Celtic

Image source, SNS

Celtic captain Callum McGregor insists Aberdeen "deserve" to be where they are this season.

The midfielder, 31, says his side will be treating Saturday's Premier Sports Cup semi-final with the "utmost respect", with the Dons level on points with the Scottish Premiership leaders after 10 games.

They drew 2-2 when they met in the league earlier this season and McGregor expects a tough test at Hampden.

"When you watch them, they're really well organised, they've got a really good idea of what they're trying to do and then what the wins do is they just gather belief and as soon as that happens then momentum can be such a big thing in football," said McGregor.

"They've obviously done a lot of good work over the summer and they've carried that into the games and you speak about that snowball effect.

"They are where they are and they deserve to be there. So we have to treat everyone with the utmost respect and bring our level to the game.

"I’ve been really impressed by them and it will be another tough game."

Former Celtic and captain Paul Lambert is enjoying travelling in his mid-50s after various stints in the dugout with clubs in England. (Sun), external

Aberdeen are seeking to end a 32-year wait for a Hampden win over Celtic in Saturday's Premier Sports Cup semi-final. (Scotsman - subscription), external

Read Saturday's Scottish gossip

Image source, SNS

Celtic welcome back Callum McGregor, Adam Idah and Nicolas Kuhn from injury. The cup-tied Luke McCowan will drop out while Odin Thiago Holm remains out with calf problems.

Aberdeen striker Kevin Nisbet is expected to return from injury. Dante Polvara is training after a hamstring injury but unlikely to feature and Pape Habib Gueye (quad) remains out.

Image source, SNS

Last season's League Cup disappointment is fuelling Celtic's "hunger" to beat Aberdeen on Saturday and secure a place in the final, says Brendan Rodgers.

The Celtic manager suffered the first cup defeat of his tenure across two spells when his side were knocked out by Kilmarnock in the last 16 in August 2023.

Now he is keen to make amends and move within 90 minutes of a fourth League Cup success.

"It certainly gives us hunger," Rodgers said.

"We missed out on that one last season but a year down the line we're in a far different place to last year.

"Our hunger is there to reach our first final, we were really disappointed last year that we didn't and we weren't up to challenge for that trophy.

"But we are this time and we have a great opportunity on Saturday."

Rodgers has a perfect record at Hampden of 11 wins from 11 and says "ensuring you stay calm in your approach" is crucial.

He added: "It's about that balance between being super-aggressive when you haven't got the ball, showing that hunger to get it and being defensively organised.

"And then play with calmness and speed when you have the ball. That's something we have always preached.

"Every game is a big game for us so the mantra this week isn't so different. When you are a Celtic player or manager, every game is huge and, obviously, a semi-final at Hampden is also a big game."

Image source, SNS

Brendan Rodgers has been speaking to the media as Celtic prepare to face Aberdeen in Saturday's League Cup semi-final.

Here are the main points:

• The Celtic boss says his side are "in a really good place" with players available for Saturday. Captain Callum McGregor is set to return, with only Odin Thiago Holm missing through injury.

• On Aberdeen's threat, Rodgers says Celtic should have won the game at Parkhead but got punished for slackness in the 2-2 draw. He adds it's more evidence that Aberdeen have quality players "that can hurt you".

• That 2-2 draw at Celtic a few weeks ago "will be a learning [experience]" for his players.

• Rodgers says he's not surprised by Aberdeen's form this season and he always expects the Dons to be challenging at the top end of the table. The competition Jimmy Thelin's side are offering is "healthy" and "makes you better".

• Celtic's League Cup exit last season "gives us hunger" to lift the trophy this time round and Rodgers is insistent the team are in a much better place than a year ago.

• He adds: "The League Cup was the one that eluded us last season and that didn't sit comfortably with us."

• In terms of team selection, Rodgers acknowledges he has a few decisions to make and says "sentiment doesn't come into it - I need to pick the best team to win the game".

Image source, SNS

• Aberdeen have lost all nine Hampden meetings with Celtic since last beating them at the national stadium 32 years ago when Eoin Jess scored in a 1-0 win in the League Cup semi-final.

• Celtic and Aberdeen last met in the League Cup in the 2018 final, with the Parkhead side - led by Brendan Rodgers in his first spell in charge - lifting the trophy after Ryan Christie scored the only goal.

• Aberdeen have won the League Cups six times, with their last coming in 2014 when they beat Inverness CT on penalties after a goalless draw.

• Celtic have won the League Cup on 21 occasions, most recently in 2023 when they beat Rangers 2-1 in the final.

• Aberdeen lost the final 1-0 last year to Rangers, the 10th time the Dons have finished runners-up.

• The Pittodrie men, who started in the group stage, have won six ties against lower-league sides to reach Hampden, scoring 20 goals and conceding just one (a 2-1 win over Aridrie).

• Celtic have made the last four by beating Hibs 3-1 and Falkirk 5-2.

Image source, SNS

Celtic must "seal the deal" in games where they take the lead, says centre-back Auston Trusty as he looks to help Brendan Rodgers' side reach the League Cup final.

The Parkhead club face Aberdeen in Saturday's semi-final just two weeks after the Dons' impressive comeback from 2-0 down for a point in Glasgow's east end.

"When you are up 2-0 then you want to seal the deal in the game," Trusty said.

"We'll go into this game very confident. But if we are in that position again then [we have to] seal the deal.

"We approach every game as a challenge so that is going to be the mindset again. We don't take any game easy or lightly. That is about respecting our opponent.

"But it doesn't matter who we are playing, we want to go out there and play our game. If we do that, the game takes care of itself.

"You focus on who you are playing against, but you also really focus on within."

Trusty started alongside USA team-mate Cameron Carter-Vickers for the first time since joining Celtic two months ago when his fellow centre-back completed his comeback from a toe injury against Dundee in midweek.

"I've known him for quite a bit now so it was nice playing alongside him. Overall it was really good," the former Sheffield United player said.

A rest for Liam Scales meant Trusty was playing on the left side of central defence, his natural position, for the first time at Celtic but he is happy to fit in wherever needed.

"I'll do whatever is needed for the team," he said. "That's my mindset and I think I've shown my capabilities to play any position along the backline."

Sportscene pundit Michael Stewart assesses the impact of Alistair Johnston at Celtic after the Canada right-back made it two goals in two games with the opener against Dundee in midweek.

(Available to UK users only)

Celtic have more than £75m extra cash in the bank than Rangers as the financial gap between the two Old Firm rivals continues to grow. (Football Insider), external

Read Friday's Scottish Gossip in full.

We asked for your views on the 2-0 win against Dundee that kept Celtic top of the Premiership.

Here's what some of you said:

Patrick: Too many slack passes and wasted opportunities from the starting players. Fortunately the substitutes made all the difference, Alistair Johnston was subbed on and had scored within three minutes and Daizen Maeda won the penalty! At least we have the depth to rest some players, albeit for 60 minutes.

Michael: Excellent start to the season but concerns remain oover the strength of the back-up players. In a number of games this season - Falkirk, Ross County and Dundee - we have had to be rescued by the first-team players coming back on.

Eamon: Both the Falkirk game and this match show that the fringe players at Celtic just aren't up to the standard required and must be moved on in January. It's a matter of time before Celtic get caught out if five or six changes are made to the starting line-up. Start with the strongest team and then make changes when the game is safe.

Gordy: Proved again we can't make too many changes without disrupting how we play, but the game should have been out of site before half-time. Kyogo Furuhashi is out of sorts but will come good when it matters. Sadly Yang Hyun-Jun, Anthony Ralston and other squad players can't seem to play to the standard required when they start games, but we got the result and that's what matters.

Paul: You feel someone is about to face the fireworks soon, with Celtic missing so many chances and still winning by two or three goals. Could it be Aberdeen and then Leipzig this week? Great to have a top penalty scorer and commander Johnston on the wings.

John: A bit ponderous in the first half but the substitutions made all the difference, an easy night at the office.

Image source, SNS

"I'm getting really lucky!"

Celtic's Alistair Johnston exuded modesty as he reflected on his prolific scoring form this season.

The Canada international netted in his second successive game to prise open a stubborn Dundee defence on Wednesday night and send Celtic on their way to a 2-0 win.

It took Johnston's tally for the season to four goals - not bad for a right-back - and has him jostling at the top of the Premiership scoring charts. Only Aberdeen's Pape Habib and Benjamin Kimpioka of St Johnstone have scored more.

"I just seem to go in to the six-yard box once or twice a game and it keeps falling to me," Johnston told Celtic TV.

"That one [against Dundee], I didn't know much about. I was just there and got a toe on it and I think I put their keeper off a bit.

"I think he was expecting it to get through, so finally the size 11 feet come to help me!

"I'm just happy I could break the deadlock there, get us going in the right direction and get a reward for all the hard work the guys had put in throughout the match."

With the League Cup semi-final against Aberdeen looming on Saturday, Brendan Rodgers made six changes for the Dundee game, with Celtic prevailing in the second half to stay top of the table on goal difference from the Dons, who defeated Rangers 2-1.

"It ended up being a good performance and one of those that we looked at that no matter what happens, you need to get three points, especially with other big matches going on," added Johnston.

"It was just important for us to focus on our work, get the three points, take care of our business and whatever happens, happens."

Image source, SNS

• Celtic's former Dundee midfielder Luke McCowan attempted five shots, his highest total in a single match in the Premiership.

• Dundee have conceded two penalties in the Premiership this season, only Kilmarnock (three) have conceded more.

• Celtic committed 10 fouls in this match, higher than their season average of 9.4 in the Premiership.

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

Celtic captain Callum McGregor as well as Adam Idah and Nicolas Kuhn are expected to be available for Saturday's Premier Sports Cup semi-final with Aberdeen. (Record), external

Aberdeen's start to the season has been "fantastic", says Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers, who is quick to point out his side have also been "brilliant" as both sides occupy the top two spots in the Scottish Premiership after 10 games. (Mail), external

Dundee manager Tony Docherty questions the penalty awarded to Celtic in his side's 2-0 defeat in Glasgow on Wednesday. (Herald - subscription), external

Read Thursday's Scottish gossip

It took Brendan Rodgers' side 60 minutes, and three changes, to get going at Parkhead as Alistair Johnston made it two goals from two games by tapping home Yang Hyun-Jun's cross.

Arne Engels made it two seven minutes later when he calmly converted from the spot after Kyogo Furuhashi won a penalty.

And the league leaders saw it out from there against a Dundee side who have now just won twice in 10 and slip to 10th place.

Were you at Parkhead on Wednesday night or following the game from home? Either way we want to know what you made of the Celtic performance.

Give us your thoughts here, external.

Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers tells BBC Scotland: "Alistair Johnston has got the feeling now of scoring goals so he's hungry," Rodgers said.

"But he's top class, he's a real leader, very strong defensively and a tough boy mentally. He's done fantastic for us but tonight was also a good chance to get Tony [Ralston] some minutes."

"My only focus is on ourselves, looking at us improving our performance level as we go through the season.

"We should have won against Aberdeen, we went a bit slack but we'll learn from that. I'm really pleased with the squad, we've been fantastic with lots of improvements to make."

"We'll be ready for that [cup semi-final v Aberdeen], we love going to Hampden. We're in a good place, getting players back so we'll be ready for Sunday."

Charlotte Cohen
BBC Sport Scotland

Image source, SNS

Brendan Rodgers acknowledged in his pre-match press conference that changes would be necessary as his side battle with the hefty fixture schedule that comes with this new-look Champions League format plus all the domestic action.

He made six changes to the starting XI from the 3-0 win over Motherwell on Sunday, including swapping right-back Alistair Johnston for Anthony Ralston and opting for Paolo Bernardo over Reo Hatate in the middle of the park.

Despite 13 shots and an xG of 2.24 in the first half, they just couldn't break the deadlock. At the start of the second period, they once again peppered the Dundee box with chances that didn’t come to anything.

That’s when Rodgers brought on the big guns – Johnston, Hatate and Daizen Maeda replaced Ralston, Bernardo and Luis Palma and that trio made an immediate impact.

A real positive for Brendan Rodgers knowing that he has so many gamechangers within his squad but there will be a worry that those squad players can't deliver what's needed when called upon.

Image source, SNS

For his first league start of the season, Yang Hyun-Jun looked bright on the right for Celtic and set up Alistair Johnston for the hosts' opening goal.

Brendan Rodgers has rung the changes once again, making six alterations to the side that started the 3-0 victory over Motherwell.

Alistair Johnston, Liam Scales, Alex Valle, Reo Hatate, James Forrest and Daizen Maeda all drop to the bench. There's no Callum McGregor in the squad tonight.

Cameron Carter-Vickers is back in the starting line-up after making his return off the bench at the weekend, Greg Taylor is also back in at left-back while Anthony Ralston replaces Johnston on the right.

Arne Engels, Hyun-Jun Yang, and Luis Palma are also in from the start.

Worth noting that it's a first league start of the season for Palma, Yang and Ralston.

Tony Docherty has made three changes from the 2-1 defeat to St Johnstone. Trevor Carson is replaced by Jon McCracken between the sticks due to a knock. Josh Mulligan and Antonio Portales are in for Curtis Main and Billy Koumetio.

Image source, SNS

• Celtic are unbeaten in 39 league meetings with Dundee (W33 D6); only against Partick Thistle have they ever gone 40+ league matches in a row without defeat against a single opponent (48 from 1897 to 1923).

• Dundee have lost 19 of their last 21 away games against Celtic in all competitions (D2) since a 2-0 victory in May 2001.

• Celtic are unbeaten in 37 midweek (Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday) home games in the Scottish Premiership (W33 D4), winning their last 22 in a row by an aggregate score of 63-6. The Hoops’ last such defeat came to St Johnstone in March 2015 (1-0).

• Dundee are winless in their last 40 league meetings with reigning Scottish champions (D6 L34) since a 2-0 win away to Rangers in March 2001 under Ivano Bonetti.

• Brendan Rodgers has won 12 of his 13 meetings with Dundee as Celtic manager in all competitions, drawing the other 0-0 in April 2018.

Image source, SNS

Celtic striker Adam Idah will miss out with an ankle injury while Callum McGregor remains a doubt with a hip strain. Greg Taylor could make his comeback from a calf problem.

Dundee goalkeeper Trevor Carson will drop out with a knock and Scott Fraser remains unavailable but Jordan McGhee is fit again. Joe Shaughnessy is working his way back from a long-term knee injury.

Winger James Forrest, 33, is eager to savour what could be his last season at Celtic. (Record), external

Forrest wondered if he would play for Celtic again during a spell out of the first team. (Herald - subscription), external

Former Celtic general manager Jock Brown has become chairman of Hamilton Academical. (Sun), external

Read Wednesday's Scottish gossip