Celtic

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It was a night to forget for Liam Scales on Sunday.

His red card at Wembley Stadium triggered a Republic of Ireland collapse against England in their final Nations League match.

Heimir Hallgrimsson's side defended resolutely for 50 minutes and frustrated Lee Carsley's Three Lions, but, when the Celtic defender was shown a second yellow card for clipping Real Madrid's Jude Bellingham - conceding a penalty in the process - it opened the floodgates for a thrashing.

Republic of Ireland were already consigned to a third place finish in Group B2, but Hallgrimsson said in his post-match press conference that some players "gave up" following Scales' dismissal.

Celtic left-back Alexandro Bernabei - currently on loan at Brazilian side Internacional - is being targeting by Corinthians for a permanent move, alongside former Real Madrid defender Sergio Ramos. (Daily Record), external

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Former striker Brian McClair has been reliving the day Celtic clinched the 1985-86 Scottish top-flight title.

On the final day of the season, Hearts were two points ahead of Celtic with a superior goal difference of four.

But in a dramatic finale, Celtic raced to a 4-0 victory at half-time in their game against St Mirren at Love Street.

Then, just nine minutes after the break, McClair made it five. Meanwhile, Hearts were drawing 0-0 at Dundee.

With just seven minutes to go, Dundee substitute - and Celtic supporter - Albert Kidd put the home side in front at Dens before scoring again with three minutes to play, securing the title for the Parkhead club.

"Hearts were by far the better team right through the whole season up until almost the very end," McClair told the BBC's Sacked in the Morning podcast.

"We had got into a situation where we felt we just needed to try and win the last nine or 10 games.

"The big game I felt gave us all real belief we could perhaps get within touching distance was when we went to Pittodrie, we always got hammered there, but we managed to beat them 1-0.

"After that game, it gave us a lot of belief together and also independently going into the last game.

"We had nothing to lose, we knew what we had to do, we were just hopeful something would happen at Dundee.

"It's always the same, people will make comments about St Mirren and the way they were, but we played really, really well, particularly in the first 20 minutes.

"We blew them away, got the goals, and were in a position to hope something was going to go our way in Dundee, which it did."

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Anthony Ralston hailed former Celtic team-mate Ben Doak's "excellent" Scotland impact after the teenager played a key role in the nation's late win over Croatia.

With 86 minutes on the clock, the 10-man visitors were set to leave Hampden with a hard-fought point.

But 19-year-old winger Doak's driving run and strike allowed John McGinn to finish a dramatic winner.

"He has done excellent on the wing," Ralston said of Doak, who is currently on loan at Championship side Middlesbrough from Liverpool.

"I think when you play against 10 men, you just need to get your attackers on the ball as much as possible, move the ball quick and don't dwell on it.

"We had a few [chances before the goal], but you just keep doing it, keep getting the ball wide and get [Doak] one-on-one. Then, thankfully, we got the goal."

Despite ending their long winless run with a much-needed victory, Ralston feels Scotland could have performed better on the night.

But after enduring what the right-back describes as an "unlucky" Nations League campaign, the Celtic man says the side "deserved a bit of luck" in Friday's win.

"We've played better in other games, especially first half," he added. "But when they went down to 10 men it was a different challenge.

"I'd much rather not play better and get the three points than play well and not get the three points."

Chris Sutton has called on Celtic to "blow Rangers out of the water" with a move for Motherwell midfielder Lennon Miller. (Daily Record), external

Celtic have no interest in selling in-form winger Nicolas Kuhn in January amid interest from multiple Premier League clubs. (Football Insider), external

Read the rest of Saturday's Scottish gossip.

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Reo Hatate should have been sent off in Celtic's 2-0 victory over Kilmarnock on Sunday, according to the Scottish FA's key match incident review panel.

The Celtic midfielder was booked for catching Liam Donnelly with his studs, and video assistant referee Don Robertson agreed with on-field official Nick Walsh's decision.

However, by a 3-2 majority, the KMI panel has deemed that the offence was serious foul play that "endangered the safety of the opponent" and VAR should have intervened to recommend a red card review.

The incident occurred in the closing stages when Celtic were 2-0 up and Hatate was substituted five minutes from time.

In the same game, the panel unanimously agreed that a yellow card and no VAR intervention was the correct call for Joe Wright's challenge on Adam Idah where the Kilmarnock defender caught the Celtic striker with an elbow.

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Celtic striker Kyogo Furuhashi was kept waiting for his Japan comeback as they thrashed Indonesia 4-0 in World Cup qualifying.

Kyogo is back Japan squad for the first time in over a year, but was an unused substitute in the comfortable victory in Jakarta.

Celtic midfielder Reo Hatate made his first international appearance since June with a late outing off the bench, while forward Daizen Maeda came on at half-time for Takumi Minamino, who scored Japan's second.

Japan are now at the top of Group C by seven points at the halfway stage of the third round of Asian qualifying for 2026, all but guaranteeing them a World Cup berth.

The Celtic trio will hope to feature in Tuesday's qualifier away to China.

Celtic are reportedly tracking Brondby forward Mathias Kvistgaarden, with Nicolas Kuhn being linked with a Premier League move. (Daily Record), external

Celtic could spend "£5-10m" in January as they attempt to "go further in Europe", according to former Aberdeen chief executive Keith Wynass. (Football Insider), external

Tyrone Smith
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

Brendan Rodgers "forgot about his ego" by adapting his tactics for Celtic's Champions League away games following the drubbing by Borussia Dortmund, says former midfielder Stiliyan Petrov.

Celtic rebounded from that 7-1 defeat in Germany by battling to a goalless draw against Europa League winners Atalanta in Italy before producing a scintillating 3-1 home victory over RB Leipzig.

Having eased to victory over Slovan Bratislava in their opener, Rodgers' side are well placed to advanced to the knockout rounds of the revamped tournament.

Bulgarian Petrov, who will captain Celtic at the Scottish Masters tonight, live on BBC Scotland, said: "Everything was perfect until Borussia Dortmund and I saw Rodgers decided to change his view about how he needs to approach those games, not to be attacking, he had to take a point away, he managed to do that in a different fashion.

"That gave him real confidence to put in a great performance against Leipzig.

"It is great to see, that is what good managers do. Sometimes the ego of the manager is, 'This is my style, this is how I play, the opposition should worry about what I do.' But you have to take a step back, analyse your mistakes, adjust.

"That is what Brendan did. He forgot about his ego, his style of playing, and he adjusted so the Celtic team can take a point, settle into the game and go to the next one with good confidence."

Petrov says it is "refreshing" that Aberdeen are leading the Premiership challenge to champions Celtic this season.

"They are showing consistency, it seems like they have a manager who has a good style of play, the players react really well to his messages," he added.

"It is important how long you can sustain that form because to win a championship or to be up there, Celtic and Rangers have done it for many years, but it is refreshing to see somebody can push these two teams."

• Watch the Scottish Masters live on BBC Scotland, iPlayer and the BBC Sport website tonight at 19:15 GMT.

A trip to one of the family's favourite Italian eateries the other day didn't just ram pizza and pasta down our throats.

The amount of sparkly decorations, tinsel and festive music made me do a double-take in case I'd somehow time-travelled to Christmas Eve. It made me think it won’t be long before we see promos of Greg Taylor in an elf suit and Cameron Carter-Vickers doing his best Santa impersonation for the annual club video stocking filler.

It also got me wondering whether, in the past few years, the Celtic support has been more optimistic about the upcoming yuletide season?

Here's the wishlist manager Brendan Rodgers is about to post. Wins over Aberdeen in early December and Rangers in early January, with a League Cup winner's medal in between. The next batch of games, including Club Brugge at the end of November, could also guarantee the club a place in the latter stages of the Champions League.

I'd wager it's quite a while since the Parkhead punters were licking their lips this time of year at the prospect of the holiday football schedule.

Last year there was quite the wobble when a home draw with Motherwell was followed by defeats to Kilmarnock and Hearts.

The previous year, even though Ange Postecoglou would proceed to win the treble, a 5-1 thumping at Real Madrid confirmed Celtic would be picking up just two of the available 18 Champions League points.

The season before that, the big Aussie was still building a squad and gave Rangers an eight-point start before overhauling Giovanni van Bronckhorst's men in the Reo Hatate 'demolition derby' of early February 2022.

As for the festive period in 2020? It's best not to mention that too loudly around some Celtic fans for fear of triggering very unpleasant memories. Celtic 1-4 Sparta Prague. Celtic 0-2 Ross County. You get the drift.

As autumn turns sharply to winter now, however, there is barely a cloud on Celtic's horizon. Just the two points shed in a Premiership campaign livened up – for them as well as us – by the excellence of Aberdeen thus far, matching Brendan Rodgers' men stride for impressive stride.

Pittodrie on the evening of 4 December, anyone? A 'must listen' on Sportsound for the live action. Appointment viewing on Sportscene for the highlights after.

The week after, there's a trip to Dinamo Zagreb that could confirm – if it hasn't already been settled - Celtic's Champions League progression. Dining at European football's top table isn't leaving a sour taste in the club's mouth this time around.

Indeed, there's every chance the fans will be tucking into their Christmas turkey with extra relish, while salivating at the prospect of a second helping of Champions League for the first time in well over a decade.

Celtic and Rangers ready to move for 18-year-old midfielder Lennon Miller, but Motherwell will hold out for a £4m fee for the Scotland Under-19 international. (Daily Mail), external

Celtic goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel expects a decision to be made next year about whether an option to extend his contract for another 12 months beyond the summer will be triggered for the 38-year-old. (Tipsbladet), external

Troy Deeney says he rejected a £40,000 per week offer from Celtic and instead accepted Birmingham City's £12,000 deal after the 36-year-old striker was released by Watford two years ago. (Under The Cosh podcast), external

Read Thursday's Scottish Gossip in full.

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BBC Scotland's chief sportswriter Tom English has been answering your questions on Celtic.

Ian asked: You criticise Celtic's performance against Borussia Dortmund. Do you believe following that match Brendan Rodgers has learned to be more tactically astute when facing superior opposition?

Tom answered: I think something changed and I hope it's changed for good because Rodgers said that he wouldn't change, he wouldn't compromise in Europe after the Dortmund game, but he has.

He has brought in an element of pragmatism, an element of caution. He certainly did it in Bergamo against Atalanta and they got a terrific 0-0 draw. They were clearly different there. There was less risk taken.

They took fewer gambles on the ball. They closed down the space very, very well. They still rode their luck but they deserved it. They got a great point there. There was a much better balance in their game in Bergamo.

I was very interested to see what they were going to do against Leipzig, a fine team, second best team in Germany. Could they still have that ability to stay in a fight? That pragmatism? Could they add a few layers on to it and take the fight to Leipzig? They did all of that and more.

Their performance against Leipzig blew me away. I thought it was a magnificent performance, best Celtic performance I've seen in at least five years in any competition, and I just thought maybe they've turned a corner here.

They're in a great position in the Champions League now, this massive new group that we have, and they're motoring. They've had two really excellent, very different performances.

Sportscene pundit Lee Miller ponders whether his former club Aberdeen are capable of sustaining a title challenge to Brendan Rodgers' Celtic, with the sides currently neck and neck at the top after 11 games.

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Brentford hold an interest in Celtic winger Nicolas Kuhn but have no plans to sign the in-form German in January. (The Standard), external

Former Celtic manager Neil Lennon is "actively looking at the minute" for his next opportunity to return to management but has admitted his next could be his last. (Glasgow Times), external

Celtic and Bayern Munich are tied at an average of 69.6% as the teams who enjoy the biggest share of possession in their domestic football this season, according to data from Wyscout. (Scottish Sun), external

Tino
Fan writer

Frustrating as the international break tends to be Celtic are heading into it in fine form following a recent run of impressive results.

The Bhoys have now played 18 games across the campaign so far with 15 wins, two draws and just that one loss in Dortmund to speak of. A mere blip, some might say.

Those games have seen Celtic score 54 times to provide a perfect average of exactly three goals per game, and one man has been the driving force behind all of it.

Following his latest standout performance against Kilmarnock, the stats for Nicolas Kuhn read 10 goals and 11 assists from just 17 games, and the flying winger doesn't look like he'll be stopping any time soon.

His total of 21 goal contributions means he's played a part in just short of 40% of Celtic's goals this season – not bad for someone who was written off by many after his arrival in January.

In truth, even the most optimistic supporters couldn't have forecast such a turnaround in fortunes.

Following his signing from Rapid Vienna Kuhn played 18 times in the second half of last season as Celtic went on to clinch a league and Scottish Cup double.

In that time he registered just three goals and three assists - incomparable to what we're witnessing now.

But the question now is just how far can Celtic’s rejuvenated number 10 go?

His double against former side RB Leipzig were his first goals in the Champions League and having ticked that box he'll be setting his sights on higher targets.

On his arrival at Celtic Park the 24-year-old German made no secret of his desire to play for his national side, having been capped all the way up to Under-20 level. If current form continues - especially on the European stage - then why shouldn't that be a realistic goal?

Kuhn will have his work cut out if he's to join the likes of Florian Wirtz, Julian Brandt and Jamal Musiala in Julian Nagelsmann's forward line, but with the determination, skill and blistering pace he has shown in recent months, who would bet against him?

If he continues in the same vein he may just be digging out his passport by the time the next international break comes around in March.

Tino can be found at The Celtic Exchange, external.

Nicolas Kuhn's improvement at Celtic is analysed by Sportscene pundits Billy Dodds and Lee Miller, who remarks that the German plays with a "cheat code" on.

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Retiring from international football has already proved beneficial for Callum McGregor, with the Celtic captain leading the way in the Champions League running stakes.

No player in the competition has covered more ground than the 59.5km racked up by McGregor in the opening four matches.

The 31-year-old, who called time on his Scotland career in August, said of his running stats: "I've always been not bad at that one.

"No, listen, it is what it is, what football is these days, it's a running game. You've got to look after yourself, and the boys are in a really good place, so we just try and stay on that as much as we can."

McGregor will get some rest this week before embarking on an intense period - described by manager Brendan Rodgers as an "ultra-marathon" - that will see Celtic play 20 games in 10 weeks after the international break.

McGregor added: "When you look at the games, obviously November, December, January as well, I think there's nine or 10 games in January alone.

"So you've got to be ready, you've got to be ready to play, the team, the squad, everyone, this little period is so important for us."

McGregor also hailed Nicolas Kuhn's form this season as a big factor in Celtic's imposing start.

The German winger has scored 10 goals this term, including two in their impressive Champions League victory over RB Leipzig, and has provided 11 assists as Rodgers' side sit top of the Scottish Premiership and are unbeaten domestically.

Both McGegor and Kuhn netted in Sunday's 2-0 win at Kilmarnock and the skipper said of his team-mate: "Unbelievable. His form has been incredible, especially for a young wide player.

"Sometimes it can fluctuate a little bit, but since the start of the season, I think probably since that Man City game in pre-season, he's been unplayable, and his numbers obviously back that up as well.

"So he's in brilliant form, and when you've got someone like that at the top of the pitch, you know he can relieve pressure for you and get big goals."

Former Celtic player Johan Mjallby believes the club could charge £30m should they sell winger Nicolas Kuhn, 24, in January. (Record), external

Celtic striker Adam Idah has pulled out of the Republic of Ireland squad to face Finland and England after the hefty head knock he suffered in a challenge with Kilmarnock's Joe Wright. (Sun), external

Aberdeen's form has put Celtic on alert, says the defending champions' captain Callum McGregor. (Record), external

Club Bruges head coach Nicky Hayen, whose side face Celtic in the Champions League this month, lashed out at his own players and accused them of having an attitude problem after they threw away a two-goal lead against bottom side Beerschot in the Belgian top flight. (Herald - subscription), external

Internacional hope to convert Alex Bernabei's loan from Celtic into a longer term arrangement. (Sun), external

Two thirds of Celtic fans believe the Scottish champions should have an independently elected fan advisory board, according to new research from the University of Glasgow. (Glasgow Times), external

Read Tuesday's Scottish gossip

Jonathan Sutherland
Sportscene presenter

Kilmarnock pushed Celtic all the way at Rugby Park, but the visitors' quality saw them through in the end, with their star men all performing.

Kasper Schmeichel put in a player of the match performance, making a number of big saves. Kilmarnock had a better xG (expected goals) than Celtic, which underlines just how important his steadying performance was.

Auston Trusty helped keep a key clean sheet away from home. Without Cameron Carter-Vickers you always wonder if they opposition might find a way through, but Scales and Trusty did just enough to help keep a spirited Killie at bay.

Nicolas Kuhn is simply the most exciting player in Scotland right now. My favourite pass of the season was his the other night against RB Leipzig, opening up a chance for Daizen Maeda. Unfortunately the Japanese international blazed his shot over the bar, thus denying Kuhn surely the assist of the season.

He's another superb example of the Celtic recruitment model. He had plenty of doubters when he first arrived, but now the papers are talking about him as a potential £25million player. The run and finish to see off the challenge of Kilmarnock was superb.

Watch highlights as Celtic beat Kilmarnock in the Scottish Premiership.

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What would you like to ask Tom English about Celtic?

Our chief sportswriter is in the hotseat ready to answer your questions and offer his insight and opinion on your club.

Answers will be provided on Tuesday’s episode of the BBC's Scottish Football Podcast and on this page later in the week.

Put your questions to Tom here., external

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Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers told Sportsound: "Obviously we had to deal with a lot of pressure and direct balls, and deal with a lot of duels. But to keep a clean sheet and work that hard, especially after midweek, then show moments of quality to get goals, I'm very proud of the team.

"They play a pressure game, and we had to be strong and aggressive and show our spirit and to get the three points is very pleasing.

"A year ago, that result would maybe have gone the other way, but that was a real test of some different qualities and we came through it so it shows the team is in a good place.

"Nicolas [Kuhn] is growing and developing. He is disappointed with the one he missed, but his run, touch and finish were sublime. Adding numbers to his game is one of the things we talked about and it's testament to him that he's done that."