Celtic

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Celtic interim manager Martin O'Neill has been speaking to the media before his side travel to face Aberdeen in the Scottish Premiership on Wednesday.

Here are the key lines:

• O'Neill confirms Kasper Schmeichel is "still not feeling great" and the goalkeeper will again be missing for Wednesday's match. The Celtic boss hopes the Dane is able to return for the Scottish Cup quarter-final with Rangers on Sunday.

• He says there are another "couple of niggles" within the squad after Sunday's 2-2 draw at Ibrox but did not disclose who.

• O'Neill hailed Viljami Sinisalo's impact since coming into the side as Schmeichel's replacement: "I thought he did fine at Rangers, really fine. The goals he conceded are certainly not his fault, so I've been very pleased with him. It's an opportunity to see him because I think he wants to be the number one goalkeeper here in the foreseeable future."

• Following Sunday's two-goal comeback, O'Neill reiterated his delight at the team's second-half response and hopes any momentum can be taken into their "big match" at Pittodrie. He feels there is "no room for error" for Celtic in their title pursuit.

• Celtic have conceded the first goal in five of their past seven matches. On addressing recent slow starts, O'Neill adds: "We certainly can't spend 45 minutes on the back foot and not really competing properly. That's against any side, never mind Rangers."

• O'Neill says Reo Hatate, whose half-time introduction was vital to Celtic's fightback against Rangers, "has to get the best out of himself". The manager adds that the Japan midfielder has endured a "tough old season".

• On the challenge struggling Aberdeen will pose, O'Neill says: "The game itself presents the challenge, I think Aberdeen will get themselves up for the game, quite rightly so. They've got points to prove themselves."

Tino
Fan writer

As ever, the noise lingers long after the final whistle.

Sunday's storm hasn't so much blown over as drifted into an all too familiar pattern, with Rangers supporters tying themselves in knots to explain away the obvious.

Apparently Dujon Sterling's handball wasn't a penalty. Apparently rebounds shouldn't count. Apparently Julian Araujo committed some phantom crime against Nico Raskin that warranted a red card.

We've seen it all before. And it's nothing more than good old-fashioned deflection.

Deflection from their own failings, deflection from their inability to hold on to a two-goal lead, and deflection from the fact the draw may well have put an end to their title hopes.

And it will rumble on, right up until kick-off at the weekend, when we can do it all over again.

Before all that however, Celtic's focus shifts to Pittodrie and a tricky midweek trip to face Aberdeen.

And following Sunday's second-half turnaround the spotlight is shining firmly on Reo Hatate given his game-changing performance at Ibrox.

After the match, Callum McGregor described his Japanese team-mate as a "player that can do special things", referencing recent performances against Stuttgart and now Rangers.

But there was another line from the captain that perhaps highlights the frustrating inconsistency we've seen from Hatate at times this season. McGregor said: "He's a real high-level player and you have to stay on top of him all the time to get the best out him."

Those eight words stand out: "you have to stay on top of him…"

Hatate is now 28. It's a World Cup year and he has still has a chance – albeit slim – of making the Japan squad.

He's now been at Celtic for four years – so he knows what it's all about. On the surface, it feels curious a player of his undoubted talent and experience needs coaxing towards the levels we all know he's capable of.

But footballers are human. We don't see the full picture - the knocks, the doubts, the personal burdens that all take place behind the scenes.

Perhaps the player thought a move elsewhere in Europe - or even back home - may have materialised by now. And who knows what assurances were made to him on his arrival in Scotland in January 2022.

What we do know is this - when Hatate hits top gear, there isn't a midfielder in Scotland who can live with him.

If Sunday was the spark Hatate needed, and not just a flicker of his former exploits, then these 10 ten league games - and a Scottish Cup run - could look very different indeed.

Keep Hatate firing and Celtic's chances of success this season rise dramatically.

Tino can be found at The Celtic Exchange, external

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Don Robertson has been confirmed as the referee for Sunday's Scottish Cup quarter-final when Rangers host Celtic for the second time in a week.

Robertson will be assisted by Ross Macleod and David Roome. Andrew Dallas takes charge of VAR duties, assisted by Matthew MacDermid.

The Old Firm rivals meet for a place in the cup semi-finals after a thrilling 2-2 Premiership draw last Sunday where Celtic hit back from a two-goal half-time deficit for a point.

Robertson last took charge of an Old Firm derby in August when the sides met for the first time this season, drawing 0-0 at Ibrox.

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Former striker Chris Sutton says he would not be surprised if Celtic drop points against Aberdeen on Wednesday.

The champions play their game in hand at Pittodrie knowing a win would take them second, one point above Rangers and five behind Hearts with nine game left.

Despite Aberdeen winning just one of their past 12 matches Sutton says a victory for Celtic - who fought back from two down for a point at Ibrox on Sunday - is far from certain.

"It wouldn't surprise me on Wednesday night if Celtic, after the comeback of the weekend, went up to Pittodrie and drew the game," Sutton told BBC Scotland.

"And that's because I just haven't been convinced with Celtic this season.

"You watch Celtic all season and you're not quite sure. Going into a game over the last however many seasons, a Celtic team going to Ibrox or in a big game, you could pick the team with your eyes closed.

"At the weekend, everybody's thinking: well, who's Martin [O'Neill] going to play? Because the Celtic players haven't performed at a certain level this season, so there's a lot of competition for places.

"Martin's finding a way to keep Celtic in the title race. But it's a massive game on Wednesday.

"But just because of the nature of what's happened this season, it wouldn't be a shock to anybody if Celtic went up there and drew or lost."

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Celtic's visit to Aberdeen on Wednesday is a must-win game for their Scottish title hopes - and more important than Sunday's Scottish Cup quarter-final against Rangers - according to former midfielder Peter Grant.

Grant believes the reigning champions' chances of overhauling leaders Hearts and second-top Rangers "would have been over" had they not come from behind to draw 2-2 in Sunday's Old Firm derby and if they did not have a game in hand.

"Going to Aberdeen, it's never been easy," Grant told the BBC's Scottish Football Podcast despite the hosts' indifferent season. "But it's a must-win for Celtic.

"You've got to win that game in hand because I would rather be sitting in Hearts' position, all the games played, points in the bag, there is absolutely no doubt of that.

"Hearts are in pole position. Celtic-Rangers have to continually win because Hearts are sitting up there now and, if they continue to win, nobody can do anything.

"People will be talking about the Rangers game in the cup next week. Forget about that. It's all about this one against Aberdeen. That's the most important game in the calendar.

"And, to be fair to this group of boys, they've not played well this season, but they keep going. They've shown guts."

Grant thinks "everybody's in that fight at this moment", the top three plus fourth-placed Motherwell, and "it's going to go that close" that something like a VAR decision or red card could decide the destiny of the title.

A trio of Motherwell stars, duos from Hearts and Falkirk, and one each from Rangers, Celtic, Hibs and Dundee.

Jonathan Sutherland has picked his team of the week, so let's take a look and see who impressed...

Calum Ward - Motherwell

A key part of the Motherwell success story at the back. Yet another clean sheet.

Harry Milne - Hearts

Mr Versatile and Mr Reliable all rolled into one. Another team of the week appearance for Milne. Taking the liberty of forcing this auxiliary dynamo into right-back here.

Luke Graham - Dundee

A goal and an assist from the highly promising Dundee defender. His finish for the Dark Blues was like that of a striker.

Kieran Tierney - Celtic

Huge goal at a huge time in the Old Firm Derby. The Scotland international has quietly been a big player for Celtic over the past few weeks and will no doubt be a big leader for this side in the finale of this incredible season.

Nicky Cadden - Hibernian

There is almost laser precision to his deliveries from the left-hand side. His assist for Owen Elding's header was a perfect example, knowing exactly where to put the ball to elude the defence and allow the striker the best chance to finish.

Elliott Watt - Motherwell

The Motherwell orchestrator has been a key part of the Fir Park ensemble, which continues to hit all the right notes.

The ominous thing for Hearts, Rangers and Celtic is there appears to be no reason why Motherwell cannot keep on winning.

Watt is a central cog in that winning machine. An assist for Tawanda Maswanhise's second.

Dylan Tait - Falkirk

Two goals and so much to enjoy from the Falkirk midfielder. Part of a group completely in sync with each other, and loving life under John McGlynn in the top flight.

Claudio Braga - Hearts

Has led from the front in the absence of Lawrence Shankland and always seems to be in the right place at the right time.

The personification of Hearts this season, plucked by analytics from the relative obscurity of the Norwegian second division to spearheading a title charge threatening to destroy 40 years of Old Firm dominance.

Barney Stewart - Falkirk

Another barnstorming weekend for young Barney Stewart. The Grangemouth Harry Kane was on fire against Kilmarnock and was unlucky not to claim another hat-trick.

The story of the university lad now playing Premiership football has been well told, but it's now moved on to just how quickly he has developed into one of the most exciting strikers in the league.

The only thing missing from the McGlynn Falkirk success story was a goal-getting number nine. They have certainly found him.

Youssef Chermiti - Rangers

Talk about a big game player.

Looks decidedly pedestrian at times in more run-of-the-mill fixtures, but when it slams to the big matches against the big teams the 21-year-old has been the man to deliver. And in spectacular style.

His first goal was Scott McTominay-esque, an iconic Old Firm moment. His second was pure gallus opportunism full of ingenuity and initiative.

Tawanda Maswanhise - Motherwell

Another two goals for the jewel in the crown of the Motherwell story. The top scorer in the Premiership, if Maswanhise can stay fit and keep this form going the Steelmen really do have a shot at glory.

Their combination of goals and clean sheets is quite incredible. What an extra dimension Motherwell and Maswanhise have brought to this quite sensational season.

We asked for your views on Celtic's 2-2 draw against Rangers.

Here's what some of you said:

Paul: If this awful Celtic team can manage to overturn that 2-0 deficit, it says far more about the Rangers team. If Reo Hatate had played with that much energy and intelligence for all of this season we would be top not third, and he still was nowhere near his best.

John: With 30 points still to play for I'm surprised a lot of pundits are talking as if the league has already been won. Whatever happened to "until it's mathematically impossible there's still all to play for"? I think Hearts and Motherwell will both drop points.

Mike: An error to start Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, I thought. He would have been better off the bench, however Reo Hatate has been poor so can understand why. Still in it, which is the main thing. I was surprised Rangers didn't push on in the second half to try to win it.

Paul: Both teams will be disappointed to only get a point. Winners were Hearts and Motherwell. Celtic can go second with a win at Aberdeen on Wednesday. Going to be twists and turns every week before this league is won! I'll go for Celtic as they play Hearts and Rangers at Celtic Park after split.

Tyler: Luke McCowan had it absolutely spot on when he said that at our best Celtic are the best team in the country. It's not over 'til it's over!

Alistair: Although we have still lost two points to Hearts, I'm taking a positive view today as we might have the old Hatate back and we are still well in the title race if we play the way we did in the second half more often. We may not have the most talent, but this squad has belief, grit and determination of champions.

Watch the best of the action as Celtic come from two down at Rangers to earn a point in a gripping Old Firm draw.

MATCH REPORT: Rangers 2-2 Celtic

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A number of Championship clubs have joined Celtic and Rangers in the race to sign 20-year-old Huddersfield Town midfielder Cameron Ashia, who is a free agent in the summer. (Football Insider), external

Former Celtic youth full-back Calvin Miller was among the Scottish champions' fans attending Sunday's 2-2 draw with Rangers at Ibrox, the 28-year-old having been linked with a return to his former club from Falkirk in January. (Scottish Sun), external

Read Monday's Scottish Gossip in full.

Resurgent Celtic came from two goals down to salvage a dramatic point in the 91st minute against Rangers as both Old Firm sides remain detached from Scottish Premiership leaders Hearts.

Read the full match report here.

Let us know your thoughts here.

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Celtic interim manager Martin O'Neill told BBC Scotland: "It was obviously a great game. We were well and truly second best in the first half, for almost all of it. They got off to a great start.

"The second goal wasn't great play by us, however. It was a long way back at half-time. But this side has shown a great determination, got the ball down and played.

"The second half belonged to us and we got an equaliser which we thoroughly deserved.

"If you're 2-0 down at half-time, you have to question yourself. I spend my life questioning myself, to tell you the truth. But anyway, we pulled it round second half. Great effort by the players, they've shown great spirit.

"Coming here is a difficult task, particularly if you're chasing the game as we were.

"Going back to those days, the side were very strong physically. They could compete at European level and domestically. This side doesn't have the same sort of physicality but they do not lack heart.

"Maybe wrong selection in the first place! Easy to say that. They had a big influence in the game and Hatate finally puts the ball in the net after the third or fourth attempt.

"In the scheme of things, you might think it's two points dropped but at half-time, it's a point gained.

"It helps, to fight back at Ibrox from a 2-0 deficit. We could and should have won the game, and that gives you enormous ambition to drive on.

"We're still giving ourselves a chance in this title race. If you were in Hearts position, a draw is a very good result. Motherwell are far from out of it themselves.

"Just a tribute to the supporters, they kept us going in the second half, kept us going during the game. I'm sure they were disappointed with the first half, but hopefully they're elated by what they saw in the second half."

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Celtic forward Sebastian Tounekti says there are "not so many teams" who can beat the side when they are on form, ahead of a crucial match in the title race against rivals Rangers.

Tounekti missed the previous Old Firm, where Danny Rohl's side were 3-1 winners, but the Tunisian forward doesn't view Sunday as a chance for revenge, instead an opportunity to give their supporters something to cheer for.

Celtic were 1-0 victors in Germany against Stuttgart midweek and will play Rangers twice in seven days, with an away trip to Aberdeen sandwiched in between.

Luke McCowan, who scored the side's lone goal in Germany, similarly commented that "no team in the league touches us when we're at it" after their win.

"As a player you don't like to see that," said the 23-year-old attacker of the previous fixture, which he watched while away at the African Cup of Nations with Tunisia.

"But we have to keep our focus, we know that we are going there to get a result.

"I think that when we are playing all football and we are on it, know that it's not so many teams who can beat us, but we know that it's going to be a challenge, of course.

"But we are capable to go there and to take three points."

Celtic could potentially go into Sunday's game nine points adrift of leaders Hearts, but will have two matches in hand.

"I think it's important to see that there are lots of games to play on," he added.

"Still after the game on Sunday, there so many games to play, so many points to play for.

"We know that it's a massive game, but it's also massive for everyone around the club.

"We want to go there and to show to ourselves that we can win big games, also to show to the fans that we play for them also.

Tounekti also admitted that the allure of playing in Old Firm derbies was a key factor in his decision to sign for the club last summer.

He said: "The first thing I heard about was the derby. Everyone told me about the big games, but, of course, I already knew about it before I came here.

"I think everyone knows about the game, it's maybe one of the biggest matches in the world.

"We know that it's really important for ourselves and also for everyone around the club and we're looking forward to it."

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• Rangers are unbeaten in their past five league meetings with rivals Celtic (W3 D2), after having lost four of their previous five (D1). They have had four different managers in those five clashes (Philippe Clement, Barry Ferguson x 2, Russell Martin, Danny Rohl).

• Celtic have only won two of their past 12 away games at Rangers in all competitions (D4 L6), although the latest two have been drawn. Celtic last drew three successive trips to their Old Firm rivals in March 1996.

• Rangers have won their past 10 home games in all competitions by an aggregate score of 32-4. They last won 11 successive home matches in December 2013 under Ally McCoist (11), and last did so within a single season in April 2003 under Alex McLeish (18) – the 11th of which was against Celtic (3-2 in December 2002).

• Celtic have lost seven games in the Scottish Premiership this season, as many as they did in 2023-24 (three) and 2024-25 (four) combined. Celtic last suffered more defeats in a league campaign in 1999-00 (nine) – with their eighth defeat that season coming away to Rangers (4-0 in March 2000).

• After his side's 3-1 victory in January, Danny Rohl could become the first manager to win his first two league Old Firm derbies in charge of Rangers.

• This will be Martin O'Neill's first league Old Firm derby as Celtic boss since a 2-1 win at Ibrox in April 2005; the Northern Irishman has won eight of his past 10 league games against Rangers as Celtic boss (L2).

• Rangers' Mikey Moore, who scored at Celtic park in January, has five goals in the Premiership this season; the last player to score more while aged 18 or younger in a season in the competition was Ryan Gauld in 2013-14 (six), and the last non-Scottish player to do so in the top-flight was James McCarthy in 2008-09 (six).

• Despite playing 46% of his league minutes as a central midfielder, Celtic's Benjamin Nygren ranks joint top for goals (14, level with Tawanda Maswanhise), second for shots (67), second for shots on target (30), and third for expected goals (10.0).

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Rangers' duo Dujon Sterling and Ryan Naderi have returned to training and will be assessed. Connor Barron (knee) and Derek Cornelius (muscle) are still out.

Celtic defender Auston Trusty begins a three-match ban. Celtic are missing Arne Engels (leg), Cameron Carter-Vickers (Achilles), Jota (knee), Alistair Johnston and Callum Osmand (both hamstring).

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Celtic will be priced out of a summer move for Bodo/Glimt striker Kasper Hogh following his impressive Champions League exploits. (Football Insider), external

On the subject of Willie Haughey's proposed Celtic Season Ticket Alliance, former striker Chris Sutton says he is "genuinely optimistic it could be a positive first step for the club". (Daily Record - subscription required), external

Celtic's Martin O'Neill turns 74 on Sunday and to mark the occasion he is heading to Ibrox for the first time as a manager in 21 years.

The Northern Irishman has already beaten Danny Rohl's side this season as Celtic defeated 10-man Rangers 3-1 in the League Cup semi-final at Hampden in November during his first interim spell.

But the last time O'Neill managed a game against Rangers in Govan was way back in April 2005.

During his trophy-laden five-year spell in Glasgow, O'Neill led Celtic out for 11 Old Firm derbies at Ibrox, 10 in the top flight and one in the League Cup. He lost four, won six and drew one.

His first visit to the city's southside was a painful experience. After Celtic famously thumped Rangers 6-2 at Parkhead in O'Neill's debut derby, the Ibrox side exacted revenge three months later with a 5-1 rout in November 2000 to end Celtic's unbeaten run in the league.

O'Neill went on to win the next two Ibrox derbies before a 1-1 draw in March 2002. Then came another loss before three triumphant Ibrox visits in succession.

O'Neill's final season brought two Ibrox defeats, but he bowed out with a 2-1 victory thanks to goals from Stiliyan Petrov and Craig Bellamy.

If O'Neill's side can get the job done again this Sunday it would be the perfect birthday present.

Speaking at his media conference on Friday, O'Neill says he relishes matches at Ibrox "in a perverse sort of way".

"They're still great games and things to look forward to," he added. "But as the great Walter Smith once said, they are games to have relief at once they're over, particularly if you get a result.

"Of course you can be a bit euphoric, but I think relief might be the biggest way to describe it."