Celtic

Watch all the highlights of Celtic's 1-0 win against St Mirren.

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Martin O'Neill felt a "real Celtic Park atmosphere" had an impact on his side's win over St Mirren after the return of the Green Brigade.

The ultras group had their ban lifted and the standing section was back at full capacity for the first time in about six months.

They were behind the team throughout the game, although some criticism of the board was reserved for after the game, with a banner branding them "unfit for purpose".

O'Neill felt the improved vocal backing helped his side through some difficult moments in their 1-0 victory over the Buddies, which kept them three points behind William Hill Premiership leaders Hearts.

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain netted in the 15th minute but the champions could not build on their promising start and St Mirren competed well in the second half.

O'Neill said: "I thought the crowd were great to us, because they could easily have got irritated with some of the things we did.

"We were loose in possession at times, but they kept us going – a bit like against Dundee last weekend, which had a big effect on us staying in the game after Dundee had equalised. I thought they were great.

"If, by the end of the season, we could get a few things rectified, cleared up, call it what you will…

"But it felt like a real Celtic Park atmosphere."

We asked for your views on Celtic's 1-0 win against St Mirren.

Here's what some of you said:

Tom: The 'win is a win' mantra has caused more cortisol spikes on the east side of Glasgow in a long time. A title-winning team needs to be dominating these matches.

Martin: This team has been limping along playing uninspiring football and eking out victories in games that should have been settled by half-time. If, by some miracle, it does win the league it will be the poorest Celtic team to have done so in many a year. So depressing to watch!

Peter: Good three points. It will be edge-of-the-seat stuff until the end of season with no proven goal scoring forward in the team. Other than Benjamin Nygren it's hard to see where goals might come from. Fingers crossed that Arne Engels, Callum McGregor, Reo Hatate and Daizen Maeda have big finishes to the season as our success, or lack of, is totally dependant on them.

John: Desperately poor. No-one seems to want the ball. How many times do we pass back and invite pressure? When did anyone last see Celtic just blootering it out of defence against a Scottish team? No chance of winning anything with his mentality.

Derek: We will win nothing this season. Too many square and back passes. Balls are hit into areas where players should be, no one seems to look up to see if a pass or through ball is aimed at a player as opposed to an area where a player should be.

Paul: Another poor, sub-standard performance from an ailing and struggling Celtic team, devoid of any real conviction in grinding out a win that just about keeps them hanging on to their slim hopes of winning the league.

Still no firepower up front, the main strikers firing more blanks again, and unfortunately, these statistics will ultimately prove to be their downfall this season, as Celtic's overall goals tally thus far, has fallen way short of the levels expected at the club, compared to the previous campaigns.

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Tottenham Hotspur have a verbal agreement to sign 32-year-old Scotland left-back Andy Robertson when he is released by Liverpool this summer - if the London club avoid relegation. (TalkSport, external)

Andy Robertson could finally make his long-awaited return to boyhood club Celtic when he leaves Liverpool on a free transfer this summer. (Football Insider, external)

Celtic and Club Brugge are interested in 33-year-old Australian goalkeeper Mathew Ryan, who is out of contract with Levante this summer. (Voetbal24, external)

The Scottish Professional Football League is preparing for a potential Old Firm Premiership play-off should the title race end in a deadlock between Rangers and Celtic. (Daily Record, external)

Celtic remain three points behind Scottish Premiership leaders Hearts thanks to Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain's early goal against St Mirren - but are left to rue what might have been.

Read the full match report here

Have your say on the game via this link

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Celtic manager Martin O'Neill: "Naturally delighted to win the game, that's the most important thing.

"The energy levels concern me a bit, we didn't seem to have that.

"For long periods in the second half, St Mirren were in control. However, we dug in and defended strongly to keep the clean sheet.

"We can learn a lot and take important things into the semi-final [next weekend against the same opponents].

"The crowd were great. They kept with us when they could have been annoyed by some of our play."

O'Neill expects tension to build after the league split, saying: "I think we can play with more freedom but parts of the game were really understandable."

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Celtic are ready to sell Sweden midfielder Benjamin Nygren after a goal-laden debut season in Scotland amid interest from Tottenham and will hope to start negotiations at about £26m, with Brighton, Bournemouth and Valencia also keen on the 24-year-old. (SportsBoom), external

Martin O'Neill believes Robbie Keane has the credentials to be the manager of Celtic, saying the club should be "looking at someone of that calibre". (Scottish Sun), external

Celtic interim manager Michael O'Neill was at the recent Preston North End v QPR game to watch on-loan Tottenham midfielder Alfie Devine in action for the home side. (Football Insider), external

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Mexico right-back Julian Araujo has all but confirmed his season is over after picking up an injury on loan to Celtic from Bournemouth.

The 24-year-old had arrived at Celtic Park in January hoping more game time would force himself into his country's World Cup squad this summer.

He played 13 times for reigning champions sitting third in the Scottish Premiership, but interim manager Martin O'Neill revealed that he did not expect Araujo to return after he broke down during his attempt to recover from a thigh injury back at his parent club.

The player has since posted on Facebook: "I don't have all the answers right now, but I trust that everything happens for a reason and that God is guiding every step of this journey.

"I'm truly grateful to Celtic Football Club for welcoming me from day one and making Glasgow feel like home.

"Wearing this badge and experiencing the passion, history, and energy of this club is something I'll carry with me forever.

"To my teammates and coaches – thank you for everything we shared this season.

"I'll be behind you all the way and have no doubt in what this group can achieve.

"This isn't the way I imagined this season ending, but it's part of the story. I'll take this moment, grow through it and come back stronger than ever."

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Mexico international Julian Araujo is likely to miss the rest of the season after returning to parent club Bournemouth through injury and Colby Donovan is likely to be out for a couple of weeks with a hamstring injury.

Fellow right-back Alistair Johnston has returned to training but is not ready to play until at least next weekend.

Jota, Callum Osmand, Kasper Schmeichel and Cameron Carter-Vickers remain out.

St Mirren have a fitness doubt over forward Dan Nlundulu.

Malik Dijksteel, Keanu Baccus and Marcus Fraser are out for the season.

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Celtic boss Martin O'Neill's squad has been boosted with right-back Alistair Johnston's return to training but fellow defender Julian Araujo may have played his last game for the club.

Araujo has been on loan from Bournemouth since January but returned to his parent club to recover from a thigh issue, which has sidelined him for over a month, and has since suffered a setback.

Johnston, who has been out since October, was progressing well in his return from a hamstring injury but his recovery was slowed down when he picked up an issue on international duty with Canada.

O'Neill has provided a positive update on the defender.

"He trained with the team today, which was very encouraging," the Northern Irishman said.

"I don't think he felt any ill effects. He joined in, he joined in before and then he went and re-injured himself with the national side, but he is coming out well now so we would need him really, as soon as possible.

"If he comes through today, a little bit of work that he did with the team and also the work he did on his own with the recuperative team, then next week would be hopefully a good week's training for him and who knows?

"Julian re-injured himself under supervision at Bournemouth so that was a real blow.

"I've only found that out today so I don't think we will see him for the rest of the season.

"I don't know what sort of time element it is for his World Cup aspirations, I don't know that, but certainly for us, I don't think we will see him again if it's the same injury that he has redone."

A third Celtic right-back, Colby Donovan, will be missing from Saturday's game against St Mirren with a hamstring injury and could also miss their Scottish Cup tie against the Buddies next week.

But O'Neill is crossing his fingers that the young defender won't be on the sidelines for too much longer.

"Hopefully not too long," he added when asked for a time frame on Donovan's return.

"We don't think so anyway. He might miss next week as well too but he's doing well and recovering well."

Charlotte Cohen
BBC Sport Scotland

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Celtic manager Martin O'Neill has been speaking before his side face St Mirren in the Scottish Premiership on Saturday.

Here are the main points:

• Colby Donovan has a hamstring problem so will miss this weekend and potentially next week but O'Neill hopes the right-back won't miss too much longer.

• Alistair Johnston trained with the team on Friday and while the manager wouldn't put a timeline on his return he insists "we'd need him as soon as possible" adding "next week would hopefully be a good week's training for him and then who knows".

• O'Neill found out on Friday that right-back Julian Araujo re-injured himself at Bournemouth and admits "I don't think we'll see him for the rest of the season".

• On St Mirren, the 74-year-old believes the Buddies will "be pretty confident about coming to our place" after "two really important wins".

• On the title race, O'Neill "would rather be in Hearts' position at the moment but it could go any way".

• When it comes to the pressure of the title race, O'Neill feels "as if we've got players capable of dealing with it" but does not believe previous league wins, that have often come with a big points margin, will be of much help as this season goes down to the wire.

• O'Neill wouldn't be drawn in on suggestions of an exciting, and potentially title-deciding, final day home game against Hearts and stresses "that's a long way off for us, that's not what I would be thinking about", adding: "I think Rangers would have a big part to play in proceedings."

• The Northern Irishman acknowledges the "boost" offered by the return of the Green Brigade for Celtic's remaining home games and says: "I would like to park things now and see what the summer brings."

• "The support we got in Dundee was really fantastic and I thought they kept us going," O'Neill adds and says, "in terms of vocal support, it's great to see them back again".

• On how goal difference could impact where the title goes, O'Neill says, "it's too late for us" to claw back the goals gap on Hearts and Rangers and the boss admits: "I'd just be delighted to win the games."

• O'Neill also wouldn't discuss next week's Scottish Cup semi-final with St Mirren and stresses "tomorrow is everything for us".

• On the importance of Kelechi Iheanacho, O'Neill says of the striker: "He's come through the injuries and wants to do the work. If he could stay fit, it would be great news."

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Celtic striker Kelechi Iheanacho can be the difference maker in the Scottish Premiership title race if he can remain available to manager Martin O'Neill, according to Cillian Sheridan.

Iheanacho's first season at Celtic has been disrupted by hamstring injuries that have restricted him to 16 appearances so far. But the Nigeria international came off the bench on Sunday to net the winner against Dundee and ensure that his side are just three points behind Hearts.

Sheridan believes the experienced forward showed his composure and demonstrated how he is a better option than the club's other strikers.

He told the BBC Scottish Football Podcast: "I think if Iheanacho can be fit and stay in the team, I think he could be a big difference.

"He seems to be the one that will take chances and convert them and just looks a little bit calmer in front of goal. He seems to play with more confidence and I just feel like that's going to be quite crucial between now and the end of the season, not just for Celtic, I think for Hearts and Rangers as well.

"Given everything that's happened in the last week, feels like a little bit of momentum has shifted more towards Celtic.

"We're saying that they're on the fringes but they're only three points behind. You'd never in any other season [call that the fringes] if Celtic are three points behind, you're thinking they're well and truly in it.

"It's probably just down to the form and the way this season has gone that you kind of feel like they're way out of the fringes. But it can all change in one weekend as we've seen so far."

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Ferencvaros head coach Robbie Keane admits he wants to manage at a higher level after emerging as the clear front runner to be the next Celtic boss. (Herald - subscription required), external

Current Celtic manager Martin O'Neill dismisses any conspiracy theories after the Scottish Premiership post-split fixtures were released. (Sun), external

Celtic and Club Brugge are keen on Australia international goalkeeper Mat Ryan, with the 34-year-old out of contract at Spanish club Levante at the end of the season. (Voetbal24 - in Dutch), external

Liverpool left-back and Scotland captain Andy Robertson, 32, has left the door open for a move to Celtic this summer, when he will leave Anfield. (Record - subscription required), external

Former club captain Paul McStay will front up the Celtic season ticket alliance campaign being led by Glasgow businessman Willie Haughey. (Go Radio via Sun, external)

Friday's Scottish gossip

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The Green Brigade will be back at Celtic Park this weekend for the first time since November.

The ultras group was banned following "violent and threatening behaviour" at a home match against Falkirk in late October, and the suspension was extended at the start of December because of "safety incidents".

With the club involved in a gripping Scottish Premiership title race, fans will be hopeful that the group's return can help spur on Celtic.

Martin O'Neill's side currently sit third in the league, three points off top spot. With city rivals Rangers and Hearts set to visit Parkhead after the split, the support could play a crucial role in their pursuit of another top-tier triumph.

The Herald's Stephen McGowan believes the lift is "an attempt to unify" the supporters and the club, but he is not convinced it will be enough to bring everyone together.

Speaking to the BBC's Scottish Football Podcast, he said: "Whether it'll work or not remains to be seen. Obviously, that depends on results.

"I mean, the Green Brigade are coming back and being told to behave this time, but they're still demanding an apology from the Celtic board.

"So I think it will take more than a simple return of 250 fans, whatever the number is, to bring unity back to Celtic.

"I think it will take a run to the end of the season, which so far has been beyond them in terms of results and performances. But they've given themselves a chance.

"The fact that they have four home games gives them a real chance of being right in there at the finish, at the death."

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• With 15 goals and five assists, Benjamin Nygren is the first player to reach 20 goal involvements in his debut Scottish Premiership season with Celtic since Jota in 2021-22 (10 goals, 10 assists), while the last to record more in their first such campaign were both Moussa Dembele (22) and Scott Sinclair (28) in 2016-17.

• Celtic have both had the most shots (543) and faced the fewest (298) of any side in the Scottish Premiership this season, while also leading the way for highest xG (70.8) and lowest xGA (31.7).

• St. Mirren have won both of their last two league games, last winning three in a row in the Scottish Premiership in December 2024.

• St. Mirren have lost 11 of their last 13 league meetings with Celtic (D2) since a 2-0 win in September 2022.

• Celtic have only lost one of their last 39 home games against St. Mirren in all competitions (W34 D4), a 1-2 league reverse in January 2021.

Charlotte Cohen
BBC Sport Scotland

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Brendan Rodgers' resignation, Martin O'Neill returning twice as interim boss, with the debacle of Wilfried Nancy's reign in between, an unprecedented injury list and unrest between supporters and club hierarchy.

It is hard to believe that has all happened in one season for Celtic.

For many supporters, it is something of a minor miracle that they are still in with a chance of lifting the Scottish Premiership trophy in May.

They have lost eight games this season - Falkirk are the only team in the top six who have lost more - and have been without key players such as centre-back Cameron Carter-Vickers, winger Jota and right-back Alistair Johnston for most of the campaign.

However, O'Neill's side arguably have the most favourable run-in, with three of their five games at home - including Rangers and Hearts.

Paul John Dykes, of A Celtic State of Mind podcast, thinks the return of the Green Brigade will be the most beneficial of all after the club hierarchy lifted the ultras group's suspension, which followed incidents earlier this season.

"I think it's huge," he said on the BBC's Scottish Football Podcast. "There's been a cloud hanging over us and we've been architects of our own demise this season, so I'm not sitting here looking for sympathy.

"But the Green Brigade have been away for five months and they're massive. When you have relied on them for 20 years, then I think there's a generation of fans who have forgotten how to start songs and get involved in creating the atmosphere.

"It's been a bit of a morgue and then you start hearing other managers saying this is an advantage to us going to Celtic Park now.

"I'm a bit gutted it didn't happen sooner, but it is basically getting all the margins that we possibly can back in our favour because we're not a great side.

"The only other thing that we can hope for is one or two players to come back [from injury] in the run-in."

Read more: What do fans of top three make of Premiership split?