The former Celtic striker insists Rangers were quite right to play the game when suits them given it wasn’t their doing that it was called off in the first place.

However, the pundit has pointed out that the Premiership encounter being called off for a second time is not only bad for Rangers, but also for Celtic.

The 51-year-old has highlighted the reason why – and it’s in relation to Dundee’s top six circumstances.

He wrote in his Daily Record column: “There have been so many tears over this Dundee game there is a real danger of Ibrox being just as waterlogged as Dens Park.

“There’s no escaping the fact it is a shambles and big questions have to be answered about the state of that surface. But spare me the talk this is only bad for Rangers. It could actually turn out worse for Celtic.

“I know they have the possibility of going four points clear at the top of the table now and no guarantee Rangers will get this one done next midweek.

“But if if does take place on Wednesday and results go Dundee’s at the weekend, the pressure could be totally off them.

“They could already be assured of a top six place and rather than scrapping to get in, they might feel the hard work is done.

“There’s also talk of taking it to a neutral venue or behind closed doors but it goes back to the old sporting integrity line, doesn’t it?

“The whole point of playing at home is that there is meant to be some kind of advantage. Look, Rangers hitting five up there earlier in the season suggests it’s not much of an advantage, but it’s meant to be a level playing field – even if it is a mud heap.

“The whole situation is a mess. I don’t actually blame Rangers for not playing last week. It wasn’t their fault the game went off originally and while some people are panning them for not playing it at the earliest opportunity, they have every right to do it when they see fit.

“This is all on Dundee. I had to chuckle when I heard them blaming global warming. It might be some microclimate up there when there’s a pristine surface 100 yards across the street at Tannadice.

“They might be calling in Greta Thunberg for back up, but, either way, it doesn’t look good for Scottish football.”

Celtic v St Mirren: Referees confirmed for chance to go four clear

But after the pulsating 3-3 encounter finished, much of the attention was on two players in particular – Todd Cantwell and Callum McGregor.

The Rangers midfielder and Celtic captain clashed at full-time, with the former pushing the latter after shaking hands.

It all stemmed from the pair exchanging words during the second half on the field of play, with the scoreline at 2-1.

The Sky Sports cameras spotted the pair engaging with each other, appearing to attempt to wind each other up, as there was a pause in the play.

And eagle-eyed fans on social media seem to have worked out what was said between the rivals, which eventually sparked the on-field rammy at the end of the game.

As the pair conversed on the pitch, with the score in Celtic’s favour at the time prior to Abdallah Sima’s equaliser for 2-2, sleuths online have highlighted that McGregor pointed to the scoreboard at Ibrox and told Cantwell ‘It’s over’.

Responding to the jibe, the 26-year-old responded by saying ‘We’ll see,’ several times.

In the end, Cantwell was correct, with the score ending at three apiece, as it remained as you were at the top of the Premiership.

Adam Idah thought he’d won it for Brendan Rodgers’ side a minute after Sima scored Rangers’ second.

However, deep into eight minutes of stoppage time, Rabbi Matondo unleashed a wicked effort beyond Joe Hart in the Celtic goal to send the packed-out Ibrox crowd wild.

Philippe Clement’s side now focus their attention on their game in hand against Dundee on Wednesday night.

Should they manage to pick up a victory in the City of Discovery, then they will top the table by two points heading into the post-split fixtures.

Glasgow Derby Preview – The Key Battles Celtic Must WinWe face-off against our fierce rivals for what will be the third time this season in the Scottish Premiership on Sunday lunchtime in the 12 noon kick-off.

A fairly tumultuous campaign for the Hoops and returning manager Brendan Rodgers, we’ve had to deal with successive and what feels like perennial injuries to key components of the team that won a Treble last year, whilst we lost considerable quality too.

In many ways it’s been bizarre in the sense that it hasn’t been the Ibrox club we have struggled against whatsoever, it seems to have been those teams that sit in and look to score against the run of play or equivalent. St Johnstone, Livingston and Kilmarnock have all given us issues in this respect and when we’ve come up against theRangers, despite these persistent worries, they haven’t bothered us all that much.

The Hoops masses will be hoping and praying for more of the same, after beating both Mick Beale and Philippe Clement who have had a bite at the cherry when it comes to landing a knockout punch on Brendan Rodgers. With some additions in the January transfer window, the Belgian has definitely added more depth and quality in the form of Fabio Silva and Mohamed Diomande. With a few players back from injury too, he has a bigger selection pool ahead of this one.

Although this may be true, Rodgers has also gotten a foothold on the injury crisis that has plagued us this year and the Bhoys have looked considerably more cohesive and competent since the return of key players. Cameron Carter-Vickers and Reo Hatate have came back from lengthy spells out and contributed very strongly in recent weeks. With Callum McGregor looking to potentially return to the fold too, we’re looking a lot closer to full strength for Sunday.

Starting with our opponents, let’s see how they might shape up on Sunday…

Despite rumours that theRangers have multiple injuries, it has always been thus before these massive games and their star men always seem to just make it regardless. It feels like it is just perpetual mind games and with that knowledge it’s safe to assume they will line-up at full strength for the fixture. Jack Butland will start in goal, with a back four of Tavernier, Goldson, Souttar, and the supposedly touch-and-go Yilmaz.

 

Clement will try and thwart our midfield having had to watch Callum McGregor absolutely dominate his side during the Festive period. So expect a double-pivot of Diomande and Lundstram, with Tom Lawrence tasked with trying to pin the Celtic captain back when he’s not looking to hurt us in attack.

 

Either side of Lawrence will likely be Wolves loanee, Fabio Silva, with Ross McCausland occupying the right flank. Up top will be Cyriel Dessers who will be dying to break his duck against the Champions.

 

Butland; Tavernier, Goldson, Souttar, Yilmaz; Diomande, Lundstram; Lawrence, Silva, McCausland; Dessers

 

Now let’s take a look at how Brendan Rodgers will try and mastermind another Beautiful Sunday in Govan…

 

Joe Hart of course starts in goals, with a back four consisting of Johnston, Carter-Vickers, Liam Scales and Greg Taylor. Scales was exceptional in his last-ditch defending at this venue back in September and we need the centre-back to put in another shift like that but also be smarter and slicker on the ball.

 

I have a feeling that’s why McGregor will start, so as to give Scales respite early on in the match as they chase that quick opener. Accompanying Cal Mac in the middle of the field will be the fantastic Reo Hatate and the steady as ever, Matt O’Riley. Ahead of them in the danger zone will be Daizen Maeda and Nicolas Kühn on the wings, with theRangers torturer Kyogo through the middle.

 

Celtic v Rangers – cinch Premiership – Celtic Park Celtic s Callum McGregor centre applauds the fans after the final whistle of the cinch Premiership match at Celtic Park, Glasgow. Picture date: Saturday December 30, 2023. Photo Jane Barlow

 

Hart; Johnston, Carter-Vickers, Scales, Taylor; McGregor, Hatate, O’Riley; Maeda, Kühn, Kyogo

 

It will be interesting to see the key battles that unfold across the field and if Celtic can win most of those, we could be leaving victorious. So, without any further ado, let’s take a closer look at those potential key battles for the Glasgow Derby match…

 

Key Battles

Callum McGregor v Lawrence

 

As has been noted, Clement will go with the Welshman Lawrence in that middle area of the three to try and perhaps combat the threat of McGregor and try to nullify his powers. The captain is fit but not “match fit”, as Brendan Rodgers put it yesterday afternoon to the media. The Belgian may feel this is an ideal time to place the former Derby County man on him as a man marker and make it more difficult for a player who is just returning from injury.

 

However, as we all know, this isn’t just any player and has shown multiple times in the past McGregor, that he’s almost super-human. It could just play into the Celtic boss’ hands if he puts a marker on the semi-fit (or so Rodgers made out) Hoops skipper. If McGregor can even produce half the magic that he did on his last outing at Ibrox stadium, we could be in for a good afternoon.

 

Maeda v Tavernier

 

He’s done it on many occasions before now and understands what it takes to pin theRangers full-back into his own half and take away the strongest element in his arsenal. Tavernier can’t defend to a high-level, that much is certain, and if Maeda can use that lightening pace and ominous engine aggression to full effect, one of their main threats is immediately disarmed as we look to get a grip on proceedings.

 

I feel this one could be crucial in deciding the outcome of the match. In spite of all the flak he takes and obvious deficiencies technically, there’s nobody I would rather have in this role than Dazien for this Glasgow Derby.

 

Kyogo v Goldson

 

Many of the dark side have been up in arms about Goldson lately, with several instances where he’s sold the jersey or “looked his age” as they say coming to the fore more and more. He’s someone who can be gotten at – same goes for his defensive fulcrum Souttar.

 

Decent defenders but by no means world beaters. Both can be slow and heavy footed too at times and this should suit our talismanic striker down to the ground. His last goal against them was sheer class and the one at Ibrox showed his killer instincts too. Goldson will have it all in the back of his mind and if they go chasing that early goal, it could allow the Japan star to work his lethal magic.

 

It promises to be exciting no matter what!

 

‘I’d love to see…’: Alan Brazil shares whether he’d prefer Celtic to win the league or Ipswich promoted

 

Celtic are going for the Scottish title and Ipswich Town going for promotion to the Premier League, and Alan Brazil has had his say on both.

 

Self-confessed Celtic fan Brazil was one of the star players for Ipswich Town back in the late 70s and early 80s and he continually talks up his former team over on TalkSPORT.

 

Of course, Brazil is also an avid Celtic supporter and does everything he can to put over the Hoops, especially when it comes to matters involving Rangers.

 

As we know, Celtic and Rangers are going head to head this season in one of the tightest title races for some time.

 

Just a single point, albeit Rangers have a game in hand, separates the teams as they prepare to face each other this weekend at Ibrox.

 

However, when posed with the question of if he’d rather see Celtic take the title or Ipswich go up, Brazil admitted it was one to tug on the heart-strings.

 

Alan Brazil shares if he’d rather Ipswich win promotion or Celtic win the league

 

Speaking on his show on TalkSPORT this morning, Brazil was posed with the tricky question around both Ipswich and Celtic.

 

And while Brazil admitted he’d love to see the Tractor Boys win promotion, he can’t have it being at the expense of his beloved Celtic losing the title to Rangers.

 

“I’d love to see Ipswich back in the Prem. But at the same time… you’re going to get me in trouble here. We have got to get Ipswich up, but not at the expense of Celtic winning the title. I wouldn’t mind if it was Aberdeen or something but not to that mob from the West End,” Brazil said.

 

Celtic travel to Ibrox this weekend knowing that a win puts the title in their own hands, despite Rangers having that game in hand.

 

Brendan Rodgers’ return to the club has not gone as swimmingly as some expected and there’s been pressure on the former Liverpool boss throughout the season.

 

However, a win over the Gers would be massive and if he can deliver the title, then nobody will care.

 

Alan Brazil, then, will be hoping for the best of both worlds when it comes to both Celtic and Ipswich.

 

Stephen McGinn explains why ‘very talented’ SPFL midfielder would appeal to Celtic this summer

 

Celtic boss Brendan Rodgers will be aware that the shape of his squad may change during the summer transfer window.

 

Citing the obvious, the Bhoys are set to have a new number-one goalkeeper come 2024/25 amid news that Joe Hart is retiring from professional football.

 

Loanees Adam Idah and Paulo Bernardo don’t have clarity over their long-term futures at Parkhead; meanwhile, it remains to be seen what is in the pipeline for Mikey Johnston, Hyeokkyu Kwon, and Bosun Lawal, who are spending time away from Parkhead after being temporarily farmed out.

 

Either way, Rodgers will be expected to create space for new arrivals, which will create anticipation over what direction the Irishman will go in to bolster his ranks.

 

One matter that sections of the support have cited is the need for Celtic to either grow or import homegrown talent to meet squad quotas for UEFA competitions.

 

David Turnbull’s departure in January has made Daniel Kelly’s emergence as a senior player less complicated; however, Rodgers did admit that Scott Bain could also leave a vacant slot by seeking a new challenge in the summer [Sky Sports].

 

Republic of Ireland Under-21 international Rocco Vata has from various Italian clubs as his contract stalemate continues. On the same token, you wouldn’t hang your hat on James McCarthy being at the club next season despite his trained-in-Scotland status.

 

Stephen McGinn thinks Connor Barron may appeal to Celtic

 

With our senior homegrown options dwindling slightly, Aberdeen midfielder Connor Barron was mentioned on The Go Radio Football Show amid his potential availability on a free transfer at the end of the season [Transfermarkt].

 

Per the same outlet, the 21-year-old has made 34 appearances for the Dons in all competitions this campaign, registering one goal and two assists.

 

Pundit Stephen McGinn has shared his belief that although Barron would struggle to break into the Celtic midfield, certain factors would make him an appealing option for Rodgers to consider.

 

He stated: “He’s a free transfer in the summer, a really talented player. I watched him last week for the (Scotland) Under-21s. I can’t see him getting into the Celtic or Rangers midfield at this time.

 

“The reason he would appeal to me if I was Celtic or Rangers is the quota for (him) being Scottish. He’s young, a very talented kid, he’s a free transfer, he ticks a lot of boxes, but I just couldn’t see him at this moment of time getting a game for Celtic or Rangers.

 

He later added: “You look at (Daniel) Kelly at Celtic, Bailey Rice at Rangers; the academy guys will probably feel that they’ve got someone like-for-like that they’d like to push from within their own academy.”

 

Celtic will assess their homegrown talent pool

 

Intriguingly, Celtic manager Rodgers has expressed his desire to bring through more youngsters directly from Lennoxtown to the first team. This would go a long way to ensuring our European squad submissions are packed with emerging talent rather than bit-part players.

 

Whether he would enter the Scottish market is another question entirely. Casting an eye across the Scottish Premiership, Motherwell midfielder Lennon Miller and Kilmarnock’s David Watson could be the best solutions to help solve our homegrown conundrum.

 

Barron has also shown his credentials at Pittodrie, though we will need to wait and see if the club decide to shop on their doorstep this summer.

 

Boyd & Sutton’s Old Firm preview: ‘Anything can happen!’

 

Rangers and Celtic meet in the third Old Firm clash this season; Celtic sit one point ahead of their rivals, who have a game in hand; Chris Sutton and Kris Boyd preview the game at Ibrox… watch Rangers vs Celtic live on Sky Sports on Sunday from 11am, kick-off 12pm

 

It is the pivotal fixture in the Scottish Premiership title race. Rangers host Celtic at Ibrox on Sunday in a match which could go a long way to deciding where the league trophy ends up in May.

 

The two sides meet for the third time this season, live on Sky Sports with kick-off at 12pm, with the two Glasgow rivals both harbouring real hopes of taking the title.

 

Celtic go into Sunday’s encounter one point ahead of Rangers in the table – but Philippe Clement’s side have a game in hand, so either team could take real control of the race with a victory.

 

Who else to preview the game than former Celtic striker Chris Sutton and former Rangers forward Kris Boyd? The Sky Sports pair give their thoughts on Sunday’s crucial fixture…

 

Who has the edge going into the Old Firm contest?

 

Sutton: According to Kris Boyd, Rangers have already won it! He makes Rangers favourites so it’s theirs to lose, isn’t it?

 

Brendan Rodgers has a good record against Rangers. You’d rather have him in the dugout than not. He has only lost one in 15 Old Firm games. They’ve been very good in both of the games against Rangers this season, they went to Ibrox and won with that wonderful Kyogo [Furuhashi] goal.

 

But Celtic will go there and know this is a different Rangers team. Looking back at results and performances – the last manager was a bluffer – they’ve now got a manager in who knows his stuff and has galvanised the team a lot. They’re moving in the right direction.

 

But it’s impossible to call. That’s the beauty of this game. Anything can happen, any scoreline.

 

Boyd: I do expect Rangers to win the league. Given it’s an Old Firm game at home, you have to fancy them. Under Philippe Clement, Rangers have turned it around – they look a different team altogether. That home advantage could be key.

 

But we’ve seen it before with Celtic – that pace up the top end of the pitch with Kyogo and Daizen Maeda – so Rangers are going to have to defend really well. But I’m looking forward to it.

 

Getting a first Old Firm win for Clement would be huge. Not only for himself, but in the context of the title race. Rangers are in a good place.

 

Will McGregor and Sima make it back from injury?

 

Sutton: It’s a case of how fit Callum McGregor is. If he’s been sitting on a bike in a gym for five or six weeks, it’s not quite the same as training so how much work he does this week is key.

 

Brendan Rodgers will have a decision to make and Celtic are a better team with McGregor in it. But if he’s not fit, or even half-fit, then he can’t play.

 

But it’s a big boost for Celtic having Reo Hatate back with him coming through against Livingston, plus Cameron Carter-Vickers too.

 

Boyd: It’s a boost for a title run-in, but I can’t see [Abdallah] Sima starting. I think Rangers are pretty settled in that area with Fabio Silva playing off the left and Cyriel Dessers playing through the middle.

 

But with the start Sima had at Rangers – before he had that bad injury – Clement will be delighted to have him back and fit. He wants to run in behind and he’s already shown that he knows where the goal is.

 

Will home fans only at Ibrox be crucial on Sunday?

No away fans will be at the last two Old Firm games this season but Rodgers and Clement support the decision to allow them back from next season

 

Boyd: If you look back to the first Old Firm match this season at Ibrox, that fantastic Kyogo strike silenced Ibrox so it shows it can turn.

 

It can have its plus points but at the same time, it can go against you in exactly the same way it happened there. It’s up to Rangers to start the game positive and get the fans behind them.

 

Since Philippe Clement has come in, the Rangers fans have seen a change and a shift. They’ve got behind the team a lot more.

 

The frustrations were there before with Michael Beale, they’re not there anymore. It’s over to the players now to give the fans something to shout about on Sunday.

 

Sutton: It’s easy playing at Celtic and Rangers when things are going well. Rangers only need a dodgy start at Ibrox on Sunday – a poor 30 minutes where Celtic can take the lead – and then they’ll all be hammering the players! Just wait and see…

 

Away fans being allowed back at the Old Firm next season is encouraging. It’s a first step. We all want it back to the way it used to be with a full allocation.

 

We need that as a fixture, it’s a big game around the world. I suspect people would have been looking at the no away fans and thinking: ‘This is really petty, isn’t it?’

 

It’s not fitting of the game and we’re getting it back to where it should be.

 

Watch Rangers vs Celtic live on Sky Sports Football on Saturday from 11am; kick-off 12pm

 

Reo Hatate ‘unleashed’ by Rodgers as Celtic star handed Rangers dress rehearsal

 

John Kennedy reckons impressive Reo Hatate has returned at the ideal time for Celtic after he stood out against Livingston.

 

The midfielder last started a game for the Hoops back in October but was excellent for the club in their 3-0 victory yesterday afternoon. Hatate had a big hand in the first goal and showed what the club have been missing with his key passes and eye for goal. For Kennedy it was a masterstroke from manager Brendan Rodgers to keep him caged until this weekend as his comeback is at the right time with Rangers coming next weekend.

 

And the assistant boss was clear in his praise for the 26-year-old’s talents. “He was on it right from the first minute and he has been in training, which is why the gaffer thought to get him in the team quickly,” Kennedy said. “He’s been terrific the last few weeks. He came back in good condition and worked really hard. We had the game last week to give him some minutes and he was really good, so it was time to unleash him. I think you can see what he brings to the team.”

 

The assistant added: “I think that’s always the case with your best players. He’s shown that, in terms of big games and big performances. He’s obviously not fully up to speed, but I think we can see that he’s in pretty good condition and it’s just the confidence he brings to the team as well.

 

“He plays with that composure. Even on a difficult pitch, you can see how he brings a calmness to the game. He sees the passes which the front players thrive on and he gives us a slightly different dynamic.

 

“It’s important to have him back. It’s just about getting him through the week now, getting him that extra bit fitter going into next week. Even when he came off, Paulo [Bernardo] came on, gave us a bit of buzz and got his goal.”

 

“I’ll be honest,” says Michael Stewart when assessing which team, Celtics or Rangers, has a stronger roster for the championship game.

 

Michael Stewart has shared who he believes has the strongest squad for the title run-in as Celtic prepare to face Livingston this afternoon.

 

Celtic will be looking to reclaim the top spot in the Scottish Premiership with an away win against David Martindale’s side after Rangers’ 3-1 win over Hibs at Ibrox yesterday.

 

Brendan Rodgers will be missed in the Celtic dugout this afternoon as he serves his one-match SFA ban but for the players, it will just be business as usual.

 

They know that anything but a win is essential to keep Celtic in the title race driving seat and with key players returning from injury and improving their form, this will be a huge boost for Rodgers as we get into the business end of the season.

 

It was this that prompted a discussion between Kenny McIntyre and Michael Stewart on BBC Radio Scotland on who out of Celtic and Rangers has the strongest squad as the title race heads towards its climax.

 

Michael Stewart says Celtic are stronger than Rangers

 

The outspoken BBC pundit is generally very fair with his analysis and comments regardless of which team he is speaking about and his verdict on why he thinks Rodgers’ side is stronger than Philippe Clement‘s is pretty bang on.

 

Stewart said [BBC Radio Scotland], “So if everybody’s fit, I’ll be honest it’s pretty much a toss of the coin. I would marginally go with Celtic and it would be down to the fact that the injured players they’ve got out are real.

 

“It’s like Kenny Miller talking before and he was absolutely spot on, Jack Butland, Tavernier, Goldson and Lundstram, they never get rotated. It would be like missing those guys for most of the season.

 

“That’s what Celtic have had with Hatate and Carter-Vickers, in particular, who have been missing, Callum McGregor over the last few weeks.

 

“They are the heartbeat of that team that has been missing. So I would marginally go for Celtic and that’s the biggest reason why they’ve had such a disrupted season their quality has been missing.”

 

Brendan Rodgers will be delighted that he is set to welcome McGregor back into the fold. There is no doubt the Celtic captain will be pivotal in his quest to retain the league title.

 

Hatate has been sorely missed as the Celtic manager has tried, and failed, to find a suitable player in his squad to fill the Japanese star’s boots since he was injured on international duty in February.

 

And as for Carter-Vickers, his role in the team is crucial. When he was out injured Celtic were clearly not as stable at the back and the fact we have only lost four domestic fixtures with him in the team over three seasons is a story in itself.

 

Today is a must-win game ahead of the Ibrox Glasgow Derby. Anything less puts undue pressure on Celtic for next weekend.

 

With the players that Rodgers has available to him, Celtic should pick up the three points at Livingston regardless of whether the Hoops boss is in the dugout or not.

 

Rangers manager Clement questions Jurgen Klopp over the hiring of the Celtic referee.

 

The Premiership title race continues on Saturday, and the race remains as tight as it has been in years.

 

Celtic currently lead the way by one point, while Rangers have a game in hand still to play. The Hoops take on Livingston on Sunday, while Rangers are in action against Hibs.

 

Just three games remain until the split, and there is little room for let-up, especially with the next Old Firm coming after this round of fixtures. In the meantime, we have rounded up all the latest news surrounding Celtic and Rangers.

 

SFA criticism

 

Former official Des Roache believes the SFA should have shown ‘common sense’ when appointing Don Robertson for Celtic’s clash with Livingston on Saturday. It comes after Brendan Rodgers slammed Robertson and VAR official John Beaton after decisions made during a 2-0 defeat to Hearts

 

Speaking to the Daily Mail, Roache said: “I think there could have been better appointments made this weekend. There were numerous games Don could have been appointed to and I thought the SFA appointments officer could have shown a bit more common sense with that one. Don will do a great job because he is a fantastic referee.”

 

Clement on Klopp

 

Rangers boss Philippe Clement is eyeing a long run in management after turning 50, referencing Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp along the way. “How old is Jurgen?” asked the Rangers boss at his press conference. “He started earlier than me. I don’t have the feeling at this moment that it will be too much.

 

“But I have seen it in the past, I saw it with [former Club Brugge boss] Michel Preud’homme. I was his assistant for four years and in the last year it was too much. He quit after that and then became technical director for two more years and then stopped.

 

“So I understand that maybe in one moment it is too much, it’s an individual thing. I am not thinking about that at the moment. You have people in their 70s still doing it.”

 

After the SPFL intervenes in the Old Firm dispute, Celtic and Rangers eventually declare a truce.

 

Rangers and Celtic have come to a mutual agreement to let larger numbers of away fans back into Old Firm derbies once again. Starting next season, about five per cent of the seats in their stadiums will be for visiting supporters for Scottish Premiership matches.

 

The two Glasgow giants had become embroiled in a row where each side regularly kept cutting down how many tickets the other team’s fans could receive for trips to Ibrox and Celtic Park.

 

This started when Steven Gerrard became the boss of Rangers in 2018. Before then, more than 7,000 fans from the opposing team could enjoy the atmosphere of the white-hot derbies.

 

But lately, there haven’t been any away fans at the games. Supporter safety has been cited as the primary reason for the lack of away fans. Celtic rejected 700 tickets for a game at Ibrox earlier this season.

 

The lack of away supporters has diminished the neutral appreciation of the Old Firm derby as one of the best football games to watch in Europe.

 

SPFL rules only said that home teams should let a “reasonable” number of away fans come to league games. But now, the league’s decision-makers have stepped in and helped fix the problem after discussions between the clubs and the police.

 

The SPFL announced on Friday: “Following engagement with both clubs, the SPFL is pleased to confirm that Rangers FC and Celtic FC will provide ticket allocations of around 5 per cent for away supporters, for SPFL matches between the two clubs.”

 

They also said: “It does not affect the remaining two league matches between the clubs in season 2023/24, which will remain at a zero allocation for away supporters.”

 

With Ibrox having 50,817 seats and Celtic Park 60,411, this means about 2,540 Celtic fans and 3,020 Rangers fans can go to away games in the future.

 

Rangers shared that this decision came after talks with everyone involved, including the SPFL, local authorities, and TV companies.

 

Their statement included: “While this will not affect the two remaining league derbies this season, from next season, both clubs will be required to provide five per cent of their stadia to the away team for Old Firm games only – mirroring the UEFA European match model.”

 

Rangers also said: “Rangers’ position has always been for away supporters to be present at these games, and with this move, a significant number of our fans will be able to support our team at Parkhead in seasons ahead.”

 

Yang Will Be Miss South Korea’s Olympic Qualifiers During Celtic’s Championship Match

 

Yang Hyun-jun is set to miss South Korea’s qualifiers for the upcoming summer Olympics amid Celtic’s ongoing title fight.

 

As he is under 23, the winger is eligible to play at the Olympics and could have been involved in his nation’s qualifiers for the tournament in Qatar next month. It is not listed in FIFA’s official international calendar, though, and thus, Celtic has no obligation to release Yang.

 

25th February 2024; Fir Park, Motherwell, Scotland; Scottish Premiership Football, Motherwell versus Celtic; Hyunjun Yang of Celtic takes on Georgie Gent of Motherwell

 

He therefore won’t play in the qualifiers and rather, the 21-year-old will stay with his club ahead of the run-in (The Scottish Sun). Yang may well feature in the finals tournament – which runs from July 24 to August 1 – if South Korea qualify, meaning he would miss the beginning of the 2024/25 season for Celtic.

 

At the minute, however, such an issue is a worry for another day. Brendan Rodgers has bigger fish to fry, and having Yang locked in going into the final weeks of the season and not having another unavailability will give him peace of mind.

 

Although Nicolas Kuhn is coming into form on the right-hand side, Yang was on a sharp upturn before his red card at Tynecastle a few weeks ago.

 

The gaffer of South Korea’s under-23s is having to come up with a contingency plan in his absence. He said: [The Scottish Sun] “I will have a final meeting with the staff, but this is a difficult part.

 

“We need to come up with an alternative. I am also thinking about plan B.”

 

Liel Abada on his “wonderful” time in the Celtics and what made the spell difficult

 

Liel Abada is ready for a new adventure but that doesn’t mean he has forgotten the “amazing” time he had at Celtic.

 

The Israeli winger left his homeland aged 19 when the Hoops paid Maccabi Petah Tikva £3.5million for his services in 2021. He went on to be a roaring success for them, chipping in with a very healthy record of goals and assists from the wing and being named PFA Scotland Young Player of the Year for 2021/22.

 

Two league titles, two league cups and a Scottish Cup is a decent trophy haul too. Things weren’t as plain sailing towards the end of his stay though with the Celtic support’s backing of Palestine in their conflict with Israel making things awkward for him with people in his homeland questioning why he would continue to play for him.

 

Manager Brendan Rodgers explained Abada was not available for selection because his head was not in the right place amid the controversy and eventually Charlotte FC shelled out a record fee to take the 22-year-old to MLS.

 

He’s yet to appear for his new club but played for his country as they lost out to Iceland in a Euro 2024 play-off.

 

And before he flew back out to the States, he was quizzed by Israeli press on his move and also his time in Glasgow.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

He told Sport 1: “It was really not easy being far away, but I had time with my family and friends now to see everyone. I had an amazing time at Celtic and now my head is on a new journey.

 

“I hope I can represent the country with respect. I had some time now with family and friends and now I’m embarking on a new journey.”

 

On life at Charlotte, Abada added: “The feelings are very good. I’m waiting to get there and meet everyone and start my journey.”

 

Ex-Celtic man backs former teammate as Rangers receive major injury boost

 

The ex-teammate of a Celtic player has backed him to have an impact upon his return from injury – meanwhile, Rangers have been handed a major boost.

 

The Scottish Premiership will return this weekend upon the conclusion of the ongoing international break. What has been happening around Scotland’s top division today?

 

A former teammate of a Celtic player has heavily praised him in an interview – meanwhile, Rangers have been handed a major injury boost to one of their key players.

 

Rangers receive major Ridvan Yilmaz injury boost

 

Ridvan Yilmaz suffered an injury during international duty that forced him to withdraw from the Turkey squad – however, it is not as bad as first thought.

 

A source close to Yilmaz said [via the Daily Record]: “We’re hoping the recovery process will only take seven to 10 days. Fortunately the injury is not too severe. While we don’t want to put an exact date on it, we’re hoping he will be in the squad or, even better, on the pitch against Celtic.”

 

Joe Ledley backs James Forrest to hit the ground running upon return from injury

 

Joe Ledley, who has known James Forrest since the beginning of the latter’s playing career, has backed his former teammate to have an impact upon his return from injury.

 

Speaking to the Daily Record, Ledley said: “It’s great to see him getting some more minutes on the pitch as well now because he has been unfortunate with injuries in his career and also through this season. To have someone like that with that vast experience of having been there and done around the training ground and bringing people on is massive at any time, but even more so this time of a season.

 

“What a fantastic career he has had at Celtic. I remember when I signed he was just coming through into the first team and I’m sure it was Lenny who gave him his debut. You could see even way back then that he was going to be a special player. He had the pace and he had the balance and he just kept improving his game.”

 

UEFA report puts Celtic in Europe’s top 20

Celtic’s kit sales with Adidas have given the club a place in the top 20 according to UEFA.

With their licencing powers there can be little doubt about the result which is contained in a substantial UEFA report titled The European Club Fiance and Investment Landscape for 2022.

 

As with most of these lists and tables clubs from the big five nations dominate with Barcelona edging Real Madrid into top spot followed by Bayern Munich and Liverpool.

 

UEFA acknowledges the dominance of their big five leagues with Celtic described as a traditionally well supported club alongside Ajax, Leeds United, Eintracht Frankfurt and Turkish sides Galatasaray and Fenerbahce. Winning the Europa League helped lift Eintracht into 19th place.

 

Celtic and Adidas have produced five kits this season with little sign of demand wavering, this is the fourth season of the five year kit deal.

 

The table puts Celtic in a strong negotiating position for their next kit deal, Adidas will be keen to retain that contract while other manufacturers will be well aware of the almost guaranteed sales.

 

Nike and Puma are the other manufacturers in the top 20 with the table listing Celtic’s kit deal as bringing in  €34m which equates to £29.1M.

 

Injury problems mount up for Rangers with 7 on the sidelines as Celtic title race heats up

 

Just as Celtic close in on getting their strongest players available and back on the pitch, injury problems are reportedly mounting up across the city.

 

As discussed this morning, Chris Sutton feels that Brendan Rodgers could soon get his best eleven back playing together ahead of a critical period in the Scottish Premiership and Scottish Cup.

 

Reo Hatate played a bounce game during the international break and Callum McGregor is expected to return quite quickly too.

 

With Cameron Carter-Vickers getting back to 100% and Kyogo again involved heavily, Celtic are have their trophy-winning core ready for the big push for silverware.

 

Celtic and Rangers title race heats up

 

In contrast, The Daily Record reports that Ridvan Yilmaz is the latest injury concern for Rangers after he limped out of Turkey’s defeat to Hungary with a thigh complaint.

 

The paper says that Yilmaz is one of seven on the sidelines including Abdallah Sima, Oscar Cortes, Ryan Jack, Kieran Dowell and Danilo – all of whom are said to likely miss their first match after the break at least.

 

Yilmaz has played 28 times for his clubs this season and is firmly part of Philippe Clement’s plans, so losing him would be another big blow for them.

 

The Ibrox side face Hibernian at home next week before hosting Celtic. The Bhoys, of course, travel to Livingston ahead of that massive derby in Govan.

 

If Celtic manage to win both matches – having already won in West Lothian and at Ibrox this season – they’ll be at least four points ahead before Rangers play their game in hand away to Dundee the following mid-week.

 

Rodgers getting his strongest players on the pitch with few injury problems could be a key factor in these closing weeks. Especially if rivals are flagging.

 

Alexandro Bernabei reveals the Celtic quality he ‘really lacked’ as one Parkhead factor catches attention

 

Alexandro Bernabei says the language barrier was a big challenge during his time at Celtic.

 

The Argentine left-back has departed the Premiership club on loan for the rest of the year, having moved to Glasgow from Lanus in his homeland during 2022. He is now hoping for regular minutes in Brazil with Internacional.

 

Greg Taylor was the number one at left-back during Ange Postecoglou’s era and that hasn’t changed with Brendan Rodgers’ second coming, leading to Bernabei finding games hard to come by. Now explaining his move back to South America at his introductory press conference, the 23-year-old insists language issues were a factor in his time at Celtic. And the style of Scottish football was a change too. He said: “What did I learn in Europe?

 

“The constancy. Many things in the constant work of every day, of being outside and wanting to earn a place among the 11 or 18 who were (related). Then, the language, above all, and order, which I felt I really lacked and I believe that, here, it will help me.

 

“I don’t think he was away” – Peter Grant Not Buying Theories About Kyogo’s Form

 

Former Celtic midfielder Peter Grant doesn’t think that Hoops striker Kyogo Furuhashi has ever dropped off amid recent claims that he is back to his best.

 

The frontman has two goals in his last two games, sparking many fans to believe that he has now returned to the dazzling form everyone knows he can hit.

 

Kyogo revealed on Monday morning that he isn’t afraid of failure amid his lack of inclusion in the recent Japan squad for the upcoming international break.

 

The fact that he had bagged just two goals in 2024 up until last weekend’s game against Livingston in the Scottish Cup contributed towards this and fairly led many to think he was not his usual self, but Grant disagrees.

 

He believes that the Japanese hitman is constantly lively and that a lack of service has been a key factor in his barren spell: “You were asking me earlier on about Kyogo being back, I don’t think he was away”, he said (Go Radio Football Show).

“If you put balls in the box, that guy will score goals.

“You have to service him, it’s ironic, the service he put in at the start of the second half was for Kuhn’s goal.

“The amount of times Kyogo is in that position for an early ball – that’s why I keep saying about putting the crosses in.

“It’s common sense for me. If you put the balls in, these guys have got the quality to finish and Kyogo proved that at the weekend.”

There has been a noticeable change in Celtic’s attacking play over the past few weeks. The Hoops look much more lively in forward areas, whipping balls into the box and registering several shots on goal.

Such trends must continue if silverware is to be secured come the end of May.