Celtic

Fulham and Ipswich Town will step up the chase for Alistair Johnston this summer after the Premier League clubs expressed an interest in the 26-year-old Celtic right-back in the January transfer window. (The Athletic), external

Norwich City are bracing themselves for Borja Sainz offers in the summer transfer window amid Celtic interest in the 24-year-old winger. (Football Insider), external

Read the rest of Saturday's Scottish gossip.

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Ryan Alebiosu and Jonah Ayunga (ankle) are doubts for St Mirren after coming off against Hearts in midweek.

Alex Iacovitti is back in training but the game comes too soon while Conor McMenamin (calf) and Evan Mooney (ankle) remain out.

Greg Taylor returns for Celtic, who remain without James Forrest (foot) and Paulo Bernardo (ankle).

Jack Herrall
BBC Sport Scotland

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Manager Brendan Rodgers says Celtic are always searching for fine margins and weren't fully content with their performance despite trouncing Aberdeen 5-1 in midweek.

"We've tried to set a standard of performance and I think the scoreline was fantastic," Rodgers said.

"When you come off against one of your big rivals up here and you can win 5-1 and still be not overly pleased with elements of the performance, then it shows you the standard that we demand.

"That's a good thing because you can always improve, even in a 5-1 win."

Celtic face St Mirren on Saturday before a run of home fixtures against Hibernian, Rangers and Hearts that could see them edge closer to a domestic treble.

Rodgers added: "The whole point was to get to this point of the season in the best place we possibly could.

"Now we arrive into a part of the season where we want to finish really strong."

Looking ahead to the test they'll be posed by St Mirren, Rodgers praised "outstanding coach and manager" Stephen Robinson.

"His teams are very clear in how they play, they understand their roles, they make it really difficult for you," he said.

"But I felt the game earlier on in the season, we managed that aspect of it really well. You just have to do all the dirty bits of the game really well, all the stuff that doesn't get a lot of attention."

Jack Herrall
BBC Sport Scotland

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Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers has been speaking to the media before his side's match with St Mirren on Saturday evening.

Here are the key points from his press conference:

• He welcomes the return of away allocations to Old Firm derbies, saying it is "great for the game, great for the spectacle of the game, and obviously ultimately for the supporters".

• Rodgers is keen to see the away supports return to previous levels, far above this new 4% figure, saying: "Hopefully it can get somewhere near to where it was before because that always creates an amazing atmosphere."

• He adds that the issue around away fans "wasn't a Celtic thing" and it "was out of our control at the beginning of it all".

• Rodgers expects to face a "coordinated" St Mirren but takes confidence from Celtic's win in Paisley earlier in the season where they did "all the dirty bits of the game really well".

• Celtic are now at the part of the season where they want to "finish really strong", with Rodgers' side holding a commanding 13-point lead in the Premiership and still competing for a domestic treble.

• Rodgers says the club "haven't heard anything" on the VAR calls from Celtic's defeat by Hibs after Dundee United manager Jim Goodwin had complained about the technology in midweek.

• On Jude Bonnar's debut in the win over Aberdeen, Rodgers says "it's a nice reward" for the 19-year-old and he is "working very, very hard, which I notice".

• On Jeffrey Schlupp, who is on loan until the end of the season, Rodgers says he will speak to the left-back about his contract situation "towards the latter part of the season," and notes he has "settled into the group really well".

• The standards demanded of the players are evident, he says, given that "you can win 5-1 [against Aberdeen] and still be not overly pleased with elements of the performance".

• St Mirren have lost their past seven meetings with Celtic in all competitions, last losing eight in a row against the Parkhead club in December 2012.

• Celtic have only lost one of their last 20 away games at St Mirren across all competitions (W16 D3), going down 2-0 in September 2022 under Ange Postecoglou.

• St Mirren are winless in their past four home league games (D1 L3), last going longer without victory in December 2021 under Jim Goodwin (6).

• After winning 10 successive away league games from April to December 2024, Celtic have since won just two of their past six on the road (D2 L2), losing 2-1 at Hibernian in their most recent away outing.

• Celtic's Daizen Maeda has been directly involved in more goals in the Scottish Premiership this season (18 – 11 goals, 7 assists) than any other player. The Japan international has 13 goal involvements (9 goals, 4 assists) in his last 10 league appearances – as many as his previous 41 beforehand.

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Hibernian have secured an allocation of "up to 7,000 tickets" for their Scottish Cup quarter-final visit to Celtic.

The Easter Road side sold an initial batch of 2,667 for the 9 March tie within five days.

On requesting a bigger share of the match gate during "long discussions", Hibs say they were referred to the Scottish FA handbook, which states "the away club shall be responsible for payment to the home club for all tickets delivered."

A statement confirming the large increase acknowledges the "financial risk" involved and "understanding the demand from our supporters".

Hibs go on to say a general sale will go ahead on a date that is "dependant on when we receive the tickets from Celtic".

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It's not just Celtic fans who can't enough of Daizen Maeda - the Bayern Munich squad think highly of him, too.

The in-form forward will be in the running for plenty of awards come the end of the season having already scored 25 goals.

One of those came in the first leg of the Champions League play-off against German giants Bayern, while he was instrumental in setting up Celtic's goal in the second leg of the agonising last-gasp defeat.

"After we played Bayern I was talking to Eric Dier, just having a general chat about the two games and stuff like that," Celtic defender Cameron Carter-Vickers recalled.

"He said that after the first leg, all the Bayern players were talking about Daizen and how much he runs and the kind of energy he puts into a game. It is incredible.

"He said they got the running stats up in their changing room and everyone was just talking about how much high-speed distance he'd done and stuff like that.

"Physically, in terms of his running power and capacity, I don't know if anyone in the [Celtic] squad could get to that level to be honest."

Maeda, who joined Celtic from Yokohama F Marinos in 2022, keeps a low profile and rarely gives interviews to Scottish media but Carter-Vickers offered an insight.

"Obviously his English has improved since he's been here," he said. "I don't know if he just decides not to talk or what, but he's a funny guy actually, he's quietly funny.

"He's a little bit of a prankster. Just little things, like I say, he doesn't necessarily talk too much, but his mannerisms and stuff like that, he definitely likes a little laugh."

Kheredine Idessane
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

It's long since been a case of when, not if, Celtic secure yet another Scottish Premiership title.

The gap at the top is currently 16 points. Barry Ferguson could well reduce that in his first game in charge of Rangers. Even if he does, the championship is a done deal.

It will be Celtic's 13th in 14 years. A period of sustained dominance without precedent in the history of the Scottish game.

They are strong favourites to wrap up all three domestic prizes in what would be their sixth treble in nine seasons. It's not particularly healthy for the wider game but that's not Celtic's problem.

Their main concern now, you would think, is timing: How soon can they officially have the green and white ribbons ordered to adorn their favourite prize?

They've already amassed 72 points. With 10 games to go, they could well hit the century mark. They can even afford a draw along the way.

On the evidence of Tuesday night's dismantling of Aberdeen, the portents look pretty good. Celtic were nowhere near their top level against the third-place team and still added five goals to a Premiership tally that has risen to an impressive 82.

Brendan Rodgers' men have only lost twice in the league all season and if the manager can ramp up the intensity levels for one last push, it could all be done and dusted before the top-flight split.

Celtic only have two away fixtures before that point - at St Mirren and St Johnstone - with league games at home in between against Rangers and Hearts. Win all those, and Celtic would welcome Kilmarnock on 12 April for a potential title party. With five games to spare.

This is assuming, of course, that Rangers pile up some points under the interim Ferguson regime. If they don't, it could all be over even sooner, making a rebuild at Rangers all the more pressing if there's to be a more competitive Premiership in the near future.

The problem for everyone at Ibrox, however, is that Celtic continue to operate from a position of strength which shows no sign of weakening any time soon.

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Martin Watt
BBC Sport Scotland

Twenty five goals. Nine assists. An immeasurable work ethic.

Celtic's Daizen Maeda continues to sparkle in the most productive season of his career.

The Japan forward's double in the 5-1 midweek rout of Aberdeen took him to the 25-goal mark and encapsulated his effectiveness.

Starting as the central striker, Maeda settled Celtic's shaky start by reacting quickest to volley in the first-half opener.

Then, having shuttled out to the left wing after Adam Idah's introduction on the hour, Maeda wrapped up the victory with an injury-time second from Alistair Johnston's delivery.

Maeda had the most touches in the opposition box (6) of any player on the pitch, and his three shots on target brought two goals from an xG of 1.31, highlighting the quality of his finishing.

In the Premiership this season he now has 11 goals from 25 outings and boasts a shot accuracy of 46%. He looks a strong favourite to be crowned Scottish football's player of the year.

It's the other side of Maeda's game – the tracking back and relentless pressing – that endears the 27-year-old to team-mates and supporters too.

He contested a match-high 11 duels against the Dons, winning five, and contributed two interceptions.

Brendan Rodgers described Maeda after the game as the "symbol" of his Celtic team - and admitted his impressive form may well bring interest from bigger clubs.

"Yes, I would think he would," said Rodgers. "I think if you're scoring goals like he has, work as hard as he does, then of course that will always bring attention.

"But I also think the team and the structure of the team really promotes his qualities. He's a great symbol for our team and the collective."

Celtic have already lost one Japan talisman, with Kyogo Furuhashi off to embark on a new adventure in Rennes. Might they face a fight to keep Maeda, who is under contract for a further two years, this summer?

Former Celtic goalkeeper Pat Bonner says Celtic are not the same team without "vital cog" Maeda at the heart of it.

"He's having a fantastic season," Bonner said on BBC Sportsound.

"He's so important to the team. That trigger of his press ignites the team into doing it. Take him out the team and they lack that piece, because he's so quick - he never stops. He's closing you down all the time and that then runs through the team."

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A trio of milestones were reached on a night Celtic put five goals past Aberdeen.

Captain Callum McGregor's strike was his 50th league goal for the club, 19-year-old midfielder Jude Bonnar came off the bench for a debut, and Alistair Johnston made his 100th Celtic appearance.

Not that the Canada right-back knew much about it until a team-mate filled him in.

"Tony Ralston congratulated me before the game on my 100th appearance but I didn't realise it was," Johnston told Celtic TV.

"To have 100 appearances at a club like this is really special. Around the changing room, there are guys who have so many more than that and it feels like a small number.

"But to me, it's an impressive thing and to me and my family, it's really important and special.

"To have thought a couple years ago that I'd have 100 appearances for a club like Celtic, it's not something that was even in the realm of possibility.

"So to say that I've done that, I'm pretty proud of myself and hopefully I'll kick on and get some more under my belt."

Johnston, 26, marked the occasion by providing the 18th assist of his Celtic career, sending in a fine cross for Daizen Maeda to complete the 5-1 victory.

"He's always pushing in every game, and for him to get an assist in the last minute is crazy," said midfielder Arne Engels.

"He's doing really well and I'm really impressed with him, so I hope he just keeps on going."

We asked for your thoughts on the 5-1 win over Aberdeen that extended Celtic's Premiership lead to 16 points.

Here's what some of you said:

Liam: We are steamrolling towards the title but we didn't even get out of second gear. Aberdeen got in behind four or five times and as usual it was on the left-hand side. However, we are full of goals and Daizen Maeda is flying domestically. We've been better yet win 5 1. Can't be unhappy with that.

Paul: Maeda is a semi-god. Amazing we still have him. Closes down, chases back & a sheer goal machine.Let's hope we invest in more strength as certainly we have the flair. Ange eat your heart out or will he come casting his net after the treble is done?

Clem: Wow, how Celtic managed a 5-1 victory is a mystery. Misplaced passes, slow and predictable build-up, constant square and backward passing. Auston Trusty inspires all the confidence of playing with Bambi in defence, distinct lack of confidence. Arne Engels had one of his best games and thankfully we have a forward line that knows where the goals are.

Mikey: Great performance, from the middle to front, but Brendan Rodgers really needs to think again about his centre-back pairing as Cameron Carter-Vickers is getting let down week in, week out by Trusty. Bring back Liam Scales or give Dane Murray a runout.

Max: 5-1 and we sat in neutral the whole game. It's a very poor result for Aberdeen, who defended poorly, although I think Celtic brought some European learning to the league with the rapid counter-attacking.

Hugh: It is difficult to find fault when you win so convincingly and score five. The last two games proves our eagerness to get forward leaves us exposed and scrambling at the back. With our wing-backs pushing forward one slack or misplaced pass has us chasing our tails. Domestically it's not a real issue but something we need to address for Europe.

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• Celtic have scored in each of their last nine games in the Premiership, scoring 30 goals in that run.

• Aberdeen have conceded 13 goals in the last 15 minutes of the second half, only Ross County (16) and Hibernian (15) have conceded more in the Premiership this season.

• Alistair Johnston has assisted seven goals in the Premiership this season (one in this game), no player has more.

• Daizen Maeda has scored 11 goals in the Premiership this season (two in this game), more than any other Celtic player.

• Aberdeen have scored 12 goals via substitutes in the Premiership this season, only Celtic (17) have scored more.

Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers says Daizen Maeda is the "symbol of this team" after the Japan forward took his goal tally to 25 for the season in Tuesday's win over Aberdeen.

Celtic boss Brendan Rodgers believes Daizen Maeda's incredible goal-scoring form will bring "attention" from clubs around Europe after the Japan forward scored his 24th and 25th goals of the season in Tuesday's 5-1 win against Aberdeen. (Daily Record), external

Celtic defender Greg Taylor missed Tuesday's victory over the Dons after his wife went into labour. (Scottish Sun), external

Celtic fans, were you at Parkhead to watch your team demolish Aberdeen to get back to winning ways, or following the match from home? Either way, we want your views on the game – have your say here., external

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Daizen Maeda's relentless approach and seemingly boundless energy burned to the fore once again as Aberdeen were swept away.

The Japanese forward's double moved him onto 25 goals for the season, book-ending another strong performance with predatory finishes.

Whether deployed on the left or through the middle, he spearheads the Celtic attack brilliantly.

Alistair Johnston, on his 100th Celtic game, patrolled the right flank well and contributed a Premiership-leading eighth assist for Maeda's second.

Luke McCowan brought customary dynamism and accuracy off the bench as the game broke up in the final throes.

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Celtic's vast arsenal of attacking weaponry was not required here.

The league leaders were hardly irrepressible. Their distribution was a little off, their timing not quite in sync, and connections not as crisp as they often are.

There were shaky moments defensively, if nothing to induce palpitations among the locals.

Yet by the time the teams trooped off at the break, Celtic had built an unassailable lead. Where Aberdeen squandered their openings, their hosts feasted on slackness.

They played much of the contest in second gear, but second gear was plenty.

Luke McCowan, Yang Hyun-jun and Adam Idah made influential contributions off the bench. The tireless Daizen Maeda buzzed around like a wasp. Their persistence and willingness to recycle possession was telling even when so many attacks were fruitless.

After the gut-wrenching Champions League exit in Munich, and the angst-ridden loss at Easter Road, a perfunctory home win will do just fine.

Tino
Fan writer

While some of us are still ruing the injury-time equaliser that sealed Celtic's Champions League exit in the cruellest fashion last week, Brendan Rodgers has already turned attention to ensuring we're back at the top table again next season.

And that's the way it has to be at Celtic. Standing still, as they say, is one of the quickest ways to move backward, and what Celtic can't do at this juncture is sit back and simply admire what's been achieved.

This season's Euro adventure, which finally saw a more mature Celtic on the big stage, must now be viewed as a platform for the club to build on.

And what an opportunity to do so.

Financially, Celtic have never had it so good. In our manager we have someone who fully understands the club, and who has developed since his own exit first time around.

And on the pitch we have some bona fide talents who have proven themselves more than capable at this level. Nicolas Kuhn, Daizen Maeda and Alistair Johnston to name but a few.

We know too that we'll go into next season bolstered by the additions of Jota and Kieran Tierney from the start of the campaign. Two undoubted personalities that again will make us better on the big stage.

This season the manager has been brave, so too have his players, and should the Celtic board follow suit in the upcoming summer transfer window then there will be lots to look forward to in 2025-26.

With the acquisitions of Arne Engels, Adam Idah and Jota among others – for a combined total in the region of £28m - the club have shown already their belief in Rodgers in the clearest way possible.

If that pattern continues - and there's no reason to think it won't - this Celtic side can only get better, both at home and abroad, under Rodgers' guidance.

To return to the Champions League of course requires two things to happen. Firstly, we have to reclaim the Scottish Premiership title. And with a 13-point lead and just 11 games remaining we're firmly in the driving seat to do so.

Beyond that we'll then have a two-legged qualifier to negotiate in early August, against opponents as yet unknown.

But to even get to that stage - as the manager so often reminds us - we can only take it one game at a time.

That puts Aberdeen firmly in the crosshairs at Celtic Park tonight as the Bhoys look for the win that will put the weekend's rare domestic loss to Hibs to bed.

Should they secure all three points then the countdown is absolutely on for a fourth consecutive title, which would pave the path for our next European adventure. One where we'll all be looking to that elusive next step forward.

Tino can be found at The Celtic Exchange, external