Celtic

We asked you which of Celtic's out-of-contract and loan players you would like to keep at the club.

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

Patrick: I feel like Idah deserves a contract with the way he's been playing, he's really been a super sub for us and is scoring consistently in games. That being said, he may struggle to get into the starting XI if Kyogo is scoring as frequently as he was last season, but he's not been at his best under Brendan, which gives Idah an opportunity.

Ryan: I think Celtic are a stronger team with players like Adam Idah and Paulo Bernardo, so I think both should be made permanent players if the transfer fee is correct. I think Celtic should send out a few players on loan like Welsh, Ralston, Vata to get game time. Need to bring a left-back and replacement goalkeeper.

Gordy: I am not sure keeping Idah or Bernardo is essential for next season. If we wrap up the league, we should be looking for more established players who can improve our record in Europe, including a keeper, left-back, centre-back and a striker to challenge Kyogo. Midfield will also need addressed should O'Riley go, use the money well this time.

Munro: I think we keep Bernardo and I don't think we should keep Idah because he easily loses the ball.

Wilocks: Get Idah permanently and try to get Bernardo cut price to soften the blow for when O'Riley leaves. Need a big game keeper, a solid CB and Tierney back to really take on the Champions League next season. Need to widen the gap again to Rangers this summer.

Anon: Keep Idah & Bernardo, let go of Yang, Oh & Mikey Johnston.

Anon: If the price is right, I think the club should sign Idah. His physicality brings a different dimension to our attack which is useful in games when the opposition have nullified our smaller, faster forwards. This can be argument for signing Miovski as an alternative if Norwich are pricing us out of Idah.

With six games remaining in the domestic season, Celtic are exactly where most people would have expected them to be – top of the league and in the Scottish Cup final, and favourites to win both.

That said, despite a recent turnaround at the top, few of a Celtic mindset are celebrating just yet, with the penalty shoot-out victory over Aberdeen a reminder that there remains a vulnerability to the side that means further twists and turns are possible.

Celtic didn’t turn up in the first half at Hampden, were gifted an equaliser and then, having gained the upper hand by starting the second half well, allowed Aberdeen back into the game not once but twice.

Credit where it is due, they held their nerve and got the job done eventually but as attention switches back to the Premiership, the champions must sharpen their focus to ensure they do not afford Rangers the opportunity to haul themselves back into title contention.

Philippe Clement’s side came unstuck at Dens Park a week ago and Celtic have to avoid any such slip-up on Sunday in their first post-split fixture. Wins against Dundee and Hearts in their next two games should allow them to set up an unofficial title-winning clash with Rangers at home on 11 May.

A 12th title from 13 and indeed a 19th trophy out of 24 available domestically are within touching distance following a run of just one defeat in 19 games, just the type of clinical, cold-blooded form required of champions.

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Celtic, Southampton and PSV Eindhoven are plotting moves to sign Austrian goalkeeper Patrick Pentz, who is currently on loan at Danish side Brondby from newly-crowned Bundesliga champions Bayer Leverkusen. (Football Insider), external

Cameron Carter-Vickers plays down Celtic's three-point lead over Rangers at the top of the Scottish Premiership and the defender is targeting six wins out of six to clinch a league and Scottish Cup double. (Record), external

Former Celtic players Jonny Hayes and Charlie Mulgrew are in the frame for the club's under-18s head coach role. (Sun), external

With several players out of contract in the summer, clubs up and down the country are considering who they want to be involved next season.

For Celtic, Joe Hart has already confirmed he will retire at the end of the campaign and the loans of Adam Idah and Paulo Bernardo are set to expire.

Who would you like to keep, and who would you be happy to wave goodbye to? Click here to have your say.

Celtic have been given a reduced allocation for Sunday's Scottish Premiership match away to Dundee. (Herald - subscription), external

May's Scottish Cup final between Celtic and Rangers could be scheduled at the same time as the FA Cup final between Manchester City and Manchester United. The Scottish FA are inclined not to move the kick-off to avoid a repeat of the row that followed delaying last season's cup final, when winners Celtic and Inverness Caledonian Thistle started after City beat United at Wembley. (Record), external

Rangers forward Cyriel Dessers has scored more goals so far this season than Celtic counterpart Kyogo Furuhashi but former Ibrox striker Kris Boyd points out Kyogo has "done it in big games". (Sun), external

Goalkeeper Joe Hart would be open to staying at Celtic in a new role after he hangs up his gloves at the end of the season. (Record), external

Liam Scales urges Celtic to address their defensive issues, saying the loss of three goals in the Scottish Cup semi-final win over Aberdeen was "a warning". (Sun), external

Read Tuesday's Scottish Gossip

Celtic centre-back Liam Scales "really struggled" with Aberdeen's physicality in Saturday's Scottish Cup semi-final, says former Pittodrie defender Richard Foster.

Foster also feels Scales was at fault for Aberdeen's second and third goals at Hampden.

Click here to listen to more on the Scottish Football Podcast.

Right-back Alistair Johnston has revealed he thought centre-back Cameron Carter-Vickers had jinxed Celtic's Joe Hart during the goalkeeper's penalty dramatics against Aberdeen (Scottish Sun)

Ex-Celtic midfielder Stuart Armstrong is still hopeful of making Scotland's squad for Euro 2024, with the injury he suffered at the weekend deemed less serious than initially feared. (Stephen McGowan on X)

Celtic and Rangers will put on a thrilling end to the season - but both clubs need massive clear-outs in the summer. (Scottish Sun)

Read the rest of Monday's gossip.

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Liam Scales says Celtic's attention turns to putting the league title "to bed" after reaching the Scottish Cup final.

The 25-year-old admits it likely won't be plain sailing, but is eyeing a strong end to the season as Brendan Rodgers' side strive for a double.

“We are coming in strong to the last part of the season and that’s the way we like it and that’s the way we want it to be,” said the Irish defender.

“With five games left in the league we want to try and put that to bed and then deal with the cup.

“It probably won’t be that simple but that’s the plan.”

Scales has become a fixture in the Celtic defence this season, earning a spot in the PFA team of the year, following a successful loan spell at Pittodrie last year.

“I really enjoyed my time at Aberdeen and it is a great club,” he added.

“To break into the team here is brilliant. I’m delighted how the season has gone. We just need to finish the season strong in our last five league games leading into the cup final.”

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Matt O'Riley believes the togetherness in the Celtic camp hauled them over the line to the Scottish Cup final.

Brendan Rodgers' side twice suffered late levellers from Aberdeen after trailing early in their semi-final meeting.

But the holders held their nerve in a anxious penalty shoot-out to reach another final.

"I can’t speak for everyone to be honest, I think we were just trying to encourage each other," O'Riley said.

"We stay positive and just trust each other, I think we did that.

"We are a really tight group and I think that shows in the way we play usually and also off the pitch behind the scenes.

"We are really tight so I think that makes the difference in those moments."

We asked you to collect your thoughts after Celtic's wild semi-final shootout win over Aberdeen.

Here's what you said:

Tom: You couldn't get through that game without thinking it's not going to be Celtic's day. But in the end, they just about deserved it in my humble opinion.

Grant: Celtic doing their best to throw the match away. Some very bizarre decisions coming from the touchline. Taking off McGregor when in ascendancy. Subbing Forrest for Nawrocki allowing their defender to go up for the last goal as he’s no one to mark. Hart on fifth penalty when he’s rubbish with the ball at his feet under pressure. That was a shambles!

Patrick: Thought we were pretty threatening going forward, but very weak at the back. Greg Taylor is out of position far too often and a very ineffective defender. Fought hard and got the crucial win.

David: Couldn't watch the penalties, I had to walk the dog. My son called me when we won, this game will be the death of me.

John: Rogers needs to go. Somewhere, anywhere else. This team can't perform to the best of their ability under him. Lacks the ability to motivate. In what line of work can you fail so comprehensively relegating Leicester, and get a great job for a huge club. Last time he was at Celtic there was no real competition.

D: Scales not good enough for Celtic at fault for two goals. Need to play better than this if they want to win the league again.

Neil: As thrilling as the game was, we mustn't miss that Celtic were poor against a bang average lower end of the table team. We shipped three goals and did not have their keeper under any real pressure. Paper and cracks comes to mind. If we do the double, it will only be that the opposition we face is sub optimal. We will again be exposed in Europe.

Andy: Semi-finals are never easy but we made it to the final. We will have to play a lot better in the remaining games if we are going to win the league. Cal Mac does not look nearly fit and Yang not good enough to start yet but we just need to keep winning games.

Carlos: Maybe a bit harsh considering, but in my opinion, Brendan Rodgers is not the man for Celtic. They have regressed badly in both quality and bottle. Watching them (as a supporter) is mostly a drudge and they now concede far more late goals than score.

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Joe Hart says he was able to clear his mind in the high pressure stakes of a semi-final penalty shootout, despite missing the fifth penalty.

The Celtic goalkeeper took the first spot-kick of his professional career, bouncing it off the post before going on to make the deciding save.

"I committed to my penalty, but I just missed it and then we move forward, onto the next action," he said.

"I fully back myself. The team back my, the manager backs me, I told him that I’ll put my name forward again.

"I went through my process, just pulled it too much but I believe it what I do. It’s just unfortunate but for once it pays off being a goalkeeper and I was able to reprieve myself.

"I’ve not took a penalty in a professional game. Gutted I didn’t score but delighted I got the win.

"Moments like that you need people with clarity of mind and people that know what they’re doing and that’s me."

Cameron Carter-Vickers has admitted he thought he had given away an extra-time penalty when the Celtic defender caught Aberdeen winger Junior Hoilett in the box in Saturday's epic last-four encounter. (Scottish Sun)

Click here to read Sunday's Scottish football gossip in full.

Well, have you managed to gather your thoughts yet?

If you have, we'd love to hear them and your take on events at Hampden.

Give us your best shot here.

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Brendan Rodgers jokes that he needs a "therapy" session after that dramatic finish against Aberdeen.

"What a game for neutrals watching, but great spirit and credit both teams.

"Aberdeen did fantastic, nothing to lose and came and played really well.

"We had to dig in after a slow start, but I'm just happy to be in the final.

"We weren't tight enough in our positioning and they were quite bright in midfield and combined well to get through. We gave them too much space, we were away on the attack before we secured the ball and they scored a very good goal. You have to give them credit for that."

As for goalkeeper Joe Hart's penalty miss before saving the crucial one, Rodgers adds: "He says he still wants another penalty! We've worked on it the last couple of days - we know who's taking the penalties, but it was a great save and he's the hero in the end."

Wow. What a game.

One that will be talked about for decades. An astonishing affair from start to end. And even after taking a deep breath it's difficult to know where to begin in breaking this captivating classic down.

Brendan Rodgers had said this week that this is the part of the season Celtic come alive. It took them a wee while to appear awake but ultimately, by hook or by crook, they were wide-eyed when it mattered.

A gruelling afternoon for a side still in the hunt for the league and cup double, and it was the old guard yet again who turned up trumps.

Hart turned 37 on Friday. Maybe he wished to score the deciding penalty at Hampden. He had a smile across his face in the celebrations, not many supporters would have when he stepped up and squandered his spot kick. Timing is everything.

As was the introduction of Forrest. Eight goals and 10 assists now against Aberdeen. 13 goals for Celtic at the national stadium. He's bearing down on matching Billy McNeill's trophy tally with the club too.

Rodgers said he is still Celtic's best winger. Moments of magic like he produced today will be well-received as the run-in commences.

Nicolas Kuhn was here, there and everywhere at Hampden. His performance was much more than his goal, arguably that was the easiest part of his day. He got stuck in, linked-up well with Alistair Johnston and showed desire to drive Celtic forward.

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