Celtic

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Former Celtic striker Chris Sutton says his former club should already know the type of manager they want to appoint for next season before a summer revamp.

The Parkhead side have twice called on Martin O'Neill to take interim charge this season after Brendan Rodgers' resignation and Wilfried Nancy's sacking.

They have flattered to deceive for large periods of the campaign, but are still in the Scottish Premiership title race and have made it to the Scottish Cup semi-finals under O'Neill's astute management.

"If you're from a Celtic persuasion, you hope the groundwork has been done and they've already got a manager in mind for next season," Sutton told BBC Scotland.

"I have spoken about the Motherwell manager - Jens Berthel Askou - as a decent fit, but the one thing that goes against him is his profile.

"It's not just who Celtic get as the next manager, there's going to be a big overhaul of players in the summer.

"The squad has struggled this season - regardless of what happens in the league and in the Scottish Cup - and I think we're going to see a lot of changes."

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

Kevin asked: Did the Wilfred Nancy experiment cost Celtic the title this season?

Kheredine answered: Yes it potentially did, Kevin.

Oh, you want me to expand on that?

Well, before some of your fellow supporters splutter over their tea let's get the obvious caveat out of the way. Celtic may yet win the league which would keep them champions despite the calamity of the club's shortest ever managerial reign.

Let's assume for the purposes of argument, however, that either Hearts or Rangers win the title. The question would then be: how much damage was done to Celtic's title defence by Nancy's decision to rip things up and start again straight away rather than to try to manage gradual culture change? The answer to that is plenty.

I remember the Frenchman's first match in charge. Hearts were wobbling at the time, having only won one of their previous six matches by the time they pitched up to Glasgow's east end for their second match with Celtic.

They had already dismantled Brendan Rodgers' side at Tynecastle at the end of October in what turned out to be the Northern Irishman's final match in charge.

Daizen Maeda missed an absolute sitter in the first few minutes of Nancy's home bow which set the trend for what was to follow. Some nice football, chances spurned and a complete inability to defend properly.

The league leaders won 2-1 to restore their mojo and dent the Nancy debut, and he never really recovered from that.

He was in charge for six league matches. He lost four of them, beating only Livingston and Aberdeen. The 12 dropped points, if you added them to Celtic's current tally, would have the Parkhead side on the brink of claiming five in a row.

The folly of the Nancy gamble was that interim boss Martin O'Neill had just put together a run of five straight Premiership wins following Rodgers' resignation.

The introduction of the former Columbus Crew head coach took a wrecking ball to that momentum, with his tenure also featuring a home humbling from Roma in the Europa League and a League Cup final defeat by St Mirren.

That Martin O'Neill still has Celtic in title contention is an achievement in itself. His only top flight defeats have come at the hands of Hibs and Dundee United. Realistically, he can't afford any more defeats if he is to pull off mission impossible.

He rescued Celtic's season once. If he does it twice, the freedom of Parkhead should be his, if it isn't already.

While Celtic are considering a move for former Brighton & Hove Albion goalkeeper Mathew Ryan, Levante hold the option to extend the 34-year-old's deal by a further year beyond this summer. (Football Insider), external

Hibs head coach David Gray is not surprised to see Miguel Chaiwa attracting interest from rival clubs, including repeated speculation linking the 21-year-old midfielder with a move to Celtic. (Edinburgh Evening News), external

Viljami Sinisalo says an agreement to have more Celtic game time this season was shelved during management changes this season - until the injury and form decline to fellow goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel pushed the 24-year-old into the first team. (The Herald), external

Former Celtic coach Darren O'Dea says Bournemouth and Scotland winger Ben Gannon-Doak felt he was being held back by the Scottish champions' "duty of care" despite being handed his first-team debut at 16 - and that the 20-year-old is a "generational talent". (The Margins), external

Read Thursday's Scottish Gossip in full.

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

Nathan asked: Based on his performances so far, would you offer Oxlade-Chamberlain a longer-term contract at the end of the season?

Kheredine answered: It's a little too early to tell, Nathan, but if you're pushing me for an answer right now, I'd say: yes but on one condition.

That condition being that you're not driving a coach and horses through the Parkhead wage structure to accommodate him.

He has proven, albeit fleetingly, he can still be a matchwinner. His goal against St Mirren at the weekend and the very late one against Livingston on his debut were both pivotal. The difference between six points and two.

If you translate that to the current standings, but for the former Arsenal man's timely interventions, Celtic could easily be seven points adrift of Hearts and effectively out of the title race as opposed to within three and slap bang in contention.

The other interesting thing about Oxlade-Chamberlain is his potential to improve. The form he's showing now is after a lengthy spell without playing matches and simply training with Arsenal. With the second half of this season under his belt and a full pre-season, how much more effective might he be in a hooped jersey?

He may also offer the possibility of being played further up the park. His two goals were both examples of clinical finishing. Pure, true strikes of the football.

He's always had a knack for scoring throughout his career. Given the paucity of Celtic's options up front, could he be employed as a 'false nine' between now and the end of the season, to see if the chances being passed up by others might be taken by a Champions League winner?

Food for thought, potentially, for manager Martin O'Neill as he seeks to find a way to boost his team's unimpressive recent goal return.

Stephen asked: Should Celtic be or are Celtic actively looking for a new manager?

Kheredine answered: Yes and yes, Stephen. They should be because O'Neill has said he's only holding the fort until the summer and isn't sure he'd have the energy or desire still to be in charge beyond that.

If, however, he steers the side to an unlikely-looking league and cup double - thereby making it to the Champions League play-offs - who's to say he couldn't be persuaded to have a crack at making European football's top table one last time?

Realistically, however, all the indications are Celtic will be under new stewardship for the start of next season. Which means the due diligence will already have started on the succession planning.

For good reason, too: the rebuilding job Celtic face in the summer is massive. A new manager and coaching staff; a new chairman (assuming Brian Wilson's interim stint isn't extended); and almost an entirely new squad. The incoming boss will need to be recruited sharpish given the turnover in players he'll be expected to oversee.

You have to assume stalwarts like Daizen Maeda and Reo Hatate will finally be allowed to move on this summer.

Celtic can't really afford to lose his goals but if an offer significantly over £10m came in for Sweden midfielder Benjamin Nygren, would Celtic be able to resist making a quick ten-fold profit? Similarly, what if Nottingham Forest (or another suitor) came back with their £25m bid for Arne Engels?

Then you have the loan players, only some of whom have made any meaningful contribution, who're likely to return to their parent clubs: Marcelo Saracchi, Julian Araujo, Tomas Cvancara, Benjamin Arthur, Joel Mvuka and Junior Adamu.

Don't forget to add in the flops Celtic will be trying to move on: Michel-Ange Balikwisha (remember him?), Shin Yamada and Hayato Inamura.

Celtic have an option to extend striker Kelechi Iheanacho's stay by a year but has he done enough to warrant the triggering of that clause? Could he stay fit long enough? Oh, and the club could also do with a goalkeeper, given Kasper Schmeichel's imminent departure, to provide competition for Viljami Sinisalo.

We're talking a complete squad overhaul here with the only silver linings the anticipated return from long-term injury of Jota and Cameron Carter-Vickers.

None of the work can be started in any meaningful way until Celtic appoint a new manager whose vision and principles will determine the comings and goings of one of the club's busiest summers since Ange Postecoglou's arrival five years ago.

Visit this page again on Thursday for part two of the Q&A

Celtic podcaster Paul John Dykes tells Ray Bradshaw what he thinks of the current team at Parkhead.

Watch This Is Fans Only live on the BBC Sport Scottish Football YouTube channel, external every Monday at 18:00 BST.

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Celtic are running on fumes but can they stumble over the line in the title race?

Martin O'Neill's side are third in the table, three points off Hearts at the top with five games to play, including home matches against Hearts and Rangers.

It's been a turbulent season for the defending champions who started the season with Brendan Rodgers at the helm and will be ending it with former manager O'Neill in charge for his second interim spell.

Sandwiched in between was an eight-game nightmarish stint with Wilfried Nancy leading the team - they lost six of those matches before the Frenchman was sacked and O'Neill returned in an effort to save the day.

And while results have improved under the Northern Irishman, performances have been a struggle. Only one of their past six league wins has been by more than a single-goal margin.

All of that has led to suggestions from some fans that Celtic look poorly coached, but Paul John Dykes of A Celtic State of Mind Podcast, external feels that level of criticism is unfair.

"Celtic are playing like a team that have had three managers," Dykes told the BBC's Scottish Football Podcast.

"With regards to the way that we are playing, the uncoached thing, it's maybe a wee bit unfair on Shaun Maloney, Mark Fotheringham and O'Neill because it's been such a dysfunctional season.

"We've had three managers, one of which came in twice, we have a few players in this squad at the moment who came to the end of their cycle in the summer and we weren't at the point where we could replace them.

"So they're now playing and they're running on fumes. You you look at [Daizen] Maeda compared to last season, different player entirely.

"We have all the hallmarks of a team that absolutely needs to tone up and rebuild in the summer and I just hope that we do have enough of those fumes to get us over the line this season.

"The uncoached thing is a little bit harsh I think because they'll be working on it all week. But it's a result of everything that's happened this season, I believe, and the players are playing with a bit of fear.

"Uncoached - Martin O'Neill hopefully will have the last laugh on that one."

Hannover 96, who are currently sitting third in Bundesliga 2, will find it difficult to persuade Celtic centre-half Maik Nawrocki to accept their option to buy if they fail to win promotion, with several top-flight rivals and other European clubs having the 25-year-old on their radar. (Bild), external

Celtic centre-half Maik Nawrocki says he is open to either extending his stay with loan club Hannover 96, returning to Glasgow, or moving elsewhere this summer. (Glasgow Times), external

Dinamo Zagreb chief scout Tomislav Sokota says they have already received offers of around £10m for 29-year-old Scotland centre-half Scott McKenna, who has reportedly been scouted by Celtic. (The National), external

Sevilla have reportedly targeted Celtic winger Luis Palma for next season - if they manage to avoid relegation from La Liga - with the 26-year-old expecting to return to the Scottish champions this summer despite Lech Poznan being interested in turning his loan into a £3.5m permanent transfer. (Scottish Sun), external

Celtic midfielder Benjamin Nygren views a move to the Premier League as the natural next step for his career, but the Scottish champions are under no pressure to sell the 24-year-old after his fine debut season with the club. (Football Insider), external

Celtic could face competition from a number of clubs should they pursue their interest in 21-year-old Hibernian midfielder Miguel Chaiwa this summer. (Football Insider), external

Venezia are interested in 23-year-old Celtic-linked winger Fares Ghedjemis from promotion rivals Frosinone should they return to Serie A. (Pianeta Serie B), external

Read Wednesday's Scottish Gossip in full.

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Former Celtic striker Frank McAvennie has warned the club they have lost their fear factor and could be playing Conference League football next season.

Celtic have won 13 of the past 14 top-flight titles but are third in the league, three points behind leaders Hearts, with just five matches remaining.

Just over a year ago Celtic threatened a Champions League upset against Bayern Munich but have since suffered issues on and off the park, with three managers taking charge of the side this season.

Having lost their past two finals to Aberdeen and St Mirren, McAvennie wouldn't be surprised if Celtic are defeated by the Buddies again at Hampden in this weekend's Scottish Cup semi-final.

McAvennie, who played for both clubs, said: "Nobody's scared of Celtic any more, that's the biggest problem.

"Every team's having a go at them. The last 13, 14 years, it's been trophy after trophy after trophy. These young boys (among the support) have never seen Celtic where they are, and it's hurting them.

"People say to me, 'would you be surprised if St Mirren beat Celtic on Sunday?' No, I don't think anybody would. It wouldn't be a surprise the way it would be a couple of years ago.

"I don't get it, a year ago, we went and drew with Bayern Munich, great team - what's happened? Very quickly it's turned into the show it is at the moment, and it's not the best show in town."

A finish inside the top two would guarantee Celtic a chance at Champions League qualification, while Scottish Cup success would secure a Europa League third qualifying round spot.

"They could finish third this year, and if they finish third and don't win the cup, they'll be in the Conference League," McAvennie added.

"I don't think even boys like Callum McGregor and Kieran Tierney have been under pressure the way Celtic are at the moment.

"These boys know what it's like to win games, and to win leagues, but not coming from behind when, by all accounts, they're the third best team in Scotland at the moment."

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Former Scotland midfielder Charlie Adam reckons the three-way title race is too close to call and will come down to who can "hold their nerve the most" in the sprint to the finishing line.

With long-time leaders Hearts a point ahead of Rangers and three above stuttering champions Celtic, there are now just five rounds of fixtures remaining as the Premiership season enters the split.

Adam, who began his career Rangers, could make a case for any of the three sides going on to clinch what would be a momentous achievement.

"If you'd asked six weeks ago, there was an obvious winner, but now I think it's a flip of a coin," said the 40-year-old.

"I think it's week by week, game by game, and I think there's a lot of swings still to go in the title race.

"I didn't see Hearts being there at the start of the season and then I said I thought Hearts could win it and then they dropped points.

"Then Celtic were coming with a run, probably not playing as well as they feel they can, but they were picking up wins.

"And Rangers have just motored since Danny Rohl's came in, so I don't think you can really call anything.

"What a good thing it is for Scottish football that there's a bit of drama from now to the end of the season, and it's about who can hold their nerve the most."

With Celtic in Scottish Cup semi-final action against St Mirren this Sunday, Hearts and Rangers have both opted to go to abroad this week for their warm-weather training camps.

"I think it's good, it's an opportunity," said Adam.

"Hearts were looking to do that a few weeks ago and go to Dubai, but obviously, there was a problem to go there (with hostilities in the Middle East).

"And now both clubs have managed to do it. What I would say is I think they'd rather be playing here at Hampden in a semi-final.

"They've now got a chance to get the lads together, letting them relax a little bit, maybe a game of golf, a bit of dinner, just keeping them together.

"Because when you're in the training ground you don't spend as much time and you're going home and you're coming back.

"But when you're in there for four or five days, you're with everybody 24 hours a day, and it's a great way to keep camaraderie, get good team spirit and focus on the split."

Tino
Fan writer

It has all felt a bit negative since the win over St Mirren on Saturday, a bit heavy, which is a strange place to be when we're effectively seven games from a double.

I think the reasons for it are two-fold. The first is the style of football we're witnessing.

And though it's great to get the win - undoubtedly the most important thing at this stage - even Martin O'Neill himself would concede Celtic haven't been a particular great watch in recent times.

But does that really matter? I'm not convinced it does.

And while we'd naturally rather be witnessing the free-flowing football of the Ange Postecoglou era for example - and definitely the goal tally that came with it - three points are three points.

Were we earlier in the campaign I could see the appetite - and the justification - for demanding better football, something I'd probably be behind too. But right now, with the finish line in sight, I think this is just how it's going to be.

Since his return (over both spells this season) O'Neill has shown a level of pragmatism that has perhaps flown directly in the face of good football.

If we can get a win playing attractive stuff then that's a bonus, but getting those wins above all else has been his undoubted priority. Unapologetically so.

And it's hard to argue too strongly against the numbers. O'Neill's league record in total this season now stands at 14 wins, two draws and just two defeats in 18 games. A win rate of 77.8%.

The second reason for the unease is more psychological.

For many of us this is unchartered territory. Yes, we've won many titles before - 13 of the past 14 no less - but when were we last in a genuine title race this close? Least of all one that has three runners.

We perhaps need to go back to O'Neill's first spell at the helm to recall the joy - and the pain - of a race that goes right down to the wire.

Because while this stage of the season is thrilling, it's also nerve shredding. Anxiety inducing. And properly stressful.

That tension - for us and others - has likely fed into the reaction after Saturday's win.

But if given the choice, I'd take this every time. I'd far rather experience the tension of being right in the fight than the ambivalence of being out it altogether.

So yes, it's tense. Yes, it's uncomfortable. But we'll take it and strap ourselves in while hoping that just over a month from now it has all been worth it.

Tino can be found at The Celtic Exchange, external

What would you like to ask about Celtic as the thrilling title race nears a conclusion?

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

Send us your questions here.

Chris Sutton has ruled Celtic out of the title race and said his former side made St Mirren "look like Brazil" at the weekend. (Daily Record via The Warm-Up), external

Martin O'Neill is planning for a behind-closed-doors friendly to give his returning Celtic stars some minutes before competitive action. (Daily Record), external

Read more: Tuesday's Scottish football gossip

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The Scottish Premiership's title contenders all won on the same weekend for just the second time this season, each finding a way to a vital three points to stay in the fight for the trophy.

Celtic got past St Mirren with a solitary goal at Parkhead, while Hearts came from behind to defeat Motherwell 3-1 in a cracker at Tynecastle.

That put the focus on Rangers on Sunday, and after Danny Rohl's side went two behind at Falkirk, they responded to win 6-3 in a remarkable game.

Those results kept the teams separated by just three points with five games to play, and former goalkeeper Cammy Bell thinks each side will have taken a boost from delivering under pressure.

He believes Rangers will be buzzing after avoiding a "banana skin", while Hearts found "huge, huge moments" to deliver late goals in their game.

And looking at all three contenders, he says they will all have the belief they can continue to stack up wins.

Speaking on the BBC's Scottish Football Podcast, the former Hearts and Rangers player said: "I think there will be different confidence levels within each club. But listen, you can break it down.

"It's difficult. They all won. And that's the main thing this weekend. They all got three points to move on and that's what they're going to have to do between now and the end of the season.

"It was a big win for Celtic on Saturday. They weren't probably at their best, but they get the job done. That's what it's going to be about between now and the end of the season; a bit of luck or a bit of magic.

"That's what you're looking for from your players. And trying to get three points because ultimately, if you can manage to do that most weeks, you'll end up top of the table and win the title.

"I think it's just made for a brilliant run into the end of the season with all three of them winning this weekend. It's so close, so tight and so difficult to call.

"There's going to be huge games coming up. We all know that it's going to be a blockbuster finish to the end of the season."

Amy Canavan
BBC Sport Scotland

Kelle Roos (Kilmarnock): Not the finest all-round performance but came up clutch deep into stoppage time to deny Dundee from the spot and save a potentially priceless point for Killie.

Alexander Jensen (Aberdeen): Pushed back a little bit but impressed at wing-back against Hibernian. Tanked up and down the touchline and coped well when Hibs were trying to put him under pressure.

Krisztian Keresztes (Dundee United): Admittedly, not the finest weekend for defenders, but the substitute hauled United level with an important header to allow them to push on for a late win against Livingston.

Will Ferry (Dundee United): And here's the man who set him up. Ferry also opened the scoring with a superb solo goal at Tannadice.

Hyun-jun Yang (Celtic): Few in green and white impressed in a narrow win over St Mirren at Celtic Park, but the South Korean showed up again.

Nicolas Raskin (Rangers): For his second-half showing at Falkirk. The Belgium international was like a man possessed after the break with an abundance of fight, quality and creativity on show. Displayed his very best as Rangers ripped Falkirk apart in a bonkers second 45.

Beni Baningime (Hearts): Back alongside Cammy Devlin in the engine room and back pulling the strings for Hearts. A classy performance - again - in the crucial win over Motherwell.

Emmanuel Gyamfi (Aberdeen): Outside his needless incident with Hibs striker Owen Elding, for which he was shown a yellow card after a VAR review, the wide man was Aberdeen's biggest threat in one of his better performances for the Dons. Hooked balls in at every chance he could, something Stephen Robinson will be desperate to see more of.

Sabah Kerjota (Hearts): Came on in the 66th minute and immediately became Hearts' set-piece taker, whipping in inviting deliveries - including one that led to the second goal. His cameo performances have impressed to the point there is clamour for him to start the upcoming Edinburgh derby over Alexandros Kyziridis.

Kevin Nisbet (Aberdeen): The man grateful for those deliveries from Gyamfi. Kept his cool from the spot against his former side before smashing the much-needed second over the line... just. Big, big goals and an equally impressive all-round performance.

Lewis Smith (Livingston): Doing all he can to keep Livingston in the league, chipping in with another two goals. Even if the Lions are relegated, which is increasingly likely, Smith should remain in the top flight. One wouldn't think he'd be short of suitors.

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With Andy Robertson leaving Liverpool this summer, Celtic would be more likely to be able to give the 32-year-old left-back the regular first-team football than other possible destinations - Tottenham Hotspur, Atletico Madrid and Napoli. (Football Transfers), external

Japan winger Daizen Maeda was at St Andrew's on Sunday to watch former Celtic team-mate Tomika Iwata play for Birmingham City in their 2-0 Championship win over Wrexham. (Glasgow Times), external

"I don't think Celtic can win it," says pundit Chris Sutton of his former club's chances of defending their title. "It's out of Hearts and Rangers." (Sky Sports), external

Preussen Munster sports director Jan Uphues says Shin Yamada will get more chances in the final six games of the season despite the 25-year-old Celtic striker having started just once on loan and being dropped from the squad sitting bottom of Bundesliga 2. (The Herald), external

Watch all the highlights of Celtic's 1-0 win against St Mirren.

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Martin O'Neill felt a "real Celtic Park atmosphere" had an impact on his side's win over St Mirren after the return of the Green Brigade.

The ultras group had their ban lifted and the standing section was back at full capacity for the first time in about six months.

They were behind the team throughout the game, although some criticism of the board was reserved for after the game, with a banner branding them "unfit for purpose".

O'Neill felt the improved vocal backing helped his side through some difficult moments in their 1-0 victory over the Buddies, which kept them three points behind William Hill Premiership leaders Hearts.

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain netted in the 15th minute but the champions could not build on their promising start and St Mirren competed well in the second half.

O'Neill said: "I thought the crowd were great to us, because they could easily have got irritated with some of the things we did.

"We were loose in possession at times, but they kept us going – a bit like against Dundee last weekend, which had a big effect on us staying in the game after Dundee had equalised. I thought they were great.

"If, by the end of the season, we could get a few things rectified, cleared up, call it what you will…

"But it felt like a real Celtic Park atmosphere."

We asked for your views on Celtic's 1-0 win against St Mirren.

Here's what some of you said:

Tom: The 'win is a win' mantra has caused more cortisol spikes on the east side of Glasgow in a long time. A title-winning team needs to be dominating these matches.

Martin: This team has been limping along playing uninspiring football and eking out victories in games that should have been settled by half-time. If, by some miracle, it does win the league it will be the poorest Celtic team to have done so in many a year. So depressing to watch!

Peter: Good three points. It will be edge-of-the-seat stuff until the end of season with no proven goal scoring forward in the team. Other than Benjamin Nygren it's hard to see where goals might come from. Fingers crossed that Arne Engels, Callum McGregor, Reo Hatate and Daizen Maeda have big finishes to the season as our success, or lack of, is totally dependant on them.

John: Desperately poor. No-one seems to want the ball. How many times do we pass back and invite pressure? When did anyone last see Celtic just blootering it out of defence against a Scottish team? No chance of winning anything with his mentality.

Derek: We will win nothing this season. Too many square and back passes. Balls are hit into areas where players should be, no one seems to look up to see if a pass or through ball is aimed at a player as opposed to an area where a player should be.

Paul: Another poor, sub-standard performance from an ailing and struggling Celtic team, devoid of any real conviction in grinding out a win that just about keeps them hanging on to their slim hopes of winning the league.

Still no firepower up front, the main strikers firing more blanks again, and unfortunately, these statistics will ultimately prove to be their downfall this season, as Celtic's overall goals tally thus far, has fallen way short of the levels expected at the club, compared to the previous campaigns.

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Tottenham Hotspur have a verbal agreement to sign 32-year-old Scotland left-back Andy Robertson when he is released by Liverpool this summer - if the London club avoid relegation. (TalkSport, external)

Andy Robertson could finally make his long-awaited return to boyhood club Celtic when he leaves Liverpool on a free transfer this summer. (Football Insider, external)

Celtic and Club Brugge are interested in 33-year-old Australian goalkeeper Mathew Ryan, who is out of contract with Levante this summer. (Voetbal24, external)

The Scottish Professional Football League is preparing for a potential Old Firm Premiership play-off should the title race end in a deadlock between Rangers and Celtic. (Daily Record, external)