Celtic

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Celtic defender Auston Trusty has described playing in the Champions League as a "dream come true".

The United States international has featured in all five of Celtic's European matches this campaign and was part of the backline that kept a clean sheet against Europa League champions Atalanta in October.

And the 26-year-old is expected to start in central defence alongside international team-mate Cameron Carter-Vickers in Croatia on Tuesday.

Speaking prior to Celtic's match against Dinamo Zagreb, Trusty said: "I'm from a small town outside Philadelphia, so to play in the Champions League is a dream come true.

"Every chance I get to play for this club or play in this competition, I enjoy it."

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Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers has been speaking to the media prior to Tuesday's Champions League match at Dinamo Zagreb.

Here are the key lines:

• Rodgers said an away win in the Champions League is the next step for his side and they've been building towards that level of performance since last year.

• He added that the performance and result against Atalanta gives him confidence they can go to any stadium and defend well.

• The manager also has a real trust in his squad. He believes he can pick any team and the quality remains the same.

• He said Dinamo Zagreb are a very good side with some really gifted players and they will be playing with "extra motivation" in the Champions League.

• Rodgers hasn't started thinking about the League Cup final against Rangers yet. He thinks there's enough time after the Dinamo Zagreb match to prepare for that.

• He confirms everyone is fit and available.

Kasper Schmeichel: The Denmark goalkeeper barely touched the ball for early parts of the domestic season, but his international class was called on several times against Hibernian, making nine saves in total to keep his clean sheet intact.

Arne Engels: The Belgian was a potent figure in the Celtic midfield. His early goal in the 3-0 win set the league leaders on their way to victory over Hibs.

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• This will be the seventh meeting between Dinamo Zagreb and Celtic in European competition (including qualifiers), with both teams sharing three wins each in the previous six.

• The last time these teams met was back in December 2014, with Dinamo Zagreb winning 4-3 at home to Celtic in the Europa League group stage. This remains the most goals they've scored in a game against a British side in major European competition.

• Daizen Maeda has netted three goals for Celtic in the Champions League this season. The last player to score more for the club in a single European Cup/Champions League campaign was Joseph Craig back in 1977-1978 (four).

• All three of Marko Pjaca's goals for Dinamo Zagreb in European competition have been scored against Celtic, courtesy of a hat-trick he netted against them back in December 2014. Indeed, he remains the youngest player to score a European hat-trick for the Croatian side.

• Dinamo Zagreb have been the most direct side in possession in the Champions League this season, progressing the ball upfield (in open play) quicker than every other team on average (2.02 metres per second).

• Dinamo Zagreb had an expected goals total of just 0.14 in their previous Champions League game (0-3 v Borussia Dortmund). Only one side has had a lower total in a home match in the competition so far this season: Slovan Bratislava (0.1) v Manchester City.

• Unbeaten in their last three (W1 D2), Celtic will be looking to go four games unbeaten in the European Cup/UEFA Champions League for the first time since October 1986.

• Both of Dinamo Zagreb's victories in the Champions League this season have come away from home (2-0 v RB Salzburg and 4-1 v Slovan Bratislava). On home soil, they've only won two of their last 13 games in the competition (D3 L8) and are winless in their last four (D2 L2).

• Among teams to have played 50+ games in the Champions League, Dinamo Zagreb (68%) and Celtic (57%) are two of the three sides who've lost the highest percentage of their games (along with Anderlecht – 58%).

Dinamo Zagreb have admitted in an open letter to fans that "we are in a crisis of results", largely been influenced by injuries to key players, but insist "there is no crisis within the club" as they prepare to face Celtic in the Champions League on Tuesday as they have "funds for the next transfer window". (The Herald), external

New York rapper 50 Cent has revealed he plans to watch a Celtic game at some point when he visits Scotland after the hip hop star was announced as one of the headline acts for next year's TRNSMT Festival at Glasgow Green. (Scottish Sun), external

Read Monday's Scottish Gossip in full.

Watch highlights as Celtic win 3-0 against Hibernian in the Scottish Premiership. (UK only)

We asked for your views on Celtic's 3-0 win against Hibs.

Here's what some of you said:

Patrick: Kasper Schmeichel was fantastic, he's made some good saves before but he was on another level, it looked effortless! Adam Idah had plenty of chances but no final result which was a shame. A good result from an average performance.

David: With Brendan Rogers rotating his squad to keep players fresh and injury free, it is clear that this impacts the defensive performance more than the attacking. Both of the centre-halves gel very well with Cameron Carter-Vickers, but not quite so good with each other. However, thanks to the goalkeeper we got another clean sheet, and three goals scored, with three points on the board. A good win.

James: Poor first half defensively. We could have been down 3-1 at half time if not for our goalie! Carter-Vickers was sorely missed. Can't remember the last time a Celtic keeper was man of the match. If we start like that on Tuesday we will be in serious trouble. Fortunately we have strength in depth and the introduction of our subs raised the tempo again. Three points though.

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• Hibernian have conceded seven goals to opposition substitutes in the Premiership this season, no team has conceded more.

• Celtic have scored 10 goals in the last 15 minutes of second halves, only Dundee United (11) have scored more in the Premiership this season.

• Hibernian have conceded 13 goals in the last 15 minutes second halves, more than any other team in the Premiership this season.

• Celtic have kept a clean sheet in each of their last three games in the Premiership, a run of 313 minutes without conceding a goal.

Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers has told BBC Scotland he is desperate to see 27-year-old Scotland left-back Greg Taylor end speculation over his future with the club by signing a new contract beyond the summer. (The Herald On Sunday), external

Manager Brendan Rodgers confirmed in a BBC Scotland interview that Celtic hold the option to trigger a contract extension for 38-year-old Danish goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel, who signed a one-year deal when he joined the club in the summer. (The Herald On Sunday), external

New Leicester City manager Ruud van Nistelrooy is primed to cut short out-of-favour former Celtic striker Odsonne Edouard's loan from Crystal Palace, whose own team boss, Oliver Glasner, says the 26-year-old Frenchman will not feature in his squad either should he return in January. (Sunday Mail), external

Dinamo Zagreb only have 14 fit players for this week's Champions League meeting with Celtic and Friday's 1-1 domestic draw with Slaven Belupo means they have gone five games without a win. (Sunday Mail), external

Read Sunday's Scottish Gossip in full.

Celtic overcame a wasteful Hibernian side at Parkhead to move nine points clear at the top of the Scottish Premiership.

Arne Engel's first half tap-in, before Joe Newell's own goal and Kyogo's delightful dink after the break, made it seven successive league wins for Brendan Rodgers' side.

Aberdeen's 1-1 draw against St Johnstone means Celtic have strengthened their hold on the title race, with third-placed Rangers in action at Ross County on Sunday.

Celtic fans, were you at Parkhead or were you following along from home? Either way, we want your thoughts.

Have your say on the game., external

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Kasper Schmeichel was immense between the sticks for Celtic, making nine saves on an afternoon where Hibs found joy in behind the home defence.

The Denmark international has been a magnificent replacement for Joe Hart.

George O'Neill
BBC Sport Scotland

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Brendan Rodgers spoke earlier this week about the importance of using his whole squad in order to keep players fresh amid a packed fixture schedule.

The Celtic manager did so again here, bringing record-signing Arne Engels and Luke McCowan into midfield, and dropping Cameron Carter-Vickers and Kyogo to the bench for a breather.

It wasn't the smoothest of starts for Celtic, with Hibs regularly getting in behind Liam Scales and Auston Trusty.

However, Kasper Schmeichel showed his worth once again - making nine saves in total - to keep the hosts' clean sheet intact, before Engels marked his return with a goal.

Another hallmark of this Celtic side is their intensity out of possession, and their third goal of the game was a perfect example.

James Forrest nipped in to win the ball back in a dangerous area, before feeding Kyogo, who showed why he is so feared by defenders up and down the country with a finish of real class.

Attentions now turn to Europe and a Champions League trip to Dinamo Zagreb on Tuesday, where Rodgers will likely shuffle his pack once more.

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Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers tells BBC Scotland: "The win was very good on the back of the midweek game against Aberdeen. Some of our attacking play was excellent.

"Our downside for today was our pressing - it was nowhere near what I would want and expect it to be - and that gave them chances. Thankfully, I have a top international goalkeeper, who, when we needed him, made saves.

"I can trigger [the option for another year in Schmeichel's contract] at any time; I wouldn't tell you, I would tell him first."

Celtic could look to sign Chelsea midfielder Carney Chukwuemeka on loan in the January transfer window, but any deal for the 21-year-old would require the Premier League club to contribute to his wages and he is more likely to make a permanent move elsewhere in the summer. (Football Insider), external

Celtic are set to hand Johnny Kenny, the 21-year-old striker who has impressed on loan to Shamrock Rovers, the chance to make a first-team impact as manager Brendan Rodgers is keen to have a younger goalscorer to provide back-up and competition for Kyogo Furuhashi and Adam Idah. (Daily Mail), external

With Celtic, Rangers and a host of English top-flight clubs scouting Lennon Miller, the Motherwell midfielder's father, Lee, says the 18-year-old's next move will not necessarily be to the biggest club but one with the right manager, ethos, style of play and chance for the Scotland youth international to continue playing first-team football. (The Warm-up Show), external

Former Celtic striker Charlie Nicholas has claimed he is "not particularly welcomed" back at the Scottish champions because of his criticism of the club as a pundit. (The Warm-up Show), external

Read Saturday's Scottish Gossip in full.

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Celtic have a full squad while Hibs are unable to select on-loan Hoops midfielder Kwon Hyeok-kyu.

Rudi Molotnikov also misses out with a groin strain for Hibs, but Jordan Obita returns for the visitors after suspension. Lewis Miller is set to remain on the sidelines, along with Kieron Bowie (hamstring).

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Brendan Rodgers believes Celtic's squad depth is behind a lack of injuries this season.

The Celtic boss has a full squad available for Saturday's Scottish Premiership match against Hibs, with the Parkhead side seven points clear at the top of the table.

Rodgers made six changes for last weekend's 5-0 win against Ross County, before reversing four of them for Wednesday's 1-0 win over Aberdeen.

The likes of record-signing Arne Engels, Adam Idah and Luke McCowan - who shone against County - were all on the bench at Pittodrie, and fellow substitute Greg Taylor set up Reo Hatate's winning goal.

"We're in a really, really good place, and I think that is also part of the rotation," Rodgers said.

"Sometimes if you don't have the depth of squad and the strength in your squad, you may be having to play players all the time, which is when you have a greater risk of injury.

"What we've been able to do is manage the minutes of the players and where there has been maybe a little niggle, we can then take someone out. Or if someone has played a lot more minutes, then we have that possibility to take them out. That's the benefit of having a depth of squad.

"So I've really enjoyed that aspect of it, picking the teams to put out and giving that opportunity for some of them to have some breathing space. It also can depend on the game that you're playing and what it is you want from the game. That will decide who plays also.

"I have total trust in the group of players. Whatever team I send out for tomorrow goes out to attack the game.

"I've got a great group of players who are hungry, ambitious and all want to play."

George O'Neill
BBC Sport Scotland

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Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers has been talking to the media before his side's Scottish Premiership match against Hibs on Saturday.

Here are the best bits from his press conference:

• On his manager of the month award for November, Rodgers called it a "collective" effort and praised his players for performing "fantastically well".

• Rodgers was asked about Celtic facing a potential fine for fans' use of pyrotechnics during last month's League Cup semi-final win, and says he doesn't "see what it adds to the game". "It's right they look into it and try to stop it, hopefully," he added.

• He wants the safety of supporters in the stands and players on the pitch to be prioritised. Celtic's semi-final was delayed after pyro was set off, and Rodgers says the players "standing about" could have easily led to muscle injuries.

• The Celtic boss says the depth of quality in his squad has allowed him to rotate during a packed fixture schedule, which has in turn led to a reduction in injuries - there are no fresh concerns before Hibs visit Parkhead.

• On Hibs, Rodgers says he is "delighted" that opposite number David Gray has started to pick up more positive results in recent weeks and believes they have been "unfortunate in some games".

• Looking back at Wednesday's win over Aberdeen, Rodgers praised goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel for his performance in awful weather conditions. "He's a world-class shot-stopper, he's great with his feet and his handling is so clean."

• Rodgers also joked that centre-back pairing Cameron Carter-Vickers and Auston Trusty conspired to "make themselves look heroic" with the moment late on at Pittodrie where Carter-Vickers blocked Ester Sokler's shot over the bar.

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• Celtic have won their last three league meetings with Hibs, last winning more in a row over the Leith side from April 2010 to July 2011 (6).

• Hibs are winless in 19 away games against Celtic in all competitions (D4 L15) since a 2-1 victory in January 2010 under John Hughes. Hibs have lost their last five away to Celtic, last losing more in a row on the road against the Hoops in October 1984 (7).

• Celtic have won 21 of their last 23 league games (D2) since a 2-1 defeat at Hearts in March. At home, Celtic have won 14 of their last 16 (D2), with Hearts again the last side to beat them (2-0 in December 2023).

• Hibs have scored exactly three goals in both of their last two league games (W1 D1); they had only netted 3+ goals in two of their previous 21 league matches before this.

• Celtic's Nicolas Kuhn has been involved in more goals than any other player in the Scottish Premiership this season (5 goals, 6 assists), with his 11 involvements coming in just 12 appearances.

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John Beaton has been confirmed as the referee for the League Cup final between Celtic and Rangers on Sunday, 15 December.

The 42-year-old will be assisted by David McGeachie and Jonathan Bell.

Alan Muir will be the video assistant referee (VAR), assisted by Frank Connor.

Beaton has taken charge of two Scottish Cup finals and two League Cup finals in his career.