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Celtic and Aberdeen set for Hampden showdown

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Celtic v Aberdeen preview Scottish football’s marquee fixture takes centre stage on Saturday as Celtic, the defending champions, face Aberdeen in the final of the Scottish Cup. Author | Sean M Celtic line up before their Scottish Cup sem i-final Brendan Rodgers’ side lifted the trophy last season with a 1-0 victory over Rangers, courtesy of a dramatic late winner from Adam Idah. Aberdeen, meanwhile, return to the final for the first time since 2017,.a year when they were edged out by Celtic in similarly heart-breaking fashion, as Tom Rogic’s late solo effort clinched the cup. A history of drama in recent meetings The two sides are no strangers to high-stakes clashes in this competition. Their most recent encounter came in this year’s semi-final – a pulsating 3-3 draw that went all the way to penalties, with Celtic eventually prevailing after a frenetic contest that showcased the very best of Scottish football. READ MORE | Latest Celtic news and stories In 2020, the sides met behind...

Forrest the hero on trophy day

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Celtic 1 - 1 St. Mirren James Forrest ensured the club’s title celebrations were not dampened as he netted a stoppage-time equaliser to preserve a 16-season scoring streak and deny St Mirren a memorable win.  Author - Andrew Cheshire Stadium - Celtic Park With seconds remaining, the veteran winger swept the ball past St Mirren goalkeeper Zach Hemming, securing a 1-1 draw and extending his remarkable scoring run in every league season since his debut. It was a dramatic end to an afternoon where the visitors looked set to upset the champions and claim a rare win at Celtic Park. Jonah Ayunga had earlier stunned the home crowd with a low drive into the corner after Celtic failed to clear a set piece, giving St Mirren hope of European qualification. A win might have been enough to leapfrog Dundee United into a Europa Conference League spot, especially with United trailing Aberdeen at one stage. But United mounted a comeback in their match, and Forrest’s late intervention ensured th...

Champions Celtic fight back against Hibs

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Celtic 3 - 1 Hibernian Celtic fought back from a goal down to stretch Hibernian's winless run at Parkhead to 22 games. Author - Sean M Stadium - Celtic Park Traveling to face the Scottish Premiership champions during a stunning run of form that included a victory over Celtic at Easter Road in February, third-place Hibs opened the scoring when Martin Boyle took advantage of Auston Trusty's poor defending. Celtic always appeared dangerous in attack and equalized when Nicolas Kuhn received a ball played in behind, rounded goalkeeper Jordan Smith and finished. You never felt that Hibernian were going to win at that point. Ultimately, it would be very comfortable for Celtic.  READ MORE: Celtic news and stories from European Super Football Four minutes later, German winger Kuhn set up striker Adam Idah with a delightful chip over the Hibs defense, putting Rodgers' side ahead at halftime. Despite a strong start to the second half, with Rocky Bushiri narrowly heading wide from ...

Idah denies Rangers in Glasgow Derby

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Rangers 1 - 1 Celtic Celtic came from behind to deny Rangers a third consecutive Old Firm win, as Adam Idah’s second-half equaliser earned the visitors a point and preserved a long-standing unbeaten record at Ibrox. Author - Mark Lee Stadium - Ibrox Nicolas Raskin saw an early header ruled out for offside before Cyriel Dessers struck just before half-time with his 25th goal of the season. But Idah levelled shortly after the interval, silencing the home crowd and compounding Rangers’ frustration. The draw means Rangers have failed to win at Ibrox for the seventh straight fixture. This is an unwelcome run for the temporary Rangers boss as he looks to get the job permanently. A closer look at what happened at Ibrox. For Celtic, the point ensures they maintain their 17-point advantage at the top of the Scottish Premiership, having already secured the title with games to spare. While the league may be settled, the suggestion this match was a dead rubber never quite rang true. Celtic, br...

Celtic clinch the title after thrashing Dundee United

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Dundee United 0 - 5 Celtic Celtic clinched a fourth consecutive Scottish Premiership title and a 13th in 14 seasons after brushing aside a disorganised Dundee United at Tannadice. Author - Sean M Stadium - Tannadice Park Brendan Rodgers’ side needed only a point to seal the championship but did so with some flourish, making the Northern Irishman the most decorated living Celtic manager with 11 honours, behind only Willie Maley and Jock Stein. Three years on from celebrating Ange Postecoglou’s first Premiership triumph at this same ground, thousands of travelling Celtic fans witnessed another title confirmed well before half time. Nicolas KĂĽhn’s second goal of the day, Celtic’s third, marked their 100th in the Premiership this season and effectively snuffed out any early spark from the hosts. READ MORE: News from across Scotland READ MORE:  Celtic thrash St. Johnstone to reach another Scottish Cup final When Adam Idah added two more after the break, first with a header and ...

Celtic thrash St. Johnstone to reach another Scottish Cup final

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St. Johnstone 0 - 5 Celtic Celtic produced a ruthless first-half display to sweep past St Johnstone and book their place in the Scottish Cup final against Aberdeen, keeping hopes alive for a record-extending ninth domestic treble. Author - Sean M Stadium - Hampden Park Brendan Rodgers, who remains unbeaten in 14 matches at Hampden Park, will return with his side to the national stadium on Saturday 24 May, where they will aim to secure a third successive Scottish Cup triumph. Any uncertainty about the outcome was dispelled by half-time. Celtic delivered a blistering end to the first half, scoring four times in just 12 minutes to leave St Johnstone reeling. From the opening whistle, the holders dominated possession and territory, eventually finding a breakthrough when captain Callum McGregor guided a precise strike into the corner of the net. That opener set the tone for a relentless spell. McGregor turned provider minutes later, slipping a perfectly judged pass into the path of Daiz...

Celtic are now just one point from the title

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Celtic 5 - 1 Kilmarnock Celtic moved to the brink of yet another Scottish Premiership title after a blistering first-half performance against Kilmarnock.  Author - Sean M Stadium - Celtic Park The Celtic boss Brendan Rodgers demanded a response following the loss to the division's bottom side. Within 24 minutes of this match against Kilmarnock kicking off, Celtic were four ahead thanks to a stunning array of goals, with Daizen Maeda, Cameron Carter-Vickers and two Reo Hatate.  Danny Armstrong's cross sailed home for some brief respite for Derek McInnes' men. However, the champions-elect utterly dominated the first half of this match. They would have been happy to be only trailing 4-1 at half-time. Not a good place to be in. They then eased up slightly but the icing on the cake arrived in injury time as substitute Anthony Ralston danced into the box and found the far corner. A closer look at what happened and why it happened It had been reported in some outlets that the ...

Celtic might have to wait another week to clinch title

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St Johnstone 1 - 0 Celtic St Johnstone pulled off a surprise victory over Celtic, denying the reigning champions the chance to wrap up the Scottish Premiership title in front of their home support next weekend. Author - Sean M Stadium - McDiarmid Park Brendan Rodgers’ side knew that a win at McDiarmid Park would have set up the opportunity to clinch a fourth consecutive league crown when they host Kilmarnock on Saturday. But an early thumping header from Daniels Balodis, following a well-delivered free-kick by Graham Carey, gave the hosts a crucial lead. That goal, combined with a resilient defensive display, saw the league’s bottom side move to within five points of Dundee. Celtic could still secure the title next weekend if they beat Kilmarnock and Rangers drop points away to Aberdeen on Sunday. However, Balodis’ first goal for the club has, for now at least, postponed any plans of celebrating on home turf. The early breakthrough seemed to energise the Perth side. While Celti...

Maeda inspires Celtic again

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Celtic 3 - 0 Hearts Daizen Maeda struck twice in Celtic's commanding Scottish Premiership victory over Heart of Midlothian, bringing his season tally to an impressive thirty goals.  Author - Sean M Stadium - Celtic Park The Celtic boss had hinted before the match that both he and the club were eager to extend the Japan international's contract, which currently runs until the summer of 2027.  This latest performance served as yet another reminder of why that would be a wise move. Maeda has now scored in eight consecutive league games and shows no sign of slowing down. The forward was at the heart of all three goals and appears almost unstoppable in Scotland at present. A closer look at what happened at Celtic Park Hearts had arrived to this match with some confidence, having lost just twice in their previous fourteen matches. They were aiming to take another step towards securing a top-six place. All eyes were on Viljami Sinisalo, who stepped in for the injured Kasper Schme...

Rangers stun Celtic with late winner

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Celtic 2 - 3 Rangers Rangers revelled in their second round of jubilant celebrations in just four days as Hamza Igamane’s stunning late goal inflicted Celtic’s first Scottish Premiership home defeat since December 2023. Author - Sean M Stadium - Celtic Park Pre match atmosphere. Picture from Super News Affiliate on Flickr Barry Ferguson’s side made a blistering start, storming into a two-goal lead by half-time. Nico Raskin glanced in a flicked header early on, before Mohamed Diomande drilled a low shot into the net to put the visitors firmly in control. However, with the exertions of Thursday’s dramatic Europa League triumph over Fenerbahce beginning to take their toll, title-chasing Celtic mounted a spirited fightback. Daizen Maeda powered home a towering header, and Reo Hatate coolly slotted in an equaliser to set up a frantic finale. With momentum seemingly swinging in the hosts’ favour, it was Rangers who delivered the decisive moment. Igamane capitalised on Alistair Johnston’...

Celtic still on course for domestic treble

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Celtic 2 - 0 Hibernian Daizen Maeda's 27th goal of the season and a stoppage-time strike from Adam Idah kept Celtic's treble dream alive as they edged past Hibernian in a hard-fought Scottish Cup quarter-final. Author - Sean M Stadium - Celtic Park Hibs, without a Scottish Cup win at Celtic Park since 1902, once again left empty-handed after Maeda struck just before half-time to extend the visitors’ misery. The Japan international’s ruthless finish – his 13th goal in as many games – came after Jordan Smith had produced a fine save to deny Nicolas Kuhn, only for Maeda to pounce and rifle the rebound high into the net. It was a moment of redemption for the forward, who had earlier squandered a glorious chance, blazing over the bar when it seemed easier to score. Smith, who recently signed a new deal with Hibs, kept his side in contention with two excellent first-half saves – first tipping away Callum McGregor’s low drive and then reacting sharply to deny Reo Hatate from close...

Celtic close in on another title

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St. Mirren 2 - 5 Celtic Celtic are now just three wins away from retaining their Scottish Premiership title Author - Sean M Stadium - The SMISA Stadium If Celtic can secure victories in their next two league fixtures against second-placed Rangers and Heart of Midlothian, they will head to Perth in early April knowing that a win over St Johnstone would seal a fourth consecutive league title. Celtic were pushed all the way by a determined St Mirren side, who twice pegged them back before Yang Hyun-jun struck twice late on, either side of a superb finish from Daizen Maeda, to secure the points. Japan forward Maeda has now scored 13 goals in his last 12 matches, while South Korean winger Yang – who set him up with a fine assist – is looking like a player transformed. His two-goal cameo may well give Rodgers a selection headache ahead of the next game. Substitutes make the difference as Celtic close in Watch the highlights from the SPFL YouTube It was another commanding performa...

Celtic back to winning ways

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Celtic 5 - 1 Aberdeen Celtic took another decisive step towards retaining their title with a dominant victory over Aberdeen in Glasgow. Author - Sean M Stadium - Celtic Park Pre match atmosphere at Celtic Park Brendan Rodgers' side were minutes away from setting a new record of 10 consecutive home league wins without conceding when Shayden Morris grabbed a late consolation for the visitors. It was little more than a flicker of hope on an otherwise bleak evening for Aberdeen, who failed to capitalise on a promising start. Oday Dabbagh squandered a close-range chance, and Kevin Nisbet dragged a shot wide after Kasper Schmeichel’s misplaced pass. Celtic, by contrast, were ruthless. First-half goals from Daizen Maeda, Jota and Callum McGregor effectively settled the contest before the break. Maeda opened the scoring in opportunistic fashion, pouncing on a deflected Arne Engels shot and outpacing Mats Knoester before volleying home—echoing his instinctive finish at Hibernian on Satu...

Celtic stunned at Easter Road

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Hibernian 2 - 1 Celtic Hibernian continued their impressive form as Josh Campbell’s first-half brace condemned Scottish Premiership leaders Celtic to only their second league defeat of the season. Author - Sean M Stadium - Easter Road Celtic, fresh from a spirited display against Bayern Munich in midweek, struggled to find their rhythm in the opening hour. Their passing was uncharacteristically sloppy, and Hibs’ well-drilled defence coped comfortably with the waves of crosses into their box. Campbell made the most of Celtic’s sluggish start, drilling a low strike into the bottom corner inside two minutes to give the hosts the perfect start. Then, just before the break, he doubled Hibs’ lead with a well-placed header from Martin Boyle’s looping cross. David Gray’s side had chances to put the game beyond doubt, with Kieron Bowie and Lewis Miller both denied by Kasper Schmeichel in what was a commanding all-round display. Celtic, though, inevitably fought back. Daizen Maeda pulled one...

Celtic suffer heartbreak in Munich

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Bayern Munich 1 - 1 Celtic (Bayern Munich won 2-1 on aggregate) Celtic’s Champions League journey came to a dramatic and heartbreaking end as Bayern Munich struck deep into stoppage time, sealing a 3-2 aggregate victory and crushing Brendan Rodgers’ side’s hopes of a stunning upset in Germany. Author - Andrew Cheshire Stadium - Allianz Arena Having lost the first leg 2-1 at Parkhead, Celtic knew they needed a big performance—and they delivered. Nicolas KĂĽhn fired them into a shock lead just after the hour mark, pouncing on a defensive error from Kim Min-jae to slot past Manuel Neuer. The Hoops had already squandered several golden chances in the first half, with KĂĽhn, Callum McGregor, and Daizen Maeda (twice) all going close. Meanwhile, England captain Harry Kane rattled the crossbar before being withdrawn at half-time. Champions League: 2024/2025 More Celtic news and stories Bayern, rattled by Celtic’s intensity, pushed hard for an equaliser. Leon Goretzka nodded wide, Joshua Kimm...

Can Celtic cause a shock in Munich

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Bayern Munich v Celtic preview Bayern Munich lead 2-1 after what was an entertaining first leg in Glasgow Author - Sean M After edging past Celtic with a 2-1 victory in Glasgow last week, Bayern Munich will be eager to confirm their place in the Champions League last 16 when they host the Scottish champions at the Allianz Arena on Tuesday. Will the atmosphere at Bayern Munich match the one at Celtic? Vincent Kompany’s side were forced to defend for long spells in Saturday’s goalless draw with Bayer Leverkusen, though they remain eight points clear at the top of the Bundesliga. This contest, however, is expected to be a different affair, with Bayern likely to dominate on home turf. Celtic, meanwhile, will be looking to spring a surprise in Munich. Brendan Rodgers’ men head into the fixture with confidence after a commanding 3-0 victory over Dundee United, which extended their lead at the top of the Scottish Premiership. Remarkably, Celtic are in the knockout rounds for the first tim...

Celtic prepare for Champions League by thrashing Raith

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 Celtic 5 - 0 Raith Rovers Daizen Maeda hit a landmark 50 goals for Celtic as his stunning hat-trick fired the holders into the Scottish Cup quarter-finals with a dominant 5-0 victory over Raith Rovers. Author - Sean M Stadium - Celtic Park Brendan Rodgers made sweeping changes, bringing in nine fresh faces to the starting XI, but it was business as usual at Celtic Park as the Hoops extended their formidable unbeaten home run to 32 matches—just one shy of the record set by Gordon Strachan’s 2007 side. Second-half strikes from Luke McCowan and Yang Hyun-Jun put Celtic firmly in control before Maeda rounded off his treble, latching onto a superb assist from McCowan. The Japanese forward, who had already bagged a brace before half-time to shatter Raith’s resistance, now boasts 21 goals for the season—proving himself an able replacement for the departed Kyogo Furuhashi, with six goals in his last three outings. More news from the Scottish Cup Celtic’s strength in depth on display I...

Celtic back to their best after thrashing Dundee

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Celtic 6 - 0 Dundee Celtic strolled to a dominant 6-0 victory at home to Dundee, restoring their 13-point cushion at the top of the Scottish Premiership. Author - Sean M Stadium - Celtic Park The Hoops barely had to shift out of second gear in the first half but still went into the break two goals up—Arne Engels converting from the penalty spot before Adam Idah added a second just before half-time. Jota, rewarded with a start after his goal against Motherwell, looked sharp throughout and once again underlined why bringing him back from Rennes was such an exciting piece of business for Celtic. It was his pinpoint cross that set up Daizen Maeda for his first of the night, before the Portuguese winger showed his class by lifting the ball over Trevor Carson to grab his second just minutes into the second half. Click here for more Celtic news Celtic's emphatic win was sealed in style with two stunning long-range strikes—one from Engels and another from substitute Nicolas KĂĽhn—allowi...

Villa secure Champions League last-16 spot

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Aston Villa 4 - 2 Celtic Ollie Watkins played a key role in Aston Villa’s victory over Celtic, securing their place in the last 16 of the Champions League – just hours after Arsenal’s interest in the England striker became public. Author - Sean M Stadium - Villa Park Check out this iconic banner from the Villa fans . Watkins restored Villa’s lead after they had squandered an early 2-0 advantage, while Morgan Rogers, who set the tone early on, went on to complete a hat-trick in the emphatic win over the Scottish champions. Celtic now face a daunting play-off clash against Bayern Munich. It wasn’t all smooth sailing for Watkins, who won a second-half penalty but slipped at the crucial moment, sending his effort high and wide. Villa have no plans to part ways with the 29-year-old forward, especially now that Unai Emery’s side have secured qualification for the knockout stages, finishing eighth in the table. See some of the highlights in the video above. Footage from the Celtic YouT...

Jota returns to Glasgow and Celtic

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This could be huge in Celtic's bid to progress in the Champions League Author - Sean M Celtic fans loved the player in his first spell with the club. Celtic have successfully re-signed Jota from Rennes, while Kyogo Furuhashi has completed a transfer in the opposite direction. Jota initially left Celtic in July 2023 for a reported fee of £25 million. However, he struggled to secure a regular starting position at Al-Ittihad in the Saudi Pro League and also faced challenges with a Rennes team that is currently on a five-match losing streak. The 25-year-old player has signed a five-and-a-half-year contract with the Scottish champions, who hold a 10-point lead at the top of the Premiership. Jota first joined Celtic on loan from Benfica in September 2021. After a successful season, Celtic triggered an option to buy him for a reported fee of £6.5 million the following summer. He played a vital role in helping Celtic secure the treble in the 2022-23 season, scoring 28 goals in 83 appea...