Celtic

Watch Sportscene pundits Charlie Mulgrew and Michael Stewart analyse Celtic's impressive squad depth after their 5-1 win away at Aberdeen.

We asked for your views on Celtic's 5-1 win against Aberdeen.

Here's what some of you said:

Sammy: Celtic had a slow start but the Aberdeen equaliser gave our players a fright to boost their play with another three goals after the second half.

Brenda: Brendan Rodgers should never have risked an injury to Reo Hatate in a meaningless match at Pittodrie. Ange Postecoglou knew how to rotate the squad within matches, with large-scale changes around 60 minutes, which generally resulted in more goals. Rodgers sticks to the same old, same old for 85 minutes every week. Basic errors by a coach who never played professional football, and who over-relies on cheque-book management. It'll be Jamie Vardy and Harry Maguire next.

Sam: Love the look of Maik Nawrocki, Sean McArdle and Johnny Kenny. We need to nurture their development and give them game time. Yang Hyun-Jun is showing he can make a push for the first team, and Viljami Sinisalo is giving a promising display as a future number one. We need to develop these players and let them play!

Dave: Aberdeen couldn't lay a glove on Celtic's B team. Compared to the energy and power the Celtic team showed, the Dons looked ponderous and inept. I dread to think what Celtic will do to them in the final when the A team are back.

Ray: Quite a scintillating show versus Don's. Luke McCowan, James Forrest and Nawrocki were superb and top-notch show all round, apart from the soft goal confirming Jeffrey Schlupp's weakness in man marking. Rodgers has to be commended for motivating a largely second-string team. Creativity and laser focus are the key to ending the league well and earning a fine treble.

Watch highlights as Aberdeen lose 5-1 against Celtic in the Scottish Premiership.

Available to UK users only.

Luis Palma will return to Celtic at the end of his loan to Olympiakos, but although the Greek champions have decided against a permanent move, rivals Panathinaikos, AEK Athens and PAOK could be interested in the 25-year-old Honduras winger. (Sportime), external

Blackburn Rovers manager Valerien Ismael says Tyrhys Dolan will decide on his future after taking a holiday as the 23-year-old winger nears the end of his contract amid reported interest from Celtic and Rangers and after fans chanted his name and urged him to stay following their season-ending game against Sheffield United. (Daily Record), external

Royal Antwerp winger Michel-Ange Balikwisha has been personally responding to Celtic fans on social media touting the £6m-rated 24-year-old wide man for a summer transfer to the Scottish champions. (Glasgow Times), external

Rennes are poised to cut their losses Japan striker Kyogo Furuhashi, who has been frozen out by team boss Habib Beye since the 30-year-old's £10m January switch from Celtic. (Daily Record), external

Liverpool have verbally agreed personal terms with former Celtic right-back Jeremie Frimpong and must now decide if and when to proceed with signing the Dutch international who has a release clause of around £29.6m with Bayer Leverkusen. (Football Insider), external

Read Thursday's Scottish Gossip in full.

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• Adam Idah has scored in each of his last 4 games in the Premiership (5 goals), his longest scoring streak in the competition.

• Kevin Nisbet has scored 11 goals in the Premiership this season (1 in this game), more than any other Aberdeen player.

• Celtic have scored in 34 of their 37 games, more often than any other team in the Premiership this season.

• Celtic have scored in each of their last 5 games in the Premiership, scoring 19 goals in that run.

• Adam Idah has contributed to goals in his last 4 games in the Premiership (5 goals, 0 assists).

Celtic fans, were you at Pittodrie to watch your side's comfortable win against Aberdeen or were you following along from home?

Either way, we want your thoughts.

Have your say on the result and performance.

George O'Neill
BBC Sport Scotland

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The way Celtic dismantled Aberdeen with what was a new-look side highlighted the strength in depth Rodgers has at his disposal.

Maik Nawrocki was solid in defence and took his goal like a seasoned striker, Luke McCowan scored and contributed two assists in a magnificent all-round display, and wing duo Hyun-Jun Yang and James Forrest were a constant threat with their direct running.

Forrest was unfortunate not to find the net himself as he seeks to score in Celtic colours for the 16th season running.

Johnny Kenny's finish was superb and he put himself in goal-scoring positions throughout, having more shots than any player on either side.

It leaves Brendan Rodgers with several healthy selection headaches before the Scottish Cup final, although the Celtic manager will be sweating over the fitness of Reo Hatate, who went off injured after a heavy challenge from Pape Gueye.

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Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers: "We were outstanding in the game. The attacking connection in the team was so good, we scored really good goals.

"So many good performances individually and collectively a really high level.

"It's a huge testament to the players because some of them haven't played for a number of games. To come in and play with that rhythm and tempo was highly impressive.

"[James Forrest] is so good, he can beat a player, he's so clever with the ball and his work-rate - he was outstanding.

"It was a stupid challenge [on Hatate]. The guy had obviously lost his head. We'll have to check and see how his knee is over the next couple of days.

"Tonight has no relevance to the cup final, it's a different occasion and a different game. Of course when you come to Pittodrie and win 5-1 and demonstrate that quality and intensity, it's a really good sign.

"Now we recover and focus on Saturday's game. It will be a special occasion for us. We want to win, pick up the trophy and then we can focus on Aberdeen in the cup final."

Kheredine Idessane
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

It's highly likely Celtic will score at Pittodrie this evening. They've only failed to net twice since the turn of the year, at Ibrox and McDiarmid Park.

You have to go back 26 games against the Dons – to March 2019 – for the last time Aberdeen prevented the Parkhead side scoring. This season alone, Brendan Rodgers' men have put 14 into the Reds' net.

One more tonight will enable Rodgers to tick another item off this term's wishlist. Celtic's next goal will be their 107th of the season, eclipsing the tally of his first campaign as Hoops boss which landed 106 points, the same number of goals and an 'invincible treble'.

Despite a drop-off since the turn of the year, and in particular since dropping out of the Champions League, this season will give the manager much cause for satisfaction.

Celtic's goal difference is already a massive +82, which is 45 better than their nearest rivals Rangers. The club record for goals scored in a league season is 116, a mark that has stood since the First World War. The champions need 11 goals in two games to eclipse that. Unlikely but not impossible.

The other target is the domestic clean sweep, which is why tonight's trip to Pittodrie has a little extra edge. It's a dress rehearsal for the Scottish Cup final on Saturday week. Except in many ways it isn't.

Given Celtic only have one more match of real consequence this season - at Hampden - any players with fitness doubts are likely to be rested. Cameron Carter-Vickers and Alastair Johnston didn't play against Hibs at the weekend, for example.

Celtic can afford to lose at Pittodrie while Aberdeen can't in their pursuit of third place.

The only game Celtic need to be 100% for is the cup final. Yes, players are battling for spots in the team but the manager almost certainly has his Hampden starting line-up pencilled in already.

It's that simple for Celtic. One more goal, and one more win against Aberdeen in Mount Florida, and another hugely successful season will have been completed. The rest is just the noise of Saturday's title party.

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• Aberdeen are winless in their past 29 meetings with Celtic in all competitions (D6 L23) since a 1-0 league win in May 2018.

• Celtic are unbeaten in 16 visits to Aberdeen (all in the league), winning 13 and drawing three since a 2-1 defeat in February 2016.

• Aberdeen have won their final home league game in four of the past six seasons (D1 L1 – including curtailed 2019-20 season), including both of their past two. They last achieved this three seasons in a row from 2006-07 to 2008-09.

• Celtic have only won their final away league game in one of the past six seasons (D3 L2 – including curtailed 2019-20 season), although that was a 5-0 victory at Kilmarnock last term.

• In his managerial career, Celtic's Brendan Rodgers has enjoyed 13 league wins against Aberdeen – his joint-most against a single opponent, along with Dundee and Hearts.

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Aberdeen defenders Alexander Jensen and Kristers Tobers are available again. Ester Sokler (leg), Sivert Heltne Nilsen (eye) and Vicente Besuijen (knee) remain out.

Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers promised a reshuffle and Alistair Johnston returns from a hip problem. Daizen Maeda will stay behind for treatment on a niggle.

Kasper Schmeichel drops out to assess his shoulder's reaction to his comeback, but Cameron Carter-Vickers and Dane Murray remain out.

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Tyrhys Dolan, who was on Celtic's list of options before signing Jota in the January transfer window, is being monitored by the Scottish champions and Rangers as the 23-year-old winger nears the end of his contract with Blackburn Rovers. (Herald - subscription required), external

Celtic have been handed encouragement in their pursuit of David Strelec, with Slovan Bratislava chief executive Ivan Kmotrik admitting the 24-year-old frontman could be available for a reduced transfer fee in the summer. (Record), external

Jeremie Frimpong has told Bayer Leverkusen he wants to leave this summer and the 24-year-old would be happy to move to Liverpool if they decide to sign a right-back this summer, with former club Celtic due 30% of any profit should any club trigger his £29.5m release clause. (Sky Sports), external

Frimpong, 24, is closing in on a £29.5m move to Liverpool. (Mail), external

Liverpool are now very close to signing Frimpong, with the English champions ready to pay £33.6m to avoid competition from other clubs, including Bayern Munich. (TeamTalk), external

Swansea City have contacted Celtic in a bid to land Darren O'Dea, currently the Scottish champions' professional player pathway manager, as assistant to new manager Alan Sheehan. (Sky Sports), external

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Having a Scottish core at Celtic "is 100% key to your success", says manager Brendan Rodgers.

Rodgers was speaking in reference to right-back Anthony Ralston hinting that he would happily finish his career at Celtic.

"Guys like Tony are really pivotal to the culture of this club," said Rodgers.

"He doesn't play every single game, but he is probably one of our most important players here because of his history at the club.

"But also the likes of Greg Taylor, the other Scottish boys, not just the guys who have come through here, are important. Scott Bain doesn't play hardly ever, but he has been a real leader behind the scenes as well.

"You always look from within to see if there are players in your academy who can make the step up. It has been very difficult in recent times just because of the level the team and the club are operating at.

"But there is a pathway for a young player here 100%, with patience and a bit of development. The second look of course is outside."

In terms of potential homegrown recruits, Rodgers commented: "I have loved working with the Scottish players when I have been up here. That is what we do.

"We look to homegrown to see if there is anyone we feel can improve our squad, to see if there is a young player who can come in and has that potential to be a starter here, so it is always something we cover in our recruitment."

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Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers has been speaking to the media before the Scottish Premiership champions' Wednesday visit to Aberdeen.

Here are the key lines:

• Rodgers feels the amount of trebles Celtic have won in recent years "is taken for granted", adding: "There's so much work in it, it's not something you can take for granted because even luck can go against you in games".

• The manager believes "it's very important" to have a Scottish core of players at Celtic, explaining: "Guys like Tony [Ralston] are really pivotal to the culture of this club. He doesn't play every single game, but he is probably one of our most important players here because of his history at the club.

• "But also the likes of Greg Taylor," Rodgers added. "The other Scottish boys, not just the guys who have come through here, are important."

• Summer signing Kieran Tierney will be "champing at the bit" to return to Celtic this summer, Rodgers believes.

• With Aberdeen also Celtic's opponents in the Scottish Cup final later this month, Rodgers' approach to Wednesday's league game is straightforward, saying: "We want to win the game and, importantly, we want to play well."

• Defenders Cameron Carter-Vickers misses out at Pittodrie, along with forward Daizen Maeda, while right-back Alistair Johnston is available.

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Brendan Rodgers says it is a "real honour" to receive the Scottish Premiership's manager of the season award after leading Celtic to their fourth league title in a row.

The Parkhead side wrapped up a 13th top-flight crown in 14 seasons in their five-goal win at Dundee United at the end of April.

Rodgers, who also won two manager of the month prizes in September and November, has also guided Celtic to League Cup success this term and has a Scottish Cup final to look forward to later this month.

With two league fixtures left to play away to Aberdeen and at home to St Mirren, Celtic head into their final league matches 17 points clear at the top of the Premiership table with 28 wins, four draws and only four losses.

On receiving the prize, manager Rodgers said: "It is a real honour to receive this award and it is one for us all - the players, my backroom team and all the staff at the club who have worked so hard right across the season to deliver such a high level of consistency and success.

"We have produced some great performances across the season and some great numbers, which have been the foundation for us wining the Premiership title so convincingly.

"Our aim at the start of every season will be to bring exciting, attacking and winning football to our fans and we are pleased to have done that again this year."

Tino
Fan writer

We find ourselves back in familiar territory this weekend as Celtic get ready to lift the Scottish Premiership trophy for the 13th time in 14 seasons.

At this point, it's practically part of the football calendar: summer, autumn, winter, and Celtic winning the league.

Never in the annals of Scottish football has one team enjoyed such consistent dominance. It's bordering on a monopoly - but the kind we as fans are happy to embrace.

And while Callum McGregor might want to start lifting with his other arm (there's a genuine concern about repetitive strain injury at this point), some of his team-mates are just getting their first taste of title glory.

Arne Engels, Luke McCowan and Auston Trusty are all preparing for a party in Paradise at the weekend as the new Bhoys enjoy league success for the very first time.

For McCowan, a lifelong Hoops fan, this is a dream come true. For the others, it's a crash course in what it means to be Celtic: win, win again, then be told winning isn't enough unless you do it better next time around.

Because that's the thing - success doesn't buy you contentment at this club. It buys you expectations. Pressure doesn't lift after a title win. It doubles. Just ask McGregor. The captain's probably thinking about pre-season already.

And of course, things in football can change quickly (season 2020-21, anyone?), but if Rangers are banking on Celtic taking a nap while they try to sort themselves out, they'd better set an alarm.

This team doesn't do standing still. They do relentless.

With 120 major honours in 138 years, we're not just clinging to history - we're creating it. And in a fortnight, we could be polishing off a Scottish Cup to top off the season.

Brendan Rodgers has done more than steady the ship since his return. He's given us trophy after trophy, goals galore, and a return to challenging at the top tier of European football.

Celtic came within a whisker of taking Bayern Munich to extra time in the Champions League this season. That's not a fluke. That's a show of intent.

And what about Celtic's newfound level of spending?

The days of rummaging in the bargain bin are over. A reported £28m splashed on just three players this season alone - Engels, Adam Idah and Jota.

Celtic aren't shopping on the same aisle as our rivals. We've moved on to a whole different shopping centre altogether. Or 'a mall' as they call it in America...

So while the trophy lift might feel like deja vu, it never gets old.

Not for the players, not for the fans, and certainly not for a club that's hell-bent on staying top while everyone else plays catch-up.

Here's to another day of celebration for the club this weekend - and maybe another trophy to add to the collection before the season's out.

Tino can be found at The Celtic Exchange, external

Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers is seventh favourite with bookmakers to become Manchester United manager should the Premier League club part with Ruben Amorim this summer, with Jose Mourinho topping the betting. (Sun), external

Former Manchester United and Trinidad & Tobago striker Dwight Yorke was offered a contract by Celtic in 2004, but no move materialised. (Sun), external

Read Tuesday's Scottish gossip

Jonathan Sutherland
Sportscene presenter

Nicolas Kuhn: Timing his form perfectly for the Scottish Cup final, which could be troublesome for Aberdeen. A goal and an assist against Hibs. Hit the doldrums and was utterly becalmed for a few months, but the wind is back in his sails.

Reo Hatate: The best player for Celtic in their defeat of Hibs. Has all the passes and class in abundance.

Watch Sportscene pundit Michael Stewart analyse Celtic striker Adam Idah's performance in Saturday's win over Hibernian. (Available to UK users only)

David Strelec would score a "minimum" of 20 goals if he signs for Celtic, who have been urged to move for the Slovan Bratislava striker by former playmaker Lubomir Moravcik. (Daily Record)

Celtic's long-awaited new training facility - which was expected to open in January - is now only three weeks away from being completed. (Scottish Sun)

Read the rest of Monday's gossip.