Nicolas Kuhn's improvement at Celtic is analysed by Sportscene pundits Billy Dodds and Lee Miller, who remarks that the German plays with a "cheat code" on.
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Image source, SNSRetiring from international football has already proved beneficial for Callum McGregor, with the Celtic captain leading the way in the Champions League running stakes.
No player in the competition has covered more ground than the 59.5km racked up by McGregor in the opening four matches.
The 31-year-old, who called time on his Scotland career in August, said of his running stats: "I've always been not bad at that one.
"No, listen, it is what it is, what football is these days, it's a running game. You've got to look after yourself, and the boys are in a really good place, so we just try and stay on that as much as we can."
McGregor will get some rest this week before embarking on an intense period - described by manager Brendan Rodgers as an "ultra-marathon" - that will see Celtic play 20 games in 10 weeks after the international break.
McGregor added: "When you look at the games, obviously November, December, January as well, I think there's nine or 10 games in January alone.
"So you've got to be ready, you've got to be ready to play, the team, the squad, everyone, this little period is so important for us."
McGregor also hailed Nicolas Kuhn's form this season as a big factor in Celtic's imposing start.
The German winger has scored 10 goals this term, including two in their impressive Champions League victory over RB Leipzig, and has provided 11 assists as Rodgers' side sit top of the Scottish Premiership and are unbeaten domestically.
Both McGegor and Kuhn netted in Sunday's 2-0 win at Kilmarnock and the skipper said of his team-mate: "Unbelievable. His form has been incredible, especially for a young wide player.
"Sometimes it can fluctuate a little bit, but since the start of the season, I think probably since that Man City game in pre-season, he's been unplayable, and his numbers obviously back that up as well.
"So he's in brilliant form, and when you've got someone like that at the top of the pitch, you know he can relieve pressure for you and get big goals."
Former Celtic player Johan Mjallby believes the club could charge £30m should they sell winger Nicolas Kuhn, 24, in January. (Record), external
Celtic striker Adam Idah has pulled out of the Republic of Ireland squad to face Finland and England after the hefty head knock he suffered in a challenge with Kilmarnock's Joe Wright. (Sun), external
Aberdeen's form has put Celtic on alert, says the defending champions' captain Callum McGregor. (Record), external
Club Bruges head coach Nicky Hayen, whose side face Celtic in the Champions League this month, lashed out at his own players and accused them of having an attitude problem after they threw away a two-goal lead against bottom side Beerschot in the Belgian top flight. (Herald - subscription), external
Internacional hope to convert Alex Bernabei's loan from Celtic into a longer term arrangement. (Sun), external
Two thirds of Celtic fans believe the Scottish champions should have an independently elected fan advisory board, according to new research from the University of Glasgow. (Glasgow Times), external
Jonathan Sutherland
Sportscene presenter
Kilmarnock pushed Celtic all the way at Rugby Park, but the visitors' quality saw them through in the end, with their star men all performing.
Kasper Schmeichel put in a player of the match performance, making a number of big saves. Kilmarnock had a better xG (expected goals) than Celtic, which underlines just how important his steadying performance was.
Auston Trusty helped keep a key clean sheet away from home. Without Cameron Carter-Vickers you always wonder if they opposition might find a way through, but Scales and Trusty did just enough to help keep a spirited Killie at bay.
Nicolas Kuhn is simply the most exciting player in Scotland right now. My favourite pass of the season was his the other night against RB Leipzig, opening up a chance for Daizen Maeda. Unfortunately the Japanese international blazed his shot over the bar, thus denying Kuhn surely the assist of the season.
He's another superb example of the Celtic recruitment model. He had plenty of doubters when he first arrived, but now the papers are talking about him as a potential £25million player. The run and finish to see off the challenge of Kilmarnock was superb.
Watch highlights as Celtic beat Kilmarnock in the Scottish Premiership.
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Image source, SNSCeltic manager Brendan Rodgers told Sportsound: "Obviously we had to deal with a lot of pressure and direct balls, and deal with a lot of duels. But to keep a clean sheet and work that hard, especially after midweek, then show moments of quality to get goals, I'm very proud of the team.
"They play a pressure game, and we had to be strong and aggressive and show our spirit and to get the three points is very pleasing.
"A year ago, that result would maybe have gone the other way, but that was a real test of some different qualities and we came through it so it shows the team is in a good place.
"Nicolas [Kuhn] is growing and developing. He is disappointed with the one he missed, but his run, touch and finish were sublime. Adding numbers to his game is one of the things we talked about and it's testament to him that he's done that."
Martin Dowden
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter
Image source, SNSYou have to earn Premiership titles and Celtic delivered here in the most testing of circumstances. They adapted to what they confronted and got the job done
In complete contrast to their recent dominant displays against Aberdeen and RB Leipzig, this showed a different side to Celtic's character.
They were pushed and pushed to the limit but still emerged unscathed.
Captain McGregor was instrumental once more. He had gone close already before just seizing control to deliver the breakthrough.
It was fortunate but the way he calmly dictated Celtic up the pitch was impressive.
And what else is there to say about Kuhn right now? His level is off the charts and in key moments he has no hesitation.
Everything he touches seems to turn to goals, either directly or via assists. His development from last season is incredible.
Rodgers will be thrilled with the outcome but also likely by the manner of coming through such a grilling. They did so and stay very much on course.
Image source, SNSKasper Schmeichel. He's not been tested too much during his time in Scotland so far, but today was a performance to remember.
Six saves, some of them fantastic, kept Kilmarnock at bay when they really should have been ahead.
Add to that his calm, composed presence and some of his tidy footwork, he was the stand out.
Image source, SNSKilmarnock defender Stuart Findlay has been ruled out for several months with the ankle injury he suffered at Dundee.
Liam Polworth (calf) is pushing for a return and long-term absentee Kyle Magennis is still building up his fitness.
Celtic defenders Cameron Carter-Vickers and Auston Trusty did not train on Friday but both might feature. Odin Thiago Holm remains out with a calf problem.
Brendan Rodgers hopes Celtic can reach a new contract agreement with Greg Taylor, saying he wants to work with the left-back "for as long as I possibly can". (Football Scotland), external
Celtic forward Daniel Cummings, 18, is being tracked by a host of English clubs, with the Scotland youth international out of contract next summer. (Football Insider), external
Reo Hatate is back to his "thrilling best" with "outrageous talent and an engine to keep it all running", says ex-Celtic striker Chris Sutton, who says the midfielder "looks to be really grasping senior-figure responsibility". (Daily Record), external
Read the rest of Saturday's Scottish gossip.
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Image source, SNSBrendan Rodgers says Celtic are keen to tie right-back Alistair Johnston down to a new deal with the club.
Johnston signed for Celtic on a five-year deal in December 2022 from CF Montreal and has shone under both Rodgers and his predecessor Ange Postecoglou.
Reports this week suggested the Canadian was close to agreeing a higher wage on a contract that would extend his time in Glasgow beyond 2027, but Rodgers said there is "nothing I can add," when asked about those reports.
"He's clearly a player we would want to tie down. He's a fantastic guy to work with on and off the pitch, so hopefully in the future that can be the case."
Rodgers was also asked about Greg Taylor's future, with the left-back in the final year of his deal at Parkhead.
In September, Rodgers said a new deal for the Scotland defender was a "real priority".
While the Northern Irishman would still like to keep Taylor at the club, he said there has been no progress of note behind the scenes.
"Nothing as of yet," Rodgers said. "You see his importance to our game the other night [against RB Leipzig].
"He's clearly someone I see as a big part of what we’re looking to continue here and I hope over the coming months we can do that. There does come a point where both sides have to understand what we’re thinking. If it’s not going to happen we can then plan and prepare.
"I hope it doesn't get to that because I love working with Greg Taylor. I can't tell you how influential he is off the pitch, and how good he’s been on the pitch."
Image source, SNSCeltic manager Brendan Rodgers has been talking to the media before his side's trip to Rugby Park in the Scottish Premiership on Sunday.
Here are the best bits from his press conference:
Says he could not argue with the assessment of Tuesday's Champions League win over RB Leipzig being a "generational game". Sees it as the culmination of the work done over the last 12-16 months, and the performance level made him "so proud".
Insists it is now about sustaining that level as they look to achieve their Champions League aim of reaching the play-offs.
Thinks Celtic have shown they are "a good side" with three of their four Champions League performances this season, the heavy defeat away to Borussia Dortmund aside.
Played down the notion of proving critics wrong after the Dortmund loss, and stressed the "courage" of his players to bounce back from that result with a draw at Atalanta and then the statement win over Leipzig.
On Kilmarnock, Rodgers says it is "always tough" against a Derek McInnes team. Expects them to be "well-organised and super motivated".
Rodgers says "we would want to tie down" right-back Alistair Johnston to a new contract, and although he praised "influential" Greg Taylor, he says there is "nothing as of yet" in terms of a new deal for the Scotland international.
Rodgers is hopeful he will have the same squad available as he did for the win over Leipzig. Auston Trusty and Cameron Carter-Vickers both missed training on Friday as a "precaution".
Clive Lindsay
BBC Sport Scotland
Having swept aside Aberdeen in the League Cup semi-final - then RB Leipzig 3-1 in the Champions League - Celtic once more look a relentlessly potent force.
If Brendan Rodgers had failed to convince some last season despite eventually cantering to the league title, his side's recent scintillating performances are helping put to bed unfavourable comparisons with Celtic under predecessor Ange Postecoglou.
Yes, there was the 7-1 thrashing away to Borussia Dortmund, but they have shrugged off that embarrassment by going seven games unbeaten since.
Albeit one of those was Aberdeen's two-goal fightback to draw at Celtic Park, it has culminated in their two most impressive displays this season.
Indeed, it is 25 games since they last lost domestically, against Hearts at Tynecastle in March, and they head to Rugby Park on Sunday having won all five away league games this season.
Celtic eased to a 4-0 win on Kilmarnock's visit to Glasgow in August and handed out a 5-0 thrashing to clinch the title on their last trip to Ayrshire in May, all of which does not suggest Derek McInnes' side will offer much resistance this time either.
However, Kilmarnock are unbeaten in four at home and will take heart from their last Rugby Park outing - when a single goal accounted for the other side of the Old Firm to heap pressure on Rangers manager Philippe Clement and send McInnes to the top of the bookmakers' odds as the Belgian's likely successor.
Indeed, Celtic headed home beaten in their other two visits last season - once in the Premiership and once in the League Cup - as well being held to a draw at Celtic Park.
We could be in for some post-Bonfire Night fireworks.
Read all the weekend Premiership picks
Celtic are close to agreeing a new contract with Alistair Johnston after tabling a deal that will hand the 26-year-old Canada right-back a significant increase in salary and will increase the length of his contract beyond his existing deal to the summer of 2027. (Daily Record), external
Brentford see Celtic's £25m-rated winger, Nicolas Kuhn, as a potential replacement for Bryan Mbeumo after the 24-year-old German scored twice in the 3-1 Champions League win over RB Leipzig. (The Boot Room), external
Gustaf Lagerbielke admits he is frustrated after failing to start a single league game for Twente Enschede so far on loan from Celtic, but the 24-year-old centre-half accepts that the team has been playing well and their defence has been excellent. (The National), external
The Scottish government is considering "extending the reach" of football banning orders in a bid to combat a concerning increase in the illegal use of pyrotechnics at matches by supporters. (Glasgow Times), external
Read Friday's Scottish Gossip in full.
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Kilmarnock have won two of their last three home games against Celtic in all competitions (L1), as many as their previous 22 beforehand (W2 D3 L17).
Celtic have lost just one of their last 17 league meetings with Kilmarnock (W14 D2), a 2-1 defeat in December 2023.
Kilmarnock have both scored and conceded in seven of their last eight league games (W3 D3 L2), with the only exception a 1-0 win over Rangers in October.
Celtic have won 15 of their last 16 league games (D1), including their last seven in a row away from home, their longest winning run on the road in the league since February 2020 (9).
Kilmarnock’s Matty Kennedy has created more chances (28) than any player in the Scottish Premiership this season, but despite this only has one assist to his name.
Image source, Getty ImagesKyogo Furuhashi won the last of his 21 caps in a friendly win over Tunisia in October last year
Celtic striker Kyogo Furuhashi has earned a Japan recall after more than a year in the international wilderness.
Kyogo has been prolific since joining Celtic in 2021 but he has been used sparingly by Japan coach Hajime Moriyasu, who left him out of his squads for the 2022 World Cup and this year's Asian Cup.
The 29-year-old joins Celtic team-mates Daizen Maeda and Reo Hatate in the Japan squad for away World Cup qualifiers against Indonesia on November 15 and China four days later.
Kyogo, who was linked with a move to Manchester City during the summer, has scored six goals in 15 games for the Scottish Premiership leaders this season.
"I don't need to tell you that he has achieved a lot and is a big presence in Europe with Celtic, and this time I have chosen him," said Moriyasu.
Moriyasu denied that Kyogo was a direct replacement for regular striker Ayase Ueda, who has been ruled out until 2025 after suffering a hamstring injury playing for his Dutch club Feyenoord last week.
The coach said he wanted to utilise Kyogo's finishing prowess and workrate.
"We want to create a structure where he can get goals first of all," said Moriyasu.
"We also want him to work hard as the first point of defence, as he does for Celtic."
Moriyasu's side have 10 points after four games and lead Asian qualifying Group C. They have a five-point cushion over Australia, Saudi Arabia and Bahrain.
The top two automatically reach the World Cup in North America, with teams in third and fourth facing another qualifying round.
Celtic have made £4.1m from their on-field results alone so far in this season's Champions League. (Football Scotland), external
