Henrik Larsson Makes Special Celtic Appearance

Henrik Larsson made a special Celtic appearance overnight in New York City. The legendary striker was in attendance at the Celtic foundation’s annual Gala in Manhattan where they always raise an incredible amount for great causes.

The event is always attended by some of our most famous Celts and it doesn’t get any bigger than Henrik!

Larsson, who joined Celtic in 1997, is revered not just for his goal-scoring prowess but also for his significant impact on the club. Over seven years, he became Celtic’s third-highest scorer, netting 242 goals in 315 appearances

His journey with the hoops was marked by remarkable resilience, including a dramatic comeback from a career-threatening leg injury in 1999.

Under manager Martin O’Neill, Larsson experienced a golden era, forming a lethal partnership with Chris Sutton and leading Celtic to domestic and European success.

His Hoops highlight’s include stopping the ten under Wim Jansen, a domestic treble in the 2000/2001 season and a memorable run to the UEFA Cup final in 2003, where Larsson’s performance solidified his status as a Celtic legend.

Celtic could be in line for ‘huge’ post-international break boost as pundit makes title claim

Celtic boss Brendan Rodgers will be keen to ensure his side can have a clean bill of health once his side return from the international break.

Several Bhoys have left Parkhead to embark on their travels, with Greg Taylor and Anthony Ralston forming part of the Scotland set-up under Steve Clarke.

Nevertheless, one man who isn’t part of the Tartan Army’s plans due to injury is club captain Callum McGregor, though he will come into contention once Scottish club football resumes.

Cameron Carter-Vickers started against St Johnstone last weekend and helped to shore up our backline. Despite this, it has been decided that the Southend-born man will continue his fitness progress at Lennoxtown rather than travelling to link up with the United States national team.

Reo Hatate is nearing match readiness after a long-term absence from the Celtic midfield; meanwhile, Liam Scales, Maik Nawrocki and Luis Palma are three other individuals who won’t be involved for their respective nations.

The Bhoys travel to face Livingston in 11 days’ time, and it remains to be seen who could manage to recuperate in time to face David Martindale’s outfit at the Tony Macaroni Arena.

In light of our ongoing battle to win the Scottish Premiership, Rodgers appears to be trying to rouse the cavalry for a charge towards the finish line.

Stephen McGinn believes Celtic trio return could be ‘huge boost’

I’m sure everyone will be sick of the phrase ‘like a new signing’ by now; however, the return of important first-team players from injury is always cause for optimism at Parkhead.

In our case, being able to introduce McGregor, Hatate and Carter-Vickers back into the fold as a trio would be a major shot in the arm, given their importance to Rodgers’ tactical framework.

Pundit Stephen McGinn shares this sentiment and believes that the three men in question re-entering the fray would incrementally boost our title chances.

He stated [Go Radio Football Show]: “It would be a huge boost, if they’re able to get Callum McGregor, Reo Hatate and Cameron Carter-Vickers fit for these last eight games, then they have a real chance of winning the league title.

“You see the difference, Carter-Vickers is off the pitch for five minutes, St Johnstone had hardly been out their own half, and score instantly when he goes off the park, so I think combined in the league, they’ve only played three games together.”

Celtic have title destiny in their own hands

Undoubtedly, both sides of the Glasgow divide will believe in their chances of winning the title; however, the experience of winning league silverware in the Celtic dressing room could go a long way between now and the time all is said and done.

McGinn’s point stands to reason, and Carter-Vickers, McGregor and Hatate are among a core of pivotal individuals who have been instrumental to our success over the last couple of years.

Looking forward, Rodgers will know the importance of ensuring the trio are available ahead of our trip to Ibrox next month.

Brendan Rodgers’ title race message ahead of a big weekend for Celtic

Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers is relishing the opportunity to test his team in the fire of a title run-in, speaking ahead of what is a big weekend for the Bhoys.

Rodgers’ side have the opportunity to put serious pressure on league leaders Rangers with a victory over St Johnstone in the Scottish Premiership on Saturday.

If Celtic beat Craig Levein’s outfit at home later today, they will move a point above the Ibrox team ahead of their tricky trip away to Dundee on Sunday.

A lot has been said about the direction of Celtic’s season, the failings and the inconsistency. For Rodgers, it’s time to put all of that aside and he doesn’t care if he is the hunter or the hunted with nine games to go.

Brendan Rodgers looking forward to Celtic title test

The Celtic boss said [Daily Record]: “It’s all about how you finish the race. This is the point that matters. There was a lot of noise and everything around the beginning of the season for whatever reasons. But ultimately it’s part of the season and I will be interested if we win the league and the Scottish Cup what the thoughts are around that.

“But my only thought is for the team going into a real exciting bit, having these players back, and dealing with the pressure that comes with these last period of games.

“Being the hunter or the hunted doesn’t really matter to me. It’s about performing and getting to the end point where you want to finish.

“I’m only thinking about the game against St Johnstone. We are still in a really good position with what looks like is going to be a strong squad for the run in. I am really looking forward to that because it’s been good, a challenge in so many different ways, but that’s why we are here – to take on those challenges and come together and finish as strong as we possibly can.”

There’s zero room for error at Celtic at this stage. There are seven non-derby matches to go and realistically the Bhoys have to pick up all 21 of those points – it’s too late to rely on Rangers dropping points.

Then there are the two remaining league derbies themselves which, in fairness to Rodgers, is a fixture that has gone Celtic’s way so far this season.

If the manager can kick the team into gear for this final stretch then silverware is achievable – but the Hearts disaster really must be the last one of the season.

Let’s see how they do at Celtic Park on Saturday.

‘Tricky’: Dejected Craig Levein explains why he’s glad he doesn’t face ‘fantastic’ Celtic every week

Celtic’s 3-1 win over St Johnstone puts the pressure back on Rangers at the top of the table this afternoon.

Brendan Rodgers‘ side looked back to their best as they delivered a brilliant all-round performance that the Celtic fans have not seen for quite some time this season.

Their constant pressure at closing down the St Johnstone players and their attacking intent was reminiscent of the kind of football we witnessed under Ange Postecoglou.

And it was this type of performance that left St Johnstone manager, Craig Levein, admitting that he’s happy that he doesn’t need to face the Parkhead side every week.

Levein said [Sky Sports], “I thought without the ball we were pretty good. Whenever we did win it back, particularly in the first half, we just turned it over nearly every time probably doubling the amount of attacks that Celtic had through our own inadequacy to keep possession of the ball.

“And that just made it harder for us defensively. And if you can get periods of control in the game then what that means is that your defenders are constantly under pressure in here.

“Attack after attack after attack with players who it’s not as simple as just defending crosses, there’s a lot of different passes that are played in that created opportunities for the Celtic players and you fall asleep for a second and you find yourself in trouble.”

“But this isn’t a game that’s going to define our season. We’ve got a lot of matches to play that will involve many different types of mental problems for us.

“This is a tricky place to come with a big pitch, a great surface and the movement Celtic have got is fantastic.

“And that was really tiring. For us. But that’s not what we’re facing every week.”

Watching the interview you could see the abject disappointment on Levein’s face in the tone of his voice as Celtic blew his St Johnstone team away.

As I said earlier, this was a performance that we have not seen from a Brendan Rodgers side for pretty much of the whole season.

Their attacking flair, particularly down the right flank with Nicolas Kuhn, was exceptional. The German winger is really starting to show the signs of the player that persuaded Rodgers to splash £3m on the German winger in January.

The only blot on Celtic’s performance was the fact that we conceded a poor goal that should have been dealt with much better by the back four.

But overall, as Levein admits, Celtic were fantastic yesterday and it’s just a pity that the international break has come when it has.

Because looking at what Brendan Rodgers’ side has delivered recently, barring the Hearts result, this team is growing more and more with confidence at the business end of the season and it has just made this title run-in all the more interesting for the Celtic fans.