Celtic

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  1. Should Nancy & Rodgers receive winners medals?published at 18:27 BST 16 May

    Brendan Rodgers and Wilfried NancyImage source, SNS

    It's fair to say it's been a turbulent Premiership campaign for league winners Celtic.

    Three managers, fan unrest, injuries, coupled with the meteoric rise of Hearts, all contributed to a remarkable season.

    The Glasgow club started the season with Brendan Rodgers at the helm, he took charge of nine games and won five of those before handing in his resignation following a defeat to Hearts in October.

    It was then that Martin O'Neill returned to the club, almost 25 years on from his first spell in Glasgow, to steady the ship. That he did, and then some, before being replaced by who the club thought was their next permanent manager - Wilfried Nancy.

    What followed was a disastrous spell that almost ended Celtic's hopes of a 56th Premiership title. He won just two of his six matches and lost the other four leaving Celtic six points off the top when O'Neill returned.

    The Northern Irishman led the side to glory but should his predecessors be receiving a Premiership winners medal?

    According to the SPFL rules, the winning club will receive 25 winners medals for "players, other staff and officials" but can purchase more if they wish.

    So Celtic could, if they wished, purchase extra medals for their former managers but do you think they should?

    Have your say on whether you'd like to see Nancy and/or Rodgers receive a league winners medal for this season.

    Have your say
  2. O'Neill's impact as Celtic win titlepublished at 16:35 BST 16 May

    Celtic record since Martin O'Neill's second interim spellImage source, SNS

    Since Martin O'Neill returned for his second interim spell, Celtic have played 18 Premiership matches and lost just two.

    Crucially, they won all over their post-split fixtures to take the league title race to the final day and emerged victorious in Saturday's title-day deciding game at home to Hearts.

    They have won their last seven games in the Premiership, their last joint longest winning streak was from 27 October 2024 to 7 December 2024.

    And Celtic have won 22 points from losing positions in the Premiership this season, more than any other team.

  3. Celtic's victory 'the sign of champions' - McGregorpublished at 16:00 BST 16 May

    Callum McGregorImage source, SNS

    Celtic captain Callum McGregor tells Sky Sports: "You pour your heart and soul into this job. You can't switch it off.

    "It's probably been the most the club has had to deal with. You can't do it all on your own, you have to have eight or nine senior players driving it.

    "I did [feel it was coming]. You could feel the energy picking up, we were creating chances and had bodies up the top end of the pitch.

    "Credit to the boys - they found a way to win the game.

    "So many late goals, so you have that belief. Everyone has - quite rightly - had a pop at us, but it's good to answer that.

    "The players rose to the occasion and found a way to get the job done.

    "All the pressure was on us again. There's so much expectation, but somehow you find a way. I guess that's the sign of champions.

    "It's heart and desire, that's what wins you football matches.

    "Hopefully we can use this as a catapult to get the club back on track. Our job is to deliver titles and I'm pleased we've managed to do our bit."

  4. Celtic 3-1 Hearts: Have your saypublished at 15:52 BST 16 May

    Have your say graphic banner

    Celtic came from behind in an astonishing finale to beat long-time Scottish Premiership leaders Hearts and deny them a first league title since 1960 - while securing their fifth title in a row after a miraculous season.

    Read the full match report here

    Have your say on the game via this link

  5. Celtic 3-1 Hearts: What O'Neill saidpublished at 15:51 BST 16 May

    Martin O'NeillImage source, SNS

    Celtic manager Martin O'Neill tells BBC Scotland: "I was so excited it's untrue.

    "Delighted to have won, and in the manner that we did. Celtic have been leaving it late in recent weeks but we were never out of it and we have done brilliantly in recent weeks.

    "I thought immediately when the flag went up [for Daizen Maeda's goal] that that was it.

    "It was all hands to the pump towards the end, they gambled everything but we were able to score. The only time I felt like we had won the game was when Callum Osmand put the ball in the back of the net.

    "When we went a goal behind, we have come from behind in matches, but Hearts are very strong, they were going for it and when they get a goal it means two to beat them. It seemed a long way back. There was some really great moments for us, some frustrating moments for us. In truth, I never gave up hope.

    "I had a really brilliant side 20-odd years ago so there's different aspects to it. In a 38 game season you don't have much time so from that viewpoint it's really pleasing [to win].

    "I just feel that recruitment is paramount. We've got to be looking at players that are capable of handling not only domestic football which, with Hearts getting very strong, Rangers getting strong, it will be difficult, and you do want to have an attempt at European football.

    "We did brilliantly in some of our games [this season]. There's a place in European football for this club and that's what you should be aiming for."

    On his future at Celtic, O'Neill adds: "I genuinely don't know.

    "Has anybody talk to me? No but I wasn't expecting that. There will be time for conversations after the cup. I'm pretty old so it does take it out of you. I'm delighted for the team and the supporters. Let's see what next week brings."

  6. Celtic 'showed we can beat everybody' in title winpublished at 15:35 BST 16 May

    Alistair JohnstonImage source, SNS

    Arne Engels

    "It's an amazing feeling. I think we all deserve it and now we can finally celebrate. I think this group showed every game, especially in the split, that we can beat everybody. I'm really glad we finally did it and can finally celebrate.

    "It was up to us to give the staff and fans something back. That's what we did and I'm really happy."

    Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain

    "I'm really happy for these boys and this group.

    "The coaching staff and manager gave me a chance to come and be a part of this and they boys have been unbelievable. I'm really happy the players have shown the character they have and got what they deserved.

    "It's massive. It's unbelievable. The support here, the fan base, you can see how much it means to the people.

    "I was lucky enough to know a few people connected with the club, Robbo [Andy Robertson] was telling me for years, I know what this means to him and he wasn't lying."

    When asked if the departing Liverpool left-back could be joining him next season, Oxlade-Chamberlain added: "I can't speak for him.

    "He was right when he said to come up here and not to hesitate so I thank him for that."

    Benjamin Nygren

    "It feels so amazing. we've been fighting so much all season and now we're champions.

    "It's been a very difficult season but we kept fighting, kept believing so I'm so proud of everyone in the team.

    "I was not so nervous [before the game]. We had everything to win so I think they were more nervous than we were.

    "He's been brilliant. Martin [O'Neill] and the other coaches, Sean [Maloney] and Fozzy [Mark Fotheringham], they've done so well. It's thanks to them that we did this."

    Alistair Johnston

    "Did I believe we were going to be champions? Look, at this club, until you are mathematically out of it, you believe and that's what we did.

    "A month ago, two months ago, a lot of people would have counted us out but we didn't.

    "For the past month every game has been a must-win, this didn't feel like a one-off because the whole month has felt like a knockout tie.

    "The double is on but we've got a really difficult match coming up. We're going to enjoy tonight and get ready to go again next week."

  7. Celtic success 'ominous for the rest'published at 15:30 BST 16 May

    Celtic players celebrate with Premiership trophyImage source, SNS

    Darren O'Dea on BBC Sportsound

    "Celtic have made a lot of mistakes this year, that's been well-documented, but there's no luck when it comes to winning league titles.

    "I think that's ominous for the league - if Celtic can win it this year what could happen in years to come.

    "It's been an incredible turnaround, Martin O'Neill deserves all the credit in the world. I just see players who have been through the ringer.

    "This is the most emotion I've seen from a lot of the players which tells you what type of season it's been."

    Pat Bonner on BBC Sportsound

    "There's been so many highs and lows in this season. It will definitely be remembered for the conclusion, going down to the last 15 minutes of a game.

    "I couldn't pick out just one moment over the course of this season because there's too much to write about.

    "I think Martin O'Neill has done what he can. I don't think he needs to go again. The club needs to go in another direction.

    "At 74, Martin O'Neill has hit the pinnacle. He'll go down in history."

    James McFadden on Sky Sports

    "Unbelievable what Martin O'Neill has achieved this season. The club was a mess.

    "We talked before the game about legacy and legends. You cannot understate what this man has done.

    "He's shown that football hasn't changed that much. He gets the best out of what is available to him."

    Chris Sutton on Sky Sports

    "Martin O'Neill has got the old Honda Civic roaring again.

    "Hearts have had a magnificent season, but somehow, magic Martin has found a way."

  8. Yang earns South Korea World Cup call-uppublished at 11:11 BST 16 May

    Yang Hyun-junImage source, SNS

    Celtic winger Yang Hyun-jun has been selected to represent South Korea in the World Cup this summer.

    Since making his senior debut in 2023, Yang has played eight time for the national side. He featured in just three of the World Cup qualifying matches for a total of 42 minutes.

    South Korea start their campaign against the Czech Republic on 12 June and then face co-hosts Mexico on 19 June, with both games in Guadalajara, before finishing their Group A schedule against South Africa on 25 June in Monterrey.

  9. Maeda reveals ambition to play in Englandpublished at 08:29 BST 16 May

    Celtic forward Daizen Maeda tells Japanese media that he "wants to take the next step" and that it has always been his goal to play in the English Premier League. (FootballZone via Glasgow Times, external)

    Celtic have agreed a deal to sell Honduras winger Luis Palma to Lech Poznan after a successful loan to the Polish club. (Inside Futbol), external

    Daizen MaedaImage source, SNS
  10. I was lucky to avoid derby red, admits Johnstonpublished at 18:40 BST 15 May

    Alistair JOhnstonImage source, SNS

    Alistair Johnston has admitted he was "lucky" to avoid being sent off in Celtic's 3-1 derby win over Rangers last weekend.

    The right-back was booked for a first-half challenge that caught Mikey Moore on the ankle after winning the ball in the highly-charged Premiership encounter.

    Much debate has followed about the severity of the punishment for Johnston, with Rangers boss Danny Rohl intimating he should have been sent off.

    Before the title decider against Hearts at Parkhead on Saturday, Canada international Johnston said: "As a defender now, you have to be so smart with every tackle you put in.

    "Was I a little bit lucky? Yeah, probably. Was I intending to injure him? No.

    "I was just trying to put a hard tackle in as every single fan on both sides of that rivalry would want their defenders to do.

    "I caught him. I thought in the moment that I caught him on the top of the foot. It is what it is. In the moment I thought a yellow card was fair.

    "If it was 10 years ago, I would have said 'how is that even a foul'? But that is just the day and age now.

    "At the end of the day am I lucky I never got sent off? Probably. But it's football and you need to be able to make tackles.

    "I'm glad I stayed on the pitch and managed to win that match."

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  11. Celtic 'up for the fight' in title deciderpublished at 18:07 BST 15 May

    Martin O'Neill Image source, SNS

    Manager Martin O'Neill insists Celtic are "up for the fight" in Saturday's title decider against Hearts.

    It's been a turbulent campaign for the Glasgow club who, after defeat at Dundee United at the end of March, sat five points behind the leaders and looked all but out of the title race.

    Since then they have won all six Premiership games to cut the gap on Hearts to just one point going into the final day.

    And O'Neill insists his players, in front of a raucous Parkhead, will give everything to earn the win they need.

    "I just think they're ready for the game," he said.

    "I think they've had things their own way in recent times, now they've had to fight, and so far they've shown that they're up for it, they're ready to go.

    "We have faults in our team, naturally. But I could not question their commitment or their willingness to get back again.

    "Probably the only time was at Tannadice, when I thought that they just didn't perform. A lot of it was down to me as well. But the team has come fighting back, roaring back. So they deserve this opportunity to get to the last match."

    O'Neill, who has come to Celtic's rescue twice this season with interim spells, says Saturday will be his final league game in charge - and is hoping he might actually enjoy it.

    "I would say, yeah, more than a reasonable chance that will be my last game," the 74-year-old added.

    "It was a privilege to come back again. I'd never thought in a million years that this could have happened and so I should actually enjoy it more than I'm doing."

  12. Celtic v Hearts: Team newspublished at 17:42 BST 15 May

    Hearts v CelticImage source, SNS

    Celtic have no fresh injuries for the title showdown.

    Martin O'Neill is still without Jota (knee), Colby Donovan (hamstring), Julian Araujo (thigh), Kasper Schmeichel (shoulder), Tomas Cvancara (groin) and Cameron Carter-Vickers (Achilles).

    Callum Osmand continues his quest for fitness following hamstring surgery.

    Hearts are set to have an unchanged squad, with Marc Leonard, Craig Halkett (both Achilles), Oisin McEntee, Calem Nieuwenhof (both hamstring), Tomas Magnusson and Ageu (both thigh) all still out.

    • Listen to live BBC Radio Scotland coverage from 11:30 BST on Saturday and watch Sportscene highlights from 19:15 on BBC Scotland.