Celtic

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Is the Scottish Premiership in need of a shake-up? If so, how do you go about it?

News emerged on Tuesday that the SPFL is considering changing Scotland's top flight to a 10, 14 or 16-team division in an attempt to help reduce fixture congestion.

In its current 12-team form, the clubs split into a top and bottom six after 33 rounds of matches, with 38 rounds played altogether.

That format has been in place since 2000-01 and retaining that model is also an option, but reports have also suggested the split could be scrapped.

For any fresh structure to pass, it needs the backing of 11 of the 12 Premiership clubs, and eight out of 10 from the Championship plus 75% of League One and League Two combined.

And judging by the fan reaction to the mere thought of reducing the league to a 10-team division, you would have to assume that idea is already unlikely.

Speaking on the BBC's Scottish Football Podcast, former Premiership players Cammy Bell and Cillian Sheridan provided their views on a potential restructure.

Expansion is the only option for former Rangers and Kilmarnock goalkeeper Bell, while ex-Celtic striker Sheridan would like to see the split retained.

"I think we need a little bit of freshness about our game," Bell said. "So, if we can expand that league, then absolutely do it. We've got big enough clubs now that can generate good crowds.

"We're at a time just now where we've got the potential of trying to change it and certainly for me it's got to be expansion."

"The split works now," Sheridan added. "When I first came over and saw the whole split thing, I just never really got it. But in the past few years it has been quite interesting.

"If the league is wrapped up, if relegation is wrapped up, it does add a little bit of excitement to things in terms of teams getting into the top six and having to get European football."

Former Rennes head coach Jorge Sampaoli, who sacked just days after Kyogo Furuhashi arrived from Celtic as winger Jota moved in the other direction, has revealed he had nothing to do with the Japan striker's January transfer. (The National), external

Former Scotland forward Johnny Russell says his Rangers-supporting father would never have forgiven him if he had signed for Celtic before Derby County outbid the Glasgow club to take him from Dundee United. (Scottish Sun), external

Brendan Rodgers could quit Celtic this summer if he is offered the opportunity to return to the Premier League amid growing frustrations at transfer activity during the January window and the manager expects to be backed this summer. (Football Insider), external

Read Wednesday's Scottish Gossip in full.

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Tino
Fan writer

The stage is set. Having not featured in a Celtic shirt since December, James Forrest finally made his first appearance of 2025 at the weekend, and what an end to the season it could be for the one-club man.

Now, 15 years on from his debut – a game in which he also scored his first Celtic goal – 33-year-old Forrest is poised to stand alone as our most decorated player.

Think about that for a minute. In over 136 years of Celtic history – which includes legendary figures such as Billy McNeill, Bobby Lennox and Henrik Larsson – Forrest is likely to soon be sitting with more medals than all of them.

It would be an incredible achievement and one that signifies both Celtic's modern-day dominance and the sheer dedication of Forrest as a professional.

As it stands – following our League Cup win against Rangers in December – Forrest is alongside Lisbon Lion Bobby Lennox on 25 trophies won for Celtic, but it would be fair to give Bobby the edge given that among his haul was the most important cup of all in 1967.

However, with Celtic set to clinch the Premiership in the coming weeks - and the Scottish Cup still up for grabs - Forrest will find himself top of the pile.

Team-mate Callum McGregor – currently on 23 trophies along with McNeill - isn't far behind and the skipper would be the first to congratulate his fellow Celtic academy graduate.

Speaking of which, however, there's a shorter-term accolade the talented winger will also be targeting in the coming weeks.

Since that goalscoring debut in May 2010, Forrest has netted for Celtic in 15 straight seasons - but has yet to get off the mark this term.

There is a maximum of nine games remaining and, with over 100 goals and 100 assists for the club, it would be a brave move to bet against Forrest hitting the net.

Should he do that and also lift both the Premiership and Scottish Cup then there'll be little left for our number 49 to achieve in green and white.

But as a player who knows nothing but Celtic that won't stop him trying to add even more accolades next season.

Tino can be found at The Celtic Exchange, external

Jack Herrall
BBC Sport Scotland

Callum McGregor returned to lead Celtic on Saturday as they cruised past Hearts and, once again, the skipper showed just how crucial he is to Brendan Rodgers' side.

After Rangers' 3-2 triumph at Parkhead in the previous outing, much of the post-match analysis for Celtic was dominated by the absence of McGregor through injury.

The 31-year-old returned to action against Hearts and was running the show against a team who came to press just like Barry Ferguson's side, but Celtic were able to withstand the pressure and work well during the transition to hurt the visitors.

With 99% passing accuracy from 67 passes, one well-weighted assist for Daizen Maeda's crucial opener, and two chances created, McGregor was instrumental in Celtic's attacking play.

"People talked after the Old Firm defeat about how much McGregor was missed, I think you saw in the first 45 minutes at the weekend how he was missed," Sunday Mail chief football writer Scott McDermott told the Scottish Football Podcast.

"I'm convinced that Neil Critchley looked at the Rangers game and thought, 'We're going to go with that approach.' Five at the back, tried to press really high, play with intensity.

"McGregor was the guy that came up with the solutions to get Celtic out of that press - and that was proved in the first goal."

When Hearts did venture forward, they were snuffed out by the midfielder, who won two duels, had a couple of interceptions, and recovered the ball on seven occasions for his side.

"That's what they couldn't really do against Rangers," McDermott said.

"It's not a slight against Arne Engels, who was playing in that position, but he's just not got the experience or the know-how of the fixture that Callum McGregor's got."

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Celtic are set to sit down for showdown talks with Brendan Rodgers over his future in the off-season (Football Insider), external.

Kris Boyd suggests former club Rangers should sign Celtic's Greg Taylor when the Scotland left-back, 27, becomes a free agent this summer. (Sun), external

Police Scotland has ended its investigation after Rangers winger Vaclav Cerny was filmed squirting water towards home supporters as he celebrated his side's winning goal at Celtic Park last month. (Herald - subscription required), external

Cerny, 27, will not face any police action. (Record), external

Celtic could lose out on a major transfer windfall this summer after weekend reports claimed Liverpool could turn their attention to an in-demand European right-back as an alternative to Jeremie Frimpong (Scotsman - subscription required)., external

Read Tuesday's Scottish gossip column in full.

Viljami Sinisalo: Big gloves to fill - in for the injured Kasper Schmeichel - and did it ably between the sticks for Celtic.

Daizen Maeda: Notched his 29th and 30th goals of the season. On another day he could have had a hat-trick. What will his final goals tally for the season be? Other clubs will undoubtedly be taking note. The question has to be, what sort of offers might Celtic get for their star man come the summer?

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Goalkeeper Viljami Sinisalo says there is an inevitability about Daizen Maeda's game after the Celtic striker took his tally for the season to 30 goals with a clinical double against Hearts on Saturday.

The 27-year-old Japan forward scored either side of Jota's tap-in, which Maeda also played a vital role in, as Brendan Rodgers' side raced into a three-goal lead before the break.

Maeda is now the Scottish Premiership's leading scorer on 15, but that total doubles when you include his strikes across all competitions.

Sinisalo, who was making his first league start for Celtic in the absence of Kasper Schmeichel, told Celtic TV: "[Maeda's] been fantastic and it feels like the man scores every game!

"You're just waiting for [the goal] to come. He's been brilliant. Hopefully he can keep it going and I'm sure he will."

Reflecting on his own performance at Celtic Park, Finnish keeper Sinisalo added: "It was great to be out there. We probably started a bit slow and there were a few things I had to do early doors.

"But after 20 minutes, the team picked up and it was a very complete performance. There were a few things I could have done better, but it was great to be out there."

Watch all the highlights from Celtic's victory over Hearts in the Scottish Premiership.

Available to UK users only.

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Daizen Maeda's emergence as a number nine could take the pressure off Celtic's summer transfer window plans, as Brendan Rodgers admitted it would be "easier" to sign another winger.

After Kyogo Furuhashi's departure to France in the winter window, Rodgers was criticised by some for not bringing in an immediate replacement.

Instead, the manager relied on summer signing Adam Idah to fill the gap, with Maeda also moved into a central role.

The Japanese forward has now enjoyed his most prolific campaign yet, and has now scored in his last seven games.

"He can be," Rodgers said when asked if Maeda can be an out-and-out striker. "It's one where if we were to move him back on to the side and take him out of the middle, with all due respect it's probably easier for us to bring in a top winger than it would be a top striker.

"But he can clearly play the position and I am so happy that he can."

Maeda's double against Hearts on Saturday took his tally to 30 for the season, with half of those coming since Kyogo's exit.

"In my first pre-season back out in Japan, he scored a hat-trick," Rodgers said of Maeda. "I could see his movement and his runs and his finishing.

"Of course, we had Kyogo here with Adam Idah. But I always like to have a press at the top end of the pitch who brings intensity to the game. For me, he brings that with the runs. And goals."

Celtic fans, we asked for your views on the routine 3-0 win over Hearts. Here's a taste of what you had to say...

Scott: Kyogo who? Daizen Maeda doing what he does best, just a shame he spent nearly three years on the left. Decent showing too from the boy Viljami Sinisalo. Not the most taxing game but never looked flustered and can play with his feet. Eight more games like this would do nicely.

Roddy: A shaky start, but once we got going we won at a canter. Sinisalo in goal and Maik Nawrocki in defence should be playing every game to finish the season now to give them confidence going into next season.

Paul: Slow start by Celtic, but they raised their performance levels and deserved their three-goal lead at half time. Conditions were tough and had an impact on close ball control but fair play to Celtic, they stuck with their processes and earned a very valuable three points.

Shaun: I was frustrated with the passing around the defence again, but once we got going we had three great goals. I was very impressed with Sinisalo and to see him comfortable at corners and not panicking like Kasper Schmeichel was good, I want him to continue in goal as Kasper is past it.

John: Hearts brought nothing to the match apart from a press that lasted about 10 minutes and Celtic picked through it. Callum McGregor showed just how important he is in this Celtic team, which must be a red flag given his age. Practice match in the second half.

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• Daizen Maeda has scored in each of his last five games in the Premiership (seven goals), his longest scoring streak in the competition. He has scored 15 goals in the Premiership this season (two in this game), more than any other player.

• Nicolas Kuhn has assisted eight goals in the Premiership this season (one in this game), more than any other player.

• Celtic have scored in their last 12 games in the Premiership, their longest run of games with a goal in the competition since a run of 24 games from 16 March 2024 to 7 December 2024. They've scored in 29 of their 31 games, more often than any other team in the Premiership this season.

• Celtic are unbeaten in their last 32 Premiership matches when leading at half-time (W29, D3) dating back to 10 December 2023 against Kilmarnock (L1-2).

• Celtic have stopped the opposition from scoring a first-half goal in 24 of their 31 games, more than any other in the Premiership this season.

• Jota has contributed to goals in his last six home games in the Premiership (three goals, three assists).

• Hearts did not attempt a shot between the 38th and 87th minute.

• Hearts have a record of W0, D1, L8 when conceding the opening goal away from home in the Premiership this season.

• Lawrence Shankland made his 100th appearance for Hearts in the Premiership.

Jeffrey Schlupp says he is "loving it" on loan at Celtic and is open to signing talks over a permanent deal. (Scottish Sun), external

Celtic are likely to bank nearly £10m this summer from the sale of defender Gustaf Lagerbielke, who has impressed on loan at FC Twente, and their sell-on clause for in-demand Jeremie Frimpong, as a host of clubs chase the Bayer Leverkusen wing-back. (Daily Record), external

Read the rest of Sunday's Scottish gossip.

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Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers: "The way we played through their press for all three goals was really impressive.

"For the players to come back from the international break and to play with that connection and authority, I was really pleased.

"You see what Daizen [Maeda] gives the team with that relentless appetite to press. When he's in, you fancy him to score."

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

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It was far from a great start from Celtic but if you want a lesson in being clinical, then this is a great one.

All three goals in the opening half oozed quality and were executed superbly with Daizen Maeda once again decisive.

He has found his shooting boots and then some with 11 goals in his last eight Premiership games. Thirty goals this season is a sensational return and he must be a stick on for every player of the year award going.

It is no wonder Celtic want to extend his deal, which ends in two years.

A lot of focus had been on Viljami Sinisalo in goal with this being just his second Celtic start.

In that early period when Hearts looked threatening, he looked confident and very comfortable with the ball at his feet. His early save helped Celtic take control.

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Celtic will be missing Kasper Schmeichel (shoulder) and Liam Scales (cheekbone) but Auston Trusty, Paulo Bernardo, Callum McGregor and James Forrest return.

Hearts pair Jamie McCart and Cammy Devlin are back in contention following their recent injury issues.

Craig Halkett, Stephen Kingsley (both hamstring) and Frankie Kent (quad) are all back in training but unlikely to feature. Aidan Denholm (hamstring) is still out.

Charlotte Cohen
BBC Sport Scotland

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Brendan Rodgers says talks are under way aimed at securing "brilliant" Celtic forward Daizen Maeda on an extended contract.

The 27-year-old Japan international, whose current deal expires in summer 2027, has been in superb form this season, netting 28 goals in 42 appearances.

When asked about a new deal for the versatile forward, manager Rodgers said: "Absolutely, if there is that possibility to do that.

"I've spoken with [majority shareholder] Dermot [Desmond] and the club and spoken with the player. Hopefully in the future that is something that can be done.

"He's been absolutely brilliant for us this season. Wherever he's played, however he's played, he's had an amazing season. So of course you would love to tie up one of your best players."

However, Rodgers admits Maeda is being coy about where his future lies.

"He doesn't give away much, other than saying he's very happy," the boss added.

"But listen, I'm also under no illusions here. There are very few players that are going to do what Callum McGregor does, some of these players have a lifetime here, like James Forrest.

"Some players, especially those from other parts of the world, they might fancy a change. It's nothing to do with Celtic or the club or the support, it's just life. But all I can do is judge when he's here.

"He's been brilliant here. He's still contracted well here to the club. But of course there has been chats around improving that for him because he's grown into one of the top players here.

"He earns every penny. We feel as a club he deserves more. So we want to do that. But of course it has to work both ways."