old is relishing the chance to revive his form that earned him a move to Germany in 2023. He told Celtic’s official website: “I’m very excited to be here and I can’t wait to get started. “I want to give my best for this club and try and win the title, and also the cup, and to score a lot of goals and help the team, and I also want to improve as a player. “I’ve spoken with the manager and he’s given me good motivation, and I trust him, he’s given me that trust, he’s told me how the system is and I feel the connection is really strong. “I’m dangerous in the box and hungry for goals. That’s what the manager sees in me and I want to show that on the pitch. “I can’t wait to be in the stadium. I’ve seen a lot of videos and it looks amazing and I can’t wait to get started.” Adamu is the second striker brought in on loan in January for Celtic after Tomas Cvancara signed from Borussia Monchengladbach last week. Both will be eyeing for a start on Wednesday night as the Hoops travel to face Aberdeen. Johnny Kenny has left on loan for Bolton Wanderers, meaning Martin O Neill’s two loan frontmen and Kelechi Iheanacho now make up Celtic’s attacking options.

February 2, 2026

Celtic keen on Noah striker

Celtic are keeping tabs on FC Noah forward Nardin Mulahusejnovic but will face competition elsewhere. Celtic will have to battle it out with Austrian side, Rapid Wein for the signature of the Noah striker. The Austrian outfit have already placed a bid offering a 6 month loan with a 1.5 million euros buy option but the Armenian side are showing no interest in including any loan. The Bosnian striker who has played with multiple clubs having played for 10 clubs in the last 11 years. Nardin played his peak football last season netting 17 goals in 42 for Croatian side HSK Zrinjski Mostar. This campaign for Noah, the striker has scored 4 goals in 14 appearances. The 27-year-old has also featured for many other clubs such as Bratsvo Gracancia, Maribor, Sarajevo and Koper throughout his career. The Bosnian is still yet to play for the Bosnia National Team but has been capped on six occasions for the Bosnia U21s side. The striker helped Zrinjski Mostar to their second Bosnia Cup in two years winning it during the 2023-24 season for the Croatian side. Mulahusejnovic was on target for his sides 1-1 draw at Pittodrie against Aberdeen in the UEFA Conference League which saw his side make it to the Round Of 16 play-offs where FC Noah will meet AZ Alkmaar. Celtic have recently added to their attacking options but many Celtic fans eager to add an additional striker with the Bosnian striker potentially joining up with the hoops ahead of Monday’s deadline day.

January 31, 2026

“It Probably Will Go Down To The Last Couple of Games” – Callum McGregor

Celtic captain Callum McGregor admits that the title race may go down to the wire after his side missed a chance to cut the gap on leaders Hearts yesterday in a 2-2 draw at Tynecastle. The defending champions were ahead twice thanks to goals from Benjamin Nygren and Hyun-jun Yang, but a late Claudio Braga equaliser after an Austin Trusty sending off meant the gap between the sides remained at six points. And with Rangers’ revival under Danny Rohl bringing them above Celtic into second place, McGregor believes the three-horse-race will go to the final stages of the season. He said: “I think if everyone is sensible about it then it probably will go down to the last couple of games. “We know where we are, we know where we need to be, and today you know, you have to stay in touch, and given the circumstances, a point is a decent result. “We are a little bit disappointed that we don’t hang on, but you know that Hearts are going to come strong, they’re strong on set-pieces, they have been all season. “So you know that the game is always in the balance but that fighting mentality, we showed it on Thursday night, we showed it again today, and we’ll need it for every game between now and the end of the season, that’s for sure.” Celtic received their second red card in as many matches when Austin Trusty was sent down the tunnel after a VAR review with Celtic leading 2-1. McGregor feels that there would be less questions being asked had official Steven McLean shown the red initially, rather than having his decision being overturned. “It’s probably one if he gives a red off the bat, you’re probably not too surprised. “But when he gives the yellow, I think the only question is ‘is that an obvious enough error to then go to the monitor?’, I’m not sure.” There has been speculation surrounding the midfielder’s future at Parkhead, with reports linking him away with an astonishing reunion with former Celtic boss Brendan Rodgers in Saudi Arabia. When quizzed on the rumours, McGregor was straight to the point. “No, no. I’m here.” The 32-year-old rarely made media appearances throughout the ill-fated reign of axed gaffer Wilfried Nancy, and conceded that it has been a more ‘struggling’ period as a Celtic player for him. “It’s certainly not been easy, but I don’t think that’s been the case for anyone. “When you’ve been so successful and you win so much and then you go through a spell where you’re sort of struggling and the team are struggling, then of course it’s difficult. “But that’s gone now, we have to draw a line under it and move forward, and I think the reaction again since Martin [O’Neill] and Shaun [Maloney] and Fozzy [Mark Fotheringham] and the guys that have come back in has been first class. “It’s now about what we do between now and the end of the season.” Celtic face FC Utrecht of The Netherlands this Thursday in the Europa League knowing that a win guarantees them a spot in the next round of the competition. Their next domestic encounter takes place at Celtic Park on Sunday in the form of John McGlynn’s Falkirk.

January 26, 2026

‘VAR re-refereeing the Game’ – O’Neill Unhappy With Trusty Red Card Call

Interim Celtic manager Martin O’Neill believes it was the wrong decision for Austin Trusty to be sent off following an on-field review. The American defender was initially given a yellow card by referee Steven McLean following his challenge on Landry Kabore in Celtic’s 2-2 draw away to Hearts, but VAR official John Beaton recommended an on-field turnover of decision and sent McLean to the monitor. The yellow was upgraded to a red, with Trusty deemed to be the last man. However, O’Neill disagrees with the need for VAR to interfere. He said: “I do have an argument with the red card. “The referee has given a yellow card and he’s sent over, obviously VAR re-referee the game, and it is no more a red card than a blue card – which don’t exist I don’t think. “First of all, the ball is going away from goal, so the player has to get hold of that and control it. “And secondly, more importantly, is that we’ve got someone in the cover. That’s what the referee saw in the first place, and it puts you under severe pressure in the last twenty odd minutes.” Trusty saw red when the score was at 2-1, with Hearts forward Claudio Braga netting the all important equaliser in the 87th minute. Defeat would have seen Celtic fall nine points behind the league leaders, and O’Neill believes a point a piece was an honest outcome. “They [Hearts] might’ve had the opportunity with us down to ten men and having played on Thursday night, there might have been that chance [of a Hearts win], “But in the overall take of the game, a draw probably is a fair result.” Celtic’s injury list grew by one name as Kieran Tierney was substituted off a moment before Trusty’s sending off. O’Neill is unaware of the extent of it just yet, and in unsure if he will make the Europa League contest fixture with FC Utrecht. “I’ll have another look. He [Tierney] is pretty sore, I’ll see how he is for Thursday.” When asked who would step in to replace him with Marcelo Saracchi also unavailable, O’Neill responded: “Me, coming in there, comeback! We will probably have to just shift somebody over.” Celtic face FC Utrecht of the Eredevisie on Thursday night, knowing a win guarantees them a place in the next round of the Europa League, before turning their attention back to the league with the visit of Falkirk on Sunday.

January 25, 2026

Hearts 2-2 Celtic: Fiery Drama at Tynecastle Cauldron Ends Even

Hearts came back from behind twice to earn a point in a 2-2 epic against title holders Celtic. Benjamin Nygren gave Celtic the lead from a free-kick inside seven minutes, before second half goals from Stuart Findlay and Claudio Braga either side of a Hyun-jun Yang tap in ensured both sides left Tynecastle with a share of the points. It is the second time in three days Celtic have drawn 2-2 with a man down, after defender Austin Trusty was shown a straight red before Hearts’ second equaliser. Nygren’s opener came inside seven minutes after he was fouled by Hearts debutant Marc Leonard on the edge of the box. The Swede stepped up, and curled one into the top right corner to become joint top scorer of the Premiership so far this season. It is the first time Celtic have scored a direct free kick in the league since January 2021, when David Turnbull netted against Hibs. Landry Kabore felt he should have had a penalty 23 minutes in after he went down dragging an effort way wide. No VAR check was required however, despite a swarm of protests from the Hearts players and fans. The hosts were gifted a golden opportunity to restore parity with around ten minutes of the half remaining. Austin Trusty failed to play a bouncing ball back to his goalkeeper with his knee or thigh which slipped Alexandros Kyziridis through one on one. The Greek winger could not beat the extended leg of Kasper Schmeichel, who produced a fantastic save to keep his side in front. The equaliser would come for Hearts though three minutes after the restart. Debutant Leonard’s inswinging corner to the back post was met by Stuart Findlay, as the centre half rose highest to nod home his sixth goal of the season. Kyziridis had the chance to make amends for his glaring miss 55 minutes in when a flicked-on header fell into his path, but a last-ditch tackle from Liam Scales inside the area brought the Hearts attack to a halt. Just as the hosts looked to have gained the upper-hand on the defending champions, they were stung by a Hyun-jun Yang tap in. After tremendous combination play from Daizen Maeda and new signing Tomas Cvancara down the left hand side, the Czech forward put it on a plate for Yang to fire Celtic ahead with less than half an hour to go. It came just a minute or two following Cvancara having a looping header hit Craig Gordon’s crossbar, and a minute or two before the new recruit was booked and subsequently subbed off. Quite the five minutes for the attacker. Audible disbelief could be heard around Tynecastle when referee Steven McLean brandished a yellow card for Austin Trusty after he brought down Landry Kabore with around fifteen minutes to play. He was sent to the VAR monitor and would send Trusty off, wit the American adjudged to be the last man and denying an obvious goal-scoring opportunity. Celtic had just brought off an injured Kieran Tierney for Dane Murray a moment prior, with Anthony Ralston then being brought on for Yang to further re-arrange an already makeshift backline. With less than seven minutes to play there was a scramble inside the Celtic box that you were just anticipating to be brought to an end by the sound of Hearts fan raptures. A point-blank stop from Schmeichel again nearly creeped beyond him, but the Dane and Arne Engels made sure it only went passed for a corner. But the league leaders would level proceedings with three minutes of regulated time to go. Oisin McEntee headed down a ball from a set-play, and Claudio Braga was in the right place to unleash a rocket passed Schmeichel to give the home side the equaliser just before the fourth official’s board confirmed an additional eight minutes to play. Blair Spittal clipped the bar deep into injury time after the ball fell to him first time just outside the box. It was always rising, but hearts would have been in the mouths of many a Celtic supporter. The draw means that things only get tighter at the top of the table. Celtic are now third still six points behind leaders Hearts, but a win for Rangers over Dundee means the Ibrox side sit second now four points behind the Jambos. Celtic have European matters to take of at home to Utrecht on Thursday before they are back in action domestically at home to Falkirk on Sunday. As for Hearts, they are on the road Saturday as they will hope to seize the opportunity of going further ahead of Celtic before they play, travelling to Tannadice to face Dundee United. HEARTS: Gordon 5, Halkett 7, McCart 5 (McEntee 71’ 3), Braga 7, Kabore 5 (Wilson 90+4 1), Steinwender 4 (Spittal 86’ 1), Milne 5, Findlay 6, Magnusson 4 (Kerjota 71’ 2), Leonard 5, Kyziridis 5 CELTIC: Schemichel 7, Scales 6, Trusty 3, Nygren 6, Cvancara 5 (Tounekti 60’ 2), Yang 5 (Ralston 77’ 2), Araujo 6, Engels 6, Maeda 4, McGregor 5, Tierney 5 (Murray 73’ 1)