Celtic

Tierney signs pre-contract agreement to re-join Celtic from Arsenal

Celtic have confirmed in their interim financial report that Kieran Tierney will return to to the club in July 2025. Tierney rose through the Celtic academy and played 170 games for the club before joining Arsenal in a £25m deal back in 2017. He has since gone on to make 129 appearances for the Gunners across all competitions, scoring five goals and adding 13 assists.  

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Maeda Hits Milestone as Celtic Cruise into Scottish Cup Quarter-Finals

Daizen Maeda reached a landmark 50 goals for Celtic with a stunning hat-trick, propelling the reigning champions into the Scottish Cup quarter-finals with a dominant 5-0 victory over Raith Rovers. Brendan Rodgers made sweeping changes to his starting XI, introducing nine fresh faces, but there was no disruption to Celtic’s momentum as they stretched their unbeaten home streak to 32 matches—just one shy of Gordon Strachan’s 2007 record. Luke McCowan and Yang Hyun-Jun added second-half goals to put Celtic firmly in control before Maeda capped off his treble with a late finish, courtesy of a pinpoint McCowan assist. The Japanese forward had already netted twice before the break, extinguishing any hopes Raith had of an upset. With 21 goals this season and six in his last three outings, Maeda is proving to be a prolific force in attack—stepping up impressively in the absence of compatriot Kyogo Furuhashi. Raith might have faced an even steeper challenge had Callum McGregor’s early strike not rattled the junction of the post and bar. Maeda also saw a first-half effort ruled out for offside after converting Anthony Ralston’s cross. With a massive Champions League clash against Bayern Munich looming on Wednesday, Rodgers rested key players, including Alistair Johnston, Cameron Carter-Vickers, and Auston Trusty. Kasper Schmeichel also sat out, allowing Viljami Sinisalo to make his debut between the posts. Despite the changes, Celtic maintained their relentless form, having now netted 14 times in their last three matches and 110 across the season. It was a ruthless lesson for Barry Robson’s Raith, who had hoped to reach the break trailing by just a single goal before Maeda’s late first-half strike left them with a mountain to climb. Celtic can now turn their attention to welcoming Harry Kane and Bayern Munich, though they’ll have to do so without Maeda, who is suspended for the first leg. What They Said Celtic boss Brendan Rodgers: “Games like this can be tricky if the attitude isn’t right, no matter how much talent you have. Huge credit to the players for their work rate and performance from the first whistle.” Raith Rovers manager Barry Robson: “The boys gave everything—they left nothing out there. I can’t ask for more than that. What they will take away is the experience of facing truly top-class players.”

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Eight goal Celtic cruise to win over Dundee United at Tannadice

An Abi Harrison triple put Celtic on course for a comfortable outing against Dundee United at Tannadice Park as the visitors came away 8-0 winners. It would only take Maria McAneny two minutes to open the scoring for Celtic, Murphy Agnew cutting through United’s defence to tee up the forward. Four minutes later the lead was doubled by Jennifer Smith, although in truth it could have been any number of Celtic’s frontline who found themselves unmarked as Morgan Cross played a low ball across the face of goal as the home side prepared for a long night ahead. In acres of space down the far side, Cross sent a cutting pass to supply Harrison with her first goal since returning to the club in January. With just a few minutes until the break United seemed to be holding on but Harrison doubled her lead with a thunderous shot from the edge of the box to make it four. Struggling to trouble Rennie in the opening stages of the second-half, Celtic were handed an opportunity on a silver platter when Megan Burns saw the ball caught under feet allowing Harrison and punish the moment of misfortune. Smith added her second of the night with a cracking shot from outside the area to make it six for the visitors as a lack of depth began to bite United, injury with no replacements left leaving them with ten for the closing stages. Knowing that Rangers remained some distance ahead on goal difference, Celtic continue to turn the screw and rewarded when Katherine Loferski fired a ball that had bounced around the United box following a corner. In an otherwise impressive outing, Rennie was guilty of conceding a penalty which McAneny duly converted to make it a brace. An already lopsided score would have been far greater in the first-half were it not for the efforts of keeper Beth Rennie, whose sliding challenge denied Harrison before keeping Shannon McGregor out one on one. United’s chances were few and far between, limited to a shot from kick-off from Freya Brien, who attempted to recreate her wonder goal against Motherwell almost a month ago but to no avail as the shot travelled timely wide. Pushing for a sixth, Rennie was once again at hand to deny Smith from point blank range before keeping Kelly Clark’s header out from the subsequent corner. Victory means Celtic gain a three point lead over second place Glasgow City whom they in their next game, albeit having played a game than their title rivals.   Line-Ups: Dundee United: Rennie, Frew, Hutchinson, Burns, Taylor, Brien, Moodie, Martindale, Marnie (K. MacFarlane 75), Robertson, Dickov Unused subs: Mowatt, Creamer, Logan, Knight, H. McFarlane Booked: Rennie (87), Taylor (90+3) Celtic: Daugherty, Bruna, Clark (c), Barclais (Munoz 46), Cross (Loferski 73), Smith, Ross (Cavanagh 72), McGregor (Carstens 60), McAneny, Agnew (Nakao 60), Harrison Unused subs: Logan, Noonan, Lawton Booked: Goals: McAneny (2, 87), Smith (6, 73), Harrison (19, 41, 58), Lofereski (85) Referee: Nathan Clac-Mansfield

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Dundee United Demands VAR Overhaul, Pulls Out of Key Incident Review

Dundee United has recently taken a strong stance on VAR practices, arguing that the system’s application is marred by inconsistent rule interpretations. In a significant move, the club announced its decision to withdraw from the Scottish FA’s Key Match Incident (KMI) panel, expressing deep concerns about the panel’s intended purpose and overall impact. Background on the Review Panel The Scottish FA launched the KMI panel in September of last year as a five-member group comprised of club representatives, ex-referees, former players, and coaches. The panel is tasked with examining critical incidents from the previous week’s SPFL Premiership games and other competitions where VAR is in use. Its role is to assess and vote on whether both the on-field decisions and any VAR interventions were correct. A Catalyst for Change Dundee United’s decision comes on the heels of a controversial 1-0 defeat to Kilmarnock. In that match, Marley Watkins’ goal – which clinched the win for Kilmarnock – was allowed to stand after a VAR check, despite significant questions regarding its legitimacy. This incident appears to have been the tipping point for United. In an official statement, the club explained: “Dundee United FC has formally notified the Scottish FA that we are withdrawing our representation from the KMI panel. This decision is the result of extensive discussions throughout the season with the Refereeing Department. We have raised serious concerns about the panel’s purpose, effectiveness, and overall impact on the game. We feel that the panel’s outcomes are not aligned with the feedback provided to the Scottish FA.” The statement went on to criticise instances where on-field decisions, once validated by both VAR and the Refereeing Department, were later contradicted by the panel. According to Dundee United, many of the panel members lack sufficient expertise in the laws of the game, which has contributed to what the club sees as a flawed review process. Media and External Pressures The club also highlighted how some of the panel’s decisions have been magnified by media reports, adding undue pressure on match officials. This, they argue, could have repercussions for future refereeing decisions and undermine the confidence in the system. Broader Implications for VAR Beyond the immediate concerns with the KMI panel, Dundee United has called for a comprehensive review of VAR practices in Scottish football. The club noted that inconsistent interpretations of the laws of the game by VAR have frustrated several Premiership clubs. In their view, while errors are an unavoidable part of football, the heightened scrutiny brought about by VAR has made refereeing decisions a highly public issue. “We are committed to ensuring that our club is treated fairly at all times. At the same time, we want to contribute to a broader improvement in Scottish football. We are reaching out to both the Scottish FA and the SPFL to advocate for a more robust VAR protocol and review process. This is essential for protecting our match officials and preserving the integrity of the game.” Additional Reactions In a related development, St Mirren recently voiced its displeasure following a VAR decision that denied them a penalty in a match against St Johnstone. The club’s statement underlined their ongoing concerns with recent officiating errors, calling on the Scottish FA to address these issues promptly. Participation in the KMI panel is voluntary for clubs, with an external expert advising the panel on the laws of the game. Despite these measures, Dundee United’s recent actions underline the growing discontent within Scottish football regarding the current VAR framework. The Scottish FA is reportedly exploring further enhancements to the VAR system, as it has been actively evolving the protocol since its introduction in October 2022. Sky Sports News has reached out to the Scottish FA for further comment on the matter.

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Celtic Overwhelm Dundee with a 6-0 Home Triumph

In a commanding display at Celtic Park, the Hoops restored their 13-point cushion atop the Scottish Premiership standings by thrashing Dundee 6-0. Although Celtic’s first half was cautious, the team quickly surged into the lead with two early goals that set the tone for the remainder of the match. First Half Breakdown Penalty Success: Arne Engel converted a penalty, giving Celtic an early advantage. Adam Idah’s Strike: Just before halftime, Idah added a crucial goal to double the lead. Jota, returning after his stint at Rennes and fresh off his goal against Motherwell, impressed by showcasing his renewed energy and purpose on the pitch. Second Half Highlights Daizen Maeda’s Brilliance: A precise cross from Jota found Maeda, who made no mistake by scoring his first of the night. In a swift counter, Maeda extended his tally by lifting a shot over Dundee goalkeeper Trevor Carson, marking his second goal within three minutes of the restart. Long-Range Magic: Two impressive strikes from Engels and substitute Nicolas Kuhn sealed the victory. These additional goals allowed midfielder Jeffrey Schlupp to comfortably ease into his debut appearance as the game became a formality. Post-Match Reactions Brendan Rodgers (Celtic Manager) said: “From the first minute, our players showed incredible determination. The energy on the field was superb and our system worked flawlessly. Our attacking play, particularly the goals, was simply brilliant. The hunger we witnessed today is exactly what we need.” Rodgers also praised Daizen Maeda’s finish as his pick for the goal of the match, highlighting the inevitability of his strike and the helplessness of Dundee’s keeper in stopping it. On Team Dynamics: “While we originally sought a dedicated striker, tonight demonstrated the depth in our attacking options. With two wingers contributing significantly, it’s clear we have a diverse and motivated group.” Celtic’s Arne Engels added: “I’m always ready to support the team, but tonight was truly special. Every player stepped up—both in creating and defending—and even in the final moments, our commitment to score never wavered.” Adam Idah reflected: “I’m really enjoying the run of form we’re on. Even if I wasn’t at my best, the team’s overall performance made it easier to contribute. It’s fantastic to be part of such a collective effort where everyone is eager to perform.” Dundee’s Perspective Manager Tony Docherty was less than pleased, reflecting on missed opportunities and defensive lapses: “After reviewing the penalty, I feel the call was fair since no one from Celtic appealed for it. Our performance was marred by poor decision-making and an inability to protect our goal. We conceded too many soft goals, and that is something we need to address quickly.” Looking Ahead Dundee now face the challenge of bouncing back after consecutive heavy defeats, with the Scottish Cup clash against Airdrieonians looming on Saturday. Meanwhile, Celtic continue to dominate the league, bolstered by their relentless attacking play and solid team spirit.

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Rodgers Reflects on Challenging Transfer Window as Celtic Push for Strong Finish

Brendan Rodgers has admitted that Celtic’s January transfer window “wasn’t ideal,” but the manager insists he’s not assigning blame as the club prepares for a review of its business. The Scottish Premiership leaders made a late move on deadline day, bringing in Jeffrey Schlupp from Crystal Palace and recalling winger Jota from Rennes. However, the departure of star forward Kyogo Furuhashi, who moved in the opposite direction, has left a significant void in the squad. “I said it myself—we wanted another striker, so we’re not hiding behind anything,” Rodgers acknowledged. “And absolutely, the supporters will look and see that a top striker has gone out, a legendary striker. “I understand their concerns, but my focus is on working with the squad we have, teaching, improving, and ensuring we finish what has been, so far, a great season.” Stepping Up in Kyogo’s Absence Despite Kyogo’s exit, Celtic have found an early solution in Adam Idah, who has responded in style with three goals in two games, ending a scoring drought dating back to November. Meanwhile, Johnny Kenny has returned from a loan spell at Shamrock Rovers, and Daizen Maeda—though suspended for the first leg of the Champions League play-off against Bayern Munich—remains an option through the middle. Rodgers, while reflecting on the window, refused to dwell on missed opportunities. “I don’t want to pin blame on anyone,” he said. “As a collective, it wasn’t ideal how it ended for us, and we’ll review that like we do every window. But I’m not going to let frustration take away my joy of working here by thinking about what could have been.” The Kyogo Decision: Right Call or Risky Gamble? Rodgers was asked directly if it was a mistake to let Kyogo—who netted 85 goals in 165 appearances—leave without securing a replacement first. “Some people will say that, but they don’t have the insight I do from working with him day to day,” he explained. “You can say, ‘well, you should have had someone in the door first,’ but there were circumstances behind the scenes that made that difficult. It’s a situation we had been managing for months. “If a player doesn’t want to be here, you do the best deal and move on. I believe we brought in some really good players. Could we have done better? Yes. But now, the focus is on what’s ahead, not what’s behind.” Summer Priority: A Striker to Lead the Line Former Celtic midfielder Scott Allan, speaking on BBC Radio Scotland, believes securing a new number nine will be the club’s top priority in the summer window. “Adam Idah will get his chance now, and there are options like Johnny Kenny and Daniel Cummings, who was attracting interest from West Ham,” Allan said. “We know Daizen Maeda can play as a striker, as he has done for Japan, so it’ll be interesting to see how Rodgers manages things in the coming months. “But clearly, they didn’t feel the right replacement for Kyogo was available. That makes it all the more important that come summer, Celtic make signing a top-class striker their main priority.”

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Your club’s January window rated

Aberdeen In: Alfie Dorrington (Tottenham Hotspur, loan), Oday Dabbagh (Charleroi, loan), Alexander Jensen (Brommapojkarna, undisclosed), Mats Knoester (Ferencvaros, undisclosed), Jeppe Okkels (Prestond North End, loan), Kristers Tobers (Grasshopper Zurich, undisclosed) Out: Alfie Bavidge (Inverness Caledonian Thistle, loan), Duk (Luganes, undisclosed), Angus MacDonald (free), James McGarry (Athens Kallithea, loan), Alfie Stewart (Inverness Calidonian Thistle, loan), Rodrigo Vitols (Keith, loan) Jimmy Thelin has taken an unorthodox approach to fixing his side’s back line, by getting an entirely new one. The arrival of defenders Tobers, Jensen, Knoester and Dorrington show where the manager thinks the epicentre of side’s seismic collapse originates. Papa Gueye’s return from injury is a welcome boost but adding a couple of supporting forwards in Dabbagh and Okkels, a player Thelin knows from his time at Elfsborg, will help add some verve to a stale attack. Moves made all the more important by the biggest loss of their windown with Duk leaving for La Liga side Leganes. Overall, a proactive approach to solving the side’s woes despite the loss of Duk. Fans will have to hope the current players’ fragile confidence is not contagious. B- Celtic In: Jota (Rennes, undisclosed), Jeffrey Schlupp (Crystal Palace, loan) Out: Alexandro Bernabei (Internacional, undisclosed), Kyogo Furuhashi (Rennes, undisclosed), Aiden Haddow (Heart of Midlothian), Odin Holm (Los Angeles, loan), Luis Palma (Olympiakos, loan), Alex Valle (Barcelona, loan ended), Stephen Welsh (Mechelen, loan) Peter Lawwell might just be the happiest man in Scottish football, the Celtic CEO has managed to recoup Jota and Kieran Tierney (pre-contract for summer signed) for less than a fifth of what they sold them for. Less pleased perhaps will be the fans themselves who have seen their beloved Kyogo depart for France and a limited window spend given the club’s burgeoning purse. However, on top of the savings and scoring on his return, Jota being five years younger than the Japanese forward is a good bit of future planning. We know how ambitious he is to move the club forward, so Rodgers will be frustrated to that they were pipped to another former player of his in Kelechi Iheanacho, who joined Middlesborough on loan instead. More worrying perhaps is that the departures of Palma and Valle will harm the squad’s depth but Jeffrey Shlupp’s ability to play in almost every position should negate that to some extent. Here’s to hoping that in going out on loan, Welsh and Holm do not join another lost generation of youngsters at the club.  B+ Dundee In: Aaron Donnelly (Nottingham Forest, undisclosed), Cesar Garza (Monterrey, loan), Victor Lopez (Queretaro, loan), Imari Samuels (Brighton & Hove Albion) Out: Sammy Braybrooke (Leicester City, loan ended) Sean Kelly, Curtis Main (Ayr United, free), Marley Sweenie-Rowe (Forfar Athletic, loan), Julian Vetro (Burnley, loan ended) An odd windown for the Dee’s. On the one hand the permanently returning Donnelly and loanee Garza have looked like class additions since arriving with Samuels and Lopez still bedding in. On the other, it fails to stem one of the major issues this side faced in the winter, squad depth. When the side beat Rangers, Tony Docherty made the point that the side had won despite being down to bare bones during the winter. However, letting five players leave the club seems like an odd way of dealing with the issue. Braybrooke and Vetro no doubt left because of a lack of game time but Docherty is left with having to see this squad through the next few months which seems just as likely to make the top six as it does to get relegated. D Dundee United In: Allan Campbell (Luton, undisclosed), Lewis Fiorini (Stockport County, loan), Ruari Paton (Port Vale, loan) Out: Zak Cameron (Cowdenbeath, loan), Adam Carnwath (Alloa Athletic, loan), Scott Constable (Stirling Albion, loan), Charlie Dewar (Alloa Athletic, loan), Alan Domeracki (Norwich City, undisclosed), Lewis Haldane (East Craigie, loan), Ollie Simpson (Jeanfield Swifts, loan), Owen Stirton (Montrose, loan), Miller Thomson (Falkirk, loan), Meshack Ubochioma (Livingston, loan) Evolution not revolution seems to have been the motto in the United front office. If you had told those involved at the club that they could finish in top half in their first season since promotion they would have bitten your hand off. Now they face the very possibility of going for the entire arm as third looks a very real possibility and have made some neat additions to give themselves the best chance of doing so. One time Scotland international Campbell brings quality in midfield as Fiorini arrives looking to come good on the potential that saw him graduate from Manchester City’s academy. Paton took the hard route to Dundee. Having been released by Hibs, the striker has worked his way up from the Lowland League to the Prem playing in every division in between before struggling in League 2 with Port Vale. Jim Goodwin will hope he can ease the goalscoring burden carried by Sam Dalby, who has netted over a third of his side’s total. Plenty of outgoings as United’s fledglings look to find their wings on loan across Scotland. Most notably Miller Thomson, the youngster will hope to build on his early season promise with title chasing Falkirk. C- Hearts of Midlothian In: Aiden Haddow (Celtic), Elton Kabangu (Union Saint-Gilloise, loan),Sander Kartum (Brann), Jamie McCart (Rotherdam United, undisclosed), Harry Milne (Partick Thistle, undisclosed), Michael Steinwender (Varnamo, undisclosed) Out: Malachi Boateng (Plymouth Argyle, undisclosed), Liam Boyce (Derry City, undisclosed), Daniel Oyegoke (Hellas Verona, undisclosed), Kyle Rowles (DC United, undisclosed), Andres Salazar (Atletico Nacional, loan ended), Callum Sandilands (Montrose, loan), Kai Smutek (Bonnyrigg Rose, loan), Macauley Tait (Livingston, loan) The outcome of Hearts’s business in this window and the next could have serious ramifications for Scottish football. It remains early days of the partnership with Brighton owner Tony Bloom’s company Jamestown Analytics but with loanee Kabangu from partner club USG already scoring five goals in four games, it would appear as though the two could be on the cusp of making signings from abroad a fine art. Of course it remains

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Jota marks Celtic return with goal in Motherwell win

An emotional Jota scored on his Celtic return as they defeated managerless Motherwell in a 3-1 win, maintaining their ten point lead at the top. Celtic took the lead after less than a minute when Anthony Ralston, enjoying a rare start launched a cross when by Daizen Maeda who fired a header past Ellery Balcombe. Responding emphatically, Motherwell made the most of a rapid counter attack, Luke Armstrong fired home a crossed ball that had bounced off Auston Trusty and into the path of the player making his first start for the club since moving from Carlisle. They failed to maintain their level footing, Maeda involved once again, fired a low ball across to Adam Idah who added another goal to a week that saw him score two against Aston Villa in the Champions League defeat midweek. In a fairytale ending to the game, Maeda capped off an excellent afternoon with inswinging low ball met by an oncoming Jota who slotted Celtic’s third in added time. Maeda, who made a brilliant run to the back post, could have added a second from a corner but could not direct his header goalwards. Both Luke McCowan and Nicolas Kuhn came close themselves, denied by some strong saves from Balcombe but made an even more impressive dive to deny Idah. There can be few complaints from Motherwell, who managed just two shots all game as they suffered their third consecutive league defeat.   Line-ups: Motherwell: Balcombe, Blaney, Gordon, O’Donnell (c), Thompson (Zdravkovski 76), Kaleta (Paton 38), Nicholson (Wilson 63), Halliday (Dickson 76), Sparrow, Maswanhise (Plange 63), Armstrong Unused subs: Andrews, Balmer, Connelly Goals: Armstrong (23) Celtic: Schmeichel, Taylor (Scales 84), Trusty, Carter-Vickers, Ralston, Hatate (Paulo Bernardo 84), McGregor (Engels 65), Maeda, Idah (Yang Hyun-Jun 79), Kuhn (Jota 65) Unused subs: Johnston, Kenny, Sinisalo Goals: Maeda (1), Idah (29), Jota (90+4) Referee: Nick Walsh Attendance: 8,293

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Revenge a dish best served in the Scottish Cup as Glasgow City eliminate Celtic

Having twice gone behind,  a Samantha Van Diemen header and Brenna Lovera double edged Glasgow City past Celtic 3-2 winners in the Scottish Cup 5th Round. It marked their first victory over Celtic in three attempts this season after a league and League Cup defeat.  After a cagey start to the game with both sides keenly aware of each others’ quality, Lucy Ashworth-Clifford took matters into her own hands, firing an audacious shot from just a few metres inside the City half and over a backtracking Lee Gibson to give Celtic the lead after nineteen minutes. City however responded seven minutes later after Emma Lawton was adjudged to have brought Emma Whelan down in the box with Brenna Lovera making no mistake from the spot. Pushing for a second, the home side thought they had taken the lead minutes later after Kimberley Smit blasted home a Hayley Lauder free-kick into the box but having made their way back to the centre circle to kick-off, referee Nathan Deane annulled to the goal after speaking to his assistant. Wasting no time to make the most of their good fortune, Celtic put themselves back in front through a poacher’s finish from the free scoring Saoirse Noonan, who slotted home Morgan Cross’ low ball. Coming out with an immediate reaction, Samantha Van Diemen’s header levelled the score just three minutes into the second half. Turning the screw to maximum effect, Whelan found Lovera who used some nifty footwork to create space to fire her second of the game and sixth in her last four games. Going into the break, City were from an even greater deficit to overcome by Lee Gibson, who denied Noonan and Maria McAneny from point blank range. Noonan was guilty of failing to test the keeper after Ashworth-Clifford’s low cross bobbled around the box before the striker fired it wide. Fortunate not to concede a fourth, Elena Sadie has McAneny to thank for making a brilliant goal line clearance from a Glasgow City corner. Substitute Mathilde Castens had an effort late on but her effort lack the accuracy to trouble Gibson, who watched the ball fly past her post. With seconds to go Ashworth-Clifford sent a good opportunity clear over the bar as City held on for the all important win.   What the managers said: Glasgow City boss Leanne Ross: “Like everybody else we were surprised when the goal got chalked off in the first half. “We made a slight tactical change at half-time, we’ve come back and had more control in terms of possession in the second half. “[On getting one back on Celtic] It’s not about getting on back on anybody. It’s not about us against Celtic, it’s about us in terms of what we want to go and achieve. We wanted to get ourselves into the next of the cup today and we’ve and done that with a good performance.” Celtic boss Elena Sadiku: “To be honest I can’t believe that we lost that game. “I think we were the far better team in the first half, we should kill that game and then we have a really poor start in the second half. “They don’t create anything else. I mean fair play they won the game but it’s not good enough from us.     Line-ups: Glasgow City: Gibson, Evans (Warrington 46), Van Diemen, Smit, Muir, Gambone, Lauder (Anderson 90), Whelan, Wrobel (Lockwood 63), Evans (Kozlova 46), Lovera (Maatta 90) Unused subs: Easton, Love, Forrest Booked: Walsh (13), Wrobel (49), Carstens (92) Goals: Lovera (26 pen), (54), Van Diemen (48) Celtic: Daugherty, Lawton, Clark, Barclays, Ross (Cavanagh 63), McGregor, McAneny, Ashworth-Clifford, Agnew (Lofereski 74), Cross (Carstens 74), Noonan (Harrison 63) Unused subs: Logan, Smith, Lourenco Urbano Costa, Munoz Booked: Agnew (63), Gibson (70) Goals: Ashworth-Clifford (19), Noonan (32) Referee: Regan Wallace

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Club-by-club midseason review by fans Part 1: Aberdeen to Hibs

As the January transfer window approaches its final days, we get a fans’ perspective on their club’s season so far. Aberdeen (by @aberdeenfc83) How do you feel about the season so far and what do you expect from the rest of it? I think the season has gone alright so far. In a race for third in our manager’s first season in Scotland, but considering where we were at the start of the season, I’ve got to be disappointed with where we are now. I expect to finish 4th this season along with a good run in the Scottish Cup. 6/10 Star players/ flops I would say the star players of Aberdeen’s season so far would be Pape (Gueye), even though he has been injured and Nicky Devlin, who was probably our most consistent performer during that winning run at the start of the campaign. Biggest surprise of the season so far? My biggest surprise of the season so far would be Shayden Morris. He looked like he didn’t have a future at Aberdeen last season, but this season he has been a sensational asset to bring off the bench. Best/ worst away fans? The best away fans I’ve seen at Pittodrie would be PAOK (from Greece), when I walked into the stadium about half an hour before kick off, the away end was packed and making noise. The worst away fans would probably have to be either Ross County or Livingston. How has your club done in the January window and they need before it closes? Aberdeen have done pretty well in the transfer window. We’ve signed Tobers, Jensen, Dorrington and Okkels. However, we do still need a striker. One player you would take from another Premiership side? I would take Lyall Cameron from Dundee. We have been linked with a move for him which I am pleased about. Celtic (by Aidan and Mack Kelly: Scottish Football Covered Podcast) How do you feel about the season so far and what do you expect from the rest of it? So far, it’s been nearly perfect. The only real disappointment was the level of performance at Ibrox. The improvement in Europe has been so satisfying to see as that’s always been that illusive piece of the puzzle. Going forward, I would like to see us complete the domestic treble, and make a good showing in Europe. 9.5/10 (Mack) Star players/ flops  Nicolas Kuhn probably been standout so far this season. Arne Engels been excellent recently too proved doubters wrong, Cameron Carter-Vickers always up there and Kasper Schmeichel been a great signing. Not many flops if any, would have to say Luis Palma. (Aidan) Biggest surprise of the season so far? Has to be Celtic making Champions League knock-out football finally, but Kyogo leaving is up there now. (Aidan) Best/ worst away fans? Hard to say about away fans since they’re tucked away in a corner and the allocation is so small. Best domestically Aberdeen in the 2-2 draw, but Young Boys were very good aswell. Would be harsh to say Ross County worst so will go RB Leipzig. (Aidan) How has your club done in the January window and they need before it closes? January has been quiet, which is typical last minute of Celtic. The signing of Jota has been a welcomed surprise but it’s bittersweet as it sees Kyogo go the other way, which was so unexpected considering he’s still in great form as well. Hopefully Kieran Tierney can get up the road this month rather than the end of the season, and we sign Mathias Kvistgaarden (Brondby) or some sort of Craig Bellamy/Robbie Keane loan signing for some firepower. (Mack) One player you would take from another Premiership side? I would sign Lennon Miller. The sky is the limit for him and would fit the homegrown quota. Although if I’m being honest, there’s a solid argument to suggest his development would very well be best suited elsewhere, but if the right compromise can be met, I would love to see us sign him and avoid another John McGinn scenario. (Mack) Dundee (by Jackie) How do you feel about the season so far and what do you expect from the rest of it? I feel Dundee’s season has been very inconsistent. We’ve had some real good days and some really bad days. I feel the loss of Luke McCowan has had an impact on the team and the team had to try to adjust without him. I feel that this has taken some time and we are still struggling a bit. We have had some really good results recently and long may that continue. We have also had a good few injuries recently and have still come out with a point against each of the old firm at home and beat Utd in the cup. We were very unlucky against them at New Year. I hope as our injured players return we can only get better. 7/10 Star players/ flops Mo Sylla has been outstanding! Player of the season for me! Also Josh Mulligan! We need to get them signed up quickly. I don’t like to say who our flops are as it’s a team and I genuinely can’t pick someone, however, Jon McCracken has had some seriously questionable games! Biggest surprise of the season so far? At the start of January after being beaten by our rivals & looking at our fixtures, I had us bottom of the league & out of the Scottish Cup by the end of January! They definitely proved me wrong! Best/ worst away fans? Best – Dundee Utd, as much as I don’t like them for 90 mins, the atmosphere is the best from both sets of fans! Worst – Celtic/Rangers – I’m not fond of their song choices or when they try to set our stand on fire… How has your club done in the January window and they need before it closes? Not too bad I’m happy! We got Aaron

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