Celtic

Kheredine Idessane
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

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They may not be the most glamourous names in Celtic's squad. Their appearances may only engender a shrug of the shoulders from some supporters. They may not have cost the club a eye-watering sum.

But boy have Greg Taylor and Liam Scales made a difference to the champions-elect since their reintroduction to the starting XI.

All of a sudden the left side of Celtic's defence looks a lot more assured and forward thinking.

I say 'defence'. More often than not, centre-back Scales is playing around the halfway line, with fellow central defender Cameron Carter-Vickers for company.

Taylor is often seen in that 'inverted' full-back role somewhere in the midfield. Both are forward thinking, both pretty crisp with their passes and help the team move upfield with purpose.

I remember Brendan Rodgers telling me Irishman Scales was the player who had "surprised" him the most in his managerial career with the way he had made himself a first pick shortly after the manager's second coming.

What surprised me this season was Scales being asked to make way for Auston Trusty. Yes, if you spend £6m on a player, he's not arriving to warm the bench.

Scales, however, has rarely let the side down in the past couple of seasons. He has a cultured left foot when it comes to delivery and distribution, and a committed attitude that leaves you in no doubt he's honoured to wear the shirt.

Yes, he may want a little too much time on the ball on occasion and could do things quicker when the tempo demands. He is, though, fully deserving of his latest run in the side.

Same goes for Taylor, but with bells on. He's possibly the most underrated player in the top flight.

While teams can target his lack of height and occasional lapse in positional sense - that diagonal ball down Celtic's left flank has been a feature of some opponents - his comfort on the ball, and quality of delivery with it, marks him out as a real asset.

Little wonder Rodgers is still trying to coax him into accepting another deal, with Tierney already on his way back to the club.

Taylor is effectively an auxiliary midfielder/winger who's also expected to retreat to left-back when the opposition attack. You need some amount of fitness, energy and ability for that.

After the shocker at McDiarmid Park recently, both Scales and Taylor were restored to the starting line-up. The aggregate score in the two subsequent matches? 10-1 in Celtic's favour, with some of the sparking football from earlier in the season also restored.

Celtic's left flank has markedly improved in the past two games and has had an effect on the rest of the team. The reintroduction of Scales and Taylor is no coincidence.

Tino
Fan writer

In the strange world of football hot takes, there's a new contender for the most laughable one yet: the idea that Celtic winning another treble has somehow become "tedious" for fans.

Tedious? Really? That's like saying birthdays get boring after the third one. Or that Christmas Day has become far too predictable.

And it's not just another example of the type of clickbait headlines that are all too prevalent these days - it's also downright disrespectful to the magnitude of what Brendan Rodgers and his players may be about to achieve.

Let's be clear, if Celtic complete the domestic clean sweep again this season, it would mark our ninth treble in the club's 137-year history.

That's not "tedious," it's historic. It's not routine, it's remarkable.

Trebles don't just land on your lap by chance. They require relentless consistency, a winning mentality throughout every fibre of the club, and the ability to show up week in, week out with a target on your back.

Winning all three domestic trophies is a feat most other clubs globally will never do. Yet here we are, potentially doing it again, and some folk think that's boring? Come on.

Of course, with success comes a few grumbles from outside Parkhead - jealousy wears many disguises.

It's little wonder that those who are spending all their energy trying to downplay a potential treble triumph are those who haven't – or may never – see one for themselves.

But within the Celtic support, we know better. We understand the effort it takes, the pressure these players are under, and the pride we all feel when we lift another piece of silverware.

I've yet to hear anyone of a Celtic persuasion complaining in the stands at Hampden any time we lift a trophy and it'll be no different should we go on to beat Aberdeen in next month's Scottish Cup final.

Football is about glory, and a treble-winning season is the very definition of that. It's what fans - young and old - dream about.

Success on that scale creates new club legends, it forges unforgettable memories, and it keeps Celtic at the top of Scottish football.

If you're not buzzing about the possibility of a ninth treble, then maybe football's not for you.

So no, it's not tedious. It's tremendous. And if Celtic go all the way again this season, you can guarantee we'll celebrate it like the historic triumph it truly is.

Tino can be found at The Celtic Exchange, external

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With fellow Scotland defender Kieran Tierney returning to Celtic this summer, would Greg Taylor be comfortable with diluting his role at the club?

The former Kilmarnock left-back's deal is due to expire, but manager Brendan Rodgers has expressed his desire to keep the defender, even with Arsenal's Tierney rejoining.

Under both Ange Postecoglou and Rodgers, Taylor has largely been first choice on the left of Celtic's defence as the Parkhead club have continued to dominate domestically.

The 27-year-old has been rotated with winter loan signing Jeffrey Schlupp in the second half of this term, and that would likely continue next season with the arrival of Tierney.

Speaking on the BBC's Scottish Football Podcast, The Herald's Stephen McGowan said: "Will Taylor play as many big games if Tierney is there? I know there's a question mark about Tierney's injury record, but I think that's slightly exaggerated.

"So the big question is, would Taylor be happy to take the risk of potentially playing 20 or 25 games after being accustomed to playing Champions League games and the big games against Rangers?

"Only he knows his own personal circumstances. But I think for Celtic it would be excellent if you could have two really good, seasoned Scotland international left- backs.

"In terms of the finance of the two of them together, that's a bigger question because you would probably be talking about the guts of £60,000 a week on two left-backs."

On what Taylor should be weighing up during his contract talks, former Scottish Premiership midfielder Stephen McGinn added: "He's not had a lot of injuries, he's always available and really reliable.

"I think this could be his last big contract, so he's got to do right by him first and foremost.

"And you'd also be aware you're at a massive club, so there's going to be windows where the manager signs good players [to compete with]."

Read more: Why Rodgers is keen to keep 'instrumental character' Taylor

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Nottingham Forest have set their sights on Scottish defender Dara Jikiemi, 15, who has caught the eye in Celtic's academy. (Football Insider), external

Read the rest of Wednesday's Scottish gossip...

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Sunday's thumping last-four victory over St Johnstone extended Brendan Rodgers' remarkable unbeaten run in the Scottish Cup.

Across 21 ties, Celtic have not lost once under their current boss over both his spells as manager.

The only game they drew after extra time was last season's 3-3 semi-final thriller with Aberdeen, which the Parkhead side went on to win on penalties.

A win in next month's final against the Dons would rack up a fourth Scottish Cup and also secure another treble for Rodgers.

Amy Canavan
BBC Sport Scotland at Hampden

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After the shock loss at St Johnstone two weeks ago, much was made of Celtic's reaction to such a rare defeat.

Brendan Rodgers ordered his side "to do something" against the Perth side in Sunday's Scottish Cup semi-final, according to Arne Engels.

Four goals in 12 fantastic first-half minutes ended the tie as a contest before the break, with Jota wrapping up the dominant win after the break as Celtic set up a final showdown with Aberdeen.

The "energy and motivation" throughout the Celtic team is key, said Belgium midfielder Engels, who is keen to show the high level they can maintain in the final weeks of the season.

"We wanted to show everybody we are ready for the upcoming games now," the 21-year-old added.

"We knew we needed to do something after our last performance against them, so we knew we needed to start really well and start really aggressive and full of energy.

"I think that's what we did, and then you see on a nice pitch we can really hurt everybody and show our qualities.

"We're still full of energy and full of motivation. It's just up to us to now keep this level and keep on performing and also recover.

"We did that really well during the season and I think we will do it in the last weeks too."

Olympiakos head coach Jose Luis Mendilibar has confirmed that Luis Palma will return to Celtic this summer as the Greek champions will not activate a £3.5m purchase clause after the 25-year-old Honduras winger made just two league starts during his loan spell. (Glasgow Times), external

Arne Engels says he does not care that some critics suggest Celtic overpaid to sign him in an £11m summer transfer from Augsburg and the 21-year-old midfielder feels he is in a good place to further develop. (Scottish Sun), external

Celtic, who qualified for the knockout play-off round of the Champions League, banked £16m more from European performance payments this season than Rangers, who made it to the quarter-finals of the Europa League. (The National), external

Read Tuesday's Scottish Gossip in full.

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Amy Canavan
BBC Sport Scotland at Hampden

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Since returning from a loan stint with Aberdeen at the beginning of last season, Liam Scales has been a different defender for Celtic.

From squad player to superb starter last term, the Republic of Ireland international is grateful for his spell in the Granite City.

A place where he made plenty of pals, he will come up against those familiar faces in the Scottish Cup final.

However, those relationships will be put to one side at Hampden next month.

"I still chat to a few of them, and whenever we play against them I'll catch up with them," the centre-back said. "But they won't be pals on the day."

On the subject of friendships, Scales, who started at Hampden, said he and fellow defenders Cameron Carter-Vickers, Auston Trusty and Maik Nawrocki are all tight but ultimately in healthy competition with each other.

"We're all in competition with each other for the two [centre-back] places and I think that's healthy," he added.

"So we're all friends, we're not going to say we're not, but the competition is there and we know what the goal is to play, which is good."

Richard Winton
BBC Sport Scotland

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Three of Hibernian, Dundee United, Aberdeen and St Mirren will join Celtic and Rangers in Europe next season after Brendan Rodgers' treble-chasing side reached the Scottish Cup final.

Had bottom-six sides St Johnstone or Hearts progressed through the last-four stage, they could still have claimed the European place awarded to the cup winners.

But that is no longer a possibility, which adds another layer of intrigue to the post-split fixtures in the top half of the division.

So what do we know?

Well, Celtic have secured a place in the Champions League qualifiers and will enter at the play-off round assuming they clinch the title.

Rangers will almost certainly be in that competition, too, but at the second qualifying round stage.

After that, there remains a wee bit of uncertainty.

The Scottish Cup winners earn a spot in the Europa League play-off round, so if Aberdeen upset Celtic at Hampden on 24 May, that's straightforward.

However, should the holders retain the trophy, the place would go to whoever finishes third in the league.

Currently, that's Hibs. But United and Aberdeen and St Mirren - albeit the arithmetic is hugely against them - are still in the mix.

Given whoever it is would be guaranteed - at worst - a six-game Conference League campaign, it's a lucrative prize for their season's work.

But two of the clubs who miss out on third would still be rewarded.

Fourth place would be upgraded from Conference League second qualifying round to the Europa League equivalent, with the Conference spot going to fifth place.

Read more: Premiership quartet fight for three European spots

We asked for your views on Celtic's 5-0 win against St Johnstone in the Scottish Cup semi-finals at Hampden.

Here's what some of you said:

John: Another great display. I do however have a gripe. When we're winning with comfort we tend to start easing off, understandable, but a game lasts 90 minutes and I want to see more goals. That's what football is basically about. But well done.

Stephen: Much better performance. Once the first goal went in, the confidence grew. Could've been a lot more. Such a shame the worldie that St Johnstone scored was ruled out. Let's win all our remaining games and extend manager Brendan Rodgers' unbeaten Hampden run.

Jim: St Johnstone tried to stifle us and it worked right up until the first goal, after that it was men against boys and we never looked like losing. Another captain's performance from Calum McGregor and eight-out-of-10 performances from the rest of the team. Another treble on the way.

Roz: Slow start to the game, but the cup holders stepped up their game with the captain leading the way. When Celtic move the ball quickly, there are few teams in Scotland who can compete for 90 minutes. Celtic, whether you love them or loathe them, have managed their finances and their team well over the past few decades.

John: Celtic doing what Celtic do best. Seven players on 10-plus goals, not so long ago lots of fans were worrying we hadn't replaced Kyogo Furuhashi. The stats speak for themselves, on the verge of a record-breaking ninth treble and trophies number 120 and 121. It is so great to be a Celtic fan.

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With James Forrest closing in on becoming Celtic's most decorated player, the veteran winger's influence on the squad does not go unnoticed.

Following Sunday's thumping Scottish Cup semi-final win over St Johnstone, fellow forward Jota expressed how much the 33-year-old is idolised by his team-mates.

Forrest moved level with Celtic legend Bobby Lennox as the club's most decorated player following December's Scottish League Cup triumph over Rangers.

He will move out on his own on 26 major honours when the Parkhead side inevitably clinch the Scottish Premiership title - and another Scottish Cup trophy next month would extend that tally further.

"Yeah, he's a humble player, humble person," Jota said of Forrest. "There's not a single person in the locker room that doesn't love James.

"He's a breath of fresh air. Everyone loves to play with him, to hang out with him. And, yeah, we're just learning from him.

"If we can help him achieve [becoming Celtic's most decorated player], that's what we're looking for."

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Captain Callum McGregor was "really happy" to see Celtic team-mate Adam Idah "put a lid on it" as the striker responded to a difficult week by netting in the 5-0 Scottish Cup semi-final win over St Johnstone.

Manager Brendan Rodgers defended Idah's professionalism prior to the Hampden tie after footage emerged on social media of the Irishman's midweek night out, which included footage of him appearing to throw up in a taxi.

The 24-year-old retained his place in the starting line-up and netted from close range as Celtic hit four goals in 12 minutes before the interval.

McGregor, who scored the opener in the resounding win, said: "Listen, young boys will be young boys and that's fine. No problem with that.

"He was off the next day. The boys are happy and free to do whatever they want. And as long as he's producing in training and games, then it's not really an issue for anyone.

"So I'm really happy for him. He gets his goal, he contributes to the team, and obviously that will help him confidence-wise.

"Listen, we know what it's like. We live a life in the public eye and everybody's desperate to get something off you. And that's just the way the world is these days.

"So we have to try and be smart about it. But, like I said, the thing that we'll judge him on is based on performances in training and games, and he's done that.

"It's nice just to put a lid on it. That's it, done now. Everybody just move on and life moves on as normal."

Rangers' big money takeover is edging ever closer, but Andrew Cavenagh and 49ers Enterprises are leaving it really late in terms of putting down the building blocks to make themselves competitive with champions Celtic in time for the start of the next season. (Daily Record), external

Rangers' new manager will be given the financial backing needed to close the gap on Celtic this summer, with 49ers Enterprises arriving as majority owners in June. (Football Insider), external

Of the three players out on loan from Barcelona, Alex Valle is the only one with a chance of returning to stay, but the 20-year-old left back who is on loan to Como after his spell with Celtic was cut short, is being assessed by his parent club amid interest from Borussia Dortmund. (Mundo Deportivo), external

Read Monday's Scottish Gossip in full.

Celtic fans, what did you make of your side's performance at Hampden as they swept past St Johnstone to reach the Scottish Cup final? Who did you think were the standout performers?

Have your say on the game.

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It was a captain's display from Callum McGregor at Hampden, delivering the opening goal and playing a crucial role in the second.

Brendan Rodgers called him "unique" and the "tempo setter" post-match.

Amy Canavan
BBC Sport Scotland

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Full-back Alistair Johnston said last week the defeat in Perth was a well-needed wake-up call for Celtic. Well, they were alive and kicking here.

When in such a frightening mood, no one can lay a glove on them domestically.

The speed they hit, the ferocity they pounced with and the intent they showed were all of the highest of level. It really was a matter of how many they wanted.

Daizen Maeda and James Forrest ran riot down the flanks and there was a scarcely believable amount of space for the midfielders to work their magic.

To be able to bring on Nicolas Kuhn, Jota, Luke McCowan and Paulo Bernardo with the game long done and dusted, is a luxury every team in the land must envy.

Brendan Rodgers' remarkable record at Hampden was never in doubt of being spoiled, and should his side turn up in similar fashion next month against Aberdeen, you'd expect it would remain intact then, too.

Yet another domestic treble appears only a matter of 90 minutes or so away. Doing so at such apparent ease is quite the indication of their superiority.

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Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers tells BBC Scotland: "Very impressed.

"You'd expect them to have confidence and start the game aggressively, but we kept that mentality and once we got the opening goal, we could go on and produce a brilliant performance.

"[Callum McGregor] is such a unique player, tempo setter for the team. He's tactically so good, he really is a coach on the pitch. He sees all the pictures we want and he knows when to release himself to shoot or create goals. A wonderful player who is the glue for this team. A really special player.

"Today was about getting into the final and the players did that with a great performance. Our concentration level was very high, scored five and could have had one or two others.

"Five league games [left] and we want to finish as well as we can. It's been a long season, the players have put in so much work - it's been phenomenal. We go into a five-game situation now and we want to finish top of that mini league."