Celtic

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Celtic manager Martin O'Neill joked he would like to put Neil Lennon "in his place" should Celtic and Dunfermline meet in the Scottish Cup final.

Dunfermline, led by ex-Celtic boss Lennon, face Falkirk in Saturday's Hampden showdown before O'Neill's side meet St Mirren in a repeat of December's League Cup final on Sunday.

During his first spell in charge O'Neill signed Lennon from his former club Leicester City in December 2000 and the midfielder went on to make almost 300 appearances for the Glasgow outfit.

Lennon's second-tier Pars are still in with a chance of securing a Premiership play-off this season and have already seen off Hibs and Aberdeen in their route to the Scottish Cup semi-final.

O'Neill said: "Oh, I would love it. I would really love it. I'd like to put him in his place.

"Please, scrub that. Because it's not ideally true. I've got the utmost regard for him. He's been brilliant.

"The two managers [Lennon and Falkirk's John McGlynn] have done brilliantly. Really brilliantly. And Neil, who's obviously a big part of my managerial life anyway, has done great. It's no surprise to me.

"I think he's a top-class manager. His record, both as a player and as a manager himself, is quite extraordinary. Really, it's extraordinary. I know the tough times during Covid and things like this here, but overall, his record is fantastic.

"I have the utmost regard for him, it's been brilliant. And I think I've said before, had I not signed him from Leicester, I might not be sitting here with you, but I'd say he's been brilliant."

Charlotte Cohen
BBC Sport Scotland

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Celtic manager Martin O'Neill has been speaking to the media as his side prepare for Sunday's Scottish Cup semi-final against St Mirren.

Here are the main points:

• The game comes "too early" for Alistair Johnston, albeit the defender has trained this week and is showing "no ill effect". O'Neill admits had Johnston not suffered a setback on Canada duty "he would have been ready for now".

• Striker Callum Osmand is also "making progress" but won't be ready this weekend.

• On returning to Hampden, O'Neill says: "I thought the last time I was there [League Cup semi-final win over Rangers in November] would have been the last time," but adds he is "really looking forward" to Sunday's game.

• The Northern Irishman knows St Mirren "will take great confidence from the fact they won recently and played very well last week against us", adding "the last time we played each other at Hampden, they won the cup".

• O'Neill is "absolutely not" dreaming of winning the Scottish Cup, saying: "I don't think we are good enough to dream that far down the line."

• The boss suggests a semi-final victory "definitely would have a positive effect" on their league campaign, with Celtic trailing leaders Hearts by three points with five games to go.

• The 74-year-old hopes his players feel they have a score to settle after losing the League Cup final to St Mirren in December during Wilfried Nancy's reign. "There's this chance now to try and do something about it," he adds.

• With Liam Scales suspended on Sunday, O'Neill insists he has "lots of confidence" in back-up defenders Benjamin Arthur and Dane Murray.

• On this weekend's other semi-final, Dunfermline v Falkirk, O'Neill praises former Celtic boss Neil Lennon, saying he is "a top-class manager" and "I have the utmost regard for him".

Fourth round: Auchinleck Talbot 0-2 Celtic (18 Jan)

Last year's runners-up Celtic made hard work of avoiding a historic Scottish Cup upset, with a late Sebastian Tounekti strike finally putting the tie beyond sixth-tier Auchlinleck.

Johnny Kenny gave Martin O'Neill's men the lead after half an hour but they were far from convincing in booking a last-16 spot.

Fifth round: Celtic 2-1 Dundee (7 Feb)

Celtic looked to be heading for the exit following Ethan Hamilton's outstanding strike early in the second half.

But debutant Junior Adamu forced extra time with a backheel finish from fellow substitute Tounekti's low cross in the seventh minute of stoppage time.

Tounekti completed the comeback to set up a derby trip to Ibrox.

Quarter-finals: Rangers 0-0 Celtic (aet, Celtic win 4-2 pens) (8 March)

In a combustible tie marred by pitch invasions from both sets of fans, Celtic showed grit to prevail on penalties after mustering just one shot in 120 minutes compared to 24 for Rangers.

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Auston Trusty and Reo Hatate all scored in the shootout as James Tavernier and Djeidi Gassama missed for Rangers.

That gave Tomas Cvancara the chance to send Celtic through - and the Czech calmly sent Jack Butland the wrong way to book Celtic's Hampden semi-final against their League Cup conquerors St Mirren.

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We asked for your views on who has been Celtic's player of the year.

Here's what some of you said:

Liam: It is hard to make a case for anyone. Benjamin Nygren is our top goalscorer but his general play is woeful. So many key players in previous seasons have been long-term injuries. Kieran Tierney has driven us on in games but surely hasn't done enough for this accolade. Yang Hyun-Jun? He has turned up when it got tough but flatters to deceive. Liam Scales did well until Christmas but makes a mistake every game.

Graeme: On the stats it has to be KT, on goals Nygren, not a lot else to say on bright spots in this season.

Shaun: None deserve it because they have all been poor. I suppose if I had to go for one player it would be Nygren simply because he has scored so many important goals.

Charlie: In a poorly performing Celtic team with all the background distractions regarding the board's dreadful recruitment and communication, Nygren has stood out. He would be even better in a properly functioning Celtic side.

Christopher: Yang has been industrious and pretty tireless, the outcomes haven't been consistent but he has come up with some important goals and assists. In a grind of a season, it seems fitting a player all but written off has refused to give up in ways so many of his more celebrated team-mates seem to have.

James: For me it's got to be the captain Callum McGregor. He has been a tower of strength for the Celtic team, has always led by example and been very professional over the season so far. Gives his all to the club and always plays when fit. He makes the team tick with his passing and steering the team to victory.

Paul: After a tough year for Celtic I feel Nygren has been about the most consistent in his play without being outstanding. His assists and goals have been vital to our position in the league and for that reason I feel he deserves a Celtic player of the year award.

Aiden McGeady would love to return to Celtic and work with the next wave of talent coming through the club's academy. (Daily Record), external

It's hard to believe the chain of events set off by Brendan Rodgers' resignation earlier this season.

Wilfried Nancy's ill-fated short tenure, the return of Martin O'Neill twice as caretaker, an unprecedented injury record and somehow Celtic are still clinging on in the title race.

They are three points off the top with five league games to go, including home games against both Rangers and Hearts above them. They have also still got a Scottish Cup semi-final to look forward to this weekend. But have any players stood out?

Who has been your Celtic player of the year? Have your say.

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Former Celtic striker Chris Sutton says his former club should already know the type of manager they want to appoint for next season before a summer revamp.

The Parkhead side have twice called on Martin O'Neill to take interim charge this season after Brendan Rodgers' resignation and Wilfried Nancy's sacking.

They have flattered to deceive for large periods of the campaign, but are still in the Scottish Premiership title race and have made it to the Scottish Cup semi-finals under O'Neill's astute management.

"If you're from a Celtic persuasion, you hope the groundwork has been done and they've already got a manager in mind for next season," Sutton told BBC Scotland.

"I have spoken about the Motherwell manager - Jens Berthel Askou - as a decent fit, but the one thing that goes against him is his profile.

"It's not just who Celtic get as the next manager, there's going to be a big overhaul of players in the summer.

"The squad has struggled this season - regardless of what happens in the league and in the Scottish Cup - and I think we're going to see a lot of changes."

BBC Sport Scotland reporter Kheredine Idessane has been answering some of your questions on Celtic.

Kevin asked: Did the Wilfred Nancy experiment cost Celtic the title this season?

Kheredine answered: Yes it potentially did, Kevin.

Oh, you want me to expand on that?

Well, before some of your fellow supporters splutter over their tea let's get the obvious caveat out of the way. Celtic may yet win the league which would keep them champions despite the calamity of the club's shortest ever managerial reign.

Let's assume for the purposes of argument, however, that either Hearts or Rangers win the title. The question would then be: how much damage was done to Celtic's title defence by Nancy's decision to rip things up and start again straight away rather than to try to manage gradual culture change? The answer to that is plenty.

I remember the Frenchman's first match in charge. Hearts were wobbling at the time, having only won one of their previous six matches by the time they pitched up to Glasgow's east end for their second match with Celtic.

They had already dismantled Brendan Rodgers' side at Tynecastle at the end of October in what turned out to be the Northern Irishman's final match in charge.

Daizen Maeda missed an absolute sitter in the first few minutes of Nancy's home bow which set the trend for what was to follow. Some nice football, chances spurned and a complete inability to defend properly.

The league leaders won 2-1 to restore their mojo and dent the Nancy debut, and he never really recovered from that.

He was in charge for six league matches. He lost four of them, beating only Livingston and Aberdeen. The 12 dropped points, if you added them to Celtic's current tally, would have the Parkhead side on the brink of claiming five in a row.

The folly of the Nancy gamble was that interim boss Martin O'Neill had just put together a run of five straight Premiership wins following Rodgers' resignation.

The introduction of the former Columbus Crew head coach took a wrecking ball to that momentum, with his tenure also featuring a home humbling from Roma in the Europa League and a League Cup final defeat by St Mirren.

That Martin O'Neill still has Celtic in title contention is an achievement in itself. His only top flight defeats have come at the hands of Hibs and Dundee United. Realistically, he can't afford any more defeats if he is to pull off mission impossible.

He rescued Celtic's season once. If he does it twice, the freedom of Parkhead should be his, if it isn't already.

While Celtic are considering a move for former Brighton & Hove Albion goalkeeper Mathew Ryan, Levante hold the option to extend the 34-year-old's deal by a further year beyond this summer. (Football Insider), external

Hibs head coach David Gray is not surprised to see Miguel Chaiwa attracting interest from rival clubs, including repeated speculation linking the 21-year-old midfielder with a move to Celtic. (Edinburgh Evening News), external

Viljami Sinisalo says an agreement to have more Celtic game time this season was shelved during management changes this season - until the injury and form decline to fellow goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel pushed the 24-year-old into the first team. (The Herald), external

Former Celtic coach Darren O'Dea says Bournemouth and Scotland winger Ben Gannon-Doak felt he was being held back by the Scottish champions' "duty of care" despite being handed his first-team debut at 16 - and that the 20-year-old is a "generational talent". (The Margins), external

Read Thursday's Scottish Gossip in full.

BBC Sport Scotland reporter Kheredine Idessane has been answering some of your questions on Celtic.

Nathan asked: Based on his performances so far, would you offer Oxlade-Chamberlain a longer-term contract at the end of the season?

Kheredine answered: It's a little too early to tell, Nathan, but if you're pushing me for an answer right now, I'd say: yes but on one condition.

That condition being that you're not driving a coach and horses through the Parkhead wage structure to accommodate him.

He has proven, albeit fleetingly, he can still be a matchwinner. His goal against St Mirren at the weekend and the very late one against Livingston on his debut were both pivotal. The difference between six points and two.

If you translate that to the current standings, but for the former Arsenal man's timely interventions, Celtic could easily be seven points adrift of Hearts and effectively out of the title race as opposed to within three and slap bang in contention.

The other interesting thing about Oxlade-Chamberlain is his potential to improve. The form he's showing now is after a lengthy spell without playing matches and simply training with Arsenal. With the second half of this season under his belt and a full pre-season, how much more effective might he be in a hooped jersey?

He may also offer the possibility of being played further up the park. His two goals were both examples of clinical finishing. Pure, true strikes of the football.

He's always had a knack for scoring throughout his career. Given the paucity of Celtic's options up front, could he be employed as a 'false nine' between now and the end of the season, to see if the chances being passed up by others might be taken by a Champions League winner?

Food for thought, potentially, for manager Martin O'Neill as he seeks to find a way to boost his team's unimpressive recent goal return.

Stephen asked: Should Celtic be or are Celtic actively looking for a new manager?

Kheredine answered: Yes and yes, Stephen. They should be because O'Neill has said he's only holding the fort until the summer and isn't sure he'd have the energy or desire still to be in charge beyond that.

If, however, he steers the side to an unlikely-looking league and cup double - thereby making it to the Champions League play-offs - who's to say he couldn't be persuaded to have a crack at making European football's top table one last time?

Realistically, however, all the indications are Celtic will be under new stewardship for the start of next season. Which means the due diligence will already have started on the succession planning.

For good reason, too: the rebuilding job Celtic face in the summer is massive. A new manager and coaching staff; a new chairman (assuming Brian Wilson's interim stint isn't extended); and almost an entirely new squad. The incoming boss will need to be recruited sharpish given the turnover in players he'll be expected to oversee.

You have to assume stalwarts like Daizen Maeda and Reo Hatate will finally be allowed to move on this summer.

Celtic can't really afford to lose his goals but if an offer significantly over £10m came in for Sweden midfielder Benjamin Nygren, would Celtic be able to resist making a quick ten-fold profit? Similarly, what if Nottingham Forest (or another suitor) came back with their £25m bid for Arne Engels?

Then you have the loan players, only some of whom have made any meaningful contribution, who're likely to return to their parent clubs: Marcelo Saracchi, Julian Araujo, Tomas Cvancara, Benjamin Arthur, Joel Mvuka and Junior Adamu.

Don't forget to add in the flops Celtic will be trying to move on: Michel-Ange Balikwisha (remember him?), Shin Yamada and Hayato Inamura.

Celtic have an option to extend striker Kelechi Iheanacho's stay by a year but has he done enough to warrant the triggering of that clause? Could he stay fit long enough? Oh, and the club could also do with a goalkeeper, given Kasper Schmeichel's imminent departure, to provide competition for Viljami Sinisalo.

We're talking a complete squad overhaul here with the only silver linings the anticipated return from long-term injury of Jota and Cameron Carter-Vickers.

None of the work can be started in any meaningful way until Celtic appoint a new manager whose vision and principles will determine the comings and goings of one of the club's busiest summers since Ange Postecoglou's arrival five years ago.

Visit this page again on Thursday for part two of the Q&A

Celtic podcaster Paul John Dykes tells Ray Bradshaw what he thinks of the current team at Parkhead.

Watch This Is Fans Only live on the BBC Sport Scottish Football YouTube channel, external every Monday at 18:00 BST.

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Celtic are running on fumes but can they stumble over the line in the title race?

Martin O'Neill's side are third in the table, three points off Hearts at the top with five games to play, including home matches against Hearts and Rangers.

It's been a turbulent season for the defending champions who started the season with Brendan Rodgers at the helm and will be ending it with former manager O'Neill in charge for his second interim spell.

Sandwiched in between was an eight-game nightmarish stint with Wilfried Nancy leading the team - they lost six of those matches before the Frenchman was sacked and O'Neill returned in an effort to save the day.

And while results have improved under the Northern Irishman, performances have been a struggle. Only one of their past six league wins has been by more than a single-goal margin.

All of that has led to suggestions from some fans that Celtic look poorly coached, but Paul John Dykes of A Celtic State of Mind Podcast, external feels that level of criticism is unfair.

"Celtic are playing like a team that have had three managers," Dykes told the BBC's Scottish Football Podcast.

"With regards to the way that we are playing, the uncoached thing, it's maybe a wee bit unfair on Shaun Maloney, Mark Fotheringham and O'Neill because it's been such a dysfunctional season.

"We've had three managers, one of which came in twice, we have a few players in this squad at the moment who came to the end of their cycle in the summer and we weren't at the point where we could replace them.

"So they're now playing and they're running on fumes. You you look at [Daizen] Maeda compared to last season, different player entirely.

"We have all the hallmarks of a team that absolutely needs to tone up and rebuild in the summer and I just hope that we do have enough of those fumes to get us over the line this season.

"The uncoached thing is a little bit harsh I think because they'll be working on it all week. But it's a result of everything that's happened this season, I believe, and the players are playing with a bit of fear.

"Uncoached - Martin O'Neill hopefully will have the last laugh on that one."

Hannover 96, who are currently sitting third in Bundesliga 2, will find it difficult to persuade Celtic centre-half Maik Nawrocki to accept their option to buy if they fail to win promotion, with several top-flight rivals and other European clubs having the 25-year-old on their radar. (Bild), external

Celtic centre-half Maik Nawrocki says he is open to either extending his stay with loan club Hannover 96, returning to Glasgow, or moving elsewhere this summer. (Glasgow Times), external

Dinamo Zagreb chief scout Tomislav Sokota says they have already received offers of around £10m for 29-year-old Scotland centre-half Scott McKenna, who has reportedly been scouted by Celtic. (The National), external

Sevilla have reportedly targeted Celtic winger Luis Palma for next season - if they manage to avoid relegation from La Liga - with the 26-year-old expecting to return to the Scottish champions this summer despite Lech Poznan being interested in turning his loan into a £3.5m permanent transfer. (Scottish Sun), external

Celtic midfielder Benjamin Nygren views a move to the Premier League as the natural next step for his career, but the Scottish champions are under no pressure to sell the 24-year-old after his fine debut season with the club. (Football Insider), external

Celtic could face competition from a number of clubs should they pursue their interest in 21-year-old Hibernian midfielder Miguel Chaiwa this summer. (Football Insider), external

Venezia are interested in 23-year-old Celtic-linked winger Fares Ghedjemis from promotion rivals Frosinone should they return to Serie A. (Pianeta Serie B), external

Read Wednesday's Scottish Gossip in full.

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Former Celtic striker Frank McAvennie has warned the club they have lost their fear factor and could be playing Conference League football next season.

Celtic have won 13 of the past 14 top-flight titles but are third in the league, three points behind leaders Hearts, with just five matches remaining.

Just over a year ago Celtic threatened a Champions League upset against Bayern Munich but have since suffered issues on and off the park, with three managers taking charge of the side this season.

Having lost their past two finals to Aberdeen and St Mirren, McAvennie wouldn't be surprised if Celtic are defeated by the Buddies again at Hampden in this weekend's Scottish Cup semi-final.

McAvennie, who played for both clubs, said: "Nobody's scared of Celtic any more, that's the biggest problem.

"Every team's having a go at them. The last 13, 14 years, it's been trophy after trophy after trophy. These young boys (among the support) have never seen Celtic where they are, and it's hurting them.

"People say to me, 'would you be surprised if St Mirren beat Celtic on Sunday?' No, I don't think anybody would. It wouldn't be a surprise the way it would be a couple of years ago.

"I don't get it, a year ago, we went and drew with Bayern Munich, great team - what's happened? Very quickly it's turned into the show it is at the moment, and it's not the best show in town."

A finish inside the top two would guarantee Celtic a chance at Champions League qualification, while Scottish Cup success would secure a Europa League third qualifying round spot.

"They could finish third this year, and if they finish third and don't win the cup, they'll be in the Conference League," McAvennie added.

"I don't think even boys like Callum McGregor and Kieran Tierney have been under pressure the way Celtic are at the moment.

"These boys know what it's like to win games, and to win leagues, but not coming from behind when, by all accounts, they're the third best team in Scotland at the moment."

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Former Scotland midfielder Charlie Adam reckons the three-way title race is too close to call and will come down to who can "hold their nerve the most" in the sprint to the finishing line.

With long-time leaders Hearts a point ahead of Rangers and three above stuttering champions Celtic, there are now just five rounds of fixtures remaining as the Premiership season enters the split.

Adam, who began his career Rangers, could make a case for any of the three sides going on to clinch what would be a momentous achievement.

"If you'd asked six weeks ago, there was an obvious winner, but now I think it's a flip of a coin," said the 40-year-old.

"I think it's week by week, game by game, and I think there's a lot of swings still to go in the title race.

"I didn't see Hearts being there at the start of the season and then I said I thought Hearts could win it and then they dropped points.

"Then Celtic were coming with a run, probably not playing as well as they feel they can, but they were picking up wins.

"And Rangers have just motored since Danny Rohl's came in, so I don't think you can really call anything.

"What a good thing it is for Scottish football that there's a bit of drama from now to the end of the season, and it's about who can hold their nerve the most."

With Celtic in Scottish Cup semi-final action against St Mirren this Sunday, Hearts and Rangers have both opted to go to abroad this week for their warm-weather training camps.

"I think it's good, it's an opportunity," said Adam.

"Hearts were looking to do that a few weeks ago and go to Dubai, but obviously, there was a problem to go there (with hostilities in the Middle East).

"And now both clubs have managed to do it. What I would say is I think they'd rather be playing here at Hampden in a semi-final.

"They've now got a chance to get the lads together, letting them relax a little bit, maybe a game of golf, a bit of dinner, just keeping them together.

"Because when you're in the training ground you don't spend as much time and you're going home and you're coming back.

"But when you're in there for four or five days, you're with everybody 24 hours a day, and it's a great way to keep camaraderie, get good team spirit and focus on the split."

Tino
Fan writer

It has all felt a bit negative since the win over St Mirren on Saturday, a bit heavy, which is a strange place to be when we're effectively seven games from a double.

I think the reasons for it are two-fold. The first is the style of football we're witnessing.

And though it's great to get the win - undoubtedly the most important thing at this stage - even Martin O'Neill himself would concede Celtic haven't been a particular great watch in recent times.

But does that really matter? I'm not convinced it does.

And while we'd naturally rather be witnessing the free-flowing football of the Ange Postecoglou era for example - and definitely the goal tally that came with it - three points are three points.

Were we earlier in the campaign I could see the appetite - and the justification - for demanding better football, something I'd probably be behind too. But right now, with the finish line in sight, I think this is just how it's going to be.

Since his return (over both spells this season) O'Neill has shown a level of pragmatism that has perhaps flown directly in the face of good football.

If we can get a win playing attractive stuff then that's a bonus, but getting those wins above all else has been his undoubted priority. Unapologetically so.

And it's hard to argue too strongly against the numbers. O'Neill's league record in total this season now stands at 14 wins, two draws and just two defeats in 18 games. A win rate of 77.8%.

The second reason for the unease is more psychological.

For many of us this is unchartered territory. Yes, we've won many titles before - 13 of the past 14 no less - but when were we last in a genuine title race this close? Least of all one that has three runners.

We perhaps need to go back to O'Neill's first spell at the helm to recall the joy - and the pain - of a race that goes right down to the wire.

Because while this stage of the season is thrilling, it's also nerve shredding. Anxiety inducing. And properly stressful.

That tension - for us and others - has likely fed into the reaction after Saturday's win.

But if given the choice, I'd take this every time. I'd far rather experience the tension of being right in the fight than the ambivalence of being out it altogether.

So yes, it's tense. Yes, it's uncomfortable. But we'll take it and strap ourselves in while hoping that just over a month from now it has all been worth it.

Tino can be found at The Celtic Exchange, external

What would you like to ask about Celtic as the thrilling title race nears a conclusion?

Our reporter Kheredine Idessane is ready to answer your questions and offer his insight and opinion on your club.

Send us your questions here.