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Showing posts matching the search for Matt O’Riley

Scotland: Celtic eventually ease to win over Dundee

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 Dundee 0 - 3 Celtic Paulo Bernardo and Mikey Johnston emerged as the unexpected goal heroes for Celtic in their match against Dundee.  However, there is now a concern about Cameron Carter‑Vickers' injury ahead of the upcoming clash with Rangers at Parkhead on Saturday. Bernardo slotted in the opening goal in the 52nd minute at Dens Park, marking his inaugural goal for Celtic. Johnston, coming on as a substitute, netted his first two goals for the Hoops since December 2019, securing a 3-0 victory. Despite leading by five points, the champions face a challenge from Rangers, who have two games in hand, including their midweek match against Ross County at Ibrox on Wednesday. Manager Rodgers stuck with the same starting lineup from the 2-0 win against Livingston. Dundee, on the other hand, had Cammy Kerr in for the absent Ricki Lamie, and Zak Rudden returned as one of the two strikers. Celtic took control early on without breaking down Dundee's defence. Kyogo Furuhashi's

Scotland: Celtic ease to win against Hearts

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 Celtic 3 - 0 Hearts Celtic moved a little bit closer to the title after easing past Hearts in Glasgow.  They face Rangers next weekend in a match that could decide the title. If Celtic avoid defeat, they will almost certainly end up as champions.  Kyogo Furuhashi scored the opening goal for Celtic in a fast-paced match at Celtic Park. He nodded the ball in from a cross by his fellow countryman Reo Hatate.  The Hearts team responded quickly, but Celtic extended their lead when Matt O'Riley's impressive long-range pass found Kyogo, who scored with a first-time shot and got his second of the match.  Kyogo then  had chances to score more goals in the first half, but Zander Clark, the Hearts goalkeeper, made some excellent saves. He also made a fantastic double save in the second half to deny Hatate and O'Riley. Celtic were awarded a late penalty after an on-field review showed that Lawrence Shankland had handled the ball in the box. O'Riley stepped up to take the penal

Scotland: Celtic almost clinch another title

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 Celtic 2 - 1 Rangers Celtic practically secured their third consecutive Scottish Premiership title with a win against a 10-player Rangers team in an intense Glasgow Derby. In a match pulsating with energy, Brendan Rodgers' side , sitting three points ahead with just three games to go, knew that securing a victory would almost clinch glory.  Right from the start, the Hoops asserted their dominance over their Glasgow rivals. It was Matt O'Riley who finally broke the deadlock in the 35th minute, capitalising on numerous earlier opportunities. Immediately after the break, John Lundstram inadvertently turned the ball into his own net and was subsequently shown a red card for a reckless challenge, leaving Rangers depleted.  Just before that, Cyriel Dessers managed to pull one back for the visitors. Game on? Celtic earned a penalty when Mohamed Diomande fouled Alistair Johnston in the box. O'Riley stepped up, but his effort was saved by Jack Butland. Although Rodgers' te

Scotland, Celtic and Rangers prepare for Glasgow Derby with comfortable victories

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St Mirren 0 - 3 Celtic Celtic secured a convincing 3-0 victory over St Mirren in the Scottish Premiership, maintaining their perfect start to the season with three wins from three games.  The champions were in control from the outset, with Callum McGregor scoring within the first three minutes. Reo Hatate added a second goal before halftime, and Alistair Johnston completed the scoring in the second half, following a strong performance from Nicolas Kuhn. Despite the ongoing transfer saga involving Matt O'Riley, who is close to joining Brighton, Celtic's midfield performed exceptionally well. Paulo Bernardo stepped in for O'Riley, but it was the established players, McGregor and Hatate, who led the charge. Hatate was particularly impressive, creating five chances and showcasing his ability to fill the void left by O'Riley. St Mirren struggled to break through Celtic's relentless pressing and managed only one shot in the first half. Although they showed some impr

Scotland: Celtic dominant against Aberdeen

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Celtic 4 - 0 Aberdeen An inspiring performance from Reo Hatate helped Celtic earn a dominant win over Aberdeen. Celtic TV Unique Angle | Celtic 4-0 Aberdeen | Celts dominate Dons in Paradise! - YouTube Callum McGregor opened the scoring inside two minutes before Hatate doubled the lead 11 minutes later in a scintillating first 45 minutes from Celtic. The Japanese midfielder would then add a third goal thanks to some sublime individual play with 14 minutes remaining before Liel Abada crashed home a fourth with a minute to play, rounding off a fine afternoon's work for Ange Postecoglou's side. A great start for Celtic Things couldn’t have got off to a better start for Celtic as inside the first two minutes, Callum McGregor gave the Hoops the lead. It was Greg Taylor’s initial cross which was headed clear by Aberdeen, but it only went as far as the skipper lurking on the edge of the box who smashed a low drive into the bottom left corner, despite the efforts of Jay Gorter in g

Scotland: Celtic close to another title

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 Kilmarnock 1 - 4 Celtic Celtic are now only seven points away from retaining the Scottish Premiership after a ruthless first-half performance saw them easily win against Kilmarnock. The away raced into a stunning four-goal lead inside 27 minutes against hapless the hapless home side. Some calamitous defending compounded the home side's woe, gifting the league leaders an excess of chances, which were gobbled up by Kyogo Furuhashi, Daizen Maeda and Matt O'Riley during a rampant first period. Fraser Murray's back pass was pounced on by Kyogo to open the scoring. Maeda troubled the visitors' advantage with a well-timed header five minutes later. With Kilmarnock in disarray, the killer blow was dealt when O'Riley profited from Joe Wright's mistake, tucking a neat strike inside the post, before being found by a pinpoint Greg Taylor pass and rifling into the far corner. Kyogo also missed a great chance to add to his mounting goal tally when hitting the post from t

Scotland: Champions Celtic win on final day

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 Celtic 3-2 St Mirren The last game of the season at Celtic Park ended with three points for the champions. Matt O'Riley, Kyogo Furuhashi and Luis Palma all for the hosts. Mark O'Hara had put St Mirren ahead twice as they threatened to try and spoil the party.  Towards the end of the match, Celtic keeper Joe Hart was substituted and the Celtic goalkeeper looked emotional as he made his way from the field in what is believed to be his final league appearance as a professional footballer. During the trophy celebrations, Hart addressed the supporters. He said: "You guys are absolutely phenomenal. You've made me feel so special. Thank you so much for having me." Celtic make changes, but players impress in an entertaining match. Rodgers made six changes to his starting line-up, and  it's  unlikely that next  Saturday's  Scottish Cup final team against Rangers will look the same. The manager has  mostly depended  on predecessor Ange  Postecoglou's  squad

News in brief after a busy weekend

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Let's have a look at some of the key stories from across the continent Scotland - Celtic beat Heart of Midlothian to almost clinch title Celtic roared back to all but secure the Scottish Premiership title with a rousing victory at home to Hearts. Ellis Simms' emphatic finish stunned the home crowd early on, but the league leaders responded in relentless fashion as two goals in seven first-half minutes from Japanese duo Daizen Maeda and Kyogo Furuhashi turned the game. then Matt O'Riley and Giorgos Giakoumakis sealed the win. Read the full report on the BBC  or watch the highlights below France - Nantes win French Cup Nantes lifted the French Cup for the first time in 22 years after a win over Nice. Ludovic Blas was the hero as he  scored the only goal from the penalty spot two minutes into the second half . Nice came close to equalising when Andy Delort's effort was cleared off the line by Andrei Girotto late on. It is the fourth time they have won the competition. Th

Scotland: Celtic start title defence in style

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Celtic 4 - 0 Kilmarnock Celtic kicked off their Premiership title defence with a comfortable 4-0 victory at home against Kilmarnock. Reo Hatate opened the scoring after 17 minutes, coolly finishing from the edge of the box. Celtic doubled their advantage five minutes before half-time when Liam Scales headed a Matt O’Riley corner into the far post. Nicolas-Gerrit Kühn made it three on the hour mark with a deflected strike that looped over Kilmarnock’s goalkeeper, Robby McCrorie. Anthony Ralston sealed the win in stoppage time, netting his first goal for Celtic since 2021. Click here for more Celtic news and stories A closer look at the match Before the match, they were greeted to an impressive fan display when they took to the Parkhead turf. This created an amazing atmosphere and the Celtic players responded.  Reo Hatate put the champions ahead in the 17th minute, firing into the bottom corner from just inside the box. Earlier, Celtic’s Kyogo Furuhashi was denied by a brillia

Manchester City lose again

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Brighton & Hove Albion 2 - 1 Manchester City Pep Guardiola endured a fourth consecutive defeat for the first time in his Manchester City tenure, as Brighton staged a comeback to overcome the Premier League champions. It marks City’s first run of four successive losses since 2006. Author - Macca City looked set to break their losing streak when Erling Haaland found the net in the 23rd minute at the Amex Stadium, finishing on his second attempt from Mateo Kovacic's pass in a promising start. Brighton, however, kept their composure and gained control after the interval. Poor finishing prevented them from equalising earlier, but substitute Joao Pedro eventually struck amidst a goalmouth scramble 12 minutes from time. City, showing signs of vulnerability, were soon under immense pressure. Brighton claimed a deserved lead when Matt O'Riley , recently returned from injury since joining from Celtic, sliced through City’s exposed defence and slotted past Ederson just five minut

Scotland: Celtic champions again

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Kilmarnock 0 - 5 Celtic  Celtic thrashed Kilmarnock to secure the Premiership title for a third successive season. This video from Footy Adventures sums up the night had by most Celtic fans across Scotland and beyond. Adam Idah opened the scoring early on; additional goals from James Forrest and Daizen Maeda along with a Matt O'Riley double wrapped up the win. This is Brendan Rodgers' third title as Hoops boss and first returning to the club. The boys in Green will lift the Premiership trophy after their final game of the Premiership season against St Mirren on Saturday, while Kilmarnock will end the season in fourth with European football secured. Rodgers side comfortably avoid last day drama There will be no helicopter, no dramatic and grand finale. Celtic have been in some titanic last day title battles with their Glasgow and have avoided another in 2024. Instead was the familiar sight of Brendan Rodgers with arms aloft, hands waving, face smiling. Another title. Champio

Scotland: Celtic progress to Scottish Cup Final

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Celtic 3 - 3 Aberdeen Celtic won 6-5 on penalties Celtic clinched victory on penalties in a thrilling match at Hampden Park, securing their spot in the Scottish Cup final and leaving Aberdeen fans devastated. The game was a nail-biting affair, with both teams showcasing their skill in a tense shootout. Joe Hart, Celtic's goalkeeper, had the opportunity to seal the win with his team's fifth penalty, but his shot hit the post, keeping the game on a knife-edge. Yet, Hart redeemed himself by saving Killian Phillips' penalty, securing Celtic's victory. Now, Celtic awaits the outcome of the match between Hearts and Rangers next month, as they aim to claim the prestigious Scottish Cup for a record-breaking 42nd time. The match itself was nothing short of extraordinary, with Aberdeen delivering two late equalisers to keep the contest alive. Angus MacDonald's header in the 119th minute seemed to complete a remarkable comeback after his earlier mistake had led to Celtic&