Celtic

Celtic are willing to consider a big offer for Sweden midfielder Benjamin Nygren, 24, in the summer amid increasing interest from Premier League clubs. (Football Insider), external

Queen's Park have accepted an offer for Harris Afzal from Southampton despite interest from Celtic and Rangers (Daily Record)., external

Former Rangers captain Barry Ferguson believes Celtic are there for the taking in Sunday's Old Firm derby - but admits he is nervous about the game (Daily Record), external.

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Chris Sutton has dismissed his former club Celtic's Premiership title chances and believes Hearts will last the course at the top.

The Tynecastle outfit are four points clear of Rangers in second and six clear of Celtic, who have a game in hand.

Motherwell - who have also played a game fewer than the top two - are 10 points behind Hearts.

Derek McInnes' outfit bounced back from defeat at Ibrox to beat Falkirk on Saturday, before Celtic and Rangers both failed to win on Sunday.

"It is absolutely brilliant," Sutton said on The Monday Night Club when asked about the Premiership title race.

"When Hearts lost to Rangers, everyone said Rangers will win it now - they have got the momentum and Hearts will fall away. My thoughts are that the top four are in it.

"I didn't expect Rangers to drop points at Livingston. They all have their frailties. I don't think Celtic can win it, I think they will finish third.

"There's nothing to suggest this Celtic team are going to flick a switch and win 10 games in a row. That's not going to happen."

Meanwhile, The Observer's football correspondent Rory Smith believes Hearts will win the Premiership within the next five years, even if they fall short this time.

He says Celtic have to nail their next managerial appointment and improve in the transfer market if they are to reassert their dominance.

The Parkhead club have turned to Martin O'Neill on an interim basis twice this season after Brendan Rodgers' acrimonious resignation and Wilfried Nancy's ill-fated tenure.

"I think if you're Hearts, you assume this is the beginning," he said. "You'd trust Jamestown to go find another half dozen players.

"Celtic have to get the managerial appointment right and start recruiting well or I think Hearts - even if they don't win it this season - will win it in the next five."

Tino
Fan writer

Where does the blame lie for Celtic's recent decline in performances - and now results?

Is it interim manager Martin O'Neill and his team selections? The coaches? The players?

The reality is you can point the finger in all three directions - but not evenly.

If anything, O'Neill carries the least blame.

He walked into a mess. Picking up the fallout from Brendan Rodgers' exit and then trying to salvage the wreckage of the Wilfried Nancy period.

In doing so he inherited a squad already showing notable cracks.

Against that backdrop, Sunday's defeat to Hibs - his first domestic loss since returning - is all the more surprising for how long it's taken to happen.

And yes, O'Neill has made mistakes. The introduction of the underperforming duo of Reo Hatate and Daizen Maeda on the hour mark against Hibs drew criticism, as did persisting with Kasper Schmeichel in goals. But what are his alternatives?

If there was a better goalkeeper available, Schmeichel wouldn't be playing. If there were stronger outfield options, then perhaps Hatate and Maeda wouldn't be involved at all.

And that points to the bigger issue. The overall quality of this squad simply isn't where it needs to be.

There are good individuals, capable of moments of brilliance, but as a group of players they seem disjointed and below the level required.

The coaching side is harder to judge from the outside looking in.

Unless you're up close and personal at Lennoxtown, or next to these guys in the dugout it comes down to speculation.

When Celtic are winning Mark Fotheringham and Shaun Maloney are heroes, and when we're not - the opposite applies.

Which brings us to the players.

No player goes out intending to underperform. Every player hopes to have the best game possible on any given occasion. But if the ability just isn't there then that's a recruitment problem, not a player problem.

O'Neill will pick what he believes is Celtic's strongest XI, but too many in this squad can't deliver consistently, whether across 90 minutes or a run of games.

Which brings us to where the real accountability lies. The boardroom.

Recruitment is the responsibility of those who control the purse strings. And Celtic have regressed badly in that department.

Look at the drop-off from just a few years ago. Matt O'Riley, Nicolas Kuhn and Kyogo are gone. Even Liel Abada, Tom Rogic and Aaron Mooy now feel like luxury options compared to what's in place.

In their place are players who fall firmly into the 'project' category. Players like Joel Mvuka, Michel-Ange Balikwisha, Johnny Kenny and Shin Yamada.

It's harsh on these individuals, but the downgrade in ready-made quality is clear to see.

That's not the fault of Martin O'Neill, its not the responsibility of Mark Fotheringham, and its way above the pay grade of Callum McGregor. It sits firmly with the board.

Any manager will struggle if the squad simply isn't good enough.

And that's exactly where Celtic are heading - if we're not there already.

Tino can be found at The Celtic Exchange, external

Sweden head coach Graham Potter is set to be considered as a potential option for Celtic's next permanent appointment, but the 50-year-old Englishman is an outsider for the role and his current short-term deal could be extended if they win their World Cup play-off semi-final against Ukraine and final with Albania or Poland in March. (Football Insider), external

Feyenoord are the only club frequently monitoring Chivas striker Armando Gonzalez despite reported interest from Celtic, Barcelona and West Ham United in the 22-year-old who rejected a £15m transfer to CSKA Moscow to concentrate on winning a place in Mexico's World Cup squad. (TUDN), external

Read Tuesday's Scottish Gossip in full.

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Captain Callum McGregor says Celtic "can't keep chasing the game to 95 minutes" after the defending champions lost at home to Hibernian on Sunday.

Celtic had relied on late goals in recent league wins over Livingston and Kilmarnock but were the ones conceding in the latter stages as Hibs triumphed 2-1 in Glasgow.

"It's small details that are making the games more and more difficult for us," he said.

"Obviously, the last few weeks we have been getting away with it but you can't keep doing that, you can't keep chasing the game to 95 minutes. So, we have to find a way to make the game easier for ourselves."

Celtic are two points below Rangers and six off leaders Hearts but have a game in hand over both of the top two teams. Martin O'Neill's side also retain an interest in the Scottish Cup. Over the next two Sundays, Celtic will face Rangers at Ibrox in the league and cup.

"We have to try and salvage what is there, harness it, get the most out of it and get the most out of each other," added McGregor. "And the players are, they're working ever so hard.

"I said to them before the game, we have to give everyone something to get off their chairs about. Performances and wins will bring harmony back and that's the job of the players.

"We have to give them something to get behind. That's all they want, they want a football team that's fighting and running and trying to win games. And that's when this stadium and this club is at their best. So we have to try and give them that."

Kheredine Idessane
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

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Former Celtic and Aston Villa midfielder Stiliyan Petrov believes his former boss Martin O'Neill "is doing miracles" by keeping the Scottish champions in a title race that the ex-Parkhead star believes they are still favourites to win.

Celtic are third in the Premiership, six points behind leaders Hearts and two behind rivals Rangers, with a game in hand on both.

Petrov was an integral part of O'Neill's side that reached the Uefa Cup final in 2003 and feels that if anyone can get Celtic over the line to defend their crown, it's the 73-year-old Northern Irishman, twice summoned back to the club on an interim basis this season.

"He is doing miracles," Petrov said. "I think the club has been going through a really difficult time in the last couple of months.

"The fans, the board, the changing of managers; it's been really challenging I think for the players as well. So all of a sudden he's walking into the club for the second time, he tried to get things right.

"I'm not sure about the new signings. The recruitment hasn't been right for him. So I think he's finding it really challenging.

"I look at his interviews - he's at that age where he needs calmness and relaxation rather than nerves and stress but it seems like he's taken it on and he wants to do the right thing. The right thing is to win the league."

Regardless of the outcome of an ever-fascinating title race, Petrov feels change is needed at Parkhead with sections of the fanbase at loggerheads with the club's hierarchy.

He is unsurprised by the discontent running through the club's support and called for a "restructure".

"I think Celtic as a club have to restructure and I think the fans have seen that. I think the last two transfer windows have shown that as well.

"You have to have a different vision. You have to make a plan and take action.

"The fans are right to [protest] because they've seen a lot of success.

"They want the club to go in the right direction. They are not happy - the board haven't made the right decisions to bring in the right players and give the managers the tools that they need.

"But they're still in a title race which is good to see even through the difficult moments they've been through."

Watch highlights as Hibernian beat Celtic in the Scottish Premiership.

Match report: Hibs stun Celtic with late Andrews winner

Available to UK users only.

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Are Celtic beginning to learn that late goals and below-par performance levels are not sustainable for a title challenge?

Former midfielder Scott Allan believes his ex-side could be starting to face that reality after suffering a late defeat to Hibernian on Sunday.

Martin O'Neill's men found late goals to beat Dundee, Livingston and Kilmarnock in recent weeks, but their luck ran out against Hibs at the weekend.

Despite Benjamin Nygren cancelling out Felix Passlack's opener at Celtic Park, Kai Andrews went on to score a late winner after Auston Trusty had been sent off.

"What I would be worried about for Celtic is the performance levels," Allan said on the BBC's Scottish Football Podcast.

"Yes, you can score goals in the last minute of games, but you're playing against teams sat at the bottom of the league who, when holding on to something with 10 minutes to go, naturally start to go deep.

"Celtic fans will say, 'last-minute goals, that's what champions do'. I understand that. I just think you see [on Sunday], Hibs were organised, obviously get back into shape and make it hard for Celtic.

"There were some bright bits of play for Celtic, but overall performance levels over the past four weeks for me haven't been of a side who are going to go on and win the league."

We asked for your views after Celtic suffered a serious blow to their title hopes with a 2-1 home defeat against Hibs.

Here's what some of you said:

John: We're not playing well but still clinging on. With Martin O'Neill in charge I'll never give up until it's mathematically impossible. They need to win every game now until the end of the season. Do I think it is possible? I'm not confident but.... It's not over yet !

Lewis: That game was a hard watch. Never have I seen so many players who are of a standard so poor for a club of Celtic's stature. The people who run the club are clearly to blame.

Peter: If Martin O'Neill thinks we were terrific he must have been at another match. We were rubbish and got what we deserved. We'll do well to finish third the way we are playing. The core of our team is well past it's sell by date and we don't seem to be able to get anyone capable or ready to replace them. Seething.

Harry: Celtic still have 33 points to play for, and are well placed to win the league. Victories over Hearts and Rangers are not beyond the team. A more direct approach is required : stop square-passing and go for goal. Run at defences and beat them. There's no turning back.

Benny: Toothless again from Celtic in the final third of the pitch. No cutting edge and no goal threat. No clue why Trusty let himself be goaded for the red card. Very naive from a player who should know better. How we lost that game is typical of this whole season. Shambolic.

Edward: Celtic have sown their own downfall, from Brendan Rogers and his ego to Nancy and his deranged tactical approach. In mitigation though, pundits talk about injuries to Hearts' Lawrence Shankland and Cammy Devlin. Celtic have been without Alistair Johnston, Cameron Carter-Vickers and Jota. All three would walk into any team in the league.

Former Celtic youth coach Darren O'Dea has disclosed he wanted to sign Dylan Reid for the Scottish champions before the 20-year-old midfielder left St Mirren to join Crystal Palace Under-21s, but he says the board refused despite backing from then manager Ange Postecoglou. (The National), external

Celtic, Barcelona and West Ham United have enquired about Armando Gonzalez's wage demands but have not yet approached Chivas about the possibility of a transfer for the 22-year-old forward who could move after playing for Mexico at this summer's World Cup finals. (Football Insider), external

Injured Celtic and Canada right-back Alistair Johnston attended Sunday's ice hockey final at the Winter Olympics in Italy as his home country's side lost 2-1 to the United States. (Scottish Sun), external

Brian Wilson addressed fans outside Celtic Park before Sunday's match against Hibernian as the interim chairman tries to end the dispute between supporters groups and the board. (Glasgow Times), external

Read Monday's Scottish Gossip in full.

Celtic interim manager Martin O'Neill: "It's a setback, that's all it is. We're still in the race.

"I thought we were absolutely terrific. The players put heart and soul into the game. No complaints on that side whatsoever."

On the Auston Trusty red card: "I can only go on what the referee told me. He was just going to have a word with the two players then VAR has intervened to say it was violent conduct.

"It looked pretty harsh considering the player was holding on to Trusty.

"We had a good claim for a penalty too with [Liam] Scales being held, his shirt is being tugged and it's not given."

On the quest to defend Celtic's title: "We've been chasing for months now. There's not much room for error but we can still fight back.

"The players are disappointed but it's not over."

Ten-man Celtic suffered a damaging blow to their Scottish Premiership title hopes as Kai Andrews' late winner secured Hibernian a first victory at Parkhead since 2010 on a potentially pivotal day in an incredible season.

Have your say on the game here.

Read our match report here.

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Celtic have sent scouts to watch Chivas striker Armando Gonzalez, with the 22-year-old Mexican rejecting a transfer to CSKA Moscow last year and having also been linked with Barcelona and West Ham United. (The National), external

Celtic face strong competition from clubs in Brazil and elsewhere in Europe to sign Marcelo Saracchi, the 27-year-old left-back on loan from Boca Juniors, permanently this summer. (The Celtic Way), external

Celtic and Rangers will face competition from English and Italian clubs in the race to sign 21-year-old midfielder David Watson when his contract expires with Kilmarnock this summer. (Football Insider), external

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Celtic are missing Arne Engels (leg), Cameron Carter-Vickers (Achilles), Jota (knee), Alistair Johnston and Callum Osmand (both hamstring) but welcome back several players who are not in their European squad.

Hibernian defender Munashe Garananga returns after an ankle issue and Joe Newell is also back in contention, but Josh Mulligan (ankle), Jordan Obita, Grant Hanley (both hamstring) and Chris Cadden are all still out.

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On-loan Celtic striker Johnny Kenny has been defended by Bolton Wanderers manager Steven Schumacher following a challenge on Paudie O'Connor that left the Reading player with a facial injury and at least one dislodged tooth. (The Herald), external

A statue of Celtic legend Tommy Gemmell is set to be unveiled next weekend in Craigneuk. (Glasgow Times), external

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Willie Collum has backed match officials in the latest Scottish Football VAR Review Show in the wake of criticism of dismissals for denying obvious goalscoring opportunities.

The Scottish Football Association head of referees thinks it was correct to upgrade yellow cards for Celtic defender Auston Trusty and Falkirk centre-back Liam Henderson.

Dundee United's Iurie Iovu and Motherwell pair Oscar Priestman Liam Gordon were sent off this week for similar offences after the show was filmed.

Trusty was sent off in a 2-2 draw at Hearts for a foul on Pierre-Landry Kabore, having been in a "fairly central" position, according to referee Steven McLean, while Lewis Neilson was deemed too far away to catch Dundee United forward Max Watters, who was brought down near halfway by Henderson.

Collum felt the consistency in the Trusty and Henderson decisions was correct but also backed the decision not to issue the same punishment to Rangers captain James Tavernier, who was on a booking when he tangled with Kilmarnock striker Tyreece John-Jules.

Referee David Dickinson said there was "minimal contact" in the immediate aftermath and the VAR team did not intervene.

"What I would say is different from the previous clip (Trusty against Hearts) is the ball is in the air," said Collum. "There really is quite a bit of debate about whether the Kilmarnock player would have reached the ball before it went through to the goalkeeper.

"What I will say is the KMI panel felt unanimously that this was a foul and this would have been a second yellow card for James Tavernier. What we don't have here is an opportunity for VAR to be involved there because it's not a clear and obvious goalscoring opportunity."

Collum supported officials in every other incident shown, including red cards for St Mirren attacker Jake Young and Dundee United winger Amar Fatah.