Celtic

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Dundee goalkeeper Jon McCracken is among the signing targets being assessed by Celtic, with the 25-year-old out of contract in the summer and available without a transfer fee. (Football Insider), external

Celtic interim manager Martin O'Neill and assistant Mark Fortheringham were at Deepdale on Monday as 28-year-old Preston North End goalkeeper Daniel Iversen starred against Queens Park Rangers. (Football Insider), external

Celtic's interest in Hibernian midfielder Miguel Chaiwa has moved beyond early scouting, with discussions between the clubs about the 21-year-old taking place both in January and more recently. (Celts Are Here), external

Odin Thiago Holm, who has returned to former club Valerenga on loan, has suggested he has been joyless at Celtic since the 23-year-old midfielder made the move in 2023. (VG Podcast via Glasgow Times), external

Motherwell manager Jens Berthel Askou, who has been linked with the vacancy at Celtic, insists he is planning on building on this season's success next term. (Scottish Sun), external

Former Scotland defender Charlie Mulgrew has revealed he was Celtic's first signing under Neil Lennon but was not announced for a whole month because he was "too underwhelming" an acquisition. (The National), external

Albion Rovers manager Sandy Clark was happy to see the Green Brigade ultra's out in force in support of Celtic B - despite their pyrotechnics holding the game up twice - because the boost in attendance will pay the Lowland League club's players' wages for a month. (Daily Record), external

Read Tuesday's Scottish Gossip in full.

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Kelechi Iheanacho insists he is ready to start matches for Celtic after coming off the bench to fire in a crucial winning goal in Sunday's victory at Dundee.

The former Manchester City striker has endured an injury-hit campaign but feels fit enough to play a full part in a gripping title run-in.

Celtic's win at Dens Park moved them to within three points of leaders Hearts, with six rounds of fixtures remaining.

No striker in the squad has managed to nail down the starting spot in Martin O'Neill's side, but Iheanacho is confident he can be the man after netting his fourth goal of the season.

"I'm sure I'm fit to start games, but obviously it's up to the manager to pick who he wants to start," the 29-year-old said. "But I'm really sure I'm perfectly okay to start games.

"The manager has been good to everyone at the club. His management is really good - he speaks to everyone really well. Speaking with him gives me so much confidence to play as well. So it's really good.

"It feels really good to get the win, especially in such an important game. I'm happy to help the team get the three points. And obviously I'm happy that the fans are really happy."

Striker Kelechi Iheanacho has to lead the line for Celtic in the decisive final weeks of the Scottish Premiership title race, according to former midfielder Scott Allan.

The forward has seen his time in Glasgow disrupted by injury since joining the club last summer but showed his worth again on Sunday when he smashed in a late winner against Dundee.

Tomas Cvancara started up front at Dens Park but was replaced by Iheanacho moments after Simon Murray's penalty had cancelled out Yang's opener.

The substitute's contribution was an example of the clinical finishing that makes him the ideal first choice, Allan told the BBC's Scottish Football Podcast.

"I think if you can keep Iheanacho fit, that's the million dollar question," he said.

"Sometimes you see him then you don't see him for another three weeks. But if he is fit, he's the most instinctive and best finisher they have in that number nine position.

"I think you see that at Dundee, the times that Cvancara does have real chances and has half chances, he's not a killer.

"He doesn't look like he's got real conviction in his finishing, and that's why he's had a loan deal here. He comes to Celtic and it's a stop gap and you're hoping.

"But for me, Iheanacho, if they can keep him fit, has to lead the line. He links the game better for Celtic as well for me.

"Even the goal he scores, it's the little cute things, cute nudge, just to put Ryan Astley off balance and then on the swivel.

"There's no thought process, it's just instinctive striker play."

We asked Celtic fans for their views on the dramatic win over Dundee at Dens Park.

Here's a taste of what they had to say:

Mark: This title might come down to individual players who want to win it the most. Martin O'Neill needs to be incredibly brave and drop players who checked out a long time ago. The substitutes completely turned the game yesterday.

Kev: Always just doing enough, should have been out of sight in the first half. Now it really is the business end of the season. Regardless of what happens I would ask Martin to carry on.

Len: Winning the league after such disastrous decisions by the CEO and board would be remarkable. But the fact remains: Celtic need root and branch reform, starting with the CEO and board.

Hector: The most threadbare Celtic squad in 50 years is evidence of the gross mismanagement at boardroom level over several seasons. Millions squandered on unheard of imports, while youth development is ignored. O'Neill can't keep pulling rabbits out a hat.

Dave: Three points and still very much in it, it's as simple as night is night and day is day... Next match and three more points, please.

Peter: Another dreadful performance in a long line of dreadful performances. It says a lot about quality of Scottish football but good news we are still in title hunt. Win our last six league games and we are champions. Not impossible.

Ian: I've said it before on these pages, but if Martin O'Neill can win the title this year, honestly, I'll build the statue myself!

Watch Celtic narrow the gap at the Scottish Premiership summit with a late victory at Dundee.

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Celtic manager Martin O'Neill told BBC Sportsound: "I thought we played brilliantly in the first half, got our goal and should have got two, three or four. You always felt it would come back to haunt you and it did.

"They got their tails up after the penalty and it was really hard work.

"But we created another chance or two and Iheanacho puts one in the net.

"I think overall we deserved to win the game but it was always going to be tight. And we made it really tight.

"We made it hard for ourselves because we couldn't put the ball in the net.

"Of course you're thinking 'Maybe it's not our day' but the one thing about this side is that, apart from a fortnight ago, we have shown some really great spirit.

"We may be lacking some things as a team but you could say that about all the teams that are in it. We have a really good spirit and that can carry us through. We can't rely on that alone but it was important today.

"We're still in it and we're still fighting on.

"We could not afford to drop points today and those three points will galvanise us and keep us going. It was so, so important for us to win today."

Celtic capitalised on Hearts' earlier slip-up to move within three points of the Scottish Premiership leaders as Kelechi Iheanacho slammed in a dramatic late winner at Dundee.

Read the match report here.

Let us know your thoughts here.

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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."