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  1. Scales and McCowan extend Celtic stay - share your viewspublished at 14:27 BST 24 April

    Have your say
    Liam Scales and Luke McCowanImage source, SNS

    Celtic have announced new contracts for centre-back Liam Scales and midfielder Luke McCowan.

    Scales has extended his deal to summer 2030 while McCowan is tied down for the next two years. The club holds the option to extend both for a further 12 months.

    Interim manager Martin O'Neill hailed 27-year-old Scales as "outstanding" and says Celtic are "a better team when he's in".

    Scales, who joined five years ago from Shamrock Rovers, has become a first-team mainstay, making 51 appearances this season.

    "I'm delighted to commit for another few years here." Scales said. "It's an amazing club and I've grown to love it. I feel a real part of it now.

    "I'm hoping that these next years will be my best. I feel like I've got the game experience now, I've played nearly 150 games for the club and I've played for Ireland."

    McCowan has played 81 matches - the majority of them as a substitute - since signing from Dundee in 2024.

    "I'm just so happy that we got the deal over the line and now I'm able to help the boys for the coming years and be a part of this amazing squad," he said.

    "I think I've become a lot more mature in terms of winning and losing."

    Celtic fans, what do you make of the new deals for the duo? Let us know your thoughts here.

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  2. 'Forrest has that special trait'published at 13:29 BST 24 April

    James ForrestImage source, SNS

    Former midfielder Scott Allan says Celtic were correct to retain "proper old school winger" James Forrest as he is still an important player and understands the "DNA of the club".

    Forrest, 34, is staying for an 18th season after signing a one-year contract extension.

    Allan, a former Celtic team-mate of Forrest, told the BBC's Scottish Football Podcast: "It's not an easy thing to have that longevity, especially at Celtic and Rangers for that matter.

    "But I just think he's got that special trait. He's a proper old school winger. You give him the ball and he'll be direct.

    "It's exactly what you saw when he come on last weekend [Scottish Cup semi-final win over St Mirren]. He squares his guy up, he hits the ball in and he's got the end product.

    "He's added that to his game in the last six years. There's been lots of times where Celtic fans have been wondering if it's time for him to move on but Forrest just keeps producing the goods. Year on year for Celtic, big moments, that's what his career has been judged on.

    "He did it again last week. So I just think it's important to have someone who knows the DNA of the club to be in that changing room.

    "He's not a massive personality, Forrest, but he just goes about his business in a real professional way. And first and foremost, he's a fantastic footballer."

  3. One month for Celtic to turn turbulent season into more glorypublished at 10:25 BST 24 April

    Nick McPheat
    BBC Sport Scotland

    Celtic fixtures

    Two permanent managers, two underwhelming transfer windows, intense fan unrest, and the return, exit and return again of Martin O'Neill.

    Yet, in a month's time, Celtic could be celebrating a league and cup double after one of the most turbulent seasons in their recent history.

    The Parkhead side's sprint to the finish begins with the visit of Falkirk on Saturday, kicking off their post-split Premiership schedule, before concluding with a Scottish Cup final against Neil Lennon's Dunfermline next month.

    O'Neill's men go into their final five league fixtures in third place, just three points behind leaders Hearts. However, their below-par performances have led pundits such as Chris Sutton to believe they have no chance of retaining their crown.

    That view was likely shared by the entire fanbase when St Mirren fought back from two down at Hampden to take Sunday's Scottish Cup semi-final to extra time.

    But a four-goal blitz in the space of just six minutes sealed a 6-2 victory for Celtic, and suddenly a campaign that has felt cursed is refuelled with hope.

    Since O'Neill's return following the dismal reign of Wilfried Nancy, the team have simply been getting by, relying on multiple late winners.

    Luck ran dry on the sandy Tannadice pitch a month ago when Celtic slumped to an abject 2-0 defeat against Dundee United - a result that felt like the end their title challenge. However, back-to-back wins since then have kept them in touch.

    Sutton says his former side will have to be perfect to win the title. To achieve that, their unconvincing displays will surely have to improve against a high-standard top six, with crucial home clashes against Rangers and Hearts to come, as well as trips to Hibernian and Motherwell.

    Although league titles have often been all but wrapped up by this stage in recent campaigns, the fact only one Celtic side have managed to win all their post-split fixtures in the past five years highlights the size of the challenge.

    And when you factor in that the overall calibre of the top half is at its highest level in a number of seasons, while the reigning champions' level has dropped, the task only becomes more difficult.

    But much of Celtic's squad and their manager are made of the right stuff when it comes to the mental aspect of a title fight.

    After a potentially morale-boosting extra-time period on Sunday, this weekend will provide a clearer picture of their credentials.

  4. Nottingham Forest to rekindle Engels pursuit - gossippublished at 08:06 BST 24 April

    Arne EngelsImage source, SNS

    Nottingham Forest will attempt to sign Celtic midfielder Arne Engels in the summer after having a bid of £25m for the 22-year-old rejected in February. (Teamtalk), external

    Celtic and Polish side Jagiellonia Bialystok are among the clubs monitoring Motherwell goalkeeper Calum Ward, who is under contract until 2027. (Christopher Reidy on X), external

    Houston Dynamo defender Erik Sviatchenko urges former club Celtic not to be put off by shopping in the MLS market after their ill-fated spell under Wilfried Nancy. (The Herald - subscription required), external

    Dunfermline Athletic are lobbying the SFA for a maximum ticket allocation for the Scottish Cup final against Celtic next month after around 10,000 Pars fans attended their semi-final victory over Falkirk. (Scottish Sun), external

  5. McGregor keen to end career at Celtic if club 'push on'published at 18:04 BST 23 April

    Callum McGregorImage source, SNS

    Captain Callum McGregor wants to finish his career at Celtic - as long as the club "continue to push and want to be successful".

    The former Scotland midfielder, who is under contract for a further two years, was linked with a move to reunite with Brendan Rodgers in Saudi Arabia in January, but stressed he sees his future at Parkhead.

    "I've always said I want to be at this club," McGregor, 32, said. "It's in my DNA, it's something I carry every single day.

    "I want to be here. I just want to make sure that the club continue to push and want to be successful. And obviously having conversations with the guys upstairs, that is something they want to do. So for me, this is the place I want to play.

    "The one thing you do get when you're at this club is when you have a taste of success, you want to keep it.

    "And you want it every single year and you want to keep pushing and trying to play at the highest level you can. And then trying to get the club to the highest level and performing.

    "We know the league's getting more competitive and teams are spending more money. We have to match that and try to push on as well. If you want to be successful, you have to keep pushing."

    McGregor was delighted to see 34-year-old winger James Forrest - Celtic's most decorated player - handed a new one-year contract and believes his experience is invaluable.

    "Brilliant, it's massively deserved," said McGregor. "He's been at the club for a long time, knows the fabric of the place, knows how it operates, knows what it takes to be a successful Celtic player.

    "He's someone with huge experience and is always there when you need him - at the weekend he comes on, makes a massive impact and gets us over the line. Somebody like that is invaluable to the building and the football club.

    "There's not much room in football for sentiment. It shows you how important he still is. That experience and quality is so important for the club moving forwards.

    "You've seen the value in that this season with the change. The one thing you need at big clubs is continuity."

  6. Fans welcome new contract for 'phenomenal' Forrestpublished at 16:17 BST 23 April

    your views graphic
    Media caption,

    A goal from each of James Forrest's 17 seasons at Celtic

    We asked for your views on Celtic's most decorated player, James Forrest, signing a new contract to stay for an 18th season.

    Here is a selection of your comments:

    Tom: A legend of Celtic and someone who gets what it is to be at this club. Every team needs squad players and he is a phenomenal person to have, hopefully can pass it on to the next generation and bring some inspiration to summer rebuild.

    K: He is an asset to the club, long may it continue.

    Stephen: Thoroughly deserved. It's refreshing to see a winger beating a defender on the outside and then getting the cross in. Sebastian Tounekti and others should take note rather than cutting inside every time.

    Peter: It's the only great thing out of this season so far. An outstanding player and person for the young ones to follow. Go on James, do your thing.

    Pete: Undoubtedly deserving of an extension and should be starting the next six cup finals we have coming up based on his form of late. A true Celtic legend who only wants to be at Celtic!

    Liam: Martin O'Neill says take sentimentally out of it, Forrest deserves it. A 34-year-old winger, with two goals in 70 appearances in the last two seasons - deserved? I think extending his contract just sums up everything wrong at the club at the moment.

    Archie: Marvellous! I wonder if he'll move into a coaching role at the club when his contract ends?

    SPB: To be quoted in the same conversation as Jimmy McGrory and Bobby Lennox and still playing and signing extensions is testimony to his dedication and application. Hats off to the lad, respect.

  7. Forrest's impressive Celtic career in numberspublished at 12:38 BST 23 April

    Martin Watt
    BBC Sport Scotland

    James Forrest graphic

    The remarkable story continues. James Forrest now has the opportunity to burnish his legendary status and record collection after signing up for an 18th season with his boyhood club.

    It perhaps says more about Celtic's shoddy recruitment than Forrest's prevailing powers that he is still an integral squad performer.

    While limited to seven starts across 36 appearances this season, Forrest has often brought more dynamism and attacking thrust than expensively-recruited fellow wingers.

    Forrest has spent more than two decades of his 34 years on Celtic's books, with the Parkhead club having beaten rivals Rangers to his signature as a youth player.

    He has gone on to become Celtic's most decorated player with 26 trophies - 13 league titles, seven Scottish Cups and six League Cups - which is one more than Lisbon Lion Bobby Lennox and two clear of current captain Callum McGregor. Both Forrest and McGregor will be determined to add two more honours to their tallies by this season's end.

    There have been plenty of goals alongside the silverware and Forrest has netted in all 17 seasons so far.

    The incredible streak began in May 2010 when the winger - then a fresh-faced 20-year-old - marked his Celtic debut by flicking in the third goal of a 4-0 win over Motherwell.

    His latest goal came 15-and-a-half years later with a sidefoot finish to complete a 3-1 victory over Aberdeen last December as Wilfried Nancy got what would be the first of only two wins during his shambolic reign.

    That was the 110th goal of Forrest's Celtic career and his impressive, game-changing Scottish Cup semi-final cameo against St Mirren last weekend was his 564th appearance for the club. In setting up Kelechi Iheanacho's extra-time goal, Forrest took his assists haul to 112.

    The Scotland international has started 369 Celtic games and appeared as a substitute 195 times.

    Forrest's most fruitful scoring seasons came in consecutive treble-winning campaigns, netting 17 goals in both 2017-18 and 2018-19. He almost made it three in a row, scoring 16 times the following campaign.

    His strike this season moved him above Paul McStay and Jimmy McGrory (both 16) and level with Bobby Lennox on 17 successive seasons of scoring. The only player in Celtic history with a better record is Jimmy McMenemy, who netted in 18 straight campaigns from 1902. Forrest will have that target in his sights next term.

    Hit the play button below to watch a goal from each of Forrest's 17 seasons.

    Media caption,

    A goal from each of James Forrest's 17 seasons at Celtic

  8. 'Forrest remains Celtic's enduring influencer'published at 11:48 BST 23 April

    Tom English
    BBC Scotland's chief sports writer

    James ForrestImage source, SNS

    James Forrest is a bit-part winger these days and for many other days that went before.

    He has started seven games this season, 11 the season before and single figures for the two seasons before that.

    Part of that was influenced by injury but in other part it was down to the arrival of shiny new wingers who haven't been anything like as shiny as Celtic hoped.

    Expensive, too. Sebastian Tounekti and Michel-Ange Balikwisha are the latest two but, for years, Forrest has counted them in and counted them back out again - Marian Shved, Luis Palma, Marco Tilio, Nicolas Kuhn, Liel Abada. Some successful, some not, some others who just disappeared into thin air.

    That is far from a complete list of Celtic's wide men in recent times. Regardless, Forrest remains the constant, the great survivor and the enduring influencer.

  9. 'Take sentimentality out of it, he deserves it' - O'Neill on Forrest dealpublished at 10:48 BST 23 April

    James ForrestImage source, SNS

    Martin O'Neill insists James Forrest's new Celtic contract isn't down to sentimentality.

    The 34-year-old Scotland winger has signed an extension to stay with the club for an 18th season having scored in all 17 so far.

    Since graduating from the club's youth academy, Forrest has gone on to win more trophies than any player in Celtic history.

    Described by the club as a "bona fide legend", Forrest has featured 36 times this season - seven of them starts - and played a pivotal role in the Scottish Cup semi-final win over St Mirren last weekend, providing an assist in extra time as Celtic prevailed 6-2.

    "I really want James to finish his career here at Celtic. I just didn't want him to be going elsewhere, and I think he wanted that as well," said interim manager O'Neill.

    "But the major point about taking anyone on is to know whether they're worth an extra year and James has proved this season that he has been worth that.

    "He has changed games and he has done wonderfully well. His contribution in recent weeks when he's come off the bench has been absolutely terrific, and he has deserved it, and that's the point.

    "So, take sentimentality right out of it, he's deserved it.

    "He's been immense for the football club since Neil Lennon brought him in when he was a young kid in the reserves, and he is what I love – I love players who take people on and he can take people on, even to have that little burst of pace at his age is worth its weight in gold."

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  10. Forrest signs new deal - share your thoughtspublished at 10:36 BST 23 April

    Have your say

    James Forrest - Celtic's most decorated player - has signed a contract extension to stay with the club for next season.

    The 34-year-old winger has won 26 trophies, including 13 league titles, and made 564 appearances - scoring 110 goals - in a Celtic first-team career spanning 16 years.

    "I'm absolutely delighted," said Forrest of his new contract. "I've been here my full career and I've loved every minute of it.

    "While I'm still playing I can hopefully keep contributing and helping the team when I can and I'm just going to give it everything until I finish.

    "When I do stop, I will look back on so many great memories, but hopefully I can make a few more before I do finish."

    What do you make of the decision to extend Forrest's contract? Share your views here.

  11. 'Lots of candidates' but 'Balikwisha by a mile' your Celtic disappointmentpublished at 10:33 BST 23 April

    your views graphic
    BalikwishaImage source, SNS

    We asked for your views on which Celtic player has failed to live up to expectations this season.

    Here are some of your views:

    Benny: Lots of candidates in the Celtic squad this season. Tomas Cvancara. Junior Adamu. Joel Mvuka. Luke McCowan. Reo Hatate. Kasper Schmeichel. Daizen Maeda. Callum McGregor. Paulo Bernardo. Sebastian Tounekti and even Benjamin Nygren most games with his goals an exception. But without doubt the biggest waste of space is Michel-Ange Balikwisha. Not since the Rafael Scheidt days have I seen a worse player pull on the Hoops jersey and I've watched Celtic for 60 years.

    Sarah: Obvious one, but Balikwisha. We scouted him for ages and doesn't even make the bench in our worst season in years.

    Stephen: Balikwisha by a mile, we tracked him for however many seasons, spent £5m on him, and I've seen nothing from him to suggest he's any better than a random player we could have promoted from the youth set-up. I'm hoping he just needs some time to settle in and will come good next season but I'm not holding my breath. Major disappointment.

    Stephen: Balikwisha has been the biggest disappointment. Scouted for 18months, paid a sizeable fee for him, but he has been hopeless since he arrived.

    Joey: Despite his degree in geography, Liam Scales doesn't know his way round the penalty area and often loses his bearings completely. Celtic's goal-difference deficit is down to defensive errors, which have lost so many matches this season.

    Gordy: Tounekti has the makings of a player but is too inconsistent, he can make an impact from off the bench but not for 90 minutes. The majority of our loan signings in January have been failures and proves they were panic acquisitions.

  12. Celtic v Falkirk: Pick of the statspublished at 10:11 BST 23 April

    Stats
    • Celtic have won their first game after the Scottish Premiership split in each of the past five seasons, doing so by an aggregate score of 17-1. They last failed to win on matchday 34 in 2018-19 (0-0 v Hibs), and last lost in 2017-18 (2-1 v Hibs).

    • No side has had more high turnovers (256), shot-ending high turnovers (49), pressed sequences (442), or a lower PPDA (opposition passes allowed per defensive action – 9.6) in the Premiership this season than Celtic.

    • Celtic have won their past eight meetings with Falkirk in all competitions; only once before have they enjoyed a longer winning run over the Bairns, winning 10 in a row from March 1950 to August 1954.

    • Falkirk have lost 16 of their past 18 visits to Celtic in all competitions (D2) since a 2-0 league win in October 1994 under Jim Jefferies.

    • Falkirk are yet to play out the same result twice in a row away from home in the Premiership in 2025-26. They won last time out on the road 3-2 at Motherwell, but on the six previous occasions they have won away they followed it up by losing their next away league match five times (D1 – v Rangers in November).

  13. Celtic to open extension talks with McCowan - gossippublished at 08:20 BST 23 April

    Celtic midfielder Luke McCowanImage source, SNS

    Celtic plan to discuss a new contract with midfielder Luke McCowan, with the 28-year-old approaching the final year of his current deal. (Football Insider), external

    Celtic may rival Rangers in the race to sign Northern Ireland goalkeeper Pierce Charles from Sheffield Wednesday. (talkSPORT), external

  14. 'It was like vintage Celtic' - O'Neillpublished at 23:05 BST 22 April

    Celtic's Kelechi Iheanacho (L) scores to make it 5-2 during a Scottish Gas Scottish Cup semi-final match between Celtic and St Mirren at Barclays Hampden, on April 19, 2026,Image source, SNS

    Manager Martin O'Neill says Celtic's four-goal flurry in extra-time against St Mirren was like "vintage Celtic" and ought to give them a boost for the title run-in.

    Kelechi Iheanacho, twice, Luke McCowan, and Benjamin Nygren scored in the space of six minutes to see off St Mirren 6-2 and book a place in the Scottish Cup final.

    O'Neill's focus now turns to the final five games in the Premiership, as Celtic chase down Rangers and Hearts, starting at home to Falkirk on Saturday.

    "Confidence should be high with the team, particularly after the four-goal salvo against St Mirren in the semi-final last week," O'Neill told Celtic TV ., external

    "That should give any team a major boost of confidence.

    "It was a throwback, almost like vintage Celtic, and it was like throwing away the shackles and playing with confidence and going for it."

    Iheanacho's clinical finishes and James Forrest's impact off the bench will give the Celtic boss plenty to think about for the visit of John McGlynn's side, who have lost four times to the champions this season.

    "James has made a big impact in coming on in games, and that is difficult because sometimes you don't even get to the pace of the game until it's too late, but he has made big inroads in matches recently," O'Neill added.

    "James Forrest has been a really good player here and in one-v-ones, even at 34 years of age, he retains that little bit of zip.

    "And there's been a new surge for Kelechi as well, almost challenging him to be the player that you know he has been, and he has got fantastic ability."

  15. Do Celtic's hopes hinge on a fit Iheanacho?published at 14:20 BST 22 April

    Kelechi IheanachoImage source, SNS

    Do Celtic's hopes of a strong finish to the season hinge on Kelechi Iheanacho being fit enough to start matches?

    The former Manchester City striker has endured an injury-disrupted debut campaign in Scotland, starting just eight games in 18 appearances since his arrival in September.

    The 29-year-old has shown he can make an impact off the bench, scoring a double in extra time of Celtic's 6-3 Scottish Cup semi-final win over St Mirren on Sunday after netting the late winner in a tense league victory at Dundee earlier this month.

    Those goals took Iheanacho's tally for the season to six in all competitions, which have come from just 746 minutes of football.

    That means the forward averages a goal every 124 minutes - an impressive statistic, but now Martin O'Neill needs to find a way of getting him into starting line-ups.

    Celtic's season will conclude with a Scottish Cup final against Dunfermline, but they remain in the hunt for the Premiership title and start their post-split schedule with a visit from Falkirk on Saturday.

    "You do worry about the reoccurrence of the injuries with Iheanacho, we've had a few of those this season," Celtic podcaster Paul John Dykes said on the BBC's Scottish Football Podcast.

    "But if we can start him and get 60 minutes out of him, then perhaps games will be done and dusted by the time he needs to be replaced.

    "Playing Daizen Maeda down the middle this season, it's just not worked. The other options we've got through the middle are Junior Adamu and Tomas Cvancara, and Iheanacho is miles ahead of them in terms of quality.

    "So I hope he does start the games. I'd love to see him starting the final six games."

  16. Why 'game-changer' Forrest deserves a new dealpublished at 10:08 BST 22 April

    Tino
    Fan writer

    Celtic fan's voice

    A few days on from Sunday's drama at Hampden and James Forrest is still making headlines.

    The winger revealed post-match that talks are ongoing over a new deal, with his current contract set to expire this summer.

    And so the question is simple - should the club be extending his stay at Celtic Park?

    Forrest's legacy is already beyond dispute. Since making his debut under Neil Lennon in May 2010 he has amassed 26 winner's medals - making him the most decorated player in the club's history. And remarkably he could still add to that tally before the season is out.

    Even if he doesn't, his record looks untouchable in the modern game. One-club men like Forrest are increasingly rare, which only adds to the significance of his achievements.

    Speaking after his decisive cameo at Hampden, the 34-year-old confirmed discussions have been had, though for now, his focus remains firmly on helping Celtic bring more silverware back to Parkhead.

    Exactly who at the club is leading those talks remains unclear given the current uncertainty behind the scenes, but that's a conversation for another day.

    What matters for now is whether Forrest still has a role to play.

    On paper, his numbers this season are fairly modest - 36 appearances, though just seven from the start. But they don't tell the full story. As he showed again on Sunday, Forrest remains a game-changer off the bench.

    A vital assist at Pittodrie and a big contribution at Ibrox last month underline his continued impact in key moments.

    And then there's the timing. For whatever reason, Forrest has a habit of coming alive in April and May - precisely when Celtic need him most.

    Beyond the pitch, his experience is invaluable. Around the dressing room and at Lennoxtown his influence on the next generation can't easily be replaced.

    Put it all together, and the decision feels straightforward. If Forrest wants to stay, Celtic should make it happen.

    Because as we saw on Sunday, our number 49 isn't done just yet. Not even close.

    Tino can be found at The Celtic Exchange, external

  17. Who has flattered to deceive at Celtic?published at 09:41 BST 22 April

    Have your say

    Last week we asked for your Celtic player of the year - and Benjamin Nygren's goals gave him the edge.

    Now we want to know the player who has been the biggest disappointment this season.

    It could be a new signing who has underwhelmed or an existing squad member who has failed to kick on.

    Share your thoughts here.

  18. Lazio interested in Celtic's Engels - gossippublished at 08:24 BST 22 April

    Celtic midfielder Arne EngelsImage source, SNS
    Image caption,

    Arne Engels has made 92 Celtic appearances

    Celtic's Belgium midfielder Arne Engels, 22, has caught the attention of Lazio. (Lorenzo Lepore on X), external

    Racing Club are keen on Marcelo Saracchi, the 27-year-old defender who is on loan at Celtic from Boca Juniors. (El Crack Deportivo - in Spanish), external

    Gordon Strachan is impressed by Martin O'Neill's impact back in the Celtic dugout but does not expect to make a similar return to management. (Herald - subscription required), external

    St Mirren goalkeeper Ryan Mullen faces four months out after coming off injured during Sunday's Scottish Cup semi-final defeat by Celtic. (Sun), external

    Wednesday's Scottish gossip

  19. O'Neill's fairytale ending still on thanks to grit over guilepublished at 17:34 BST 21 April

    Kheredine Idessane
    BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

    Behind the mic

    As Martin O'Neill dissected Celtic's recent results on the interview gantry at Hampden following the late semi-final goal blitz against St Mirren, he paused.

    Midway through addressing the awful defeat to Dundee United as the only time he questioned his players, he remembered who he was speaking to. Beside him in the main stand, part of the presentation panel, was United manager Jim Goodwin.

    "Why didn't you water the pitch?" O'Neill joked.

    Sharp as a tack, a grinning Goodwin immediately fired back: "I won't show you the text message I sent my groundsman."

    It reminded me Celtic's tumble at Tannadice could be seen as an outlier in more ways than one.

    Even by their much-diminished standards this season, the performance was poor. Shipping two second-half goals in a tight title race prompted O'Neill openly to wonder about his side's fight and mentality.

    It is, however, the only match Celtic have lost in their past nine. A stretch of fixtures in which they've been to Stuttgart, Pittodrie, Ibrox (twice) and Dens Park and emerged unscathed if not always victorious.

    Coming from two goals down to Rangers would be viewed as a point gained. Knocking their fierce rivals out of the Scottish Cup on penalties paved the way to a 62nd final.

    Any wins at Aberdeen and Dundee, regardless of the quality of the display, tick the right box in a fraught three-way battle to the finish line.

    Throwing away a two-goal half-time lead in a semi-final to a team struggling to avoid the relegation play-off spot is hardly the mark of champions. Scoring four in six minutes thereafter, however, isn't to be sniffed at.

    So, what on earth to make of this current Celtic side with six 'cup finals' to be played between now and 23 May? I won't be the only one scratching my head.

    As he contemplates welcoming a deflated Falkirk to Celtic Park on Saturday, O'Neill and his coaching staff will be similarly perplexed.

    How to draw out a sustained 90-minute performance, given the side has often started games well before fading? How to encourage the kind of scoring spree witnessed at the national stadium but which has been all too rare this term?

    Or are results, especially at this stage of the season, the be all and end all? Is the defeat at Tannadice just a blip in an otherwise impressive sequence under the redoubtable Northern Irishman?

    His only other domestic loss was at home to Hibs, when Auston Trusty was sent off and Liam Scales should, it has been acknowledged by a review panel, have been awarded a penalty.

    Two defeats across two spells in charge in 23 Premiership, League Cup and Scottish Cup matches. Often is hasn't been pretty. What stands out, however, is the grit to get the job done.

    The guile may or may not return but it also may not be needed. The champions are potentially six scrappy wins away from yet another league and cup double.

    Three of those games are at Parkhead. One is against Championship opposition at Hampden. Given O'Neill's frequent knack of somehow getting the result he needs, a fairytale ending to his storied Celtic career remains on.

  20. Sinisalo hopes 'goals start flying in' after Celtic net sixpublished at 12:44 BST 21 April

    Celtic players celebrate at HampdenImage source, SNS

    Viljami Sinisalo is convinced Celtic's extra-time goal flurry in Sunday's Scottish Cup semi-final victory over St Mirren can mark the start of an improvement in attacking output.

    The Parkhead side's scoring has plummeted this season compared with last, but they netted four in six minutes to progress to next month's final after letting a two-goal lead slip at Hampden.

    Goalkeeper Sinisalo believes that spell can help them rediscover their best scoring form as they aim to climb to the summit of the Scottish Premiership in their final five post-split matches.

    "I'm hopeful we'll take a lot from that," he said. "Hopefully the goals can start flying in like they did on Sunday.

    "It's definitely there, it's just about putting yourself in that position more often, playing the forward pass more often and being in and around the opposition box to have those moments.

    "We've got to somehow find a way to be in those moments more often, like we were four times in six minutes.

    "If you put pressure on your opponent, play it forward and run forward, you've always got a chance of creating moments like that - and then individual brilliance sometimes takes over, like it did on Sunday."

    Celtic are third in the Premiership, three points behind leaders Hearts and two adrift of city rivals Rangers, with an inferior goal difference to both sides.

    Despite that, Sinisalo insists there remains a strong belief within the dressing room they can get themselves back on top and retain the title they have won in 13 of the previous 14 seasons.

    "We're a very tight-knit group, we fight for each other and we're good team-mates," he added. "We get criticised, that's absolutely fair - that's what you sign up for when you're a footballer.

    "But the belief is there. We'll do our job and see where it takes us, but there's definitely a belief among the group and the staff that we can do something.

    "There's the tactical stuff and then there's the mental stuff that you hope helps you. We've been there before and there are players who have won a lot, so hopefully that's one thing."

  21. Celtic players must 'fight for positions' - gossippublished at 07:56 BST 21 April

    Gossip graphic

    Celtic manager Martin O'Neill says "people have to fight for positions" in his team. (Sun), external

    Scotland and former Celtic defender Jack Hendry has been offered a lucrative deal by Al-Hilal as the 30-year-old prepares to leave Saudi rivals Al-Ettifaq as a free agent this summer. (Glasgow Times), external

    Tuesday's Scottish gossip