Celtic

Image source, SNS

Winger Sebastian Tounekti insists Celtic's never-say-spirit will be crucial in the title run-in as he looks to build on a "really big" Ibrox point with victory at Aberdeen tonight.

Martin O'Neill's side have the chance to move above Rangers into second and cut the gap on leaders Hearts to five points with a win against Aberdeen.

Celtic hit back from two down for a point in the Old Firm derby on Sunday and Tounekti, who helped inspire the second-half revival, says there's more fight where that came from.

"It was a strange game to be honest, a game of two halves," the Tunisian told CelticTV.

"In the first half we weren't even close, but the second half was really good.

"As a player, and the type of player I am, I want to help the team. I want to come off the bench and help my mates to win the game.

"We managed to get a draw in the end and there are still many matches left, so a point on Sunday was really big.

"We've showed all season that we are a team who will never stop fighting or believing.

"Many would have said after the first half that we were finished but we know that we are a team who can fight back and we did.

"It's important for us to keep that belief in us until the end of the season."

Image source, SNS

• Aberdeen remain winless in 33 meetings with Celtic in all competitions (D7 L26) since a 1-0 league victory in May 2018.

• Celtic have won 15 of their past 18 away league visits to Aberdeen (D3) since losing successive trips there in the 2015-16 season under Ronny Deila.

• Aberdeen have lost two of their past three home league games (W1), more than in their previous eight beforehand (W3 D4 L1). The Dons could lose back-to-back league matches at Pittodrie for only the second time this season, having done so in their opening two home fixtures of this Premiership campaign.

• Celtic have won 20 of their past 22 league matches played on a Wednesday, while the exceptions in this run were away defeats to Hibernian in May 2023 (4-2) and Dundee United in December 2025 (2-1).

• Kevin Nisbet has scored a double in his past two home league appearances for Aberdeen and could net in three successive home league matches for the first time. Nisbet has also scored in two of his past three home league appearances against Celtic.

Image source, SNS

Celtic pair Alistair Johnston and Callum Osmand have had setbacks in their attempts to return from injury. (Sun), external

Manager Martin O'Neill hopes Celtic's January recruits can have make an impact in the final months of the season after having a taste of things so far. (Record), external

Former Celtic player Peter Grant believes Hearts not winning the Scottish Premiership title this season would be worse than their final-day collapse in 1986, when Celtic pipped Hearts to the title. (Sun), external

Wednesday's Scottish gossip

Image source, SNS

Martin O'Neill is looking for Celtic to make a fast start at Aberdeen on Wednesday as they aim to narrow Hearts' Scottish Premiership lead.

O'Neill's side were dominated in the first half of their 2-2 draw at Rangers on Sunday, a match that marked the fifth time Celtic have conceded first in their past seven matches.

A second-half fightback earned them a well-deserved point, meaning they are eight points behind Hearts and two behind Rangers.

"The trip to Ibrox was going to be difficult in itself, but we certainly can't spend 45 minutes on the back foot and not really competing properly," he said.

"And that's against any side, never mind Rangers. So from our viewpoint, we've got to try and get a grip of the game earlier than we're doing.

"The players are obviously very pleased, as we all are, with the fightback. We did brilliantly in the second half. And as I said, not too many teams come from a 2-0 deficit at Ibrox to get something out of the game, which we did.

"Certainly, this is a big game for us tomorrow evening and we have to try and win."

Goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel will be absent again after missing the weekend action at Ibrox, but O'Neill hopes he will have recovered for the Scottish Cup quarter-final tie against Rangers on Sunday.

"Kasper is still not feeling great so I will leave him to recover properly," said the Northern Irishman, who will again be without suspended defender Auston Trusty.

"[Viljami Sinisalo] has done really well in the two games that he's come in. I have been pleased with him. I thought he did fine against Rangers, really fine."

Image source, SNS

Aberdeen defender Nicky Devlin misses out against Celtic after picking up a knock against Hearts, where Tom McIntyre was absent through injury. Emmanuel Gyamfi is working his way back to fitness.

Mats Knoester (concussion), Kristers Tobers (knee) and Nick Suman (ankle) remain out.

Celtic number one keeper Kasper Schmeichel remains out with illness while Martin O'Neill has a couple of players carrying niggles.

Auston Trusty serves the second of a three-match ban. Arne Engels (leg), Cameron Carter-Vickers (Achilles), Jota (knee), Alistair Johnston and Callum Osmand (both hamstring) remain out.

Image source, SNS

Celtic interim manager Martin O'Neill has been speaking to the media before his side travel to face Aberdeen in the Scottish Premiership on Wednesday.

Here are the key lines:

• O'Neill confirms Kasper Schmeichel is "still not feeling great" and the goalkeeper will again be missing for Wednesday's match. The Celtic boss hopes the Dane is able to return for the Scottish Cup quarter-final with Rangers on Sunday.

• He says there are another "couple of niggles" within the squad after Sunday's 2-2 draw at Ibrox but did not disclose who.

• O'Neill hailed Viljami Sinisalo's impact since coming into the side as Schmeichel's replacement: "I thought he did fine at Rangers, really fine. The goals he conceded are certainly not his fault, so I've been very pleased with him. It's an opportunity to see him because I think he wants to be the number one goalkeeper here in the foreseeable future."

• Following Sunday's two-goal comeback, O'Neill reiterated his delight at the team's second-half response and hopes any momentum can be taken into their "big match" at Pittodrie. He feels there is "no room for error" for Celtic in their title pursuit.

• Celtic have conceded the first goal in five of their past seven matches. On addressing recent slow starts, O'Neill adds: "We certainly can't spend 45 minutes on the back foot and not really competing properly. That's against any side, never mind Rangers."

• O'Neill says Reo Hatate, whose half-time introduction was vital to Celtic's fightback against Rangers, "has to get the best out of himself". The manager adds that the Japan midfielder has endured a "tough old season".

• On the challenge struggling Aberdeen will pose, O'Neill says: "The game itself presents the challenge, I think Aberdeen will get themselves up for the game, quite rightly so. They've got points to prove themselves."

Tino
Fan writer

As ever, the noise lingers long after the final whistle.

Sunday's storm hasn't so much blown over as drifted into an all too familiar pattern, with Rangers supporters tying themselves in knots to explain away the obvious.

Apparently Dujon Sterling's handball wasn't a penalty. Apparently rebounds shouldn't count. Apparently Julian Araujo committed some phantom crime against Nico Raskin that warranted a red card.

We've seen it all before. And it's nothing more than good old-fashioned deflection.

Deflection from their own failings, deflection from their inability to hold on to a two-goal lead, and deflection from the fact the draw may well have put an end to their title hopes.

And it will rumble on, right up until kick-off at the weekend, when we can do it all over again.

Before all that however, Celtic's focus shifts to Pittodrie and a tricky midweek trip to face Aberdeen.

And following Sunday's second-half turnaround the spotlight is shining firmly on Reo Hatate given his game-changing performance at Ibrox.

After the match, Callum McGregor described his Japanese team-mate as a "player that can do special things", referencing recent performances against Stuttgart and now Rangers.

But there was another line from the captain that perhaps highlights the frustrating inconsistency we've seen from Hatate at times this season. McGregor said: "He's a real high-level player and you have to stay on top of him all the time to get the best out him."

Those eight words stand out: "you have to stay on top of him…"

Hatate is now 28. It's a World Cup year and he has still has a chance – albeit slim – of making the Japan squad.

He's now been at Celtic for four years – so he knows what it's all about. On the surface, it feels curious a player of his undoubted talent and experience needs coaxing towards the levels we all know he's capable of.

But footballers are human. We don't see the full picture - the knocks, the doubts, the personal burdens that all take place behind the scenes.

Perhaps the player thought a move elsewhere in Europe - or even back home - may have materialised by now. And who knows what assurances were made to him on his arrival in Scotland in January 2022.

What we do know is this - when Hatate hits top gear, there isn't a midfielder in Scotland who can live with him.

If Sunday was the spark Hatate needed, and not just a flicker of his former exploits, then these 10 ten league games - and a Scottish Cup run - could look very different indeed.

Keep Hatate firing and Celtic's chances of success this season rise dramatically.

Tino can be found at The Celtic Exchange, external

Image source, SNS

Don Robertson has been confirmed as the referee for Sunday's Scottish Cup quarter-final when Rangers host Celtic for the second time in a week.

Robertson will be assisted by Ross Macleod and David Roome. Andrew Dallas takes charge of VAR duties, assisted by Matthew MacDermid.

The Old Firm rivals meet for a place in the cup semi-finals after a thrilling 2-2 Premiership draw last Sunday where Celtic hit back from a two-goal half-time deficit for a point.

Robertson last took charge of an Old Firm derby in August when the sides met for the first time this season, drawing 0-0 at Ibrox.

Image source, SNS

Former striker Chris Sutton says he would not be surprised if Celtic drop points against Aberdeen on Wednesday.

The champions play their game in hand at Pittodrie knowing a win would take them second, one point above Rangers and five behind Hearts with nine game left.

Despite Aberdeen winning just one of their past 12 matches Sutton says a victory for Celtic - who fought back from two down for a point at Ibrox on Sunday - is far from certain.

"It wouldn't surprise me on Wednesday night if Celtic, after the comeback of the weekend, went up to Pittodrie and drew the game," Sutton told BBC Scotland.

"And that's because I just haven't been convinced with Celtic this season.

"You watch Celtic all season and you're not quite sure. Going into a game over the last however many seasons, a Celtic team going to Ibrox or in a big game, you could pick the team with your eyes closed.

"At the weekend, everybody's thinking: well, who's Martin [O'Neill] going to play? Because the Celtic players haven't performed at a certain level this season, so there's a lot of competition for places.

"Martin's finding a way to keep Celtic in the title race. But it's a massive game on Wednesday.

"But just because of the nature of what's happened this season, it wouldn't be a shock to anybody if Celtic went up there and drew or lost."

Image source, SNS

Celtic's visit to Aberdeen on Wednesday is a must-win game for their Scottish title hopes - and more important than Sunday's Scottish Cup quarter-final against Rangers - according to former midfielder Peter Grant.

Grant believes the reigning champions' chances of overhauling leaders Hearts and second-top Rangers "would have been over" had they not come from behind to draw 2-2 in Sunday's Old Firm derby and if they did not have a game in hand.

"Going to Aberdeen, it's never been easy," Grant told the BBC's Scottish Football Podcast despite the hosts' indifferent season. "But it's a must-win for Celtic.

"You've got to win that game in hand because I would rather be sitting in Hearts' position, all the games played, points in the bag, there is absolutely no doubt of that.

"Hearts are in pole position. Celtic-Rangers have to continually win because Hearts are sitting up there now and, if they continue to win, nobody can do anything.

"People will be talking about the Rangers game in the cup next week. Forget about that. It's all about this one against Aberdeen. That's the most important game in the calendar.

"And, to be fair to this group of boys, they've not played well this season, but they keep going. They've shown guts."

Grant thinks "everybody's in that fight at this moment", the top three plus fourth-placed Motherwell, and "it's going to go that close" that something like a VAR decision or red card could decide the destiny of the title.

A trio of Motherwell stars, duos from Hearts and Falkirk, and one each from Rangers, Celtic, Hibs and Dundee.

Jonathan Sutherland has picked his team of the week, so let's take a look and see who impressed...

Calum Ward - Motherwell

A key part of the Motherwell success story at the back. Yet another clean sheet.

Harry Milne - Hearts

Mr Versatile and Mr Reliable all rolled into one. Another team of the week appearance for Milne. Taking the liberty of forcing this auxiliary dynamo into right-back here.

Luke Graham - Dundee

A goal and an assist from the highly promising Dundee defender. His finish for the Dark Blues was like that of a striker.

Kieran Tierney - Celtic

Huge goal at a huge time in the Old Firm Derby. The Scotland international has quietly been a big player for Celtic over the past few weeks and will no doubt be a big leader for this side in the finale of this incredible season.

Nicky Cadden - Hibernian

There is almost laser precision to his deliveries from the left-hand side. His assist for Owen Elding's header was a perfect example, knowing exactly where to put the ball to elude the defence and allow the striker the best chance to finish.

Elliott Watt - Motherwell

The Motherwell orchestrator has been a key part of the Fir Park ensemble, which continues to hit all the right notes.

The ominous thing for Hearts, Rangers and Celtic is there appears to be no reason why Motherwell cannot keep on winning.

Watt is a central cog in that winning machine. An assist for Tawanda Maswanhise's second.

Dylan Tait - Falkirk

Two goals and so much to enjoy from the Falkirk midfielder. Part of a group completely in sync with each other, and loving life under John McGlynn in the top flight.

Claudio Braga - Hearts

Has led from the front in the absence of Lawrence Shankland and always seems to be in the right place at the right time.

The personification of Hearts this season, plucked by analytics from the relative obscurity of the Norwegian second division to spearheading a title charge threatening to destroy 40 years of Old Firm dominance.

Barney Stewart - Falkirk

Another barnstorming weekend for young Barney Stewart. The Grangemouth Harry Kane was on fire against Kilmarnock and was unlucky not to claim another hat-trick.

The story of the university lad now playing Premiership football has been well told, but it's now moved on to just how quickly he has developed into one of the most exciting strikers in the league.

The only thing missing from the McGlynn Falkirk success story was a goal-getting number nine. They have certainly found him.

Youssef Chermiti - Rangers

Talk about a big game player.

Looks decidedly pedestrian at times in more run-of-the-mill fixtures, but when it slams to the big matches against the big teams the 21-year-old has been the man to deliver. And in spectacular style.

His first goal was Scott McTominay-esque, an iconic Old Firm moment. His second was pure gallus opportunism full of ingenuity and initiative.

Tawanda Maswanhise - Motherwell

Another two goals for the jewel in the crown of the Motherwell story. The top scorer in the Premiership, if Maswanhise can stay fit and keep this form going the Steelmen really do have a shot at glory.

Their combination of goals and clean sheets is quite incredible. What an extra dimension Motherwell and Maswanhise have brought to this quite sensational season.

We asked for your views on Celtic's 2-2 draw against Rangers.

Here's what some of you said:

Paul: If this awful Celtic team can manage to overturn that 2-0 deficit, it says far more about the Rangers team. If Reo Hatate had played with that much energy and intelligence for all of this season we would be top not third, and he still was nowhere near his best.

John: With 30 points still to play for I'm surprised a lot of pundits are talking as if the league has already been won. Whatever happened to "until it's mathematically impossible there's still all to play for"? I think Hearts and Motherwell will both drop points.

Mike: An error to start Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, I thought. He would have been better off the bench, however Reo Hatate has been poor so can understand why. Still in it, which is the main thing. I was surprised Rangers didn't push on in the second half to try to win it.

Paul: Both teams will be disappointed to only get a point. Winners were Hearts and Motherwell. Celtic can go second with a win at Aberdeen on Wednesday. Going to be twists and turns every week before this league is won! I'll go for Celtic as they play Hearts and Rangers at Celtic Park after split.

Tyler: Luke McCowan had it absolutely spot on when he said that at our best Celtic are the best team in the country. It's not over 'til it's over!

Alistair: Although we have still lost two points to Hearts, I'm taking a positive view today as we might have the old Hatate back and we are still well in the title race if we play the way we did in the second half more often. We may not have the most talent, but this squad has belief, grit and determination of champions.

Watch the best of the action as Celtic come from two down at Rangers to earn a point in a gripping Old Firm draw.

MATCH REPORT: Rangers 2-2 Celtic

Available in UK only

A number of Championship clubs have joined Celtic and Rangers in the race to sign 20-year-old Huddersfield Town midfielder Cameron Ashia, who is a free agent in the summer. (Football Insider), external

Former Celtic youth full-back Calvin Miller was among the Scottish champions' fans attending Sunday's 2-2 draw with Rangers at Ibrox, the 28-year-old having been linked with a return to his former club from Falkirk in January. (Scottish Sun), external

Read Monday's Scottish Gossip in full.

Resurgent Celtic came from two goals down to salvage a dramatic point in the 91st minute against Rangers as both Old Firm sides remain detached from Scottish Premiership leaders Hearts.

Read the full match report here.

Let us know your thoughts here.

Image source, SNS

Celtic interim manager Martin O'Neill told BBC Scotland: "It was obviously a great game. We were well and truly second best in the first half, for almost all of it. They got off to a great start.

"The second goal wasn't great play by us, however. It was a long way back at half-time. But this side has shown a great determination, got the ball down and played.

"The second half belonged to us and we got an equaliser which we thoroughly deserved.

"If you're 2-0 down at half-time, you have to question yourself. I spend my life questioning myself, to tell you the truth. But anyway, we pulled it round second half. Great effort by the players, they've shown great spirit.

"Coming here is a difficult task, particularly if you're chasing the game as we were.

"Going back to those days, the side were very strong physically. They could compete at European level and domestically. This side doesn't have the same sort of physicality but they do not lack heart.

"Maybe wrong selection in the first place! Easy to say that. They had a big influence in the game and Hatate finally puts the ball in the net after the third or fourth attempt.

"In the scheme of things, you might think it's two points dropped but at half-time, it's a point gained.

"It helps, to fight back at Ibrox from a 2-0 deficit. We could and should have won the game, and that gives you enormous ambition to drive on.

"We're still giving ourselves a chance in this title race. If you were in Hearts position, a draw is a very good result. Motherwell are far from out of it themselves.

"Just a tribute to the supporters, they kept us going in the second half, kept us going during the game. I'm sure they were disappointed with the first half, but hopefully they're elated by what they saw in the second half."