Celtic gear up for Ibrox as O’Neill and McGregor set tone
Celtic’s Junior Adamu says he can ‘feel the tension’ before Ibrox, loves Glasgow’s ‘crazy’ atmosphere, jokes he left blue clothes in Freiburg, and recalls his Dundee back-heel that kept the Scottish Cup run alive.
Five Celtic flashpoints on 28 February: 1931 Aberdeen 4-0 win, 1959 Scottish Cup 2-1 vs Rangers, 2010 late Ibrox loss after Scott Brown red, plus 1914 Falkirk defeat and 1987 1-4 at Dundee.
Nicolas Raskin shrugs off Luke McCowan’s assertion that Celtic are untouchable, insisting Rangers will focus on themselves ahead of Sunday’s derby, which he calls a massive but ‘just three points’ game.
Willie Haughey launches the Celtic Season Ticket Alliance, pledging up to £10m in shares to boost fan voice and harmony, with a Celtic legend set to front the plan.
Martin O’Neill calls Danny Rohl’s remarks on Celtic team selection ‘absolutely extraordinary’, defends Stuttgart approach, and says Celtic are still fighting ahead of Sunday’s Ibrox derby.
Hotline callers predict Rangers will hammer Celtic and spend £50m, though others warn the title race remains tight with Celtic close behind and a game in hand. Debate also rages on simulation and appeals.
Callum McGregor urges a ‘siege mentality’, telling Celtic to ignore outside noise, embrace pressure and prove doubters wrong before the Ibrox title showdown and crucial run-in.
Ayr United sign 20-year-old Celtic midfielder Francis Turley on loan until end of 2025/2026, their fourth Celtic midfielder this season, after his first-team debut v St Mirren in 2024.
Martin O’Neill apologises for a ringing phone at presser. Joe Hart weighs in on Celtic’s keeper call, praising Viljami Sinisalo’s clean sheet and saying Kasper Schmeichel would be a great option for Ibrox.
Wayne Rooney recalls Ibrox as his most hostile venue, saying Rangers fans ‘battered’ him in 2010 due to his public Celtic support before he scored a late penalty for Man Utd.
Plymouth boss Tom Cleverley says linked duo Aribim Pepple and Lorent Tolaj are committed, but confirms Pepple has a release clause amid Celtic interest.
KMI panel backs Auston Trusty red card 3:0 and supports no penalty for Liam Scales 2:1 after Celtic’s 2-1 loss to Hibs, confirming VAR interventions were correct.
