Celtic

Latest updates

  1. Johnston wants to 'keep racking up titles'published at 16:49 17 May

    Alistair Johnston (left) celebrates with Celtic goalscorer James Forrest (right)Image source, SNS
    Image caption,

    Alistair Johnston (left) celebrates with Celtic goalscorer James Forrest (right)

    Celtic right-back Alistair Johnston says "it's lovely" to be able to celebrate another Scottish Premiership title.

    "When you start off the season, the main goal is to win the league, to show you have been the best, most consistent team, and that's what we've been," the Canada defender told BBC Scotland.

    "You just want to keep racking up the titles."

    Speaking of James Forrest's 16th goal in successive seasons, Johnston adds: "To tell your kids and grandkids you have played with legends like him is pretty special".

    An image detailing how to follow your Premier League team on BBC Sport: "On the app? Tap the bell icon to get news about your club sent to you. Signed in on a browser? Hit 'Follow' to stay up to date.
  2. Who will be in which European competition and at what stage?published at 16:46 17 May

    European trophiesImage source, Getty Images

    We already know Celtic will be in the Champions League play-off round.

    And that Rangers will start in the second qualifying stage.

    Hibernian, Dundee United and Aberdeen will all be in Europe, too, but the outcome of Saturday's Scottish Cup final will decide who enters which competition and when.

    If Celtic win the Scottish Cup...

    Hibs will be in the Europa League play-off round. Win that, and they will be in the competition proper. Lose, and it will be the Conference League until Christmas.

    Either way, good games and good money.

    United will enter the Europa League at the second qualifying round, with the second chance of Conference League preliminaries.

    And Aberdeen will enter the Conference League at the second qualifying round.

    If Aberdeen win the Scottish Cup...

    They will be the ones who will be guaranteed continental combat until December.

    Hibs would go into the Europa second qualifying round, with the safety net of a second shot in the Conference preliminaries. But no assured league stage football.

    And Dundee United would enter the Conference League second qualifying round.

  3. 'Dream come true' for McCowanpublished at 16:42 17 May

    Celtic midfielder Luke McCowan told BBC Scotland: "It's everything I thought [it would be] - something I've dreamt of since I was a kid.

    "I'll never forget this day now. I need to relish days like this. I need to keep pushing."

    Luke McCowanImage source, SNS
  4. 'We're not allowed to drop standards'published at 16:40 17 May

    Celtic centre-back Liam Scales told BBC Scotland: "The fans drive the standards week in, week out. We're not allowed to drop the standards ever.

    "It's great, brilliant. You'll get the best out of everyone if there's competition all over the park."

    Liam ScalesImage source, SNS
  5. 'Forrest the epitome of longevity'published at 16:38 17 May

    Celtic goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel told BBC Scotland: "Amazing occasion, the accumulation of many weeks of hard work.

    "Nice to share it with the fans, frustrating game but so happy for James [Forrest] at the end. He's the epitome of [longevity]."

    Kasper SchmeichelImage source, SNS
  6. 'No better script' for Forrestpublished at 16:16 17 May

    Celtic's Alistair Johnston and James Forrest celebrateImage source, SNS
    Image caption,

    James Forrest (right) broke his season-long duck against St Mirren

    James Forrest admits "I don't think you could have written it any better" after the Celtic winger's late equaliser against St Mirren made sure he has now scored in 16 consecutive seasons for his boyhood club.

    "Everyone has been wanting me to score and get the record, so I'm just happy to do it for everyone," the winger told BBC Scotland.

    "It's hard to put it into words. I'm just trying to enjoy every last minute of playing for Celtic. It's been an unbelievable career and I've absolutely loved it and I hope I still have a few big moments and trophies like this.

    "When you get days like this, it just makes you want more."

    Asked how he felt when the ball hit the net, the 33-year-old replies: "Relief. I was just buzzing."

    Asked who writes the Scotland international's scripts, Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers replied: "It wasn't me - he writes it himself".

    "Last minute, last kick of the game, and a really good finish - he had to show composure and finished it so well," he said.

    "It was an amazing finish to the game. It is a testament to his tremendous professionalism and hunger. He is so disciplined in his profession.

    "He clearly has an emotional attachment to the club - he has been here since he was young and to have lasted this long at a club like this, you have to be doing so many things right and you also need to be performing.

    "He has performed to such a high level and he is deserving of that and I'm so happy for him because he is at that stage of his career where he still has a lot to contribute and he'll hopefully continue to do that."

  7. Celtic 1-1 St Mirren: What the manager saidpublished at 16:06 17 May

    Celtic celebrateImage source, SNS

    Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers has been dedicating another title-winning season to club staff and their fans as well as the players after finishing with a 1-1 draw at home to St Mirren.

    "We work so hard all year and there are so many sacrifices to bring this success, so that's why it belongs to everyone at the club," he tells BBC Scotland.

    "To serve them on a day like today, it is a real honour and privilege to manage the club and, of course, when you pick up the title, it is a real conviction for all the hard work.

    "It is the expectation of the club - it drives you every day and, when you are at such a big club, there is no time to rest.

    "We enjoy this today and tonight and the supporters deserve to do that, but you are quickly on to next week and the next season."

    That next week is the Scottish Cup final against Aberdeen and he admits "there's things to think about" after making nine changes to the team that thumped the Dons in midweek.

    "A lot of guys have had minutes now and now we can form the plan for the Scottish Cup final," he said.

    "It's been a wonderful season up until now and we can make it a really memorable one next weekend, but we have a lot of hard work and preparation before then."

  8. Celtic 1-1 St Mirren: Who impressed?published at 15:24 17 May

    Celtic's James Forrest with the Scottish Premiership trophyImage source, SNS
    Image caption,

    Celtic struggled to break down a stubborn St Mirren who looked to be heading for a rare win at Celtic Park until club legend James Forrest came on as a substitute and started to probe for an equaliser that the winger personally provided to ensure he has now scored in 16th successive season.

  9. Celtic 1-1 St Mirren: Analysispublished at 15:17 17 May

    Kheredine Idessane
    BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

    Celtic celebrate with the Scottish Premiership trophyImage source, SNS
    Image caption,

    Celtic paraded the Scottish Premiership trophy after full-time

    Ninety-two points and 112 goals tells you all you need to know about Celtic's season.

    That there were still howls of derision from the home fans on trophy day when their heroes huffed and puffed but failed to blow the St Mirren house down speaks volumes of the standards expected at Parkhead these days.

    Manager Brendan Rodgers will not be happy that the party was spoiled somewhat by the performance.

    The silver lining for him will be that his men will go into next week's Scottish Cup final, with a treble on the line, fully aware that they canot let their levels drop again if they want to complete the domestic clean sweep.

    Too many of his usual high performers could not find their usual standards. Perhaps understandable, given this title was effectively won a long, long time ago.

  10. 'Maeda will see what summer brings before contract talks' - gossippublished at 11:28 17 May

    Celtic are braced for big-money offers for Daizan Maeda and the Japan forward has hinted that he will see what the summer brings before agreeing a new contract. (Daily Record), external

    Celtic pathways manager Darren O'Dea has agreed terms with Swansea City to become their new assistant manager. (Sky Sports), external

    Read Saturday's Scottish Gossip in full.

    Gossip graphic
  11. Celtic v St Mirren: Team newspublished at 21:47 16 May

    Celtic's Alistair Johnston and St Mirren's Alex GogicImage source, SNS

    Celtic midfielder Reo Hatate has been ruled out for the last two games of the season with a knee injury. Cameron Carter-Vickers returns while Dane Murray (knee) remains out.

    St Mirren have a full squad available aside from Owen Oseni.

  12. Forrest acclaim 'long overdue' - Rodgerspublished at 16:17 16 May

    Brendan Rodgers and James ForrestImage source, SNS

    Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers is delighted to see James Forrest in the spotlight with plans in place for the winger to take centre stage when Celtic lift the Scottish Premiership trophy on Saturday.

    Forrest will lead the champions out with the silverware following their match against St Mirren at Parkhead.

    The 33-year-old became most decorated player in Celtic's history when the title was sealed last month, his 26th major honour.

    "It's great for him," Rodgers said. "I think it's long overdue, all the accolades he's receiving this season.

    "You see him the other night, 33 years of age, but he's still strong in his legs, strong in his running. He's always had the quality.

    "So it would be a really lovely touch by the club for him to do that with his family."

    Rodgers joked Forrest would be doing everything possible to find his first goal of the season, including taking penalties and free-kicks.

    The Scotland international has scored in the past 15 seasons for Celtic and is attempting to continue that remarkable statistic.

    "I think he's on everything," Rodgers said, having started Forrest in the 5-1 win at Pittodrie on Wednesday.

    "He was so unlucky, the keeper makes a really good save the other night when he cuts inside off his left foot, the one in the second half. He's dragged the first one in the first half.

    "But he's always a goal threat, James. He'll always be there. So, I'm pretty sure over the next couple of games, he'll get the goal.

    "But if he doesn't, he's still a wonderful player."

  13. Celtic v St Mirren: Pick of the statspublished at 16:06 16 May

    Celtic v St Mirren: Pick of the stats Image source, SNS
    • Celtic have won 11 of their past 12 meetings with St Mirren in all competitions (D1), including the past eight in a row.

    • St Mirren have only won one of their last 37 away games at Celtic in all competitions (D3 L33), a 2-1 victory in January 2021 under Jim Goodwin.

    • Celtic have won their final league game in 14 of the past 17 seasons (including curtailed 2019-20 season), with their only defeat in this time coming in 2017-18 (1-0 v Aberdeen).

    • St Mirren have lost their final league match in both of the past two seasons, a 3-0 defeat to Rangers in 2022-23, and 3-2 to Celtic in 2023-24.

    • Celtic have scored 111 goals in this season's Scottish Premiership. Only in 1915-16 (116), 1935-36 (115), 2022-23 (114), and 1937-38 (113) have they netted more in a single league campaign.

  14. Rodgers on Carter-Vickers return, Hatate injury & 'great reward'published at 15:05 16 May

    Andy Campbell
    BBC Sport Scotland

    Brendan RodgersImage source, SNS

    Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers has been speaking to the media before Saturday's final Premiership match of the season at home to St Mirren, after which the champions will be presented with the trophy.

    Here are the key points...

    • Defender Cameron Carter-Vickers is available to face the Buddies.

    • However, Rodgers confirmed midfielder Reo Hatate will be absent and also miss the Scottish Cup final against Aberdeen on 24 May after an injury he picked up in "a needless challenge" by the Dons' Pape Gueye on Wednesday.

    • Rodgers sees Saturday as "a great reward for the sacrifice so many people have put in, and especially the players" and insists Celtic still have "targets".

    • James Forrest will lead the team out with the trophy - his 26th club honour - after the match and the manager said of the 33-year-old: "It's great for him. I think it's long overdue, all the accolades he's receiving this season."

    • Rodgers expects Celtic supporters to "celebrate safely" on Saturday.

  15. Maeda crowned Premiership player of yearpublished at 11:27 16 May

    Daizen MaedaImage source, SNS

    Daizen Maeda has been named Scottish Premiership player of the year in recognition of his sparkling Celtic form.

    The Japan forward has netted 16 league goals - and 31 across all competitions - to help Celtic to a fourth successive title as they look to complete the treble with victory over Aberdeen in next week's Scottish Cup final.

    Maeda is celebrating an awards double having also taken the PFA Scotland player of the year prize, while boss Brendan Rodgers was named Premiership manager of the year.

  16. What is McCowan's advice to 17-year-old McArdle?published at 10:44 16 May

    Luke McCowan and Sean McArdleImage source, SNS

    Luke McCowan revealed he has imparted some sage advice to Sean McArdle following the 17-year-old's breakthrough to the Celtic first team.

    Midfielder McArdle has made his first two appearances off the bench in the past week as Celtic defeated Hibs 3-1 and Aberdeen 5-1.

    "He's quiet," McCowan said. "It was funny, I was saying to him... he was behind me in one of the signing sessions and obviously you just scribble your name, your number. He wrote his full name, just on a print.

    "And I said, 'Sean, you need to work on that because you'll be there for 10 hours walking out Parkhead'.

    "He's a quiet boy but he works hard. And you can tell that he's desperate to come into the Celtic first team and and prove himself and do well.

    "And if he performs the way he did on Wednesday night I'm sure he'll have so many more cameos because he's been a credit to himself to come in and train well. But also the most important thing is to do well in the games and he's been great."

    McCowan was among the scorers at Pittodrie as a Celtic side showing eight changes eased to victory, but the midfielder is adamant the Scottish Cup final between the teams a week on Saturday will not be a formality.

    "No, and it never will be," he said. "As you've probably seen at the end, there's probably a wee bit of bite in the game right at the 90th minute because they know the cup final's coming as well.

    "Listen, it's a cup final, it's anybody's game. You need to show up. I'm sure we will have that performance ready and we need to push each other until then to make sure that our mentality is right going into it."

    An image detailing how to follow your Premier League team on BBC Sport: "On the app? Tap the bell icon to get news about your club sent to you. Signed in on a browser? Hit 'Follow' to stay up to date.
  17. 'Rennes exit adds extra uncertainty for Kyogo' - gossippublished at 09:15 16 May

    Kyogo Furuhashi's future at Rennes has been plunged into further doubt after director of football Frederic Massara, who brought the 30-year-old striker to France from Celtic, has left the club. (Daily Record), external

    Read Friday's Scottish Gossip in full.

    Gossip graphic