Celtic

Celtic stay six points behind Hearts at the top of the Scottish Premiership after a topsy-turvy thriller at Tynecastle that ends 2-2.

Martin O'Neill's side were twice ahead, but their hosts' second leveller came after the reigning champions were reduced to 10 men when Auston Trusty was shown a red card.

Rangers' win over Dundee means they overtake Celtic into second and are only four behind the Edinburgh side.

So where do you think that leaves Celtic's title hopes and what did you think of the game and a red card questioned by O'Neill?

Read the match report.

Give us your thoughts.

Celtic interim manager Martin O'Neill is pleased that his side are "showing a great resolve" and insists that Auston Trusty should not have been sent off in Saturday's 2-2 draw away to Scottish Premiership leaders Hearts.

"It was a tough game - we knew it would be," he tells BBC Scotland.

"We scored a fine goal and were in reasonable control. They got an equaliser and the game was in the balance.

"We score a wonderful goal to retake the lead and the sending off has a major part to play in the final 20 minutes."

As for Trusty's dismissal, the second game in a row in which Celtic have finished with 10 men, O'Neill adds: "I've seen it back and I have to say I don't see it.

"Maybe I've been out of the game too long or have misread the rules. But, first of all, the ball that's played is going away from goal and we have a man round on the cover.

"It is not a red card. It is gone now, but it played a massive part.

"We fought magnificently again. It was topsy-turvy, it was tough. Hearts are up there in the league because they are a very fine side."

There is still interest from Glasgow in 22-year-old Dunajska Streda forward Damir Redzic, with Rangers, Celtic, RB Salzburg, Copenhagen and Olympiacos among interested clubs. (Daily Record), external

Out-of-favour Lorient striker Mohamed Bamba has suffered a fresh injury setback amid reported interest in the 24-year-old from Celtic. (Glasgow Times), external

Reported Celtic transfer target Yasper Asprilla has been snapped posing with a Galatasaray shirt ahead of a loan move from Girona for the 22-year-old winger. (Daily Record), external

Reported Celtic transfer target Aurele Amenda made a disappointing return to the Eintracht Frankfurt starting line-up after the 22-year-old Switzerland centre-half was restored by caretaker head coach Dennis Schmitt as they lost 3-1 at home to Hoffenheim. (Daily Record), external

Swansea City are plotting a move for former Celtic forward Kyogo Furuhashi, with Birmingham City willing to listen to offers for the Japan 31-year-old. (Football Insider), external

Swansea City, who are in the market for a striker after Adam Idah was ruled out for three months, have expressed an interest in Birmingham City's Kyogo Furuhashi, saying they wish to be informed of any developments on his future. (Anthony Joseph on X), external

Kyogo Furuhashi is an option Swansea City have assessed as they look for cover after an injury to former Celtic team-mate Adam Idah, but the Japan forward's wage demands are likely to be a big stumbling block and a move is unlikely. (Wales Online), external

Read Sunday's Scottish Gossip in full.

Charlotte Cohen
BBC Sport Scotland

Image source, Opta

Celtic picked up a vital Europa League point away to Bologna on Thursday, but will that gruelling effort take a toll in the massive game at Premiership leaders Hearts on Sunday?

After Reo Hatate's early goal, Martin O'Neill's side were reduced to 10 men after half an hour when the Japan midfielder was given two yellow cards in quick succession.

For the next hour, it was a backs-to-the-wall performance from the Scottish champions, who went 2-0 up before half-time through Auston Trusty before Bologna scored twice in a dominant second-half performance.

Over the 90 minutes Celtic faced 36 shots, 10 on target and 24 inside the box. Bologna had over 70% possession, created four big chances and had 63 touches inside the Hoops' penalty area (Celtic had just 11 touches in Bologna's box).

Celtic's defenders were colossal after the red card. Trusty had 17 clearances over the 90 minutes, Kieran Tierney made 12 and Liam Scales 10.

Right-back Colby Donovan won 10 of his 15 duels while Trusty won nine of 13. Goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel made seven saves, albeit he was at fault for the equaliser, while the whole team put in a tireless shift.

Despite such exertions, BBC Scotland pundit Rory Loy thinks Celtic will be "buoyant" heading into Sunday's clash at Tynecastle.

"Their last win away in Feyenoord they came back and won at Easter Road so it's not as if they're not capable of doing it," Loy said.

"Celtic would have been happy with a point in Bologna but it was such an unorthodox way of getting it. They'll still be happy with it and they'll take confidence from it.

"They've finally got a striker in the door, they've got a decent point away in Europe while Hearts are missing three players.

"I know there's a bit of travelling involved but I think Celtic will be buoyant come Sunday and I think, for the first time this season, Hearts will feel like they're maybe up against it slightly with regards to the circumstances they find themselves in."

Image source, SNS

Hearts boss Derek is looking forward to locking horns with Celtic counterpart Martin O'Neill for the first time in his managerial career in Sunday's top-of-the-table Tynecastle showdown.

McInnes, whose side can go nine points clear with victory, has already defeated Celtic sides managed by Brendan Rodgers and Wilfried Nancy this season.

O'Neill has won seven league matches out of seven across his two interim spells.

"Obviously Martin's had an upturn in results since he's been in previously in the short term and then obviously since he's come back in and I'm not surprised at that," McInnes said.

"I know players who have played under Martin and I know the regard they have for him, and I've got a high regard for him as well.

"I've come across him loads in my dealings with him as a manager in meetings with LMA [League Managers Association].

"I've never come across him manager to manager, taking him on, but obviously I faced his Celtic teams as a player.

"He's a huge figure for Celtic. I'm looking forward to seeing him on Sunday."

O'Neill is preparing to take charge of a match at Tynecastle for the first time since the penultimate league fixture of his first spell as Celtic boss, a 2-1 victory over Hearts in May 2005.

"It has a great, great atmosphere," O'Neill said. "It's fiery, it's great.

"I used to say here [in Scotland], outside of Ibrox, it was the most intimidating place to go. And I think it will be a wonderful atmosphere."

Image source, SNS

• Celtic have won all seven of their league games under Martin O'Neill in 2025-26, conceding just one goal in the process. It's as many league wins as they have in 15 games under Brendan Rodgers (P9 W5 D2 L2) and Wilfried Nancy (P6 W2 D0 L4) combined this season.

• Hearts have won six of their past seven league games, including all three in 2026 since a 3-2 defeat to rivals Hibernian in December. Hearts could start a calendar year with wins in each of their opening four league matches for the second time in three years, having done so in 2024.

• Celtic have lost their past five away league games against opponents starting the day top of the table since a 2-0 victory over Motherwell in September 2012. Two of this run of five defeats have been against Hearts, losing 1-0 in August 2018 and 3-1 in October this season.

• Hearts have won both of their league meetings with Celtic so far this season, last winning more in a row against them in October 1961 (five). Hearts have never beaten Celtic three times in a single league campaign before.

• Hearts are looking to become the first side to beat Celtic in three successive league meetings since Rangers in January 2021, while the last team other than the Parkkhead club's Old Firm rivals to do so were Aberdeen in November 1990.

Image source, SNS

Marc Leonard is available for a debut after signing on loan from Birmingham in time to ease Hearts' midfield problems.

Beni Baningime is suspended, Tomas Magnusson (hamstring) is a doubt and Cammy Devlin (ankle) is out, while Ageu (hamstring) and Oisin McEntee (groin) have only an outside chance of being fit.

Captain Lawrence Shankland (hamstring) is out along with Stephen Kingsley (groin), Calem Nieuwenhof and Finlay Pollock (both hamstring).

Celtic could hand a debut to Czech striker Tomas Cvancara, while Kelechi Iheanacho is back in contention after injury and Julian Araujo is available after being ineligible against Bologna on Thursday.

Johnny Kenny (calf) is a doubt and Cameron Carter-Vickers (Achilles), Jota (knee), Alistair Johnston, Callum Osmand and Marcelo Saracchi (all hamstring) are all out.

Rangers are interested in Hajduk Split defensive midfielder Niko Sigur, but the 22-year-old Canada international would prefer a move to Celtic, who are still keen and could restart talks. (Ekrem Konur on X), external

Rangers will be able to use their shared ownership with Leeds United to their advantage if they wish to pursue a deal for Celtic target Joel Piroe, the 26-year-old forward having struggled for game time since promotion to the Premier League. (Football Insider), external

Barry Ferguson has laughed off the prospect of his nephew, Lewis, joining Celtic this month from Bologna, but the former Rangers interim manager would prefer a "cheeky loan" to Ibrox for the 26-year-old Scotland midfielder. (Glasgow Times), external

Celtic could be set to miss out again in their pursuit of 23-year-old Crystal Palace winger Jesurun Rak-Sakyi as they remain some way short of the Eagles' demands. (Football Insider), external

Read Saturday's Scottish Gossip in full.

Image source, SNS

Celtic captain Callum McGregor says Wilfried Nancy tried to implement change too quickly during his ill-fated reign at Parkhead.

The French manager was in charge for just 33 days and lost six of his eight matches in charge.

After six straight wins domestically under Martin O'Neill, Nancy tried to implement a three-at-the-back formation, often playing with just one recognised centre-back.

McGregor, 32, has played for Celtic's first team for over 11 years and has won 24 major honours with the club.

Given that success, McGregor believes Nancy's move away from a tried-and-tested system without a pre-season was a mistake.

"It was probably too much too soon in terms of change," McGregor told Sky Sports.

"Obviously to go from a team that is super aggressive on the front foot for 10 plus years, the whole time I've been here pretty much.

"Playing a certain way, being asked to do things a certain way, defending in a certain way and then you bring in the nuance of the league and playing in Scotland.

"My belief is that you get as much pressure on the ball as much as you can and try and press the game as high as you can. It actually eliminates a lot of the defending that you have to do in terms of box defending.

"For me it was just a little bit too much, too soon in terms of that change and quite a big change away from what the team had been.

"Not to say that it can't work, but I think everybody's well aware of the time and no pre-season and so many games, so many important games.

"It's a really, really tough situation to come in and have a game every three days where you're almost learning in the game.

"We all know that trying to learn in this environment is probably the harshest environment that you can have."

McGregor insists the players stayed united during Nancy's tenure and called for a forward-thinking approach as Celtic target both the Premiership title and Scottish Cup under interim boss Martin O'Neill.

They are six points behind league-leaders Hearts on Sunday, who they face on Sunday at Tynecastle having already lost twice to Derek McInnes' side this season.

"What I will say is the one thing that did strike me about the whole thing was how much the players stayed together," McGregor said.

"It is really unfortunate that it didn't work out [under Nancy], but I think we have to draw a line under it now.

"There's been so many negative stories going about this season. There actually is so much positive to look forward to, so much to play for.

"The players have drawn a line under it, so I think now for everyone externally as well, we have to draw a line under it and move forward, because if we keep dwelling on it, we aren't going to achieve what it is we want to achieve.

"The players are at peace with that and we know we've put ourselves in a difficult position, and we have a huge game to come on Sunday."

Image source, SNS

Martin O'Neill says it would be "a long way back" into the title race if his Celtic side lose at Tynecastle on Sunday.

A third defeat of the season to Derek McInnes' Premiership leaders would leave Celtic nine points adrift with 15 points left.

"It's going to be very big, no question about it," said interim manager O'Neill.

"If we get beaten, it's a long way back for us and it is a bit of a trek at the minute. So we will go out to try and win the game if we can.

"I think that it's not the end of the road [with a loss], but nine points would be a lot to claw back in so many games left."

Celtic head into Sunday's game after playing for almost an hour with 10 men in the 2-2 Europa League draw with Bologna in Italy on Thursday night.

When asked if the players would be happy to play for a point on Sunday, O'Neill added: "I don't think that's in their nature.

"If you look at last night, the way we started the game, we closed the players down, we scored a goal from closing players down. So we went to take the game to Bologna.

"What's the point in sitting back? Obviously, as the game goes on, we get a man sent off, second half, we had to retreat.

"They drove us back, as you would expect, they're very, very fine side. It was all hands to the pump. But that's the way the game goes.

"We will be as positive as we possibly can and we'll try and win. And if we can't win it, we'll try and save it."

Charlotte Cohen
BBC Sport Scotland

Image source, SNS

Martin O'Neill has been speaking to the media before Celtic's trip to face Premiership leaders Hearts this weekend.

Here are the key lines from the interim Celtic boss:

• O'Neill says it's a "great feeling" Celtic delivered a "terrific performance" for a Europa League point in Bologna but feels "if we had stayed with 11 men we might have taken all three".

• He insists Celtic will "try and win the game on Thursday" against Utrecht but knows "there's a big match on Sunday first".

• New striker Tomas Cvancara is "ready to go" after training with the B team on Thursday and linking up with the senior squad on Friday and "could start" at Tynecastle.

• But O'Neill stresses "he's not going to be the panacea for all our ills and woes" and "wouldn't want to put extreme pressure on him to solve all our problems", but thinks the striker can "make an impact" in Glasgow.

• O'Neill doesn't expect further new arrivals before Sunday but is "very hopeful we'll get some people in" before the window shuts.

• While Kelechi Iheanacho has been back training, O'Neill feels "it might be a bit of a stretch to start him in a game at the moment, but at least he's going to be available".

• The interim boss knows the game against Hearts is "going to be very big" and it will be a "long way back" from a nine-point deficit if Celtic lose, adding that even being six behind is "a bit of a trek at the minute".

• O'Neill stresses it's "not in their nature" for the players to look to take a point at Tynecastle, adding: "We'll try and win and if we can't win we'll try and save it."

• O'Neill praises Derek McInnes' "really brilliant" job at Hearts and insists they haven't "taken advantage of Celtic and Rangers slip-ups, they've driven on themselves".

• When asked who he thinks are title favourites, O'Neill says: "Let me put it this way, I wish we were going into this game six points in front."

• He is excited to return to a "fiery" Tynecastle and admits "outside of Ibrox it was the most intimidating place to go".

• O'Neill says the players are "in good spirits" and will "be up for the game" but acknowledges substitutions may have to "play their part" on Sunday.

• Johnny Kenny has picked up a calf strain so might be a doubt, but O'Neill says "other than that we're ready to go".

Liam McLeod
BBC Sport Scotland Commentator

Image source, Getty Images

Midfielder Benjamin Nygren is confident his Celtic side will beat Hearts in Sunday's top-of-the-table clash in Edinburgh.

The champions visit the Scottish Premiership leaders hoping to close the gap to three points with Rangers also in the mix.

"It's a massive game on Sunday," said the Swede. "We know we are a very strong team and we will need a strong performance - if we do that we will win.

"[The coaching staff] know what it takes to represent this club. They've been here many years.

"We know that we're a good team and if we do a strong performance we will win, it's in our hands.

"Every game is the most important game of the season and that's how it's going to be. Our focus is always on the next game."

Nygren came off the bench and into the eye of the storm as Celtic held on for a 2-2 draw in Bologna to leave them tantalisingly close to the knockout stages of the Europa League.

"It was a hard-fought points, especially playing with 10 men for so long," he said.

"We're very proud of everyone in the team.

It was very, very difficult. We had to run a lot and cover as much space as possible to close them down and defend well.

"We played against a very good side that plays top teams every week and we really fought hard."

We asked for your thoughts after 10-man Celtic drew 2-2 with Bologna in the Europa League to keep their hopes of progressing alive.

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

Paul: Well done Celtic. Madness by Reo Hatate cost us a win. The team were magnificent in a backs-to-wall second-half performance. A win next week at Celtic Park and we'll see where that takes us. Roll on Sunday.

Sean: Martin O'Neill has given this group of players the feeling of what it is to be a Celtic player and belief to play for the badge again. Really hard fighting with 10 men for an hour. Auston Trusty, Liam Scales and Kieran Tierney left everything out there. And the old boy Martin O'Neill still showing his passion with a booking, get him signed up for another few years.

John: Most would have taken a point before the match. After a great start to the game it went wrong for us. The players proved to me that with good management they are not a bad side. Hopefully the same drive and commitment on Sunday.

Adam: With 11 men, Celtic win that game. But the resolve to dig deep enough to earn a point after playing an hour with 10 men shows that O'Neill can galvanise the players like Brendan Rodgers and Wilfried Nancy failed to do this season. For me, he has to stay on at the club in some capacity after the season is over.

James: Needless sending off that could have been avoided and definitely cost us. Bologna, and three points, were genuinely there for the taking. Their goals were reasonably fortunate and can't really say Kasper Schmeichel could have done better. I believe that if we hadn't sat back and invited pressure we might even have stayed on top until the end. That said, an absolutely brilliant performance from just about everyone else, Trusty, Scales and Tierney were crucial in defence, Colby Donovan gets better every time I see him.

John: Rangers did Celtic a favour - perhaps the first time Celtic supporters were behind a Rangers win?

Johnnie: Deserved a point with that determined defensive play. I see a real bond among the players that has been absent all season. However, I believe if we lose against Hearts our league campaign for this season will be all over and that effort on Thursday night could be costly at weekend.

Celtic midfielder Arne Engels is likely to stay despite an enquiry from RB Leipzig as the 22-year-old German is happy working under interim manager Martin O'Neill. (Anthony Joseph on X), external

Celtic are considering making an offer to sign 23-year-old Chelsea striker David Datro Fofana on a permanent deal. (Football Insider), external

Portugal head coach Roberto Martinez is currently the front-runner to be named as the next permanent Celtic manager this summer. (Football Insider), external

Read Friday's Scottish Gossip in full.

Ten-man Celtic battled their way to a priceless point in Bologna to retain hopes of Europa League progression.

Read the report

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