Celtic

Celtic have propelled themselves into being Scottish Premiership title favourites by coming through a gruelling schedule with a variety of performances, says former midfielder Scott Allan.

Following back-to-back home defeats against Stuttgart and Hibernian, the Parkhead side's season was on the brink of unravelling.

However, four victories in their following five matches - the most recent of which came against Motherwell on Saturday - have moved them to within two points of league leaders Hearts and progressed them into the Scottish Cup semi-finals.

Ex-Celtic player Allan, who has previously been critical of the manner of his old club's displays under Martin O'Neill, hailed the team's ability to come through a challenging spell unscathed.

"This week you would say Celtic do look favourites at this moment in time," Allan said on the BBC's Scottish Football Podcast.

"I think you look at the four games they came through: away in Stuttgart, Aberdeen away and the two trips to Ibrox.

"Completely different performances in all their games, different aspects of what you'd expect from a Celtic team, but they came through it nonetheless.

"Then they cap it off with a win over Motherwell. With Hearts getting beaten, I do feel the momentum is on Celtic's side - and then you look at the two trips to Dundee and Dundee United, hard games in their own right.

"That's why it's so hard to predict [the title race], but you can't take away from Martin O'Neill and the players in the changing room because they are missing key players - there's no getting away from that."

Jonathan Sutherland
Sportscene presenter

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Jerome Prior - Livingston

Five saves at Easter Road are unlikely to save Livingston's season, but they brought a clean sheet and a point nonetheless.

Warren O'Hora - Hibernian

Another solid showing from the centre-back and a clean sheet.

Kieran Tierney - Celtic

His character and class continues to help keep Celtic fighting for a league and cup double.

Michael Schjonning-Larsen - Kilmarnock

A huge goal against Hearts from the Estonian international to earn his Kilmarnock side a massive three points in their fight against relegation, and throw a massive spanner in the works of the Hearts title tilt.

Luca Stephenson - Dundee United

A brilliant, brave back-post header looked like it would give Dundee United all three points in the derby, but it wasn't to be.

Alex Gogic - St Mirren

If any player ever deserved the classic football hard man head bandage it's Alex Gogic. But the Cyprus international goes the extra mile.

With blood erupting from his head after a clash with a team-mate, there was no bandage required. Instead it took staples to stem the flow, topped off by a massive dollop of Vaseline. What a warrior.

He must be the most old-school player in the Premiership, and we love him for it. Great defensively against Rangers.

Nico Raskin - Rangers

Full of energy in the hurly-burly of midfield in poor conditions in Paisley. He delivered the assist for the vital goal.

Tuur Rommens - Rangers

Got high up the field to decisive effect as he sealed a big three points for Rangers.

Yang Hyun-Jun - Celtic

Two goals in a huge game to sink Motherwell. That is now six goals since Christmas for the South Korean international.

Barney Stewart - Falkirk

The young striker is brimming with belief after graduating to Premiership football. 16 goals now in all competitions for the 21-year-old - albeit half of them while on loan at Championship Dunfermline. Four goals in his last 3 games, huge potential.

Findlay Curtis - Kilmarnock

Has brought a bit of X-factor to the Kilmarnock attack. Looks like a player who can ignite things for the Rugby Park side as they fight to get out of the play-off spot.

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Andy Robertson is a summer transfer target for Celtic and could be lured to Scotland with the right offer this summer (Football Insider), external.

Ferencvaros' sporting directior says no club has yet shown an interest in manager Robbie Keane despite links with Celtic (Scottish Sun), external.

Celtic's chances of keeping right-back Julian Araujo beyond his loan from Bournemouth have been given a boost (Daily Record), external.

Liverpool have won the race to sign highly-rated Celtic youngster Dara Jikiemi (TEAMtalk), external.

Celtic winger Hyun-jun Yang says he is finding life at the club easier in his third season (Daily Record), external.

Watch highlights from Celtic's 3-1 Scottish Premiership victory over Motherwell on Saturday.

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We asked you Celtic fans for your views on the 3-1 win over Motherwell. Here's a taste of what you had to say...

Patrick: I cannot remember a more bizarre season for us Celts. The will to win under Martin O'Neill is formidable and just might win us the title. What a manager.

Walter: A great win and not a last minute scramble, for once. I'm so worried about some of these names getting bandied about to replace O'Neill. I really feel he should be offered a new contract, winning is winning and it's rare that a new manager stays for more than a couple of years anyway. At least Martin won't get tempted to go and manage some EPL side fighting relegation.

Artie: Ben Arthur and Auston Trusty should form Celtic's central defence for the remaining eight games. If not, the defensive weakness which has plagued this season will recur. Celtic are the Premiership's top scorers with 56 goals. There's no room for passengers in defence or midfield. Go back to basics - score goals and win the league.

Mark: When it gets to this point in the season, it's all about winning games. If O'Neill can win this title after the Wilfried Nancy fiasco it will be a miracle. Fair play to Motherwell, they are a great footballing side and a breath of fresh air in the Premiership.

Jack: That two goal lead is the first time Celtic fans have felt somewhat comfortable for what feel like months. Our season has been hanging in the balance for a long time now, but the outcome remains the same - we're still in it.

If we can produce a big win and, more importantly, performance pre-split I think O'Neill might just be erecting his own statue in the east end of Glasgow.

Andy: Great result but had to work for it. Eight more great results needed. It was especially pleasing to see Reo Hatate and Daizen Maeda have a good game. They could be hitting form at just the right time. Hearts losing is a bonus but we must capitalise on it when we meet them.

Celtic defender Dara Jikiemi has opted to join Liverpool when he turns 17 in January, having rejected a three-year contract with the Scottish champions. (TeamTalk), external

Hearts do not plan on selling Claudio Braga to a direct rival after a report suggested Celtic are interested in the 26-year-old forward who joined the Edinburgh club last summer. (Football Insider), external

Haiti head coach Sebastian Migne admits he is struggling to convince Lens striker Odsonne Edouard to switch his allegiances and play for the Caribbean nation in their World Cup opener against Scotland as the 28-year-old former Celtic player still dreams of a first senior cap for France. (Daily Record), external

Read Sunday's Scottish Gossip in full.

Celtic came from behind to snatch a thrilling Scottish Premiership victory over 10-man Motherwell to keep the pressure on league leaders Hearts.

Read the full match report here.

Let us know your thoughts here.

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Celtic manager Martin O'Neill tells BBC Scotland: "It's a big win, and to come from behind and play in the matter that we did. Naturally, I'm delighted with the performance.

"Where it comes in the scheme of things, I genuinely don't know. But today, to play against Motherwell, who are a fine, fine footballing team, and fight back with all the things that were mounting up for us, like injuries, the team have found spirit.

"But spirit alone won't do it for you and they played brilliantly. That's a delight.

"I think for a neutral, not that I am one, I think it was a great game of football.

"We've had that hectic schedule, which was big, and we've come through that. When I was looking at it, when the Aberdeen game was rescheduled in there, I thought we would do well to get through it but they've done that with flying colours.

"From Sunday we've had a free midweek which gave the players a wee bit of a rest but I thought they through tiredness aside, thought 'We've got to get through this game' and they've pulled it off today."

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Celtic goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel has withdrawn from the Denmark squad for their upcoming World Cup play-off against North Macedonia.

The 39-year-old hasn't featured for Celtic since their 2-1 defeat to Hibernian on 22 February due to illness but has also been struggling with a shoulder injury he picked up on international duty last year.

Celtic welcome Motherwell in the Scottish Premiership this afternoon and manager Martin O'Neill confirmed in his press conference on Friday that Schmeichel had returned to training but wasn't sure if he'd be fit enough for the squad.

Now the goalkeeper has told Danish media he's had to pull out of international duty.

"I called Brian [Riemer] and said that I cannot play the upcoming World Cup matches here in March," he told Sport TV2, external.

"It really breaks my heart, because throughout my career I've done everything I can to play for the Danish national team. It's simply the biggest thing for me.

"I'm right behind the lads all the way, and I know they'll give their all to qualify for the World Cup.

"A year ago, I dislocated my shoulder against Portugal, but stayed on the field and played on because we did not have any more substitutions. It left me with some lingering effects that I've been able to live with – and to play through.

"However, the last few months have taken a turn for the worse with my shoulder, and it has really caused me problems. Then, we played the Europa League against Stuttgart a few weeks ago, I landed on my shoulder for their first goal and damaged it again."

Schmeichel confirmed that he'll now take a four to six week break from playing in order to focus on healing his shoulder.

Domestically, that could see him miss the majority of what's left of Celtic's Scottish Premiership season.

"I've done everything I could to get fit ever since," he added.

"I've had various treatments, injections, and nerve blocks, and unfortunately, that hasn't made things any better. On the contrary, a nerve was damaged during an injection, and that made me ill as well.

"Now I have to protect my body. The specialists have told me that the only thing that will help my shoulder is a four to six week break. There are matches coming up after this, and there's a new season ahead, and I have to think about that too.

"I can't go on like this. I have to admit that my shoulder isn't right. I won't be able to perform at my best and am forced to withdraw. I hope with all my heart that the lads will now take us to the World Cup."

Out-of-work Ange Postecoglou has teased a change of stance on returning to former clubs - after the Greek-Australian manager previously shut down links to Celtic. (Daily Record), external

Veteran Celtic goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel has told Denmark head coach Brian Riemer that he is not fit enough to play in their World Cup play-off against North Macedonia later this month and revealed that he has been struggling with a shoulder joint injury for several months. (The Scotsman), external

Denmark head coach Brian Riemer has confirmed holding discussions with Kasper Schmeichel and Celtic about the 39-year-old's recent troubles that have led to Viljami Sinisalo assuming the role of the Scottish champions' number one goalkeeper. (Sport TV2), external

Canada head coach Jesse Marsch will invite injured Celtic and Rangers defenders Alistair Johnston and Derek Cornelius to join the national squad for their upcoming friendlies to exert influence off the field. (Glasgow Times), external

Read Saturday's Scottish Gossip in full.

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Celtic left-back Kieran Tierney returns, but Callum McGregor remains out with a calf strain and Kasper Schmeichel's availability remains unclear after a shoulder issue.

Auston Trusty completes a three-match league suspension, while Arne Engels (leg), Cameron Carter-Vickers (Achilles), Jota (knee), Alistair Johnston and Callum Osmand (both hamstring) are still out.

Motherwell are without on-loan Celtic defender Stephen Welsh and Regan Charles-Cook drops out with an injury, but Lukas Fadinger has shaken off a facial injury.

Johnny Koutroumbis (calf), Callum Hendry (groin) and Zach Robinson (Achilles) remain out.

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Martin O'Neill fears for Celtic's title chances if his side have any more slip-ups.

Celtic, who trail leaders Hearts by five points with just nine games remaining, have already lost seven Premiership matches in a chaotic season and head into Saturday's visit of Motherwell with one win in three league outings.

While O'Neill is pleased with the way Celtic have come through a tricky run of three away games - including two trips to Ibrox - in a week, he feels his side can't afford many more dropped points.

"It's crucial in every aspect [to win on Saturday] because you're running out of games," he said.

"I don't think we could drop too many points and still think we could win the league with the games running down."

Jens Berthel Askou's side could move within two points of Celtic with a win on Saturday in what has been an impressive season for the Fir Park club.

Motherwell boast the best defensive record in the top flight and hadn't lost a league game in 2026 until last weekend's 2-1 defeat at Dundee.

O'Neill expects a "really tough game" and added: "They've had a fantastic time. A bit of a setback last week at Dundee but they really have been the proverbial breath of fresh air for the league.

"They play matches without any real fear. They've been terrific, Hearts have been great this season, Falkirk have been terrific as well. It'll be a real difficult game for us."

Charlotte Cohen
BBC Sport Scotland

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Celtic manager Martin O'Neill has been speaking to the media as his side prepare to host Motherwell on Saturday.

Here are the main points:

• O'Neill confirms Callum McGregor will be absent for Saturday's game but Kieran Tierney is "in better shape and he'll be there".

• Captain McGregor is suffering from a calf strain but O'Neill admits "he's done well in recovery and we're hopeful for him to be back next week" and stresses it's nothing to do with his previous injury which was an Achilles issue.

• Goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel is "much better" and trained today but O'Neill says he'll "have a look and see" if the Denmark international will make the matchday squad.

• The Celtic boss insists it's "crucial" Celtic win on Saturday "because you're running out of games".

• He admits: "I don't think we could drop too many points and still think we could win the league with the games running down."

• On the fan disorder following last weekend's cup win at Ibrox, O'Neill "thought there was a lot of emotion and joy" from the Celtic supporters who entered the pitch.

• He worries the potential for a return to regular full away allocations in the derby "will disappear" as "everybody will think it's maybe not worthwhile because of what happened on Sunday".

• While away allocations are smaller for league games, O'Neill says Rangers will be "entitled" to have visiting fans at Parkhead next time, adding: "I don't think anybody's arguing about that."

• On Celtic's performance at the weekend, O'Neill "thought the efforts were big from us" and adds: "It was a brilliant defensive action and I'm pleased we won the game."

• The 74-year-old doesn't think "the atmosphere needed lifting" within Celtic and says: "If anything the result at Aberdeen gave us the lift to go to Ibrox and get a result."

• O'Neill says "it would be great" if the Green Brigade could be back in for Saturday's game, stressing "the sooner it could get sorted, it would be fantastic".

• On the challenge of Motherwell, O'Neill is expecting "a really tough game" against a team who "have been the proverbial breath of fresh air for the league".

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Andy Halliday is predicting a "cracker" of a game when Motherwell visit Parkhead on Saturday and says Celtic's defensive display against Rangers last weekend was an "anomaly".

Celtic managed just one shot throughout the 120 minutes at Ibrox but still progressed to the Scottish Cup semi-final with a penalty shootout victory.

But Motherwell midfielder Halliday is braced for a much more attacking performance when the Steelmen head to the home of the reigning champions.

Speaking on the BBC's Scottish Football Podcast, he said: "I think last week was an anomaly. I've not really seen Celtic play that style, domestically, for as long as I can remember.

"You've got to give them credit for it because it resulted in them getting the job done, winning the penalty shootout and getting through to the next round.

"I'd imagine the injuries played their part. Callum McGregor is such a huge part of what Celtic do on the ball.

"There's still huge question marks, regardless of injuries, about what Martin O'Neill's best team could possibly be.

"I can't see that being the case at Celtic Park. I think they'll have a gameplan to try to dominate the way they can and impose their style of play on Motherwell.

"That being said, Motherwell will have the exact same approach so I think it's going to be a cracker for everyone to watch."

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Celtic have set their sights on Ferencvaros boss Robbie Keane as the club searches for a new manager (The Guardian, external)

Celtic will face competition from Cruz Azul if they bid to keep on-loan Bournemouth defender Julian Araujo beyond the end of the season (Scottish Sun, external)

Celtic goalkeeper Viljami Sinisalo is likely to be on the bench for Finland's friendlies in New Zealand this month. (Glasgow Times, external)

Hearts striker Claudio Braga is a signing target for Celtic (Glasgow World, external)

Friday's Scottish gossip

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"Perfectionist" Viljami Sinisalo isn't satisfied despite an impressive run in the Celtic starting line-up.

The Finland goalkeeper, afforded an opportunity by an illness to Kasper Schmeichel, has impressed in helping Martin O'Neill's side emerge unbeaten from a treacherous four-game away run in three competitions.

Sinisalo came in for the 1-0 victory in Stuttgart as Celtic won on German soil for the first time, followed by victory over Aberdeen, a league draw at Ibrox and Scottish Cup shootout win over Rangers.

But the 24-year-old feels he has more to give.

"I'm trying to be as good as I can for him [O'Neill] to help the team win and I'm obviously trying to learn every time I play," he told CelticTV, external.

"I'm probably my own biggest critic in terms of I'm a perfectionist - I want to be perfect, and I want to do things better and better.

"It's just about listening to the staff, the manager, [Stevie] Woods and everyone else, and taking on board what I can do better in whatever way to help the team be successful."

Celtic head into Saturday's game against Motherwell five points above Jens Berthel Askou's side and five points behind league leaders Hearts.

Hearts travel to Kilmarnock on Saturday night while third-placed Rangers, who sit a point behind Celtic, are away to St Mirren on Sunday.

"A lot of people might write us off," Sinisalo added.

"But Celtic's not going to go anywhere, we're going to fight until the very last game.

"And that's what we've done, we've come away from those four really difficult away days, all within their own right difficult in different ways, and taken some positive results out of them, so I'm happy."