Chris Sutton has fired right back at Graeme Souness after the former Rangers manager accused him of bias AND trying to influence VAR decisions!

Sutton was a co-commentator alongside Kenny Miller at Ibrox with VAR decisions dominating the match and the post match fall-out.

Simulation is one of Sutton’s pet hates with a section of his weekend BBC 5 Live show with Robbie Savage given over to the Simulation Game.

Fabio Silva’s theatrics on Sunday was the subject of criticism from Neil Lennon and Kris Boyd during the half-time break on Sky Sports with the on loan Wolves winger involved in the key incident seven minutes into the second half.

With a clear view of the incident John Beaton produced a yellow card but after a visit to the VAR monitor cancelled that out and awarded a penalty to the home side.

Sutton was consistent with his view throughout the entire incident, bizarrely Souness told listeners to TalkSPORT that the pundits opinion carries influence in the VAR room where Nick Walsh was liaising with Beaton.

Responding to those claims Sutton told the Daily Record:

I have a lot of respect for Graeme as a player, manager and pundit but he is talking utter nonsense to suggest I was trying to somehow influence VAR. It would have been better if Nick Walsh WAS watching Sky Sports – as the officials might have made the right call rather than rewarding cheating.

I don’t know what he was watching when he called Beaton to the monitor, but it certainly wasn’t the TV coverage. Even in the unlikely event if they were, I’m not sure what kind of power Graeme thinks I wield. Does he think I’m God?! I don’t have that kind of sway unfortunately – give me another few months!

In seriousness, it wasn’t a Celtic thing or a Rangers thing, I just called that incident as I saw it. If anything I suspect Graeme has the Rangers blinkers on as there is no way he’d think that was a penalty if any other team was involved. And having watched it over and over again, NOTHING has changed my mind about the incident. It is still not a penalty kick.

Johnston clearly gets a touch on the ball and redirects its path. Silva sees the leg out and takes his chance to throw himself into it. Silva initiated the slight contact and are we supposed to reward simulation or stamp it out?

He was rolling around all afternoon and this was another example. His behaviour was embarrassing. Beaton was close to the scene and his initial interpretation was spot on.

He could see it in real time and he was right to show him a yellow card for yet another dive. I just can’t understand why Walsh got involved. The fact people can even debate it means it wasn’t a clear and obvious error from the referee in the first place.

In December Souness was a Directors Box guest of James Bisgrove at Celtic Park as Brendan Rodgers’ side enjoyed a 2-1 victory.

Recently he shared a stage with Philippe Clement and Jim White for a Q and A session, earlier this season he was hoping to get some formal role at Ibrox but that failed to find a satisfactory solution.

Graeme Souness dismisses Rangers return as he reveals Philippe Clement first that blew him away at interviewhttps://t.co/rOR6KqAfgN pic.twitter.com/IpFnUpOX0N

— Daily Record Sport (@Record_Sport) March 5, 2024

Brendan Rodgers: Celtic in ‘really strong position’ after draw at Rangers

Rangers remain a point behind leaders Celtic with a game in hand against Dundee on Wednesday.

Brendan Rodgers insisted Celtic left Ibrox in a “really strong position” after drawing 3-3 with cinch Premiership title rivals Rangers.

The visitors stormed into the lead after just 21 seconds with a Daizen Maeda goal and the dominant Parkhead side doubled their lead in the 34th minute when midfielder Matt O’Riley dinked in a penalty awarded for a Connor Goldson handball.

Rangers picked up after the break and skipper James Tavernier scored from the spot in the 55th minute before striker Cyriel Dessers had the ball in the Hoops net two minutes later only for an earlier infringement to rule out the goal.

There was further drama in the 86th minute when Gers substitute Abdallah Sima levelled but a minute later Hoops substitute Adam Idah restored Celtic’s lead, only for Light Blues substitute Rabbi Matondo to level again in the third minute of eight added on.

Rangers remain a point behind leaders Celtic with a game in hand against Dundee on Wednesday but Rodgers noted that there is still an Old Firm game after the split at Celtic Park, which, like the match at Ibrox, will be played in front of home fans only.

The Celtic boss claimed his side were “much the better football team in terms of how we were trying to approach the game and play” and added: “It puts us in a really strong position.

“We still have a lot of work to do, still six games to go.

“But when you have your nearest rival still to play at home in front of 60-odd thousand, and you know you’re going to be stronger again to that moment, I’m very happy with that.

“I can see the players were disappointed they had not won.

“For a team that has been written off and told they are going through the motions all year I think we definitely turned up.

“This is the business end of the season and we are ready to turn up.

“I have nothing but positivity in how mentally they were in the game, how they approached the game, the courage they played with. It will be immense and be huge for us.”

Rodgers was not convinced about the merits of the Rangers penalty given by referee John Beaton, which sparked a fightback.

Rangers attacker Fabio Silva was initially shown a yellow card by Beaton for simulation after a challenge by Hoops right-back Alistair Johnston inside the Celtic box.

Beaton, however, was sent by VAR Nick Walsh to check the pitch-side monitor and again he pointed to the spot, cancelling out Silva’s yellow card before Tavernier blasted the ball high past Joe Hart.

The Celtic boss had been critical of Beaton in his VAR role in last month’s 2-0 defeat by Hearts at Tynecastle to earn a one-match touchline ban, with one suspended, although he subsequently insisted he was comfortable with his appointment for Ibrox.

Rodgers said: “It was a fantastic game to be involved in.

“Super proud of the team, how we played and managed the occasion. The first half was absolutely brilliant. Couldn’t have been more comfortable in the game.

“Some of the level of our football – we attacked with the ball, attacked without it – and could’ve been more comfortable by half-time.

“Disappointed with the penalty, that gives them a little up in the game when we were clearly the much better team.

“Ali, who is on a booking, has to be really careful in the second half with the timing of his tackles and I thought he was perfect with it.

“I thought the referee got it absolutely right on the field.

“He connected with the ball, the player simulates and it was right. So clearly then they score the penalty. It gets to 2-1 and then you expect something from Rangers.

“But the whole thing was leaving here today with the performance and still with everything in our hands.

“I think what we showed today was the level of our football, players coming back to fitness, how we could deal with pressure and manage the pressure. So proud of the team.”

Rangers boss Philippe Clement relishing derby against Celtic

Rangers boss Philippe Clement insists he is feeling no pre-match nerves ahead of an Old Firm derby at Ibrox which is being billed as potentially pivotal in a neck-and-neck title race.

The Belgian tried to reject any notion the game could be decisive, but he is challenging his players to scale new heights against a Celtic team who have won both of the two previous derbies this season.

Asked if he is feeling any sense of nerves heading into the biggest match of his tenure so far, the 50-year-old said: ‘No, I love it. I’m not nervous, I’m excited about it, I’m looking forward to it. This is something you need to embrace, not be nervous about. These are great afternoons.’

Clement is confident that his players can reach ‘another level’ as Scottish football’s big two lock horns with just a point separating them at the top of the table.

Celtic currently lead the way, albeit Rangers have a game in hand to come away to Dundee next Wednesday.

‘I have a lot of confidence in my squad and I have a lot of confidence in our fans,’ said Clement. ‘So those are the challenging moments because you play against a good team who will do their best to beat you and there will be a lot of quality from both sides.

‘It’s the only way also to grow as a player, to have challenges, to have tough games to play against good opponents.

‘If you make the next steps into that, you go to another level — and that’s what I want to do with this squad, with this club and with the squad.

‘Next season, to become better and to raise the level time after time with a lot of success and maybe some disappointments along the way, because that’s also the way to success — to learn lessons out of that.

‘But I prefer to have success on Sunday, let’s be clear about that.’

In terms of team selection, Clement will make a late call on the fitness of Ridvan Yilmaz. Abdallah Sima is fit and available, but unlikely to play 90 minutes.

Norwich weighs Adam Idah’s Celtic transfer as they contemplate Van Hooijdonk’s choice.

Celtic will have to wait until the end of the season to discover Norwich City’s stance on striker Adam Idah.

The Hoops took the Irishman on loan from the Canaries in January and the hitman has settled well in Glasgow with five goals in all competitions from 10 appearances. Fans of the club were hesitant about the signing but have taken to the 23-year-old with some big strikes already and that has led to calls to sign the player on a permanent deal.

Football Scotland revealed back in the winter window, however, that no future fee had been agreed between the two clubs and now we can confirm that Norwich are waiting to see how their own loan swoop fares between now and the summer.

Sydney van Hooijdonk was brought to Carrow Road from Bologna on loan and Football Scotland can reveal that the Championship side are not yet willing to commit on selling Idah until the Dutchman proves his worth.

Van Hooijdonk is yet to hit the net for his club since arriving on loan and he’s only provided one assist in his 11 outings.

Football Scotland also understands Norwich are waiting to see where they’ll be playing their football next season as they remain in the hunt for playoff promotion to the Premier League while sitting sixth in the second tier with eight fixtures to go.

There could be a number of moving parts between now and the summer window and that leaves Celts playing a waiting game should Brendan Rodgers look to make the move full-time.

Nicolas Kuhn compliments traveling Celtic fans at Livingston, saying, “Felt like a home game.”

Nicolas Kuhn has admitted that Celtic’s trip to Livingston at the weekend didn’t feel like an away game.

Three stands of the Tony Macaroni Arena were decked out with travelling supporters. A pre-match tifo was organised, and The Bhoys walked out to rapturous applause.

The Celtic fans didn’t back down throughout the 90, remaining constant in their support for the team.

Indeed, winger Kuhn, who was later named Man of the Match, praised the travelling faithful because they made the team feel as though they were back at Celtic Park.

He told CeltsAreHere: “It is unbelievable. The Livingston match felt like a home game. The fans were great.”

Between now and the end of the season, the Celtic supporters will do all they can to give their team an extra edge in the title race.

Their continual backing can undoubtedly spur The Bhoys on but this weekend, no away fans will be in attendance.

The Hoops will have to deal with the inevitable hostility at Ibrox but it is something they have become used to over the past few years. Kick-off for Sunday’s hotly contested clash is at noon.

With 27 goals this season, Celtic is currently vying to sign this “incredible” international forward.

Celtic are in the race to sign an “incredible” attacker this summer, according to a new report.

Celtic transfer rumours

The Hoops and Brendan Rodgers are currently involved in an extremely tight Scottish Premiership title race with rivals Rangers, while they also find themselves in the semi-finals of the Scottish Cup.

There is still plenty to play for on the pitch, but away from the field, those at Parkhead appear to be making preparations ahead of the transfer window.

Recent reports have suggested that Celtic are looking to sign at least three players ahead of the 2024/25 campaign, with a new goalkeeper, winger and striker being prioritised.

A few specific targets have been mentioned, such as Liverpool goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher and loanee Adam Idah making his move permanent. A new target has now emerged, though, one who has enjoyed a remarkable season in front of goal.

Celtic in Sammie Szmodics transfer race

According to Football Insider, Celtic are now in the race to sign Blackburn Rovers star Sammie Szmodics.

The Hoops are thought to be battling Premier League outfit Brentford and a number of other unnamed top-flight clubs in England for the attacking midfielder, who recently made his international debut for the Republic of Ireland.

The 28-year-old has scored a whopping 27 goals in all competitions in 2023/24 and is the top scorer in the Championship. It is added that ‘Szmodics has been fielded as an attacking midfielder and a centre-forward this season and could provide great versatility if he moves to the Glasgow giants’.

Szmodics appears to be at the peak of his powers at Ewood Park, so a move to Parkhead could be a shrewd one by Hoops officials, especially if current attacking midfielder Matt O’Riley departs, as has been speculated.

He could therefore slot straight into the Celtic setup, with Szmodics a player who has been called “incredible” by former manager Jon Dahl Tomasson.

“The development of Sammie is great to see. He’s a team player, he’s a goalscorer. He’s very good in doing all the things we want, then of course scoring that amount of goals and also even getting assists.

“And still the good thing is, he can miss a chance and it doesn’t matter, he can go on. Great character and great to see him getting the ball with him at home.

“After Christmas last season, I think he’s been really good for Rovers and after the summer holiday, he’s been extremely good. He’s also added those goals.

“We always know he can score goals but he’s not used to playing a lot of games at this level first of all, he played with Peterborough but not a lot. The way he’s scoring goals, the confidence he’s playing with and the role he takes as one of the senior players is quite incredible.”

Abada Debut Hit By Late Spoiler

LIEL ABADA’S hopes of a winning debut for Charlotte FC were scuppered when Cincinnati struck a stoppage-time equaliser last night.

The former Celtic winger moved in an £8million switch to the MLS club earlier this month and had be patient as he waited for his first appearance for his new team.

The 22-year-old Israeli international was given a fabulous ovation as he came on as a 61st-minute substitute with the hosts leading through a penalty-kick from Djibri Diani just moments earlier.

Abada, who agreed a four-year deal when he left Parkhead, was welcomed to the action by being sent sprawling only three minutes into his bow after being clattered by defender Ian Murphy who was immediately booked.

The former Hoops fans’ favourite showed flashes of his old form and came close to doubling Charlotte’s lead in the 78th minute with a drive that flew just over the bar.

It looked as though Abada and his new team-mates had done enough to get the game over the line, but their good work was undone two minutes into added-on time when Aaron Boupendza swooped to fire in the leveller from close range.

The little winger acknowledged the supporters at the end of the game and the club announced on X: “He’s one of us now. Thanks for showing Liel what the Queen City is all about, everyone.”

Brendan Rodgers Explains How He Will Manage Celtic From The Stands On Sunday

Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers will be in the stands when his team take on Livingston in the Scottish Premiership this Sunday, but plans are in place for him to still have a say in proceedings.

It is the first time in the gaffer’s career that he won’t be pitchside to take control of his side.

Known for being tactically knowledgeable and able to change the game at the drop of a hat with a decision, although he will be far from the technical area tomorrow, Rodgers will still have a say on how things go. “I won’t be going golfing, that’s for sure!”, joked the boss (Celtic FC on YouTube).

“We’ve prepared all week and in the next couple of days, we’ll be finalising that. The players going and I’ll have the seat in the stand and I’m sure I’ll be able to have communication from there.

“If I need to make any quick changes I am there.

“I have also got big trust in my staff here as well. We will be in communication and the players will go into the game knowing exactly what it is that they have to do. We’ll have that communication with the bench.”

Spearheading things for Celtic in the dugout on Sunday will be John Kennedy. The 40-year-old took interim charge of the Hoops at the tail-end of the 2020/21 season and is highly respected by the players.

Veteran ‘keeper Joe Hart recently talked up Kennedy’s managerial credentials, but it is hugely positive that Rodgers will still be able to have a say if things aren’t going to plan.

Chris Sutton Responds To Latest Glasgow Derby Away Allocation Update

Former Celtic hero and now pundit Chris Sutton has responded to the latest update regarding away fans at Glasgow Derbies, hoping it paves the way for a return to the old, classic allocation.

The SPFL confirmed on Friday that Celtic will be given a 5% allocation for their fans at Ibrox and vice versa for their city rivals at Parkhead from next season onwards.

Such an increase is a step in the right direction and much more worthwhile than having 700, 800, or even no travelling supporters. It makes the fixture a much greater spectacle and arguably adds an extra edge to the games.

Sutton, who only ever played in derbies where the away allocation was as big as can be, is positive surrounding the latest update. He said: [RecordSport] “At last they have seen a bit of sense and around 2500 is certainly better than nothing.

“It’s too late for this season and we’ll have no away supporters for the remaining two encounters.

“The only hope is the clubs see the difference next season and it persuades them to bring back the proper allocation and restore the fixture to former glory.”

Most people within Scottish football are seemingly delighted with the latest update. Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers admitted it wasn’t before time.

He hopes, similarly to Sutton, that it will eventually get back to what it was in future and that derbies can return to the way they always were.

Following club agreement, more information about Celtic’s Ibrox allocation becomes available.

The news on Friday that more Celtic supporters will be in attendance at future derbies against Rangers at Ibrox is welcome.

The SPFL confirmed in a statement this morning that both teams will be allocating around 5% of their stadium for away supporters from 2024/25 onwards.

For Celtic, that means around 2,500 supporters will be heading to Govan next season and more details have emerged on where they will be housed at Ibrox.

With Celtic due to host the first meeting of the two teams next season then Bhoys fans will return to Ibrox for the traditional New Year derby.

The two remaining derbies this term will remain home fans only.

Rangers confirm where Celtic fans will be situated at Ibrox

Rangers have confirmed in a statement that their fans in the BF5, BR5, BF4 and BR4 sections will be impacted by the latest developments, meaning Celtic fans will be located in the Broomloan Road end.

Celtic will be given a European-style area at Ibrox, stretching from the far corner of the Broomloan from the TV camera viewpoint to around one-third of the stand behind the goal.

It seems there will be Bhoys supporters on both the top and bottom tier, albeit not all the way along the stretch of the Broomloan like in years gone by when the allocation was at its largest.

The experience should be far better for those attending than when just 800 or so were penned into a tiny corner surrounded by close to 50,000 home supporters.

Given that many suspect it was Celtic’s derby dominance that led to Rangers cutting away tickets in the first place, hopefully, the Bhoys can again inspire epic scenes in Broomloan – days that those in attendance would never forget.

Celtic £40m profits ranks among European elite as Hoops make top 20

Celtic recorded the seventh highest pre-tax profits in Europe during 2023, a new document has revealed.

UEFA recently released their Club Finance and Investment Landscape report, which details a wide range of information about clubs across the continent. Indeed, we told this week how the Hoops and Rangers were both in the top 20 for gate receipts as they reaped the rewards of having big fan bases.

It has been well documented Celts are in rude financial health and their recent half-term report revealed they had £72.3million in the bank, had generated £119.9m in revenue and made £40.7m in pre-tax profit during 2023. That’s reflected in the UEFA report as the pre-tax profit is listed as €47m.

But what it also tells us is where they rank among other clubs in Europe, and the answer is pretty well. Only Barcelona, Brighton, Napoli, Ajax, Bayern Munich and RB Salzburg brought in more money before taxes.

Celtic’s figures have them ahead of heavyweights such as PSG, Manchester City, Liverpool and Juventus in that regard.

A huge part of the income generated was success commercially, with the Hoops generating £46million in commercial revenue in 2023.

That again places them in the top 20 in Europe and represents a growth of £8.5m from the previous year.

It was a better than expected performance and was helped by a kit manufacturer deal with Adidas and kit sponsorship deal with Dafabet.

Brendan Rodgers’ comments on his squad make for interesting Celtic summer window

Celtic are currently focused on their efforts to see out this campaign in the strongest manner possible; however, attention will soon turn to our summer transfer business.

Movement is expected in both directions once the window rolls around, though it remains to be seen who Brendan Rodgers decides to keep or discard from his existing playing squad.

Of course, it may not be easy to keep the likes of Matt O’Riley, given heavy interest in his services from La Liga giants Atletico Madrid earlier this year.

The Denmark international will have aspirations of reaching the top level in his career alongside being an attractive homegrown option for clubs in the Premier League.

Beyond that, we also need to make permanent decisions on the future of loanees Adam Idah and Paulo Bernardo, with the latter mooted to have a buyout stipulation worth £6.4 million in his agreement.

Decisions are there to be made for Rodgers this summer, though some of his recent comments may pique the interest of Celtic fans as we edge closer to the end of the campaign.

Brendan Rodgers’ comments on Celtic squad size

While discussing Hyeokkyu Kwon’s impact on loan at St Mirren, Rodgers made an intriguing observation that planted the seed he could be set to trim further bodies from his squad this summer.

He stated: “I spoke to Stephen (Robinson); he needed game time with the squad being too big here. He is a talented player, and hopefully, he has gone and shown that, and the guys are really delighted with him there”

From that otherwise normal passage of quotes, the ‘squad being too big here’ excerpt stands out as a point worth discussing from a Celtic point of view.

Rodgers has previously signalled a desire to have a squad size of around 25 players with three goalkeepers intact, so that does beg the question, who could leave the Bhoys this summer?

Evaluating the main candidates to leave Celtic this summer

It makes sense to start with loanees, and it doesn’t seem like Marco Tilio has a long-term future at Parkhead following his move to Melbourne City in January after just two cameo appearances for the club.

Come the summer, there may never be a better opportunity to cash in on Republic of Ireland international Mikey Johnston. In a blistering start to life at West Bromwich Albion, the 24-year-old has registered six goals and one assist in ten matches.

Reports suggest that Celtic could be open to selling the academy product, and it may be worth striking while the iron is hot in that respect.

Last month, Rodgers claimed that goalkeepers Scott Bain and Benjamin Siegrist could follow the soon-retiring Joe Hart in seeking new pastures [Sky Sports].

On the same token, Alexandro Bernabei and Gustaf Lagerbielke are unlikely to work their way back into his plans, with the former now on loan at Internacional for the remainder of 2024.

Yuki Kobayashi and James McCarthy are now almost the forgotten men of Lennoxtown and seem to be on borrowed time.

Lastly, Rocco Vata is a target for multiple clubs, including AC Milan, amid his contract expiration this summer, whereas prominent central Liam Scales is out of contract in 2025, which may become a problem if he doesn’t commit his future to the club before too long.

There may be a long-term strategy behind any Celtic squad cull

Despite the fact Celtic have financial riches that dwarf most of Scotland’s other clubs, Rodgers has made his wish known to blood homegrown talent that has been cultivated at Lennoxtown.

Cutting fringe players out where necessary will be a crucial element of his long-term strategy to ensure we have the space to carry this out.

The Irishman stated in January: “I’m conscious here. I want to be here for a period of time as long as, of course, I’m successful, so I also want to create an opportunity for young players to come through here.

“Everyone talks about signings and bringing people in, and I always say that you might have someone within your academy, but you need the space for those players to flourish and develop.”

Whatever transpires this summer, it is sure to be another busy transfer period as Celtic build for next season.

Chris Sutton Provides Timely Glasgow Derby Reminder On BBC Show

Former Celtic centre-forward and now outspoken pundit Chris Sutton has recently given a timely reminder of a few of his Glasgow Derby goals.

Sutton appeared on BBC 5 Live’s Monday Night Club where the panel – which included Luton Town duo Tom Lockyer and Andros Townsend – discussed various topics, particularly early goals.

Such a subject came about amid the recent number of quick strikes in games; Austria went a goal up six seconds into their game away at Slovakia on Saturday while Florian Wirtz gave Germany the lead seven seconds after the start versus France on the same day.

This discussion prompted Sutton to recall a few of his iconic moments in green and white. He said: “Yeah, I don’t like talking about myself. But I scored inside a minute at Ibrox and Celtic Park.”

At Parkhead in his maiden derby appearance, the big Englishman opened the scoring 52 seconds into a 6-2 demolition with a back-post tap-in. A few years later at Ibrox, he made it 1-0 to Celtic after 19 seconds with what still stands as the earliest derby strike although on that day, the Hoops fell to a 3-2 loss.

A result of the same ilk cannot be accepted a week on Sunday but an early goal could do Brendan Rodgers’ side a lot of good.

13 goals, 7 assists: Celtic target likens himself to £41m Liverpool star and may be next Jota

With his designer stubble, his elegance and vision in possession, and his mop of slicked back hair held down by a headband, it is no secret why the Celtic target has been labelled Portugal’s answer to Jack Grealish. 

According to the man himself, however, there is another Premier League forward with whom one of the most coveted attackers in Iberia identifies more closely.

“I can see a bit of myself in Diogo Jota’s style,” Jota Silva tells The Guardian. “He is a great player.”

Diogo Jota has been a key cog in Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool machine since joining from Wolves four years ago.

HITC Football understands that his namesake Jota Silva has now been lined up by a number of clubs based on either side of Hadrian’s Wall. And if Celtic is to be his destination, Jota Silva may have to face up to comparisons with not Diogo Jota but Jota Filipe, the much-missed winger who was perhaps the main contributor – alongside Kyogo Furuhashi and Callum McGregor – to successive Scottish Premiership titles under Ange Postecoglou.

Premier League clubs eye Portugal newbie

HITC have been told that, in addition to Celtic, there is also interest from a host of Premier League sides, plus promotion-chasing Leicester City. A Wolves outfit who have long been seen as a stable launchpad for ambitious, Portuguese-speaking talents may be viewed as favourites from an outside perspective.

Jota Silva certainly isn’t lacking in ambition himself. But while Celtic may struggle to compete with their southern neighbours when it comes to financial matters, the prospect of a seat at Europe’s top table at Parkhead could be enough to convince the Vitoria Guimaraes ace to follow in Jota Filipe’s Glaswegian footsteps.

“I want to reach the top of world football,” Jota Silva adds. “I want to play in the Champions League.”

Celtic, should they survive a testing qualification phase, could be doing just that in 2024/25. And while Brendan Rodgers, during two spells at the helm, has often come into question for an apparent ‘stockpiling’ of wide forwards, the departure of Liel Abada to the MLS and the ageing limbs of James Forrest mean there could yet be a place at Parkhead for Jota Silva; adaptable and ambidextrous enough to play all across the frontline.

Jota Silva has 13 goals and seven assists for Vitoria this term, while splitting his time between life on the left and runs on the right.

Could Celtic’s new Jota be… another Jota?

Portugal coach Roberto Martinez, while handing Jota his first Portugal cap in Guimaraes’ home stadium against Sweden on Thursday, hailed the forward’s ‘versatility’ and his uniqueness.

He is, the former Everton manager’s opinion shared by AC Milan talisman and Portugal team-mate Rafael Leao, a role model for late-blooming forward’s taking the long route to the top.

“In big games, where there may be few opportunities, it is important to be efficient,” Jota’s former Vitoria coach Joao Aroso tells A Bola, highlighting the talents which could make a newcomer to Martinez’s squad a joker in the Portuguese pack at Euro 2024.

“He is a player who, due to his effectiveness, can help. He is a player who, if given the opportunity, can score a goal and can help define a game with a higher level of difficulty. Then, the mental aspect, where he is very strong, can be important.

“He is a very committed player in training. What you see in the games, you see in training. He is very dedicated and is focused on being a high-performance athlete.”

10 Premiership most improved players including Celtic, Rangers & others

It’s getting close to that time of year where the end of season awards are handed out and people will be thinking about their picks for player of the year.

One we don’t see a gong handed out for in the Premiership is ‘most improved player’. It’s the one we all wanted to avoid when playing youth football as it was seen as almost the opposite of a compliment, a pat on the back for trying.

But once you get to professional level that’s surely not the case. It’s already an achievement just being there and if you improve year or year then you’re doing something very right. A lot of the guys on the list that follow were already doing well for their clubs, it’s just that this year they’ve really kicked on to such an extent than they stand out for it.

Without further ado, here is our list of nine most improved players in the Premiership from last season to this.

Out on loan at Aberdeen last season, it didn’t look like he had a future at Celtic. But with a defensive shortage he was given a chance and took it with both hands. The Irishman has been a regular at the heart of defence ever since and while there may have been a drop off in performance since the start of the season, still an option Brendan Rodgers can rely on.

Rangers finally seem to have the left-back they thought they were signing in 2022. The Turk only played in 15 games last season as he struggled to adapt to Scottish football, with Borna Barisic keeping him out the team. But Yilmaz is now very much the first pick and one of Gers’ better players of recent weeks and months.

After signing from Livingston, the winger started his Hearts career well but the season faded out for him as he became more of a bench option. Has sparked under Steven Naismith during this campaign. Could score more goals but five assists is not bad and his all round play has been impressive.

The centre-back was on loan at Kilmarnock last season and did well, enough to persuade them to make it permanent. But he’s been even better this campaign and an important part of one of the best defences in the leagues. Even tipped for Scotland honours recently.

Another who was by no means bad prior to this season, but seems to have taken his game to a new level. Always a threat, even in the tougher games and after a tally of two goals and three assists in 22/23, has already topped that with four and six so far.

Rocky Bushiri has been maligned at times during his time at Hibs but there has also been a feeling that there is a good defender in there. Is showing more of that these days and seems to have cut out the mistakes. Made a difference to the backline when returning from the African Cup of Nations, which was telling.

Wow. Quite possibly the biggest transformation of the lot. Branded a no-hoper by St Johnstone fans, eyebrows were raised when Motherwell then took him to the club, but he has shone. His season was epitomised by a recent display at Ibrox when he rag dolled Connor Goldson and John Souttar on the way to victory. But there have been plenty other performances like that and 11 goals to go with it.

Did have an impact during his first season at St Johnstone. But now seems to be doing it on a more regular and consistent basis as a workhorse in the middle of the pitch who can also use the ball well.

Remarkable that he wouldn’t be the most improved at Motherwell given the season he is having, but been outshone by Bair. Seven goals from midfield for a team in the bottom half is pretty good going and has turned up in big matches too. Out of contract in the summer, there will surely be interest in his services.

Kingsley has already been a very good Hearts player for most of his time there. But not as much last season. Injuries definitely played a part but the left-sided defender didn’t enjoy his best campaign. However, he’s been back to his best and one of the main men in Steven Naismith’s side, whether at left-back or centre half.

Report: Everton looking at signing record-breaking £21.5m midfielder who Celtic really ‘didn’t fancy’

The financial misconduct of Everton over the last years has really scuppered their recent endeavours in the market.

Having seen numerous star names bypassed due to a lack of funds or ability to spend, Farhad Moshiri’s decision to risk their future to succeed in the present looks woeful in hindsight.

And, it has made the jobs of Kevin Thelwell and Sean Dyche so much harder too, with the former having to feed off scraps as he searches for viable transfer targets.

Fortunately, one opportunity now seems to have emerged which could denote a perfect fit for their side.

Everton plan summer transfer for Lewis Ferguson

As noted by GIVEMESPORT, Lewis Ferguson is one target that Thelwell has detailed ahead of the summer transfer window.

And with good reason, given the blistering form the Scotland international is enjoying in the Serie A with Bologna.

The report states: ‘According to GMS sources, Aston Villa have checked out Ferguson, but they aren’t the only side in the Premier League to send scouts to monitor the former Aberdeen man.

‘Newcastle United, Brentford, Fulham, and Everton have also looked at Ferguson. Bologna are flying high in Serie A this season, sitting in fourth place, with Champions League qualification a real possibility.’

Should they push this move through, fighting past the financial barriers which have scuppered so many potential deals in recent years for Everton, it would represent an almighty coup of a star who could shine in the first-team for the foreseeable future.

What would also add to the intrigue of this move is that both Rangers and Celtic actually turned down the option to acquire his services back, with one pundit suggesting they simply ‘didn’t fancy him at all’.

Lewis Ferguson could lead Everton away from relegation battles

To further emphasise his already-established European pedigree, there were rumours that West Ham United were plotting a £21.5m bid back in December 2023.

And whilst that obviously did not come to fruition, it showcases that Ferguson is on the radar of many clubs.

So, Everton would have to act quickly if they were to win the race, which is certain to be a hotly-contested one.

Especially given the form the 24-year-old is enjoying, scoring six and assisting four in the Serie A alone for a side challenging for a Champions League spot against all the odds.

In doing so, he has already broken Denis Law’s record for goals scored in Italy.

However, that alone merely scratches the surface of this talented, hard-working and economical maestro, who is also shining when compared to others in his role.

When viewed against attacking midfielders across Europe’s top five leagues, he actually ranks in the top 7% for passes attempted per 90, the top 1% for pass completion percentage, and the top 8% for clearances per 90, via FBref.

Seemingly boasting the quality and the work ethic to help him thrive within Dyche’s system, this would prove an intelligent transfer to kickstart what will hopefully be a brighter future for the Toffees.