Celtic

Celtic boss Martin O'Neill: "The sending off had a major effect on the game. I thought we played brilliantly, got the goal and looked a really decent outfit - played some really great stuff.

"I've seen the sending off back. Reo has caught the lad's foot and maybe he should be a bit more careful having been booked. Even so, I thought it was pretty harsh and it put us on the back foot.

"We spend all the second half defending. I thought the spirit they showed, the willingness to get blocks in and defend the penalty box was really splendid.

"For us, it's a different battle because of earlier results, but we've given ourselves a chance to get through and from that viewpoint, I'm delighted. My own view is that if we had stayed with 11 men, we would have won the game.

"The ball was going out of play and I felt the referee couldn't wait to get the yellow card out.

"Given the circumstances, absolutely [a point gained]. We're playing a good team trying to get into the top eight - naturally they're going to put pressure on us. We showed a great resilience.

"We have to win next Thursday, but even so, we've got a lot to think about before then.

"Trusty was magnificent, as he has been during my time here.

"I couldn't give him higher praise, he was absolutely magnificent as were the team. Him and Scales have been great as a defensive two in the time I have been here and my expectation of them is quite high."

On whether he enjoyed the game: "I didn't enjoy the football at all, I never have done. I love being around young people. I love the Monday to Friday.

"Did I get a yellow card? I did apologise to the fourth official a couple of times, but he should have apologised to me - had Daizen gone down in the one that was last man, I think the referee would have had no alternative but to send their player off. That would have been interesting, but Daizen stayed on his feet and the move was finished.

"It was a tough evening, but we came through.

"It was a big effort for us tonight, but we just have to recover as best we can. Sunday is another day and we get ourselves right physically and mentally as strong as we can.

"I've seen their first goal back, he was very tight to offside.

"I've seen it once the second goal - their player looked like he was in [Kasper Schmeichel's] eyeline. It was a quick glance as I was coming up to face you."

On transfers: "I don't know about expecting anybody else for the weekend. Looking at tonight, we will try to get a few other players in but it might not be for Sunday.

"I'm hoping the lad [Cvancara] does well for us, but am I expecting him to transform us? That would be tough on the lad.

"Trusty epitomised the spirit of the team tonight. It was colossal and keeps us in the competition for at least one more week.

"My thoughts will turn to Sunday now on the plane on the way home.

"Results dictate the feel-good factor or lack of it. We've come back again, we've fought valiantly tonight. It would have been terribly disappointing to lose the game from 2-0 up, but the players can feel some sort of pride."

Image source, SNS

New signing Tomas Cvancara insists he can handle the pressure at Celtic and is "ready" for a debut in Sunday's top-of-the-table clash against Hearts at Tynecastle.

The 25-year-old Czech Republic striker is seeking a quick impact after joining on loan for the remainder of the season from Germans Borussia Monchengladbach.

"Of course it's pressure, but for me it's no problem," Cvancara told CelticTV, external.

"When I joined, I knew what the target for the club is, and I know what the target for me is, and I will do everything for us to achieve it together.

"You asked me if it is a short time [until the Tynecastle trip]. I would say I have the whole preparation in Germany behind me and I am ready. I just can't wait to jump in, start playing and show what I can offer."

While Cvancara gives Celtic a much-needed new striker, he also brings versatility.

"I can play No.9 or No.10 or sometimes on the right side and I think I'm pretty fast. I think I'm good on the ball and also I have no problem with the aggressive game," he added.

Cvancara has already played at Parkhead, appearing as a second-half substitute for Czech side Jablonec in Celtic's 3-0 Europa League qualifying win in 2021, when he had two chances late on for the visitors.

And the 25-year-old remembers the game well, precisely for those missed opportunities.

"It was one day before my birthday and I remember Joe Hart was in the goal and I nearly scored," he said.

"I think that was one of the situations when I could have scored so it stays in my mind. The amazing fans that started singing before the game, so this is what I remember the most.

"I think it was one of the first games after Covid when the stadium began to become full again, I think the main stand was the only stand that wasn't full, so it was a great atmosphere on that night."

We asked for your views on Celtic's new striker Tomas Cvancara, who has joined on loan from Borussia Monchengladbach.

Here are some of your comments:

Patrick: Underwhelming. His stats are average at best so really not exciting, but he does offer something we don't have currently so maybe he'll come good. Watch this space.

Stephen: Don't know much about the lad but hoping he's fit and ready to make an impact. We need at least one more striker in though, otherwise we're an injury away from being back where we started.

John: Hopefully he will flourish in this Celtic team who are crying out for a clinical striker who can take advantage of the many chances we are creating in most games. A loan with an option to buy makes perfect sense in this case.

Francis: At last, and I hope it's not too late to save our season after the Nancy debacle.

Bristol CSC: A bargain if he can regain the form he had at Sparta.

Mick: Looks the part. Hope he plays the part.

Kev: Cvancara isn't the solution to Celtic's problems. He's been at eight clubs in his short career and has only scored one goal this season, in Turkey. Yet another misfit who appeared to be a great prospect as a teenager.

Image source, SNS

Jens Berthel Askou says Motherwell will not wait until the end of the window for Stephen Welsh's possible return and are actively working on alternative targets.

Welsh, 26, was recalled by parent club Celtic earlier in January after a string of superb performances at the heart of Motherwell's defence.

Celtic boss Martin O'Neill refused to rule out Welsh returning to Fir Park and the defender's Scottish Cup appearance against Auchinleck Talbot means he cannot join a third club this season.

Askou has already signed striker Eythor Bjorgolfsson to bolster his squad and expects further arrivals.

When asked if there was a timescale for Welsh's potential return, he said: "We do, yes, but not something that I will share here.

"We have a good dialogue with Celtic and with Stephen and his background backroom team, his agent and we'll see where that goes.

"But we hoped that would have been resolved earlier. And obviously, we need to do our work in the background so we don't end up with nothing there.

"There's a situation where we lost a very good centre-back and what's going to happen is uncertain.

"We have a really good dialogue with them, but obviously time is passing and the window is closing and we need to obviously prepare and have something lined up so that's what we are doing to have alternatives there because we can't leave that to the final [day] so we are obviously working really intensively on that.

"And then we're always looking to see if we can make the squad even stronger. So hopefully one or two more before the window is closed."

Sam Nicholson, out since February 2025 with a knee problem, "is almost back in full training" while Andy Halliday is also close to returning from injury.

Image source, Getty

Newly-signed striker Tomas Cvancara is ready to "do everything I can" to bring success to Celtic this season.

The 25-year-old Czech international, who has joined on loan from Borussia Monchengladbach, bolsters a threadbare forward line as Celtic bid to overhaul Scottish Premiership leaders Hearts.

"It's a massive honour to sign for this club," said Cvancara.

"I am so excited to get started and make my own contribution to the team.

"We have lots of challenges ahead of us and I am ready to get going and do everything I can to meet these and bring success to our brilliant supporters.

"Celtic is one of the great names in world football and I am delighted to be here to play my part."

Interim manager Martin O'Neill said: "We are delighted to welcome Tomas to the club, we believe he has some real qualities and we think he will be an import addition to the squad going forward."

Celtic have completed the loan signing of Czech Republic striker Tomas Cvancara from Borussia Monchengladbach for the rest of the season.

The deal for the 25-year-old includes an option to buy.

Having cost Gladbach a £9m fee Cvancara struggled at the Bundesliga side, scoring eight time in 54 appearances, but previously impressed at Sparta Prague with 24 goals in 49 games.

What do you make of the signing - can he make the difference in the title race? Do Celtic still need to add another striker this month?

Let us know your thoughts.

Liam McLeod
BBC Sport Scotland in Bologna

Image source, SNS

Bologna manager Vincenzo Italiano says he is wary of the threat Celtic will pose when they meet in Italy tonight in the Europa League.

The Rossoblu are not in good form having won just one of their past nine Serie A games.

However, they have fared better in Europe, losing just once to sit 13th in the table, 11 spots above Celtic, who occupy the final play-off spot.

"We have to focus only on the game and this competition without anything else that could impact our performance," Italiano said.

"We need to protect our position and ideally get more points. We want a top eight-place but at least make the play-off.

"We will need to be as good as we were in the other European games this season and maybe even more.

"Celtic is a tough team even though they're not going through their best moment. The won against Feyenoord. If you don't pay attention they can give you problems."

Italiano led Bologna to their first major silverware in over five decades when they beat AC Milan to lift the Coppa Italia last season, but they have struggled for form this campaign which continued with Sunday's 2-1 home defeat by lowly Fiorentina.

"We got it wrong against Fiorentina," he said.

"On Thursday we have a great chance to do well, we have to put in a great performance because that's what the opponent requires. Total concentration.

"We studied some of their games with Martin O'Neill and the system they play is similar to how Fiorentina play. A 4-3-3, their midfielders are very fast.

"We want to get through in any way possible and we could potentially do something big for the rest of the season."

Image source, Getty Images

Celtic and Stoke City have offers on the table for Crystal Palace winger Jesurun Rak-Sakyi, now the 23-year-old has been recalled from a loan at Turkish side Caykur Rizespor. (Sky Sports), external

And Celtic are among the clubs interested in Xaver Schlager, with the 28-year-old Austria midfielder preparing to terminate his RB Leipzig contract. (4-4-2 - in German), external

Meanwhile, Celtic midfielder Arne Engels, 22, will resist interest from RB Leipzig. (Record), external

Motherwell manager Jens Berthel Askou is on the radar of the Celtic board as they search for someone to take over at the end of the season. (Football Insider), external

Thursday's Scottish gossip

Liam McLeod
BBC Sport Scotland Commentator

Image source, SNS

Winger Sebastian Tounekti believes Celtic have turned the corner as they prepare to take on Bologna and target the Europa League knock-outs.

It has been a roller-coaster ride for the Tunisia international since his arrival close to the transfer deadline in September.

"There's been some ups and downs," he said.

"I feel like we are on the right path and that the group are together. We just want to win games and hopefully we can do that.

"When you play for Celtic you have to win every game and everyone is understanding that.

"Of course it's been difficult when we haven't been but I feel like we are really strong and we just have to stay together and for us it is to just keep going as we have so many important games coming up."

Tounekti is hoping to kick on having rediscovered his scoring touch against Auchinleck Talbot in the Scottish Cup on Sunday after going 12 games without for the club.

"Yeah, of course. As a player and as a winger I want to produce goals and make assists," he added.

"I have maybe lacked a bit of that so for me to score at the weekend was a really amazing feeling for me.

"I just try to work really hard on the pitch with the coaches and I try to do some extra and improve every day and watch videos.

"One of my main issues have been not scoring the easier goals so we've been working on that."

Tounekti was part of the Tunisia squad at the Africa Cup of Nations, making one start although he was left on the bench for their last 16 defeat to Mali, however he admits it was a positive experience that will help his performances for his club side.

"It was a great experience, it was my first competition for the national team," he said.

"It was amazing and of course we wanted to go further but it is what it is. I came back with lots of energy and to just now try and help Celtic win games.

"I've played in Norway and Sweden and we had to win almost every game but when you come to a club like Celtic it is the difference and you have to adapt to that.

"But it was one of the main reasons why I wanted to come here. We fight for the league, for cups and for Europe."

Liam McLeod
BBC Sport Scotland Commentator in Bologna

Image source, SNS

Celtic manager Martin O'Neill has been speaking to the media at Bologna's Renato Del'Ara stadium on the eve of their Europa League clash in Italy.

Here are the main points:

• O'Neill confirmed an imminent deal for striker Tomas Cvancara on loan from Borussia Monchengladbach until the end of the season at which point the club has an option to make it permanent, saying: "I think it's pretty close now, as we speak he's doing a medical. I think things are going pretty well."

• Asked what Cvancara will bring, O'Neill says the 6ft 3in Czech Republic international is "not a target man", explaining that he is "quick and agile" and eager to prove himself.

• O'Neill admitted to some relief that they the club has finally secured the services of a forward, saying the squad "needs supplementing" and hopes there will be more new faces in by the end of the month.

• Full-back Anthony Ralston is with the squad after social media rumours of passport issues.

• O'Neill describes Bologna as "a very, very fine side" with aspirations of a top-eight finish in the Europa League table before adding "we have a chance".

• The manage cites November's 3-1 win away to Feyenoord and is seeking a repeat performance, saying: "We'll need all of that."

• On the importance of the Europa League to Celtic's season, O'Neill admits planning has been difficult with the various managerial changes, quipping: "We're in the competition so we might as well see if we can get through."

Tino
Fan writer

Three weeks into the January window, Celtic finally look set to land the striker they so desperately need - just in time for Sunday's top-of-the-table clash with Hearts.

Barring another late collapse - not something you could completely rule out given how this season has unfolded - Tomas Cvancara will arrive on loan for the remainder of the campaign.

And if the Czech international can rediscover the form that earned him a £9m move to Borussia Monchengladbach, Celtic may well have landed a gem.

His arrival is welcome after a frustratingly slow window, but the hope is this is only the beginning. Because one signing alone won't be enough if the club is serious about backing Martin O'Neill.

A centre forward has been essential, but it's far from the only area in need of attention. There are gaps all across this squad that must be addressed if Celtic want to make O'Neill's return a successful one.

The surprise recall of Stephen Welsh from his productive loan spell at Motherwell speaks volumes. It's a clear indication O'Neill is unconvinced by his current options at centre-back.

With Cameron Carter-Vickers sidelined long term, and only Auston Trusty, Liam Scales and Dane Murray available, a right-sided centre-half should be high on the priority list.

So too should a commanding defensive midfielder.

How many more times can Celtic ask Callum McGregor to go to the well? At 32, the captain was still required to play 88 minutes against sixth-tier Auchinleck Talbot at the weekend, a clear sign O'Neill simply doesn't trust the alternatives.

McGregor has been exceptional in the engine room for years but expecting him to shoulder the load in almost every minute of every game is unsustainable. Others have been tried, and they haven't worked. It's time to properly support the captain and protect one of the team's most vital assets.

Finally, Celtic need another striker - even with Cvancara on board.

Johnny Kenny will contribute goals, but he remains a developing player and should be viewed as a back-up option.

Kelechi Iheanacho's talent is undeniable, but his ongoing injury issues make him an unreliable solution. A second reliable forward would give Celtic some depth in attack for the first time this season.

If the club can deliver on these targets in the coming days - if they truly decide to back O'Neill during this most chaotic of seasons - then perhaps history can repeat itself and maybe, just maybe, he will do what he first did 25 years ago and lift a league title once again as Celtic manager.

Tino can be found at The Celtic Exchange, external

Image source, Getty Images

Celtic look set to finally sign a striker, with Borussia Monchengladbach's Tomas Cvancara reportedly close to becoming the club's second arrival of the January window.

Right-back Julian Araujo joined earlier this month on loan from Bournemouth and Cvancara is also touted for a temporary deal with an option to buy.

While fans have been unhappy about the lack of incomings at Parkhead, former Hearts sporting director Joe Savage expects Celtic to "really deliver" before the end of the January window.

"I think Celtic historically always produce in January," Savage told the BBC's Scottish Football Podcast.

"And that's what I expect. I expect Celtic to go out in the last 10 days and, not so much blow people away, but just bring in a few players where everyone goes 'Right, okay, we can see how this is going to work.'

"I just always expect Celtic to just really deliver in January because they're the one club that have the money just to go and spend and get some good players in.

"Historically, January is a loan market. It's very, very difficult to sign players in January in terms of a permanent, but Celtic always seem to be able to do it. And I think they'll do it again this year."

Image source, SNS

Defender Mitchell Robertson has left Celtic to join Scottish Premiership bottom club Livingston on a contract until summer 2029.

The 20-year-old B team captain departs having not made a first-team appearance for Celtic.

Robertson spent the first half of this season on loan at League One leaders Inverness CT, scoring four times in 20 games, and will remain at the Caledonian Stadium for the rest of the campaign.

Image source, Getty Images

Celtic have agreed a deal to sign Borussia Monchengladbach striker Tomas Cvancara. (Sky Sports), external

A loan deal with an option to buy has been agreed for Czech Republic international Cvancara, 25. (Sun), external

Cvancara teased his arrival in Glasgow by posting a selfie of himself with his agent on an aeroplane. (National - subscription required), external

Rangers were keen on a loan-to-buy option for Cvancara. (Andreo Oechsner on X), external

Europe remains a priority for Celtic this season, says defender Kieran Tierney, 28. (Record), external

Motherwell's Jens Berthel Askou is a potential Celtic managerial target. (Football Insider), external

A return for boss Ange Postecoglou is also a possibility for Celtic. (Football Insider), external

Read Wednesday's Scottish gossip

Martin Watt
BBC Sport Scotland

Image source, SNS

Nearly three weeks into the January transfer window and Celtic's solitary arrival remains a Bournemouth right-back, Julian Araujo, on loan.

Only Hibernian - yet to sign a player this month - have been less active in the Scottish Premiership.

Of Celtic's title rivals, Rangers have added three players and Hearts two, with a further - prolific striker Rogers Mato - on the way to Tynecastle.

A few days on from exasperated Celtic fans chanting "sign a player" during the uninspiring Scottish Cup win over sixth-tier Auchinleck Talbot, new arrivals at the reigning champions remain conspicuous by their absence as the number of targets linked with the club continues to rise.

Of those, the reported pursuit of Leeds forward Joel Piroe veered into farce., external

Celtic's need for a striker is the most obvious and pressing priority. Johnny Kenny netted the opener against Talbot - and had a second chopped off for the thinnest of offsides - but Celtic require more quality up top, having not replaced Kyogo Furuhashi or Adam Idah.

If last weekend's cup tie was an audition for fringe players to stake a claim for a regular game in the Celtic XI, they failed miserably.

Michel-Ange Balikwisha - seen by interim manager Martin O'Neill as a number 10 rather than the winger he was signed to be - made his first start in four months and did little to convince that the millions he cost from Antwerp in the summer was a fee well spent.

Similarly, fringe midfielders Paulo Bernardo and Luke McCowan underwhelmed in a game where Celtic's best performer was 34-year-old James Forrest. Celtic's lack of depth is glaring.

"It's not putting the boot into Celtic, but when James Forrest - a wonderful talent, brilliant career, but now one of the oldest players - still looks your most creative spark, that has to be an overriding concern," noted former Hibs and Rangers midfielder Kevin Thomson to BBC Scotland.

O'Neill has said he remains "very, very hopeful" of adding to his squad before Sunday's trip to face Premiership leaders Hearts, who are reeling from injuries to Cammy Devlin and Lawrence Shankland, both ruled out for up to eight weeks.

Celtic supporters anxiously await any concrete transfer developments before a game where defeat would leave them languishing nine points off the top.

Image source, Getty

• Following a 3-1 victory at Feyenoord in their previous Europa League match on the road, Celtic are looking to win consecutive away games in major European competition for the first time since April 2003.

• Bologna and Celtic have never previously met. The Italian side's only prior experience facing a Scottish team was in the 1990-91 Uefa Cup against Hearts, progressing 4-3 on aggregate (lost 3-1 away, won 3-0 home).

• Bologna's Scotland midfielder Lewis Ferguson has faced Celtic 16 times (15 with Aberdeen and one with Hamilton) and never won, losing 13 and drawing three. The 26-year-old scored seven goals in those 16 meetings.

• Celtic have mustered one win in 16 attempts in major European competition away in Italy (D4 L11), beating Lazio 2-1 in November 2019 in the Europa League.

• Bologna have won their past two Europa League games but haven't won more consecutively in major European competition since a run of five wins in the 1998-99 Uefa Cup.

• Bologna's Federico Bernardeschi has scored in his past two Europa League appearances (three goals). The last Bologna player to score in three major European outings in a row was Giuseppe Signori in the 1998-99 Uefa Cup.

Image source, Getty Images

Celtic have submitted a loan offer for Lorient striker Mohamed Bamba, with an option to buy. (Sport - in French), external

Celtic have asked for details over a potential deal to sign Dunaksta Streda winger Damir Redzic, who has been repeatedly linked with Rangers. (TeamTalk), external

Valencia are competing with Celtic to sign Eintracht Frankfurt's Switzerland defender Aurele Amenda, 22. (Inside Futbol), external

Celtic are one of the many clubs showing an interest in WSG Tirol centre-back Jamie Lawrence, whose contract expires in June. (Rudy Galetti on X), external

RB Leipzig are exploring a deal for Celtic midfielder Arne Engels and a January move is a possibility. (Florian Plettenberg on X), external

Chelsea forward David Datro Fofana, 23, has been linked with Celtic and is likely to be sold in the coming days. (Daily Record), external

Celtic manager Martin O'Neill, along with assistant Shaun Maloney, scouts and chief executive Michael Nicholson held a transfer summit on Monday evening. (Daily Record), external

Image source, SNS

Colby Donovan hopes Celtic can replicate their win over Feyenoord and play Bologna "off the pitch".

The Serie A side host Martin O'Neill's team in their penultimate Europa League league phase fixture. Celtic are just inside the qualification spots and four points below Bologna.

Celtic triumphed 3-1 against Feyenoord in their last away match in the competition.

"You've seen it at Feyenoord, we played them off the pitch and that's what we're going to try and do again," said full-back Donovan, 19.

"We're going to go over there with no fear, play with confidence again and then hopefully get the three points.

"We picked up the point in Belgrade and then Feyenoord the three points. It's a brilliant confidence boost to go out in Europe, you're playing against the top players and to do well against them, it gives you a great confidence boost."

Donovan started at left-back in Sunday's Scottish Cup win over Auchinleck Talbot, rather than his natural right-back berth.

"It was good," he added. "It's something new for me. I'm normally playing right-back and it's just another side, so it's something different that I need to take in my game.

"It's better for me that I can play right-back and left-back. So, getting the start at left-back, it was brilliant."

Image source, SNS

Celtic interim boss Martin O'Neill was coy over his reasons for attending Motherwell's Scottish Cup victory against Ross County on Saturday.

O'Neill was pictured alongside assistant coach Mark Fotheringham at Fir Park as Tawanda Maswanhise's 15th goal of the season booked the hosts' place in the last 16.

Social media speculation has suggested the 73-year-old was in attendance to watch the in-form Zimbabwe forward, with the Parkhead side actively pursuing attacking reinforcements this month.

Speaking following Celtic's cup win over Auchinleck Talbot, O'Neill said he remains "very, very hopeful" that the club will start their January transfer activity soon.

And on his weekend trip to Fir Park, he added: "That was a football mission. That's part of my job, to look at the games, if I can get an opportunity.

"We did it after training, so I went there with [Mark] Fotheringham. It was nice. I enjoyed the game."

When asked if he was actively looking at the Scottish market, O'Neill said: "I think absolutely there are players here. There's no doubt at all about it.

"There are players here that are capable of playing, I think, at a higher level."

We asked for your views on Celtic's 2-0 win against Auchinleck Talbot, earning them a spot in the last 16 of the Scottish Cup.

Here's what some of you said:

Peter: Each week we sink to a new low. It is only getting worse. It's going to be virtually impossible to get a player of any real quality to join this rabble. It's only going to get worse I am afraid. So much change is needed on and off the field. Thankfully we have had a long run of success. Such times seem lightyears away.

John: Poor game again, we never looked like losing a goal but just don't have a cutting edge. James Forrest and Luke McCowan were the main threats. It looked like a Brendan Rodgers performance - all the possession but nothing to show for it.

David: Another win, through to the last 16. What more can be asked from Martin O'Neill with the current squad? Get behind him and the players, stop whinging and moaning, it's getting boring. Avoid defeat Sunday, get three new faces in and it's back on again.

Andy: Dire is the only word for it. O'Neill must wonder how the side he built 20 years ago with the likes of John Hartson, Chris Sutton and Henrik Larsson could turn into what he has inherited now. Those guys, as old as they are, would walk into this current team. Get the dross cleared out and bring in some quality.

Tyler: Celtic have a habit of making things more difficult than they need to be. However, this squad would not have the chemistry or experience to wipe the floor with any team regardless of their level. All being said we did a professional job and move on to the next round. Certainly for Martin it proves we need more players in the door and soon.

Liam: I don't think we can judge Celtic too harshly on this performance. They did what they needed to do. Plenty of big games coming up. New signings are essential.

Paul: This Celtic side are too one dimensional and opposing teams now know how to play against them. It was a pitiful performance against a resilient and inferior opponent in Auchinleck Talbot, but that's been the way of it for Celtic all season and an improvement in form is highly unlikely in the near horizon with this team.