Celtic

Stoke City have decided against signing on-loan Celtic winger Sead Haksabanovic permanently, with the Scottish champions naming a price of around £2.2m to sell the 24-year-old Montenegro international this summer. (Fotboll Direkt via Daily Record, external)

Manchester City are set to offer Joe Hart an emotional return to the Etihad when the goalkeeper retires from playing with Celtic this summer and are ready to hold talks with the 37-year-old an ambassadorial role as he remains against going into coaching. (Daily Record), external

Manchester United are accelerating a move for 23-year-old former Celtic right-back Jeremie Frimpong and a deal for a bargain fee with Bayer Leverkusen is expected to be struck by 14 June. It has been widely reported the Scottish champions will receive a 30 percent sell-on fee. (Bild via TeamTalk, external)

Frozen out 24-year-old Celtic centre-half Gustaf Lagerbielke says he has turned to building Lego to fill his time because of his lack of minutes and being unable to have "close contact" with manager Brendan Rodgers. (Aftonbladet, external - in Danish)

Rangers chief executive James Bisgrove has revealed both Ibrox and Celtic Park require stadium modifications to host Old Firm derbies before the five percent away allocation comes into force next season. (Glasgow Times), external

Read the rest of Friday's Scottish gossip.

• Dundee have lost their last nine league meetings with Celtic; only from October 1965 to October 1971 have they ever had a longer such losing run against the Parkhead side (13).

• In all competitions, Celtic are unbeaten in 42 meetings with Dundee (W36 D6) since a 2-0 defeat in May 2001. Only against Dumbarton (50) are they on a longer ongoing unbeaten run.

• Both of Dundee’s last two league games have finished 0-0; not since February 2022 have they gone three games without scoring in the Scottish Premiership.

• Celtic have scored exactly three goals in each of their last four league games (W3 D1), their longest run of scoring 3+ goals in the league since March 2023 (6 in a row).

• No player has scored more goals as a substitute than Celtic’s Adam Idah in the Scottish Premiership this season (level with Adam Le Fondre), with four of the Irishman’s seven league goals coming from the bench.

Image source, SNS

Celtic boss Brendan Rodgers has urged his players to deliver a “wonderful send-off” for retiring goalkeeper Joe Hart as the club chase down a league and cup double.

Former England number one Hart, 37, has six games of his career remaining – culminating in the Scottish Cup final against Rangers – after announcing in February he will hang up his gloves at the end of the season.

"He's been an absolutely brilliant player in his career," Rodgers told Celtic TV.

"If you go back to when he was at Shrewsbury as a young player and now fast forward, all his life, the commitment, the sacrifices he has made have all been for the team.

"He's very much a team player. Seeing how he has supported his team-mates this season, he's absolutely brilliant. Of course we want to do it for the club, but for Joe finishing off this would be a wonderful sign-off for him."

Celtic have been offered DR Congo defensive midfielder Charles Pickel and the Scottish champions are the Cremonese 26-year-old's preferred choice despite interest from Championship clubs, including Leeds United and Preston North End. (Football Scotland), external

Scotland left-back Greg Taylor, the 26-year-old who is heading into the final year of his Celtic contract, has revealed that talks over a new deal have been put on hold until the end of the season. (Daily Record), external

Celtic defender Bosun Lawal is attracting huge interest from Championship and League One clubs in England after the 20-year-old Republic of Ireland youth cap excelled on loan to Fleetwood Town in a new midfield position this season. (Scottish Sun), external

Brondby head coach Jesper Sorensen admits that the Danish club could be about to lose Mathias Kvistgaarden, the 22-year-old attacker who attracted Celtic interest in January. (Football Scotland), external

Read the rest of Thursday's Scottish gossip.

Image source, Getty Images

Celtic kick off their post-split fixtures by travelling to sixth-placed Dundee on Sunday afternoon.

The squad may still be getting the breath back after the dramatic Scottish Cup semi-final penalty shootout win over Aberdeen last weekend.

Who would be in your starting line-up? Pick your team here.

This week, on the fifth anniversary of his passing, I found myself walking in the footsteps of the greatest Celt of all time.

Monday, 22 April marked half a decade without Billy McNeill, but for anyone of a Celtic persuasion, his influence and inspiration are never really far away.

It’s now almost 57 years to the day since he and his teammates reached the pinnacle of European Football by winning the ‘Big Cup’ in Lisbon. In doing so, they immortalised themselves in Celtic history.

For some, like my Dad and others of his generation, it still feels like yesterday.

So for us to then have the experience of being in the very arena where it all took place was truly incredible, and something that none of us will ever forget.

Walking through the tunnel, taking the same steps that Billy took to lift the trophy, and gazing at the goals where Tommy Gemmell and Stevie Chalmers created history are once in a lifetime experiences.

And though all of us will take time on such occasions to think of those who are no longer with us, I’ll be eternally thankful that I was able to do so this week with my family.

The Estadio Nacional will forever hold a special place in the hearts of Celtic fans as it represents the place where the hopes and dreams of so many before us were realised.

For a group of players born within 30 miles of Celtic Park to overcome the very best that Europe could offer is an achievement that still inspires us to this day.

Today, a bronze statue of McNeill holding the European Cup aloft sits at the foot of The Celtic Way and welcomes all who are making their way to Celtic Park.

For Celtic’s players, coaches and fans alike it’s a constant and permanent reminder of what it really means to have Celtic’s best interests at heart, and to give your very best for the club every time you have the opportunity to do so.

For this ‘Class of 2024’, the chance to mirror the League and Scottish Cup double that McNeill managed us to in 1988 is all there for the taking, and the challenge now is for Brendan Rodgers and his group of players to write their very own special piece of Celtic history.

To quote Isaac Newton, if they do so it will have been because they have been “standing on the shoulders of giants”.

And perhaps, the most giant of all.

They say Billy McNeill was the greatest Celt of all time. But I think we can all agree, he was better than that.

• Tino can be found on The Celtic Exchange, external

We asked you which of Celtic's out-of-contract and loan players you would like to keep at the club.

Here's a taste of what you had to say:

Patrick: I feel like Idah deserves a contract with the way he's been playing, he's really been a super sub for us and is scoring consistently in games. That being said, he may struggle to get into the starting XI if Kyogo is scoring as frequently as he was last season, but he's not been at his best under Brendan, which gives Idah an opportunity.

Ryan: I think Celtic are a stronger team with players like Adam Idah and Paulo Bernardo, so I think both should be made permanent players if the transfer fee is correct. I think Celtic should send out a few players on loan like Welsh, Ralston, Vata to get game time. Need to bring a left-back and replacement goalkeeper.

Gordy: I am not sure keeping Idah or Bernardo is essential for next season. If we wrap up the league, we should be looking for more established players who can improve our record in Europe, including a keeper, left-back, centre-back and a striker to challenge Kyogo. Midfield will also need addressed should O'Riley go, use the money well this time.

Munro: I think we keep Bernardo and I don't think we should keep Idah because he easily loses the ball.

Wilocks: Get Idah permanently and try to get Bernardo cut price to soften the blow for when O'Riley leaves. Need a big game keeper, a solid CB and Tierney back to really take on the Champions League next season. Need to widen the gap again to Rangers this summer.

Anon: Keep Idah & Bernardo, let go of Yang, Oh & Mikey Johnston.

Anon: If the price is right, I think the club should sign Idah. His physicality brings a different dimension to our attack which is useful in games when the opposition have nullified our smaller, faster forwards. This can be argument for signing Miovski as an alternative if Norwich are pricing us out of Idah.

With six games remaining in the domestic season, Celtic are exactly where most people would have expected them to be – top of the league and in the Scottish Cup final, and favourites to win both.

That said, despite a recent turnaround at the top, few of a Celtic mindset are celebrating just yet, with the penalty shoot-out victory over Aberdeen a reminder that there remains a vulnerability to the side that means further twists and turns are possible.

Celtic didn’t turn up in the first half at Hampden, were gifted an equaliser and then, having gained the upper hand by starting the second half well, allowed Aberdeen back into the game not once but twice.

Credit where it is due, they held their nerve and got the job done eventually but as attention switches back to the Premiership, the champions must sharpen their focus to ensure they do not afford Rangers the opportunity to haul themselves back into title contention.

Philippe Clement’s side came unstuck at Dens Park a week ago and Celtic have to avoid any such slip-up on Sunday in their first post-split fixture. Wins against Dundee and Hearts in their next two games should allow them to set up an unofficial title-winning clash with Rangers at home on 11 May.

A 12th title from 13 and indeed a 19th trophy out of 24 available domestically are within touching distance following a run of just one defeat in 19 games, just the type of clinical, cold-blooded form required of champions.

Image source, Reuters

Celtic, Southampton and PSV Eindhoven are plotting moves to sign Austrian goalkeeper Patrick Pentz, who is currently on loan at Danish side Brondby from newly-crowned Bundesliga champions Bayer Leverkusen. (Football Insider), external

Cameron Carter-Vickers plays down Celtic's three-point lead over Rangers at the top of the Scottish Premiership and the defender is targeting six wins out of six to clinch a league and Scottish Cup double. (Record), external

Former Celtic players Jonny Hayes and Charlie Mulgrew are in the frame for the club's under-18s head coach role. (Sun), external

With several players out of contract in the summer, clubs up and down the country are considering who they want to be involved next season.

For Celtic, Joe Hart has already confirmed he will retire at the end of the campaign and the loans of Adam Idah and Paulo Bernardo are set to expire.

Who would you like to keep, and who would you be happy to wave goodbye to? Click here to have your say.

Celtic have been given a reduced allocation for Sunday's Scottish Premiership match away to Dundee. (Herald - subscription), external

May's Scottish Cup final between Celtic and Rangers could be scheduled at the same time as the FA Cup final between Manchester City and Manchester United. The Scottish FA are inclined not to move the kick-off to avoid a repeat of the row that followed delaying last season's cup final, when winners Celtic and Inverness Caledonian Thistle started after City beat United at Wembley. (Record), external

Rangers forward Cyriel Dessers has scored more goals so far this season than Celtic counterpart Kyogo Furuhashi but former Ibrox striker Kris Boyd points out Kyogo has "done it in big games". (Sun), external

Goalkeeper Joe Hart would be open to staying at Celtic in a new role after he hangs up his gloves at the end of the season. (Record), external

Liam Scales urges Celtic to address their defensive issues, saying the loss of three goals in the Scottish Cup semi-final win over Aberdeen was "a warning". (Sun), external

Read Tuesday's Scottish Gossip

Celtic centre-back Liam Scales "really struggled" with Aberdeen's physicality in Saturday's Scottish Cup semi-final, says former Pittodrie defender Richard Foster.

Foster also feels Scales was at fault for Aberdeen's second and third goals at Hampden.

Click here to listen to more on the Scottish Football Podcast.

Right-back Alistair Johnston has revealed he thought centre-back Cameron Carter-Vickers had jinxed Celtic's Joe Hart during the goalkeeper's penalty dramatics against Aberdeen (Scottish Sun)

Ex-Celtic midfielder Stuart Armstrong is still hopeful of making Scotland's squad for Euro 2024, with the injury he suffered at the weekend deemed less serious than initially feared. (Stephen McGowan on X)

Celtic and Rangers will put on a thrilling end to the season - but both clubs need massive clear-outs in the summer. (Scottish Sun)

Read the rest of Monday's gossip.

Image source, SNS

Liam Scales says Celtic's attention turns to putting the league title "to bed" after reaching the Scottish Cup final.

The 25-year-old admits it likely won't be plain sailing, but is eyeing a strong end to the season as Brendan Rodgers' side strive for a double.

“We are coming in strong to the last part of the season and that’s the way we like it and that’s the way we want it to be,” said the Irish defender.

“With five games left in the league we want to try and put that to bed and then deal with the cup.

“It probably won’t be that simple but that’s the plan.”

Scales has become a fixture in the Celtic defence this season, earning a spot in the PFA team of the year, following a successful loan spell at Pittodrie last year.

“I really enjoyed my time at Aberdeen and it is a great club,” he added.

“To break into the team here is brilliant. I’m delighted how the season has gone. We just need to finish the season strong in our last five league games leading into the cup final.”

Image source, SNS

Matt O'Riley believes the togetherness in the Celtic camp hauled them over the line to the Scottish Cup final.

Brendan Rodgers' side twice suffered late levellers from Aberdeen after trailing early in their semi-final meeting.

But the holders held their nerve in a anxious penalty shoot-out to reach another final.

"I can’t speak for everyone to be honest, I think we were just trying to encourage each other," O'Riley said.

"We stay positive and just trust each other, I think we did that.

"We are a really tight group and I think that shows in the way we play usually and also off the pitch behind the scenes.

"We are really tight so I think that makes the difference in those moments."

We asked you to collect your thoughts after Celtic's wild semi-final shootout win over Aberdeen.

Here's what you said:

Tom: You couldn't get through that game without thinking it's not going to be Celtic's day. But in the end, they just about deserved it in my humble opinion.

Grant: Celtic doing their best to throw the match away. Some very bizarre decisions coming from the touchline. Taking off McGregor when in ascendancy. Subbing Forrest for Nawrocki allowing their defender to go up for the last goal as he’s no one to mark. Hart on fifth penalty when he’s rubbish with the ball at his feet under pressure. That was a shambles!

Patrick: Thought we were pretty threatening going forward, but very weak at the back. Greg Taylor is out of position far too often and a very ineffective defender. Fought hard and got the crucial win.

David: Couldn't watch the penalties, I had to walk the dog. My son called me when we won, this game will be the death of me.

John: Rogers needs to go. Somewhere, anywhere else. This team can't perform to the best of their ability under him. Lacks the ability to motivate. In what line of work can you fail so comprehensively relegating Leicester, and get a great job for a huge club. Last time he was at Celtic there was no real competition.

D: Scales not good enough for Celtic at fault for two goals. Need to play better than this if they want to win the league again.

Neil: As thrilling as the game was, we mustn't miss that Celtic were poor against a bang average lower end of the table team. We shipped three goals and did not have their keeper under any real pressure. Paper and cracks comes to mind. If we do the double, it will only be that the opposition we face is sub optimal. We will again be exposed in Europe.

Andy: Semi-finals are never easy but we made it to the final. We will have to play a lot better in the remaining games if we are going to win the league. Cal Mac does not look nearly fit and Yang not good enough to start yet but we just need to keep winning games.

Carlos: Maybe a bit harsh considering, but in my opinion, Brendan Rodgers is not the man for Celtic. They have regressed badly in both quality and bottle. Watching them (as a supporter) is mostly a drudge and they now concede far more late goals than score.

Image source, SNS

Joe Hart says he was able to clear his mind in the high pressure stakes of a semi-final penalty shootout, despite missing the fifth penalty.

The Celtic goalkeeper took the first spot-kick of his professional career, bouncing it off the post before going on to make the deciding save.

"I committed to my penalty, but I just missed it and then we move forward, onto the next action," he said.

"I fully back myself. The team back my, the manager backs me, I told him that I’ll put my name forward again.

"I went through my process, just pulled it too much but I believe it what I do. It’s just unfortunate but for once it pays off being a goalkeeper and I was able to reprieve myself.

"I’ve not took a penalty in a professional game. Gutted I didn’t score but delighted I got the win.

"Moments like that you need people with clarity of mind and people that know what they’re doing and that’s me."

Cameron Carter-Vickers has admitted he thought he had given away an extra-time penalty when the Celtic defender caught Aberdeen winger Junior Hoilett in the box in Saturday's epic last-four encounter. (Scottish Sun)

Click here to read Sunday's Scottish football gossip in full.