Celtic Archives - Page 6 of 8

Dinamo Zagreb vs Celtic: What to expect?

Celtic have the opportunity to make to a push for the automatic places when they travel to a troubled Dinamo Zagreb this evening, the first meeting since the sides met in the group stages ten years ago. The Glasgow side recovered well from their 7-1 thrashing at the hands of Dortmund to earn themselves five points against some strong opposition in Atalanta, RB Leipzig and Club Brugge, taking their total tally to eight. Sitting only two points off the top eight, Brendan Rodgers will know that a win in a Croatia will at least give the side a much needed buffer for the play-off spot. Hosts Dinamo Zagreb find themselves in a similar predicament, sat just one point behind Celtic in the standings. The club which has been graced by the likes of Josko Gvardiol, Mateo Kovavic and once Celtic goalscoring machine Mark Viduka, will likely see this fixture as their best chance at three points before facing Arsenal and AC Milan. Celtic will hope for a more positive result than their last visit to Zagreb in 2014 when Marko Pjaca, who is expected to feature tonight, grabbed a hat-trick on route to a 4-3 victory for the Croatians. No home comforts for Celtic Be it in the East End or on the road, Celtic have steamrolled their way to the top of the table and look set to retain the title before the New Year. Europe however, is a different kettle of fish and the stats don’t paint a promising picture ahead of tonight’s clash. Winless away from home, Celtic have missed the impact the atmosphere has on shrinking opponents but their own style of play too. Possession at home in their European campaign is an impressive 61% but drops to 41% away from Glasgow. Meanwhile their xG for goes from 1.65 to 0.8 whilst xG again rises from 0.94 to 2.53. It is hardly a new problem for Celtic, who managed just one win in six games from their two previous group stages. Like the constantly flashing symbols on my car’s dashboard, statistics don’t always tell the whole truth, but they do offer a warning that should be heeded for those who want to ensure safety on the road. Out of sorts but not out yet It has not been plain sailing for the Croatian’s this season. Despite capturing the last seven league titles, Dinamo sit third in the league with just one win from their last seven games. Worse still, they suffered a humiliating 9-2 defeat at the hands of Vincent Kompany’s Bayern Munich in their opening game of the group stage. However bouncing back to earn a draw with Monaco before grabbing six points away to RB Salzburg and Slovan Bratislava shows they are no slouches. Conversely to Celtic, their struggles have been for the most part at home this season, having not won a game at the Stadio Maksimir since September. Celtic will know themselves from the Dortmund fallout, underestimate teams in this competition at your peril.

December 10, 2024

Celtic dispatch Hibs to stretch points gap to nine

Celtic 3 – 0 Hibernian Celtic continued their undefeated league streak with a 3-0 win over an improved Hibernian side, moving nine points clear at the top of the table. Arne Engels met Alistair Johnson’s low cross to open the scoring after just six minutes. The hosts put the game to bed in the second half thanks to a Joe Newell own goal from a Luke McCowan corner before Kyogo Furuhashi’s deft chip sealed the three points. It could have been more Luke McGowan hitting the crossbar soon after the opener with Adam Idah guilty of not putting away an clear-cut chance. Hibernian’s had their chances, Newell blasting a good opportunity over the bar before Kasper Schmeichel denied Mykola Kukharevych in a one on one. The result leaves Hibs at the bottom of the table after Hearts defeated Dundee. Line-ups: Celtic: K. Schmeichel, G. Taylor, L. Scales, A. Trusty, A. Johnston, A. Engels (R. Hatate 73′), C. McGregor, L. McCowan (Paulo Bernardo 73′), D. Maeda (Yang Hyun-Jun 67′), A. Idah (K. Furuhashi 67′), N. Kuhn (J. Forrest 46′) Substitutes: C. Carter-Vickers, J. Forrest, K. Furuhashi, Paulo Bernardo, R. Hatate, A. Ralston, V. Sinisalo, Alex Valle, Yang Hyun-Jun Hibernian: J. Smith, J. Iredale, R. Bushiri, W. O’Hora, J. Obita, L. Miller (C. Cadden 83′), J. Newell (D. Gayle 82′), N. Triantis, E. Youan (J. Hoilett 82′), M. Kuharevich (J. Campbell 27′) Substitutes: M. Boyle, J. Bursik, C. Cadden, J. Campbell, J. Doyle-Hayes, D. Gayle, J. Hoilett, D. Levitt, N. Moriah-Welsh

December 7, 2024

Celtic edge past Aberdeen in top of the table clash

Celtic lived up to their Champions-elect status with a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Aberdeen at a wet and windy Pittodrie on Wednesday night. The match began in dramatic fashion as the players emerged through a cloud of red and white smoke, with fireworks and pyrotechnics lighting up the night sky. Aberdeen started brightly and had the first clear-cut chance. A superb cross-field ball from Nilsen bypassed Valle, setting up Duk for a strike from the edge of the box. His effort was smartly saved by Schmeichel with his feet, and Nisbet’s follow-up whistled narrowly past the post. Midway through the first half, Callum McGregor had Celtic’s first real opportunity. Known for his long-range goals this season, he found himself with plenty of space, but his tame shot rolled harmlessly past Ross Doohan’s goal, leaving the stand-in keeper untroubled. As the first half progressed, Celtic began to increase the tempo. Aberdeen’s midfield duo of Shinnie and Nilsen had been shielding their defence effectively, congesting the central areas, but Celtic started to exploit space on the flanks. Despite clever runs by Kuhn and Maeda, the Dons’ defence held firm, although they were beginning to retreat deeper. Just before the break, Celtic thought they had taken the lead when Bernardo’s corner went directly into the net. However, Maeda was penalised for a foul on Doohan, sparing the keeper’s blushes. A brief VAR review gave Celtic fans hope, but the decision stood, much to the delight of the home supporters. Halftime: Aberdeen 0 – 0 Celtic The second half began with both sides trading chances. Celtic’s Kuhn came closest with a strike that sailed just over the bar, looking destined for the top corner. At the other end, Duk surged into the Celtic box but went down under pressure from Greg Taylor, with appeals for a penalty waved away. Just after the hour mark, Aberdeen produced some heroic defending to keep the scoreline level. Alistair Johnston saw two efforts blocked in quick succession, and when the ball fell to Hatate, Doohan made an excellent save to push the ball wide. Moments later, Doohan was called into action again, pulling off a stunning one-handed save to deny Adam Idah. Rising highest to meet a cross, Idah’s header seemed certain to find the net, but Doohan’s outstretched arm kept the game goalless. Aberdeen then squandered a golden chance to take the lead. Morris slid a clever pass to Besuijen, who drove into the box and cut it back to Clarkson. With time and space on the edge of the area, Clarkson dragged his shot well wide, a miss that would prove costly. Minutes later, Celtic made Aberdeen pay. Greg Taylor delivered a delicate, lofted pass to Hatate, who had cleverly drifted in behind McGarry, with Devlin playing him onside. The Japanese midfielder controlled the ball on his chest and calmly slotted it into the bottom corner, silencing Pittodrie. Aberdeen’s best chance to equalise fell to Ester Sokler. Polvara burst past Johnston and whipped in a dangerous cross. Trusty’s misjudged clearance presented the ball to Sokler in front of goal, but the striker’s effort was somehow deflected over the bar when it seemed easier to score. Despite Aberdeen’s late pressure, Celtic stood firm. As the clock ticked down, the home crowd began to thin, and the visitors held on to secure a vital three points. The victory extends Celtic’s lead at the top of the table to seven points. For Aberdeen, the defeat leaves them looking over their shoulders, with Rangers now just four points behind and holding a game in hand. Full time: Aberdeen 0 – 1 Celtic Lineups: Aberdeen: Doohan (GK); Devlin, Rubezic, Molloy, McGarry (Polvara 82’), Shinnie, Nilsen, McGrath (Clarkson 70’), Nisbet (Sokler 59’), Duk (Morris 59’), Keskinen (Besuijen 70) Celtic: Schmeichel (GK); Johnston, Trusty, Carter-Vickers, Valle (Taylor 46’), Bernardo (McCowan 65’), Hatate (Engels 87’), McGregor, Maeda (Forrest 75’), Kyogo (Idah 65’), Kuhn Bookings: Aberdeen – Nisbet, Shinnie, Nilsen Celtic – Valle Referee: Don Robertson VAR: Andrew Dallas

December 4, 2024

Scottish Premiership Showdown: Aberdeen v Celtic

Venue: Pittodrie Stadium, Aberdeen Date: Wednesday, 4 October Time: 20:00 GMT The stakes couldn’t be higher as Aberdeen host reigning champions Celtic at Pittodrie in a match that could define the trajectory of this Scottish Premiership season. With both sides battling for supremacy earlier in the campaign, the gap between them has widened, adding even more intrigue to this midweek clash. Celtic enter the fixture on a commanding run of six straight league wins, having shaken off early-season jitters that saw them draw 2-2 with Aberdeen at Celtic Park. Meanwhile, Jimmy Thelin’s Aberdeen have faltered, enduring a defeat and two draws in their last three league matches, compounded by a bruising 6-0 loss to Celtic in the League Cup semi-final. A victory for Brendan Rodgers’ Celtic would not only widen the gap at the top but also cast significant doubt over Aberdeen’s title aspirations, with Rangers already trailing further behind. Aberdeen’s Challenge: Aiming for Resilience For Aberdeen, the return to Pittodrie offers a welcome opportunity to regroup after a tough spell on the road. Manager Jimmy Thelin is focused on steady progress rather than dwelling on past defeats. “Playing at home brings its own energy and belief,” said Thelin, whose team endured gruelling away matches against St Mirren, Hibernian, and Hearts in just over a week. “It’s all about improvement and developing our identity. We know there are areas to strengthen, and that’s been our focus from day one.” Despite their semi-final collapse, Thelin emphasised the importance of a fresh approach: “We can’t live in the past. This is a different game, and we’re determined to take a big step forward.” Rodgers’ Praise and Tactical Adjustments Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers remains complimentary of Thelin’s work at Aberdeen, describing the Swede’s efforts as a “fantastic job” despite recent struggles. “Pittodrie is always a tough venue,” Rodgers noted. “Aberdeen are well-structured and clear in their approach, so we’re preparing for a real challenge.” Celtic’s depth allows Rodgers the luxury of rotation, and his recent changes paid dividends in their 5-0 win over Ross County. “The players’ energy, pressing, and attacking intent were outstanding,” he said. While Rodgers hinted he might rotate again, he was quick to praise his squad’s consistency and adaptability. Lessons from Liverpool Former Aberdeen manager Barry Robson drew parallels between this match and Liverpool’s tactical blueprint against Manchester City, urging the Dons to blend aggression with discipline. “You can’t just go all-out against Celtic because of their quality,” Robson said. “It’s about finding the right balance—when to press, when to sit back, and when to play.” The tight confines of Pittodrie, coupled with a passionate home crowd, could be a factor in unsettling Celtic’s rhythm. According to Robson, the key to success lies in stifling Celtic’s influential midfield duo, Callum McGregor and Reo Hatate. “Flood the middle of the pitch,” he advised. “Don’t let McGregor and Hatate control the game. React quickly, win the ball back, and transition forward with purpose. It’s all about bravery and belief.” What’s at Stake For Celtic, this match represents a chance to tighten their grip on the title race and edge closer to a fourth consecutive league triumph. For Aberdeen, it’s an opportunity to reignite their campaign and prove they can compete with the league’s dominant force. As the Scottish Premiership’s top two prepare to lock horns, all eyes will be on Pittodrie to see whether Celtic can extend their dominance or if Aberdeen can rise to the challenge and keep the title race alive.

December 4, 2024

First half onslaught sees Celtic cruise to victory against Ross County

Celtic 5 – 0 Ross County Bredan Rodgers’ men continued their unbeaten run in the Scottish Premiership, a 5-0 victory over Ross County extending their lead at the top to five points. County faced an uphill battle from start but it was made all the more difficult when a Liam Scales header put the home side ahead after only ten minutes. Don Cowie looked on as Ross Laidlaw could little to prevent the first half flood of goals. Charlie Telfer blasted over the visitors’ best opportunity, a fortunate Callum McGregor guilty of letting possession slip near his own box. Luke McGowan was on hand to double Celtic’s lead before Paulo Bernardo’s goal but the game to bed before forty-five minutes had elapsed. It was again all too easy for the hosts as McGregor, with far too much space, blasted a fantastic shot from outside the box. Adam Idah dealt the final blow, some tricky footwork giving the striker space to send a rocket past a miserable Laidlaw who saw himself substituted after the break. Despite the humbling defeat, Ross County sit in eighth, just three points outside of the top six. Attendance: 58, 436 Line-ups: Celtic: K. Schmeichel, A. Valle (G. Taylor 80′), L. Scales, C. Carter-Vickers, A. Johnston (A. Ralston 61′), P. Bernardo, C. McGregor (A. Engels 61′), L. McCowan (R. Hatate 70′), D. Maeda (Yang Hyun-Jun 46′), A. Idah, J. Forrest Ross County: R. Laidlaw (J. Hamilton 48′), E. Campbell, R. Leak, A. Wright, G. Harmon, J. Nisbet, C. Telfer, J. Brown (M. Efete 46′), J. White (S. Allardice 46′), N. Chilvers (V. Loturi 61′), R. Hale (A. Samuel 73′) Referee: Gordon Crawford

December 1, 2024

Resilience Overcomes Chaos as Celtic Salvage a Point Against Brugge

There were stretches during this contest where it seemed Club Brugge could score as many as they pleased. When Cameron Carter-Vickers inadvertently guided the ball into his own net, gifting the Belgians the lead, Celtic appeared to unravel under the pressure. Yet, when the final whistle blew, Brendan Rodgers and his team could take solace in salvaging a point. Brugge’s wastefulness in front of goal was Celtic’s gain, and a sublime strike from Daizen Maeda ensured the Scottish champions remained on track for a spot in the Champions League playoff round. This clash showcased football’s duality: Brugge’s panache was counterbalanced by Celtic’s sheer determination to avoid defeat. Rodgers might have been stretching credibility when he declared his side the better team in the second half, but his satisfaction was understandable. Eight points from five games is no small achievement in this company. “We played against an excellent side,” Rodgers acknowledged. “The players showed great resilience in the second half. We never gave up. With nine points still to play for, we’re very much on track.” Celtic’s recent performances in Europe had rekindled belief. A dominant display against Slovan Bratislava, a hard-earned draw against Atalanta, and a spirited victory over RB Leipzig had redefined the club’s Champions League aspirations. Gone were the memories of past failures; even the 7-1 drubbing in Dortmund seemed a distant blip. As Brugge arrived in Glasgow, anticipation was high, but the visitors came well-prepared. From the outset, Brugge exposed Celtic’s vulnerabilities. Ferran Jutglà narrowly missed early on, while Celtic’s forward ventures felt half-hearted. Jutglà then squandered another chance, choosing to dive instead of testing Kasper Schmeichel after outpacing Carter-Vickers. The visitors dictated the first quarter of the match, aided by a disjointed Celtic midfield. Andreas Skov Olsen missed another opportunity, shooting wide as Schmeichel watched helplessly. Celtic’s struggles deepened when a chaotic moment in defense gifted Brugge the opener. Under pressure from Brugge’s relentless pressing, Nicolas Kühn played the ball back to Carter-Vickers, whose misguided pass caught Schmeichel out of position. The resulting own goal was as comical as it was disastrous for Celtic. Brugge, buoyed by their lead, began the second half with intent. Maxim De Cuyper’s surging run nearly doubled their advantage, only for Schmeichel to deny him with a fingertip save. Celtic Park, renowned for its electric atmosphere, was subdued. Rodgers had called for his players to harness the energy of the crowd, but with an hour gone, unease rippled through the stands. Brugge’s traveling fans, though boisterous, grew anxious as their team’s dominance failed to translate into goals. Skov Olsen’s wayward effort from De Cuyper’s pinpoint cross summed up their frustrations. Celtic capitalized on Brugge’s profligacy. Maeda, quiet until then, seized his moment with a stunning effort that curled inside Simon Mignolet’s left-hand post. Celtic Park erupted, equal parts shock and elation. Brugge thought they had restored their lead moments later when Jutglà bundled the ball in, but VAR intervened, ruling the striker offside. The decision left Brugge fuming and their patience wearing thin. As the game wore on, substitutions disrupted its rhythm. Rodgers introduced Adam Idah to inject energy into Celtic’s attack, while Paulo Bernardo’s arrival brought much-needed stability to midfield. Reo Hatate attempted a speculative volley that ended up closer to the corner flag than the target. In the end, Celtic settled for a hard-fought draw, a result they might later view as a point earned rather than two lost.

November 28, 2024

Celtic welcome giant killers Brugge in Champions League tie

Champions League: Celtic v Club Brugge Belgian side Club Brugge travel to Glasgow take on a Celtic team in red hot form. The hosts remain kings of Scotland, yet to a lose a game domestically and swatting closest rivals Aberdeen 6-0 in the League Cup. More impressive yet, is their marked improvement on the continental stage. Dominating an RB Leipzig side packed with some Europe’s most sought after talent was the statement win Brendan Rodgers’ had been asking for following their setback in Dortmund. Brugge similarly suffered at the hands of last year’s finalists before taking six points from a possible nine, including an impressive victory over Aston Villa. Sitting second in the Belgian Pro League, they are not quite steamrolling opposition in the same way Celtic have but a 7-0 win against Sint-Truiden at the weekend was perfect preparation for game sure to be see plenty of goals. Hosts must capitalise on home form By the reaction of the Leipzig players at full-time, it looked as though they couldn’t wait to get the first flight out of Glasgow. A sentiment no doubt shared by Slovan who were thumped 5-1 in their opening game of the campaign at Celtic Park. Always a step ahead of their opponents with quick combinations and looking as though they would not be troubled by adding an extra half hour onto the game, Nicolas Kuhn was the picked of the bunch as Celtic played the kind of football Rodgers’ knew was possible following their thumping in Dortmund. The manager will want to show that there is much more to come from his side both home and away. With only one point on the road so far as trips to Dinamo Zagreb and Aston Villa await, the East End side will need to take full advantage of home crowd if they are to give themselves every chance of progressing. Despite only one loss in four Celtic remain caught between two poles. Sitting only three points above the bottom tier isn’t much of a buffer, whilst a three goal margin could propel them into the automatic places. There are no easy games in the Champions League but perform tonight and the club could be on track to reach the knockout stages for the first time since 2013. Visitors no shrinking violets The hosts received a fair amount of acclaim for their Leipzig scalp but Club Brugge have an arguably more impressive one of their own after muzzling Aston Villa in a 1-0 victory. Tyrone Mings’ calamity stole headlines but the Belgians kept one the Premier League’s best sides goalless in a performance that deserved more than being a mere sideshow in the post-match analysis. Doing so with a squad in constant flux is not mean feat either. Brugge are side packed with young technical talent, the likes Hugo Vetlesen and Christos Tzolis sure to find a home among Europe’s elite soon. The developing crop are supported by veterans Simon Mignolet and a name familiar to Celtic fans in Dedryck Boyata, who spent four seasons at the club. Granted, they are missing the goalscoring threat of Igor Thiago, whose £30 million move to Brentford left big boots to fill but Tzolis’ four goals against Sint-Truden at the weekend makes him a fairly promising contender. With Sporting CP, Juventus and Manchester City still to come, Brugge will see tonight as their best opportunity to add one more scalp to their collection.

November 27, 2024

Celtic class above Hearts in capital win

Heart of Midlothian 1 – 4 Celtic Celtic applied the afterburners against Hearts to leave Tynecastle with a convincing win, moving three points clear at the top of the Scottish Premiership. In truth Neil Critchley’s side should have had something to show for their efforts in the first half but were sorely lacking a composed presence up front. Blair Spittal could only tamely fire at the keeper before Lawrence Shankland continued to look a shadow of his former self, sending a James Penrice cut-back wide. Having kept the tiring hosts out, Celtic took a hold of the game as Daniel Oyegoke’s poor clearance was deflected into Kygo Furuhashi’s feet, the Japanese forward finishing after Craig Gordon’s opening save. Brendan Rodgers’ men soon doubled their lead with Nikolas Kuhn firing home a second. Hearts were nearly back in when Anthony Ralston’s clearance hit the post and Shankland not making the most of another opportunity, instead teeing up Cameron Devlin, who could not guide the ball past the bodies in front. Adam Idah’s finish put the game to bed but the goals didn’t stop there, Musa Drammeh’s rocket from outside the box providing some consolation before Idah put home a penalty in added time to make sure Celtic had the final word on the night.

November 24, 2024

Alistair Johnston has signed a new contract at Celtic

Celtic announce that Canadian international Alistair Johnston has signed a new contract, keeping him at the club until the summer of 2029. The talented right-back joined Celtic at the end of 2022 and has already made a significant impact, clocking up 79 appearances and scoring six goals. His performances have been pivotal in the club’s recent achievements. This week, Alistair also celebrated a milestone on the international stage, earning his 50th and 51st caps for Canada. Speaking about his new deal, Alistair said: “I’m absolutely delighted to extend my stay with Celtic. From the moment I arrived in 2022, I’ve felt at home here, and it’s been an incredible experience to be part of such a prestigious club. “Pulling on this iconic jersey every week is a true honour, and achieving success with my teammates has been immensely rewarding. But we’re hungry for more, and that’s what drives us. “Working in this set-up, alongside the gaffer, the staff, and such a talented squad, is a privilege. The camaraderie and quality in the dressing room are second to none, and I’m looking forward to helping bring even more success to our amazing fans in the years ahead.” Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers shared his excitement, saying: “This is fantastic news for everyone connected with Celtic. In a short time, Alistair has proven himself to be an outstanding player, delivering consistent, high-quality performances week after week. “His work ethic, hunger, and positivity, combined with his love for the game and drive to improve, make him a fantastic asset to the club. “It was essential for us to secure his future with Celtic, and I’m delighted we’ve been able to do so.” The club looks forward to seeing Alistair continue to excel and contribute to Celtic’s ongoing success.

November 22, 2024

Ronaldo has declared which stadium has the best atmosphere in the world

Cristiano Ronaldo has declared Celtic Park as the stadium with the best atmosphere in the world, a remarkable endorsement from a player who has graced some of football’s most iconic venues. The Manchester United and Real Madrid legend has competed at revered grounds such as Anfield, Old Trafford, the Santiago Bernabéu, Wembley, Camp Nou, San Siro, and Signal Iduna Park, yet he holds Celtic’s home ground in the highest regard. Speaking to Celtic’s official website, the Portuguese superstar shared his admiration, stating: “The Celtic fans are incredible. It is always great to play there.” Ronaldo’s sentiment is echoed by his former manager Sir Alex Ferguson, who has a deep appreciation for the atmosphere at Celtic Park, historically referred to as Parkhead. Reflecting on his experiences there with Manchester United and Aberdeen, Ferguson said: “Parkhead is THE best I’ve experienced. The players were just talking about that the other day – Vidic and Ronaldo were saying it’s the best atmosphere they had ever played in. Credit to the supporters for that because they don’t half raise the roof. It’s obvious the Celtic players react to it given the results they’ve had. You are going to have to run that extra yard, or you will soon be found out by them.” Both Ronaldo and Ferguson’s glowing tributes highlight the unique and electrifying energy that Celtic Park offers, cementing its reputation as one of football’s most iconic cauldrons of noise.

November 21, 2024

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