Celtic

We asked for your views on Celtic's derby draw at Rangers.

Here's what some of you said:

Paul: Celtic should've won this game, several decisive opportunities spurned, although Rangers had a few chances themselves. The jury is still out on Adam Idah, he still has a lot improve on to appease the Celtic support but his goal was well taken. The draw wasn't a fair result in the end though.

Ray: Pretty flat with two poor teams on the day. Celtic seriously need a partner for Cameron Carter-Vickers and midfield and wide players were easily snuffed out once again. Don't seem to learn that Rangers know how to stop Celtic playing. Bit of a damp squib.

Andrew: Liam Scales has cost us too many times in big games. Idah has the attributes but needs to work harder. Need a better centre-back and centre-forward than them for next season for a start. Sinisalo looked steady for the little that was thrown at him. The game was there for the taking but too often we got in good positions and the ball came back towards our own goal. So while avoiding defeat at Ibrox is never a bad thing, it feels like an opportunity missed with having the balance of play.

Liam: If Brendan Rodgers or any fans are going to lay their hat on Idah being our main number nine next season, we will regress. He was poor for most of the game. His lack of football intelligence is baffling when you compare to what has gone before. Scales and Reo Hatate also continue to fail to consistently hit the heights we need. I expect a few changes in the summer and they are needed to try and improve this group. A number nine is first, a centre-mid, winger and centre-back.

Shaun: I still think Idah isn't good enough, he hasn't shown the hunger and determination to be good enough and his body language is a sure sign he isn't good enough. There are a few players who need to leave like Kasper Schmeichel, Auston Trusty, Scales, Luke McCowan and Arne Engels. Sinisalo was outstanding and should be number one. There are too many bit-part players at the club who need to go and it will free up a lot of wages to bring in a better calibre of player.

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• Rangers have failed to win in their last four games in the Premiership, their last joint longest winless streak was from 1 February 2017 to 24 February 2017.

• Celtic have scored in 32 of their 35 games, more often than any other team in the Scottish Premiership.

• Daizen Maeda has contributed to goals in his last three games in the Premiership (one goal, three assists).

• Maeda has also now assisted 10 goals in the Premiership this season (one in this game), more than any other player.

• Cyriel Dessers has scored 14 goals in the Premiership this season (one in this game), more than any other Rangers player.

• Mohammed Diomande has assisted seven goals in the Premiership this season (one in this game), no Rangers player has more.

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Daizen Maeda is determined to maintain the stellar level that has rewarded the Celtic striker with PFA Scotland's player of the year prize.

The Japan forward has scored 33 goals and provided 12 assists in an excellent season for the Scottish Premiership champions, who will secure another domestic treble if they beat Aberdeen in this month's Scottish Cup final.

It is the ninth time in 11 years that a Celtic player has taken home the award, with Maeda beating team-mates Callum McGregor and Nicolas Kuhn, as well as Dundee forward Simon Murray, in the votes cast from players across the SPFL divisions.

"Everything I've built up to this season has paid off," said the 27-year-old, who also claimed his club's player of the year prize, said.

"I'm doing the best for the team I play for, that's motivation for me to keep working hard and continue what I've been doing."

Celtic came from behind to deny Rangers a third straight victory over their rivals as Adam Idah's second-half strike frustrated Barry Ferguson's home side in the Scottish Premiership.

Nicolas Raskin had an early header ruled out for offside before Cyriel Dessers netted his 25th goal of the season for Rangers just before half-time, only for Republic of Ireland international Idah to pounce and level.

For Scottish champions Celtic, the point allows them to retain their 17-point margin over the second-top Ibrox side as they close out another successful league campaign unscathed.

What did you make of that, Celtic fans? Was a draw the right result? Did anyone impress you?

Let us know your thoughts here.

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Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers thought his side's "performance level was a good one" in the draw at Ibrox.

"Rangers changed their structure, we were playing against a diamond, so once we figured that out, we had lots of moments where we played through that pressure well," he told BBC Scotland.

"There weren't too many chances either side. We had to be strong in some set-piece moments in the first half. At half-time, I still felt we were at a good place in the game.

"Second half, we controlled the game. When you come to Ibrox, you sometimes have 10-15 minutes where you're under real pressure, backs to the wall, but I never really felt that.

"If I was to criticise, maybe our final third play didn't lend us to creating opportunities. But our build-up was composed. We got the goal, we deserved it."

On goalscorer Adam Idah, Rodgers added: "Adam doesn't get criticism from us, we know his qualities. This is his first full season here, he's only going to get better.

"He's a player for the big moments. He scores big goals, in big games. He will get better all the time.

"People are judging him on his price tag, but he doesn't set that. He's a real handful for us and has shown that at every level, he gets goals."

Martin Dowden
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

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With a fourth successive Scottish Premiership title in the bag, this mattered little to Celtic. Except it did. They all do against Rangers.

Having lost their last two league fixtures against the Ibrox side, losing three goals in each of the last three meetings, there was no chance this would be taken lightly.

Manager Brendan Rodgers pointed to starting well and being more alert at set pieces. Both were missing and they were fortunate more than once not to concede.

However, they responded well and took a grip of matters at times, albeit their opponents had better chances, particularly in the first-half.

That they managed to come from behind is a reminder of their character and self-belief. Not at their best again, but in this environment, and circumstance, they will surely be satisfied.

It is also a big moment for Adam Idah. His goal return has been reasonable given his minutes on the pitch, but it is another big one against Rangers that will boost the perception of his overall contribution.

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Liam Scales believes criticism of Celtic and Republic of Ireland team-mate Adam Idah is harsh and the defender backs the striker to shine against Rangers on Sunday. (Sun), external

Scales, 26, enjoys fishing in Scotland as it is "good for keeping your mind clear". (Record), external

James Forrest, 33, plays down the notion that he will take a penalty should Celtic be awarded one before the end of the season to maintain his streak of scoring in successive seasons dating back to the 2009-10 campaign. (Glasgow Times), external

Read Sunday's Scottish gossip

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Rangers defender Leon Balogun has trained with a mask after a minor operation on a cracked cheekbone. Ridvan Yilmaz and Dujon Sterling (Achilles) are out for the season while Tom Lawrence remains out. Neraysho Kasanwirjo has recovered from a knee problem and played in the Glasgow Cup final against Celtic during the week.

Celtic have lost Jota to a serious knee injury and Dane Murray is also out for the season with a knee problem. Alistair Johnston (hip) also drops out but Yang Hyun-jun could return and Daizen Maeda and Nicolas Kuhn are expected to shake off knocks. Kasper Schmeichel (shoulder) is still out.

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Celtic could face competition for Brondby striker Mathias Kvistgaarden, 23, from Frankfurt. (Glasgow Times), external

Read Saturday's Scottish gossip

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Brendan Rodgers insists Celtic are playing for "pride" against Rangers on Sunday, having lost the two previous meetings between the sides.

With the league already won, the League Cup in the bag and a Scottish Cup final to look forward to, Rodgers wants his side to end the season on a high.

"This is a game that is all about pride," the Northern Irishman said.

"And we've proved our point over the course of this season in terms of our performance level, consistency. I think the challenge in these games is that we've been so comfortable going into the games, and I felt that has really disrupted our mindset. When it was win or bust in the cup final, we won it, because that's it.

"These games we've been so comfortable, and even though you're pushing, I know what these games mean to supporters and what it means to myself and the club, there just can be that little bit in the back of the mind that you're 13 points clear or 16 points clear.

"And so that has taken a fraction of an edge off that you don't want, but there's maybe a subconscious thing there.

"But this here, this is our last game. We are fighting for the pride of our team and also for our supporters, because we lost the last game at Ibrox, deservedly so.

"We shouldn't have lost the game at home, but we did, and we have to make that right in the last game.

"I hear the talk up here about meaningless games. There's never that. A Celtic-Rangers game, there's never a meaningless game or there's nothing in the game. There's everything in this game, everything.

"So, we have to go and prove that on the field. Yes, we are champions with the best team, the most consistent team, with the mentality, Champions League progression, all of this here. But these are important games."

Charlotte Cohen
BBC Sport Scotland

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Brendan Rodgers has been speaking to the media as his side prepare for Sunday's derby against Rangers.

Here are the main points:

• Jota will be sidelined for "six to nine months" after suffering an ACL injury in last weekend's victory at Tannadice.

• Alistair Johnston won't feature at Ibrox, Rodgers confirms he's being managed ahead of the cup final later this month, meanwhile Daizen Maeda, Nicolas Kuhn should be available and Hyunjun Yang is back in the squad.

• On the potential for Rangers to give Celtic a guard of honour at Ibrox, Rodgers says "it's not in the rules to do it" but thinks it's a "mark of respect" to the champions. However the Celtic boss says he understands "if you come up short quite a lot it can be a challenge for you and to justify that to your supporters".

• With the league already won, Rodgers insists his side are "playing for pride" against their Glasgow rivals having lost the last meeting between the sides at Ibrox.

• When asks if he expects a great challenge from Rangers next season, Rodgers says "talk to me in the summer" and was keen to stress how good his Celtic side have been this campaign.

• On the potential for Adam Idah to lead the line on Sunday, Rodgers says everyone has been judging the former Norwich striker on his price tag but insists his "actual ratio" of minutes played to goals scored is "actually very good.

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• Rangers have won their past two league games against Celtic, last winning three in a row over their rivals in January 2021. The Ibrox side had won just one of their previous 12 against the Hoops (D3 L8) prior to their last two successive wins.

• After their 3-0 defeat in January, Celtic could lose two away league games against Rangers in a season for the first time since 2020-21, which was the last season they failed to win the Scottish Premiership.

• The side scoring first has only lost one of their past 26 league Old Firm derbies (W21 D4), with that a 2-1 defeat for Rangers at home in April 2022. In the past five league matches between the two clubs, the opener has been scored within the opening seven minutes.

• Rangers have conceded at least two goals in each of their past eight league games (17 goals conceded overall). The last Scottish top-flight side to concede 2+ goals more times in a row were Gretna from February to April 2008 (10).

• Celtic have a goal difference of +80 in this season's Scottish Premiership (102 scored, 22 conceded). In their league history, only in 1915-16 (+93), 1935-36 (+82), 1967-68 (+92), and 2016-17 (+81) have they ever had a better difference between goals scored and conceded at the end of a campaign.

• After guiding them to a 3-2 win in March, Barry Ferguson could become the first Rangers manager to win both of his first two league meetings with Celtic.

• Daizen Maeda has scored in three of Celtic's four meetings with Rangers in all competitions this season; he had only scored in two of his first 15 Old Firm derby appearances before this. Maeda has 33 goals and 10 assists in 47 games for Celtic in all competitions in 2024-25 overall.

• Each of Rangers' last 10 league goals against Celtic have been scored by different players: Tavernier, Sima, Matondo, Dessers, Hagi, Propper, Danilo, Raskin, Diomande, and Igamane.

Liverpool and Arsenal are among a host of Premier League clubs showing interest in Celtic forward Daizen Maeda and the 27-year-old Japan international might be available for around £25m this summer. (The Boot Room), external

Stephen Welsh expects to return to Celtic a better player after the 25-year-old centre-back's loan spell with Belgian side Mechelen. (Daily Record), external

Celtic are to release goalkeeper Joe Morrison, defender Alasdair Davidson and striker Lewis Dobbie from their youth squad in the summer. (Daily Record), external

Celtic received £874,000 from European governing body Uefa for players called up to international duty, the largest payout in Scotland, almost double Rangers' £438,000. (Football Insider), external

Read the rest of Friday's Scottish gossip.

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Callum McGregor was delighted to see Celtic team-mates act like "tourists" by filming fans celebrating the club's fourth successive title triumph.

Brendan Rodgers' squad returned to a heroes welcome at Celtic Park last Saturday after securing glory with a 5-0 win at Tannadice.

While captain McGregor now has 24 winner's medals with Celtic, some players were celebrating their first and were encouraged to capture every moment of the raucous party.

"Obviously we've been back to the stadium, there's probably 2,500 to 3,000 people there, huge numbers, and you can see the guys that haven't experienced it before, they walk out and, I can't remember who it was that was saying, but just a bit of advice, 'video it'," said McGregor.

"And you've got the boys like tourists all videoing the celebrations. But it's a brilliant keepsake as well because obviously you take it in with your eyes but to have it on video as well and to be able to watch it back shows you when you win the league there's a huge celebraton.

"For the guys that haven't felt it before then instantly it hits them just how important this is and just how important winning the league for Celtic is.

"We are human beings as well, we obviously are on the other side of the touchline and there's huge demand and people think that you're a robot, but we're human beings as well and we have the same problems in life that everyone else has.

"So when we achieve success and we do it together we also want to remember it as well and we want to feel those emotions.

"You dedicate a huge part of your life to play football and to get those moments on the other side, then absolutely, go and video it go and be a tourist, go and be a fan and enjoy it and soak up the moment because it's hugely important as well to do that."

Jack Herrall
BBC Sport Scotland

There has been a lot of noise around Nicolas Kuhn recently. Is any of it merited?

Kuhn's end product and effectiveness has seemingly slowed after a blistering start to the season had him tipped for a Germany call-up, but he's still an integral part of the Celtic juggernaut that are close to another domestic treble.

After scoring the first of a double before half-time in the title-clinching thrashing of Dundee United last weekend, Kuhn's celebration seemed pointed - but he insists it wasn't meant to be.

Asked if it was aimed at anyone, he said: "Not anyone in particular, but to a lot of people.

"I don't really read what people are saying, but I heard from some of the team-mates and stuff, so I'm just happy that we won the title, and we keep going."

When Kuhn's output in the first half of the Premiership season is compared to his second, it suggests he is marginally less efficient.

The 25-year-old has made 29 league appearances this term and the following is based on his first 14 games (892 minutes played) compared to his second 15 (839 minutes played).

Six goals in each half of the season, at a rate of 0.61 per 90 minutes to 0.64, show he's still as clinical in front of goal as a wide man.

He scored his first six from an xG (expected goals) of 5.35, and the second from 3.18 xG. If anything, he's been able to bag a few more goals than he should have since the halfway mark of this campaign.

Two assists in the second half, compared to six in the opening half, show his creative impact has dripped, however.

Similarly, he has only created 16 chances, 1.7 per 90 in the second half of the season, compared to 31, or 3.1 per 90, in the opening 14 games.

Touches in the opposition box are down too, as are passes played into the box, but he remains a crucial player.

And after ending an eight-game league run without a goal by scoring twice at Tannadice, might Kuhn be rekindling his best form as the Scottish Cup final looms in just over three weeks' time?

Kuhn, for one, is pretty pleased with his part in Celtic's season so far: "A lot of players did a good job this season already, and I think I wasn't too bad either."

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Luke McCowan insists Celtic have no point to prove at Ibrox on Sunday but are determined to show why they are champions.

Despite treble-chasing Celtic's domestic dominance, Rangers have won the past two derbies this season.

"I don't think it's really a point to prove," said midfielder McCowan.

"We are the most consistent team in Scotland, that's why we won the league.

"But I think it's just more about showing to ourselves that it's not about us winning the league last week, it's about each performance that's coming along with that and showing that we are champions, wherever we go, regardless of it being at Ibrox on Sunday, or Hibs at home, or anybody.

"It's about putting on performances and we've got targets in our season that we want to hit.

"We've got other records within the season that we want to break, so that's the goal and we just need to go and show that.

"Ask anybody on the team or outwith those gates, your head-to-head against Rangers is always going to be important.

"It's about being consistent throughout your season. It's about showing that you're now champions, going into their patch and proving why you are and putting on a performance that shows that, so that's the kind of goal for Sunday.

"Everybody was disappointed in the last two results against Rangers. There was no hiding that, no getting away from it.

"You're expected to win at this club, and that's what we should be doing and hopefully come Sunday, that's what we are doing."

McCowan, 27, isn't expecting a guard of honour at Ibrox when the newly-crowned champions play their first game since securing the title at Tannadice last weekend.

"No. No, not at all. But that's just how it is, isn't it?," he said.

"I don't know how it would be if it was on the other foot. We'll never really know I don't think, but we will wait and see what happens."

Kheredine Idessane
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

I may well be swimming against the tide with this one but there absolutely is such a thing as a meaningless derby between Rangers and Celtic.

This Sunday's is a prime case in point. The players will disagree, neither manager would dare admit it, and many fans might even be scratching their heads at my reasoning.

I'm doubling down, however: this latest episode of Glasgow's big footballing rivalry means the square root of diddly squat.

So what if Rangers claim three wins over the men from Parkhead this season? Any meaningful title tilt from Ibrox had disappeared long before the bells.

You'll remember Rangers cruised through the New Year derby? Inconsequential. All it did was reduce Celtic's lead at the top from very embarrassing (from a Rangers point of view) to simply embarrassing. Double figures, still, after Philippe Clement's first – and only – taste of victory in the fixture.

His rollercoaster reign didn't even last long enough for the second Parkhead derby of the term. That Rangers won that one as well was a massive shot in the arm for Barry Ferguson and an indication that, on any given day, Rangers can comfortably go toe to toe with this Celtic team and come out on top.

The wider significance? Absolutely none. Celtic's lead after losing back-to-back derbies? Thirteen points.

Which brings us neatly to the match on Sunday, and the ultimate ignominy for the men from Govan. With the calendar barely having flipped into May, they'll be hosting a team already crowned four-in-a-row champions. I'm sure the arrangements for the guard of honour are well under way.

Yes, of course pride is at stake, for both sides. Yes, of course Callum McGregor doesn't want to be the first Celtic captain to lead the side to the title while losing three times to Rangers in the same season.

My guess, however, is he'd get over it pretty quickly, given he'll soon be leading his team out at Hampden with (yet another) treble on the line.

Realistically, this is a match of no great import in the grand scheme of Scottish football. Should Rangers win, the gap to Celtic will be a 'mere' 14 points.

The uncomfortable truth for Rangers is Celtic have had bigger fish to fry this season. Champions League opposition in January. Aberdeen to come in the Scottish Cup final.

Losing the derbies hasn't mattered in the procession towards silverware, so it's little surprise they've been lacking an edge in the last two derbies.

Will they find it again on Sunday? Again, it doesn't really matter, apart from owing the 2,500 away fans in Ibrox a performance.