Celtic put in a performance full of positives on Sunday in West Lothian as they secured a vital 3-0 win.

Jamie Brandon’s own goal broke the deadlock early in the second half before Paulo Bernardo doubled the Hoops’ lead with just under 20 to go. Matt O’Riley rounded things off in the last 10 minutes.

In the first half, it felt like it may turn into one of those days for the visitors but in the end, they broke the Livi defence down and got their just reward.

Assistant gaffer John Kennedy, who was the lead figure in the Celtic dugout amid Brendan Rodgers’ touchline absence, praised his team’s relentless attack and controlled performance.

There were a host of plus points to take from the result and display on Sunday. Pundit Michael Stewart was quick to outline a few.

He spoke about how crucial the return of Reo Hatate was, and the positive effect Cameron Carter-Vickers makes at the back. Stewart, however, did provide the Celts with a stark warning about one part of their game.

“The positives for them [Celtic] are that two of their main players have come back in and done well”, he said (Sportscene via RecordSport).

“Carter-Vickers is just such a calming influence at the back. Hatate comes in, he has been out for such a long period of time, yet he has come back in and been a really good performer in the centre of the park.

“It is real positives that their big players are coming back but the one concern would be that this afternoon getting into some really good areas in the wide bits of the park in particular but the final ball wasn’t there.”

“They are going to have to be more clinical in those areas against Rangers. If they get into those positions they are going to need to be more clinical than that.”

Rodgers must finally release Celtic’s “exciting” 6’4″ jewel alongside Carter-Vickers, in my opinion.

Celtic finally return to action after the last international break of the season as they travel away from Glasgow to take on Livingston in the Scottish Premiership today.

The Hoops can fire themselves back to the top of the table if they claim all three points this afternoon, after their rivals secured a win to move into first place on Saturday.

Brendan Rodgers‘ men have already been knocked out of the League Cup and Europe, which means that the SFA Cup and the Premiership title are their last two chances to secure silverware before the end of the 2023/24 campaign.

The former Leicester City boss may now look to make some alterations to his starting XI from the team’s last match, but looks set to be without at least two of his first-team defensive options.

Maik Nawrocki is currently out with a hamstring injury, whilst Liam Scales is a doubt after missing out on international duty with Ireland due to a knock.

This means that Rodgers is limited in the options he has to pick from at the heart of the defence, with Cameron Carter-Vickers, Stephen Welsh, and Gustaf Lagerbielke the three senior heads to select from.

Welsh and Carter-Vickers started the 3-1 win over St. Johnstone before the break but the head coach should finally unleash Lagerbielke from the start alongside the USA international at the back.

Stephen Welsh’s form this season

The 24-year-old academy graduate has been a bit-part player for the Scottish giants this season, and was thrust into the starting line-up after the injuries to Nawrocki and Scales.

He started in the team’s last outing against the Saints and struggled with the physicality of Adama Sidibeh up front for the away side, as the central defender lost four of his seven aerial battles throughout the 90 minutes.

As you can see in the table above, Welsh left a lot to be desired with his defensive work as the Scottish enforcer lost the majority of his duels in the air, and only made one tackle and interception combined.

That is not a new issue for the Hoops defender. He currently ranks 34th within the squad for tackles made per game (0.0) and 17th for interceptions per match (0.3) in the league.

Welsh has also lost a staggering 67% of his ground duels throughout the Premiership campaign so far, across eight appearances in total, which shows that opposition players have got the better of him far too easily on the deck.

With this in mind, Rodgers should finally unleash Lagerbielke from the start to partner Carter-Vickers, due to the defensive dominance he has displayed when on the pitch this season.

Why Gustaf Lagerbielke should start

Signed from Elfsborg last summer, the Sweden international has only started four Premiership matches this season, and has not started a game in 2024 so far.

When called upon in the league, however, Lagerbielke has stepped up and showcased his class for the Scottish giants, with dominant defending that has helped the team to pick up valuable points.

In his seven Premiership appearances this term, Celtic have conceded zero goals and won six games with him on the pitch. Zero goals scored by the opposition in 407 minutes of him being in action in the league is a phenomenal statistic and makes it all the more bizarre as to why he has not featured more regularly.

As you can see in the table above, the Swedish colossus has outperformed Welsh in a number of key defensive metrics, both individually and as a team.

Whilst the sample size is small for both players, the statistics suggest that Lagerbielke deserves a run in the starting XI to see if he can maintain that impressive form over a sustained period.

The 6 foot 4 giant, who was hailed as an “exciting” signing by Rodgers last summer, still has plenty of time to develop and improve at the age of 23, and could go on to become a key player for many more years to come if the manager hands him a chance to nail down a place in the side.

Lagerbielke could form a strong partnership with Carter-Vickers, who he should be unleashed alongside against Livingston today, at the heart of the defence.

Cameron Carter-Vickers’ season in numbers

The former Tottenham Hotspur brute has missed out on 12 matchday squads this season in the Premiership, whilst dealing with a hamstring issue, but has been a colossal figure in defence when fit for Rodgers.

Like the Swedish summer signing, Carter-Vickers is a central defender – unlike Welsh – who thrives in physical battles and has the quality and position to dominate opposition players on the deck and in the air.

The England-born titan has won 58% of his ground duels and 73% of his aerial contests across 18 appearances in the Premiership this season.

He has also made 5.4 ball recoveries and 1.4 tackles and interceptions combined per match in those 18 outings, which shows that the defender is constantly stepping in to make vital interventions to win possession back for his side.

Carter-Vickers has also remained composed and reliable on the ball. No current Celtic player has a higher pass success rate than the USA international’s 91.9% in the Premiership this season.

He, therefore, rarely gives up possession to the opposition and this helps the Hoops to dominate matches and build out from the back successfully.

Lagerbielke, who has completed 85% of his attempted passes in the division, could learn from Carter-Vickers in that respect, to improve his own distribution out from the defence.

Defensively, though, they appear to be a fantastic pairing on paper as they both have the ability and physicality to dominate opposition forwards on the deck and in the air, which is why Rodgers should unleash them together today.

Boyd brands Rodgers SFA ban as ‘weak’ and says Celtic statement made him laugh

Kris Boyd has branded Brendan Rodgers’ SFA punishment WEAK – and claims Celtic’s statement after the hearing made him laugh.

Rodgers was this week handed a two-match ban, one of them suspended, following his outburst at ref Don Robertson and VAR John Beaton after the controversial defeat at Tynecastle earlier this month. It means the Northern Irishman will be in the stands for tomorrow’s trip to Livingston, but will be back in the dugout for next Sunday’s powderkeg Glasgow derby at Ibrox.

Hoops chiefs released a statement expressing their “disappointment” at the disciplinary outcome but Boyd reckons Rodgers was fortunate to escape with such a lenient punishment. And the Rangers legend insists Scotland’s officials won’t be happy that Rodgers got off so lightly.

He told the Scottish Sun: “Celtic claimed that they were ‘disappointed’ with Brendan Rodgers’ SFA punishment. That official club statement gave me a good laugh when I read it. Who’s kidding who? A one-game immediate ban, with one suspended, was a major result for the Celtic boss after his ‘incompetent’ outburst towards Tynecastle VAR John Beaton.

“I only have one word for the punishment given to Rodgers at Thursday’s hearing – WEAK. And I would love to know the thoughts of Scotland’s top referees when they heard the news. You single out an official and call him ‘incompetent’ and only have to sit in the stand for one game?

“I’ve heard all the stuff about Rodgers’ previous good behaviour probably being taken into account by the independent panel. I understand that a minimum two-game ban for breaching SFA rule 72 is just ‘guidance’.

“Whatever you think of the decisions made by Don Robertson, after Beaton recommended VAR reviews, the rules directly state that you can’t call officials ‘incompetent’.

“Rodgers did that but will be free to be on the touchline at Ibrox next Sunday after sitting in the stand at Livingston tomorrow. The ban is weak. There is no other way to describe it. It also sets a precedent for the next time a manager decides to call an SFA official ‘incompetent’ after a game.

“The referees can’t be happy and I am not having this theory that it was a common-sense decision, as it means Rodgers doesn’t have to sit in the stand at Ibrox. Celtic’s upcoming fixtures are irrelevant. Our officials make mistakes but a low-level ban does not protect them from that type of personal criticism.”

Verified: Callum McGregor Will Not Attend The Livingston Match

Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers has confirmed that his captain Callum McGregor will miss this weekend’s trip to Livingston in the Scottish Premiership.

The boss said before the international break that he would be assessed ahead of Sunday’s game, and it has now been revealed by Clyde 1 Superscoreboard that he be absent for the clash.

Although having the skipper and manager absent this Sunday is a blow for Celtic, they should have enough to push past Livingston.

The Lions did come to Parkhead a few weeks ago and put up a fight, but at this stage of the season, the Celts can’t afford any more dropped points.

If they are to win the title, Rodgers’ team need to be nothing short of impeccable and with a relatively full-strength squad available barring McGregor, there is nothing to say they can’t.

Their push to the title starts in West Lothian this weekend in a game that is even more hotly anticipated than normal because of the recent break.

Rhythm And Bruise: Rodgers Plans For Livi Battle

BRENDAN RODGERS will take his seat in the stand when Celtic play Livingston in West Lothian on Sunday.

It will be a first for the manager not to be patrolling the touchline when the Hoops are in action on matchday.

Rodgers copped a one-game ban with another suspended after facing the SFA disciplinary committee yesterday to answer comments made about referee Don Robertson and VAR official John Beaton following their perplexing performance in the Hoops’ 2-0 loss to Hearts at Tynecastle on March 3.

Bewilderingly, the Scottish football rulers have appointed Robertson to take charge of the match against Livi which will be played only three days after the Hampden meeting.

Rodgers has been cleared to take up his usual position at Ibrox the following week, but the Parkhead gaffer is not even thinking that far ahead.

The concentration is totally on what is certain to be a bumpy ride against David Martindale’s relegation-threatened side who will scrap all the way as they fight for top-flight survival.

Rodgers, who has seen the champions beat their rugged opponents three times this season, said: “Every game in this division can be a difficult game, but it’s about how you perform and our focus will very much be on ourselves.

“We played Livingston only recently. Attacking-wise, we were very good in the game, but we gave too much away for my liking.

“So, our mentality and focus is to go and play to the level of game that we want to play, but making sure that we don’t give much up in terms of opportunities and space.

“If we can do that, then, hopefully, we can have a very good day.

“Obviously, with Livingston being at home and on the astroturf pitch, they’ll maybe be more accustomed to that.”

Rodgers, speaking to Celtic TV, added: “Whatever team David Martindale puts out, they are normally battling and working very, very hard.

“We have seen that. They are a big physical team that play to their strengths and can play to their strengths well.

“But, really, we have to control our game. Our focus is very much on playing in our rhythm and in our way.

“If we can do that, then we will be able to give the opposition more issues and more to think about.”

SCOTTISH PREMIERSHIP TABLE

Justice For Celtic And SFA

BRENDAN RODGERS will be hoping to enjoy better fortune than many of his Celtic predecessors who have been summoned to appear before the SFA disciplinary committee.

The Hoops boss, of course, will face the Scottish soccer rulers today after remarks made following the controversial 2-0 loss to Hearts at Tynecastle 25 days ago.

Rodgers was incensed by the decision-making of referee Don Robertson and VAR official John Beaton and, if found guilty, faces a touchline ban which will see him in the stand for the forthcoming games at Livingston on Sunday and at Ibrox a week later.

It is nothing new for those of a Celtic persuason to run the gauntlet of the SFA.

Spare a thought for the Hoops players who encountered an individual by the moniker of R.D. Henderson, from Dundee, who was in charge of a league game against St Mirren at Parkhead on November 5 1966.

Future Lisbon Lion Bobby Murdoch was captain of the team that afternoon with Billy McNeill missing following a bout of flu.

The day didn’t quite go as planned as the hosts were held to a 1-1 draw by the Paisley side and two goals – from Joe McBride and Jimmy Johnstone – were disallowed in extremely close calls (some things never change).

Murdoch was also ordered off for the first time in his career in a clear case of mistaken identity and the SFA refused to allow an opponent to appear as a witness to defend the Celtic midfielder.

Here is an edited extract from my book, ‘That Season In Paradise‘, which was published by CQN in 2016.

THE game was scoreless at the interval, but within two minutes of the turnaround, Tommy Gemmell took the opportunity to venture forth and he was right in line, 30 yards out, when a wayward cross broke to him.

He strode forward and caught the ball perfectly with his fearsome right foot and there was little the defiant Denis Connaghan could do as the effort raged past him. The keeper was still in mid-air when the ball crashed behind him into the net.

Unbelievably, the Paisley side equalised only eight minutes after Gemmell’s blaster. Frank Treacy, who had scored his side’s goals in their 8-2 thrashing in the League Cup at the same venue earlier in the season, chased a long ball, punted by a defender from deep inside his own half.

He brought it under control and the pacy forward, basically left unattended, drew Ronnie Simpson from his line and flicked the ball past the veteran.

If the Parkhead patrons found that difficult to fathom, it was nothing to their emotions when the referee saw fit to order off Bobby Murdoch.

The midfielder raced over to retrieve the ball as it went out of play. Puzzlingly, the linesman signalled a throw-in to St Mirren when it seemed clear to all in the proximity the award should have gone the way of Celtic.

Someone said something untoward and that was enough to see the official frantically wave his flag to attract the attention of the referee.

After a quick confab, the whistler summoned Murdoch to come over and then dramatically pointed to the dressing room. I was a friend of Murdoch for many years and, although I accept I may be a shade biased, I never found him to be in the least bit malicious or offensive.

I doubted if he would have brought the linesman’s parentage into question, but whatever had happened had seen the playmaker immediately banished from taking further part in the proceedings.

In his 1970 autobiography, ‘All The Way With Celtic‘, Murdoch revealed: “The first time I was ever ordered off in my life was in a league match against St Mirren at Celtic Park in November 1966. I was so innocent that it hurt!

“Things were not going well for Celtic or me on this particular occasion. With the score at 1-1, we were pushing hard for the winner late in the game. The ball went out of play for a throw-in at the Jungle side of the ground and I immediately claimed it was ours. The linesman, however, flagged the other way.

“I looked at him, shook my head and ran away to take up a defensive position.

“Claims were made by either side as the ball was retrieved. When it was picked up by a St Mirren player, the linesman was seen to have his flag raised.

“Over went the referee for a chat and his next move was to call me over and ask for my name. I couldn’t believe it.

“I said: ‘Why are you booking me, ref? I haven’t done anything.’

“The referee, Ronnie Henderson, of Dundee, said that I had been accused of swearing at his assistant. He said: ‘I can only act on what the linesman told me. The game is over as far as you are concerned. You can have an early bath.’

“I was off and I hadn’t opened my mouth! My heart filled with the injustice of the situation. St Mirren inside-forward Archie Gemmill came over and said to the referee: ‘You have the wrong man, ref. It wasn’t him.’

“But the referee wouldn’t change his decision. So, seven minutes from the end, I was off – and I was Celtic’s captain for the day, too. Oh, did I feel rough!

“I told our manager that I had not committed any offence whatsoever and that I should never have been booked never mind sent off. He accepted my explanation – particularly when our centre-forward, Joe McBride, owned up: ‘Bobby’s right, boss. It was me who shouted at the lineman.’

“Archie Gemmill, the Paisley forward who had been marking me during the match, very sportingly said after it was all over that he was prepared to be my witness when I appeared before the SFA Referee Committee and state that it was a clear case of mistaken identity.

“After seeing a copy of the referee’s report, I sent a letter to the SFA giving my side of the incident and stating that I wanted Gemmill to appear as my witness. But the SFA wouldn’t have this at all. I was not allowed any witnesses.

“When someone is prepared to come forward from an opposition side and say something on your behalf, shouldn’t he surely be allowed to do so?

“Anyhow, I appeared before the SFA Referee Committee, which had Morton director Peter Scott in the chair. He asked me for my side of the story and I told him in complete detail.

“I went outside while they discussed my case and when I was recalled I was told I had been fined £30 and severely censured.

“It was very obvious they were not too sure of what had gone on and it seemed to me that the compromise was a fine. An innocent man fined. It would break your heart.

“But this kind of thing is all part and parcel of the game of football.”

And here we are today, folks, almost six decades later and it appears we are about to witness SFA justice yet again.

Don Robertson handed Celtic game just three days after Brendan Rodgers hearing for ‘incompetent’ rant

Don Robertson will referee Livingston vs Celtic this weekend – just three days after Brendan Rodgers finds out if he is banned for a furious rant directed at the whistler.

Rodgers will stand in front of an SFA panel on Thursday and if found guilty of breaching regulations on managerial conduct, he will be hit with a two-game touchline ban which will keep him out of the dugout for the trip to Livi and, crucially, the Old Firm derby with Rangers the following week. It comes after a raging tirade from Rodgers aimed at Robertson and his VAR John Beaton following their defeat to Hearts in February.

But just three days after the hearing takes place and Rodgers finds out his fate, Robertson will be in the middle at Almondvale. The SFA announced the appointment on Tuesday afternoon and it’s sure to put eyeballs on Robertson, whose decisions to red card Yang and award a penalty for handball by Tomoki Iwata, both after VAR reviews at Tynecastle, sparked Rodgers’ fury.

Rodgers’ anger was however more aimed at VAR Beaton – who is not on the officiating team for their game this weekend. Instead it’s Alan Muir in the VAR room.

Rodgers said after the game in Gorgie: “I try to respect decisions and give the benefit of the doubt. But I think when I see that level of incompetence, which is the only word I can use, then that makes me worry for the game. In such a tight title race that can make the difference. I also think that VAR is not the problem here. That’s clear. It’s competence.

“The first one is the sending off when there is no force. Show a still image of that and of course and you will see a foot up with the head near it, but it’s not the reality of the move.

“Don got it actually right on the field. It was a high boot, so it’s a yellow card – no malice or force. For John Beaton to actually look at that in VAR, supposedly under no pressure, and say that was sending off? I find that incredible. The second one is WORSE. If you have a penalty go against you for that then there will be penalties every single weekend and midweek.”

Celtic and Rangers trio tipped to miss out, stunning strike from Hearts loanee, Scotland star’s new contract – Scottish football news

Chris Sutton is waiting for the final two pieces to be slotted into Celtic’s double winning season.

At the end of March there has barely been a sustained run of form under Brendan Rodgers with a six match winning run either side of the winter break the most sustained run of the season.

So far it as been stop start and consistently inconsistent with points dropped to Aberdeen, Kilmarnock and Hearts in recent weeks undermining the hopes of retaining the SPFL Premiership title.

Last week at home to St Johnstone Celtic looked more recognisable, 3-1 was by no means a fair reflection on the 90 plus minutes.

Kyogo Furuhashi and Cameron Carter-Vickers returned to the Starting XI while January signing Nicolas Kuhn showed that he has something to offer as the campaign enters the home stretch.

Looking forward to two other additions, writing in the Daily Record Sutton points out:

I saw a passage of play in that St Johnstone game when the striker made a brilliant run from deep which cut him straight through the visitors’ defence.

Had Iwata spotted the pass, Kyogo would have an age to go through on the keeper and pick his spot. Unfortunately for Celtic, he didn’t see it, but you can bet your last coin Hatate would have spotted it.

It’s not being harsh on Iwata, it’s just a fact. The tempo and fluency in Celtic’s play will rocket if Hatate, McGregor are in tandem again.

Keep Kyogo on form, keep Cameron Carter-Vickers fit and add that midfield trio and Rodgers could go into the final two months with as powerful a selection hand as he’s held all term. Potentially, if Celtic can get through the Scottish Cup semi-final against Aberdeen, there are 10 games left in their season.

Every single one of them promises to be massive and it is going to take big game players. Having them all his disposal through until the end of May would be perfect timing for him.

The equation is pretty simple for Celtic. Win all 10 of those remaining games starting at Livingston next weekend and the Premiership and Scottish Cup double is theirs.

It’s a big period and it calls for stars who can make it happen. Hatate and McGregor are two who can shine more than any in the country.

Timing is everything, there must be huge doubt over whether Hatate and McGregor can start on the plastic pitch at Livingston a week tomorrow, April 7 at Ibrox won’t be the occasion for anyone less than match fit.

Behind closed doors at Lennoxtown next week the non-internationalists will be working harder than ever knowing that only eight victories ensure a third successive SPFL title.

Celtic talisman back in spotlight as pundit issues verdict on his most ‘dangerous’ role

Celtic will spend the international break at the top of the Scottish Premiership table and have time to reflect ahead of the season run-in.

The Bhoys were imperious last weekend against St Johnstone, dismantling Craig Levein’s outfit with minimal fuss to move a point ahead of Rangers at the summit.

Kyogo Furuhashi looked much like his old self and got the ball rolling just before half-time after latching onto a pinpoint cross from Nicolas Kuhn.

The Japan international turned provider early in the second 45, timing his run superbly before squaring to the onrushing Kuhn, who would’ve found it easier to miss from point-blank range.

Undoubtedly, Celtic were in cruise control at this point; however, James Forrest made a point of putting the game beyond doubt, taking one touch before lashing a powerful left-footed strike past Dimitar Mitov following a switch from Matt O’Riley.

Connor Smith earned a late consolation for the visitors; nevertheless, Brendan Rodgers’ men were deserved winners and can take major encouragement from a convincing showing.

Now, we are into the international break, which will take precedence until next weekend, when the Hoops travel to Livingston on Sunday, 31st March, for the next instalment of their push for a domestic double.

Celtic striker Kyogo Furuhashi’s role under the microscope

Following his strike last weekend, Furuhashi took his tally to 15 goals and four assists in 40 appearances this campaign, building on his encouraging cameo against Livingston in the Scottish Cup the previous Sunday [Transfermarkt].

Speaking on Clyde 1 Superscoreboard, pundit Gordon Dalziel has offered Celtic boss Rodgers some advice, indicating the 29-year-old is more productive when ‘on the shoulder’ of the opposition defence instead of in a deeper role.

Dalziel stated: “There’s no doubt for me, he’s a bigger threat when he plays on the shoulder. He’s played in the number ten as well; if Idah was playing, he’d play in the number ten.

“I think it was against St Mirren. He scored as well, so he can do both jobs. I think that maybe sometimes you over analyse it; it might just have been a lack of form, that confidence because you’re a goalscorer, you live and breathe getting your goals, and your confidence comes from that.

“Kyogo may just have been snatching at one or two, but if I’m Brendan Rodgers, I’m saying to Kyogo, ‘Look, the most dangerous you are is in the shoulder. ‘ Defenders don’t like that because he’s timing the runs well, he’s a clever player, he’s pacy, and he can finish.

“He comes off the bench (against Livingston), the confidence kicks back in again, and all of a sudden, he’s up and running. He is a threat; there’s no doubt about that.”

Furuhashi has hit form at a great time for Celtic

On his day, no striker in Scotland comes close to Furuhashi in terms of his movement, finishing, and ability to press from the front, though we haven’t always played to his strengths this season.

Regardless, it does seem like something has changed a little in the last couple of weeks. Celtic have been more productive in the wide areas, which seems to have improved the relationship between our wingers and chosen striker when looking to break down opposition backlines.

Either way, our talisman appears to have found a rhythm, and he now has a real opportunity to kick on and put up some impressive numbers before the campaign draws to a close

Chris Sutton Not Buying Matt O’Riley Celtic Fan Theories

Compared to the beginning of the season, Matt O’Riley’s Celtic form has taken a slight dip. The Danish midfielder was nothing short of a standout in the opening half of the campaign but since the turn of the year, he has not hit such heights.

He did grab an assist in the Hoops’ dominant 3-1 win over St. Johnstone on Saturday afternoon but O’Riley has netted just twice in the 11 games he’s played in 2024 to date.

The 23-year-old has dropped off in form, leading some Celtic fans to theorise that transfer interest from the likes of Atletico Madrid potentially turned his head.

Pundit and ex-Celt Chris Sutton, though, is not buying these claims. He believes that O’Riley has had to carry the burden of being The Bhoys’ sole consistently fit midfielder this campaign and that it has taken his toll.

He also thinks that it would be difficult for the midfielder to keep up the levels he reached at the start of the season: “There’s been a lot of talk around Matt O’Riley going off the boil in recent weeks and it’s got some Celtic fans jumping to conclusions”, he said (RecordSport).

“He must have had his head turned by that Atletico Madrid bid in January. All this stuff about £25million offers in the summer has distracted him and he’s taking his eye off the ball. I’m not buying it.

“Look, it may be the case O’Riley isn’t quite hitting the heights he reached in the first half of the season. It was always going to be tough for him to maintain that level as he set such a high bar. There was going to be a drop off at some point.

“You have to take into account it’s not just O’Riley that’s seen a dip – the entire Celtic team hasn’t clicked often enough since the turn of the year. Or more of the season, in fact. O’Riley hasn’t been helped by the inconsistency of selection either.”