Celtic

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Callum McGregor says young strikers Johnny Kenny and Callum Osmand can "conquer the world" thanks to their new-found confidence after being thrust into the Celtic spotlight.

Irishman Kenny, who has recently been given his chance due to injuries to Daizen Maeda and Kelechi Iheanacho, scored a double in the 4-0 midweek win over Falkirk then headed the opener in the 3-1 Premier Sports Cup semi-final triumph against Rangers on Sunday.

Osmand, 19, completed the Hampden victory in extra time with his first goal for the club as Celtic, under interim bosses Martin O'Neill and Shaun Maloney, set up a final against St Mirren.

McGregor, who thundered in Celtic's second against Rangers, said of Kenny and Osmand: "It's always an opportunity for every player when they come in.

"They're working so, so hard to develop and get to the level with the first-team boys.

"Johnny scores two during the week and you just know, when you've been around football a long time, I just knew he would have an impact on Sunday.

"He has taken himself to another level in terms of status now, scoring against Rangers, so he'll be brimming with confidence and the same with young Ossie.

"There's been times where he's been out the squad but he's a player who trains so hard every day and has a nice finish as well, so he's one that's just going to keep developing and strikers with confidence can go and conquer the world."

McGregor is enjoying working under the new management team of O'Neill, Maloney, Mark Fotheringham and Stephen McManus.

He said: "It's a collective effort, always has been, always will be.

"The staff behind the manager have been so good this week just having that continuity of message and training level, everything, it's all interconnected.

"The manager can't do it on his own, he needs his backroom staff in the same way the players can't do it on their own. So it's a real collective effort and that's something I'm super proud of in the last week."

Former PSV Eindhoven and Royal Antwerp manager Mark van Bommel has turned down an approach from Celtic as well as rejecting offers from the Middle East. (De Telegraaf - in Dutch), external

Ferencvaros head coach Robbie Keane has expressed an interest in the vacancy at Wolverhampton Wanderers, having been linked with Celtic, another of his former clubs. (talkSPORT), external

Martin O'Neill is increasingly likely to be offered the Celtic job until the end of the season given the success of his interim spell so far, but the 73-year-old has doubts about whether taking the long-term would be right. (Football Insider), external

Former Celtic midfielder Joe Ledley reckons former Wales team-mate Craig Bellamy would be a "perfect option" for his old club - if they are willing to wait for the national manager to see out two remaining World Cup qualifiers later this month. (Daily Record), external

Leeds United are interested in Celtic winger Seb Tounekti, the 23-year-old Tunisia international who has impressed since arriving from Hammarby this summer. (Maghreb Foot), external

Read Tuesday's Scottish Gossip in full.

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Celtic needed extra time to see off 10-man Rangers and reach the Premier Sports Cup final on Sunday, a second victory in two matches for interim manager Martin O'Neill.

O'Neill returned to the club last week after Brendan Rodgers resigned following a lacklustre start to the season on the pitch and a rift with Dermot Desmond off it.

Since the Northern Irishman left Parkhead, O'Neill has swatted aside Falkirk in the Scottish Premiership and now won an Old Firm derby at Hampden.

However, are the nature of Celtic's performances in those two matches more notable than the results?

"The only Celtic fan who would be uncomfortable watching that today would be Brendan Rodgers, because where has that intensity, that aggression, that press, that desire been in recent months?," Stephen McGowan told the BBC's Scottish Football Podcast.

"Where has Callum Osmand been? He's been consigned to B team football - didn't really feel like he'd been given a chance. Auston Trusty didn't play in that big game at Hearts, comes in [against Rangers] and wins man of the match.

"Johnny Kenny has scored three goals in two games since the change of manager."

McGowan believes that a couple more positive results will lead to calls for O'Neill to take the job until the end of the season.

Celtic travel to Midtjylland in the Europa League on Thursday before hosting Kilmarnock in the league on Sunday.

"There's certainly momentum with Martin O'Neill now," McGowan said. "He seems very reluctant, doesn't he, still to say that he wants the job. Maybe for the fear of, you know, maybe letting himself down or not getting it.

"But I think if they get a result against Midtjylland and they see off Kilmarnock next weekend, I think there will be a bit of a bandwagon.

"I'm not saying he should get the job on a permanent basis, but I think Celtic can see now that in Martin O'Neill they have got a safe pair of hands.

"I think they'll be OK certainly, through to the international break, maybe even up to the festive period.

"I don't think they're going to rush into appointing a manager - I think they are going to take their time. If he wins the next couple of games I think there will be bit of a groundswell maybe even to keep him on to the summer."

Nick McPheat
BBC Sport Scotland

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Martin O'Neill conceded he "didn't know anything" about Callum Osmand until a week ago, but he has hailed his "excellent" contribution since.

"The young man is very sharp," the Celtic interim manager said after the teenager's goalscoring display in the League Cup semi-final win over Rangers.

"He wants to get a couple of DVDs on Henrik [Larsson] - that would help. He's got plenty of confidence, he was arguing with everyone at the end."

Former Celtic boss Neil Lennon described Osmand as "something a little bit different".

In a vibrant and influential showing at Hampden, the Welshman had five shots and picked up a yellow card for a foul on Rangers captain James Tavernier.

His goal came with his fifth effort, a first-time finish between the posts following a low cross from the left by Kieran Tierney.

In the build-up, the youngster's intense pressing helped Celtic regain the ball in the final third when he dispossessed Joe Rothwell.

That kind of drive has been missing from a Celtic side that have failed to score in six games this term and have netted fewer league goals than Heart of Midlothian, Hibernian and Dundee United.

But with seven goals in their past two games under O'Neill, and young duo Osmand and Johnny Kenny emerging from the shadows, there are suddenly signs of life in the forward line.

"That summed up a Celtic team under Martin O'Neill," former Celtic goalkeeper Pat Bonner said on BBC Sportsound.

"High energy, everybody banging into tackles. Is that what we are going to get from Celtic every week now?".

Read more: From zero to hero - but can Osmand kick on at Celtic?

Celtic captain Callum McGregor talks to the media after his side reached the Premier Sports Cup final with a win over Rangers at Hampden.

Caretaker Martin O'Neill admits he is open to talks with major shareholder Dermot Desmond about staying on as Celtic boss. (Scottish Sun)

But O'Neill believes Celtic will progress their search for a permanent manager during the upcoming international break. (The Herald)

Celtic legend Neil Lennon has said Brendan Rodgers' messaging wasn't as "honest" as it should have been and that led to vitriol towards the cub's board. (Premier Sports via Scottish Sun)

Premier Sports semi-final hero Callum Osmand has revealed that O'Neill's trust in him since returning to Celtic is the major difference between life with and without Rodgers. (Daily Record)

Osmand will not feature in Celtic's next game despite his goalscoring heroics as he was not included in their squad by Rodgers for the Europa League this season. (The Herald)

Read the rest of Monday's gossip.

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Celtic right-back Anthony Ralston believes Thelo Aaasgaard "ran the risk" and lost with the tackle that brought the Rangers midfielder a red card in their 3-1 Premier Sports Cup semi-final defeat to their city rivals at Hampden.

With Celtic leading 1-0 after 38 minutes, the Norway midfielder went in high on Ralston, marking the top of the Scotland international's thigh.

"You run the risk when you go in high and you're going in with a force," Ralston said. "So the boy ran the risk and it didn't work out for him.

"It's one that changed the game and I felt we capitalised on it well."

It was 73-year-old Martin O'Neill's second game back in charge of Celtic since being made interim manager after Brendan Rodgers' shock resignation last week.

"He's been around this fixture many times and it was great to have his knowledge, along with the other coaching staff as well, who've also been around the fixture," Ralston said.

"And it helps as well that there was a good few boys within the dressing room and on the pitch that have also had a lot of experience in this fixture as well.

"So we were very calm, we were focused, we knew the job that we had to do and I felt that, to a man, we delivered today, which was great."

When asked what O'Neill is like, Ralston added: "He is great, he's funny.

"He's let us know he's been around the game for a long time in a humorous way and he's been great to just give us that experience and that confidence to go out and play our football and to have belief.

"And I think you can see that with the performances."

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Goalscorer Callum Osmand tells Premier Sports: "There are no words, it's one of those moments that don't happen.

"It's an amazing feeling, there's nothing better.

"The last few months, that's the bit that builds you as a person and a player, those moments were I've not been in squads and I'm running up and down in the rain on the pitch on my own - with a couple other boys - is painful but I feel those are the bits that create you as a player and prepare you for these moments and you just have to take it."

On Martin O'Neill, the striker added: "He said he thinks very highly of me, that the staff do, and that gives you the boost you need.

"Martin has just given me the confidence and the trust. It only takes one person to believe in you and push you on and hopefully this is just the start for me.

"I've got to keep building and pushing on.

"This is going the craziest day of my life ever, there is nothing that can really top this - unless scoring against them in the final - but it's the best day of my life."

Martin Dowden
BBC Sport Scotland at Hampden

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Midfielder Arne Engels believes Celtic showed their mindset is back where it should be after the 3-1 League Cup semi-final win over Rangers in extra-time.

Celtic finally saw off their 10-man opponents, with Callum McGregor and Callum Osmand strikes eventually earning a final against St Mirren next month.

Engels insists that, under interim-manager Martin O'Neill, they have rediscovered positivity and hopes victory can spark them into gear in this campaign.

"It's going really well," the Belgian said. "It's another cup final now and hopefully we can win this because we still have a weird feeling [from losing the Scottish Cup to Aberdeen last season].

"I think we've got the right mindset now and we can now move on."

Engels, who struggled for starts for much of this season, has now begun Celtic's last four fixtures with two successive wins under the veteran Northern Irish manager.

"Everybody is really happy with him and positive," Engels said. "I think we have now a really positive feeling about what is going on.

"Hopefully I can just keep on going now. I worked really hard for it and hopefully I can stay there for a long period.

"The most important thing is hat we keep showing that hunger and mentality that we did today and the intensity that we maybe missed in the beginning of the month.

"We have it back now and hopefully we can kick on from there."

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James McFadden on BBC Scotland: "It was a great game of football and it was so engaging.

"There was no break in play and the tempo was so high.

"Polar opposite from the previous Old Firm derby. A great advert for the game because it lived up to expectations.

"Rangers have gone for it with 10 men and Celtic just upped the tempo in extra time when they made their man advantage tell.

"Callum Osmand. Why has he not been an option until now when Celtic have been struggling up front?"

Pat Bonner on BBC Scotland: "The sending off had a huge role to play, although Rangers did rally in the second half.

"They had the chances to even win this game.

"That summed a Celtic team under Martin O'Neill - high energy, everybody banging into tackles.

"Is that what we are going to get from Celtic every week now?"

Neil Lennon on Premier Sports: "Callum Osmand, he's something a little bit different to what Celtic have in strikers."

Captain Callum McGregor and teenage substitute Callum Osmand scored in extra time to take holders Celtic into the League Cup final at 10-man Rangers' expense in a pulsating match at Hampden.

Read the match report here.

Have your say here.

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Celtic interim manager Martin O'Neill on BBC Radio Scotland: "It was an incredible game. We were terrific and got the goal in front and got one disallowed for offside.

"We were in command of the game and Rangers had a man sent off.

"After that, there was a little bit of anxiety and we took our foot off the pedal.

"Rangers really came into the game and with 10 v 11, dominated proceedings and you start to get anxious.

"I was saying to [assistant manager] Shaun Maloney we needed a goal to kill the game off and six or seven minutes later, Rangers get the penalty.

"Then Callum McGregor comes up with a phenomenal goal for us from a phenomenal player and Callum won us the game.

"When he learns to play centre-forward, he will be a player.

Of the victory, he says: "It gives you confidence, especially when playing rivals like Rangers.

"But also the other night against Falkirk, it is encouraging.

"I have had all the help in the world from the backroom staff. I could not have done any of this without the help of the backroom staff, the players and the crowd were magnificent."

As for Rangers, he adds: "I said before that I did not think they were strong, but today I saw a lot of commitment, a lot of drive and worthy opponents."

O'Neill told Premier Sports: "I was 73 on Monday, I'm 94 now! I don't even know when the final is.

"I would imagine the club are making inroads to a permanent manager," he continues, before adding: "Ask me that tomorrow."

On his much-talked about attire, a jovial Martin O'Neill explains: "The other tracksuit was really tight, nylon. I looked like Robin Hood!"

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Celtic's managerial target will not be available until December, according to former team boss Gordon Strachan. (Glasgow Times), external

Gordon Strachan's suggestion that Celtic must wait until December to secure their managerial target hints at either Craig Bellamy, who wants to complete Wales' World Cup qualifying campaign, or Bodo/Glimt's Kjetil Knutsen, with Norway's domestic season ending on 30 November. (Sunday Mail), external

Ultras group, the Green Brigade, have presented a "clear mandate" for a new standing section at Celtic Park. (The Herald on Sunday), external

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Celtic will make a late decision on left-back Kieran Tierney (groin) while potential replacement Marcelo Sarrachi is expected to shake off a knock.

Right-back Alistair Johnston and striker Kelechi Iheanacho are set to remain on the sidelines with hamstring injuries, while defender Cameron Carter-Vickers (Achilles) and winger Jota (knee) are long-term absentees.

Rangers are missing suspended midfielder Connor Barron and remain without winger Rabbi Matondo (knee), defender Dujon Sterling (Achilles) and midfielder Kieran Dowell (foot).

Caleb Akpo-Young
BBC Sport Scotland

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Captain Callum McGregor says Martin O'Neill and Shaun Maloney have given Celtic a "positive bounce" following their interim appointment.

The pair stepped in on Monday following the surprise resignation of manager Brendan Rodgers.

O'Neill, back in the Celtic hotseat 20 years after his departure, and former player Maloney recorded an opening 4-0 home victory over Falkirk on Wednesday and are now targeting a derby victory over Rangers in Sunday's Premier Sports Cup semi-final.

"Yeah really good, really positive," McGregor said of their early impact.

"To ask a guy [Martin O'Neill] to come in with that much experience, who's been here before and who understands the fabric of club, it's continuity.

"It's Celtic people who really understand the club."

Former Hibs and Wigan boss Maloney, who re-joined Celtic in June as professional pathway manager, has taken charge of training duties this week and McGregor has enjoyed what he has seen so far.

"Shaun has been amazing, he's come in and his work ethic is unbelievable. He's making sure everyone is okay," the midfielder said.

"The training level was great. It's been a really positive bounce and I think we needed that."

McGregor, 32, was a wide-eyed academy player during O'Neill's trophy-laden first spell at the club.

"It was almost a full generation ago that he was here, you saw the team being super successful, winning trophies, getting to the Uefa Cup final," he said.

"I was coming through the academy at the time so it was inspiring to have the first team performing so well.

"He's a funny character and lightening the mood a wee bit helped for the players because sometimes you don't know how to feel when there's a change.

"But right away when he spoke to the players he made them feel at ease."

Columbus Crew head coach Wilfried Nancy, who previously worked as an assistant under Thierry Henry at Montreal, has emerged as an outside candidate for the Celtic managerial vacancy. (Telegraph - subscription required), external

Nancy has refused to comment on the Celtic job after being linked to the Scottish champions. (Herald - subscription required), external

According to a report, Ferencvaros head coach Robbie Keane is interested in the Celtic manager's job. (Telegraph via Irish Mirror, external)

Former England rugby head coach Eddie Jones believes Australian compatriot Ange Postecoglou is more likely to move to a Premier League club than return to Celtic as manager. (Record), external

Former Celtic centre-half Moritz Jenz helped convince goalkeeper Alexander Schwolow to move to Heart of Midlothian this summer after leaving Union Berlin. (Transfermarkt), external

Ex-England striker Alan Shearer backs Hearts to win the Scottish Premiership and believes it would be good for the game. (Edinburgh Evening News - subscription required), external

Read Saturday's Scottish gossip