Celtic

Manager Brendan Rodgers has admitted his frustration that Sebastian Tounekti was signed after the Champions League qualifier and says the Celtic board is aware of the error. (Premier Sports via The Herald)

Rodgers says Tounekti has "come in really aggressive" to Celtic and says he is excited for the impact the winger can make. (The Scotsman)

Celtic fans group the Celtic Trust have accused chairman Peter Lawwell of "gaslighting" supporters after his statement following their annual results. (Scottish Sun)

Celtic and Rangers fans' protests are "tedious, ugly and classless". (Scottish Sun)

Celtic will face teams of a higher calibre in the Europa League than Kairat Almaty and they must guard against further "reputational damage" after their Champions League "humiliation". (Daily Record)

Birmingham City boss Chris Davies has jumped to Kyogo Furuhashi's defence after the ex-Celtic striker's slow start down to the season. (Scottish Sun)

Read the rest of Monday's gossip.

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Celtic boss Brendan Rodgers tells BBC Scotland: "I was really pleased with the performance and the result.

"You have to be really professional and we were. The players passed it well and created some really good moments in the game.

"We're building. It's hard to go through nine months in the season being hot. With everything going on in the window it's taken some time for players to come in. I can see the fluency and the rhythm of the team growing each day."

On Sebastian Tounekti: "He's the type of player that Celtic supporters love. He's good on one-v-one. He can go either side, run in behind without the ball and he works very hard. It was nice for him get the goal and I'm really pleased for him.

"He's what we want and that was the pleasing aspect today. We had variety in our performance and how we attacked the game."

Celtic have been drawn against Rangers for the semi-final on the Premier Sports Cup, which will be played at Hampden on the weekend of 1/2 November.

"Our objective is to get to the final," he added.

"Both teams will be giving everything to get through but there's a lot of football before that."

Goals from Yang Hyun-Jun, Liam Scales, Sebastian Tounekti and substitute Luke McCowan gave Celtic a dominant win against Championship side Partick Thistle to progress to the semi-finals of the Premier Sports Cup.

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Read the match report.

Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers, who worked with Raheem Sterling at Liverpool, could be the pivotal factor in enticing the 30-year-old out-of-favour winger to leave Chelsea for the Scottish champions in a surprise move in the upcoming transfer windows. (Football Insider), external

Celtic could be bracing themselves for offers from Premier League clubs for Canada right-back Alistair Johnston after the 26-year-old said it would be a dream of any player to move to England. (Football Insider), external

Paul Lambert, who captained Celtic in the 2003 Uefa Cup final loss to Porto, is backing the Scottish champions to have a good run in the Europa League, while describing a club insider briefing against Brendan Rodgers as "absolutely criminal".(Daily Record), external

Red Star Belgrade are giving free tickets to blood donors for their Europa League opener at home to Celtic next week. (The Herald on Sunday), external

Celtic supporters have united to create the Celtic Fans Collective representative body, led by a steering group including fan media, supporter groups and active support groups, to hold the Scottish champions to account. (The Herald On Sunday), external

The new Celtic Fans Collective pressure group has been formed with the stated aim of removing club chairman Peter Lawwell and chief executive Michael Nicholson from the board. (Scottish Sun On Sunday), external

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Michel-Ange Balikwisha is undoubtedly best playing as a left winger, according to Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers.

Balikwisha signed on deadline day from Antwerp and has featured twice for Rodgers since.

The former Belgium Under-21 international started the goalless draw against Rangers on the left flank, before switching to the right against Kilmarnock to accommodate fellow new signing Sebastian Tounekti.

However, Rodgers suggested Balikwisha will predominantly feature on his favoured left side.

"The boy's a left-sided player," Rodgers said. "He's a really technically gifted player. He has great football qualities.

"His best side is on the left , but he's played in other positions. He's played on the right previously in his career, he's played as a 10 and he's played as an eight. So he's played across that front line.

"I wanted to see him on that right side, but there's no doubt his best position is from the left. And even if Sebastian is to play there and he sits out a game or whatever else, we still need two really impactful wingers that can play."

Rodgers admits the signing of Balikwisha was influenced in part by the prospective sale of Daizen Maeda, which did not transpire.

"We thought Daizen was gone," Rodgers said. "So we needed to make sure we were covered. Obviously, we weren't able to get what we wanted on the right side.

"So I wanted to try him. And we're in this process of finding out about players because they're just in the door. But there's no doubt he's much more comfortable on the left side."

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Partick Thistle boss Mark Wilson has dismissed suggestions it may be a good time to face Celtic as the sides prepare to meet in Sunday's League Cup quarter-final.

It's been a rocky start to the season for the Scottish champions, with fans voicing their displeasure at the board after Celtic came unstuck in Champions League qualifying at the hands of Kairat Almaty.

Performances domestically have also been unconvincing, though Brendan Rodgers' side remain top of the Premiership table on goal difference from Hearts.

"When is a good time to get a team like Celtic? They've got so much quality," Wilson told BBC Scotland.

"Even last week, when it looks like it's just going to go Kilmarnock's way and they're going to get a draw, they've got that power to keep going (and win 2-1).

"They've got so much quality. I don't think there is a good time to get this Celtic side.

"Brendan Rodgers, of course, may be frustrated with what's happened behind the scenes, but I think when he looks at what's on the pitch, I think he'll be pretty sure that he's got a decent enough squad to win all these trophies domestically.

"We're the next one in his way and I hope we can put up a good fight. We're optimistic, but realistic at the same time.

"It's a home game and myself and the team approach every home game the same. We see it as an opportunity to go and try and win.

"The competition is top notch, which brings its difficulties, but stranger things have happened in football. We're certainly not turning up here to make up the numbers and just go through the motions."

Celtic will not entertain Alistair Johnston leaving Glasgow anytime soon with a January sale for the Canadian right-back off the cards. (Football Insider), external

"He should be concentrating on his club first and foremost because there are some issues there," says Barry Ferguson as he bites back at Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers' comments on criticism of Rangers head coach Russell Martin from the former interim Ibrox boss and some of his staff from last season. (Go Radio via Scottish Sun, external)

Chief executive Michael Nicholson insists the Celtic board are shouldering the blame for the shock Champions League exit to Kairat Almaty, saying those running the club are "commit to improving going forward". (Scottish Sun), external

Chris Sutton has doubts over former club Celtic going far in the Europa League, citing concerns about the depth of Brendan Rodgers' squad. (Daily Record), external

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George O'Neill
BBC Sport Scotland

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Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers insists notions of a crisis at the club are wide of the mark.

Some supporters continued to demonstrate their dissatisfaction with the club's powerbrokers by staging a late entry protest at Kilmarnock on Sunday, while there were also chants of "sack the board" during the match.

It followed criticism of Celtic's summer transfer business, plenty of which was not completed until after they had been knocked out of the Champions League by Kairat Almaty.

"I see this noise that's around about Celtic in crisis and this sort of thing," Rodgers said. "It absolutely is not.

"The team is coming together again. Domestically, if you look at how we started the season.

"As I said, we're not at our best. Of course we're not. But everything that's happening now is all natural with the changes that we've had and players adapting and coming in late into our structure. But while that's happening, our duty and our idea is to make sure we still win games.

"And the players are absolutely doing that. And you see that togetherness. Of course, ultimately you want that within every sector of the club."

Rodgers insists his sole focus is on getting his new-look team to gel.

Despite struggles in Europe and a lack of attacking cohesion, Celtic are unbeaten domestically and lead the Premiership, ahead of Hearts of goal difference, with a Premier Sports Cup quarter-final against Partick Thistle up next this weekend.

"We're working on finding rhythm," Rodgers said.

"This time last year the team was in great rhythm. Why? Because there was lots of players that had played there before and we were just adding the likes of Nicolas Kuhn.

"This year we've made changes, players have gone, new players are coming in, young players are making their debuts.

"Rhythm breeds confidence. And that's what we're looking to find as a team. And that will come because the spirit is good.

"Everything else is the sideshow for you guys. For me, the focus is the football."

George O'Neill
BBC Sport Scotland

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Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers has been talking to the media before his side's Premier Sports Cup quarter-final against Partick Thistle on Sunday.

Here are the best bits from his news conference:

• Rodgers and Celtic "respect" Partick Thistle and know they have to play well in order to reach the semi-final.

• Rodgers' focus is on the pitch and believes his team are starting to find "rhythm". He says focus from the media on the rift between Celtic's supporters and board is a "sideshow".

• He insists Celtic aren't in "crisis" and highlights the togetherness among his playing squad. Admits you would want that togetherness "in every sector of the club".

• Suggests there could be changes to his team for the Thistle game, but wants to keep the rhythm he feels is building.

• On Jahmai Simpson-Pusey, who is yet to play since joining on loan from Manchester City, Rodgers says Celtic see him as a "talent" but that he will have to earn his place in the team.

• Rodgers believes 19-year-old right-back Colby Donovan, who made his first start last weekend, has the "personality" to play for Celtic, but still has a "long way" to go before he is a regular.

• Rodgers wanted to see Michel-Ange Balikwisha on the right wing against Kilmarnock, but says his best position is off the left.

• Rodgers was asked about the pressure Rangers head coach Russell Martin is under and says it can be "a lonely place" managing a big team. He adds every team goes on team-bonding exercises but how it's judged depends on how the team are performing.

• Rodgers doesn't like managers being "pulled up on tactics" by ex-bosses who "couldn't work that out either". He believes Martin will "be stronger" for the experience and referenced how he managed Liverpool at the same age.

• He calls Martin "a good man" and thinks he should be "given room to breathe".

• Rodgers was asked about his own comments regarding a Celtic insider briefing against him in the Scottish Sun. He replied: "It's done."

• Team news: Auston Trusty and Anthony Ralston should be back in team training next week. There are no new injury concerns.

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Celtic's Barrowfield redevelopment will be "a really important milestone in the club's future," says chairman Peter Lawwell, after the training facility was officially opened.

The state-of-the-art centre has a revamped indoor arena, artificial and grass pitches, medical suites, sport science and analysis centres and classroom/learning facilities.

Celtic say the facility, which will be used by the women's team and academy players, represents their "largest infrastructure investment" since the redevelopment of Celtic Park in the late 1990s.

Lennoxtown, which opened in 2007, will continue to be the first team and B side's base.

"Celtic's history is characterised by so many young players coming through the club's own development system, gracing the first team and playing such an important role in our many successes throughout the years," added Lawwell.

"We want to improve further in this area and through the new facility, we will be striving for even more success, with the new high-quality centre giving our academies and women's team every opportunity to flourish."

Clive Lindsay
BBC Sport Scotland

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Every time Partick Thistle are drawn against Celtic in knockout competition, especially the League Cup, fans are reminded of the Maryhill club's famous 4-1 win over their star-studded Parkhead counterparts in the final back in 1971.

Unfortunately for the Maryhill side, memories of that cup final success are fading year by year along with hopes that it might ever be repeated.

Whereas Celtic beat Rangers in last season's final to lift the trophy for the 22nd time, Thistle have not got beyond the quarter-finals since 1975, when they went on to lose to Sunday's opponents.

Overall, Celtic have not lost to their Glasgow rivals in 33 games since Thistle won 3-1 in the league back in 1995.

However, despite the weight of history there is optimism for Thistle and manager Mark Wilson.

They are unbeaten in five games, winning the past four after last Friday's 2-1 comeback win over Airdrieonians to sit third in the Championship.

They also catch the current Celtic side at a time of some uncharacteristic turmoil, with the board being subject to fan protests after an underwhelming summer transfer window and the players under scrutiny for a drop off in performances.

However, despite it all, Rodgers' Scottish champions remain unbeaten over 90 minutes in eight outings this season, their only loss being via the penalty shootout against Kairat Almaty that led to their failure to reach the Champions League.

Last Sunday's controversial penalty winner away to Kilmarnock, which restored Celtic at the top of the Premiership on goal difference, should also have lifted spirits.

Thistle head coach Mark Wilson knows all about cup success, having lifted the trophy as a player with Celtic in 2009, but it will be an even greater achievement if he can inflict only a second defeat in 19 League Cup games on Rodgers and deny the Northern Irishman the chance to win it for a fifth time as manager.

Read more League Cup quarter-final previews

Stiliyan Petrov believes Celtic should be doing their utmost to keep manager Brendan Rodgers. (Sun), external

Petrov backs Celtic's chances of success in the Europa League. (Herald - subscription required), external

Injured Celtic right-back Alistair Johnston was spotted at Newcastle United's Champions League home defeat by Barcelona. (Record), external

Read Friday's Scottish gossip

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Brendan Rodgers has backed Daizen Maeda to recapture peak form at Celtic after the striker netted his first league goal of the season following a "challenging summer".

Maeda headed in Marcelo Saracchi's delivery to open the scoring in Celtic's dramatic win at Kilmarnock on Sunday.

The Japan international asked to leave Celtic in February, and reportedly agreed a move away in the summer, but ultimately stayed put and was below his best in the opening games of the new campaign as Rodgers' side crashed to Kairat Almaty in the Champions League play-off.

"It's been a real challenging summer for him," manager Rodgers told CelticTV, external.

"He maybe felt the future was going to be elsewhere, but I think we can all see from that personality and from the humility that he has, that it won't take him long to get back to playing how everyone knows he plays – 150%, working, pressing and always being there for the goal.

"So he's such a great guy and whatever the summer brought, it's gone now, and for him now it's just about doing the very best he possibly can.

"It was a fantastic goal, great ball by Marcelo and then his movement and instinct to get across and make the header was superb."

Rodgers was also full of praise for 19-year-old right-back Colby Donovan, who made his full debut in the Rugby Park win.

"I've really liked him since I first saw him," the manager added.

"People talk about training the way you play - for me you train the way you fight, and that means that you'll take that mentality into your games and I see that in Colby.

"Every time he trains, he fights, he works, and young players like that, you want to give opportunities to.

"So I'm delighted for him, a Celtic boy who has come through the system, putting him in not an easy task at all, first game on an astroturf pitch, the weather conditions.

"But he came through it, and right at the very end he was the one that was in the box making the cross that leads to the penalty."

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• Celtic have lifted the League Cup 22 times, with their most recent triumph coming against Rangers on penalties last term.

• The Parkhead side have been runners-up 15 times in the competition and have reached the semi-finals on 46 occasions.

• Bobby Lennox is Celtic's all-time top scorer in the League Cup with 63 goals.

• Celtic have faced this weekend's quarter-final opponents Partick Thistle 26 times in this competition, winning 17.

• Celtic's biggest League Cup win was a 10-0 rout of Hamilton in the quarter-final first leg at Parkhead in 1968.

• Brendan Rodgers' team beat Premiership newcomers Falkirk 4-1 in the second round to set up Sunday's meeting with former Celtic defender Mark Wilson's Thistle.

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The draw for the Premier Sports Cup semi-finals will take place on Sunday after Partick Thistle v Celtic (15:30 BST) concludes.

The semis will be played on the weekend of 1-2 November with the final scheduled for Sunday, 14 December.

St Mirren's trip to Kilmarnock on Friday night (19:45) gets the quarter-finals under way before Aberdeen host Motherwell (15:00) on Saturday followed by Rangers v Hibs (17:45).

Captain Callum McGregor insists there was never a shred of doubt in the Celtic dressing room over Daizen Maeda's dedication to the cause, despite the striker emptying his locker in preparation for an exit. (Daily Record)

Celtic fans eager for change in the boardroom have been urged to "back off" by former board member Lord Willie Haughey, who says they have been spoiled by a decade of success. (PLZ Soccer)

Ex-Celtic coach Damien Duff is the leading contender to take the Republic of Ireland job after leaving Shelbourne in June. (Scottish Sun)

Former Everton winger Kevin Kilbane says the Premier League side should make a move for Celtic full-back Alistair Johnston this summer. (Daily Record)

Read the rest of Thursday's gossip.

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Alistair Johnston feels "ahead" in his recovery from a hamstring tear and sees the enforced lay-off as an opportunity to "reset" after playing 115 Celtic games since the start of 2023.

The Canada right-back was expected to be out for 12 weeks after suffering the injury in the goalless first leg of Celtic's Champions League play-off loss to Kairat Almaty last month.

"When the original injury happened, I kind of feared the worst," he told the Park The Bus podcast., external

"It's a pretty significant injury, still. I'm actually ahead of where I thought I was going to be, but still a long way to go. I'm not really going to put a timeline on it just yet.

"I feel really good. I feel like I'm almost ready to go out there and play, but obviously I know there's still a lot of boxes that need to get checked before I get back to my full level.

"I'm hoping to be back here in the nearer future than probably expected."

Johnston, 26, feels "lucky" the injury was not more serious, given his country is co-hosting next year's World Cup.

"I don't think any name is really written in pen," Johnston said.

"We've continued to develop. It's really exciting. I want to be competing. You have to come in, you have to be fully committed to every single training session, not just every match with the national team, to really keep your spot."

Johnston's international team-mate Derek Cornelius made his Rangers debut in Saturday's defeat by Hearts.

The defender scored the winner in Canada's win over Wales last week and, in a light-hearted tone, Johnston was asked if he wanted to see Cornelius do well in Glasgow.

"I love DC but there's not a single bone in my body that could ever pull for them," he wryly replied.