Celtic

Celtic could be facing disciplinary action from UEFA after their fans displayed Palestinian flags during the UEFA Champions League qualifier against Israeli side Hapoel Be'er Sheva on Wednesday night.

The Hoops have been punished eight times in the last five years by the governing body for a variety offences, while last night's scenes could incur further reprimand if deemed an act of political expression—something forbidden by UEFA.

Brendan Rodgers' side won the first leg qualifier, 5-2, but could face a partial closure of their stadium for future fixtures if they are found guilty.

[Sky Sports]

@WeahsCousin pic.twitter.com/sPDquFZygQ

— Chris O’Donnell (@ChrisOD400) July 13, 2016

Sky Sports News suffered a highly embarrassing moment on Wednesday when it referred to made up facts regarding the Lincoln Red Imps, who inflicted a shock 1-0 UEFA Champions League qualifier defeat on Celtic on Tuesday in what was Brendan Rodgers' first game in charge.

The embarrassing result prompted Twitter user @GeorgeWeahsCousin to mock a stats chart that claimed the Red Imps manager was hired after winning a competition and that the team can't train on Tuesdays as their pitch is used by a local metal detecting society.

Warning: the following tweets contain some NSFW language.

Fucking Hell Celtic pic.twitter.com/JDjmECrcaT

— GeorgeWeahsCousin (@WeahsCousin) July 12, 2016

The made up facts were then used by Sky Sports News in an interview with former Celtic player Andy Walker.

That led to much amusement online, with viewers ridiculing the channel for its error:

Sky Sports News actually believed that photoshopped image of the Lincoln Red Imps statistics 😂😂😂

— Kieran Polland (@Kieran_Polland) July 13, 2016

Sky Sports News journalism at its finest. Made up facts for Twitter fun being used on @SkySportsNewsHQ as truth https://t.co/w3gakQB4SQ

— Colm (@cohcfc) July 13, 2016

Sky Sports News is dead. https://t.co/Csbj1lzsV0

— Will (@Will_H86) July 13, 2016

@scodawg77 @WeahsCousin I know it's fake, but it's incredible how sky sports news believed it

— Mike (@mike_mufc94) July 13, 2016

And while those facts may have been made up, it appears one of Celtic's conquerors does work for a taxi firm when he's not playing football:

Asked guy who booked me taxi at stadium if he's going to @celticfc game tmw. "Yes, I'm a @LincolnRedImps player" pic.twitter.com/VkC8PU1H9P

— Ronnie Esplin (@RonnieEsplin) July 11, 2016

At least we hope that's true anyway...

[Twitter]

Brendan Rodgers has been appointed manager of Celtic, the Scottish Premier League champions confirmed on their Twitter account.

It means a return to work for former Liverpool boss Rodgers, who was sacked by the Anfield club earlier in the season. He'll replace Ronny Deila who left Celtic Park in April.

Rodgers called it an "honour" to join a club with Celtic's heritage after signing a one-year, rolling contract, per Sky Sports Scotland:

Brendan Rodgers has signed a 12-month rolling contract:
"This is genuinely a huge honour for me. I have followed #Celtic all my life."

— Sky Sports Scotland (@ScotlandSky) May 20, 2016

The new manager also promised a distinctive brand of football for the Celtic faithful to admire next season, according to the same source:

Rodgers: "I will give my new role everything I have and do all I can to bring our supporters exciting, entertaining and winning football."

— Sky Sports Scotland (@ScotlandSky) May 20, 2016

Rodgers even set himself a target to deliver success on the continent, per the club's official site: "My objective now, of course, is to continue this work, to keep us at the top and again make our mark in Europe."

Making a mark in Europe is something Celtic have struggled to do for a while. Martin O'Neill guided the club to a UEFA Cup final in 2003, while Jock Stein's famous "Lisbon Lions" lifted the European Cup in 1967.

Dominance on domestic shores has been assured for decades, particularly during recent seasons when Glasgow rivals Rangers have been toiling in the lower echelons of Scottish football.

Yet Rodgers will be under pressure to prove he can handle the demands of top-level European football after a disappointing end to his Liverpool spell. He was sacked in September after just over three seasons in charge.

The Northern Irishman guided the Reds to the brink of a Premier League title in the 2013-14 campaign, which ensured qualification for the UEFA Champions League the following season.

But a poor record in Europe, per WhoScored.com, has to concern Celtic supporters:

Brendan Rodgers: Has won just 1 of the 6 Champions League matches he has taken charge of as manager (16.7%)

— WhoScored (@WhoScored) May 20, 2016

Despite any concerns, though, chairman Ian Bankier is convinced Celtic got the right man, per the club: "As expected, there was huge interest in the position of Celtic manager but we believe we have chosen the outstanding candidate to take the club forward."

Bankier may be proved right, but a 12-month, rolling deal could also be interpreted as both sides hedging their bets.

There has been a certain amount of buzz around Patrick Roberts since he earned an £11 million move from Fulham to Manchester City last summer.

The 18-year-old winger will be spending the next 18 months playing for Celtic—and the fans at Parkhead are apparently in for some world-class entertainment. According to Mark Wilson of the Scottish Daily Mail, Roberts said that playing like his idol, Lionel Messi, "comes naturally to him":

It's a conscious thing from me to try to be like Messi. I've watched him for years and he's my idol.

You try to copy what he does and it also comes naturally to me as well. Because I'm left-footed I tend to move the same way as he does.

In games I try to replicate what he does. I've studied him on YouTube and when La Liga is on, I watch that all the time. My view is that you watch the best to learn from the best.

These quotes may add to the weight of expectancy on Roberts' shoulders. In addition to his relatively high transfer fee, Craig Swan of the Daily Record reported that Sir Trevor Brooking hailed Roberts as a player capable of helping England to glory at Euro 2020.

[Daily Mail]

Celtic fans famously sing "You'll Never Walk Alone" before matches, but it seems there is one supporter that nobody wants to sit beside.

A smelly fan has been letting off such an unpleasant odour in the main stand that the Scottish champions have been forced to step in and remind all supporters about their hygienic responsibilities.

As per Independent.ie: 

Celtic have confirmed that they have written to their own supporters reminding them of the 'need to wash' before attending matches.

The bizarre intervention comes after fans complained about a smelly fellow supporter.

Season ticket holders in the main stand at Celtic Park, where the pong has been reported, were sent a letter by officials.

No doubt Celtic will get some stick from other fans for this letter, but we are sure the fans in the locality will take the short-term embarrassment if it results in long-term freshness.

[Independent.ie]

Celtic picked up the first part of what will surely be a cup and league double this season by beating Dundee United in the Scottish League Cup final.

Kris Commons opened the scoring and routinely ran United's defence ragged. Commons had promised to not let the new deal he recently signed at the club result in a dip in his performances, per Daily Record & Sunday Mail writer Scott McDermott.

The 31-year-old forward certainly proved true to his word. His combination play with Norwegian attacking midfielder Stefan Johansen consistently found the Dundee back four wanting.

Despite missing cup-tied duo and ex-United stars in midfield playmaker Stuart Armstrong and winger Gary Mackay-Steven, Celtic produced a controlled display to thwart a Jackie McNamara-led United.

His squad was put in a hole when experienced defender Sean Dillon earned a straight red card barely 15 minutes into the second half.  McNamara's forward line had also been misfiring. That prompted the introduction of Estonian Henri Anier in place of a static Mario Bilate.

At least supporting striker Ryan Dow managed to pose The Hoops some problems. In fact, the 23-year-old's pace and movement caused the game's major moment of controversy.

Dow appeared to be felled in the box, following a clumsy challenge by Celtic midfield enforcer Scott Brown. But no penalty was given.

The STV Sport official Twitter account captured an image of the contentious incident:

Scott Brown and Ryan Dow in the first half - was it a penalty? http://t.co/oBxoxN68RE pic.twitter.com/jbE90zkElr

— STV Sport (@STVSport) March 15, 2015

With the luxury of a man advantage, Celtic boss Ronny Deila introduced James Forrest and John Guidetti for Commons and Leigh Griffiths. That was a painful reminder for United about the quality of their more illustrious opponent's squad.

The quality told almost immediately, when Guidetti cushioned a ball into the path of Forrest to convert the decisive goal. The winger even had the chance to make things look like a rout, but his late penalty was turned away:

SAVED! James Forrest's penalty saved by Radosław Cierzniak http://t.co/oBxoxN68RE pic.twitter.com/o1sCwS9z7A

— STV Sport (@STVSport) March 15, 2015

Celtic's official Twitter feed showed Deila lifting his first piece of silverware with Celtic:

Ronny Deila gets his hands on his first trophy as Celtic boss from @rodstewart pic.twitter.com/bxvyRPSQcG

— Celtic Football Club (@CelticFC) March 15, 2015

Given the game in hand Celtic now have over second-placed Aberdeen in the race for Scottish Premier League title, it surely won't be long before Deila gets his hands on another trophy.

Three seasons ago, John Guidetti appeared to have the world at his feet. He was contracted to Manchester City, who had high hopes for him, and was on loan at Feyenoord in the Dutch Eredivisie to get some top-level European experience.

He bagged 20 goals in 23 games and became a hero with the fans. It was one of the most successful loan spells of recent times.

The player got games, his parent club watched on happily as he gained valuable experience and continued his development, and Feyenoord had one of the stars of the Dutch league. It’s exactly how loan spells are meant to go.

Since then, things haven’t gone to plan. A virus affecting his nervous system saw him sidelined and unable to train or stay fit due to loss of feeling in his right leg. He’s never looked quite the same player since, understandable given what he’s been through, but this season, in a bid to get back to some kind of fitness, he has enjoyed a period playing for Celtic in the SPFL.

It’s a move which has been mixed. Whereas his temporary switch to Stoke City last season, which saw him make only six substitute appearances, was a waste of time for Guidetti, his loan deal with Celtic has at least offered him regular first-team involvement, something he has long needed.

Eleven goals in his first 12 games for Celtic saw him become a hit with the club’s supporters; however, a 10-game drought followed. He’s back on the goal trail again now, though, having scored two in his last four appearances. He’s been consistently involved and looks to have benefited hugely from the experience.

But what’s the ideal scenario for him this summer?

City have progressed rapidly since Guidetti first joined the club, and his contract there is up in the summer. Celtic are surely interested, but given the promise he has shown during his career, he is likely to prefer a move to a higher-profile league.

Given his standing at Feyenoord and the fact that he enjoyed by far the best spell of his career there, a move back there seems like the best option.

And according to Keith Jackson writing in the Daily Record, the Dutch side remain keen admirers and are weighing up a summer move.

Martin van Geel, Feyenoord’s technical director, was in Glasgow to watch Celtic’s match with Aberdeen recently, and Jackson believes he was close to offering £5 million for the striker last summer only to be put off by the player’s past fitness problems. However, taking him on a free transfer is far less risky and a summer move surely beckons.

A source told Jackson: “There is a strong connection between Feyenoord and Guidetti and he is adored by the club’s fans.

“Van Geel is also a huge admirer and was close to making a big offer for him in the summer. But he’s been to Glasgow now in person which is an indication of the level of their interest.”

It would be the perfect solution for the 22-year-old. After more than three years of stalling, his career finally appears to be on an upward curve again.

Perhaps a move to the club where he performed so well and struck up such a wonderful rapport with the fans would provide him with the best possible boost ahead of the next chapter of his career.

Rob Pollard is Bleacher Report's lead Manchester City correspondent and will be following the club from a Manchester base throughout the 2014-15 season. All quotes are obtained firsthand unless otherwise noted. Follow him on Twitter: @RobPollard.

The moment obviously warmed plenty of hearts, as the Scottish Professional Football League included it in their "Goals of the Month" compilation for the month of January.  

A move equal in class to Hamilton's decision to recognise Beatty's strike in their losing scoreline against Celtic. 

And just in case you want to relive the moment, just beware of the dust.

Update, February 15: According to Metro Sport, Jay looks like a big favourite to win the goal of the month competition.

Voters can pick their winner on the YouTube comments section, and a quick skim of the responses suggest that his goal is head and shoulders clear of the rest.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NLbNBFOn6yI

 Update, February 20: And sure enough, Jay has won the competition!

Former Celtic striker Giorgios Samaras was on hand to give him a personal message of congratulations to cap off a lovely story.

Update, February 21: The SPFL have now released touching video of Beatty watching himself win the award and Samaras' subsequent message. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k_pXb4dhDQM

[SPFL, h/t Who Ate All The Pies]

Celtic travel to Dundee to take on Paul Hartley's high-flying side in the marquee fixture of the fifth round of the 2015 Scottish Cup, while Glasgow Rangers face a difficult afternoon when they host Raith Rovers.

Rangers are still reeling after the bitter loss against arch-rivals Celtic in the League Cup, and with issues surrounding the club off the pitch—the squad is making more headlines with the Dave King takeover than their actual performances, per BBC Sport—Sunday's match comes with some serious upset potential.

Dundee have been more than solid since winning promotion to the SPFL last season and caused the upset of the fourth round by eliminating Aberdeen back in November, so cup favourites Celtic will be warned. Here's the full schedule for the fifth round:

Date	Time (GMT)	Home	Away	TV Info	Live Stream	Prediction
Saturday, Feb. 7	12.30 p.m.	Dundee	Celtic	Sky Sports 1 (UK)	Sky Go app	1-2
Saturday, Feb. 7	3 p.m.	Falkirk	Brechin	n/a	n/a	1-0
Saturday, Feb. 7	3 p.m.	Hibernian	Abroath	n/a	n/a	3-0
Saturday, Feb. 7	3 p.m.	Patrick Thistle	Inverness	n/a	n/a	0-1
Saturday, Feb. 7	3 p.m.	Queen of the South	St. Johnstone	n/a	n/a	0-2
Saturday, Feb. 7	3 p.m.	Spartans FC	Berwick	n/a	n/a	1-2
Sunday, Feb. 8	12.30 p.m.	Stranraer	Dundee Utd	Sky Sports 2 (UK)	Sky Go app	1-3
Sunday, Feb. 8	3 p.m.	Rangers	Raith Rovers	BBC One Scotland (UK)	BBC iPlayer	0-1

To access BBC's iPlayer, click here. For the Sky Sports Go app, click here.  

Celtic Will Struggle But Survive against Dundee

Scottish champions Celtic unsurprisingly lead the SPFL standings, having yet to lose a match in 2015, and look primed to add several trophies to their impressive collection of silverware in 2015.

The Hoops were among the more active teams during the winter transfer window, highlighted by the signing of Dundee United duo Stuart Armstrong and Gary Mackay-Steven, per Sky Sports:

BREAKING: @celticfc sign Stuart Armstrong and Gary Mackay-Steven from @dundeeunitedfc: http://t.co/WjIRnyNIkb #SkyDeadlineDay

— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) February 2, 2015

The Old Firm may no longer carry the same meaning as it did before Rangers' liquidation, but it's still arguably one of the highlights of Celtic's season. A relatively easy 2-0 win on Sunday means the visitors will travel to Dundee with plenty of momentum.

Despite all of that, fans shouldn't expect a walk in the park on Saturday. The Dees sit well outside the relegation zone, so the Scottish Cup is likely the club's main objective right now.

Manager Hartley told BBC Sport he knows Saturday's clash won't be easy, but after a strong first season back in the top flight, he's confident of Dundee's chances:

We know it's going to be an extremely hard game but it's one we're really focused on and looking forward to.

We're six games unbeaten, so we've been consistent over the last few weeks and we need to try and keep that going.

We've got a chance to progress to the quarter-finals and supporters always look forward to a good cup run.

Celtic will play Partick Thistle and St. Johnstone in the league before the highly anticipated Europa League fixture against Italian heavyweights Inter Milan, and with the Nerrazzuri struggling in Serie A, it's all too easy to get carried away with the club's current streak of good fortune.

Reuters' Jamie McGeever is just about on cloud nine right now:

Kris Commons signs new contract, GMS and Armstrong on board, easy League Cup semi win, top of the league, Inter next...Good times #Celtic

— Jamie McGeever (@ReutersJamie) February 5, 2015

Going into Saturday's match with that mentality could result in disaster, and fans better hope the players are taking this clash a little more seriously. Dundee are unbeaten since the derby against Dundee United on New Year's Day, and the hosts should not be taken lightly at all.

Controversy Will Doom Rangers against Raith Rovers

As if the Dave King takeover didn't provide Rangers with enough distractions, even more controversy broke out on Thursday. Chief executive Derek Llambias was forced to hold a press conference to deny claims the board is influencing team selections at Ibrox, per BBC Sport's Chris McLaughlin:

#Rangers chief exec Derek Llambias says the board is not influencing team selection at Ibrox.

— Chris McLaughlin (@BBCchrismclaug) February 5, 2015

Those comments came in response to caretaker manager Kenny McDowall, who told reporters he is being forced to play five loan signings from Newcastle United, a club owned by Rangers shareholder Mike Ashley, via BBC Sport.

McDowall has already resigned from his post and is currently in charge of the squad on a 12-month notice period. To call the current situation at Ibrox "unhealthy" would be an understatement.

Sporting Life's Gavin McGrane is predicting an upset at the hands of Raith Rovers on Sunday, and it's easy to see why:

Our Gavin McGrane is backing Raith Rovers to upset Rangers in the Scottish Cup on Sunday - http://t.co/OwrBnLuuox pic.twitter.com/fCt1944Rz3

— Sporting Life Racing (@SportingLife) February 5, 2015

Rovers are built for a deep cup run, playing the kind of feisty, defensive football that can drive opposing teams mad. Last weekend, Hibernian spent the bulk of the second half trying to kill Raith off, only to watch striker Christian Nade score in injury time to conserve a point for his team.

Hibs were frustrated by Rovers' defensive resiliency throughout the match despite leading for the majority of the second half, and the result at Easter Road will give the visitors plenty of confidence ahead of their trip to Ibrox.

Add Rangers' struggles, question marks regarding McDowall's motivation, the controversial loan signings and the emotional impact of the loss to Celtic, and you have a recipe for disaster for the home side.

Follow @ReverschPass

Celtic and Rangers are proving that, above all, humanity trumps rivalry—no matter how historic, fierce and hated it gets, which is surely the case with Old Firm.

The Glasgow clubs are banding together in order to support Fernando Ricksen, 38, who revealed he was suffering from Motor Neurone Disease in October 2013.

According to mndassociation.org, "Motor Neurone Disease (MND) is a progressive disease that attacks the motor neurones, or nerves, in the brain and spinal cord. This means messages gradually stop reaching muscles, which leads to weakness and wasting."

The site notes there is currently no cure for MND, which "can affect how you walk, talk, eat, drink and breathe."

A team comprised of former Rangers players will face an all-star side that will be managed by former Ibrox defender Graham Roberts in a fundraising match for MND charities this weekend.

Ahead of Sunday's match, Celtic chipped in and donated £10,000 to the cause. Per Celtic's official website, Chief Executive Peter Lawwell explained the decision:

At Celtic, unfortunately we are all too familiar with MND and its devastating effects. Jimmy Johnstone, the man voted Celtic's greatest-ever player, fought bravely against this illness as did former player John Cushley, someone who gave so many years' service to the club.

Through Celtic FC Foundation and our wider charitable work, we are also in contact with a number of supporters who are facing this disease. We have had a long association with charities which work to tackle MND and through this event we are pleased to be able to offer our support again.

We would like also to take this opportunity to send our thoughts and best wishes to Fernando and his family.

[Celtic FC, h/t Reddit]