Celtic

Claire Thomson
BBC Sport Scotland

Image source, SNS

Kilmarnock manager Stuart Kettlewell insists his side will ignore "exterior noise" as Celtic fans plan to protest their dissatisfaction with the club's board this weekend at Rugby Park.

His side are still seeking a first Premiership win this season, having gone into the international break following four successive draws.

But as Celtic supporters enter the ground after the 12th minute, Kettlewell wants Killie to stay fully focused on on-field matters.

"There always seems to be some narrative surrounding Celtic and Rangers that people want to latch on to. I've seen it since I was a young child but I don't listen to it for a second," he said.

"Celtic are a top side. They've continued to win trophies time and time again, because of the standard they have set and they have continually raised the bar and been able to maintain it.

"The players know we're playing against the team that has set the bar for so many years and it's going to be a difficult day.

"I've seen it before with fans from other clubs but what people need to understand for my team, the focus will be solely on the job at hand.

"We won't listen to that exterior noise, so it doesn't become a factor.

"We have to do our job to the best of our ability and it's not something we will discuss as a football club."

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Celtic captain Callum McGregor says he understands the "discontent within the supporters" as fans prepare to demonstrate their anger following a disappointing summer transfer window and failure to reach the Champions League.

Supporters are planning to boycott the first 12 minutes of Sunday's trip to Kilmarnock in protest at the board, who are accused failing to do enough to help manager Brendan Rodgers strengthen his squad.

McGregor, a boyhood Celtic fan, said he did "not want to be dragged into the politics of it too much," but acknowledged how the supporters felt.

"I think it's unprecedented in recent times," said the 32-year-old midfielder.

"The sort of level of noise and discontent within the supporters, I can understand it. It's the supporters that make the club what it is. It's so special.

"They're putting their hard-earned money into the club so, of course, I understand that they want to see the best possible team on the pitch.

"Everybody in elite sport, the players, the supporters, we all want to be at the highest level possible every single year, and that is the demand of this club, so I do understand it.

"I sympathise with them a little bit on it because it's them who are spending the money and trying to support the team, etc, so my responsibility is to try and give them the best product on the pitch that we possibly can.

"My focus is on that and trying to bring them happiness through the football of the team."

McGregor will discuss the planned protests pre-match with team-mates on Saturday but doesn't want to "make it a bigger thing than it already is".

He added: "It's now important that we draw a line under what happened, the team now get back to functioning and attacking in the way that we want to do.

"I've got no doubt if we find a goal in the Champions League [to beat Kairat Almaty], it's not anywhere near as noisy as what it is. And that comes back on the team as well. We all have to take collective responsibility.

"I understand that the window probably didn't go the way that the club wanted, there were some targets that we didn't get, etc. And sometimes that's life, sometimes that happens.

"The important thing is there's an acknowledgement of it and there's an acknowledgement to try and do better the next time.

"That's all, as a captain, as a supporter, that you can hope for, is that people learn their lessons from mistakes, ie. players, coaches, managers, the board, etc. We all have to learn and get better."

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Questions have been raised about whether Celtic's fan protest at Kilmarnock this weekend will have any effect.

Supporters will continue to demonstrate their dissatisfaction with the club's board with a late entry protest after the 12th minute as many remain angry about the club's transfer window and failure to reach the Champions League.

Although 12 new signings were made, fans have been frustrated by the level of new recruits and the inability to replace some departed players.

Chants of "sack the board" have already been heard at Celtic Park, but football journalist Moira Gordon does not think the Celtic boardroom will care about fan protests.

"I don't think, especially short term, it will bother them too much," she told the BBC's Scottish Football Podcast.

"They have made their decision and they're stubborn about it. They feel they're running the club the best way the feel it should be done.

"Not turning up at games only hurts the players and the teams.

"For Celtic and Rangers, the big travelling support is one their major strengths week in, week out. It affects the players more than the boards.

"The boards care about still getting money in. If you start voting with your money or you keep your money from boardrooms, then they sit up and start making decisions.

"Is [major shareholder] Dermot Desmond sitting somewhere worrying that there's a few thousand seats empty at Rugby Park, and he's suddenly going to hold his hands up? That's not the sort of guy he is.

"I understand Celtic fans want to do it and have their opinions heard but I don't think it's going to make an impact."

Charlotte Cohen
BBC Sport Scotland

Image source, Opta

Daizen Maeda was Celtic's standout player last season, scoring 33 goals and providing 12 assists.

It was the most productive campaign of his career - and a high bar to maintain - but the Japan forward has struggled to reach those levels early this term amid speculation over his future.

What does the data - specifically his statistics per 90 minutes - reveal about Maeda's current performances compared to last season's scintillating form?

His goals are obviously lower, given that he's yet to find the net in the league with four games under his belt.

In spite of that, he has set up two strikes, meaning he's not far off last year's match average of goals and assists - 0.6 this time compared to 0.91.

There's been a slight improvement in total fast breaks but almost every other attacking metric is worse.

the 27-year-old's ratio of shots and shots on target have both dropped significantly, which is perhaps a symptom of Celtic's lack of attacking thrust in the league season despite taking 10 points from 12.

While Maeda scored 0.53 big chances per 90 last term, he's sitting on zero so far but his big chances missed is exactly the same.

The forward's number of touches in the opposition box is down too, but he has only started as striker in one game this season - the 0-0 draw against Rangers at Ibrox - so it's understandable certain contributions are not as high.

With Adam Idah having departed for Swansea City on transfer deadline day, the winger has a new frontman to work alongside in Kelechi Iheanacho.

Perhaps some fresh blood at the top end of the pitch can help inspire Maeda back to his best.

And while his attacking numbers are down, defensively there's been a positive difference in Maeda's output.

He's won an average of 3.87 duels compared to 3.66 last season, while his clearances have almost tripled and his possession won has gone from 2.57 to 4.17.

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• Kilmarnock have lost 16 of their past 19 league meetings with Celtic (W1 D2), including their latest four in a row, all by a margin of 2+ goals.

• Celtic have won seven and lost just one of their past nine league visits to Rugby Park (D1), winning their latest two by an aggregate score of 7-0.

• Kilmarnock have drawn their first four league matches this season, their longest run of consecutive draws in the top flight since a stretch of four between February and March 2000.

• Celtic are unbeaten in 10 league matches (W7 D3) since a 1-0 defeat to St Johnstone in April, winning by a 2+ goal margin in six of their seven victories in this time.

• Celtic are yet to concede a league goal and could keep a clean sheet in all of their first five Premiership matches for a second consecutive season after doing so last term, a run of games that included a 4-0 victory against Kilmarnock.

Brendan Rodgers will hold urgent talks with Daizen Maeda to get a sense of the attitude of Celtic's main striker after he publicly stated his desire to leave the champions. (Scottish Sun)

Sebastian Tounekti's upbringing on the freezing pitches of Tromso have given the Tunisia winger a toughness that will prepare him for life at Celtic. (Scottish Sun)

Read the rest of Thursday's gossip.

BBC Sport Scotland reporter Kheredine Idessane has been answering some of your questions on Celtic.

James asked: Is Brendan Rodgers to blame for an indifferent start to the season? On paper the team should have progressed into the Champions League. Are the board right to withhold funds due to a lot of monies spent on quite average players? What happens next?

Peter asked: Rodgers seem to have problems with the board releasing funds. Do you think he will leave?

Kheredine answered: I'm going to take your questions together, James and Peter. Rodgers doesn't get a free pass in all of this, in my opinion, no.

The current squad, even minus the departed Kyogo Furuhashi and Nicolas Kuhn - and the injured Jota - should have had enough about them to get past the champions of Kazakhstan. Never mind failing to score against them in 210 minutes. This is a failure of football, of tactics, of motivation and potentially of desire.

The players and manager have to take a long, hard look at themselves for blowing the club's best chance in years to overcome their long-standing Champions League qualifying hoodoo.

Clearly, earlier and better recruitment could have helped the club overcome Kairat Almaty. Rodgers realised this, repeatedly talked about the need to strengthen and was effectively ignored by the board. One has to ask why?

This perhaps relates to your point, James, about the board being reluctant to spend when they perhaps don't feel they got value for money in Adam Idah, Arne Engels, Auston Trusty or Paulo Bernardo from the year before.

Will Rodgers leave, Peter? At the end of the season, almost certainly yes, in my view. Indeed, this whole mess Celtic have got themselves into boils down to manager's future: why would a board sanction a significant spend when they don't know who the manager is going to be next summer?

The talks Rodgers had with major shareholder Dermot Desmond over the summer did not lead to the offer of a new contract. Not enough has been made of this, in my view.

With a manager in place whose deal expires in a few months, little wonder we've seen a summer of hesitation, financial caution and, in terms of the Champions League, football failure.

Matt asked: Why do you think so many top players seem keen to leave despite the success they have here? Greg Taylor, Kuhn, Kyogo, Idah, now rumours of Daizen Maeda wanting to go and Yang Yang Hyun-jun being denied, it makes you wonder.

Kheredine answered: There's a shelf-life to a stay in Scotland – certainly for some foreign players and home-grown stars with aspiration.

No one can blame Taylor for wanting to challenge himself in a different environment. Especially when there was every chance Kieran Tierney would be viewed as first-choice left-back.

I don't think Idah was desperate to leave, but there was growing frustration from the stands at the way his Celtic career was going, and maybe a little frustration in the player too that he was hardly being presented with a raft of great chances every game.

A move away for a decent return on the £9m Celtic paid for him was good business for everyone.

As for the Japanese lads and Kuhn, the German winger falls precisely into Celtic's model. Buy cheap, sell expensive. When the right offer appears, the club have to cash in, even if it's only after 18 months.

Kyogo, Maeda and Reo Hatate have all given the club excellent service. Kyogo felt he might be suited to a different league; Maeda and Hatate are still there but may feel they've done their time, given that both arrived in January 2022.

With the greatest respect to our wonderful game, neither probably viewed Scotland as their end destination.

The key to succession planning is timing, and that's the one thing the Celtic board have loosened their grip on. It should have been clear the futures of the manager and several key players needed to be resolved early in the summer. They weren't and that's why the club has hit a big bump in the road.

BBC Sport Scotland reporter Kheredine Idessane has been answering some of your questions on Celtic.

John asked: Million dollar question, will the combined disapproval from all sections of the Celtic supporters groups bring any change to the board or will they just carry on regardless of the outcry from almost every genuine fan?

Kheredine answered: Is that the inflationary version of the old $64,000 question, John? One for the old school, there. You're quite right, though: the burning question among many fans is whether they can effect any real change at board level.

That would appear extremely unlikely. There is little doubt that, as a business, Celtic is extremely well run. Which means the board are carrying out their fiduciary duties, and all duties of trust and care, extremely well.

The mantra from the blazers is all about preparing for a rainy day. In that sense, the football club could not be better off. The supporters, however, want maximum investment in the team on the pitch and that clearly hasn't happened this calendar year.

The tendency among the hierarchy at Celtic Park is to keep calm and carry on. They don't tend to say much outwith AGMs or financial result statements.

They did, of course, break cover recently with Saturday's club statement. Given how that was received, don't expect to hear much from anyone on the board any time soon, and don't expect much to change at boardroom level, especially if results on the park improve.

Derek asked: Has anyone challenged Celtic's statement where they claim they are restricted by Uefa fair play rules on how much they can spend on improving the team? What is the limit they can spend under these rules?

Kheredine answered: Good question, Derek, and one that immediately sprang to my mind when I waded through that remarkable club statement at the weekend.

It would appear to me Celtic are comfortably within the scope of any Uefa profit and sustainability rules. As a very rough rule of thumb, you're allowed losses of £100m over a rolling three-year period. Celtic are a million miles off that, as they've been in profit the past few years. Significant profit, at that, in Scottish terms.

There's also a move from PSR to SCR (squad cost ratio): this restricts you to spending 70% of your revenue on squad costs.

Celtic's last published figures (for the year ending June 2024) showed revenues of £125m. Seventy per cent of that is £87m. It's clear the club is well within that figure when it comes to its outlay on players.

In the summer of 2024, for example, it's widely acknowledged the boat was pushed out somewhat with the acquisitions of Adam Idah, Arne Engels, Auston Trusty and Paulo Bernardo for approximately £30m (aka the Matt O'Riley money). Nowhere near that amount has been spent in the current window, to the frustration of many supporters.

Image source, PA Media

Kelechi Iheanacho is "ready" to make his Celtic debut this weekend if called upon.

The Nigeria international, 28, joined Celtic as a free agent earlier this month after leaving Sevilla and last played in his country's friendly draw with Jamaica in May. His last goal came in March while on loan at Middlesbrough.

Scottish Premiership leaders Celtic visit Kilmarnock on Sunday (15:00 BST).

"I'm ready," Iheanacho told club media. "I've always been ready.

"[Celtic] are used to winning trophies. Hopefully, I'll be part of that. I'm happy to be here."

Iheanacho was previously managed by Celtic boss Brendan Rodgers when both were at Leicester City.

"He's been massively important in my career," Iheanacho said. "He looked after me when I was in Leicester. He obviously gave me the opportunity to show my talent in Leicester, to help the team and win trophies. I'm happy to play for him again.

"Man management as well, the way he manages players - he's a great guy. He knows how to manage his team and the players as well."

What would you like to ask about Celtic?

Our reporter Kheredine Idessane is ready to answer your questions and offer his insight and opinion on your club.

Send us your questions here.

Tino
Fan writer

Sometimes, the wisest thing to say is nothing at all.

From a Celtic perspective, that approach would have left the club in a far stronger position than the one it now finds itself in following the storm of the past few days.

A storm entirely of its own making.

The failings of the transfer window are obvious and well documented - there's no need to go over them line by line again here.

What has angered supporters even more than the window itself, however, is the club's response to it.

Instead of holding their hands up, acknowledging the shortcomings, and offering a credible plan forward, Celtic chose to downplay the concerns and patronise the very people who fill the stands and fund the club.

A decision that has only deepened the divide. So what happens next?

On the supporters' side, the irony is this is one issue that the club's vast fanbase can agree on. Fans have long been accused of being fragmented when it comes to holding the board accountable, but the sheer scale of dissatisfaction this time feels different.

The open letter - signed on behalf of tens of thousands of supporters – isn't just some noise on social media that'll blow over in the coming days. It's a coordinated statement of intent, a sign the patience of the fanbase is wearing dangerously thin.

The demand is simple: real change. Not vague promises, not glossy PR, but visible, measurable improvements in how the club is run.

And that change must start with three things: communication, transparency and strategy.

Supporters don't expect miracles in the transfer market, but they do expect honesty. They don't expect every decision to be explained in minute detail, but they do expect clarity on direction.

And above all, they want to see evidence Celtic have a coherent plan - short, medium and long term – rather than stumbling from one window to the next.

For the club, the choice is stark. They can continue to dismiss criticism and hope results on the pitch paper over the cracks, or they can engage meaningfully with supporters and rebuild trust. Silence, spin and self-congratulation won't cut it this time.

The ball is now firmly in the board's court. They've heard the anger, they've read the letter, and they can't pretend otherwise.

The question is whether they'll finally now act accordingly - or continue down a path that has left so many supporters completely disillusioned?

Tino can be found at The Celtic Exchange, external

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Former Celtic manager Ange Postecoglou is expected to replace the sacked Nuno Espirito Santo at Nottingham Forest.

Nuno left his position as head coach at the City Ground late on Monday night and the club are advancing with their efforts to land a replacement.

Sources are indicating that Postecoglou, 60, is a strong candidate for the position.

Australian Postecoglou won five of six available trophies during his two seasons with Celtic before moving to Tottenham in summer 2023.

He was sacked by Spurs at the end of last season despite winning the Europa League as the club finished 17th in the Premier League.

Read more: Postecoglou in line for Forest job

Celtic will not allow Daizen Maeda to leave in January after blocking a potential summer move for the Japan forward. (Football Insider), external

Former Celtic striker Oh Hyeon-gyu says he's baffled why Stuttgart pulled the plug on a £24m transfer because of injury concerns - costing his former club a £4m windfall. (The Herald - subscription required), external

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A second vote of no confidence has been issued to the Celtic board by four influential fan groups. (The Herald - subscription required), external

Image source, Getty Images

Former Scotland midfielder Michael Stewart on BBC Sportsound:

The reserves were not used in recruitment. Cash reserves have not been touched because they've brought more money in that they're spending.

The statement is an absolute PR disaster. Talk about 'not being able to read the room'. Of course, they were under pressure, they felt like they had to speak but to be perfectly honest, they'd have been better just being quiet than coming out with that.

They're conflating all sorts of things as gobbledygook, talking about sustainability. Nobody's talking about going and spending all the cash reserves. You're talking about spending to be able to grow and accrue more revenue. They've lost out on the revenue from the Champions League in large part because they didn't spend enough and at the right times.

At no juncture in that statement did the Celtic board actually just come out and say, 'do you know what, it's not been as good as we hoped'. That statement could've been one word - 'sorry'.

Former Scotland forward James McFadden on BBC Sportsound:

Kyogo [Furuhashi] wasn't replaced, Nicolas Kuhn was allowed to leave before a replacement was found, Adam Idah was allowed to leave, then he wasn't, then he actually was and then they signed a free agent [Kelechi Iheanacho].

It's not about spending, it's the timing of the recruitment; getting the players in before you've let players go but certainly before you play in a Champions League qualifier.

The model's been amazing for Celtic over a number of years but this transfer window's not been good enough, nor the last one.

Former Scotland forward Steven Thompson on BBC Sportsound:

They're trying to defend the indefensible here. If you're doing the right things behind the scenes, you get it done and you get it done early.

What do they want as a club? They've won 13 our of the last 14 leagues and probably the squad that they've got is good enough to win the league again. What is it that people are looking for? They're looking for progression and looking to go further in Europe.

I know people have talked about a glass ceiling in Europe but winning the league for the amount of times that they have done, isn't just enough for the Celtic fans. They want more and, clearly, the board haven't met those expectations.

We asked for your thoughts after Celtic released a statement on Saturday defending their summer transfer business, insisting that "throwing money" around is "not a sustainable route to success".

Here's a taste of what you had to say:

Arthur: Condescending drivel. I hope the support treat it with the contempt it deserves.

David: So they'd rather have £100m in the bank and pay £10m in tax every year. Two strikers gone, one free transfer gamble in. It's an utter joke, Celtic are becoming a laughing stock when it comes to transfer dealings. Money is kept to pay the rich shareholders, while the football team stagnates or goes backwards. Only a matter of time before we are second team in Scotland again with this board and their lack of any ambition.

Colin: That is a disgusting statement. I won't be spending another penny until there is change within the board.

Ruairidh: The statement released on Saturday is unbelievable for many reasons. There is no accountability. It places blame where there - for once - is none due. It hides behind easily disproved arguments and fallacies, while treating those fans who raise concerns with contempt.

Finally, and most galling of all, there is not even the smallest acknowledgement of a failure or even a mistake. The club know best and want everyone to shut up and keep paying your money.

I'm a season ticket holder who, every year for the past three years, has been struggling to justify the cost of supporting the team. I'm regretting my decision to renew this year, and feel I've been massively let down by the club I've picked decades of emotion, money and time into. Brutal.

Futileventure: Celtic might be a bit more successful in the transfer market home and abroad if they stopped low balling every club they make contact with.

JC: Quite simply awful. How can the board believe it is progressing when it denies a manager the resources to make the appropriate progress. The board is failing the club.

David: The statement does not address the fact we have not replaced our main striker and right winger in the January or summer transfer window. We should have used the money coming in from sales to buy two £10m players. I simply can't believe they could not do this, their recruitment process is amateurish. Why can't they explain who is involved and what is the process as that is the main issue?

Brian: Smoke screen stuff this. Do they think the supporters are going to accept this poor excuse for incompetence and mismanagement at board level. The loyal supporters and their cash are being taken for granted... putting up ticket money, merchandising and match day revenue but all we see is more profit on the balance sheet alongside the player trading profit. Peter Lawell should never have been allowed to return.

Andrew: I guess that's alright then. Thanks for putting that to bed, Celtic. There I was thinking you hadn't bothered but turns out you had actually tried. Really sorry about the "factors outwith the club's control" - though I'm sure other clubs face these same factors too. Just one of these things, eh?

Image source, PA Media

Adam Idah says he "had no thoughts of leaving Celtic" until Swansea City made a move for the Republic of Ireland striker.

Idah, 24, joined the Welsh club on transfer deadline day, after 18 months in Glasgow.

He initially joined Celtic on loan from Norwich City and formalised that move last summer in a £9.5m deal. After 29 goals in 76 appearances, Idah headed to Swansea for a reported initial £6m.

"It was a crazy week," Idah told told BBC Sport NI after scoring Republic of Ireland's late equaliser in Saturday's 2-2 draw at home to Hungary.

"I had no thoughts of leaving Celtic, but Swansea came in. It was a good project for me to go down to the Championship and restart.

"I loved my time at Celtic, I had some amazing memories, but it was probably time for me to move on and have a fresh start."

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