Celtic

We asked for your views on the thrashing of Kilmarnock that put Celtic on the brink of clinching the title.

Here's what some of you said:

Benny: Much more like the Celtic we know in that superb first 45. Movement, passing, hunger and intensity were abundant as Killie were blown away in a fast and furious 25-minute spell.

Never quite reached the same levels in the second half, but overall got to be happy with the performance and quality of some of the goals. Greg Taylor was outstanding and will be a big miss if he does go at the end of the season.

Neil: Brendan Rodgers got the changes spot on. First half we were unplayable. Great response to last week's blip. A message to Taylor: stay and challenge Kieran Tierney for the LB position! Now let's focus on the semi-final and keep the treble dream alive.

Steven: It's hard to know which Celtic team will turn up each week. This time, we were outstanding for 30 minutes and blew Kilmarnock away, game over. Reo Hatate is back on form. Excellent reaction to the last game following a stern word from Rodgers. Good to hear he will continue and build on this season. Inevitably, now the football of the champions.

Hugh: A real Jekyll and Hyde performance. in the first half, we had pace, creativity, passion and goals and in the second half, we watched the ball being passed to death. It was dull and dreary. The two halves summed up our lack of consistency since January, when things work, brilliant, but when they don't, there's no Plan B.

Patrick: The stats speak for themselves. One of those days where anyone could score - and did! This match is what the players need to remember to avoid inconsistent results.

John: Were we allowed to be brilliant because Kilmarnock were so bad? Had been saying Hatate needs to hit the target more, so well done to him. Arne Engels is class, his vision and timing bring a lot to the team.

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• Celtic have scored 23 goals in the last 15 minutes of the second half, more than any other team in the Premiership this season.

• Kilmarnock have conceded nine goals to opposition substitutes in the Premiership this season, only Dundee (14) and St Johnstone (11) have conceded more.

• Cameron Carter-Vickers attempted 192 passes in this game, the highest total for a player in the Premiership this season.

• Celtic attempted 1,025 passes in this game, the highest total by any team in a single match in the Premiership this season.

• Daizen Maeda has scored 16 goals in the Premiership this season (one in this game), more than any other player.

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Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers: "As frustrated as I was last week, that was a brilliant reaction. The first 30 minutes were as good as we've been. That's more like what we've been for large parts of the season.

"Winning attitude mixed with talent, you get that performance. We're nearly there [with winning the title]. It comes when it comes.

"I feel much much happier than I was last week. You see the response over a week's work and today. It puts us in a perfect place going into the Scottish Cup semi-final [next week]. If we put in a performance like that, hopefully we can get to the final."

Were you at Celtic Park or following the match elsewhere?

Either way, we want your views on the game - have your say here.

Martin Dowden
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter at Celtic Park

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No title party, just yet, and that clearly irked Brendan Rodgers given his comments in the past week.

Clearly, his anger had the desired impact on his squad. Jota, Nicolas Kuhn, Auston Trusty and Jeffrey Schlupp all made way and Celtic were on it from minute one.

It was a brilliant response as Kilmarnock were battered into submission within the opening quarter of the match.

At half-time this really could have been a cricket score. Celtic eased off and a change in approach from Kilmarnock stemmed the flow, but this was a convincing and deserved victory.

Another Premiership title will arrive, whether on Sunday or later. However, clearly Celtic's manager is already thinking beyond the remainder of this season.

He told BBC Scotland pre-match he will "150%" remain Celtic manager next season and his position on the next steps seems crystal clear.

This squad needs improved despite yet more success being within their grasp.

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Brendan Rodgers is "150%" sure he'll still be Celtic manager next season.

The Northern Irishman appeared to hint at a change in the dugout in his press conference on Friday when he said players may need "a different voice" in charge.

However, when asked about the comments on Saturday before Celtic's game with Kilmarnock, Rodgers was clear on his future at Parkhead.

"There's no message, 150% to avoid any doubt I will be here next season," he told BBC Scotland.

"What I'm saying in the overall picture is what happens in the game changes take place, that's what will happen here. We'll improve the squad but I will be here next season 150%.

"For me it was purely based on the natural progression that happens at a club like Celtic.

"Players will come and go but there will still be a core group of winners here. There's nothing pointed in it, it was just a fact of what happens."

Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers believes referees will "naturally" lose their posts if they make mistakes, following the exit of Alan Muir as a VAR official. (Herald - subscription required), external

Read Saturday's Scottish gossip

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Celtic winger Yang Hyun-Jun will miss several weeks with an elbow injury, while Kasper Schmeichel remains out with a shoulder injury.

Kilmarnock will be missing Rory McKenzie (thigh) but Lewis Mayo has a chance of shaking off a knee injury. Kyle Vassell was back on the bench last week and ready to feature, while Tom Wilson-Brown is a doubt.

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Brendan Rodgers says there's still work to be done on the "mindset and mentality" of his Celtic squad.

The league leaders fell to a 1-0 defeat to bottom side St Johnstone last weekend, ending any hopes of lifting the trophy at Parkhead this weekend.

The Parkhead club welcome Kilmarnock on Saturday where a win would be enough to clinch the league title, provided Rangers lose to Aberdeen on Sunday.

"I said that it's a result we don't expect and it's certainly a result I can't accept as the manager here," Rodgers said of last weekend's loss to the Saints.

"Especially how we've done against St Johnstone before. So it's not something that I can accept.

"But what I also said to them is that for eight months of the season, from the first day of pre-season until we get knocked out against Bayern Munich, our level has been at a really, really high level and consistent.

"Some of the performances that we've had, some of the results that we've had, and there was probably only maybe two performances in there - Dortmund away and Rangers away - apart from that, we've been so, so consistent in playing at our level.

"It shows we have a way to go to be to where I want us to be in terms of mindset and mentality, because there's no doubt that the gap in the league and also maybe a little bit of coming out of the Champions League has just taken a slight edge off.

"So, that's a mindset that I need to continue to work within the squad in order to improve that. It's understandable, but I also know that last year when it was tight, you've seen the edge in the team."

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To set up a possible title party on Sunday, Celtic need a win on Saturday.

Given Kilmarnock have not enjoyed a victory at Celtic Park since 2012 and sit 43 points behind the leaders, not many are giving the visitors a chance.

However, it was the same story last weekend in Perth when Brendan Rodgers' side were stunned by bottom side St Johnstone.

Celtic have lost three of their past six league games, which is more than in their previous 46 (W38 D6 L2), with Rodgers bemoaning a slackness in mentality, saying "too many of our players have been too comfortable".

It will fall to captain Callum McGregor to drive standards and make sure the champions play with the aggression and tempo the manager demands.

McGregor got the first goal on Kilmarnock's last visit in the Scottish Cup and was also on target at Rugby Park in November.

One more will get him to double figures for the first time since 2019-20.

Read all the Scottish Premiership picks

Charlotte Cohen
BBC Sport Scotland

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Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers has been speaking to the media as his side prepare to face Kilmarnock on Saturday.

Here are the main points:

• Everyone besides Hyunjun Yang - who has sprained his shoulder - should be available for Saturday's match but Rodgers is hopeful the winger will be back before the end of the campaign.

• The Celtic boss stresses he "didn't accept" last weekend's defeat to bottom side St Johnstone and relayed that message to his players adding it demonstrates the team are "nowhere near" where he wants them to be in terms of mentality.

• The manager also shares his frustration at not being able to lift the trophy in front of a packed Parkhead on Saturday as a result of the defeat - something he enjoyed during his last spell.

• Rodgers insists he wants the team to finish the season strong - "if we're going to be champions I want to show we are champions"

• The Northern Irishman is full of support for Nicolas Kuhn who's had a "really long season" but insists he wants the winger to "finish the season strong".

• Looking ahead to the summer window, Rodgers stresses Celtic "can't afford to be complacent" and will continue to try and improve the squad in the coming months.

• On the news of Alan Muir stepping down as a VAR official, Rodgers knows that in the world of football if they don't do their jobs to the required level "we'll be moved on".

Celtic could still win a 13th Scottish top-flight title in 14 seasons this weekend, despite their shock defeat away to St Johnstone last Sunday.

Victory at home against Kilmarnock on Saturday would be sufficient to confirm the arithmetic should Rangers lose at Aberdeen the following day.

The Ibrox side are almost certain to clinch the second Champions League place, but four points from their final six matches would confirm it.

Whoever finishes third and fourth will also be in Europe, as will the division's fifth-placed side should the Scottish Cup winners be one of the Premiership's top four.

The fight for the final top-six place will go to the final game before the split, with one of Hearts, Motherwell or St Mirren claiming it.

Hearts visit Fir Park one point in front of their hosts and the Paisley side, who take on Ross County.

The two teams missing out could yet be sucked into a relegation battle.

Bottom side St Johnstone are now five adrift of Dundee and six behind Kilmarnock and Ross County. Motherwell and St Mirren are a further three points ahead.

With the teams all playing each other again post-split, there is still plenty scope for movement between now and 18 May.

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• Celtic have only lost one of their past 18 league games against Kilmarnock (W15 D2), a 1-2 defeat away from home in December 2023.

• In all competitions, Kilmarnock have only won one of their past 85 away games against Celtic (D18 L66), winning 2-0 in October 2012 under Kenny Shiels.

• Celtic have lost three of their past six league games (W3), more than their previous 46 beforehand (W38 D6 L2). The Hoops could lose successive league fixtures for the first time since December 2023 – one of which was against Kilmarnock (1-2).

• Kilmarnock have picked up just nine points in their 16 away league games this season (W2 D3 L11), the fewest of any Scottish Premiership side. Killie are winless in their last 10 on the road in the competition (D2 L8), losing their last five.

• Kilmarnock's Fraser Murray has scored two goals in his past three Scottish Premiership appearances, as many as his previous 73 beforehand.

Goalkeeper Martin Dubravka is back on the Celtic radar despite the 36-year-old signing a new deal at Newcastle United in February. (Chronicle Live), external

Fabio Cannavaro has been sacked by Dinamo Zagreb, which may throw Celtic and Scotland left-back Greg Taylor's proposed move to Croatia into doubt. (Scottish Sun), external

Read the rest of Thursday's Scottish gossip.

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SFA official Alan Muir has been told his VAR career is over after the former referee blundered by disallowing a Celtic goal against Hibernian in February that should not have been overturned. (Scottish Sun)

Celtic must address the misfiring form of winger Nicolas Kuhn, who has gone from star of the season to having his place in the team under threat. (The Herald)

Former Celtic boss Gordon Strachan says he would love to sit down with his former winger Aiden McGeady over a cup of tea and talk about their differences. (Scottish Sun)

Former Republic of Ireland midfielder Andy Townsend says Celtic striker Adam Idah needs to give more - and wouldn't be surprised if the Hoops seek another striker in the summer. (Scottish Sun)

Former Celtic striker John Hartson has questioned Idah's attitude and the Welshman has demanded more from the £9m striker. (Daily Record)

Tino
Fan writer

Well, we didn't see that one coming - but should we have?

Given Celtic's success in recent years it's undoubtedly a shock to lose to a side rooted at the bottom of the league, but has a concerning pattern emerged in recent weeks?

It's okay, and maybe even expected to lose to German giants Bayern Munich, or Premier League high-flyers Aston Villa, but to lose three of our last six Scottish Premiership games? Not so much!

Celtic are without question the dominant team in Scotland, and the very fact that we're closing in on a 13th title in 14 seasons tells you that.

But right now it doesn't feel like that at all.

Celtic lost just one league game in 2024 (a 2-0 defeat by Hearts in March) as they continued to pick up trophy after trophy in Brendan Rodgers' second spell at the helm.

And while the trophy count won't be slowing down any time soon, the consistency of his side has dropped off a cliff in 2025.

Incredibly, we've already lost four league games since the turn of the year and it's not even Easter!

None of these losses will have a material impact on the destination of the title, but with another visit to Hampden on the horizon it must be something that's giving the manager serious food for thought.

Remember this is the man who steered Celtic to an invincible treble in his first season at the club, so he knows a thing or two about consistency and how vital it can be to any winning side.

Given this knowledge, however, Rodgers is also the man best placed to ensure this is something we see again as Celtic look to close out the campaign strongly. But to do so, he may have to make some ruthless calls. Not something he's averse to doing.

Opinions on team selection will always rage on among fans, and while there's no doubting the talents of players like Nicolas Kuhn, Reo Hatate and even Cameron Carter-Vickers, it may be in everyone's best interest - even if only temporarily - if some players are taken out of the firing line.

These players have been huge for Celtic, and will be again, but with Saturday's clash with Kilmarnock set to be our 50th game of a long and challenging campaign, it may be time to freshen things up.

If we can do that and at the same time re-discover the intensity, the aggression and the quality that made us so impressive in the first half of the campaign, then we'll be firmly back on track for a big end to the season.

History, once again, awaits.

Tino can be found at The Celtic Exchange, external

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A shock defeat to St Johnstone is a reminder to league leaders Celtic that they must be wary of complacency, says captain Callum McGregor.

The former Scotland midfielder also believes the unlikely 1-0 loss to the Scottish Premiership's bottom side serves as a reminder that standards need to remain high, even if his side are still 13 points clear at the top.

A win in Perth would have taken Celtic to within 90 minutes of retaining their title, but Saints emerged with three valuable points thanks to a fourth-minute header by defender Daniels Balodis.

Celtic remain on course to win the league comfortably and they will have the chance to right the wrongs of their defeat at McDiarmid Park when they face the same opposition in the Scottish Cup last four at Hampden later this month.

"It's trying to guard against as much complacency as possible," McGregor said. "It's trying to get the most out the players, trying to lead by example.

"We have to drive the intensity of the whole thing, which to be fair, in the main, we've done really well, although it was obviously a sore one on Sunday.

"Sometimes football has got a funny way of keeping you honest, and with so much football to be played, that's a little reminder that you have to be on it every minute of every game.

"There's a tough semi-final [to come]. You saw that on Sunday. It's the perfect example. We have to be razor sharp in the next five, six, seven weeks to make sure we end up where we think we will, but we have got to do that.

"It's difficult to get over the line when you're so close, and obviously there's a fair margin in the points difference, but we then still have to be doing everything we can to sprint over the line rather than just waiting for it to happen."

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The Herald's Stephen McGowan says Celtic were probably overrated by fans and pundits earlier this season, after the Scottish Premiership leaders lost 1-0 at St Johnstone on Sunday.

Brendan Rodgers' side have now lost three of their past six league games, but still hold a commanding lead at the summit of the league table.

McGowan believes Brendan Rodgers' side have become as "unreliable" as Rangers since the turn of the year.

"We talk often about how flaky Rangers are," McGowan said on the BBC's Scottish Football podcast.

"Well, actually, if you look at the stats, they've become just as unreliable.

"Like Rangers, they've lost three of their past six league games.

"Their domestic form in 2024 was impeccable, they only lost one game all year. If you look at this calendar year so far, by 6 April, they've already lost four.

"So I don't think it's time for ringing any alarm bells yet, but equally I think it does show that Celtic probably aren't as good a team as people thought they were."

Celtic fans, we asked for your views on the 1-0 defeat to St Johnstone at the weekend.

Here's what some of you said:

Brian: Lots of mentally tired players in Celtic these days. Hopefully they will bounce back at the next game, still a comfortable lead in the title race. Lots of good players just lacking composure in the final third and lacking a full-time striker.

David: It was obvious from kick off that the Celtic players were complacent and their opponents were much more motivated. Nicolas Kuhn has been woeful in a number of games and Celtic's style of play needs fully functioning wingers. Yang Hyun-Jun needs to start and Luke McCowan should be given a starting berth. Their mindset is not 'on it' and it's not fair on travelling fans.

Martin: An appalling attitude from the players overall. We seem unable to defend cross balls and our finishing was poor. Individuals can have a bad game occasionally, but we seem to have them in unison.

Stephen: That was awful to watch, just awful. Saints deserved their victory, and I hope they can do enough to stay up. Far too many players not showing up at the moment! I'm also at a loss as to why Auston Trusty was brought in to improve our forward advancement on the left, when he then passes the ball across to Cameron Carter-Vickers? Simo Valakari would have known how to set up against Celtic when he managed Riga. As for Brendan Rodgers' strategy? Bring on substitutions around 60 minutes, it's becoming boring and predictable, and I think it's time for change.

Mark: Celtic had enough chances to at least have had a draw, it wasn't a performance to set alarm bells ringing, it was just that we were up against a team that were fighting for their Premiership lives, the title is already won.

George: Well, we've lost at home to Bayern Munich, away to Hibs, at home to Rangers and away to St Johnstone, hardly quality stuff. Looks like some of the players have accepted it's over, definitely not good enough.

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• Graham Carey has assisted three goals in the Premiership this season (one in this game), more than any other St Johnstone player.

• Adam Idah has attempted five shots, the first time he has attempted at least five shots in a match in the Premiership since facing Dundee United on 15 February 2025 (seven shots).

• St Johnstone have beaten Celtic for the first time in the Premiership since 11 May 2016, a run of 27 games without a win.

• Reo Hatate has attempted five shots, the first time he has attempted at least five shots in a match in the Premiership since facing Kilmarnock on 4 August 2024 (eight shots).

Watch the highlights from St Johnstone's 1-0 win over league leaders Celtic in the Scottish Premiership.

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Rangers hope to persuade Greg Taylor to switch from Celtic this summer, but with Dinamo Zagreb, who failed in a January bid, still keen and Major League Soccer clubs also interested, the 27-year-old Scotland left-back will assess all other options before even considering such a controversial move. (Football Insider), external

Read Monday's Scottish Gossip in full.

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