Celtic 5-0 Raith Rovers: Have your saypublished at 19:56 8 February
19:56 8 February
Daizen Maeda took his Celtic tally to 50 goals as his hat trick helped the much-changed holders into the Scottish Cup quarter-finals with a comfortable 5-0 win over Raith Rovers.
Brendan Rodgers brought nine players into the starting line-up but it was very much business as usual as Celtic extended their unbeaten home run to 32 matches - one shy of the mark reached by Gordon Strachan's vintage of 2007.
Second-half goals from Luke McCowan and Yang Hyun-Jun had Celtic well in command before Maeda completed his hat-trick late on from McCowan's fine assist.
The Japanese attacker, who scored twice before the break to dull the Championship visitors' resistance, now has 21 goals for the season.
An able deputy, perhaps, for departed compatriot Kyogo Furuhashi, having now rattled in six in his last three games.
Celtic fans, were you at Parkhead on Saturday or following the action from home? Either way we want your views on the game.
Celtic 5-0 Raith Rovers: What Rodgers saidpublished at 19:55 8 February
19:55 8 February
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Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers: "Games like this can be tricky if the attitude is not right, no matter what talent you've got. It's a huge testament to the players in terms of how hard they worked in the game right from the beginning to play to the level they did.
"We knew we'd be expected to get through. The focus today was on the performance level, we made nine changes and we still wanted to attack the game well.
"To do that you have to be really concentrated and focused and we could see that in the team right the way through. The goals were excellent, you wouldn't know we've made nine changes."
Celtic 5-0 Raith Rovers: Who impressed?published at 19:35 8 February
19:35 8 February
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A hat trick for Daizen Maeda who impressed in a Celtic jersey once again. That's now 21 goals for the season for the Japan international.
Celtic start work on summer move for Kvistgaarden - gossippublished at 09:32 8 February
09:32 8 February
Celtic have begun working on a deal to sign Brondby striker Mathias Kvistgaarden in the summer. (Football Insider), external
The decision to sell Kyogo Furuhashi without a replacement striker lined up was an "unnecessary risk" and "a major disappointment", says former Celtic player and pundit Chris Sutton. (Daily Record), external
David Strelec, linked with Celtic last month, was given "permission to transfer for a while", says Slovan Bratislava manager Vladimir Weiss, before adding: "then it stopped and then it didn't happen." (Scottish Sun), external
Tierney return 'an issue' for Taylor, but there's 'room for both' - Rodgerspublished at 17:23 7 February
17:23 7 February
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Brendan Rodgers admits the impending summer return of Kieran Tierney is "an issue" for Greg Taylor as the current left-back considers whether to extend his Celtic stay.
Taylor's deal expires at the end of the season and Celtic have already reached agreement with Tierney to return to the club when his contract at Arsenal runs out.
"I've had a number of open conversations with Greg on it," manager Rodgers said of Tierney's return. "And I do think that is an issue. There's no doubt about that.
"He's been a starter here for six years, he's held up to the challenges that have come in, he knows Kieran well and his qualities.
"There can be room for two of them here. You're playing upward of 55 games a season, you can't play one player and I wouldn't want to.
"To have two players of that quality here would be brilliant for the club, the team and the changing room.
"That's the thing Greg has to think about. I don't see it as a problem because I know he'll play a lot of games, he'll play in big games. But he has to decide that for himself."
Reports this week, external claimed Taylor has agreed a pre-contract with Dinamo Zagreb, but Rodgers said: "No, not that I'm aware of. I know there was interest there back in January.
"But it was nothing that was ever concrete or spoken about too much. My feelings will be still to hope to convince Greg to be here. Of course, as time goes on, the longer it goes on, then that becomes much less."
Rodgers on away fans reprieve, Taylor's contract & VARpublished at 16:19 7 February
16:19 7 February
Charlotte Cohen BBC Sport Scotland
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Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers has been speaking to the media as he prepares for Saturday's Scottish Cup tie against Raith Rovers.
Here are the main points:
Rodgers is relieved that Celtic supporters will be able to attend the Champions League play-off second leg at Bayern Munich after the club avoided a ban.
It is "good the news has come out now so we can concentrate on the football", and Rodgers adds: "The support that we get and the passion that they have for the game, that really drives us and helps us. So to have them there, it's going to be great and we'll need them."
Kasper Schmeichel will miss Saturday's cup tie because of a back injury - Vilijami Sinisalo will come in - but Rodgers says the Dane will be fit for Wednesday's Champions League first leg.
On Greg Taylor, who is out of contract in the summer, Rodgers says there was interest in January but he is still hopeful of convincing the left-back to sign an extension.
The Celtic boss admits Kieran Tierney's summer arrival has played a part in Taylor's reluctance to sign a new deal. But Rodgers guarantees his current left-back's game-time wouldn't be significantly diminished even when Tierney arrives.
Jeffery Schlupp, who made his debut against Dundee on Wednesday, is going to "fit in perfectly" even though Rodgers concedes the club didn't expect to lose Alex Valle in the January window.
On VAR, Rodgers says: "There's a number of things that fit around it. There's clearly a funding issue in terms of maybe not having the best system in place. Everyone would love a big house but if you can't afford it you can't get it, so then you have to adapt and deal with it. I think it's the same with officiating."
He agrees with St Mirren boss Stephen Robinson's suggestion of full-time referees but adds "for that to happen you need funding".
On Raith Rovers, Rodgers is expecting a tough, competitive match but is making sure his team just "play our game".
Scottish Cup picks: More than pay day for Old Firm opponents?published at 13:51 7 February
13:51 7 February
Colin Moffat BBC Sport Scotland
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Image caption,
Celtic were 2-1 winners at home to Kilmarnock in the previous round
Queen's Park and Raith Rovers go up against the Old Firm and both are away from home, so it may be a question of 'take the money and run', hoping that the scorelines can be kept respectable.
Celtic will have one eye on Bayern Munich in the Champions League play-offs and Rovers can take heart from the fight Falkirk put up against Brendan Rodgers' B team in the League Cup before Nicolas Kuhn came on to terrorise them.
The Kirkcaldy side also have very special League Cup final memories against Celtic - although that was more than 30 years ago now and Rodgers has a Scottish Cup record of played 18, won 18.
'Are Celtic actually stronger now despite Kyogo exit?'published at 16:48 6 February
16:48 6 February
Kheredine Idessane BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter
There's a constituency among the Celtic support that believes the club have really missed a trick by not pushing the boat out to replace departed striker Kyogo Furuhashi.
A failure of vision, strategy, ambition, is how they see it. A failure of recruitment which manager Brendan Rodgers is adamant will be addressed going forward.
If Celtic knew last summer the Japan striker wanted to leave, surely groundwork could have been done to source an adequate replacement by the end of January?
I have a lot of sympathy with that view. Indeed, on this very page last week I opined this was the prime time for the blazers to stick their necks out, as well as the chequebook.
Didn't happen. Yet I find myself wondering if the Parkhead garden is not still pretty rosy? Could Celtic actually be just as strong, if not stronger, despite the admitted failure to bring in a like-for-like replacement for Kyogo?
The answer lies with Jota. Despite the fact the club are fairly well off for wingers, the return of the Portuguese fan favourite has raised the bar yet higher in terms of quality on offer to the manager.
Jota may not score as many goals as Kyogo but he will create them for others. In two short cameos already, he has contributed a goal, an assist and the kind of quality deliveries from out wide that Celtic have been missing.
For all their fine play, assists and goals, I'm not sure Daizen Maeda and Nicolas Kuhn cross a ball as well as the new number seven. The former two are more likely to cut infield in search of goals, as their stats indicate - 35 between them this season already. It really is a remarkable number.
Rodgers' ability to rotate arguably the three best wingers in the country is a fearsome weapon. In the absence of Kyogo, the manager can also say to the striker he paid £9m for in the previous transfer window: "Right then, Adam. Show me you're the main man up front."
Idah has scored four goals in his last three games. Two of them away to Aston Villa in the Champions League.
Rodgers may privately lament the lack of the new striker he coveted but he has returned one of the most gifted players in the Premiership.
As a direct consequence, others are flourishing alongside him. Yes, Kyogo is gone, but are Celtic really weaker than they were at the start of January?
On this day 14 years ago... an Old Firm thriller at Ibroxpublished at 16:36 6 February
16:36 6 February
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Image caption,
Jamie Ness set the tone for the afternoon with a long-range strike in the opening three minutes
Fourteen years on, it's still a game that takes the breath away.
Walter Smith's Rangers welcomed bitter rivals Celtic to Ibrox with a place in the quarter-finals of the Scottish Cup at stake.
If only what followed was so straightforward.
Teenage midfielder Jamie Ness set the tone with a superb strike from distance a little over two minutes in, before Celtic's Kris Commons levelled 15 minutes later.
Celtic goalkeeper Fraser Forster had a day to forget in Govan. Not long after nearly gifting a goal to Rangers via Steven Davis - whose shot cannoned off the crossbar - he conceded a penalty and was shown a red card for bringing down Steven Naismith.
Steven Whittaker did the business from the spot to fire the hosts back in front with a man advantage, too. Not for long, though.
After a spell of pressure, captain Scott Brown curled in an effort from distance to haul Celtic level once more.
Davis and Nikica Jelavic came close, but the winner couldn't be found.
Level on the scoreboard, the sides were level on numbers too when Naismith was shown a red card after two yellows.
After a captivating cup clash, the sides couldn't be split and to a replay they went. More red card mayhem followed in that 'shame game', with Rangers having three players sent off as Mark Wilson's strike sent Celtic through 1-0.
'Ludicrous finish' - new-found potency from 'defender's nightmare' Maedapublished at 12:41 6 February
12:41 6 February
Martin Watt BBC Sport Scotland
Media caption,
'What a finish' - watch Celtic's Maeda score sublime chip
A finer goal you will struggle to see this season.
From their own byeline, Celtic worked the ball upfield with a seven-pass sequence to Daizen Maeda.
The forward still had plenty to do, but his deft and delicate finish from just inside the Dundee box was exquisite, arcing over goalkeeper Trevor Carson and under the crossbar.
Michael Stewart described it as a "ludicrous finish" on BBC Scotland Sportsound, while Lee Miller went even further: "That's one of the best goals I've seen."
The goal was Maeda's second in four minutes and Celtic's fourth in the 6-0 destruction of Dundee, taking the Japan forward's tally to 18 in his most productive season for the club. His previous best for Celtic was 11.
Maeda's finishing hasn't always been his strongest attribute during his Celtic career, but this term has seen a marked improvement.
The 27-year-old, who now has five goals in his past five games, grabbed a double against Dundee from an xG (expected goals) of just 0.57. Maeda attempted two shots, scoring both, while his six touches in the opposition box was the most of any player, likewise his three chances created.
His industry - a facet that makes him a fans' favourite - was also on display, with Maeda competing in seven duels and winning possession three times.
"The thing that frightens me, he never looks tired," former Scotland striker Miller added.
"He is a defender's nightmare. I do not know where he gets the energy from."
'Totally unstoppable' - your views on Dundee demolitionpublished at 12:21 6 February
12:21 6 February
We asked for your views after Celtic hammered Dundee 6-0 to go 13 points clear at the Premiership summit.
Here's what some of you said:
Andy: Sublime performance, so glad for Adam Idah. I was one of his many critics but I'm glad the big man has made me eat my words and he's a true Celt as well.
John: Not quite the Larsson chip, Daizen, but not bad coming in from the wrong wing! We must hold on to Greg Taylor. Idah working so hard and leads well.
Stephen: Great performance, great result. Totally unstoppable. Maeda was absolutely fantastic, as was Arne Engels. He's starting to show why Celtic paid so much money for his services.
Peter: For once we scored the goals that our excellent team play deserved. Very impressive. Competition for places in starting line-up will keep everyone on their toes. Play like this every week and another domestic treble is assured. Maeda's second goal was a thing of beauty. Engels impressive.
John: It looks like Kyogo will not be missed in these run-of-the-mill league games. The real test will be against European opposition and Rangers. Maeda has the flexibility to play through the middle as he does with Japan but Idah is tightly holding in to the number nine jersey with his four goals in three games.
Idah has 'taken responsibility' after Kyogo exit, says Rodgerspublished at 10:18 6 February
10:18 6 February
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Celtic boss Brendan Rodgers believes Adam Idah is thriving on the responsibility of filling the void left by Kyogo Furuhashi.
Republic of Ireland striker Idah made it four goals in three games with the second in Wednesday night's 6-0 rout of Dundee as Celtic stretched their lead at the top to 13 points.
"He was always going to have to be patient here and obviously the nature of having a brilliant striker in Kyogo, who fitted a lot of how I want the team to play and pressing and everything else," said Rodgers.
"He comes in and he has to fit around that but he still made big contributions.
"I think he's taken that responsibility now and he sees this as an opportunity for him because he knows at Celtic he has to produce and you have to produce consistently.
"So pleased for him, he's just moving different now and he's getting a real handful.
"His goal was very good, makes a good run, gets his shot off, doesn't lie about the floor, gets up and then he's able to get the rebound and a really good finish. Very pleased for him."
Celtic 6-0 Dundee: Key statspublished at 09:37 6 February
09:37 6 February
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Celtic's Daizen Maeda has contributed to goals in his past four games in the Premiership (four goals, four assists). The Japan forward's current three-game scoring streak streak is his longest in the competition.
Dundee have failed to win in their past four games in the Premiership, their last longer winless streak was from 24 August 2024 to 5 October 2024, a run of five games.
Celtic have kept a clean sheet in 18 of their 25 games, more than any other in the Premiership this season.
Celtic have scored 18 goals in the last 15 minutes of the second half, more than any other team in the Premiership this season.
Dundee have conceded 13 goals to opposition substitutes in the Premiership this season, more than any other team.
Celtic 6-0 Dundee: Analysispublished at 23:02 5 February
23:02 5 February
George O'Neill BBC Sport Scotland
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When Kyogo completed his move to French side Rennes, it posed questions about what Celtic's attack might look like for the rest of the season.
Here, they showed they are still a devastating force without the Japan striker, lead by his international colleague Daizen Maeda.
His pace in behind the Dundee defence was a constant threat and he looked completely unfussed by switching wings, harrying the opposition throughout the game
The 27-year-old created three chances - the joint-most of any player - and had more touches in the opposition box than anyone else.
His second goal reflected how high his confidence levels are at present, sending an arcing first-time shot over a helpless Trevor Carson and into the top corner.
Adam Idah scored his fourth goal in his last three outings as he continues to step up in Kyogo's absence, and Jota showed his class too on his first start since returning to Glasgow.
The Portuguese winger's cross for Maeda's first was a delightful pick out, and he will only improve as he gets more minutes into his legs.
Nicolas Kuhn's introduction off the bench showed the depth of quality Rodgers has at his disposal and he put the icing on the cake with a whipped left-footed strike late on.
On this showing and given the big gap, it seems a certainty that the league title will be staying at Parkhead come May.
Celtic 6-0 Dundee: What the manager saidpublished at 22:37 5 February
22:37 5 February
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Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers: "Definitely one of the best [performances] of our season.
"From minute one to the 93rd minute we had a real hunger in our game and real quality in our game.
"Tony's [Docherty] team over the course of the season have, in the main, defended well and been very strong and we saw that up there when we played against them.
"But we were never going to make the same mistake as what we did in the 3-3 game.
"I think you saw the difference tonight with the counter-pressing and the numbers around the ball and winning the duels, and that gives us the possibilities to play and when we play like that then we can produce great moments.
"We play so many games and our idea is to improve every game. We want to be able to effect games through to the end. Jota is still finding his way but you can his his class and his quality on the ball. Daizen [Maeda] has 18 goals now, Nicolas [Kuhn] 17 goals, and obviously Adam [Idah] gets his goal.
"It's been a really good season up to now. You arrive to this point in a good place and then you've got to keep your foot to the floor. We have to stay concentrated, keep showing aggression on the pitch and keep our humility."