Celtic

Is it time for Luke McCowan to have a more prominent role at Celtic?

The midfielder was one of six changes to Brendan Rodgers' side in Saturday's 5-0 win over Ross County, during which the former Dundee captain contributed to three goals.

The 26-year-old scored one and assisted three in a rampant first half from the league leaders.

With a trip to nearest challengers Aberdeen to come on Wednesday, The Scotsman's sports editor Mark Atkinson believes McCowan should now be targeting starts in "high-stakes matches".

Listen to more on the BBC's Scottish Football Podcast

Celtic are linked with Brondby forward Mathias Kvistgaarden, 22. (Football Insider), external

Celtic "don’t have easy games" but "make the games look easy", says midfielder Paulo Bernardo, 22. (Record), external

Jordan White, 32, urges improvement from Ross County against Rangers on Sunday after they lost 5-0 at Celtic Park. (Press and Journal - subscription), external

Read Monday's Scottish gossip

We asked for your views on Celtic's 5-0 win over Ross County.

Here's what some of you said:

Gordon: Very comfortable home win, even with changes.

Steven: Luke McCowan and Paulo Bernardo showed how they both deserve opportunities in the starting line-up, both were excellent. McCowan in particular took his goal well and set up three more. Fresh legs now available for midweek too.

Anon: Scintillating first half with fortitude and finesse. I’m genuinely enjoying McCowan. He looks the part, plays the part and is living the dream. The trio of McGregor, Bernardo and McCowan move through the gears with such poise, it’s all about winning with style.

Gerard: The whole team played well, but I feel McCowan deserves more time on the pitch! A joy to watch, it’s a good time to be a Celtic supporter.

Billy: Class performance from a very good side. For the life of me can't understand why Steve Clark keeps omitting one of the best midfielders in Scotland. McCowan ran the show. What more does he have to do to get a call-up?

Image source, SNS

• Callum McGregor has scored six goals in the Premiership this season (one in this game), more than any other player.

• Celtic have scored in 13 of their 13 games, no team has done so more often in the Premiership this season.

• Celtic have scored in their last 22 games in the Premiership, their longest run of games with a goal in the competition since a run of 27 games from October 2022 to May 2023.

• Ross County attempted two shots in this game, the lowest total for any team in a single match in the Premiership this season.

• Celtic have scored in each of their last 22 games in the Premiership, scoring 67 goals in that run.

• Ross County have failed to score in eight of their 15 games, more often than any other team in the Premiership this season.

• Celtic have kept a clean sheet in 10 of their 13 games, more than any other in the Premiership this season.

Celtic have the highest average attendance in the Scottish Premiership this season so far with 59,022, with Rangers next on 47,878, followed by Heart of Midlothian on 18,527 and Aberdeen on 18,194. (Football Scotland), external

New Rennes head coach Jorge Sampaoli does not see former Celtic winger Jota, who had been impressing under previous boss Julian Stephen, as part of his plans. (Sunday Mail), external

Arsenal fans who managed to get #WeWantTierney trending on social media after former Celtic defender Kieran's return from injury were left disappointed when Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta instead sent on Oleksandr Zinchenko as a replacement for Riccardo Calafiori during their 5-2 trouncing of West Ham United. (Sunday Mail), external

A £2m mansion bought by former Celtic and Scotland midfielder and now Ayr United manager Scott Brown was once owned by former Rangers owner David Murray. (Scottish Sun On Sunday), external

Read Sunday's Scottish Gossip in full.

Were you at Celtic Park or following the match elsewhere?

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

Image source, SNS

Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers: "I thought it was a complete performance. I said we didn't want to wait on the game and I thought we were outstanding on that front.

"In the second half we could've had the same, but you have to give credit to Ross County. For a complete 90 minutes, that was so good on the back of a tough Champions League game in midweek.

"All the guys who came in can be called starters. We need that competition and energy because we put so much into the games."

On Luke McCowan, he added: "He's really settled in well. He's had to be patient. He gets his reward for how hard he works.

"It tells you everything about him that he comes in and for 70-odd minutes he's so good with his pressing, energy and quality."

Nick McPheat
BBC Sport Scotland

Image source, SNS

The embarrassment of riches at Brendan Rodgers' disposal was highlighted by the fact five of the six players who came into the starting line-up scored goals in a scintillating first half.

Luke McCowan was the standout of that group, the midfielder scoring and providing three assists, and the 26-year-old must be seriously knocking on the door of a Scotland call-up.

There is also nothing to suggest the ex-Dundee captain is not ready to start more regularly for the league leaders following a shrewd summer move from Dens Park.

Double figures would not have flattered Celtic, who have now scored at least two goals in each of their last 22 league games.

The County woodwork was hit three times after the break by a visiting defender, Greg Taylor and Adam Idah, who was also denied twice by substitute goalkeeper Jack Hamilton.

The only lingering negative on a positive day for the league leaders is the fact there were no academy prospects on the bench, especially given it was game they could have received valuable game-time in.

Christian Eriksen's £150,000-per-week wage contract is proving a stumbling block for Celtic in their pursuit of the 32-year-old Manchester United midfielder. (Football Insider), external

Celtic right-back Alistair Johnston is among 77 players - 22 of them defenders - in the shortlist from which the public can choose "The Best Fifa Men's 11" for 2024. (Glasgow Times), external

Read Saturday's Scottish Gossip in full.

Image source, SNS

Celtic have no fresh injury problems following their draw with Club Brugge. Odin Thiago Holm has been suffering from calf problems recently.

Will Nightingale (knee) and Max Sheaf (thigh) remain out for County.

Image source, SNS

Celtic boss Brendan Rodgers is expecting another tough test against a Ross County side helmed by his first signing as a manager.

Rodgers' side survived a big scare against Don Cowie's County in this season's previous league meeting, with Nicolas Kuhn's 88th-minute strike sealing a 2-1 comeback win in Dingwall.

Rodgers, whose relationship with the County manager dates back to his time in charge at Watford, said: "Obviously, Don, I know well.

"He was my first ever signing as a manager, when I was manager at Watford. And 50 grand, I think he was.

"He was brilliant for me at Watford. I've always been in contact with him and followed him.

"Obviously, he worked closely with Malky [Mackay] and then he's gone out on his own, and I think he's done a really, really good job.

"The game that we played up there, I think it could be a similar type of game. They were super organised.

"They all knew the job and all knew the role. And we had to work very hard at the end to get the result."

Clive Lindsay
BBC Sport Scotland

Celtic continue to ride the crest of the Brendan Rodgers wave both domestically and in Europe after Wednesday's 1-1 draw at home to an impressive Club Brugge inched the Glasgow side closer to the Champions League knockout stage.

They have now gone 11 games without defeat since their 7-1 thrashing by Borussia Dortmund - their only defeat in 20 games this season - and are two points clear at the top of the domestic table.

However, while their progress seems relentless and should continue beyond Saturday considering they have beaten visitors Ross County in their latest 12 meetings, there remain question marks about several positions.

With Adam Idah waiting in the wings, Kyogo Furuhashi's strike rate is being questioned considering his five goals this season only makes him joint top scorer in the Premiership along with nine others - including County's Ronan Hale.

There is also a battle at left-back between Scotland cap Greg Taylor and on-loan Barcelona 20-year-old Alex Valle.

However, the main spotlight after midweek is in central midfield, where there have been calls from some pundits and supporters for Arne Engels to make way for Paulo Bernardo.

Engels made an impressive start after his £11m August move from Augsburg but for the second time in recent weeks, Rodgers has had to defend the 21-year-old Belgium international after another subdued midweek performance.

Meanwhile, his Portuguese team-mate has been showing his qualities off the bench.

Considering County have only ever won once at Celtic Park and are without an away win in seven outings - and in 23 league games overall - their visit may be an ideal opportunity for Engels to regain his confidence.

Read all the weekend's Premiership picks

Charlotte Cohen
BBC Sport Scotland

Image source, SNS

Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers has been speaking to the media before his side face Ross County on Saturday.

Here are the main points:

• Rodgers gave his backing to record signing Arne Engels, who has received criticism for recent performances. The Northern Irishman compares it to Paulo Bernardo who came under the same scrutiny during his early time at Celtic: "It was exactly the same, now he can't be cheered on loud enough when he enters the pitch."

• The boss hopes "people will learn their lesson" and suggests the same supporters who were writing off Bernardo and Nicolas Kuhn are now criticising Engels - "you have to understand development takes time".

• He's also not concerned about Adam Idah's performances and insists every Celtic fan should know what he can do. He adds "it's not always about scoring".

• On the 1-1 draw with Club Brugge in the Champions League, Rodgers admits it's the kind of game he has lost before but adds the group are making great strides to be competitive at the top level - "it's another step to where we want to go".

• On Cameron Carter-Vickers following his own goal on Wednesday, the Celtic boss insists "he's been a real colossal player for this club and will continue to be" and says he was pleased with the centre-back's response during the match.

• On Alistair Johnston being long-listed in the Best Fifa men's XI for 2024, Rodgers says it's "absolutely brilliant for him" and shows his consistency domestically and internationally is being recognised while demonstrating "how he's rising as a footballer".

• Rodgers admits he would like to improve the squad in January, saying that if the right player is available "we would certainly look at it".

• Looking to Ross County on Saturday, Rodgers knows they will be "very determined" and says Don Cowie was his first signing as a manager so he has followed his career closely.

Image source, SNS

Celtic right-back Alistair Johnston has been longlisted for the Men's XI at the 2024 Fifa Best Awards.

Johnston, 26, won both the Scottish Premiership and Scottish Cup with Celtic last season and also helped Canada to a fourth-place finish in their first appearance at the Copa America.

The former Montreal FC player - who signed for the Parkhead club in 2022 - has impressed again this season, scoring four goals and contributing five assists in 19 appearances.

Image source, SNS

• Celtic have won their last 12 meetings with Ross County in all competitions since a 1-0 defeat in February 2021.

• Ross County have lost 15 of their 18 league visits to Celtic (D3), including their last 11 in a row by an aggregate score of 34-3.

• Celtic have scored at least two goals in each of their last 21 league games (62 goals total, 3.0 per game). This is the longest run of scoring more than one goal in the club's league history

• Only Hibernian (2) have earned fewer away points in the Scottish Premiership this season than Ross County (3). The Staggies are winless in 23 league games on the road (D9 L14) since beating Kilmarnock in September 2023 (1-0).

• Ross County's Ronan Hale has had more shots (46) than any other player in the Scottish Premiership this season, while he is the league's joint top scorer (5 goals).

Barcelona have decided against recalling Alex Valle from his loan in January as they are happy with the 20-year-old left-back's progress with Celtic. (Sport via Glasgow Times), external

Celtic striker Daniel Cummings, who is out of contract next summer, was watched by Burnley, Fulham, Ipswich Town, Sunderland and Wolverhampton Wanderers as the 18-year-old scored his fifth goal in five Uefa Youth League games in a 1-0 win over Club Brugge. (Football Insider), external

On-loan 21-year-old Celtic striker Johnny Kenny's latest Conference League goal secured a draw away to Rapid Vienna that all but ensures Shamrock Rovers' progress to the knockout stage. (Scottish Sun), external

Read Friday's Scottish Gossip in full.

Image source, SNS

Kheredine Idessane
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

Captain Callum McGregor has urged Celtic to deliver "one big win" to achieve their target of qualifying for the Champions League last 16 play-offs.

The midfielder believes he and his team-mates have put together "a good body of work" by taking eight points from their first five games.

With Dinamo Zagreb away to come next month, followed by Young Boys at home in January and a trip to face Aston Villa, McGregor is confident Celtic can reach the knockout phase.

Speaking after the 1-1 draw with Club Brugge at Celtic Park, McGregor said: "We're maybe feeling we've missed an opportunity because it's a home game and we were the team that was pressing to win.

"So there's a little bit of disappointment there but it's important we take stock of where we are. We have three games to still progress and we're where we want to be, where it's all in our own hands. We've got everything to play for.

"When you look at how it's shaping up, you're one big win away from reaching the objective which was trying to get into the play-offs, so it's been a really good body of work.

"There's still a lot of work to do but the players are growing in confidence all the time. We're always still learning as well. It's been a good campaign so far."

Digging out results in the rarefied air of the Champions League is something the skipper feels Celtic have greatly improved at.

He suggests the manner of the 3-1 win over Leipzig perhaps raised hopes that an impressive Brugge outfit would be brushed aside.

"The performance level against Leipzig was so high. It was a perfect storm," added McGregor.

"There are times you have to suffer because they're all good teams. Brugge showed that. You're not always going to have everything your own way.

"That's another string to our bow at this level - we're happy to suffer when we need to."