Celtic Archives - Page 4 of 16

Martin O’Neill Delivers Preferred Hearts Rangers Outcome After Seeing Off Hibs

Celtic manager Martin O’Neill admits a draw tomorrow between Hearts and Rangers is probably his preferred outcome between his two title challengers. The defending champions went level on points today with a 2-1 win at Easter Road over Hibernian. And now leaders Hearts and third placed Rangers battle it out to maintain their own title credentials. When asked about his preference of result, O’Neill said: “I really don’t know, I don’t know. “I suppose the one thing I look at is even if we won the rest of our games, we’re not guaranteed to win the league, because if hearts win all their games they have a better goal difference than us. “You’re not going to make those goals up. Today, with Hibs down to 10 men, had we have maybe gotten a second goal before they scored then it might’ve become a different issue. “So I genuinely don’t know. Maybe a draw?” Celtic had a man advantage for the majority of the game when Jamie McGrath was shown red for his challenge on a returning Alistair Johnston. O’Neill however believes his side looked better when it was 11 vs 11. “I think we actually played better when they had 11 men than we did when they had ten. “Hibs showed last week they were down to nine men and they fought so strongly, so I knew that was always going to be difficult. “Overall, it was just trying to get that second goal, we got it. “Then it’s a matter of trying to see the game from through. “Delighted to have won, just a nervy ending in a game we might’ve been our own worst enemies.” Nigerian forward Kelechi Iheanacho played the role of super-sub once again, coming off the bench and scoring the all important second goal for Celtic. His manager believes he’s a great asset despite his fitness issues. “Iheanacho comes off the bench, scores again. I heard Alistair [Johnston] say it seemed as though it took five minutes before the ball came down to him! “But he put it in, and he’s done that for the last number of weeks for us. Dundee, and essentially he changes the game in extra-time in the semi-final [vs St. Mirren]. “I think with the injuries he’s had this season, at this minute, he hasn’t played a great deal of football. He has been a super impact player. “The fitness element is the most important thing. I think that you have to go prove that you’re fit – and the only way to prove it is on the field of play. What he has done for us has been terrific. “If the club were to keep him, then it’s really to do with a proper pre-season for him. I think that he would really benefit from that.” All eyes now shift to the mouthwatering fixture between Hearts and Rangers tomorrow, before Rangers travel to Celtic Park a week today.

May 3, 2026

Hibernian 1-2 Celtic: Celts Overcome Resilient Hibs to Keep Title Bid Alive

Celtic went level on points with Premiership leaders Hearts as they defeated a ten-men Hibs side 2-1 at Easter Road. Goals from Daizen Maeda and substitute Kelechi Iheanacho either side of a Joe Newell equaliser was what it took to get the job done, as Hibs open the door for Falkirk to overtake them in fifth following the Bairns’ win over Motherwell yesterday. Hearts have the chance to pull further ahead tomorrow once again, when they host Rangers at Tynecastle. The Glasgow side had two early warning shots for their hosts with the first coming via their top scorer Benjamin Nygren in the 6th minute. Winger Yang squared it for the Swede inside the box, but Hibs’ defender Rocky Bushiri flung himself in front of it to keep it from going goal bound. Daizen Maeda threatened just two minutes later, when captain Callum McGregor played a neat ball over the top for the Japanese attacker to bring down. He evaded the offside trap, but his effort never troubled deputy goalkeeper Jordan Smith. VAR intervened just shy of 20 minutes into the match to provide Celtic a man advantage following a reckless tackle from midfielder Jamie McGrath on a returning Alistair Johnston. Referee David Dickinson initially showed the Irish International a yellow, but Don Robertson on VAR recommended the on-field review. It is the fourth red card the Edinburgh side have had in three games. The title-chasers huffed and puffed and eventually found themselves in front just 4 minutes before half-time. Nygren slipped in Johnston inside the area, and he squared it for Maeda to tap in his 12th goal of the season. Douglas Ross initially had his flag up, but VAR replays confirmed there was no offside offence. Just when it looked like visitors had the chance to stamp their authority on the game, Hibs rocked them with an equaliser on the cusp of the half-time whistle. A set-play was awkwardly defended from and goalkeeper Vilijami Sinisalo’s clearance went as far as Hibee’s captain Joe Newell, who brought the scoring level. A lengthy VAR check ensued, with replays indicating it comes off the arm of the Englishman as he brings it down. However, the goal stood and proceedings were equalled at the interval. Two of Celtic’s substitutes linked-up to supply the Hoops with their first big chance of the second period with twenty minutes to play. Kelechi Iheancho’s chested pass to Luke McCowan allowed the former Dundee captain to play in Maeda for his second, but the 28-year-old got the control of the pass all wrong and fashioned an unfavourable angle for himself. Yet only two minutes later, Iheanacho himself would be the man to pull Celtic ahead. The Nigerian brought the ball down from a flicked-on corner with bodies all around him, and fired it home much to the adulation of the travelling supporters in the stand behind the goal. Ante Suto had a glaring opportunity to score Hibs’ second equaliser of the game with less than two minutes of the ninety remaining. The ball fell for the Australian at the back-post, but his volleyed effort hit the wrong side of the net. David Gray’s men travel to Falkirk in a game they have to avoid defeat in to stay ahead of them in the league table with the gap being just two points between the teams now. As for Celtic, they host rivals Rangers on Sunday, who will be either stoking a title fight of their own if they get a result tomorrow at Hearts, or will be out to dent their city adversaries own trophy defence if they lose most if not all ground they have in the race at Tynecastle tomorrow. HIBERNIAN: Smith 6, Cadden 2 (Obita 46’ 2), Bushiri 7, Iredale 6 (Suto 81′ 1), O’Hora 5, Megwa 5, Chaiwa 4, McGrath 1, Newell 6 (Barlaser 73′ 1), Boyle 2 (Campbell 46’ 3), Elding 4 (Scarlett 81′ 1) CELTIC: Sinisalo 4, Johnston 6 (Forrest 64′), Trusty 5, Scales 5, Tierney 6, McGregor 6, Engels 5, Nygren 4 (Ralston 77′ 1), Tounekti 3 (McCowan 64′), Maeda 7, Yang 5 (Iheanacho 69′ 5)

May 3, 2026

Is Daizen Maeda coming to life at the right time?

The Japanese international has five goal involvements in his last two games, after what has been a disappointing season for his standards. A whopping 45 goal contributions in all competitions for Daizen Maeda last season, has been slightly covered with his campaign this time-out. His efforts were rewarded with the Player of the Year last season. Maeda hadn’t scored in the league since the 10th of January before his double against Falkirk on Saturday. Maeda has burst back into his own self in recent weeks, scoring to put Celtic into another Scottish Cup final and keeping their title hopes alive. However, there is speculation that he will depart the club in the summer, after his well anticipated move to Wolfsburg last year fell through. On Maeda’s contract situation, Martin O’ Neill said: “I think there were contract talks with him last August. I do know that there were talks and there was a contract in front of him, which he didn’t sign at the time. I don’t know the position now. “If he didn’t want to stay any longer, then that would be a choice for the club to try and sell him. “But he’s come back to a bit of form, which is great. I’ll look short-term at this minute and see how he can cope with the next five games.” Maeda looks to be back to himself, his high intensity pressing has caused serious problems for defences recently. Including a horror mistake from Ryan Mullen to give Celtic the opener in the Scottish Cup semi-final. The Celtic support will be hoping that Maeda brings delight at the top end of the pitch for the final four games in the league, in hope to retain the Scottish Premiership title.

April 30, 2026

Celtic Exploring Conditions of Permanent Saracchi Stay

Celtic are looking into making on-loan defender Marcelo Saracchi’s stay a permanent one. The Uruguayan signed late in the summer window from Argentine giants Boca Juniors, and has made 23 appearances as the Parkhead side manage Kieran Tierney’s fitness. A deal will reportedly not be concluded until a new manager is in the Celtic Park dugout, yet interim manager Martin O’Neill admits it is a deal that makes sense. “I think they should try [sign him]. Kieran Tierney is playing brilliantly, back to the level Arsenal paid for. “But this little lad scored for us. He’s a strange character, I call him Manuel from Fawlty Towers because he hasn’t a clue what I’m saying! “He just says ‘Yes’ to everything! But the club should be looking at something like that.” Saracchi has scored once in a 2-1 home win over Livingston, and has chipped in with two assists. The player himself is said to be keen to extending his stay to life in Glasgow, but would need reassurances on game time amid other options being presented to him.

April 28, 2026

James Forrest Signs One-Year Extension With Celtic

Celtic winger James Forrest has extended his time at Parkhead by another year, penning a deal that sees him at the club until the end of the 2026/27 season. Forrest, who turns 35 in the summer, has never played for a club other than Celtic, becoming their most decorated player of all time with 26 major honours at the time of writing. He scored on his debut in 2010 as a 19-year-old in a 4-0 home win over Motherwell, and hopes he can continue his record of scoring in every season since next year again with the Hoops. Forrest told club media: “I’m absolutely delighted. I’ve been here my full career and I’ve loved every minute of it. “We’ve been so successful in my time here and I’m delighted to have signed another year, and I’ll just give my best to the club for however long I’ll be here. “While I’m still playing I can hopefully keep contributing and helping the team when I can and I’m just going to give it everything until I finish. “When I do stop, I will look back on so many great memories, but hopefully I can make a few more before I do finish.” Interim manager Martin O’Neill brought him off the bench to rescue Celtic on Sunday in the Scottish Cup semi-final win over St. Mirren, and he is happy to see Forrest potentially see out his career as a one-club-man. O’Neill said: “I really want James to finish his career here at Celtic, and I just didn’t want him to be going elsewhere, and I think he wanted that as well. “But the major point about taking anyone on is to know whether they’re worth an extra year and James has proved this season that he has been worth that. “He has changed games and he has done wonderfully well. His contribution in recent weeks when he’s come off the bench has been absolutely terrific, and he has deserved it, and that’s the point. “So, take sentimentality right out of it, he’s deserved it. “He’s been immense for the football club since Neil Lennon brought him in when he was a young kid in the reserves, and he is what I love – I love players who take people on and he can take people on, even to have that little burst of pace at his age is worth its weight in gold.” There is still scope that Forrest can make the plane for the World Cup this summer, having been part of Steve Clarke’s last two major tournament squads. But with the title race in the balance, and Celtic in a Scottish Cup final against former manager Neil Lennon’s Dunfermline, adding to his record high Celtic honours will be at the forefront of the Scottish international’s mind.

April 23, 2026

James Forrest makes admission on Celtic future after Scottish Cup victory

James Forrest has revealed he wants to stay at Celtic despite contract expiration this summer. The 34-year-old is already Celtic’s most decorated player with 26 trophies but could extend his trophy haul to 28 come the end of May. The winger came off the bench to set up Celtic’s third goal in Sunday’s 6-2 win against St. Mirren and has revealed he’s told Celtic bosses that he doesn’t want to be anywhere else next summer. Forrest said: “I think at Celtic you’re always (playing for a new deal). I remember (Brendan) Rodgers telling me when you sign a new deal you’re always working hard to get the next one. Obviously I’m going to be 35 next summer, but I still feel as though I can contribute in and about the team. The main thing just now is helping the team win the league and obviously we’ve got a cup final to look forward to as well, so hopefully I can be a part of that. “I spoke to the club… I’ve been here for a long time and I don’t want to go anywhere else. So it’s not a big discussion.” Forrest was also asked about how valuable his and his teammates Hampden experience was to staving off a St. Mirren comeback. But the winger was full of praise for the whole squad’s mentality. He said: “Obviously you’ve been and done it. But I think the players, any new signings, any young boys coming through at Celtic quickly realise how big it is every game you play and especially in semi-finals, finals. You’re expected to win these games and it’s onto the next one. “The boys dug in to be fair. Obviously made a lot of subs. The team that started the game wasn’t the team that finished it and I think that’s happened a lot this season. The veteran also agreed that the prospect of Neil Lennon and Martin O’Neill facing off against each other in the Scottish Cup final is an interesting one. “It’s unbelievable, obviously I came through with Lenny as well. He obviously gave me my debut and I played reserves with him and I’ve got a lot of good memories with him. It’s obviously great for him to get into the final as well. “It’s a good one, hopefully by the end of the season we’ll have the league in the bag and a cup final to look forward to. It’ll obviously be a good day for the two of them as well.” With no official word on whether Forrest will remain at Celtic next season, the forward has six games remaining after 24 years at Celtic, where he could extend his trophy tally to a historic 28.

April 20, 2026

“We had to show it again today, and we showed it in abundance to get the job done!”- Anthony Ralston reflects on a dramatic Scottish Cup victory

Celtic right-back Anthony Ralston praised the character shown by the Celtic squad to fend off a St. Mirren comeback and reach a fourth consecutive Scottish Cup final. Celtic ran out 6-2 winners, but needed extra-time to see off Craig Mcleish’s side who came back from 2-0 down in stoppage time. Ralston scored his first Hampden goal in a Celtic shirt to put Martin O’Neill’s side 2-0 up just before half time. But Celtic needed to show a lot of resilience after dropping a two goal lead. “The mentality that we showed, that we’ve showed all throughout the years has gave us success. We had to show it again today and we showed it in abundance to get the job done.” He also mentioned that Celtic will be keen to win May’s cup final, having lost their last two cup finals. But focus now immediately shifts to the title race. “It’s in the back of our mind in terms of we’ve obviously got a title race to take care of in the next couple of weeks. Then we can have that at the end of the season and hopefully get more silverware.” Ralston also acknowledged that his place in the Scotland World Cup squad isn’t guaranteed, but a goal today as well as two more potential winners medals will certainly help his case for a call-up. “I don’t take anything for granted. It’s a crazy game. That’s why days like today, I need to keep taking my opportunities, I need to keep proving myself to hopefully get in that squad and that’s obviously my aim. As well as obviously being successful and winning trophies. I’ve got a lot that keeps me going and a lot that drives me everyday to be at my best. “Everybody’s a collective here. You know, we’re all hungry, we’ve all got the desire. We know it’s been a tough season. “I’ve got enough on my plate to try and win more. So I’m going to try and win more trophies at Celtic going into the end of the season and also trying to be successful internationally as well. So I’ve got a lot to keep me going.” He also admitted that prior to his goal, his first instinct wasn’t even to go for goal. “Initially, in my mind I was going to cross it. But then I thought I’ll just have a hit. Then it’s about having as clean a strike as possible across the goal and maybe not as close to the crossbar as I wanted. “I’ve not scored at Hampden for Celtic and I’ve said it all through the years. It was an incredible feeling.” Celtic will now face Dunfermline Athletic on the 23rd May in the final of the Scottish Gas Men’s Scottish Cup. But they’ll first turn their attention to league action with five games remaining in this year’s title race. Celtic host Falkirk on Saturday.

April 19, 2026

Celtic 6-2 St. Mirren: Celtic extra time barrage sees off St. Mirren comeback

Celtic 6-2 St.Mirren (AET) Celtic overcame worries of a St. Mirren comeback with an extra-time punishment to exact Hampden revenge and reach the Scottish Gas Men’s Scottish Cup final. Maeda (1′) Ralston (45+3′) Iheanacho (96′, 100′) McCowan (98′) Nygren (102′) Mandron (53′, 90+1′) Celtic wasted no time after kick-off as Daizen Maeda pounced on a poor kick from Ryan Mullen. A block from the forward trickled over the line to give Celtic at the lead in the opening minute. Martin O’Neill’s side continued to apply early pressure as Arne Engels attempt bounced off the post within the opening ten. It became an afternoon to forget for Ryan Mullen who filled in for the injured Shamal George. Mullen would pick up an injury of his own in the 15th minute meaning he was replaced by 17-year-old Grant Tamosevicius who made his senior debut. The teenager was called into action early on as his kick out was intercepted by Tounekti who played through Benjamin Nygren, but the effort was straight into the hands of the keeper. Moments later, he would deny Maeda a brace with a great stop from inside the area. St. Mirren’s first shot of the afternoon came from Mikael Mandron just before the half hour mark, but his effort from outside the area was blocked. Liam Donnelly would then force Viljami Sinisalo into a fantastic save from the corner. St. Mirren would then start to grow into the game and nearly recreated Celtic’s goal when Killian Phillips’ block of Sinisalo’s kick out caused a scare. Luckily for Celtic, if the ball had crossed the line, it was ruled that it came off Phillips’ arm. Moments later, Arne Engels entered the book for a challenge on Jacob Devaney. Celtic’s first effort since Engels struck the post would strike the bar as Tamosevicius could only watch on as Yang headed goal-wards from a Kieran Tierney cross. The drama of goalkeeper kick outs continued as Sinisalo’s short pass was intercepted by Mandron inside the box. Mandron laid the ball off to Phillips whose close range effort was wide off the post. Anthony Ralston put Celtic two goals to the good with the last kick of the half as Yang’s back heel was left perfectly for the fullback whose shot came off the underside of the bar. Mandron then pulled one back for St. Mirren shortly after halftime as he headed in from a Declan John cross. Celtic looked to respond fast through Yang, but his goal bound effort was blocked by Jonah Ayunga for a corner. Celtic would then recycle play as Tamosevicius collected the ball in a congested penalty area. Allan Campbell entered the book moments after for a challenge on Ralston. A triple-substitution 15 minutes from time would allow St. Mirren captain Mark O’Hara to move back into his natural position in the middle of the park. He’d then instantly have an attempt at goal, but his header from a deep free-kick was just over the bar. St. Mirren had a penalty appeal waved five minutes from time when Jayden Richardson went down in the box following contact from Marcelo Saracchi. Sinisalo would then produce an excellent double save to keep Celtic’s lead in the closing stages. The lead didn’t last long however as Mandron latched onto a Jake Young through ball and beat Sinisalo low into the bottom corner to equalise in stoppage time. Luke McCowan came close to winning it at the death, but his half volley from outside the box was just over. The first chance of extra-time fell to Mandron, looking for a hat-trick. The forward managed to meet Declan John’s cross once more, but the shot was blocked by substitute Dane Murray. Celtic then looked to James Forrest to counter from a corner, but was shut down by Mark O’Hara who was booked for his foul. Iheanacho restored Celtic’s lead in the 96th minute, heading in from a James Forrest cross. McCowan put Celtic two up immediately after with a great finish. The fourth then became the fifth when Ihenancho cooly finished past Tamosevicius. The fifth became the sixth when Nygren gave Celtic their fourth goal in six minutes. Celtic didn’t look to let St. Mirren off the hook in the second half of extra-time as Tamosevicius produced saves from Forrest and Iheanancho before Austin Trust fired high and wide from close range. The final chance of the match fell to Iheanacho, but his effort went out for a throw in. The whistle sounded shortly after as Celtic reached their fourth consecutive Scottish Cup final. Celtic will return to Barclays Hampden to face Neil Lennon’s Dunfermline in the final of the Scottish Gas Men’s Scottish Cup on the 23rd May. This ensures a re-run of the 2007 cup final, where Lennon was the Celtic captain in a 1-0 win. Celtic: Sinisalo, Ralston, Arthur (Murray 91′), Trusty, Tierney (Saracchi 82′), McGregor (Oxlade-Chamberlin 74′), Engels (McCowan 74′), Nygren, Yang (Iheanacho 82′), Maeda, Tounekti (Forrest 60′) St. Mirren: Mullen (Tamosevicius 16′), Donnelly (McMenamin 82′), Gogic, Freckelton, O’Hara, Devaney, Campbell (Richardson 74′), Phillips (Idowu 74′), John (Tanser 105′), Mandron, Ayunga (Young 74′)

April 19, 2026

Celtic Hero Appointed Japan Coach Ahead of World Cup

Celtic icon Shunsuke Nakamura has been appointed as part of the backroom staff of Japan ahead of this summer’s World Cup. The free-kick expert was back in Glasgow to take in the Samurai Blue’s friendly win at Barclays Hampden late last month as part of a Japanese TV station’s coverage. And now the former midfielder will be joining up with the coaching setup as a technical coach in the Americas from June. “I am pleased to announce that I will be joining the staff as a coach for the Japanese national team” Nakamura said in a statement. “I carefully considered the impact of my joining at such a crucial time, just before the World Cup finals, but after receiving passionate and encouraging words from Coach [Hajime] Moriyasu, I decided to accept the position. “I will strive to share the same aspirations as the Japanese national team players competing on the world stage and contribute to achieving the goals the team has set.” Nakamura represented his country 98 times, scoring 24 times. He was the first Japanese player to play for Celtic, a market that has benefitted the Glasgow giants massively in recent years, with World Cup hopefuls Daizen Maeda and Reo Hatate on the books currently. Japan won two friendlies in March 1-0 away to both Scotland and England, and will play one more friendly against Iceland before their World Cup group stage fixtures in Group F against the Netherlands, Tunisia and Sweden.

April 16, 2026

“Tommy Was The Key Moment For Celtic to go Towards Better Things” – Rudi Vata on Burns’ Lasting Legacy at Parkhead

Former Celtic defender Rudi Vata says that the appointment of Tommy Burns as manager in 1994 was the moment the paradigm shifted in Scottish football. The Albanian was part of the squad under Burns’ that won the 1995 Scottish Cup, the first trophy Celtic had won in six years. And Vata believes that the blueprint left by Burns’ is what catapulted Celtic into their era of dominance. Speaking exclusively on SNN Sports Football Voices, he said: “Tommy was all about Celtic, he knew Celtic better than anybody else. “All he wanted was the ball on the ground, keep the ball, possession, and that was something that started to click with everybody. “Tommy was the key moment for Celtic to change that situation and go towards better things. I believe that was the key moment for Celtic.” Vata came to Glasgow in 1993 under Liam Brady and initially struggled for game time under Burns. However, he would eventually break into the team and become a key part of Burns’ system up until leaving for Apollon Limassol in 1996. “At the beginning, he didn’t like me because he had different ideas. “Later on you realise, every manager wants to have his own team and build it up with his own ideas with the players he thinks can become successful. “What I did, instead of complaining, and instead of crying about it, I went and hammered myself and after two or three months, Billy Stark [Burns’ assistant] asks me to see him [Burns] in his office and he says ‘you know you are going to play tomorrow night?’ “He didn’t like me and my skills, but he seen that I hadn’t given up. “Even after I left Celtic, he became Reading manager and wanted me to go sign for Reading.” Burns’ would lead Celtic to their first trophy in six years when they defeated Airdrieonians in the Scottish Cup Final in 1995 1-0. This made Vata the first Albanian to win a major trophy in Western Europe, an accomplishment Vata holds in the highest of regard. “I don’t know what kind of feeling it is to win the World Cup, but for me as an Albanian, I was the first Albanian ever to win a trophy in the Western world. “To be first for me was like paradise. “It maybe looks a small achievement now but in 1995, it was the whole world for me. “When we went to Celtic Park, the fans where out there because it was a fair distance that we didn’t win a trophy for.” The full episode of SNN Sports Football Voices with Rudi Vata is available NOW on Spotify and YouTube, where you can listen to extra Tommy Burns stories and much more. YouTube: https://youtu.be/awqZIiTy-w8?si=OxzRsVXIl68BtLeq Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/3JNxLaM28S0GBhLeej7h6C?si=7246f2682f0c4cfa

April 10, 2026