Celtic

Celtic kept their Europa League campaign alive with a deserved victory over winless Utrecht at Parkhead.

Read the match report.

Have your say on the game.

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Interim Celtic manager Martin O'Neill: "Delighted with the result. Performance for most parts was really terrific. Our pressing was terrific and as a consequence, we got ourselves a couple of goals in front.

"Not that you're ever coasting, but we were doing splendidly. Then they get a goal back, it unnerves you a little bit and they got the second goal and you're beginning to get a wee bit concerned because I thought we were flagging a bit. [Auston] Trusty comes up with a great header and we deserved to win the game.

"You would have got long odds on us qualifying after four games. Great credit to the players. They worked tirelessly. I said to them before the game, last Thursday's performance was magnificent, the performance in Feyenoord was great, so you don't want that to count for nothing. We won and so we're in the next stage.

"I was concerned because we didn't make that many changes after Sunday and I don't think you can constantly press for 90 minutes. There are stages then where you have to sit back. We allow them in for their second goal and that put us on the back foot.

"We win and it's just nice to get through. Winning breeds confidence.

"We are definitely making progress [on transfers], there's no question about that.

More from Celtic boss Martin O'Neill on transfers: "We know we need to supplement the squad. We need a wee bit of quality to help, particularly with the extra games now.

"To get another European night at Celtic Park, I don't think it will do us any harm, if we get the players in which I hope we will do.

"It's nice to be in the draw. Whether we're good enough to continue is another issue."

On links to Fares Ghedjemis and Damir Redzic: "You wouldn't be a million miles off. I don't know about a percentage.

"It could be [one rather than both]. I don't think we're in a position [to do both], yeah.

"There's progress today on certain things. I don't want to be cryptic, but I would hate to say something was certain and it fell away."

Kheredine Idessane
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

There's every chance Martin O'Neill will get the result he's looking for against Utrecht this evening.

You only have to look at his record in his two short spells at Parkhead so far. Three wins and two draws leading into this evening's game, including an away point with ten men in Bologna last week. Seven wins and one defeat prior to Christmas. The solitary loss was away in this competition to the then Europa League leaders, Midtjylland, who are still in the top four and very well placed to avoid the play-offs.

O'Neill has a knack of making his teams greater than the sum of their parts. Could that turn out to be a problem, though?

In the grand scheme of things, with long-term injuries to key players like Cameron Carter-Vickers, Jota and Alastair Johnston, there is a serious doubt over Celtic's ability to sustain football on three fronts for much longer - especially as they're making a real meal of recruitment yet again.

At time of writing, 29 days into arguably their most important transfer window in recent memory, the Scottish champions have only secured two players on loan. Despite the current manager - and the two who preceded him - making it abundantly clear that reinforcements were needed in numbers and with urgency.

The fact that the club appears set to embark upon yet another last-minute scramble is beyond baffling. Other clubs in the division don't seem to have nearly as much difficulty.

I know, like Wilfried Nancy, that he was relieved of his post several weeks ago now but I'm reminded that Paul Tisdale was appointed as head of football operations in October 2024. What exactly has the football department at the club been doing in the intervening 16 months? Why are there not folders-full of scouted players dropping out of drawers at Celtic Park?

Poor and slow recruitment over the summer had Brendan Rodgers tearing his hair out, although his own apparent reluctance, according to major shareholder Dermot Desmond, to commit his longer-term future to the club may have been part of the overall inertia.

Fast forward to the end of January, and they're still looking for another striker after signing Tomas Cvancara on loan from Borussia Monchengladbach. They could also do with a play-maker in midfield. They need help, too, at centre-half with Auston Trusty suspended domestically and Liam Scales being asked to do a lot of heavy lifting.

Unless they have three or four signings ready to be unveiled between now and Monday night, it would strike me that progression in Europe might stretch Celtic to the absolute limit.

The form-book, as well as O'Neill's European nous, would suggest Celtic will be too strong for their Dutch visitors and will collect the three points that would take them into the Europa League knock-out phase. An achievement to be applauded, if it happens, but one that will also need to knock the recruitment department into overdrive if it's not to be a curse in disguise.

Tino
Fan writer

Celtic have spent a grand total of zero pounds and zero pence when it comes to our January transfer signings, with just the loan moves for Julian Araujo and Tomas Cvancara to speak of.

It is now 29 January!

If the club somehow manages to land the three (at least) signings Martin O'Neill requires, then we're about to witness a spectacular flurry of transfer activity in the coming days, the likes of which hasn't been seen since the heady Ange Postecoglou era.

Evidence of recent transfer windows, however, suggests that optimism would be misplaced.

What makes the inertia all the more baffling is just how obvious an opportunity this feels for the Celtic board to relieve at least some of the pressure that has engulfed them in recent months.

No one is pretending a handful of signings would magically solve all of Celtic's problems – of which there are many - but there's no underestimating the lift a major addition (or three) can give a bemused and frustrated fanbase.

The chance to begin correcting the mistakes of the failed Paul Tisdale appointment, the Wilfried Nancy gamble and a disastrous summer window is staring the club squarely in the face.

Their apparent reluctance to seize it is utterly inexplicable.

In just four league fixtures this January, Celtic have already dropped five points - and most gallingly, those came against our closest rivals Hearts and Rangers.

With the table this tight, those points may prove decisive and could be the difference between a fifth consecutive title for the club or an ignominious finale to O'Neill's return.

With the countdown on to Monday's (23:00 GMT) transfer deadline, the message to the Celtic board could not be clearer.

Redeem yourself, at least in part, by backing O'Neill accordingly and by giving him the best possible shot at league success.

Or, fail to do so, and deepen a rift between club and supporters that currently seems to be growing by the day.

Tino can be found at The Celtic Exchange, external

Norwich City have made a bid of nearly £7m for Bodo/Glimt striker Kasper Hogh, for whom Celtic have made an enquiry and whose future was to be decided after Wednesday's Champions League win over Atletico Madrid during which the 25-year-old scored. (Sky Sports)

Celtic have turned down a loan offer from a Danish club for Paulo Bernardo, fellow midfielder Reo Hatate is attracting interest from England and overseas, while the Scottish champions are considering a loan move for Nigeria striker Terem Moffi from Nice. (The Herald)

Interim boss Martin O'Neill is worried that he sanctions the signing of players the next Celtic manager doesn't want - but insists the club are ready to spend big on a headline signing in this window. (Scottish Sun)

Nice striker Moffi has rejected advances from Celtic and Besiktas to sign for Porto, according to reports in Portugal. (Scottish Sun)

Celtic and Sunderland are among the clubs considering moves for 26-year-old Lecce defender Antonino Gallo. (Football Insider)

Lech Poznan chairman Karol Klimczak says he still wants to make 26-year-old winger Luis Palma's loan deal permanent, but Celtic would have to reduce their valuation, which is double the Polish club's record transfer fee. (Daily Record)

Scotland head coach Steve Clarke is on the list of names that Celtic are exploring for their next managerial appointment this summer. (Football Insider)

Read the rest of Thursday's gossip.

David Currie
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

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Benjamin Nygren is adamant the Europa League is not an unwanted distraction for Celtic during their three-way fight for the Scottish title.

Victory at home to off-form Utrecht on Thursday night will earn Celtic a place in the knockout stage.

"I think every competition we're in is very important," said Nygren.

"We want to do well in every competition we're in. Celtic is a massive club and a massive club should be and do well in more competitions than just the league."

The Sweden attacker, Celtic's top scorer this season with 13 goals, has appeared in all of the club's European ties since joining from Danish side Nordsjaelland last summer.

He says the prospect of playing in Europe was one of the things that attracted him to Celtic.

"It's very important. I said it before I came here. I think Celtic has everything. Everyone in the world, almost everyone, knows about Celtic," he added.

"Since I was a kid I wanted to play in European competition and you always want to go as far as possible and win the tournament you're in."

Like the rest of his team-mates he'd rather Celtic were playing Champions League football this season instead of the second-tier competition.

A penalty shoot defeat by Kazakhstan's Kairat Almaty after two goalless draws resulted in Celtic dropping into the Europa.

"Everyone knows it hasn't been as we've all wanted," said Nygren. Of course, we wanted to play in the biggest competition but we can still make a lot out of this season. We would be very happy of course if we go through."

David Currie
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

Interim Celtic manager Martin O'Neill has been speaking to the media before his side face Utrecht in the Europa League on Thursday.

Here are the main points:

• O'Neill is "hopeful" and "reasonably confident" of making further signings, adding: "Whether we have anyone in before the weekend I don't know but we are making strenuous efforts."

• He says there are "lots of people" Celtic have taken an interest in and they have been "thwarted" on one or two.

• He acknowledges there will be anxiety among supporters regarding the lack of transfers.

• O'Neill says if Celtic beat Utrecht to reach the Europa League knockout stages they will need a "proper squad" and "as much quality as possible".

• The Parkhead boss is "disappointed" that the Scottish FA fast-track panel rejected the club's appeal against Auston Trusty's red card in the draw with Hearts.

• He adds: "It was nice to get the backing of a lot of referees who've refereed big, big matches when they were interviewed afterwards."

• On refereeing standards in Scotland, O'Neill offers a tongue-in-cheek reply: "I never had a problem with it in my first spell here 25 years ago, never had a problem at all with it all. I just expected no decisions to come our way."

• Despite Utrecht struggling for form and being on a five-game losing streak, O'Neill says they are a "very decent side" who can "cause you problems".

• On the prospect of progressing beyond the league phase: "It would be nice to get through to a knockout stage if we could do that. The more European matches you play, if you can afford to do it, you learn something. It's a great experience for some of the younger lads as well."

• Striker Kelechi Iheanacho trained on Wednesday and will be available for selection. Left-back Marcelo Saracchi - who has been out injured since early December - is also back in training.

Image source, SNS

• Only Go Ahead Eagles (132) have faced more shots in the Europa League this season than Celtic (123), with the Parkhead club facing 36 on matchday seven against Bologna – the joint-second most ever by a team in a game since 2009-10.

• Celtic have won their past two major European matches against Dutch opponents, both times beating Feyenoord (in December 2023 and November 2025).

• Utrecht are winless in 10 away major European matches (D2 L8) since winning 4-0 at MSK Zilina in October 2003 – they've only netted two goals in their 10 away games since.

• Celtic went 2-0 up against Bologna last time out but drew 2-2 – they've won just two of their past six major European matches when going 2-0 up (D2 L2).

• Utrecht and Celtic last met in the 2010-11 Europa League qualifying phase play-offs – the Dutch side lost 2-0 away in the first leg but won 4-0 in the second leg to progress on aggregate.

Bodo/Glimt will decide 25-year-old striker Kasper Hogh's future after this week's Champions League game with Atletico Madrid. Celtic have made an enquiry but face competition from a number of club across Europe, including Norwich City. (Sky Sports)

Celtic have been told they will need to pay close to £7m to land Hogh. (Daily Record)

RB Leipzig sporting director Marcel Schafer has revealed they have held "good talks" with Celtic and Juventus transfer target Xaver Schlager about extending the Austria midfielder's stay beyond the end of the season. (Daily Record)

Juventus are at an advanced stage of securing the transfer of Schlager. (Fabrizio Romano on YouTube)

Hacken have rejected a £3.2m bid from an unnamed club for 21-year-old Danish midfielder Silas Andersen, who has been linked a number of clubs including Celtic and Rangers. (Fotbolldirekt)

Read the rest of Wednesday's gossip.

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Chris Sutton believes former club Celtic will be "absolutely stuffed" if they do not sign "three or four players" before the end of the January transfer window.

Interim boss Martin O'Neill, who managed Sutton at Celtic in the early 2000s, dropped Scottish Premiership points as Celtic manager for the first time this season in Sunday's 2-2 draw at Hearts.

January loan signings Julian Araujo and Tomas Cvancara started at Tynecastle, with the latter setting up Celtic's second goal.

"Celtic, at this moment in time, I think they'll finish third," Sutton told BBC Radio 5 Live's Monday Night Club.

"They've brought one striker in on loan. If Celtic do not add three or four, I think that they are absolutely stuffed.

"A lot has been made of Hearts and their recruitment and whether they will have a wobble.

"It seemed like [Sunday] would be the toughest test for Derek McInnes and his Hearts team and in truth, I thought they bullied Celtic, especially in the middle of the park.

"I thought they got Celtic playing the game that Hearts wanted. Now, it's just maintaining it for Hearts. Hearts were the much better team."

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Celtic striker Shin Yamada has been loaned out to the German second tier, joining Preussen Muenster until the end of this season.

The 25-year-old joined the Parkhead side from Japanese club Kawasaki Frontale last summer, but he has only made 12 appearances in all competitions.

The forward is yet to score or record an assist for Celtic and moves in the hope of gaining increased game time.

Preussen Muenster currently sit 15th in the Germany's second division.

Head coach Ron Jans, of Utrecht, has refused to resign following a fifth successive defeat, with the Dutch club visiting Celtic in the Europa League on Thursday. (Herald - subscription required), external

Reports in France indicate former Celtic manager Wilfried Nancy has been proposed for a role at Saint-Etienne. (Glasgow Times - subscription required), external

Hibernian midfielder Josh Mulligan, 23, reminds former Celtic manager Gordon Strachan of Scott Brown, the former Celtic captain. (Edinburgh Evening News - subscription required), external

Tuesday's Scottish gossip

Jonathan Sutherland
Sportscene presenter

Kasper Schmeichel has his critics these days but made a couple of big saves to help earn Celtic a point at Tynecastle in their 2-2 draw against Hearts.

He takes the gloves in my team of the week.

Watch Sportscene pundits Andy Halliday and Scott Allan discuss Celtic defender Auston Trusty's red card against Hearts.

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Celtic can expect to drop more points in the Scottish Premiership title race if their performance levels do not improve, says former midfielder Scott Allan.

Interim boss Martin O'Neill's winning domestic run came to an end on Sunday in a thrilling 2-2 draw at league leaders Hearts.

Celtic took the lead twice at Tynecastle but had to see out the match with 10 men following Auston Trusty's controversial red card.

The result means O'Neill's men drop to third and remain six points off the top.

Across both of O'Neill's caretaker spells this term, Celtic have won seven and drawn one of their Premiership matches, but BBC Scotland pundit Allan believes the manner of his former side's displays have been a concern.

"You only have to look back to a week or so ago when they played Falkirk, Celtic were lucky to come away with the win," he said.

Speaking on the BBC's Scottish Football Podcast, Allan added: "I thought Falkirk for large spells were the better side in that game. Defensively, Celtic managed to get through it.

"I don't think they performances have given you enough [belief that they will] claw back [the six-point deficit] at this moment in time.

"I think that would be the worry because, yes, O'Neill's come in and he has had to undo all that Wilfred Nancy done, picking them up again from the confidence levels they had, losing goals.

"So that side of it does look slightly better. Individual errors still are there, I would say that. But the consistency of performance for me, if it doesn't improve, I think Celtic will drop points."

We asked for your views on 10-man Celtic's thrilling 2-2 draw with Hearts on Sunday.

Here's what some of you said:

Norman: Celtic showed real grit to deny Hearts a home win despite a red card. Went ahead twice and showed enough resilience to make other title contenders think there's a reason why Celtic have dominated Scottish football recently.

Ray: On the Celtic sending off, Martin O'Neill is correct. Auston Trusty deserved a yellow, it's not a clear goalscoring opportunity and another defender is tracking back. The referee was correct but VAR interferes. VAR is refereeing games, and that's not what it was introduced for.

Border Bhoy: The referee made the correct call, a yellow card for Trusty, before VAR interfered, resulting in Steven McLean presumably feeling pressure to change his decision and red card Trusty. There was a Celtic defender beyond Trusty and the pass was heading in the direction of the corner flag, with the ball not under the control of a Hearts player. That decision cost Celtic victory. Having said that, a draw was probably a fair result but also reinforced the fact Celtic still need to strengthen in this transfer window if we want to retain the league title.

Fred: I thought that on the balance of play a draw was a fair result. I don't believe the second equaliser was anything to do with the sending off. I was more concerned because both goals we conceded came from a corner and a free-kick. We must tighten up in central defence. The sending off was not only of the soft variety but also was influenced by John Beaton on VAR encouraging the referee to have a second look at the incident. There was nothing blatant in the challenge, the ball was going away from goal, we had another player covering, so there was absolutely no guarantees that a goal would have resulted had Trusty not touched him as briefly as he did. O'Neill has a tough task on his hands to turn this around. More signings required ASAP, but Tomas Cvancara shaped well considering it was his first game in two months apparently.

Peter: Let's be realistic. With the level of ambition shown by the board we will finish third at best in league. That is a true reflection of the players currently at our club. Our failure to sign a goalscoring forward says a lot. There is no progress. We simply cannot beat what is in front of us with the players we have. It is not rocket science. O'Neill should walk if he is not given a quality centre-forward. Even then it may be too late.

Watch highlights as Hearts strike late to rescue a draw against 10-man Celtic in a thrilling Scottish Premiership draw at Tynecastle.

MATCH REPORT: Hearts 2-2 Celtic

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Former Premier League referee Mark Clattenburg does not believe VAR should have intervened in the eventual decision to send off Celtic defender Auston Trusty in Sunday's draw with Hearts. (Record), external

Celtic are competing with Brondby to sign Brann's Norway midfielder Felix Horn Myhre, 26. (Tipsbladet - in Danish), external

Meanwhile, Celtic are set for a windfall with former player and forward Oh Hyeon-Gyu, 24, expected to join Besiktas from Genk for £10m. (National - subscription required), external

Monday's Scottish gossip