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Showing posts with the label Scotland

Nicolas Kuhn stars as Celtic extend lead at the top

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Celtic 3 - 0 St Mirren Nicolas Kuhn added two more to his impressive tally goal this season, inspiring Celtic to a comfortable win over St Mirren and extending their lead at the top of the Scottish Premiership to 13 points. Author - Sean M Kuhn struck on either side of half-time to bring his season total to 16 goals, with Auston Trusty heading home in between to secure a dominant victory for Brendan Rodgers’ side. After suffering their first league defeat of the season against Rangers on Thursday, Celtic bounced back strongly, capitalising on their rivals’ latest slip-up at Easter Road to tighten their grip on the title race. Celtic break St Mirren’s resilience St Mirren made life difficult in the early stages, pressing well and limiting Celtic’s chances. However, the deadlock was broken in style. Luke McCowan’s superb pass set Daizen Maeda free down the left wing, and the Japanese winger’s pinpoint cross found Kuhn, who delivered a typically clinical finish. That goal deflated t...

Hibs hold Rangers in six-goal epic

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 Hibernian 3 - 3 Rangers Rangers' inconsistency was on full display once again as they squandered the lead twice against an in-form Hibernian, despite Hamza Igamane's stunning hat-trick in a thrilling six-goal Scottish Premiership showdown. Author - Mark Lee Ibrox boss Philippe Clement remained upbeat, insisting his team were on the right track after their superb Old Firm derby triumph. However, this marked their third consecutive away game without a win, raising further questions about their ability to sustain the high standards they displayed just days earlier. David Gray's Hibs, on the other hand, showed incredible resilience, battling back from two goals down. Rocky Bushiri’s late equaliser in the 83rd minute extended their unbeaten run to six matches, underscoring their impressive form. Under pressure for frequent squad rotations, Clement opted for a rare unchanged line-up in an attempt to steady the ship. The attacking quartet of Igamane, Vaclav Cerny, Nedim Bajra...

Aberdeen's poor run of form continues

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Aberdeen 1 - 2 Ross County Aberdeen’s struggles deepened as their winless run hit nine games with a 2-1 home defeat to Ross County, who notched their second consecutive away victory in the Scottish Premiership. Author - Ajay  A closer look at what happened at a snowy Pittodrie Ross County, buoyed by breaking a 15-month away drought last week , deservedly took the lead at a snow-swept Pittodrie. Akil Wright’s stunning 30-yard strike flew into the top corner, with Aberdeen visibly struggling to adapt to the challenging conditions. However, the Dons were gifted a way back into the match before the break. County goalkeeper Jordan Amissah made a calamitous error, letting Kevin Nisbet’s free-kick slip under his body and trickle over the line. The equaliser sparked Aberdeen into life as they began the second half brightly. Duk came agonisingly close to giving the hosts the lead, his thunderous effort smashing off the crossbar — with replays suggesting a slight touch from Amissah. Was ...

United win on Dundee derby day

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Dundee 1 - 2 Dundee United Top scorer Sam Dalby struck a dramatic late winner to hand Dundee United a thrilling derby victory at Dens Park, lifting Jim Goodwin's newly-promoted side to third place in the table. Author - Jack L Dundee took the lead in the second half through Simon Murray's penalty, awarded after a VAR check confirmed Kevin Holt’s handball. But United responded swiftly, with Vicko Sevelj nodding in an equaliser just four minutes later. Then, with two minutes left on the clock, Wrexham loanee Dalby smashed home his 10th goal of the season following a marauding run and pinpoint cross from Holt. Dalby’s clinical finish past Dundee goalkeeper Trevor Carson sent the packed away end into raptures and ensured United leapfrogged Aberdeen on goal difference. Meanwhile, the defeat sees Dundee slip to ninth. The result extends United’s impressive form, with just one loss in their last nine matches, and maintains their unbeaten run in eight consecutive derbies against the...

Rangers cut Celtic's lead after Glasgow Derby win

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Rangers 3 - 0 Celtic Rangers cut Celtic’s lead at the top of the Scottish Premiership to 11 points in sensational fashion, as Philippe Clement finally secured his first derby victory at the seventh attempt. Author - Sean M Ianis Hagi’s early goal, followed by strikes from Robin Propper and Danilo in the second half, sealed the win as the hosts dominated a fervent Ibrox crowd. The victory ended a long and frustrating run of poor results for Rangers against Brendan Rodgers' Celtic , who had only lost once in 20 derby clashes before this encounter. However, the occasion was slightly marred when Celtic’s Arne Engels appeared to be struck by a coin thrown from the stands. Fortunately, his manager later confirmed the player was unharmed. More reaction coming up. A bad day for Celtic. https://t.co/Mu4Cn3x6Z9 https://t.co/3FCnK8E1Sv — European Super Football (@ESFootballNews) January 2, 2025 A closer look at what happened Rangers had come into the match under mounting pressure, h...

Celtic ease to win over bottom side in Scotland

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Celtic 4 - 0 St Johnstone Nicolas Kuhn opened the scoring in the first half, while Kyogo Furuhashi netted a double in the second half, with Daizen Maeda adding a fourth goal.  Author - Sean M A closer look at what happened at Celtic Park It was a largely one-sided affair, with Simo Valakari’s side putting up some resistance early on. Cameron Carter-Vickers, Kyogo, and Arne Engels all came close to breaking the deadlock. The opener came from a familiar source. Nicolas Kuhn, receiving the ball from Reo Hatate, cut inside and slotted it home with ease, leaving the goalkeeper no chance. The German forward’s knack for producing key moments in front of goal has been exceptional this season. Moments later, Kuhn nearly struck again, forcing a superb save from Josh Rae as his curling effort seemed destined for the far top corner. Celtic Football Club news and stories St Johnstone made a few changes at half-time and briefly showed signs of improvement, but they couldn’t turn the tide. Pi...

Celtic extend lead at top of the table

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Celtic 4 - 0 Motherwell Celtic maintained their composure despite a shaky start to secure a commanding 4-0 victory over Motherwell in the Scottish Premiership. Author - Sean M Following a frustrating draw at Dundee United on Sunday, the league leaders took time to find their rhythm. The breakthrough came just before the half-time whistle when a collision between Aston Oxborough and Hyunjun Yang earned Celtic a penalty. Arne Engels coolly converted, slotting the ball into the bottom-left corner as the Motherwell goalkeeper dived the wrong way. Celtic had the better chances in the first half, with Daizen Maeda’s effort blocked by Oxborough. The Motherwell keeper also had a nervy moment when he nearly turned the ball into his own net, but managed to clear it with the help of his defence. Early in the second half, Celtic survived a scare when Tony Watt inadvertently blocked Tawanda Maswanhise’s shot on Kasper Schmeichel ’s goalline, deflecting it behind. The hosts doubled their lead so...

St Mirren stun Rangers with late winner

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St Mirren 2 - 1 Rangers  Caolan Boyd-Munce’s last-gasp screamer ensured Rangers finished Boxing Day 12 points behind league leaders Celtic. Author - Mark Lee The visitors endured a dismal first half, with Jack Butland clumsily fouling Greg Kiltie, allowing Oisin Smyth to calmly slot the resulting penalty past the former England goalkeeper. Stephen Robinson’s St Mirren impressed with their aggression, intensity, and defensive organisation, but the half-time introductions of Nicolas Raskin and Danilo injected much-needed energy into Rangers’ performance. Brazilian striker Danilo equalised from close range moments after being denied at a similar distance by goalkeeper Ellery Balcombe. However, Philippe Clement’s side couldn’t capitalise, and their hopes of rescuing a point were dashed when substitute Boyd-Munce rifled in a stunning 93rd-minute strike from 20 yards. No title for Rangers in 2025? This defeat halts Rangers’ recent momentum and leaves their faint title hopes hanging b...

Celtic and Rangers play out classic cup final

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Celtic 3 - 3 Rangers Celtic won 5-4 on penalties The current Scottish champions were pushed to their absolute limits but ultimately prevailed in a dramatic Scottish League Cup final against Rangers, decided by a tense penalty shootout. Author - Sean M After both sides converted their first three penalties, Rangers defender Ridvan Yilmaz saw his low effort saved by Kasper Schmeichel. Although goalkeeper Jack Butland briefly kept Rangers' hopes alive by scoring their next spot-kick, Daizen Maeda calmly slotted home to secure the trophy for Celtic. The victory came after an epic 3-3 draw following extra time, extending Brendan Rodgers' remarkable record of never losing at Hampden Park. Meanwhile, Rangers manager Philippe Clement is still searching for his first derby win. This triumph also propels Celtic ahead of their old rivals in total silverware won — a milestone not achieved since the 1930s. But those are just the headlines of what was a truly incredible cup final. Whil...

Celtic edge closer to qualification with valuable point

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Dinamo Zagreb 0 - 0 Celtic Celtic extended their unbeaten run in the Champions League to four matches, earning a valuable away point that leaves their hopes of progressing to the knockout stages firmly in their hands. Author - Sean M Brendan Rodgers' side now sit on nine points, with a home clash against Young Boys in January followed by a trip to Aston Villa. However, their wait for an elusive away victory in this competition continues – the last coming against Anderlecht under Rodgers seven years ago. Facing a Dinamo Zagreb side plagued by injuries and struggling for form, Celtic sensed an opportunity and started brightly, dominating possession for long periods. Yet, they struggled to break down their resolute opponents. In the first half, Celtic's best chance came from a 20-yard free-kick by Paulo Bernardo, which narrowly missed the target, despite the visitors enjoying nearly 70% possession. Dinamo, defensively disciplined throughout, consistently shut down spaces and l...

Celtic extend lead at the top of the table

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Celtic 3 - 0 Hibernian Brendan Rodgers commended Celtic's attacking display as they capitalised on a wasteful Hibernian to extend their lead at the top of the Scottish Premiership to nine points.  Author - Sean M Celtic secured their seventh consecutive league win with Arne Engels' first-half tap-in, an own goal from Joe Newell, and a sublime finish from Kyogo after the interval. Hibs, though, had their chances, particularly in the first half, where they exposed Celtic's high defensive line. Mykola Kuharevich was twice denied in one-on-one situations by goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel, while Joe Newell squandered a golden opportunity, firing over the bar unmarked inside the box. At the other end, Celtic proved clinical. Engels converted Alistair Johnston's cross, and Adam Idah's flick-on was inadvertently turned into his own net by Newell. Celtic Football Club news and stories Can anyone stop Celtic in Scotland? Hibs' inability to take their chances persisted i...

Can anyone stop Celtic in Scotland?

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 It’s a question every top-flight manager, and some beyond, must be wrestling with.  And if the answer seems elusive, a bigger question arises that is, how do you stop them? Author - Sean M As they pursue a fourth consecutive league title, Brendan Rodgers' side have already thumped three past Rangers, triumphed at second-placed Aberdeen, and hammered the same opponents 6-0 in the League Cup semi-final. Their domestic dominance isn’t just impressive – it’s overwhelming. Out of a possible 42 Premiership points, Celtic have amassed 40. They boast a seven-point lead at the top of the table, which could stretch to ten with a win in their game in hand. They remain unbeaten away from home in the league, and across all competitions, they’ve netted a staggering 65 goals in 22 games.  Celtic fans have been loving this season so far. The video below shows fans response to that extraordinary win over Aberdeen in the League Cup. Rodgers has done this before. In his first sea...

Celtic thrash Ross County

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Celtic 6 - 0 Ross County Luke McCowan was the star of the show for Celtic after he scored one and assisted three as five-goal Celtic stormed to a five-point lead at the Scottish Premiership summit by thrashing Ross County. Author - Sean M > Brendan Rodgers made six changes to the team that drew with Club Brugge in the Champions League on Wednesday, showcasing the impressive depth of his squad. Every player brought in made a noticeable impact. The standout performer was McCowan, who delivered the corner that allowed Liam Scales to head in powerfully at the near post. McCowan, making his first start in a month, then added a second with a deflected effort on the turn. Celtic Football Club news and stories He continued to shine, setting up captain Callum McGregor for a stunning 20-yard strike – McGregor's sixth league goal of the season – just moments after Paulo Bernardo tapped in Celtic’s third from close range. The first-half scoring feast was rounded off by Adam Idah, who...

Pressure builds on Rangers boss

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Rangers 1 - 1 Dundee United Vaclav ÄŒerny’s equaliser cancelled out Sam Dalby’s opener, but Rangers couldn’t find the winning goal that would have brought them within six points of Aberdeen and six clear of United. Author - Mark Lee Although this was the first time Rangers have dropped points at Ibrox this season, it’s another setback in their campaign. They've now let 13 points slip across their opening 12 league matches and sit 11 points adrift of leaders Celtic. The match began with ÄŒerny and Nico Raskin forcing early saves from Jack Walton, while Nedim Bajrami’s curling effort was tipped wide by the United keeper. Dundee United were well-drilled and disciplined and gradually grew into the game. Vicko Sevelj’s pinpoint deep cross found Dalby unmarked, and the striker headed past the exposed Jack Butland to give the visitors a shock lead. It could have gone from bad to worse for Rangers when Dalby got into a promising shooting position, only for his low effort to be blocked by...

Celtic move three points clear at the top

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Hearts 1 - 4 Celtic Clinical Celtic opened up a three-point gap at the top of the Scottish Premiership with a commanding victory over Hearts at Tynecastle. Author - Sean M With Aberdeen suffering their first league defeat of the season earlier in the day, Brendan Rodgers' side seized the opportunity to establish clear daylight between themselves and the Dons for the first time this campaign. Celtic were sluggish in the first half, though, and were lucky to head into the break level. Blair Spittal and Lawrence Shankland both squandered excellent chances to put Hearts ahead. The second half, however, was a completely different story. Kyogo Furuhashi broke the deadlock with his seventh goal of the season, pouncing on a deflected clearance by Daniel Oyegoke after Craig Gordon's initial save. Minutes later, Nicholas Kühn doubled the lead with a superb counter-attacking goal, finishing clinically to put Celtic firmly in control. Celtic Football Club news and stories Adam Idah add...

Chelsea Women progress in Women's Champions League

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Chelsea Women 3 - 0 Celtic Women Chelsea secured their spot in the Champions League quarter-finals with two games to spare after a commanding 3-0 victory at Stamford Bridge on Wednesday night.  Goals from Lucy Bronze, Wieke Kaptein, and Ève Périsset sealed the win for last season’s semi-finalists, marking their 11th consecutive win. Author - Lauren W Chelsea have enjoyed a dream start to the campaign, boasting a flawless record across all competitions. They currently sit top of both the WSL and Champions League Group B. After the match, manager Sonia Bompastor expressed her delight at the team’s early qualification, which alleviates some of the pressure ahead of the winter break. Chelsea overcame an early scare in their 2-1 win at Celtic Park last week, but they ensured there were no repeats this time. From the outset, the WSL champions showed they had learned their lesson, starting with a bang at Stamford Bridge. Just 65 seconds in, Lucy Bronze unleashed an instinctive volley...

Scotland end winless run

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Scotland 1 - 0 Croatia Scotland finally broke their long winless streak in the Nations League with a hard-fought victory over 10-man Croatia, thanks to a late goal from substitute John McGinn. Author - Sean M McGinn capitalised on a loose ball after Dominik Kotarski parried Ben Doak's shot, slotting home his 19th international goal and sending Hampden Park into rapturous celebration. The win keeps Scotland's hopes alive of staying in Nations League A, with a potential relegation play-off secured if they manage another victory against Poland on Monday. A win in Warsaw could even open the door to the Nations League quarter-finals and a top-seed spot for the World Cup qualifying draw – provided Croatia lose at home to Portugal and there's a three-goal swing in Scotland's favour. However, those calculations can wait. The immediate focus was ending a dismal run of 10 competitive matches without a win, a form slump that had seen them victorious just once in their last 16 ...

Celtic fans rejoice after memorable Champions League night

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Celtic 3 - 1 RB Leipzig Nicolas Kuhn delivered an outstanding performance, inspiring Celtic to come from behind and secure a thrilling third consecutive Champions League home victory at the lively Celtic Park against Germany's RB Leipzig. Author - Sean M > After a dominant six-goal League Cup win over Aberdeen on Saturday and a tough draw away to Atalanta in the previous matchday, expectations were high for this game, despite Leipzig being the top seeds. Celtic very much delivered in what was probably their best performance in a European match for several years.  How the action unfolded - an unbiased reflection of a wonderful night for Celtic fans We burst onto the pitch with real intent, pressing high and applying pressure from the start. In the opening minute, Reo Hatate’s sharp pass to Daizen Maeda set the tone, and Arne Engels' shot—blocked by the Leipzig defence—signalled Celtic’s ambitions. RB Leipzig, struggling to match Celtic’s pace, nearly saw Kuhn break the dea...

Scotland: Celtic thrash Aberdeen and reach League Cup Final

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Celtic 6 - 0 Aberdeen Daizen Maeda delivered an outstanding performance at Hampden, scoring a hat-trick as Celtic stormed into the Scottish League Cup final with a commanding 6-0 victory, halting Aberdeen manager Jimmy Thelin's unbeaten season start in dramatic style. Author - Sean M The match began with pre-kick-off pyrotechnics filling the national stadium with smoke, causing a 13-minute delay. Once the view cleared, Brendan Rodgers' team dazzled with a display of sharp, attacking football. Celtic’s momentum started early when Cameron Carter-Vickers powered in a header from Arne Engels' corner. Just three minutes later, the brilliant Maeda sped past defenders to set up his fellow Japan international Kyogo Furuhashi, who confidently drove in Celtic's second goal. Rodgers' side, still undefeated after 13 domestic games this season, added a third before half-time. Nicolas Kuhn split the defence with a sublime pass, allowing Maeda to net his first goal of the eveni...

Scotland: Aberdeen keep up impressive form

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Aberdeen 2 - 1 Rangers Jimmy Thelin's unbeaten Aberdeen made their biggest statement yet, ramping up the pressure on Rangers manager Philippe Clement with a thrilling Scottish Premiership victory. Author - Mark Lee The pre-match show at Pittodrie set an electric tone, and the away side struggled to keep up in a sobering first half. Nicky Devlin, having a dream season, fired the intense hosts into an early lead, leaving Rangers overwhelmed. Aberdeen could easily have led by three at the break, as Graeme Shinnie hit the woodwork and Jamie McGrath saw his weak penalty saved by Jack Butland. Yet, it felt as though Aberdeen might rue those missed chances, especially when Rangers had a Ross McCausland goal ruled out for a marginal offside, before clawing their way back to level through Nedim Bajrami’s impressive solo effort. What's going on with Rangers? But Aberdeen, spurred on by a passionate home crowd, retook the lead when substitute Shayden Morris smashed home on the rebound...