Celtic to appeal Trusty red as McGregor calls for response
Kris Boyd claims the Ibrox Old Firm loser will be out of the title race, citing Celtic’s form and Rangers’ away ‘worry’, while Hearts hold the advantage before a pivotal weekend.
Odsonne Edouard hails Lens fans as ‘incredible’, likening their energy to Celtic Park as Lens chase the Ligue 1 title. He recalls the influence of Celtic supporters from his 57-league-goal spell at Parkhead.
From 1894 to 2019: highlights include a 3-2 win over Rangers, War Emergency Cup goals, a 2-1 cup win at Hearts, a 3-0 at Dunfermline, and a 4-1 vs Motherwell with Odsonne Edouard brace under Brendan Rodgers.
Hotline callers debate Celtic’s form, Auston Trusty’s red and VAR, with some fans rejecting Martin O’Neill as a ‘messiah’ and others criticising defending after the 2-1 loss to Hibs ahead of Ibrox.
John Beaton will referee Rangers vs Celtic at Ibrox, with Steven McLean on VAR and Kevin Clancy assisting. Appointment follows Celtic VAR controversies involving Auston Trusty and a denied Liam Scales penalty.
Report claims Roberto Martinez and Motherwell’s Jens Berthel Askou are Celtic’s leading managerial targets for summer talks, with Shaun Maloney’s link to Martinez seen as a potential advantage.
Callum McGregor says fan unrest is affecting Celtic and urges team-mates to ‘give everyone something to get off their chairs about’. He targets cleaner defending and wins before Rangers, Aberdeen and cup ties.
Celtic will appeal Auston Trusty’s red card from the 2-1 loss to Hibs. If upheld he faces a 3-game Premiership ban, missing Rangers, Aberdeen and Motherwell, but he is eligible for the 8 March Scottish Cup tie.
Celtic will receive 37% of gate receipts from the Ibrox Scottish Cup quarter-final, nearly £1m, as prices are set at £53 adults and £43 juveniles. The tie is billed the most lucrative in the competition’s history.
Stiliyan Petrov says a league win would be the ‘sweetest’ after inconsistency, off-field issues and a 2-1 Hibs setback, but stresses Celtic remain close and the race with Rangers and Hearts is wide open.
Southampton have a bid accepted for Queen’s Park 16-year-old Harris Afzal, an attacking left-back tracked by Celtic and Rangers. Saints aim to finalise terms and add him to their academy after a successful trial.
Stuttgart host Celtic after a 4-1 win in Glasgow, holding a firm last-16 advantage. The preview flags the Bundesliga side’s attacking momentum ahead of the MHPArena second leg.
Celtic are linked as frontrunners for Plymouth pair Lorent Tolaj and Bim Pepple after 29 League One goals between them. Reports suggest summer bargains, with rival interest from England, Turkey and MLS.
Hibs loanee Kai Andrews scores a composed late winner at Celtic Park, likened to a Frank Lampard finish, ending a long Hibs hoodoo and sealing a 2-1 defeat for the champions.
Celtic lose 2-1 to Hibs at Parkhead. Nygren cancels Passlack’s header, then Trusty is sent off before Andrews nets late winner. VAR controversy over a Scales incident. Title hopes remain but form must improve.
