Tag: Celtic

Rodgers Set to Leave Celtic To Join Leicester

Brendan Rodgers has mutually agreed to leaving Celtic to join English Premiership side Leicester City following their sacking of manager Claude Puel after a 4-1 defeat at the hands of Crystal Palace.

Rodgers, who has previously managed Premier League leaders Liverpool, has enjoyed a successful reign at Celtic winning two league titles two Scottish Cup’s and three League Cup’ as well as competing well in European competitions.

It was always likely that Rodgers would make the move south at some point to take on the much bigger challenge of the English Premiership. He had previously been linked with Arsenal as a replacement for long serving manager Arsene Wenger however the move never happened.

Celtic are reportedly in talks with former boss Neil Lennon about taking over the role as manager on an interim basis following the Northern Irishman’s departure from Hibernian last month.

Lennon had enjoyed a successful playing career at Celtic as well as managing them to a historic 2-1 victory over Spanish giants Barcelona in the UEFA Champions League in 2012

It is unclear whether Lennon would eventually fill the role on a permanent basis or whether the Glasgow side will look for someone else to take the club forward given Lennon’s controversial departure from Hibernian.

Valencia 1-0 Celtic: Review as Celtic Exit Europa League

Brendan Rodger’s Celtic were eliminated from the Europa League as they fell to a 1-0 defeat away from home to Spanish side Valencia completing a 3-0 aggregate win following their home defeat in the first leg.

Celtic had a massive task ahead of them to get back into the tie from 2-0 down in the first leg but started brightly in Spain.

Kristoffer Ajer came very close to the opener in the opening minutes for the visitors with his header being expertly saved.

the turning point came later in the first half when on loan Dortmund defender Jeremey Toljan was given his marching orders for a second yellow card putting the visitors down to 10 men.

From then on Valencia took full control of the match dominating possession and forcing Celtic to play on the counter attack through young winger Oliver Burke.

Despite being second best Celtic should have given themselves the lead with Ajer somehow heading over from six yards out after an expertly delivered freekick from the right.

Valencia ultimately put the tie to bed with 20 minutes remaining when Frenchman Kevin Gameiro netted a simple finish after clever work up the wing to send the hosts comfortably through.

With Celtic now out of the competition they will need to give their full focus on both the Scottish Cup and Premiership table.

Rangers 4-0 St Mirren: As Ref Awards Four Penalties

Referee Andrew Dallas awarded four penalties to Rangers in their 4-0 victory over St Mirren.

New forward Jermain Defoe drew foul in the penalty area inside the opening two minutes in what was the first of many penalty decisions. Captain James Tavernier made no mistake from the spot to give the hosts the lead.

Rangers were awarded a second penalty twenty minutes later when Defoe again drew foul in the box. the hosts were not best pleased by the strikers antics with the foul being a light one. once again Tavernier stepped up but was unable to capitalise on the opportunity as his shot struck the post.

still the hosts continued to push with Defoe and Ryan Kent both coming incredibly close in the first half.

but it wasn’t until ten minutes into the second half that Rangers doubled their lead. and once again, referee Andrew Dallas had a big role to play. James Tavernier’s appeared to strike the arm of St Mirren’s Greg Tansey and Dallas awarded a third penalty to the hosts. Tavernier made no mistake this time.

Rangers continued to dominate and were awarded a fourth penalty with ten minutes remaining as Tansey brought Gers winger Candeias down just inside the box. this time it was Defoe who stepped up to fire home Ranger’s third,

just a minute later and Rangers added a fourth through Ryan Kent. this one came from open play though as Defoe set up his fellow countrymen to hammer home a comfortable win.

the win puts Rangers comfortably in second, three points behind rivals Celtic. Meanwhile, St Mirren remain rooted in last place, two points behind second bottom Dundee

This Weeks Scottish Transfer News

With the winter break well underway, Scottish Premiership teams have been lining up potential transfers to help their squads ahead of the remainder of the season.

Arguably the biggest deal of the window so far is Rangers aquisition of former England international Jermain Defoe on loan from English side Bournemouth. The 36 year old talisman has fallen out of favour at his parent club but could make all the difference if Rangers want to mount a serious title challenge.

Elsewhere, Neill Lennon has been successful in his persuit of former Dundee United star Ryan Gauld on loan from Portuguese side Sporting Lisbon. The young attacking midfielder made the switch from United in 2014 for a romoured fee of around £3 million. Since then Gauld has failed to make an impact for Sporting spending much of his time on loan in lower Portuguese divisions. Lennon will be hoping that the midfielder can regain some form and help Hibernian bid for a top six finish.

League leaders Celtic have also added to their side, taking Scotland international Oliver Burke on loan. The winger has spent time in Germany before making the move to English side West Bromwich Albion. The wingers strength and pace has seen him compared to Real Madrid’s Gareth Bale and could be a key player as Celtic aim to retain the title.

Former Rangers and St Johnstone winger Michael O’Halloran could be a potential target for many Premiership sides following an unsuccessful spell in Australia. The winger’s fast pace and finishing ability will have many sides on high alert including former side St Johnstone, where he enjoyed his best form.

With the league as close as it’s been for a while, this window could prove crucial in the end position for many sides this season.

Celtic 1-0 Aberdeen: As Rodgers Secure Third League Cup

This weekends biggest result was unarguably Celtic’s League Cup victory over Derek Mcinnes’ Aberdeen.  

Having already won six trophies with Celtic Brendan Rodgers went into the game with his sights on a seventh piece of silverware. 

Celtic Lined up in an attacking fashion with James Forrest and Odsonne Edouard both starting for the Glasgow side. At the other end Aberdeen chose a more defensive outlook with out of form Stevie May being left on the bench as target man Sam Cosgrove started. 

Celtic looked in control from the first whistle leaving the Dons on the back foot for much of the opening half. Still, Aberdeen defended bravely keeping their opponents out for most of the first half. 

The breakthrough came deep in the first half with Ryan Christie netting what proved to be the winner just as it looked as though the game would go to half time. 

Celtic were controversially awarded a penalty in the second half after a soft foul was given despite being outside the box. However, justice was served as Dons keeper Joe Lewis kept out Scott Sinclair’s driven spot kick. 

Despite a final push for an equaliser Aberdeen couldn’t break through and Celtic held on well to secure the win and lift the Scottish League Cup. 

Celtic will now turn their attention to fixture away to Motherwell in the Ladbrokes Premiership while Aberdeen will hope to bounce back against league leaders Rangers in Glasgow.