Celtic

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Sunday Mail chief football writer Scott McDermott says Adam Idah can overcome a "tough" spell at Celtic and fight for a starting spot.

The Irishman made a permanent move from Norwich in the summer and spent the majority of the season playing second fiddle to Kyogo Furuhashi before he left for Rennes in the winter window.

Since the turn of the year though, Daizen Maeda has emerged as a preferred option up top for Celtic.

The Japan international started up front in Celtic's 2-0 victory over Hibernian in the Scottish Cup on Sunday and scored the opening goal for Brendan Rodgers' side while Idah was brought on in the final minutes and nabbed the second.

"Try and put yourself in Adam Idah's mind," McDermott told the BBC's Scottish Football Podcast.

"When Kyogo goes, he's probably at the back of his mind celebrating, thinking this is brilliant I'm the first choice number nine here.

"Little does he know that a couple of weeks later, Daizen is the new number nine for Celtic because Brendan Rodgers obviously changes it up.

"We know what Maeda gives through the middle and again when it was such a big game [against Hibs], Brendan Rodgers reverts to what now looks like his first choice 11 and that doesn't have Adam Idah in it.

"So it's tough for him but all he can do is what he did on Sunday. He was only on the park for about 10 minutes and he comes on, looks a threat and gets his goal. So he'll be pleased with that but he'll definitely want more minutes."

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Yang Hyun-jun has been called up for South Korea's World Cup qualifiers later this month.

A year on from his last inclusion, Yang will be in the squad for games against Oman and Jordan later this month.

Despite a difficult start to life in Glasgow, the winger has been impressive in recent games with four goals and two assists in his last five Premiership appearances.

He will join up with Hong Myung-bo's side as they search for the two wins needed in order to qualify for next year's competition.

Celtic fans, we asked for your views on Sunday's Scottish Cup win over Hibs.

Here's what some of you had to say:

PJ: A professional performance from Celtic where the opposition had no chance. This is now an era of domination that nobody is hitting soon at all.

Peter: Result is all that matters. Yes, we can play better but who cares. The treble is still on. Enjoy these days, it has not always been like this. The last 25 years have been incredible domestically. The challenge remains to progress on European front but never take domestic dominance for granted, it has to be earned. We have a manager who understands that.

John: The victory was very comfortable Hibs never gave up but on the day Celtic were just too good for them.

Chris: I think we did what we needed to do. We had good spells in the game, got the goals at the right time, defended well, and controlled the game when we needed. To me it was another example of maybe not firing on all cylinders but you get the result anyway, and against a much improved Hibs side.

Brian: Daizen Maeda is just like a Celtic Mo Salah! He scores every other match: league, League Cup, Champions League, Scottish Cup. Unstoppable. Player of last month, year and Ballon d'Or!

Crystal Palace are keen to bring Celtic defender Cameron Carter-Vickers back to the Premier League. (GiveMeSport), external

Motherwell will demand a fee of just under £10m for 18-year-old midfielder Lennon Miller this summer, with Celtic and Lyon both interested. (Football Insider), external

Hyun-jun Yang's recent form for Celtic has earned him a return to the South Korea squad for World Cup qualifiers against Oman and Jordan this month. (Anthony Joseph on X), external

Celtic fans, were you taking in the action at Parkhead on Sunday or following the action from home? Either way we want your views as Brendan Rodgers' side booked their spot in the semi-final.

Have your say, external

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Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers: "We knew the jeopardy in the game but I thought we were excellent.

"In the second half we had a little spell of about 10-12 minutes where we just didn't keep the ball well enough to allow us to come up the pitch so that gave them a little bit of impetus.

"I thought overall in the game we were thoroughly deserving winners. We scored two probably could have had more. The game probably should have been out of sight earlier.

"Consistency is all about mentality and that's a massive credit to the players. The environment we have is to maintain a standard of performance every single day and over the course of the season the players have done that.

"Overall it was a really professional performance. I'm just really happy to be in the semi-final."

Kheredine Idessane
BBC Scotland at Celtic Park

This was, at times, a sparkling display from Celtic, who started like a runaway train and threatened to overwhelm the men from Leith.

Visiting goalkeeper Jordan Smith had to be on top form, with the likes of Reo Hatate, Nicolas Kuhn, Jota and Daizen Maeda all constant menaces.

On another day, this would have been a far more comfortable win for Celtic but when it comes to cup ties, all that matters is getting the win so it was a case of very much job done for Brendan Rodgers' men against the other form team in the country.

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Daizen Maeda put in another energetic performance and scored Celtic's opener against Hibernian but, had it not been for visiting goalkeeper Jordan Smith, the margin of victory would have been greater.

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Nicolas Kuhn wants Celtic to avenge their recent league defeat by Hibernian when the sides meet in the Scottish Cup quarter-finals on Sunday. (Daily Record), external

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Liam Scales misses out for Celtic with a facial injury but Auston Trusty and Callum McGregor are fit after going off with injuries against St Mirren.

James Forrest is building up his fitness after a foot injury, while Paulo Bernardo will return from an ankle injury after the international break.

Hibs captain Joe Newell remains on the sidelines.

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Luke McCowan says he hopes a Scotland call-up is "on the horizon" should he continue impressing for Celtic, but isn't expecting one in the near future.

Head coach Steve Clarke will name his squad for the two-legged Nations League play-off against Greece next week, and some supporters and pundits have suggested the midfielder should be selected.

But the 27-year-old is not getting his hopes up.

"Maybe not a target this season," he said of making Clarke's team.

"It's something that's hopefully on the horizon at one point, but as I've said before, it's not something that's jumping out at me.

"If it comes along, it comes along. I'm at a great club. I'm playing most weeks and I'm enjoying that.

"If that comes along, I'm sure I'll be happy, but it's about focusing on Celtic just now."

McCowan and his team-mates have been able to do that more this past week than recent times have allowed, due to not playing midweek.

The former Dundee man admitted he had to "push through" some gruelling weeks amid a packed fixture schedule, but knows he's come out the other end stronger for it.

"It's actually something I was thinking of this week, now that it's passed, I was like, that was a tough couple of months," he added.

"It's the first time I've felt it. This mentality, getting your body used to it, getting your mind used to it, is something that I obviously got through now, but I'm glad I pushed myself through that. You test yourself with it.

"If I was to get called up, I know I'd be able to deal with it a lot better than what I would in previous years. If it does come along, I know I'll be ready for it mentally, physically and tactically.

"Hopefully it does come along, but if it doesn't, it's not something that's going to get to me."

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The draw for the semi-finals of the Scottish Cup will take place on Monday after the Livingston v St Johnstone game (19:45 GMT kick-off) on BBC Scotland.

Hearts have already booked their place thanks to a 3-1 win over Dundee.

Aberdeen host Queen's Park on Saturday - live on BBC One Scotland - and Hibs visit holders Celtic on Sunday.

Aston Villa, Brighton & Hove Albion, Crystal Palace and Everton are all interested in bringing 27-year-old United States centre-half Cameron Carter-Vickers back to England's Premier League from Celtic. (The Boot Room), external

Celtic are looking to sign Motherwell midfielder Lennon Miller during the summer transfer window, while Lyon have also been monitoring the 18-year-old Scotland Under-21 international. (Football Insider), external

Read Saturday's Scottish Gossip in full.

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Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers is relishing a "great atmosphere" when high-flying Hibs bring 7,000 fans to Parkhead for the Scottish Cup quarter-final on Sunday.

It will be the biggest away support at Celtic Park since 2018 when Rangers cut the Old Firm derby allocation of 7,500, with Celtic responding in kind.

"I think having a number of away supporters is great," Rodgers said.

"Hibs are on a very good run, so the supporters will be buoyed by that as well.

"They'll come and support the team and that will activate our supporters as well, so it should be a great atmosphere.

"You can't dismiss what it means to have away supporters in your ground, because that creates the atmosphere, that creates the rivalry.

"This game will show the passion that is there from both sets of supporters and that will roll on to the pitch, I'm pretty sure, and create for a great atmosphere."

Hibs, currently unbeaten in 15 games, defeated Celtic 2-1 at Easter Road a fortnight ago, albeit the visitors had a late equaliser incorrectly disallowed.

The scoreline of the previous meeting - 3-0 to Celtic at home - didn't tell the whole story either. In that game, Hibs had 14 shots, nine on target and forced goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel to make nine saves.

Rodgers is expecting another tough game at Parkhead on Sunday.

"I come away from the game [on 22 February] seeing a team that's very well organised," the Celtic manager said.

"In a different space to what they were at the beginning of the season, very structured in their play in the game and have got some dangerous players.

"The mentality of the team [Celtic], the consistency since then, has been very, very good. We lost that game and we have to take that and learn from it."

Clive Lindsay
BBC Sport Scotland

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The enormity of Hibs' task on Sunday is highlighted by the fact they have not beaten Celtic at Parkhead in the Scottish Cup since their final success in 1902.

However, on this occasion, they head to Celtic Park having triumphed over the trophy holders and Scottish champions just last month, 2-1 at Easter Road in the Premiership.

That has contributed to a 15-game unbeaten run that has lifted David Gray's side to third in the table and they arrive in Glasgow fuelled by the pride of Sunday's derby win over Hearts.

Celtic, though, have responded to that defeat by Hibs - and their narrow Champions League exit at the hands of Bayern Munich - by thrashing Aberdeen 5-1 and St Mirren 5-2.

Brendan Rodgers' side remain unbeaten at home by a Scottish side since losing to Hearts in December 2023 and have beaten Hibs on their past six visits to Celtic Park, the latest five by an aggregate on 19-4.

If Hibs want to secure a rare consecutive win over the cup holders, they will no doubt have to shackle Daizen Maeda, who has embraced the added responsibility of leading the Celtic line following fellow Japan forward Kyogo Furuhashi's exit to pick up the player of the month award.

Maeda is also top scorer in the cup so far this season with four goals - and has three against Hibs this season already too.

• Celtic are unbeaten at home to Hibs in 20 meetings since a 2-1 defeat in January 2010, when Danny Galbraith scored a last-minute winner.

• Hibs lost 2-0 at home to Rangers in the quarter-finals last season and last reached the semis in 2022, when they lost to Hearts.

• Hibs last beat Celtic in the Scottish Cup in March 1986, 4-3 at Easter Road.

• Celtic defeated Hibs 3-1 at Celtic Park in the League Cup in August.

• Hibs last beat Celtic twice in one season in 1992-93.

• Celtic beat Rangers in last season's final to lift the cup for a 42nd time.

• Hibs won the Scottish Cup for a third time in 2016.

What to look out for on Scottish Cup quarter-final weekend.

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 Hibs in the Scottish Cup quarter-final.

Here are the main points:

• Rodgers is pleased to have had a full week to prepare for the cup tie, something he says is "pretty unique" given how busy the last few months have been.

• The Celtic boss is expecting a "great atmosphere" at Parkhead given there will be 7,000 away fans making the trip.

• Rodgers says the Scottish Cup has given him some of his best moments as Celtic manager and he sees this year's instalment as another opportunity to win a "really special trophy".

• Liam Scales is unlikely to be fit after sustaining a facial injury against St Mirren. Callum McGregor trained on Friday morning so "should be fine" but Paulo Bernardo is still unavailable and will likely miss the game against Rangers too. Auston Trusty has had a few stitches but is expected to be fit for the weekend.

• On the 500 ticket deduction for Celtic's next League Cup game at Hampden, Rodgers says he always wants as many fans in the ground as possible and "the club are dealing with that".

• On Hibs, he says it's "a credit to the club" for allowing David Gray the time to turn their fortunes around and he is "delighted" to see a young manager given the chance to do so.

We asked you to tell us the one thing nobody is talking about at Celtic.

Here's what some of you said:

Patrick: I wonder if our strong financial position is pricing us out of the market. We're the richest team in Scotland by miles, even our B team brought in more money than Rangers; that could lead to other clubs running up the price when we come knocking.

Paul: Every time there's a Celtic player that has a strong run of form, there's almost an expectation that they'll leave: be sold to make the club some money. Most shareholders hold success above financial return. It's such a small pond mentality, Celtic will never rise to properly compete in Europe unless this changes.

John: I think we are playing impressive football from middle to front but when the ball is with defence it's completely different. We badly need two really good centre-backs. Ones that can play football a la Virgil van Dijk. To see ball move quicker from the back.

John: We cannot lose Daizen Maeda or Alistair Johnston in the next transfer window if we want to progress in Europe. Domestic dominance will continue to follow Rangers' one in a row.

Mike: If Celtic win the league early, we may unwittingly take the foot off the gas and may be caught cold when the Champions League qualifiers come. Also, it's difficult to build momentum when we have a player trading model which requires us to sell our top talent. Will Nicolas Kuhn and Maeda still be here after the summer?

Alan: To me it is as clear as the daylight between Celtic and Rangers that Brendan Rogers will walk away from Celtic after his three-year contract expires. What are the board doing now to ensure we have a pipeline of future managers under consideration? Additionally, the club needs to develop a financial plan to rebuild the main stand befitting of the club.

Kyogo Furuhashi insists he is happy at Rennes despite the 30-year-old Japan striker having lost his starting place with the French side so soon after his January transfer from Celtic and believes he can play until he is 35. (The Herald), external

Kyogo Furuhashi has been told that the persistent shoulder injury that has lingered on from his time at Celtic is a factor in the 30-year-old striker finding himself on the fringes under new Rennes head coach Habib Beye after the departure of Jorge Sampaoli. (Daily Record), external

Read Friday's Scottish Gossip in full.

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The two form sides in Scotland meet in the Scottish Cup quarter-finals on Sunday as Celtic host resurgent Hibs.

Treble-chasing Celtic are cruising towards another league title and have already secured the League Cup, while Hibs are unbeaten in 15 outings, including a 2-1 league win at home to Celtic last month.

With 7,000 supporters travelling from the capital to cheers Hibs on against the favourites and holders, it should be a captivating contest.

Neil Lennon is more qualified than most to judge the lie of the land pre-match, having managed both clubs. Here is his verdict:

'Dynamite Celtic's depth the strongest I've seen'

"Celtic are playing against the form team in the country, alongside themselves.

"The fact Rangers aren't in the competition now means that all the other clubs will be looking at an opportunity to get to the final. And obviously they'll want to see Celtic out of it because they've been so dominant.

"St Mirren on Saturday night created a lot of good chances, but Celtic are dynamite. The last half hour on Saturday was some of the best football I've seen from them this season.

"I thought they were magnificent going forward. In terms of the squad depth this season, it's as strong as I've seen it for a long, long time and certainly way above anything else in Scottish football.

"You look at the subs Brendan Rodgers brought on after an hour on Saturday evening - the quality and the speed and just the zest it brought to the team was fantastic to watch."

'Buzzing Hibs have real belief'

"They have had an unbelievable week - beating Celtic, beating Dundee United and winning the derby. The place is buzzing. It reminds me of my time there back in 2018.

"David Gray has got the crowd with him and the team are responding. They're well organised and there's a real belief about them.

"Celtic at home are imperious and it's going to be a tough ask at any stage of the season. But with the feelgood factor around Hibs at the minute, there has to be a quiet confidence that they can compete.

"But you've got to take your chances. Gray has got Martin Boyle playing really well at the minute and that's really important. For me, he's the best player when he's fit and firing.

"I think Nicky Cadden has been a revelation on the left-hand side as well. And I watched them against Celtic, I was at the game, I thought they were really impressive in their organisation. And they played the game perfectly, as good as you could against Celtic."

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Celtic forward Daizen Maeda has been named Scottish Premiership player of the month in recognition of his dazzling February form.

Maeda netted six times as runaway leaders Celtic racked up league wins over Motherwell (3-1), Dundee (6-0), Dundee United (3-0) and Aberdeen (5-1), while he had an equaliser controversially disallowed in the 2-1 defeat at Hibs.

The Japan international also added a Scottish Cup hat-trick against Raith Rovers and Champions League strike against Bayern Munich to take his overall February total to 10 goals.

"The team is doing well and because of that I can score the goals, so I'm really pleased for the team performances," Maeda, 27, told Celtic TV.

"It looks like I've had my best month but I'm just continuing to do what I'm used to doing. I always try to work hard and try to do my best in each game so all the games were very important for me."

Kheredine Idessane
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

With 10 goals in their past two games and a full week to prepare for a Scottish Cup quarter-final you sense Celtic will take some stopping on Sunday, even if they are playing arguably the form team in the country.

Hibs' rise up the table to third has been remarkable, given their first 14 Premiership matches yielded just the solitary victory.

No defeats in their past 15 games, however, and just one reverse (to Celtic) in 18 tells an altogether different story. There's been plenty of sunshine on Leith of late but is it about to start raining?

The problem for any visitors to Glasgow's east end is Celtic have been pretty much unbeatable at Parkhead. Only one team has managed it this season: Bayern Munich. No Scottish side has won there since Hearts in December 2023.

While Hibs have very recent experience of defeating Brendan Rodgers' men - and gave them all sorts of problems in the league win at Easter Road - you have to go back to January 2010 for the capital club's last victory in Celtic's back yard.

Gordon Brown was the UK Prime Minister; Fireflies by Owl City was number one in the charts, and Danny Galbraith scored a last-minute winner for John Hughes' Hibs in what turned out to be the final months of Tony Mowbray's short Celtic tenure.

With a potential treble on the line, there's even more at stake for Celtic this time. The cup holders have revenge on the mind and therein lies the problem for Hibs - they'll be facing a rested, motivated, hungry Celtic side that usually hits its straps around this time of the year.

Rodgers calls it the period in the season where his side comes alive. The title is all but done and dusted, of course, which just leaves just one path down which the champions-elect are likely to march with extra purpose: the road to Hampden.

Should Celtic's long unbeaten home record against Hibs still be intact on Sunday night, Rodgers can start planning another trip to the national stadium. He's yet to lose there as a manager.

Little wonder, then, that David Gray brings his resurgent side west trying to solve a stubbornly difficult puzzle: how do you beat Celtic in Glasgow?