Celtic

Charlotte Cohen
BBC Sport Scotland

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Celtic manager Martin O'Neill has been speaking to the media as his side prepare for Sunday's trip to Hibernian.

Here are the main points:

• There are no fresh injury concerns and Alistair Johnston, who made his comeback off the bench last weekend, has "done a week's work too, so that's encouraging". O'Neill later told Sky Sports that Cameron Carter-Vickers "joined in training" but is still a "distance" from playing.

• O'Neill stresses Sunday's trip to Easter Road is "a really, really big game" for his side and "a really difficult task".

• While O'Neill "understands that maybe some Hibs fans wouldn't want Hearts to win the league" he insists "that won't cross over to their team selection or the players".

• He adds: "I'm quite sure here it would be something similar for some Celtic fans who might not want their closest rivals to win."

• Celtic play first of the top three this weekend but O'Neill stresses it is "only an advantage if you win".

• The 74-year-old admits he will be "glued" to the Hearts v Rangers game on Monday night and says: "If you're asking who I'm cheering on, I have no idea. Depending on how we do, I might."

• Asked if he'd be cheering third-place Rangers on, O'Neill says: "I might not go that far."

• Looking back on the defeat at Dundee United, O'Neill says it was a "big setback, but I didn't think it was fatal" and is pleased his side have won all their games since.

• On the title race: "We've got a lot of work to do but we're still there fighting for the chance."

• Daizen Maeda's return to form is "very encouraging for us" and O'Neill admits: "I don't think we would have the ability to carry two players well below their form in games. You might have been able to have done it August, September, but not now."

• On the away ticket dispute between Celtic and Rangers for the upcoming derby at Parkhead, O'Neill was reluctant to comment because "the decision has not been made yet".

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Are Celtic now favourites for the Scottish Premiership title?

Former Rangers and Hearts midfielder Andy Halliday seems to think so despite having all but written them off last week.

Martin O'Neill's side were third in the Premiership heading into the split, one point behind Rangers and three adrift of Hearts.

But after last weekend's win over Falkirk and Rangers' defeat to Motherwell, Celtic leapfrogged Rangers to go second, still three points off the leaders.

If Celtic win at Hibs on Sunday and Rangers beat Hearts on Monday, the Parkhead club would be joint on points with Derek McInnes' side with a home game against the Jambos still to come.

"I definitely think they've improved," Halliday told the BBC's Scottish Football Podcast.

"And the main improvement that's come from Celtic has been off the ball. I think their energy and their intensity to press at the top end of the pitch is making it really difficult for opposition players.

"I must admit having watched the game in the Sportsound studio last weekend, I do think the fans made a difference at Celtic Park.

"I don't know if it's just this stage of the season, in a really tight title race, but I think that transferred on to the pitch with Celtic playing with a different type of energy.

"Last week when I was sitting on the podcast on Friday morning I had Celtic third favourites. I probably have them favourites now. That's just how much it can easily change within this league this year."

Celtic are linked with a move for Polish defender Oskar Wojcik this summer, after seeing a bid rejected in January. (Daily Record, external)

But Frank Lampard's Premier League-bound Coventry City could be rivals for Wojcik's signature. (Glasgow World, external)

Former Celtic manager Wilfried Nancy is among the contenders to take charge at Ligue 1 side Nancy for next season. (Scottish Sun, external)

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Martin O'Neill feels Celtic have momentum for the "monumental" remaining games after their winning run landed him the Premiership manager of the month award.

The Northern Irishman guided Celtic to three league wins from three - against Dundee, St Mirren and Falkirk - in April.

Celtic also reached their fourth consecutive Scottish Cup final, beating St Mirren 6-2 after extra time.

With four league matches left, second-place Celtic head to face Hibs on Sunday three points behind long-time Premiership leaders Hearts, who host Rangers on Monday.

"Coming back from the international break and we had just lost at Tannadice against Dundee United, then you just have to win the games coming back," said O'Neill.

"So reset, or mindset or whatever it was, we got the late goal at Dundee and we've gone on from then.

"It's great, it's just nice to still be in the hunt at this stage. At this minute we are on a decent run, we're getting results at this moment and the team are just gelling."

O'Neill senses more unity at the club after fans put protests against the board aside and ultras group the Green Brigade were recently allowed back in the stadium after a six-month ban.

"Even the welcome we got when the bus pulled in before kick-off [against Falkirk last week] was terrific," he said. "That's not been around for some time. The support we got was magnificent, absolutely magnificent.

"They stayed with us. It was lovely to get that feeling at Celtic Park, it took me back years and years and years.

"It's massive, absolutely massive. When I came here the second spell in January, a bit of mayhem around and I thought, the players won't mind, they can play through this.

"But the difference here between then and now, with the crowd behind us, you can actually feel it within the dressing room, the players are up for it. It's like anything else, encouragement rather than discouragement is a massive boost to us."

O'Neill is manager of the month for the second time this season, having won the award in November during his first interim spell.

"Even at 74 years of age, it's still actually nice to get it," he said.

"But this is for work by the players and the coaches and I have seriously played a little part in the proceedings – but not as much as I should be in getting this award."

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Captain Joe Newell has dismissed any notion Hibs will "lie down" to Celtic on Sunday.

A draw or victory for David Gray's side at Easter Road would help the title bid of Edinburgh rivals Hearts, who hold a three-point lead over Celtic with four games remaining.

Some Hibs fans would prefer their side to lose - but Newell is adamant there will be no easing off as they try to catch Motherwell in fourth.

"I completely get it," Newell said.

"The fact we're having the conversation shows there's obviously feelings like that, but you can only control what you can control.

"We're a group of professional athletes. We fight with each other over five-a-sides in training, so if you think we're going to lie down in front of thousands of people, in front of the Sky cameras, you're wrong.

"We'll be doing our utmost to win the game of football, it's as simple as that.

"Obviously, you see and hear things [from supporters], but the message throughout is obvious. Straight away, I can assure you there's no thinking of that.

"You play for this club, you're expected to do as well as you can. We've got our own targets that we haven't achieved yet and we need to, so in that respect, it's straightforward."

• After their 2-1 win in February, Hibernian could earn back-to-back league victories over Celtic for the first time since September 2007 under John Collins.

• Celtic have won three of their past four league visits to Hibernian (L1), as many as their previous 15 beforehand (WAZ3 D8 L4).

• Hibs have suffered back-to-back league defeats, but haven't lost three in a row in the Scottish Premiership since October 2024.

• Celtic's run of three consecutive wins is the longest ongoing winning streak in the Premiership. Only from October to December have the Parkhead club had a longer league winning run this season (5) – when the fourth victory was away to Hibs (2-1) during Martin O'Neill's first interim spell.

• Hibs have had three players sent off in their past two league games, including two against Hearts last weekend. It's as many red cards as they'd received in their previous 59 Scottish Premiership matches combined.

Motherwell's Elijah Just has addressed speculation linking him with a move to Celtic, saying saying he doesn't "want to hear about anything" until he is finished playing in the World Cup with New Zealand this summer. (The Celtic Way), external

Read Thursday's Scottish football gossip

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Former Celtic defender Ramon Vega thinks the stability that Martin O'Neill brings to the club will be vital if they are to lift the Premiership trophy.

Vega joined Celtic on loan from Tottenham in December 2000 during O'Neill's first spell in charge of the club and made 18 appearances during his brief spell.

And the 54-year-old thinks his former manager's experience will be crucial if Celtic want to win this season's Premiership title.

The Parkhead club are three points behind leaders Hearts and one ahead of Rangers heading into the final four games of the season.

"It's always important to have experience like Martin O'Neill's," Vega told the BBC's Sacked in the Morning.

"He gives stability to the club to start with, he is familiar to the fans as well. Some of the best experiences they have ever had have been with Martin O'Neill. I would say he's a legend of the club.

"It was a good shout to keep him while they are looking for a permanent solution, but also they need to look into how they want to be in the future, in terms of the players they have to bring in.

"But Martin O'Neill brings that stability in, without a doubt. He's respected all around, he's done an extremely good job for the club.

"To bring such credibility back into the club, but also the stability, there is no doubt that it was a good move and could be crucial for winning the league."

Kheredine Idessane
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

That Celtic could still win two trophies in this most jaw-droppingly turbulent campaign is quite remarkable.

It speaks to the managerial skills of interim boss Martin O'Neill but also to a key core of go-to players who have had precious little help from those recruited, supposedly, to help them.

James Forrest will be 35 this summer and has just signed yet another contract extension with his boyhood heroes. He may well hang up his boots in 2027, having never played for anyone else.

Captain Callum McGregor's minutes are being meticulously managed. The clear implication being Celtic can't possibly do without their main man, even if he's not fully fit.

He'll be 33 soon, has had some injury problems this season and yet has still made over 50 appearances this term.

Special mention, too, to Kieran Tierney, who seems to have put his myriad injury problems at other clubs behind him and has delivered in defence and attack.

Japan forward Daizen Maeda has three goals in his past two games. An extra yard of pace restored to someone who was already frighteningly quick. Leading the Celtic press in a way he hasn't since his remarkable player of the year season last term.

Forrest, McGregor, Tierney and Maeda - men Celtic have relied heavily on for much of their success in recent years.

Two other good servants, Liam Scales and Luke McCowan, were also rewarded recently with extended contracts. Scales was signed in 2021; McCowan three summers later. All are delivering for the club, some more than others.

Where, though, are this season's new recruits? The players signed, some of them, for relatively eye-watering amounts who were supposed to help ease the burden?

About £10m spent on wingers Sebastian Tounekti and Michel-Ange Balikwisha, supposedly to take over from Forrest and Yang Hyun-jun in the absence of the injured Jota.

Tounekti has scored two Premiership goals since his arrival, at least he has played. The same can't be said of Balikwisha, who has contributed hardly anything at all since a forgettable derby debut at Rangers at the end of August.

The less said about the acquisitions of Shin Yamada and Hayato Inamura, the better. For fairness and balance, Benjamin Nygren, Marcelo Saracchi and Julian Araujo (before injury ended his season) are proof recruitment wasn't wholly disastrous.

What though of the January arrivals? Where are Tomas Cvancara, Junior Adamu and Joel Mvuka? Nowhere near the starting line-up at present, any of them.

The latter has only made two brief, wholly unimpressive Scottish Cup cameos. Zero contribution to the fraught race for the league title.

From Adamu's six appearances, only three were starts. Of those, he only reappeared for the second half once. His late equaliser against Dundee, however, did keep Celtic in the Scottish Cup.

Cvancara made a good initial impression before fading fast. He'll be remembered for the cool penalty that sent Rangers crashing out of the Scottish Cup at Ibrox but hasn't even made the last two matchday squads.

Despite all of this, Celtic are five games away from a league and cup double. Martin O'Neill has had no option but to turn back to the old faithful. The key question now is how long can they continue to deliver?

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Celtic remain interested in Venezia midfielder Issa Doumbia, along with Club Brugge, Espanyol and Southampton, but the 22-year-old's value has soared after an impressive season in Serie B. (Gazzetta dello Sport via Daily Record - subscription required), external

Celtic are lining up a permanent move for Marcelo Saracchi but a deal for the 28-year-old left-back on loan from Boca Juniors is on ice until a new manager is appointed. (The Herald - subscription required), external

Celtic winger James Forrest insists he's still dreaming of a World Cup call-up for Scotland, with the 34-year-old saying he would never closed the door on adding to his 39 caps. (Daily Record - subscription required), external

Tino
Fan writer

How many of the following players will still be at Celtic Park next season?

Daizen Maeda. Reo Hatate. Kelechi Iheanacho. Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain. Arne Engels. Benji Nygren. Paulo Bernardo. Michel-Ange Balikwisha. Kasper Schmeichel.

Potentially none.

Engels and Nygren are probably our most attractive assets - young, talented and drawing attention.

If bids arrive in the ballpark of £20m-plus for either player, can the club say no? Any new manager would love both to stay, but that's modern football.

Then there's the ticking clock. Maeda shortly enters the final year of his contract and will almost certainly move on this summer, either before or after his World Cup with Japan.

Countryman Hatate with two years left is possibly less in demand, but it seems too his time at Celtic may be coming to a close.

The wildcards are Oxlade-Chamberlain and Iheanacho. Talent isn't the issue for either, but fitness seems to be.

If they can find their levels then both can definitely be assets. If not then they too may be offloaded.

And separately, for different reasons, none of Schmeichel, Bernardo and Balikwisha look to be part of the long-term picture at the club.

Add loan players Marcelo Saracchi, Benjamin Arthur, Tomas Cvancara, Junior Adamu, Joel Mvuka and Julian Araujo and that's 15 players that could potentially vacate the squad.

Which is why you would hope our planning for next season must already be in full swing.

But can it be with a Paul Tisdale-sized hole in our scouting and recruitment team following his January exit? Who is currently heading up this area of the football department?

Clarity on that front, as well as elsewhere, must surely be forthcoming.

But for whoever takes the lead, it should be noted there is some impressive talent right here on our doorstep in Scotland.

Players delivering week in, week out in the Premiership who could step up immediately. Elliot Watt, Lukas Fadinger and Elijah Just of Motherwell. Ex-Celtic academy product Calvin Miller lighting it up at Falkirk. Miguel Chaiwa impressing at Hibs. Claudio Braga producing at Hearts.

But Celtic have, at times, for whatever reason, shown a reluctance to opt for what's right in front of them - almost a type of market snobbery that has led to us missing out on a number of proven talents over the years.

That has to change, especially in a summer where such a turnover of players is expected.

This isn't a call to 'shop locally' and nowhere else. But it is a call for smart domestic recruitment with a range of further additions from elsewhere.

The scale of the rebuild this summer dictates it'll be a busy one for all at the club - or at least it should be.

But the resources are there, the opportunities are there, and by the time the final whistle blows at Hampden on 23 May, the work should already be well under way.

It could be a defining summer for Celtic. It should be a defining summer. Let's see what direction the club choose to take.

Tino can be found at The Celtic Exchange, external

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Will the latest Old Firm ticket row signal the end of away allocations in the fixture?

The SPFL are this week due to decide whether to uphold Celtic's refusal to give Rangers tickets for the derby at Parkhead on 10 May unless the Union Bears ultras group is excluded.

The row comes in the aftermath of disorder at the Scottish Cup quarter-final on 8 March when spectators from both clubs entered the pitch after Celtic won on penalties at Ibrox.

It is an issue "so toxic" that the league sub-committee responsible for the adjudication should be "wearing hazmat suits", says The Herald football writer Stephen McGowan.

Speaking on the BBC's Scottish Football Podcast, he added: "You fear for away allocations as we know them at the moment, I think they'll do well to survive us.

"The SFA are having an independent inquiry at the moment where they will try and pin exactly where responsibility should be attributed for what happened on 8 March.

"They will make their findings known probably in the summer, the problem is they've got a game at Parkhead to get to before then on 10 May, and basically this comes down to a dispute between the two teams on how you should handle the Ultra problem.

"Celtic think, as they've shown - they banned the Green Brigade for five months - it should be collective punishment, you should hit them en masse. Rangers take the view it should be more of an individual thing. Celtic clearly think Rangers have been a bit weak on this issue.

"Rangers say no, they can't lay down the law to us on who we can sell tickets to. It's the eternal story of football in Glasgow, it's two bitter rivals who will not yield to one another.

"It's going to be to some poor souls on the SPFL board to decide who's right and who gets their way over this.

"I think if the SPFL uphold this Celtic stance then Rangers absolutely will reciprocate and that would be regrettable.

"But equally if we see that the police are struggling to deal with large-scale allocations, it might be unavoidable in the long term, it might well be the way we have to go just to try and kind of cool minds and bring some sanity back to the situation."

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Assistant Shaun Maloney has no interest in succeeding Martin O'Neill as Celtic manager, but is keen on the vacant director of football role at Parkhead. (Football Insider), external

Martin O'Neill expects Celtic to sell Daizen Maeda this summer if the Japan forward does not sign a new deal. (The Herald - subscription required), external

Celtic have set a date for talks with Boca Juniors over the permanent signing of left-back Marcelo Saracchi. (German Garcia Grova on X), external

ARE HEARTS DESTINED TO WIN THE TITLE? 🏆

It was a seismic weekend in the hunt for the Scottish Premiership crown. Are you rejoicing, are you quietly optimistic, or are you chucking it?

Join the debate with Ray Bradshaw at 18:00 BST TONIGHT on the BBC Sport Scottish Football YouTube channel, external to give us your views in the chat. The show is fully interactive, so have your say.

Remember to like and subscribe to not miss it!

Former Rangers midfielder Kevin Thomson believes it would be a remarkable story whoever wins the Scottish Premiership title, but thinks Celtic's home advantage on the final day could prove pivotal.

Martin O'Neill's side trail Hearts by three points with four matches remaining and they host the Tynecastle outfit on the final day of the season.

Hearts play Rangers next Monday, while Celtic travel to Hibernian on Sunday.

"They've all actually got their own wee story of success - when you think of Hearts, it would be an astronomical achievement if they can go on and win the title," Thomson said on the BBC's Scottish Football Podcast.

"Celtic have sacked two managers this year, Martin O'Neill's had two different stints as interim. If he can find a way to get his Celtic team to get over the line.

"When Danny Rohl took over from Russell Martin, nobody gave Rangers any chance.

"So it's amazing - the climax of the season has been so exciting. I cannot call it.

"I would never write Celtic off because I'm not naive enough to. I've never done it as a player. I certainly wouldn't do it as a pundit or as ex-player.

"But I certainly do think, if Hearts can beat Rangers, regardless of what Celtic do, I think it puts Rangers to bed and then it becomes a two-horse race.

"The advantage that Celtic would have is home advantage when that game comes around.

"The good bit from Celtic's perspective is they're still hanging in there. They're still there, they've still got a chance and they've not been at their brilliant best by any stretch of imagination."

Jonathan Sutherland
Sportscene presenter

GK: Jerome Prior - Livingston

Five big saves of every variety to keep St Mirren at bay as Livingston finally earned a long-awaited victory.

RB: Stephen O'Donnell - Motherwell

Having a wonderful season under Jens Berthel Askou. Asked to play on the left and wasn't an issue. Two assists for the former Scotland international, who can easily slot into right-back for me here.

CB: Ryan McGowan - Livingston

Did all the unfashionable graft a centre-back has to do at times to earn his side a seldom seen three points.

CB: Kieran Tierney - Celtic

Seven goals for club and country this season. Another rasper against Falkirk.

LB: Emmanuel Longelo - Motherwell

Unleashed in a further forward role than left-back, but he can slot in there easily for me here. What a player he has been all season. Two huge goals as Motherwell underlined their kingmaker credentials in this incredible title race.

CM: Blair Spittal - Hearts

Off the bench to score what could be one of the most pivotal winners of the season for Hearts at Easter Road.

CM: Callum Slattery - Motherwell

Back from suspension and exemplified the quality Motherwell showed in abundance at Ibrox.

RW: Sabah Kerjota - Hearts

The Albanian was a game-changer as Derek McInnes brought him on to find the path through the stubborn Hibs defence. Kerjota duly delivered, not once but twice. His contribution to the Hearts title push was immense.

AM: Martin Boyle - Hibernian

In his last Edinburgh derby he took his goal superbly, couldn't have caught it any sweeter.

LW: Will Ferry - Dundee United

Hadn't scored a single goal for Dundee United until his strike against Celtic a few weeks ago. Now he can't stop. Great work rate and quality again from the wide man as he made all the difference in the Dundee derby.

ST: Daizen Maeda - Celtic

Like a phoenix rising from the flames, is Maeda rising at just the right time to fire Celtic to the title? Celtic's opening two goals came from his tenacity and pressing, and their third - Maeda's second - was instinctive striker play.

Celtic goalkeeper Viljamo Sinisali urges the club to retain Japan winger Daizen Maeda, 28. (Herald - subscription required), external

Bolton Wanderers manager Steven Schumacher praises on-loan Celtic forward Johnny Kenny after the 22-year-old scored five goals in his past five League One appearances. (Glasgow Times), external

Monday's Scottish gossip

Watch all the highlights as Celtic kept their Scottish Premiership title hopes alive with a 3-1 win over Falkirk. Available to UK users only

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Manager Martin O'Neill doesn't think momentum is with Celtic despite their 3-1 home win over Falkirk on Saturday.

The Parkhead club were the first of the top three to play this weekend and laid down a marker to Hearts and Rangers with their victory.

And the Northern Irishman was delighted with the home crowd as they helped spur the team on to a win.

"I think the support we got was terrific," O'Neill said.

"They stayed with the team when there were moments of anxiety which I thought we showed for a little period of time and which could have spilled over into the crowd.

"They stayed with us, which was fantastic."

Celtic travel to Hibs next weekend before welcoming Rangers to Parkhead in their next two post-split fixtures.

They then visit Motherwell at Fir Park and end the campaign at home to leaders Hearts.

"We have a tough task next week," the Northern Irishman added.

"We have been battling strongly. We showed some fine play, made some mistakes which could have been costly.

"But we got a grip of that and the introduction of Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain brought a calmness to us.

"In terms of momentum, I don't know. We are still a long way from home."

Celtic fans, we asked for your views on Saturday's 3-1 win over Falkirk.

Here's what some of you had to say:

Ian: Probably the best they have played all season - apart from let's all have a nap for a few minutes in the second half. Still not sure about not having a bustling centre half up front.

David: Where has that Daizen Maeda been all season? What a difference. Celtic weren't great but boy did Daizen make us tick much better. His best game of the season by a mile. Celtic are beginning to tick.

Peter: A huge three points and an improved performance. Four more league games, four wins is a must. Getting big players back at this stage of the season will be vital. The title is still up for grabs.

David T: Say what you want about this Celtic team, and as average as they've been, that's another crucial three points with four games to go. Plus a cup final to look forward to. Not sure what some fans want. The most unlikely of doubles in our history is in our hands and I truly believe it's meant to be for Celtic and Martin O'Neill, keep the faith.

Finbar: Celtic have to win their remaining games, so attack is the only option. The team was set up for goals and Maeda and Kieran Tierney delivered. Why is Benjamin Nygren taking corner kicks? He's more effective in the six-yard box. Maintaining momentum in each match and in the league run-in is the challenge for Celtic.

John: I thought they played well enough on the day against a decent opponent. The main objective is to keep winning. We have to hope the other teams around us drop some points in the remaining games. Considering everything that has gone on this season we are in a decent position to still win the league. Positive thinking.