Celtic

Image source, SNS

Brendan Rodgers was delighted with the fight shown by Kyogo Furuhashi in Saturday's 3-0 Scottish Premiership win over Hearts.

The Japanese striker scored twice at Parkhead to keep Celtic top of the Scottish Premiership with three games remaining.

"Kyogo is the type of player that makes the run and his timing is perfect, [so] if you don’t make the pass you miss the moment," Rodgers said.

“There’s also times he has made runs and it’s not on, if I’m being frank. But [on Saturday] everything was right, the timing, depth to his game, looking in behind, the pressing. Everything that makes him a really good player.

“He was tireless and fighting right to the end when he made the block. That’s what we always need.”

We asked for your thoughts after Celtic beat Hearts 3-0 to move a step closer to the Scottish Premiership title.

Here's what you had to say:

Benny: A great result and the best performance for a long time. Our passing was much more slick and we broke at speed more than of late. A couple of dodgy defensive moments, but overall we looked more like champions.

Anon: I thought Celtic were in control of most of the game and set themselves up nicely for the Old Firm clash.

Anon: Celtic played exceptionally well. For the first time this season we have a fully fit squad; we are peaking at the business end of the season. I'm looking forward to next week the ground will be rocking.

Nikki: Best match I've watched in a long time. Great to see James Forrest getting more match time. After a couple of slow starts Callum McGregor is back and hungry for it and the rest of the team seem to be there with him today. Bring on Rangers next week - it's ours to throw away!

Don: That was huge. It wasn’t just the result - against a Hearts team who were trying their best to throw their weight about - it was the performance. Brendan Rodgers had his tactics absolutely spot on, Kyogo was clinical, Matt O’Riley and Reo Hatate were imperious, while McGregor at his terrier-like best. And Forrest? An absolute masterclass. Only one winner now.

Andy: Best performance of the season. I've been quite critical this season so credit where it's due. This was a major hurdle and was handled with some style.

Brendan Rodgers is looking forward to next week's game against Rangers after Celtic's convincing win over Hearts.

Were you at Celtic Park on Saturday or following the match elsewhere?

Either way, we want your views on the game – have your say here.

Image source, SNS

Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers: "Very pleasing. There was real energy in the stadium and the supporters were brilliant for us - the players responded to that.

"What really pleased me was, in a big game, we had big performances and big contributions from those players. That sets us up well for next week."

On Kyogo Furuhashi's two goals, he adds: "The first one, he's so alive. He scores with a great header. Second is an incredible finish, what a pass by Matt O'Riley. That's Kyogo's strength, playing on the last line."

Image source, SNS

Regardless of what Rangers do on Sunday, you could make a valid case for saying Celtic are all but one win from continuing their Premiership domination.

A victory for Brendan Rodgers’ side in next Saturday’s Old Firm derby would at the very least restore a six-point lead with just six points to play for.

On the basis of their recent home form in the fixture, and with the likes of Callum McGregor and Cameron Carter-Vickers looking back to their best, Celtic fans will be confident of their team being in a commanding position next weekend.

The wait to secure third drags on for another 24 hours at least for Hearts, who are watching an impressive season peter out a bit.

Nevertheless, they gave Celtic a few scares in some promising spells but lacked a clinical edge and looked susceptible from cross balls.

Steven Naismith will want that addressed as they aim to finish the campaign strong.

Celtic are unchanged following their win at Dundee last Sunday, meaning resurgent James Forrest continues in attack.

And Brendan Rodgers is boosted by the return of Japan forward Daizen Maeda, who is among the substitutes.

Celtic XI: Hart, Johnston, Carter-Vickers, Scales, Taylor, McGregor, O'Riley, Hatate, Kuhn, Forrest, Kyogo.

Substitutes: Bain, Palma, Idah, Yang, Nawrocki, Iwata, Bernardo, Maeda, Ralston.

Hearts also name the same side after last weekend's goalless draw with Kilmarnock.

Right-back Nathaniel Atkinson returns from injury to make the bench.

Hearts XI: Clark, Kent, Rowles, Kingsley, Lembikisa, Devlin, Baningime, Grant, Cochrane, Vargas, Shankland.

Substitutes: Gordon, Oda, Atkinson, Forrest, McKay, Sibbick, Denholm, Fraser, Tagawa.

• Listen to match commentary from Celtic Park and follow live text updates

Celtic forward Daizen Maeda is back following a hamstring problem to give Brendan Rodgers a full squad to choose from.

Hearts welcome back Nathaniel Atkinson after injury, while Beni Baningime is available despite going off due to illness at half-time in last weekend’s draw at Kilmarnock.

Calem Nieuwenhof, Liam Boyce (both hamstring), Craig Halkett and Peter Haring (both knee) all remain sidelined.

Image source, SNS

Image source, SNS

Brendan Rodgers hopes Celtic can put "scoreboard pressure" on Rangers as his side aim to go six points clear on Saturday.

Philippe Clement's men take on Kilmarnock on Sunday afternoon, and would kick-off significantly behind their title rivals if Celtic beat Hearts the previous day.

While insisting he is focusing on his own team, Rodgers says having points on the board can be a psychological boost at the business end of the season.

"Scoreboard pressure is always there," the manager said.

"It doesn't count for anything if you can't do the job. If you're playing second, you'll know the other team's results.

"You have to focus on yourselves, but it can certainly add weight, especially at this time of the season."

Rodgers admits there was some teething issues upon his arrival in Glasgow as he settled in for his second spell in charge.

But the manager says his Celtic squad are the most harmonious they have been since he returned with four games to go.

"I think there was a lot of settling in, probably a lot of adjustment - 'how long's he going to be here'," he adds.

"Obviously, with Ange leaving as well, Ange had a couple of successful seasons here. To lose one manager, have another one come in that some people don't want in.

"There's all that settling in going on, then the principle difference in performance has been the unavailable of players. This is the most settled of everything since I've been here."

Image source, SNS

Defender Liam Scales has described his unexpected rise to prominence at Celtic as a "dream come true".

The Republic of Ireland international, 25, has signed a new four-year deal having become a first-team regular this season after spending last term on loan at Aberdeen.

"I'm just delighted to get it done, I wanted it," said Scales. "I'm just happy to have it done so I can go on and focus on the games coming up.

"At the start of the season, I didn't really picture myself in this position. So it's gone well for me, it could have been better obviously with certain performances. Certain things I feel like I could have done better over the year, but as a whole it's been successful for me.

"I just want to play football and here is the ideal place for me to be. I love it here, it's a dream come true.

“I love being part of this great club and I want to do all I can to contribute to Celtic and bring our fans as much success as we can.”

Image source, SNS

Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers has been speaking to the media ahead of his side's meeting with Hearts on Saturday.

Here are the key points:

• Admits the mood was a bit "fragmented" in the earlier months of his second tenure, with people perhaps doubting how long he'd be at the club, on top of Ange Postecoglou's departure and numerous injuries.

• His manager of the month award is "testament" to the work his staff and players have done, but his focus is on "team awards" rather than individual ones.

• "Specimen" Daizen Maeda has recovered "remarkably well" to be back in contention this weekend.

• The SFA showed "courage" in admitting to mistakes the last time Celtic played Hearts in the VAR independent review, but it "doesn't change anything" for him.

• Admits that Celtic can put "scoreboard pressure" on Rangers by going six points clear before their title rivals face Kilmarnock on Sunday.

• "Delighted" to sign "stalwart" Liam Scales to a new four-year deal, hailing his reliability this term and turning his Celtic career around.

• Rodgers would "love to keep" Greg Taylor at the club, who is heading into the final year of his contract.

Image source, SNS

Brendan Rodgers says his players deserve "enormous credit" after the Celtic boss was named Premiership manager of the month for an unbeaten April.

The Northern Irishman steered his side to seven points from nine, with a 3-3 derby draw at Ibrox followed by wins over St Mirren and Dundee, as Celtic ended the month with a three-point lead at the top.

"I'm delighted to accept this award on behalf of the players and my backroom team," Rodgers.

"We have enjoyed some excellent performances and results in the past month both at Celtic Park and away from home."

It's not often that lightning strikes twice, never mind three times, in a single season for non-Old Firm sides against Glasgow's big two.

However, Hearts have the chance to make it a hat-trick of victories over Celtic for the first time since October 1961, when they went on to win five in a row.

It is also that long since the Edinburgh side won consecutive league games at Celtic Park, their 2-0 win in December being their first in 24 visits. It also ended a run of 14 straight defeats there.

This is a Hearts side with a renewed confidence that they can compete with the Old Firm, even if Steven Naismith's side fell short of their own expectations in the recent Scottish Cup semi-final against Rangers.

Nevertheless, while Hearts' results since beating the reigning champions 2-0 at Tynecastle in early March have been a bit up and down, Celtic have gone on another seven-game unbeaten run, winning six of them.

It is a repeat of the scenario after Hearts won by the same scoreline at Celtic Park in December, so Rangers fans will no doubt be viewing this as the best chance of Brendan Rodgers' side slipping up outside of the forthcoming Old Firm derby.

Celtic have, though, done enough in recent weeks to take advantage of Rangers' own blips to re-establish a three-point lead.

While their performances have still been viewed as steady rather than scintillating, Celtic have now won six of their latest seven home league matches, scoring two or more goals in five of those victories.

They have found the net an average of three times per game since that last defeat by Hearts, with veteran winger James Forrest the latest to chip in with three in two matches.

In contrast, Hearts goal machine Lawrence Shankland, who scored in both their recent wins over Celtic, has only added one to his season's tally in his last eight outings.

Naismith's side will be looking to the Scotland striker to help avoid a third straight game without scoring as they look for the victory that will officially end Kilmarnock's hopes of catching them in third place.

Read all the weekend Premiership picks

Celtic are interested in Aston Villa and Finland goalkeeper Viljami Sinisalo, who has a year left on his contract with the Premier League club after his spell on loan to Exeter City, but they face a battle with a host of English clubs for the 22-year-old's signature. (Scottish Sun), external

Wolfsburg defender Moritz Jenz is open to a return to Celtic one day, saying he loved his six months on loan in 2022-23, although it was "quite painful" to miss out on celebrating a domestic treble. (Football Scotland), external

Read the rest of Friday's Scottish gossip.

Image source, Getty Images

We asked you who should be named as Celtic's player of the year, and you've provided a mixed bag in response.

Here's what some of you had to say:

Robert: Matt O'Riley, although I honestly wouldn't be surprised if they where no Hoops players up for Premiership player of the year. Not one has been anywhere near consistent enough. Average at best, all of them.

Steven: Poor season. Brendan Rodgers seems less enthusiastic than his previous time at Celtic. They were a winning team under Ange Postecoglou. This season, they have barely scraped through. Player of the season, by a mile, is Alistair Johnston.

Harry: Champions, with Joe Hart as player of the year.

Brian: Not firing on all cylinders, but everything is now in our own hands. Cameron Carter-Vickers and Liam Scales have been solid and Scales has been my player of the season.

Vince: Hart. Easily his best season and won us several points. One of the few leaders in the team and he will be missed.

Scott: Celtic have been average since Rodgers returned, with most of our star players struggling. Kyogo Furuhashi has fallen off a cliff, while Reo Hatate and Daizen Maeda have spent more time on the physio's table than the pitch. Callum McGregor and others have been in and out. The only one consistently performing to the old Angeball standard all season is player of the year, O'Riley.

Steven: I honestly don’t feel this has been a great season under Rodgers. I have struggled to think of any standout performers this season, therefore probably agree with the choice of O’Riley. That said, he is by no means a certainty to win it this year. If we win the league/double, it could well be the worst Celtic team that I can remember to do so.

Andy: Celtic have not had a player at their top of their game this season. Overall, O'Riley is the only option but even he has had a dip in form. Frankly, the only reason we are in this title race is due to a poor side across the city, not our own success.

Image source, BBC/SNS

• Celtic have lost their last two league games against Hearts; they last lost more in a row to Tyencastle side in October 1961 (run of five).

• Hearts' 2-0 win at Celtic Park in December was their first in 28 away league games at Celtic (D3 L24); they last won consecutive away league visits to Celtic in May 1961.

• Celtic have won six of their last seven home matches in the Scottish Premiership (D1), scoring 2+ goals in five of those six victories, including netting 13 across their last three wins – an average of 4.3 goals per game.

• Hearts have lost just two of their last 18 Scottish Premiership matches (W12 D4) and are unbeaten in their last four (W2 D2) since a 2-1 defeat away at Ross County in March.

• Hearts’ Lawrence Shankland has now scored 20+ goals in the Scottish Premiership for the second consecutive season (24 in 2022-23, 21 this season). The 28-year-old has scored at least four more goals than any other player in the competition this term.

Image source, SNS

Celtic will need to pay £5m to land on-loan Norwich City forward Adam Idah on a longer-term arrangement. (Sun), external

Read Thursday's Scottish Gossip

Celtic's title charge continues as they welcome Hearts on Saturday.

But who should get the nod from Brendan Rodgers to start?

Put yourself in the manager's shoes and pick your starting XI here.

Matt O'Riley is the only Celtic player to have been included in the PFA Scotland shortlist for player of the year.

Are there any other Celtic players you think deserved a nomination? Who has impressed you most this season?

Give us your thoughts here.