Celtic

James Forrest believes Celtic team-mate Nicolas Kuhn is close to a Germany call-up. (Herald - subscription), external

The noise the Celtic Park crowd make on Champions League nights is "guttural and animalistic", says Celtic right-back and vice-captain Alistair Johnston. (Record), external

Ardon Jashari, the midfielder who was linked with Celtic in the summer of 2023 before joining Club Bruges for £6m from Luzern, says the Belgian side must silence the home crowd in Wednesday's Champions League game in Glasgow. (Daily Record), external

Aston Villa and Scotland midfielder John McGinn is being hounded by friends and family for tickets for Celtic's Champions League visit to Villa Park later this season. (Sun), external

McGinn admits reports that a transfer to Celtic fell through before he joined Aston Villa from Hibernian in 2018 annoy him, but the 30-year-old adopts a "never say never" approach to joining his boyhood club sometime in the future. (Scottish Football Social Club), external

Read Tuesday's Scottish gossip

Jonathan Sutherland
Sportscene presenter

Celtic have three players in my team of the week after their 4-1 win at Hearts on Saturday.

Cameron Carter-Vickers delivered another big display, while Adam Idah was the perfect sub for Brendan Rodgers' side, scoring a double at Tynecastle.

Meanwhile, there was another top display from the top player in the Premiership right now. Nicolas Kuhn completed all of his dribbles, played some magnificent passes for his fellow forward players and his goal was superb. A player oozing confidence.

Watch Sportscene analysis of Celtic's 4-1 win against Hearts.

Christos Tzolis scored four of Club Bruges' goals in their 7-0 Saturday defeat of Sint-Truidense and exclaimed his side are "ready" for Wednesday's Champions League trip to Celtic Park. (Herald - subscription), external

Ayr United manager and former Celtic captain Scott Brown has spent almost £2m on a new house featuring a swimming pool. (Sun), external

Read Monday's Scottish gossip

Watch highlights of Hearts' 4-1 defeat against Celtic in the Scottish Premiership.

We asked for your views on Celtic's 4-1 win against Hearts.

Here's what some of you said:

Hugh: It must be a worry for our opponents that we can find a way to win even when we fail to get out of first gear. In our last two domestic games we have looked lethargic and disjointed for long spells of the games. However our quality, sparks of individual brilliance and sheer determination to win has got us over the line.

Patrick: Whether defending or attacking, you get the feeling each player knows their role. It's the same for substitutes too, the squad depth is massive for us this season and should be what gets us over the line first.

Gordy: We did start slowly but that was simply down to the international break, Hearts posed us some problems but I wouldn't say we looked worried, once we upped the tempo they couldn't live with us and if it wasn't for Craig Gordon it could have been more emphatic. Onto Europe now and hopefully at it from the off against Brugge who can be difficult to play against.

Dave: If other teams don't do damage to Celtic early in the match when they create some openings, then they have lost their chance. As soon as Celtic figure out how to beat the opposition they just swat them out of the way. The squad strength has been key to that.

Edward: Poor first half, better second half, let's hope we play as good on Wednesday.

Patrick: First half we were shocking, we played too safe, and it looked like a Kilmarnock game repeat. However, Brendan Rodgers' half time team talk did the job, and we dominated the second half. After Kyogo Furuhashi missing a few sitters, it begs the question whether or not he should be starting over Adam Idah after his brace.

Ray: Tough first half but perseverance and quality showed. Strength of squad and second goal made it comfortable and in no doubt. This is the best squad and belief for many a year. Rodgers has laser focus since his return and improvement in Champions League which is a long time coming, is now there for all to see.

Hugh: Slack first half, lack of thought and after the international break I thought we lacked composure and threat. We don't know what the manager said at the break but we soon set in to some style what we are used to. We looked comfortable and always looked as if we would score goals. In the end a fantastic result.

Image source, SNS

• Celtic have scored seven goals via substitutes in the Premiership this season, only Aberdeen (eight) have scored more.

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

• Celtic have scored in 12 of their 12 games, no team has done so more often in the Premiership this season.

• Hearts have conceded four penalties in the Premiership this season, more than any other team.

Clinical Celtic moved three points clear at the top of the Scottish Premiership with what eventually proved a straightforward win over Hearts at Tynecastle.

After Aberdeen's first league loss of the season earlier on Saturday, Brendan Rodgers' side knew they could put daylight between themselves and the Dons for the first time this term with victory in the capital.

However, they started slowly and were fortunate to go in at half-time on level terms after Blair Spittal and Lawrence Shankland spurned golden chances to give Hearts the lead.

It was a different story after the break though and Kyogo Furuhashi's seventh goal of the season put Celtic in front at the second attempt after Craig Gordon initially saved when Daniel Oyegoke's clearance deflected into the Japanese striker's path.

A wonderful break and finish from Nicholas Kuhn doubled Celtic's advantage five minutes later and the result was never in doubt from that point onwards.

Adam Idah added a third after some tidy passing on the edge of the Hearts box despite the best efforts of goalkeeper Gordon.

Neil Critchley's side continued to show impressive industry, and were rewarded for their efforts when substitute Musa Drammeh grabbed a late consolation, beating Kasper Schmeichel from long range with a powerful drive.

Idah then made it four from the penalty spot in time added on after James Forrest was tripped by Jorge Grant, to cap an excellent second-half showing from his side.

Celtic fans, were you at Tynecastle or following along from home? Either way, we want your thoughts on the game. Have your say., external

Image source, SNS

Nicolas Kuhn continued his magnificent form at Tynecastle.

He completed all of his dribbles, played some magnificent passes for his fellow forward players and took his goal with aplomb.

George O'Neill
BBC Sport Scotland

Image source, SNS

Although the sides went in level at half-time, it felt almost inevitable that Celtic would turn it on after the break, such are the standards manager Brendan Rodgers has set.

Kyogo was limited to just six touches in the opening period, but his first meaningful contribution of the match was to do what he does best, slotting home the opening goal after a sharp stop from Craig Gordon.

Nicolas Kuhn continued his wonderful season with a searing left-footed finish into the top corner on an evening where he oozed confidence and class.

Rodgers rung the changes from there and his squad's strength in depth was highlighted by the way they kicked on, not least with Adam Idah's cameo.

The Irish striker has a knack for scoring goals and offers a totally different threat to Kyogo - having someone of his quality to call upon off the bench is a real luxury for Rodgers.

Celtic now take real momentum into Wednesday's Champions League match against Club Brugge, as they look to continue their positive European campaign.

Image source, SNS

Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers tells BBC Scotland: "I'm really pleased. [Tynecastle] is a really tough place. To win 4-1 was really pleasing.

"Second half, we figured out their press. They have normally been pressing in 4-4-2 but changed it slightly. It just meant we had to drop a man in our build-up play.

"We had some good moments in the first half, but once we were able to play through that pressure, I thought in the second half we were excellent.

"It's a very exciting period for us. All the players know they will play, they just need to be ready."

Image source, SNS

Hearts: Gordon, Oyegoke, Kent, Rowles, Penrice, Devlin, Boateng, Baningime, Forrest, Spittal, Shankland.

Substitutes: Clark, Kingsley, Halkett, Grant, Dhanda, Wilson, Forrester, Musa, Vargas.

Celtic: Schmeichel, Johnston, Carter-Vickers, Trusty, Taylor, McGregor, Engels, Hatate, Kuhn, Maeda, Kyogo.

Substitutes: Sinisalo, Scales, Idah, Valle, McCowan, Bernardo, Forrest, Ralston.

We asked for your thoughts after Alistair Johnston signed a new contract with Celtic.

Here's a taste of what you had to say:

Gordy: Fantastic news that Ali has signed a new contract, he has been a revolution since we signed him - athletic, professional and a leader in the dressing room, everything demanded of a modern day footballer. If we could find someone similar for the left-back position we could strengthen the team immensely and continue to grow in Europe.

Patrick: So excited to have Johnston stay to 2029 - he's earned it. We've appreciated him for years in Canada, we knew he'd be going places soon. Can't think of a better league or team to play for!

Ealasaid: The AJ contract extension is excellent news as he's an exceptional player, great defender and fast and efficient at racing upfield. We'll be keeping him for a while longer, which is only a good thing, as he's creating a good partnership with Nicolas Kuhn. It's a sound business move too, as we'll hopefully receive decent compensation for him, if he moves.

Paul: Great to get Johnston tied down as I think he's better than Josip Juranovic in that right wing-back role, and he wasn't too shabby. I do think it's important Celtic sort the left wing-back position as soon as possible, as things stand Adam Montgomery could be the only left-back at the club next season.

Craig: Really pleased with this, he's been superb since day one. Would love to see Greg Taylor follow suit - splits opinion among fans but personably I believe he's just as important as Ali.

Graham: Since Juranovic was sold Johnston has been a main stay in the first team and has been one of the in form players this season! Contract extension is more than deserved, future Celtic captain.

Image source, SNS

Hearts could welcome attacker Yutaro Oda back following a two-month lay-off but Calem Nieuwenhof (hamstring) is still not ready to be considered for selection.

Cameron Carter-Vickers will be back in the Celtic squad, with Odin Thiago Holm (calf) the champions' only absentee.

Image source, SNS

Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers has defended former head of recruitment Mark Lawwell at the club's annual general meeting, saying it is impossible for every signing to be a success.

Lawwell, son of chairman Peter, left Parkhead in March after two years in the role, and his record was criticised at the AGM, with chief executive Michael Nicholson asked by a shareholder: "At what point did you decide to sack the chairman's son?"

Peter Lawwell said the shareholder - Celtic blogger Joe McHugh - had an "unhealthy obsession with me and my son".

Nicholson then said: "When Mark decided to leave to pursue other opportunities, we were sorry to see him go," before Rodgers praised Lawwell junior's work.

"Mark's influence in bringing in Ange Postecoglou was huge," Rodgers said. "If that was his only contribution here then he did a fantastic job. But he was influential in bringing in players like Alistair Johnston. Every player won't work out.

"My experience with working with Mark was second to none. He decided to go down a different route.

"He's a massive Celtic supporter from a family who want the best for Celtic. His intention was for the very, very best for Celtic and that's why I will defend him."

In a wide-ranging question-and-answer session, topics included ticket prices, stadium redevelopment, fan use of pyrotechnics and the ongoing conflict in Gaza.

Finance officer Chris McKay insisted he would consider calls to lower ticket prices, given the club's healthy bank balance, but mentioned current economic difficulties and stressed Celtic's cash reserves provide a welcome cushion.

"It gives us flexibility throughout various transfer windows to invest when we need to invest," he said.

"The cash won't last forever but if we are in the Europa League for a period of time we can run the business in normal circumstances without having to sell marquee players, and it allows us to invest in the squad."

Nicholson said pyro use was "not a Celtic-specific issue" and that he was more concerned by their dangerous nature rather than the fines the club have received. "It's a challenge we will continue to try to address," he added.

Image source, SNS

Brendan Rodgers has been speaking to the media as his Celtic side prepare to face Hearts on Saturday.

Here are the main points:

• Rodgers is "really pleased" with Alistair Johnston's new contract and can tell he loves being a Celtic player. There's nothing close with Greg Taylor but Rodgers "really wants him to stay here".

• On Nicolas Kuhn's potential to get into the Germany squad, Rodgers says the winger "can't do much more" to impress Julian Nagelsmann.

• On his own Celtic future, Rodgers says: "I said I’d be here for three years. At the end of three years I'll have done nearly six years. I haven’t really thought about it. For nearly a year there were probably more people who wanted me out than in so I'm not going to be talking about new contracts now.

• He adds: "I just need to continue to work well and do my best for the club and then I'm pretty sure at some point next season we can see how we’re going and take it from there. Coming back has made it better for me because I knew what I missed when I was away so I’m not in a big rush to be leaving it again."

• On the club's improvement in the Champions League, Rodgers says "we haven't done anything yet" but is hopeful this campaign gives supporters the "feeling we all want" - a team that is dominant domestically but can also show their power as a club in Europe.

• There are no new injuries after the international break, everyone has come back fine. Cameron Carter-Vickers was fit before the break but was left out of the game at Kilmarnock as a precaution. Rodgers says the centre-back won't play every game but doesn't need him to.

• The Celtic manager is expecting an intense game v Hearts and says the position they're in doesn't align with some of their performances.

• Alexandro Bernabei, currently on loan at Internacional, will return in January and Rodgers says it's "great that he's gone away and done well" but it won't be looked at until he comes back.

• On Dan Cummings and other young players, Rodgers says it's not just about scoring goals or performing, "it's your mentality and professionalism alongside ability that is what gets you the opportunity".

Celtic are unbeaten in 26 domestic games. The last Scottish team to beat them? Saturday's opponents, Hearts.

Back in early March, the Jambos prevailed 2-0 in a VAR-dominated contest in which Celtic missed a penalty and had Yang Hyun-jun controversially sent off before a Jorge Grant spot-kick and Lawrence Shankland strike secured victory for the hosts.

The drama wasn't finished there. Brendan Rodgers' post-match comments - the Celtic boss complained of "incompetence" from the match officials - earned him a one-game touchline ban.

Will Saturday night's encounter in Gorgie be similarly combustible?

When the fixtures were announced this will have been one of the games that Brendan Rodgers noticed. If he had known then it was going to be a Saturday evening game, he might have been even more fearful of it.

A raucous Tynecastle roaring on the third-best team in the country who had brought in some Premiership-proven talent in the summer was a game to take note of.

Instead it is almost top v bottom, with Hearts 22 points behind having played two games more.

The bare numbers suggest a stroll for the champions, but something says a noisy stadium and Neil Critchley getting two weeks training with his new players will make this a tricky game for the leaders.

Hearts pushed Rangers close at Ibrox last time out and taking the scalp of Celtic would be a big help in the Englishman convincing Jambos he is the right man for them.

A win for Hearts and other results going their way would see them move up to eighth and mean a very different atmosphere among fans and players.

And the squad knows how it feels, winning 2-0 in March last season. A repeat performance would be Hearts' first back-to-back home league wins against Celtic for the first time since 2006 under Valdas Ivanauskas.

Celtic having 13 players returning from international duty - with their Japan contingent facing long journeys - might help Hearts' cause.

That said, you would imagine Rodgers, armed with sports science data on his squad, will select according to fatigue levels and whatever 11 he fields will be strong.

They despatched Hearts in September at Celtic Park but the visitors had a first-half penalty award overturned after Lawrence Shankland's header came off Liam Scales' arm - so the story could have been different.

But then you remember Celtic have won all six of their away league games this season by an aggregate score of 18-1.

Read all the weekend Premiership picks

Celtic have delivered a major boost before the return to domestic action with Canada right-back Alistair Johnston signing a contract extension to 2029.

The 26-year-old - who says it is an "absolute honour to pull that famous jersey on every week" - has shone since arriving from Montreal FC, making 79 appearances.

The defender has become a growing goal threat too, with four of his six Celtic strikes coming this season.

How impressed are you by Johnston's impact in a position where Celtic have had some famous players in years gone by? And how important was it to tie him down on a long-term deal?

Share your thoughts., external

Denmark and Manchester United midfielder Christian Eriksen, 32, moving to Celtic on a free transfer this summer is an "obvious" move that "makes sense", according to former Old Trafford player Paul Parker. (SpilXperten via Football Scotland, external)

Celtic should be interested in Motherwell teenager Lennon Miller, having let the midfielder slip through their fingers previously, says former Scotland international Brian McClair, who played for both clubs. (Gambling.com via Daily Record, external)

Read the rest of Friday's Scottish gossip.

Image source, Getty Images

Amy Canavan
BBC Sport Scotland

Image source, SNS

When you think of Celtic's superb start to the season, it's hard not to picture Nicolas Kuhn scurrying down the wing or off celebrating a goal.

The German wideman has been a revelation this season and shone among a squad of stars.

He doesn't just pass the eye test with flying colours, his underlying stats are some of - if not the outright - best across the Scottish Premiership.

That's without factoring in his Champions League heroics.

With 10 goal contributions (goals and assists), he tops the league charts. He has created 28 chances, which is a high among Brendan Rodgers' players.

It's no surprise he tops the successful dribbling ranks too, with his tight touch and turn of pace often leaving defenders in a spin.

Kuhn is one of the key contributing players to Celtic's monstrous 436 touches in the opposition box - which is 97 more than second-best Hearts.

Sharp passing helps rack this number up - 93.9% of Celtic's passes are deemed short, while the reigning champions have enjoyed a commanding 73.9% of possession.

After a blistering start, the rumour mill has already started about potential interested parties pursuing Kuhn in the January transfer window.

If Celtic are to defend their title and shake off the Aberdeen charge, keeping a hold of the outstanding 24-year-old would be handy.