Celtic Archives - Page 8 of 16

Auchinleck Talbot 0-2 Celtic: Celtic Limp Into Next Round After Defeating Junior Opposition

Celtic progressed to the fifth round of the Scottish Gas Scottish Cup with a 2-0 win over sixth-tier non-league side Auchinleck Talbot at Rugby Park. The match was due to be played at the West of Scotland league side’s home Beechwood Park, but Police Scotland advised the game was moved to the home of Kilmarnock fifteen miles away. Striker Johnny Kenny got Celtic ahead 33 minutes with a stabbed effort from close in, before substitute Sebastian Tounekti killed any hope of a Talbot equaliser with just five minutes to play. A performance with enough reason to give fans of a Celtic persuasion concern as to why they were unable to put away a side five divisions below them with ease, as chants against the club’s board were vocally heard from the first whistle. Talbot goalkeeper William Muir produced a great stop to deny Celtic forward Johnny Kenny five minutes in. The Irishman got his head on the end of a headed cutback from Luke McCowan, but was denied by Muir as well as the linesman’s offside flag. Last season’s runners-up maintained the early pressure, with McCowan almost registering an assist once more five minutes later. The former Ayr United man tried playing in Prestwick native James Forrest, but a fantastic defensive intervention diverted any danger. Celtic’s best opportunity to put themselves ahead came 24 minutes in. Anthony Ralston fired a ball in across the deck which made its way to an arriving Michel-Ange Balikwisha. The Celtic number ten however, blazed his attempt over from less than twelve yards out. The ‘bot had their best chance of a shock lead come just after half an hour played. A looping free-kick was failed to be punched clear by Viljami Sinisalo and bounced in the Finnish international’s six-yard box, before being eventually bundled clear for a corner kick. The breakthrough finally came for the favourites two minutes after the scare. McCowan payed the ball from the right flank low into the Auchinleck area, and Johnny Kenny got across his man to poke the ball home and net his sixth goal of the season with a first time finish. And it could so nearly have been two for Kenny just a couple minutes into the second half. James Forrest, who swapped wings with McCowan, floated a ball into Muir’s six-yard area, but Kenny’s header cannoned off of the crossbar. Talbot gave the Parkhead side another fright just after the hour stage. Kyle McAvoy was slipped in down the right inside the box with time and space to pick out his teammates, but his cross lacked any accuracy as it went wayward into he side netting. Within a minute, the action moved from one goal to the other, as Johnny Kenny chipped the ball over Muir to score what he thought was his and Celtic’s second of the afternoon. The offside flag was raised, though, and a lengthy VAR check agreed with the on-field call. Another headed opportunity went begging for the away side with fifteen minutes to play. Liam Scales dinked cross was perfectly timed to match Anthony Ralston’s run from deep, but the right-back’s header towards the bottom left corner was an inch or two wide of the post. Benjamin Nygren stung the palms of Muir a minute or so later, with the Swede forcing the Talbot goalkeeper into making his first real save since Kenny’s chance early in the match. Tunisian winger Sebastian Tounekti got the Celts their two-goal cushion with five minutes to play. Paulo Bernardo found him in his natural position, and the 23-year-old cut in on his right foot and curled a beauty to put some polish on a sub-par performance from Celtic overall. The fairytale is over for Auchinleck Talbot as they bow out the competition with their heads held high after a resilient effort defensively and not shy in the attack either. As for Celtic, the 42 time winners are in the hat for the next round, but will need to up their game against better opposition, whom they face twice in the next week in two away contests to Bologna in the Europa league on Thursday, and league leaders Hearts on Sunday. AUCHINLECK TALBOT: Muir 7, Schoneville 5 (Kerr 79’ 1), Wilson 5 , Sime 6, McCubbin-Boyd 5 , Gillies 5, Main 6(Wood 87’) , Clark 6, Crooks 6 (Kazoka 87’1), McPherson 5, McAvoy 4 (Nimmo 82’ 1) CELTIC: Sinisalo 4, Balikwisha 4 (Nygren 67’ 2), McCowan 5, Kenny 5 (Yamada 86’ 1), Bernardo 6, McGregor 6 (Hatate 86’ 1), Murray 5, Forrest 7 (Tounekti 62’ 4 ), Donovan 5 , Ralston 5 , Welsh 5 (Scales 67’ 2)

January 18, 2026

“We All Know We Need to Put in Stronger Performances”- Benjamin Nygren

Celtic midfielder Benjamin Nygren conceded that the level of performance from himself and his teammates must improve in the final half of this season. The Swede scored the only goal in a narrow 1-0 win away to Falkirk, bringing him up to ten for in the league campaign so far, only behind Hearts captain Lawrence Shankland. And the 24-year-old is aware of the importance of getting positive results at this time of year. He said: “We said in the dressing room before that we have to almost win every game now. “In the end, it’s about getting the three points. If you play a great game, you still get three points. Today we didn’t play our best game but we still got the three points and that’s the most important thing.” Falkirk had a series of chances in a game in which the home side dominated spells of. Nygren was quick to give John McGlynn’s side credit where it was due, but also feels Celtic must look inwards. “For sure, I can give Falkirk some credit, they played a good game, but I still think we should do a better performance. “But we didn’t, and we still ran a lot of metres and did pretty good defensively. “We all know we have to put in stronger performances to win football games, today was not good enough. “We cannot continue with performances like this, but today we got the win and we are pleased with that.” Nygren is averaging a goal less than every three games after converting his twelfth Celtic goal in 33 appearances, but the summer recruit insists that the team performing well is his priority. “I always want to do good individually, but it’s a team sport so the most important thing is for us to win the league, and be first in the league and we are not at the moment. “But you need to score goals to win games and I’ve always been a player that from a deeper position that is creating chances, and scoring goals and making assists in the final third and I want to continue.” Celtic are now six points behind leaders Hearts after they also won tonight, but Nygren believes that this Celtic squad can turn their fortunes around. “We have the team right now to turn it around. In a massive club like Celtic, you always need competition [amongst the players]. “We still play both Hearts and Rangers again so it’s still in our hands and we will do everything to turn it around.” Celtic travel to Rugby Park on Sunday afternoon to take on non-league Auchinleck Talbot in the Scottish Cup, before a week which sees them travel to Bologna in their penultimate Europa League league phase match on Thursday, and then to league leaders Hearts in a mouth-watering clash on Sunday.

January 15, 2026

“We Were Second Best” – Martin O’Neill Delivers Honest Verdict After Victory Over Falkirk

Interim Celtic manager Martin O’Neill admitted that Falkirk were the better side despite losing 1-0 to the Northern Irishman’s side at The Falkirk Stadium. It is the second clean sheet in a row for the Parkhead club since the 73-year-old returned again on a temporary basis following the sacking of Wilfried Nancy, after eight games without a shutout during the Frenchman’s disastrous reign. However, O’Neill believes that Falkirk can be disappointed in failing to come away with any points from tonight’s defeat. He said: “We didn’t play well in the game. “We saw it through, and we can play much, much better. It just seems strange in the contrast where we were so good on Saturday [against Dundee United] and tentative tonight. “I think Falkirk would have found themselves really unlucky to be behind at half-time in the game. I thought we pressed a bit better in the second half, but overall we didn’t play well in the game.” Falkirk had three big chances in the first half, including an open goal miss from Kyrell Wilson, and then Kasper Schmeichel produced a massive save to deny Ethan Hamilton in the dying minutes of the second. O’Neill insists stronger performances will come. “I just thought, certainly in the first half, we were second best and we seemed devoid of that real energy that was necessary. “But obviously I am delighted to have won the game because we will play better. “The most important thing, I’ve said this often enough, is winning, tonight particularly, Hearts have won as well too and our margin of error is very small and we dropped a lot of points. “So winning tonight was the most important thing. We can play much better and we will” Falkirk are one of three Premiership sides who play on an artificial surface, but O’Neill was not prepared to use the pitch as an excuse for Celtic’s struggles today. “The circumstances today are totally different. We’re playing on an artificial surface. “I’ve no problem with that because they played pretty well on the artificial surface, or scored four goals anyway, against Livingston a couple weeks ago. “But things were different, and you have to adjust, you have to adapt, you have to do all of these things. It’s the nature of the game for the players, they have to dig in, and for that I’m eternally grateful.” Celtic have been linked with Croatian striker Franko Kovacevic from Slovenian side NK Celje, with the 26-year-old scoring 25 goals in 28 appearances so far this season. However, the Celtic manager remained coy on how far down the line a deal may be. “I’m probably sure I have done [looked at Kovacevic], I’ve only looked at about four and a half thousand at this minute! “You can tell a mile away we need to get a centre forward. Young Johnny Kenny has done really fine in the games but I think that’s really harsh to put that sort of pressure on a young lad.” Celtic are back in action this Sunday at Rugby Park as they face non-league Auchinleck Talbot in the Scottish Cup.

January 15, 2026

Falkirk 0-1 Celtic: Bairns Rue Missed Chances as Celts Escape With Win

Celtic made it back to back wins under the returning Martin O’Neill with a narrow 1-0 win away to Falkirk, becoming only the third away side to return home from The Falkirk Stadium with all three points this season. The result means the Glasgow side leapfrog their neighbours Rangers into second place on goal difference, but remain six points behind Hearts who defeated St. Mirren in tonight’s other fixture. The only goal of the game came on the stroke of half-time, with Celtic’s top goalscorer Benjamin Nygren scoring what would be the winner a minute before the whistle as he nodded an Arne Engels corner home. The home side had it much their own way in the first half, with Barney Stewart sending an early warning signal to the Celtic backline when he got in behind and fired straight at former Falkirk loanee Kasper Schmeichel seven minutes in. John McGlynn’s men maintained the pressure and came even closer fifteen minutes later, when a curled Calvin Miller set-piece from the left wing seemed to stop dead inside the Celtic six-yard box, eventually being cleared by left-back Kieran Tierney. And the biggest chance of the half would come just two minutes after. Kyrell Wilson done extremely well to beat Tierney to a ball over the top and drove in from the right, rounding Schmeichel with a smart side step, before losing balance and firing his shot high and wide. It remained one way traffic at the Falkirk Stadium and just before the half hour mark the hosts came close again. A slack pass from Daizen Maeda to his defence was pounced upon by striker Barney Stewart, who once again seen his effort swallowed by Schmeichel as the Hoops survived yet another scare. Seemingly against the run of play and with a mere minute before the half time whistle was blown, an Arne Engels in-swinging corner met the head of Benjamin Nygren. The Swede found the bottom corner and netted his tenth goal in the league this season, to give his side a perhaps undeserving lead at the break. A real collector’s item at half-time as the referee team made the only change. John Beatton swapped with his fourth official Sean Murdoch due to injury as he officiated his first game, or half if you will, of Premiership action. Celtic had the ball in the net again nine minutes into the second period courtesy of Daizen Maeda, but the Japanese forward was clearly offside and the scoreline remained 1-0. The defending champion’s first real sight on goal after the disallowed effort came around ten minutes from time. Reo Hatate was played in the box with space, and his low cross was met by Johnny Kenny. The Irishman’s attempt was blocked and bounced back off of him for a goal kick. Falkirk immediately went up the other end and produced a chance arguably bigger than any of those created in the first half. Liam Scales failed to clear a bouncing ball which landed at sub Ethan Williams’, but his strike was met by the extended leg of Kasper Schmeichel to deny his former side. The Bairns remain in the top six, five points clear of seventh placed Dundee United but will come away from this feeling aggrieved they haven’t taken anything out of the match. They travel to the capital on Saturday evening, to face Hearts in Scottish Cup action. As for Celtic, it is another win for Martin O’Neill who has won nine of hasten matches in charge over two spells as interim manager. The display did not complement the result and the Northern Irishman will no doubt be eager for reinforcements. Celtic travel to Rugby Park on Sunday to face non-league Auchinleck Talbot in the cup. FALKIRK: Bain 6, McCann 5, Henderson 6, Spencer 5, Yeats 4 (Parkinson 63’ 2), Stewart 2 (Marsh 63’ 3), Allan 6, Tait 5 (Cartwright 74’ 1), Wilson 5 (Ross 78’ 1), Lissah 7, Miller 7 (Williams 78’ 1) CELTIC: Schmeichel 7, Scales 5, Trusty 5, Nygren 7, Yang 5 (McCowan 66’ 3), Araujo 5, Tounekti 4 (Hatate 66’ 2), Engels 5 (Kenny 79’ 1), Maeda 5, McGregor 6, Tierney 6

January 14, 2026

Celtic recall Welsh from Motherwell loan

Celtic have boosted their defensive options by recalling Stephen Welsh from his loan at Motherwell. The 25-year-old signed a season-long loan deal on Deadline Day and made 17 appearances for the Fir Park side. He impressed in Jens Berthel Askou’s defence, helping them to 4th place, and achieving 9 clean sheets. Motherwell confirmed the recall on their website earlier today, stating, ‘We want to thank Stephen for his hard work during his time at Motherwell and wish him the very best for the future.’ Welsh becomes Celtic’s second January move, after completing a loan deal for Bournemouth right back Julián Araujo. Martin O’Neill is still without the stalwart defender Cameron Carter-Vickers, so both could become key cogs for the Scottish champions. O’Neill’s latest interim reign got off to the perfect start, with a commanding 4-0 home victory over Dundee United. They return to league action against Falkirk on Wednesday.

January 12, 2026

Celtic 4-0 Dundee United: Martin O’Neill’s Magic Returns Winning Feeling To Celtic

Celtic won their first game of Martin O’Neill’s second interim spell in charge this season, defeating Dundee United 4-0 at Celtic Park. Two goals in each half were enough for the Northern Irishman’s side, with Hyun-jun Yang and Arne Engels netting in the first period, before Benjamin Nygren and Daizen Maeda completed the rout in the final half hour. It was Celtic’s first match since sacking Wilfried Nancy after 33 days, and they Hoops were able to keep a clean sheet for the first time since what we thought was Martin’s O’Neill’s last game as manager, when the defending champions eked out a 1-0 win over the over side of Dundee at Parkhead. The result temporarily lifts Celtic back into second place, three points behind leaders Hearts and ahead of rivals Rangers on goal difference. Both sides are in action tomorrow, away to Dundee and Aberdeen respectively. The hosts dominated proceedings from the referee’s whistle at kick-off, with he majority of play prevented Dundee United from escaping their own half as their resolute defence eventually caved 27 minutes in. Liam Scales picked out Yang on the edge of the area, and the South Korean’s low rocket flew beyond Dave Richards in the United net to open proceedings. And five minutes later Celtic were two in front. Kieran Tierney delivered a ball from the left flank and Belgian midfielder Arne Engels got first to it, putting daylight between the sides after his left-foot effort sailed into the goal. The Terrors had a glorious opportunity to get themselves back into the game which went begging just a couple of minutes before the half-time break. Teenage forward Owen Stirton took advantage of a slack pass from Austin Trusty, but the American was bailed out by an excellent recovery from his centre-half partner Liam Scales who got in the way of the 18-year-old’s attempt. Celtic were able to equal the intensity on the first half in the second, something they were unable to do in many games throughout Nancy’s forgetful tenure. Benjamin Nygren found himself with space on the six-yard line as the ball broke out to him, and the Swede’s fired home to convert for the 9th time in the league so far this campaign. And the Celtic fans would have to wait an extra minute between goals this time. Daizen Maeda got in on the act six minutes after Nygren, with the Japanese attacker reacting first to a parried effort from Sebastian Tounekti. Richard’s save fell straight to the 28-year-old, who put the ball out of reach to put a ribbon on a heavily sought after three points for Celtic. Dundee United remain outside the top six, sitting seventh in the table with only two wins from their last thirteen games. They host Scott Brown’s Ayr United in the Scottish Cup next Saturday. As for today’s winners, a much welcomed result and performance for Martin O’Neill on his return cuts the gap on Hearts at least until they play Dundee tomorrow. The Bhoys have a game in hand of the capital side, which takes place this Wednesday away to sixth placed Falkirk. CELTIC: Schmeichel 5, Araujo 5 (Donovan 61′ 2), Trusty 5, Scales 7, Tierney 7, Hatate 5 (Nygren 61′ 5), McGregor 6, Engels 7, Tounekti 6 (Forrest 72′ 2), Yang 8 (McCowan 72′ 1) Maeda 6 (Kenny 72′ 1) DUNDEE UNITED: Richards 4, Naamo 4, Sevelj 5 (Eskesen 78′ 1), Graham 5, Keresztes 4, Ferry 3, Stephenson 4, Sibbald 5, Camara 2 (Fatah 46′ 2), Stirton 2 (Strain 61′ 1), Sapsford 3 (Moller 79′ 1)

January 10, 2026

Dundee remain interested in Donovan

Dundee, who were close to signing 19-year-old Colby Donovan last window, are still keeping tabs on the right-back. Steven Pressley was keen on bringing the youngster to Dens and had a deal lined up in the summer, but an injury to Canadian right-back Alistair Johnston meant the deal did not happen. It’s understood that The Dark Blues will make an approach for the Scot, should Celtic show any sign of letting him out. Donovan has made 9 appearances for the Glasgow outfit so far in the Premiership, with 4 of those being starts. The Dees have been active in the January window, bringing in 21-year-old forward Joe Bevan, and Steven Pressley wants to add a left-back, a right-back, and could also look to bring in another midfielder on top of that.

January 8, 2026

Martin O’Neill in as Celtic begin post-Nancy reset

The Celtic great oversaw the team just a matter of weeks before bowing out for Wilfried Nancy is now back in charge. Martin O’ Neill is just off the back of leading the Champions to seven wins from eight matches before Wilfried Nancy’s appointment. And after a complete disaster from the Frenchman, with six defeats in eight, the Celtic hierarchy had no choice but to pull the plug and sack him and the Sporting Director, Paul Tisdale, from their duties. After O’ Neill’s spell as interim manager just a few weeks ago, he said: “The reception I got was fantastic. My backroom staff have been sensational, but the game is still about players. “They’ve turned up and won the matches. We’ve had a number of injuries, and players have stepped up to the plate every single time. I’ve had the time of my life over the last five weeks. It’s five or six weeks that I will never ever forget” Celtic’s season has been one to forget so far, and with Nancy becoming the latest casualty, his departure felt inevitable as the supporters’ frustration was continuing to grow. However, this left pressure on the Celtic board to get the next appointment correct and get back to winning ways. With a packed fixture list approaching, Celtic had no room for any more errors or experiments, and the board have gone down the route of experience to steady the ship as they did after Brendan Rodgers’s departure. With O’ Neill’s attachment to the club already, considering the demands of what it takes to be Celtic boss, it made him the obvious candidate to come in and calm everything down. However, Celtic must now turn their attention to their next league fixture as the club’s search for a new manager comes to an end, with Martin O’Neill appointed to the role.

January 5, 2026

Wilfried Nancy sacked by Celtic

Celtic have announced the dismissal of head coach Wilfried Nancy following 3-1 defeat to Rangers. The Frenchman endured six defeats in eight games, including a defeat in the Premier Sports Cup final to St. Mirren. He leaves the champions six points behind league leaders Hearts. Nancy has now overtaken John Barnes for the unwanted accolade of shortest reigning Celtic manager, with his tenure cut short at 33 days. Nancy took over from interim manager and Celtic legend, Martin O’Neill following Brendan Rodgers resignation. Celtic will now look for their fourth coach of the season in a bid to retain the Scottish Premiership title in what has been a season to forget for Celtic fans. The statement from the Celtic board reads “Celtic Football Club today announces that it has decided to terminate the contract of manager Wilfried Nancy, with immediate effect. The Club thanks Wilfried for his efforts and wishes him and his family well for the future. Wilfried’s assistants, Kwame Ampadu, Jules Gueguen, and Maxime Chalier, will also be leaving the club and they take with them our good wishes. The Club can also confirm that Paul Tisdale has left his position as Head of Football Operations. We thank Paul for the contribution he has made in that role. A further update will be provided to supporters as soon as is practical.” Celtic’s next game comes against Dundee United on Saturday where there is currently no news on who will take charge.

January 5, 2026

‘When Has It Ever Been This Bad?’ – Luke McCowan Despairs Over Celtic’s Horror Form

Celtic midfielder Luke McCowan insists things have never been as bad at Celtic as they are just now, as the defending champions were defeated 3-1 at Celtic Park to bitter rivals Rangers. It is the sixth defeat in only eight games under Wilfried Nancy, who replaced popular interim manager Martin O’Neill at the beginning of December, who won seven of his eight games in temporary charge. And McCowan feels that this is the worst state of affairs at Parkhead in living memory. He said: “Let’s call a spade a spade, when has it ever been this bad? It’s never. “You’re asking fans to react to something for the first time they’re seeing it, and us as players for the first time we’re feeling it. “It’s not nice. I’ll tell you that as a player’s perspective. It doesn’t leave you. It haunts you every minute of every day when you’re not winning. “Getting home, not speaking to anybody, sitting on the couch, not moving, just doing that black screen instead of having the darts or having the football highlights on. “But, as I said, that is what it comes with playing with Celtic. You need to take that pressure on. You need to get there. You need to show personality and at times within games, we’ve not done that good enough.” Manager Wilfried Nancy has faced huge backlash from the Celtic support after his catastrophic start to life, yet former Dundee man McCowan and the squad remain behind the Frenchman. “We have to be [behind him]. He’s the manager. I don’t know what else to say on it, but he is the manager, so what do we do? “We just need to be together collectively, get better together, and know what we did wrong in the second half and go from there.” It was a capitulation of a second half from the Hoops as Rangers equalled their points tally despite being nine behind the reigning champions when Nancy took over. A dominant first half from Celtic seen them one ahead at the break, thanks to a solo goal from winger Hyun-jun Yang. However, a double from Youssef Chermiti and a Mikey Moore effort somehow getting beyond Kasper Schmeichel awarded Rangers their second victory at Celtic Park in as many visits. It is the first time Celtic have been leading a match at home at half-time and went on to lose in 152 matches, which incidentally was also a 3-1 defeat to Rangers in October 2010. A crowd of protestors gathered outside the main entrance of Celtic Park after the match, with fans anger directed mainly towards the club’s hierarchy, as well some towards their new manager, who became the quickest Celtic manager in history to lose four league games. Celtic return to action this Saturday at home to Dundee United who beat them 2-1 less than three weeks ago, with no official announcement on the 48-year-old’s future from the club so far as they now sit six points behind leaders Hearts.

January 4, 2026