Celtic

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Midfielder Benjamin Nygren is hoping he can use his World Cup play-off victory as fuel in Celtic's quest for the Premiership title.

Nygren set up a goal in Sweden's 3-2 victory over Poland in Tuesday's play-off final to book a spot in this summer's tournament.

Graham Potter's side finished bottom of Group B in the qualifiers but made the play-offs courtesy of topping a table involving Slovakia, Estonia and Azerbaijan in the third tier of the Nations League.

"It was an unbelievable experience," Nygren said of his country's unlikely World Cup qualification.

"Something I've dreamt about since I was a kid. It was an incredible night. I think the best experience so far in my football career. It was almost like a movie."

And Nygren is hoping he can use his experience from helping Sweden qualify to get Celtic over the line in the title race.

Following defeat by Dundee United before the international break Celtic - who visit Dundee on Sunday - go into the weekend seven points adrift of leaders Hearts with seven games left.

"It's a little bit the same situation in a way," the 24-year-old added.

"In Sweden, we were counted out and we made it. That feeling was absolutely unbelievable. I want to do the same here.

"Just keep on training hard, keep on believing. I think that's the most important thing. Believing as an individual but also as a group, as a team. The whole club, the players, staff, fans, everyone together. Then we can make it.

"It's in tough moments you really can show who you are as a person and as a team. That's what we need to do.

"I've said it before but I think we have a great group and a great team. I think we've showed many times this season that we never stop believing and we never stop working hard. So I'm believing in this group."

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Celtic and Canada right-back Alistair Johnston has suffered a setback in his recovery from a log-term hamstring injury, manager Martin O'Neill confirms. (The Herald - subscription required), external

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Dundee have Yan Dhanda back in contention after he was ineligible against parent club Hearts so Clark Robertson (thigh) is likely to be the only player unavailable.

Arne Engels could return for Celtic, while Auston Trusty and Colby Donovan are expected to shake off knocks. Alistair Johnston is still making his way back after a long-term hamstring injury, while Julian Araujo (thigh), Jota (knee), Callum Osmand (hamstring), Kasper Schmeichel (shoulder) and Cameron Carter-Vickers (Achilles) remain out.

Charlotte Cohen
BBC Sport Scotland

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Martin O'Neill wants Celtic to right the wrongs of their miserable 2-0 defeat to Dundee United when they travel to Dens Park to face Dundee on Sunday.

The loss at Tannadice means Celtic have lost all three trips to the City of Discovery this season under three different managers.

They were beaten 2-0 at Dens Park in October under Brendan Rodgers and 2-1 at United in December during Wilfried Nancy's nightmare reign.

"I've just been reminded there that all three managers of Celtic this season have lost in Dundee," O'Neill said.

"Either Dundee United or Dundee. So we'll try and rectify that. We didn't play well in the game a fortnight ago.

"I think we're looking forward to it. We know how difficult it's going to be. We've got to be ready for it.

"We made a lot of mistakes in the game. Of course, you learn.

"We had a couple of chances before they scored in the first half. Kieran Tierney, maybe if he scores, it might be a different ball game.

"Looking back at the game, it's still the same. I don't think that we adjusted well enough to the conditions. That's down to us, really.

"That said, I think the other part of it is you have to put it to the side now. Keep getting on with the things and get back to what has made us still in contention."

O'Neill has no fresh injury concerns for Sunday's clash. Arne Engels could make his comeback from injury while Colby Donovan, who was forced off with a knock at Tannadice, trained on Friday.

And O'Neill has liked what he's seen in training this week.

"The non-international players, or the players who didn't travel away, got themselves a few days off," he said.

"So we've been training all week. I think it's the training, the manner in which they've trained. I think that gives you good confidence in that sense.

"In fairness, I think the players themselves, we've all had a look at it. I'm sure the players have thought about their own individual performances and just want to try and put it right if they can."

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Former Celtic midfielder Victor Wanyama has announced his retirement from professional football at age 34 and will turn his attention to coaching.

Kenya international Wanyama joined Celtic from Belgian side Beerschot in summer 2011 for £900,000 and won back-to-back titles plus a Scottish Cup during his two-year stay.

He departed for Southampton in a £12.5m move having made 91 Celtic appearances and scored 13 goals, including the opener in the famous 2-1 win over Barcelona in 2012 as Neil Lennon's side reached the Champions League last 16.

Wanyama went on to play for Tottenham and CF Montreal before a short spell at Dunfermline last season where he was reunited with Lennon.

Wanyama said on X, external: "Today I announce my retirement from football.

"Four different countries, six different clubs, a boy from Muthurwa with a big dream, carrying a nation's pride every time I stepped onto the pitch.

"To my family, friends, agent, the fans and the coaching staff that helped me throughout my career, thank you for walking this journey with me.

"I now take my next step into coaching where I will be completing my Uefa A licence this year."

Celtic said in a statement: "Everyone at the club sends our very best wishes to Victor Wanyama following his retirement."

Charlotte Cohen
BBC Sport Scotland

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Interim Celtic manager Martin O'Neill has been speaking to the media as his side prepare to travel to Dundee on Sunday.

Here are the main points:

• Midfielder Arne Engels, who has been out injured since February, has trained most of the week but O'Neill says: "I can't rule him out or in for Sunday."

• Julian Araujo is still with parent club Bournemouth recovering from a thigh injury but O'Neill is confident the right-back will play again this season: "We expect to see him back, hopefully in the not too distant future."

• On Sunday's trip to Dens Park, O'Neill says: "I've just been reminded there that all three managers of Celtic this season have lost in Dundee, either Dundee United or Dundee. We'll try and rectify that."

• With title challengers Rangers and Hearts both in action before Celtic kick off on Sunday, O'Neill notes "psychologically there's an advantage to playing early if you go and get your results" but knows his side "have to take care of our own results".

• The Northern Irishman says Celtic "made a lot of mistakes" in their 2-0 defeat at Dundee United before the international break but insists they have to "put it to the side".

• Asked if a victory is necessary to keep Celtic's title hopes alive, O'Neill says: "You're probably right. If we started to drop a lot of points there, either two in a draw or a defeat, I think, with the games running out, that would be a difficult comeback. Not impossible."

• O'Neill insists his side "have the belief" they can go on a perfect run between now and the end of the season, adding: "We had a setback. The teams in and around us have had setbacks in recent times. So we've just got to put it to the side, get ourselves really geared up for the game and be ready for a very, very strong match."

• The boss has been "really happy with the training" this week and says the players want to "put it right" after their performance at Tannadice.

• But O'Neill is expecting "a really difficult game" against Steven Pressley's side.

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Former midfielder Scott Allan thinks Celtic will be all but out of the title race if they fail to beat Dundee on Sunday.

Victory over Motherwell last month moved Celtic within two points of league leaders Hearts.

But a 2-0 defeat at Tannadice just before the international break dropped them to third place, five points off the top, and they now visit Dens Park on Sunday in a game Allan regards as must win.

Speaking on the BBC's Scottish Football Podcast, he said: "If Celtic weren't to win on Sunday I think they would be out of the race.

"To lose back-to-back games away in Dundee, momentum is such a big thing. I think if Dundee came out victorious in that game Celtic are all but done in the title race.

"You've got guys like Callum McGregor who'll keep chipping away, they might feel they can stay in it.

"Celtic are such a strange watch at the moment, I just don't think they've got the players to go and match other teams in the league at times.

"If they're not playing that fluent football then they don't look like they've got players who, when it gets ugly, can come away with the win.

"Yes, we've seen last-minute winners, but over the course of the season you don't get away with that time and again."

Martin Watt
BBC Sport Scotland

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Will the City of Discovery prove a graveyard for Celtic's title defence?

In three prior visits this season (two to Dundee United and one to Dundee), Celtic have returned home with zero points.

And having watched their team sink on the sandpit of Tannadice last time out, Celtic fans would be forgiven for carrying a sense of dread with them to Dens Park on Sunday.

Much has to improve from that dismal defeat to United that leaves Martin O'Neill's men five points off leaders Hearts with only 21 left to play for.

Just when Celtic had gained enough ground to breathe down the necks of long-time leaders Hearts, they threw in an absolute stinker of a performance and then had a fortnight to stew over it.

There may be (badly needed) reinforcements to pep up O'Neill's side this weekend, with right-back Alistair Johnston, midfielder Arne Engels and striker Callum Osmand all in contention for a comeback.

Expectations must be tempered, though, for a returning trio bereft of match sharpness.

Celtic will need all the help they can get to overcome a Dundee team who have already provided plenty of problems this season.

Celtic were beaten 2-0 at Dens Park in October during the dying embers of Brendan Rodgers' reign. That was Celtic's first loss at Dundee in 37 years and the first of their eight league defeats this season.

There was a scratchy 1-0 victory over Steven Pressley's side in December to give O'Neill a winning send-off first time round on the day Wilfried Nancy was announced as the new manager. As we all know, that did not go well.

Then came a dramatic Scottish Cup win over the Dark Blues in February where Celtic trailed at home until Junior Adamu flicked in an an outrageous backheel equaliser in the 97th minute and Sebastian Tounekti completed the comeback in extra time.

This time Dundee, hovering five points above the relegation play-off spot, are still scrapping for Premiership survival. Celtic, who can ill afford any more slip-ups, have been well warned.

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• After their 2-0 win in October, Dundee could enjoy back-to-back home league victories over Celtic for the first time since March 1958.

• Celtic have failed to keep a clean sheet in their past seven league matches, last going longer without a shutout in February 2006 under Gordon Strachan (10 games).

• Dundee are unbeaten in four home league games (W1 D3) and haven't gone longer without losing at Dens Park within a single season in the Scottish Premiership since February 2017 (seven).

• Celtic have only lost one of their past 49 meetings with Dundee in all competitions (W41 D7), winning their most recent two this season in the league in December (1-0) and Scottish Cup in February (2-1).

• Dundee's Jon McCracken has made 119 saves in the Scottish Premiership this season, the only goalkeeper on 100+. He has also prevented 7.1 goals based on his expected goals on target faced (54.1 xGoT to 47 goals conceded, excluding own goals); only Calum Ward (10.3) and Jack Butland (7.5) have a higher xGoT prevented figure in the 2025-26 competition.

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Auston Trusty has allayed injury fears after the Celtic defender was substituted in discomfort near the end of the United States' 2-0 friendly defeat by Portugal.

The 27-year-old, who started the World Cup warm-up game in Atlanta, gripped his leg and grimaced as he lay on the pitch before being taken off in the 91st minute.

However, Trusty has dismissed concerns he could be the latest Celtic defender facing a spell on the sidelines.

Responding to a fan on social media platform X,, external Trusty said: "Just cramped in both calves at the same time. All good mate, thank you."

Celtic are currently without first-choice right-back Julian Araujo while centre-half Cameron-Vickers will not return from long-term injury this season.

Trusty has made 32 appearances for Celtic this term, scoring two goals and receiving two red cards - in the 2-2 draw at Hearts and 2-1 home defeat by Hibs.

Martin O'Neill's side trail leaders Hearts by five points with seven games remaining, starting with Sunday's trip to face Dundee.

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Celtic and Rangers could face competition from Bologna for David Watson, the 21-year-old midfielder who is out of contract at Kilmarnock in the summer. (Il Resto di Carlino - in Italian), external

Auston Trusty is an injury worry for Celtic after the centre-back was forced off late in the USA's friendly defeat to Portugal. (Glasgow Times), external

Peter Lawwell is to keep his place on the the board of the European Football Clubs organisation despite stepping down as Celtic chairman. (Daily Record), external

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Will away form decide who wins the Scottish Premiership title?

Five points currently separate Hearts at the top of the table and Celtic in third place while Rangers are two ahead of their Glasgow rivals and three behind the leaders.

There's just seven games left to crown this season's champion and it's looking like the split is going to be decisive, but just how much will away fixtures affect where the trophy ends up?

Both Rangers and Hearts have played 15 away games so far, Celtic have played one extra.

In terms of victories, Celtic and Hearts have won eight away games while Rangers have won seven. In contrast, Hearts have won 12 of their home games, Rangers have 10 home victories and Celtic are on 11.

Hearts have scored 24 goals away from home and 29 at Tynecastle. Rangers have also scored 24 goals at away games but have 32 at Ibrox while Celtic have scored 23 goals away from home and 33 at home.

Interestingly, both Hearts and Celtic have lost five away games each while Rangers have only lost one game away from Ibrox. However they've drawn seven while Hearts and Celtic have drawn two and three respectively.

And Hearts fan Liam Corbett of This is My Story podcast suggests whichever team sorts out their away form will be the one to lift the trophy in May.

"I think it's the away form that will win the title," he told the BBC's Scottish Football Podcast.

"Rangers haven't been great away from home and we've lost four of our last six away from home. Now we're at Livingston on Sunday then it'll be Hibs, Celtic and Motherwell away in the split.

"I think it comes down to whoever can master their away form. We're all pretty decent at home, maybe barring Celtic a little bit in terms of losses. We're unbeaten at home all season.

"Hearts have been churning out these 1-0 victories that maybe, if you're from the outside, looking in, look wobbly but they've been the most assured 1-0 victories you can get. But they only last so long.

"So whoever can master their away form will be the ones that get the best chance of bringing home the title."

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Can Martin O'Neill trust the Celtic players to step up in the Scottish Premiership title race.

Following their second loss at Tannadice this season just before the international break, O'Neil's side now need to make up a five point deficit to be in with a chance of securing their 56th Scottish Premiership title.

The Parkhead club have won 11 of the last 12 league titles but face a tough test if they want to pick up their fifth top flight win in a row.

The departure of key players - including the likes of Kyogo Furuhashi and Nicolas Kuhn - as well as manager Brendan Rodgers' resignation and the abysmal tenure of Wilfried Nancy have all contributed to Celtic's woes this term.

And Paul John Dykes of the Celtic State of Mind Podcast blames recruitment for their surprising drop off this season.

"You should be able to dip into a squad where you've got enough quality," he told the BBC's Scottish Football Podcast.

"But if you haven't been doing the business in the transfer windows for a number of seasons, then you don't have that quality.

"I think we've been stripped of quality.

"You look at the fact that we lost players like Nicolas Kuhn and even Adam Idah this season. They've not been sufficiently replaced."

Chasing a sixth Premiership victory in a row, Celtic and their supporters are no strangers to the pressures of a title race.

Dykes is hopeful that Hearts and Rangers' inexperience will see them falter, but lacks the confidence to fully believe his side will win the title.

"Rangers are currently the form team," he added.

"Hearts have been the most consistent team over the season and Celtic have been all over the place. Somehow, Martin O'Neill managed to get some kind of rhythm and fluidity to the team and a bit of belief and some unity.

"But even that has been doubted and questioned over the last couple of weeks.

"Will any of the three sides win the last seven? If you're looking at this season, Celtic, the most consistent we've been is five league games on the bounce. Hearts are six, Rangers are six. So I don't think any of the three teams will win all seven.

"It's just a case of playing players at the moment that you can trust. There's a lot of players in our squad that we simply cannot trust."

Dundee manager Steven Pressley is wary of a Celtic backlash when the sides meet at Dens Park on Sunday, with the defending Scottish Premiership champions having lost their last fixture at Dundee United. (Record - subscription required), external

Wednesday's Scottish gossip

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Celtic midfielder Odin Thiago Holm has joined Norwegian side Valerenga on loan until the end of December.

The 23-year-old joined Celtic from the Norwegian side back in 2023 but has struggled to make an impact in Glasgow.

Holm spent the entirety of 2025 on loan in America with LAFC and returned to Glasgow at the end of December but hasn't featured for Celtic since August 2024. Even then he featured in three games for a total of 24 minutes.

Tino
Fan writer

As the Scottish Premiership returns this weekend with a trip to Dundee at Dens Park, one question looms large for Celtic supporters - who will be available for the run-in?

We already know long-term absentees Jota and Cameron Carter-Vickers will play no part in the remaining fixtures. Both have been sorely missed - albeit in very different ways.

Carter-Vickers has been the cornerstone of Celtic's defence since arriving in the summer of 2021. His absence has left a void that's been impossible to fill consistently, with a revolving cast of replacements unable to replicate his authority and stability.

Jota, meanwhile, is the spark Celtic have lacked in the final third. Whether through goals, assists or moments of pure invention, his ability to change any given game at any given moment has been badly missed.

Having turned 27 just this week, there remains real hope that his best days in a Celtic shirt still lie ahead as he continues to work his way back from an ACL injury.

In the shorter term, however, there is cause for optimism in terms of others returning.

The trio of Arne Engels, Alistair Johnston and Callum Osmand have all been pencilled in for a potential April return. And, if, and when they're declared fit, each could make an immediate and meaningful impact on Celtic's title charge.

Engels would bring much-needed athleticism and physicality to the midfield, along with a genuine threat from set pieces - something Celtic have lacked.

Johnston's return would restore not just quality at right-back but also leadership, aggression and personality - traits that have been missing across the side in recent months.

Osmand, though, is perhaps the most intriguing case.

With just three appearances to his name (a question for Brendan Rodgers?) he remains more promise than finished product. Yet those who witnessed his match-winning display against Rangers in November's League Cup semi-final at Hampden will know he has the temperament and ability to influence big games.

With neither Tomas Cvancara, Junior Adamu nor Kelechi Iheanacho cementing themselves as our go-to striker, the opportunity is there. Osmand could yet emerge as a decisive figure in the closing weeks of the season.

It's been a turbulent campaign and Celtic need every available boost to secure what would be a fifth consecutive title.

The return of Engels, Johnston and Osmand might just provide it.

Tino can be found at The Celtic Exchange, external

Celtic midfielder Odin Thiago Holm, 23, will re-join former club Valerenga on loan until the end of the Norwegian season in November. (TV2 via Sun, external)

Martin O'Neill believes Celtic are "far from out of" the Scottish Premiership title race. (Sun), external

Tuesday's Scottish gossip

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Jota and Cameron Carter-Vickers will play no part in the remainder of Celtic's season, interim manager Martin O'Neill has confirmed.

Winger Jota has not featured since the Parkhead side's Scottish Premiership title-clinching win at Dundee United in April last term.

Centre-back Carter-Vickers has been out of action with an Achilles injury since Celtic's Europa League win over Sturm Graz in October.

Former Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers said at the time that the United States defender could be out for "anywhere between three and five months", but he will not play again this campaign.

Reports also suggest that on-loan Bournemouth right-back Julian Araujo could be facing up to eight weeks out.

O'Neill did, however, have positive news on striker Callum Osmand, who has been sidelined since Celtic's European defeat at Midtjylland in November.

"Jota and Carter-Vickers will not be available to us until next season," O'Neill told Celtic TV.

"Callum [Osmand] is doing really well. He's anxious to go and is working exceptionally well. Hopefully that won't be too far away."

O'Neill's side return to action after the international break when they travel to Dundee on Sunday (16:30 GMT).

Celtic's last outing also took place in Dundee, where they were beaten 2-0 by Dundee United at Tannadice.

With O'Neill's men sitting third in the table and five points behind leaders Hearts, the Celtic boss is hoping for a response against a challenging opponent.

"[Dundee] played exceptionally well against us in the [Scottish Cup]," he added. "They played very well and in a lot of subsequent games they've been well and truly in the picture.

"Whatever way they approach the game, you can't do anything about that. It's about how we approach it as much as anything else. We have to be as strong as them."

Nick McPheat
BBC Sport Scotland

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With reports suggesting Julian Araujo has been ruled out for up to eight weeks with a thigh injury, Celtic fans are fearing their season could unravel.

Martin O'Neill's side currently sit third in the Scottish Premiership after a defeat at Dundee United, with Rangers two points ahead and leaders Hearts five points clear.

News of the severity of the injury to Araujo, who has not played since the recent Scottish Cup win at Ibrox, has served as another blow during the international break.

With Alistair Johnston still working his way back to fitness after five months out, how damaging could Araujo's absence be?

Anthony Ralston or Colby Donovan would be tasked with filling the void until Johnston is ready, the latter having started in Celtic's past two games.

So how does Araujo compare to Ralston and Donovan?

Because of the difference in minutes played between the trio, we have crunched the numbers on a per-90-minute basis.

On the ball, Araujo shoots twice as often as both Ralston and Donovan. The Mexican also averages more dribbles and touches in the opposition box.

The on-loan Bournemouth man also averages far more passes in the final third, which helps explain why he creates more chances.

Donovan crosses far more frequently, however, and creates roughly the same number of open-play opportunities as Araujo.

But what about the defensive side?

Donovan wins more duels and aerial duels, and he has a far better tackle success rate.

Those impressive defensive numbers from the 19-year-old have helped Celtic concede fewer goals on average when he has played compared with when Araujo or Ralston have featured.