Match Pictures | Matches: 2024 – 2025
Trivia
- KO: 12:30 Saturday, Sky Sports; League Match 34
- Celtic seal the league title! 55th. Fourth Successive league title.
- First post split match.
- Celtic on 84pts & +80GD, Sevco second on 67pts & +33GD! What a gap!
- Celtic just needed a pt today to win the league title, but with Sevco later dropping pts in 2-2 draw with St Mirren, didn’t even need the win today if all else had stayed the same!
- Brendan Rodgers now the most decorated manager currently around. A lot for him to take pride in and the support returned the respect.
- Brendan Rodgers’ Celtic side have always scored five goals on the days they’ve clinched the title Hearts away 2016-17 Rangers home 2017-18 Kilmarnock away 2023-24 Dundee Utd away 2024-25
- James Forrest becomes Celtic’s most decorated player with this title! He has played to date alongside 186 players at Celtic!
- Jota going off with what looks like a twisted knee which may potenitally curtail his season early.
- Fans ripped off & taken advantage of to pay a premium for this match. Supporters in the upper levels of the Jerry Kerr Stand, where Celtic fans are typically located along with the Shed End, will pay £42, while those in the lower section will be charged £40. For this match, away supporters have been assigned sections in the Jim McClean Stand. Tickets available at £25 for the upper tiers and £33 for the lower. Due to the large number of season tickets sold and the substantial away allocation, only about 500 tickets remain available for home supporters.
- Green Brigade hold two protests on the ticket prices throwing tangerines on the pitch in the first half then lots of cheap footballs onto the pitch in the second half!
- Celtic raised concerns with the SPFL over the ticket arrangements with a public statement.
- Hearts have sacked head coach Neil Critchley in the aftermath of their 1-0 home defeat by Dundee. It was the Gorgie club’s fifth successive match without a win in a period where they have scored only one goal.
- Season ticket cost for next season has been increased by ~5%.
- Celtic History: The incredible Celtic Historian Tom Campbell passed away, RIP. He wrote many seminal books on the club.
- Easter Monday: Pope Francis passed away, RIP. Minute silence held at today’s game in his honour. Perfectly observed by all with banners in his name. Funeral was this morning.
- Ex-Celt Moussa Dembele becomes the new owner of Lithuanian club FK Minija! He’s still currently playing in the Saudi League, and aged 28, still has time before he has to retire.
- West Bromwich Albion have sacked ex-Celt Tony Mowbray as their manager after just three months of his second spell in charge.
- Nottingham Forest are reportedly targeting Celtic’s highly-rated youngster Dara Jikiemi.
- Report: Celtic reportedly after a £7m bid for Slovan Bratislava’s David Strelec knocked back earlier this season, claim we could be back in and could be for less. Rodgers linked to Spurs job to replace Postecoglou.
- Reports: Ex-Celtic loanee Valle to be signed by Como for €6m this summer. Ex-Celt Oliver Burke expected to join Union Berlin from Werder Bremen this summer. Chelsea are backing Strasbourg’s £4m bid for Motherwell midfielder Lennon Miller. Celtic are credited with an interest in AC Ajaccio forward Moussa Soumano.
- Virginia Giuffre – who accused Jeffrey Epstein and Andrew Windsor of sexual abuse – died by suicide aged 41, RIP.
- EPL: Liverpool won their 20th league title (a record equalling achievement) with Celtic fan Andy Robertson (left back) and ex-Celt Van Dijk (captain & Central Defender).
Summary
-
Celtic secure fourth successive Scottish Premiership title & 13th in 14 years
-
Strain deflects Scales header into own goal just before half hour & Kuhn twice converts at back post before break
-
Idah heads in from close range after interval & adds fifth just before hour
‘Relentlessness is what we’re all about’ – Schmeichel
‘It’s an amazing feeling’ – Engels
‘It’s hard to put into words’ – Forrest
“I am very hungry to win. We want to be the most successful team we can be. I will be here next year, 200%. I said 150% a few weeks ago. I have never been happier here.”- Rodgers
Sir Kenny Dalglish @kennethdalglish · 12h Champions of Scotland! Congratulations to everyone associated with Celtic Football Club. A Scottish record 55th League title!
Hazel Irvine: “You must also be delighted as your team (Celtic) won the league today”
John Higgins (Snooker): “What’s that (pauses) 54 ahead of our rivals” Bravo he’s thru to quarter-finals of World Championships
Chris Sutton:Celtic have made winning the league look easy, and it’s anything but.The mentality is phenomenal and it’s so underestimated. Winning games of football is hard.
Michael Stewart (BBC): That goal just epitomises what Celtic are about – the speed of the attack. Quick attack, wonderful ball out from Engels, the ball in from Maeda, which is something he’s brought this season, end product, and you’ve got to say it’s a wonderful finish from Kuhn.
Tom English (BBC): “They are one of the most dominant sides in the history of Scottish football. I’m not sure where this run is going to end. We don’t know how Rangers’ new owners are going to play out, because there’s so much ground between Celtic and everyone else. It’s relentless. They’re a winning machine.”
Today after a slow first (19) minutes we skated this one, Kühn, Engels, CCV all good and special shout out to Sinisalo (yeah, he’ll punch to clear but he is coming off his line) distribution too was efficient. Definitely a change in Kühn’s mindset/attitude as he looks to be a two-way player, and great with Idah grabbing two goals. A better performane all round, marred by Jota going off with what looks like a twisted knee which may potenitally curtail his season early.
“I think it’s desensitised everyone to how actually difficult it is. It just becomes expected, it becomes the norm. But the players have to then live with that because it’s the standards that they’ve set. The level of player, the level of team that we’ve managed to build here over the last 10 years or so has been a really successful team. So every year the expectation is there. It grows and grows and you have to stay with that as a player. It’s a kind of double-edged sword for us because we are the ones that have set that expectation but that’s where you want to be as a footballer. You want to be tested, you want to be playing on the limit all the time and expect to have success.”
Callum McGregor on the difficulty of winning the treble pre match (Apr 2025)
Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers: “We’ve had a few of these games where the demand is on us to perform and that’s what I was talking about a few weeks back with St Johnstone, but the response to that, three games, five goals, big intensity, big concentration, quality of goals, you can’t win it in a better way. We wanted to raise the flag for Celtic today and we’ve done that. We want to also perform well and the players were outstanding in that job as well. It feels like it’s been normalised when it really isn’t. It’s such a hard thing to do but for these players from the first day of pre-season right the way through until the end we’re going to push and fight to win as many”
Fatboab of KDS:Some fantastic football today. The second goal was sensational. Sinisalo with quick release, magnificent turn and pass from Engels, one touch to control one touch to cross from Maeda and Kühn on the end of it. Sexy football. Looked for a while like the 9 of a few seasons back would be under threat, but we got a bit slack ( understandably) and Utd sat deeper. It was the proper way to wrap things up. Hope Jota’s ok. Players head off for a well deserved holiday now, and most of them should back in time for the non -event at Mordor.
E-Tims @ETimsNet · 17h Celtic are the Champions again. 4 in a row. League title number 55. Trophy number 120. Big bravo to Brendan and the team. Enjoy every moment folks. Incredible times
Teams
Celtic
Manager: Brendan Rodgers
Formation: 4 – 3 – 3
12 V. Sinisalo
03 G. Taylor, subbed for J. Schlupp at 74mins
05 L. Scales
20 C. Carter-Vickers
02 A. Johnston
41 R. Hatate, subbed for L. McCowan at 74mins
42 C. McGregor (c), Captain
27 A. Engels, subbed for Paulo Bernardo at 63mins
07 Jota, subbed for A. Idah at 35mins
38 D. Maeda
10 N. Kühn, subbed for J. Forrest at 64mins
Subs:
29 S. Bain
49 J. Forrest
28 Paulo Bernardo
09 A. Idah
24 J. Kenny
14 L. McCowan
56 A. Ralston
15 J. Schlupp
06 A. Trusty
Goals:
R. Strain (30′ og)Own Goal 30mins
N. Kühn (38′, 45’+3)
A. Idah (47′, 58′)
Assists:
D. Maeda (38′, 45’+3), A. Johnston (47′), C. McGregor (58′)
Dundee Utd
Manager: Jim Goodwin
01 J. Walton
11 W. Ferry
05 V. Ševelj
16 E. Adegboyega
02 R. Strain
15 G. Middleton
22 A. Campbell
23 R. Docherty (c), Captain, subbed for D. Babunski at 59mins
21 R. Paton, subbed for K. Trapanovski at 59mins
14 C. Sibbald
19 S. Dalby, subbed for J. van der Sande at 59mins
Subs:
10 D. Babunski
37 S. Harding
18 K. Fotheringham
31 D. Gallagher
09 L. Moult
25 D. Richards
07 K. Trapanovski
20 J. van der Sande
Goals:
Assists:
Referee Don Robertson
Video Assistant Referee Greg Aitken
Assistant Referee 1 David Roome
Assistant Referee 2 Ross Nelson
Fourth Official Steven Kirkland
Assistant VAR Official Graeme Leslie
Venue:CalForth Construction Arena at Tannadice Park
Attendance:13,568
Articles
- Match Report (see below)
Pictures
Match Links
Stats
Overall possession
Dundee United 25% Celtic 75%
Shots
Dundee United 7 Celtic 21
Shots on target
Dundee United 4 Celtic 6
Total touches inside the box
Dundee United 13 Celtic 49
Goalkeeper saves
Dundee United 2 Celtic 4
Fouls
Dundee United 5 Celtic 8
Corners
Dundee United 1 Celtic 8
Advanced match stats
Shots
Dundee United 7 Celtic 21
Shots on target
Dundee United 4 Celtic 6
Shots off target
Dundee United 3 Celtic 7
Blocked shots
Dundee United 0 Celtic 8
Attempts out of box
Dundee United 2 Celtic 0
Total offside
Dundee United 1 Celtic 0
Total tackles
Dundee United 16 Celtic 15
Won tackles
Dundee United 14 Celtic 9
Fouls
Dundee United 5 Celtic 8
Total clearances
Dundee United 25 Celtic 32
Headed clearances
Dundee United 12 Celtic 18
Duels won
Dundee United 48 Celtic 41
Errors leading to shots
Dundee United 0 Celtic 2
Total passes
Dundee United 246 Celtic 741
Accurate passes
Dundee United 149 Celtic 650
Backward passes
Dundee United 44 Celtic 140
Forward passes
Dundee United 121 Celtic 241
Total long balls
Dundee United 78 Celtic 65
Successful final third passes
Dundee United 40 Celtic 178
Total crosses
Dundee United 12 Celtic 25
Touches
Dundee United 420 Celtic 953
Touches in the box
Dundee United 13 Celtic 49
Dispossessed
Dundee United 8 Celtic 10
Goalkeeper saves
Dundee United 2 Celtic 4
Diving saves
Dundee United 0 Celtic 2
Saved shots from inside the box
Dundee United 2 Celtic 4
Keeper throws
Dundee United 0 Celtic 8
Goal kicks
Dundee United 11 Celtic 5
Punches
Dundee United 2 Celtic 2
Pre Match facts
Should Celtic avoid defeat in this match, they will be crowned Scottish champions for the 13th time in the last 14 seasons, failing only in 2020-21 in this period.
Dundee United are winless in their last 22 meetings with Celtic in all competitions (D5 L17) since a 2-1 league victory in December 2014 under Jackie McNamara.
Celtic have kept a clean sheet in each of their last four league meetings with Dundee United, their longest ongoing run against any current Scottish Premiership club.
Dundee United have won each of their last three league games (all 1-0); they last won more in a row in the Scottish Premiership in December 2013 (5).
Since winning 10 successive away league games from late April to early December 2024, Celtic have since won just three of their last eight on the road (D2 L3). They have suffered three defeats in their last seven away league outings, more than their previous 28 beforehand (W22 D4 L2).
Articles
Champions make it four-in-a-row
https://www.celticfc.com/news/2025/april/26/champions-make-it-four-in-a-row/
First Team
By Paul Cuddihy
Share
26 Apr 2025, 2:40 pm
Scottish Premiership
Saturday, April 26, 2025
Tannadice Park, Dundee
DUNDEE UNITED…0
CELTIC…5
(Strain og 29, Kuhn 38 & 45+3, Idah 47 & 58
Celtic sealed their fourth Premiership title in a row in style with an emphatic 5-0 victory over Dundee United at Tannadice.
Two goals apiece from Nicolas Kuhn and Adam Idah, along with a Ryan Strain own goal, delivered another title for Brendan Rodgers’ side, who are the champions again with four games to spare.
In the process, the Hoops have scored 102 league goals and conceded just 22 in the 34 fixtures they’ve played.
It was also Brendan Rodgers’ fourth league title as Celtic manager, and as was the case on the three previous occasions, his side produced a 5-0 victory to clinch the title following five-goal wins over Hearts (2017), Rangers (2018) and Kilmarnock last season.
And the title win also ensured that James Forrest is now the most decorated player in Celtic’s history, with this latest success his 26th winner’s medal, surpassing the previous record of 25 that had been set by Lisbon Lion, Bobby Lennox.
The game at Tannadice kicked off after a minute’s silence as a mark of respect for Pope Francis following the Holy Father’s death on Easter Monday.
And it was the home side who started the match on the front foot, and before the 10-minute mark, Dundee United captain, Ross Docherty, headed over from inside the area before Ruari Paton had a low shot from the edge of the area on target comfortably saved by the Celtic keeper.
However, Brendan Rodgers’ side began to play their way into the match, and were putting the United defence on the back foot, and just before the half-hour mark, Celtic got the breakthrough.
An Arne Engels corner was glanced on by Liam Scales and Jota was at the back post to knock the ball into the net off Ryan Strain to make it 1-0 with his fifth goal since returning to the club in January.
Just five minutes later, however, the Portuguese winger was forced off after picking up a knee injury in a challenge with Allan Campbell, and Adam Idah entered the fray.
On 38 minutes, Celtic doubled their lead as Nicolas Kuhn fired in his 19th goal of the campaign. The ball was played out to the left for Daizen Maeda, and his ball across goal found Kuhn, who steered the ball into the net.
And Celtic had further chances to extend their lead before the break, with Adam Idah heading wide from a Reo Hatate cross before Daizen Maeda had a shot saved from a tight angle.
Nicolas Kuhn did make it 3-0 in added time with his second goal of the game and Celtic’s 100th league goal of the season. Another Maeda cross was left by Adam Idah and Kuhn swept the ball home.
25%
Possession
75%
7
Shots
21
4
Shots On Target
6
1
Corners
8
5
Fouls
8
0
0
Cards
0
0
Within 90 seconds of the restart it was 4-0 to Celtic. Nicolas Kuhn threaded a pass into the path of the overlapping Alistair Johnston and his cross to the edge of the six-yard box was headed home by Adam Idah.
Celtic were now in full flow, and Nicolas Kuhn had an effort saved just two minutes later to deny him a hat-trick.
The Hoops made it 5-0 just before the hour mark when Callum McGregor combined well with Reo Hatate before surging deep into the United half.
The Celtic captain threaded a ball through the inside-right channel for Adam Idah, and the Irishman fired a low shot beyond Jack Walton and into the net.
Idah came close to his hat-trick with just over 20 minutes of the match remaining, but he couldn’t guide a James Forrest cross into the net.
The full-time whistle sparked scenes of celebration on and off the pitch, with Brendan Rodgers’ side proving once again that they are the finest team in Scotland.
Having now secured the league title – the 55th in the club’s history – to go along with the League Cup which was won back in December, Celtic can now look forward to a Scottish Cup final against Aberdeen next month and the chance to win a historic ninth domestic Treble.
Celtic are the Champions of Scotland again!
https://www.celticfc.com/news/2025/april/26/celtic-are-the-champions-of-scotland-again-/
First Team
By Celtic Football Club
Share
26 Apr 2025, 2:27 pm
Celtic are the Champions of Scotland again!
Brendan Rodgers’ side have secured the Premiership title – the club’s fourth in a row – with four games to spare.
It follows the emphatic 5-0 victory over Dundee United at Tannadice.
In their 34 league games this season, the Hoops have won 27, drawn three and lost on only four occasions. And the process, the team has scored 102 goals and conceded just 22.
The Premiership campaign kicked off last August, with Kilmarnock the visitors to Celtic Park on Flag Day, and Brendan Rodgers’ side delivered a 4-0 victory that day. And the title was sealed at Tannadice with a 5-0 victory.
Daizen Maeda, who has scored 33 goals across all competitions this season, has netted 16 of those goals in the Premiership, the most recent coming in the home win over Kilmarnock.
And Celtic’s title triumph means that two of the three domestic trophies have now been captured, with the League Cup having been won back in December.
The aim is to complete the treble, which would be a historic ninth treble for the club, and the Champions can now look forward to next month’s Scottish Cup final against Aberdeen at Hampden.
For now, though, the whole Celtic Family will be celebrating another title triumph as Brendan Rodgers’ side have shown, yet again, that we are the finest team in Scotland!
Brendan Rodgers:
Dundee United 0-5 Celtic: What Rodgers saidpublished at 15:46 26 April
15:46 26 April
Brendan RodgersImage source, SNS
Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers: “We’ve had a few of these games where the demand is on us to perform and that’s what I was talking about a few weeks back with St Johnstone, but the response to that, three games, five goals, big intensity, big concentration, quality of goals, you can’t win it in a better way.
“We wanted to raise the flag for Celtic today and we’ve done that. We want to also perform well and the players were outstanding in that job as well.
“It feels like it’s been normalised when it really isn’t. It’s such a hard thing to do but for these players from the first day of pre-season right the way through until the end we’re going to push and fight to win as many trophies as we can.”
On securing his 11th trophy with Celtic he added; “I think obviously in time when I finish it will probably sink in but my immediate thought is just stay focused while I’m here and enjoy the work.
“For me, to be the professional manager here, as I said, it’s a real privilege but also I have that emotional connection as well. That’s the joy of managing here, it’s big pressure, big expectation but it’s great when you have days like this here.
“My career until now to this point has been great. I started on a journey as a young coach and have had the privilege to manage some amazing clubs. However, like I said, there’s an emotional attachment here because of supporting the club and my family and friends.
“It really feels really special to be here and obviously, I said it the other day but again, I’ve got Dermot Desmond to thank for bringing me back.
“He had so much belief in me and so much trust in me and to bring me back when probably many others wouldn’t have and wouldn’t have taken me back, inside and outside the club. I think this is a day for him to have a glass of champagne or wine, whatever he has, with great pride and hopefully he felt proud watching that game.”
‘Sky is the limit for us’ – McGregorpublished at 15:11 26 April
15:11 26 April
Celtic captain Callum McGregor tells Sky Sports: “Amazing performance, outstanding. It means the world to us.
“We wanted to perform, because if we do, we know we’ll get what we want. The sky is the limit for us, we’ve been so good.
“We have four league games to try and arrive into the Scottish Cup final in the best moment and if we do that, we have the chance to do something special this season.”
‘It’s hard to put into words’ – Forrestpublished at 15:14 26 April
15:14 26 April
Celtic winger James Forrest tells Sky Sports: “It’s hard to put into words, it’s unbelievable to win another trophy with Celtic.
“When you’re getting older, you appreciate it more, you don’t take it for granted.
“I’ve played in so many good teams over the years, this one is right up there. The standards are so high.”
Celtic’s success shouldn’t feel ‘normalised’
Media caption,
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/articles/c14x2x7vvm5o
Watch the celebrations as Celtic clinch fourth title in row
Nick McPheat
BBC Sport Scotland
Published
26 April 2025
Celtic’s dominance should not be “normalised” after winning a 13th Scottish Premiership title in 14 seasons, says manager Brendan Rodgers.
The Parkhead club clinched a fourth successive top-flight crown by thrashing Dundee United 5-0 at Tannadice, and a win in next month’s Scottish Cup final would ensure a sixth domestic treble in nine campaigns.
Saturday’s victory also brought an emotional Rodgers a fourth league triumph.
“It feels like it’s been normalised when it really isn’t,” said the Northern Irishman, who is now the club’s third most successful manager.
“It’s such a hard thing to do. From the first day of pre-season right the way through until the end, we’re going to push and fight to win as many trophies as we can.
“We wanted to raise the flag for Celtic today and we’ve done that. We want to also perform well and the players were outstanding in that job as well.”
Celtic thrash Dundee Utd to clinch 13th title in 14 seasons
What were the key games in Celtic’s title triumph?
Published
17 hours ago
Latest Celtic news, analysis & fan views
‘Privileged’ Rodgers still relishing ‘big pressure’
Media caption,
‘Big pressure, but it’s great when you have days like this’
Celtic have won 43 major honours since 2000, with 11 of them under Rodgers across two spells.
The former Liverpool manager claimed every domestic prize he competed for during his first stint in Scotland before his controversial move to Leicester City.
That mid-season switch back to the Premier League in 2019 made his return to Celtic difficult to accept for many fans.
But Rodgers has won those supporters over by leading the team to more domestic success and progression in Europe.
The 52-year-old said he had “never been happier” in Glasgow and was committed to delivering more silverware next season.
“To be the manager here, it’s a real privilege,” he added. “But also I have that emotional connection as well.
“That’s the joy of managing here. It’s big pressure, big expectation, but it’s great when you have days like this here.
“My career until now has been great. I started on a journey as a young coach and have had the privilege to manage some amazing clubs.
“However, like I said, there’s an emotional attachment here because of supporting the club and my family and friends.”
‘Sky’s the limit’ – but how far can Celtic go?
Celtic domestic honours won stat graphic
Captain Callum McGregor believes the “sky is the limit” for this team under Rodgers, but what is left for Celtic to achieve?
In the short term, there is another a treble on the line when they face Aberdeen in next month’s Scottish Cup final at Hampden.
If that is secured, the demand will be to repeat that feat again next term while continuing to make strides in Europe.
After progressing to the knockout stage of the Champions League, Celtic were seconds away from earning a seismic second-leg win at Bayern Munich, which would have taken the German giants to extra time for a place in the last 16.
Although Rodgers’ men will have to navigate one qualifying round next season, they will have aims to improve in Uefa’s premier club competition.
But before they need to focus on that, there is another domestic clean sweep to achieve.
“We have four league games left to try to arrive into the Scottish Cup final in the best moment,” McGregor said on Sky Sports.
“If we do that, we have the chance to do something special this season.”
He added winning trebles was “the standard and expectation we’ve set”.
Managing Celtic to success not easy – Rodgers
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/articles/cgq44jqlndo
Celtic manager Brendan RodgersImage source, SNS
Image caption,
Rodgers led Celtic to two trebles in his first stint as manager and has an opportunity to make it three this season
Published
25 April 2025
Scottish Premiership: Dundee United v Celtic
Venue: Tannadice Park, Dundee Date: Saturday, 26 April Time: 12:30 BST
Coverage: Listen on BBC Radio Scotland & Sounds, live text commentary on the BBC Sport website & app
Brendan Rodgers says Celtic’s continued success “really isn’t easy” as he stands on the cusp of becoming the club’s most successful living manager.
Should Celtic avoid defeat at Dundee United on Saturday lunchtime, they will be Scottish Premiership champions for a fourth season in a row and Rodgers will claim his 11th honour from his two spells in charge of the team.
The club’s men’s team have picked up 42 honours in the 2000s.
“People on the outside maybe underestimate the difficulties in meeting the high expectations that the club has set over the years,” said Rodgers.
“It’s not an easy thing, this job managing this club and for the players to play for this club. It really isn’t easy. ”
Difficulty of Celtic dominance ‘desensitised’ – McGregor
Published
2 days ago
Visit our Celtic page for all the latest news, analysis and fan views
Get Celtic news notifications in the BBC Sport app
Published
18 June 2023
And he added: “I know we’re in a golden era here at Celtic and people always say you’re miles ahead and everything else. You look back to the eras here, the 60s and 70s, Celtic winning so much. And then we have eras here where winning a trophy was a real challenge and really, really difficult.
“And then you look to the early 2000s, Martin [O’Neill] coming in and then the growth then after that. And it’s just continued. But it’s a great testament to every manager that’s been here, every coach that’s walked, every player that’s played.”
“I always think you’re never too far behind and you’re never too far ahead. If you think you’re too far ahead, then you’re too content and then you stop growing and you stop developing. There’s nothing taken for granted.”
Celtic could take their 21st century tally to 44 by completing this season’s domestic treble, with the Scottish Cup holders and League Cup winners set to face Aberdeen in the season-ending Hampden final on 24 May.
“I’ve always felt from my first time here, if you’re going to win, try and win in the best way that you possibly can,” said Rodgers, who is hoping to be the first Celtic boss to oversee three trebles.
“And that’s what we want to do this season.”
BBC
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/live/c4g2llyk7k8t
Kheredine Idessane
BBC Sport Scotland at Tannadice
Celtic secured a fourth consecutive Scottish Premiership title – and a 13th in 14 seasons – after sweeping aside a ragged Dundee United at Tannadice.
Brendan Rodgers’ side only needed a point to confirm themselves as champions but did so in style to make the Northern Irishman the most decorated living Celtic manager with 11 honours, behind only Willie Maley and Jock Stein.
After celebrating Ange Postecoglou’s first Premiership title on this ground three years ago, several thousand Celtic fans watched another championship being secured well before half time of this game.
Nicolas Kuhn’s second strike – Celtic’s third – was their 100th Premiership goal of an outstanding campaign and put United’s early liveliness to to bed.
When Adam Idah claimed a second-half double with a header and a low shot to put Celtic 5-0 before the hour, things looked ominous for a dejected-looking United, who had started well, only to fall apart after half an hour.
That was when a Ryan Strain own goal – under pressure from Jota, who went off with an apparent knee injury – put Celtic in front before Kuhn’s double put the visitors out of sight, with both assists coming from Daizen Maeda.
Pre-match, Rodgers said he wanted his side to push past the 106 league goals his invincible treble side scored in the 2016-17 season.
They now only need five more in their final four fixtures. And, on this evidence, they are likely to surpass that total with something to spare.
Celtic’s success shouldn’t feel ‘normalised’
Published
13 hours ago
What were the key games in Celtic’s title triumph?
Published
17 hours ago
Latest Celtic news, analysis & fan views
Rampant Celtic show no sign of being sated
Rodgers wanted his men to win the title with a flourish and they haven’t disappointed in the past few weeks.
The manager won’t have been happy at the way his team started at Tannadice, but he’ll be delighted with the way they finished the first-half.
On 29 minutes, it was still 0-0. When the whistle went for the break, Celtic were three clear, home and hosed, title won. It was five before the hour and looked like it would end up being more.
Maeda has been banging in the goals lately – 11 in his last nine games – but it was his turn to assist here, setting up Kuhn’s goals, both of which were finished superbly.
The German made a ‘yap, yap’ sign with his hands to suggest too much has been made of the drop-off in his form in the second half of the season.
Idah’s double is also a timely reminder of what he has to offer when the team is flowing and chances are being created.
Celtic have clearly been the best team in Scotland by quite some distance and this was yet another reminder why.
Give them an inch and they can bury teams within minutes. It happened at Hampden against St Johnstone last week and it happened here.
Their latest title win means they are two-thirds of the way to a sixth treble in nine seasons. It’s an astonishing level of consistent high achievement of which Celtic show little sign of tiring.
Reasons to be cheerful in defeat for Utd
Those darn tangerines. Not the orange-shirted United players, but fruit that was thrown onto the pitch early in the first half by the travelling fans, apparently in protest against ticket prices.
That disruption completely ruined the home side’s momentum and allowed Celtic to re-set after a very underwhelming opening.
Jim Goodwin can legitimately look back on a highly-promising first 30 minutes as a good marker for the final four matches, with a European place still very much within their grasp.
He will rue the fact his side still managed to give away three goals before the interval having done so well prior to that.
But he’ll take solace from the fact Celtic have done similar things to other teams, and will be happy with the flexibility he now has, having gone to a back four which showed signs of promise before the collapse came.
The scale of that collapse will be a worry, but he may well take the view that better sides than his have also felt the sharp end of Celtic in clinical mode.
What they said
Media caption,
‘Desmond showed faith when others didn’t’ – Rodgers
Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers: “We wanted to raise the flag for Celtic today and we’ve done that. The players were outstanding.
“It feels like it’s been normalised when it really isn’t. It’s such a hard thing to do but for these players from the first day of pre-season right the way through until the end we’re going to push and fight to win as many trophies as we can.”
Celtic captain Callum McGregor: “It means the world to us. We wanted to perform, because if we do, we know we’ll get what we want. The sky is the limit for us.
“We have four league games to try and arrive into the Scottish Cup final in the best moment and if we do that, we have the chance to do something special this season.”
Celtic goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel: “You can only beat what’s in front of you and that’s what we’ve done all season. That relentless nature is what we’re all about.
“We can’t have off days, they don’t exist for us. It’s a constant strive and drive to be better. I have loved this season, it’s incredible. This is special.”
Celtic winger James Forrest: “It’s hard to put into words. When you’re getting older, you appreciate it more, you don’t take it for granted.
“I’ve played in so many good teams over the years, this one is right up there. The standards are so high.”
Celtic find it as easy as peeling a tangerine – Dundee United swept aside as title won again at Tannadice
https://www.scotsman.com/sport/football/celtic/celtic-find-it-as-easy-as-peeling-a-tangerine-dundee-united-swept-aside-as-title-won-again-at-tannadice-5101160
Alan Pattullo
By Alan Pattullo
Specialist Sports Writer
0Comments
Published 26th Apr 2025, 18:00 BST
Updated 26th Apr 2025, 18:40 BST
Champions reign supreme again with five-star show amid tributes and disruptions
Hampden in the sun may be to come. But first it was Tannadice on a slightly dreich Spring afternoon as Celtic completed the second step of what they hope will be a coveted treble.
Tedious! some have cried. It was certainly straightforward as the visitors scored five times for the third game in succession. They galloped into a three-goal lead by half-time as wrapping up a fourth title win at Tannadice since 1981 proved as easy as peeling a tangerine.
It turned into a game of shootie-in for substitute James Forrest as his teammates tried in vain to get him off the mark for the season, which would have meant he has scored at least one goal for the club in sixteen straight seasons. There’s time left, including next weekend’s final Old Firm game of the season and next month’s Scottish Cup final against Aberdeen.
Celtic players celebrate winning another Scottish Premiership title in the away changing room at Tannadice (Photo by Craig Williamson / SNS Group)
Celtic players celebrate winning another Scottish Premiership title in the away changing room at Tannadice (Photo by Craig Williamson / SNS Group)
The 33-year-old winger made an emotional appearance at a press conference afterwards, where he regretted taking shots when he might otherwise have passed. Few of his teammates had cared, and still fewer fans. Indeed, these supporters were the ones urging him to shoot each time he came within a few yards of the box – and sometimes when he was even further out. He might not have got his goal but Forrest left the field having been elevated to Celtic’s most decorated-ever player with 26 honours, including 13 championship titles. It was quite a cameo.
The football appeared incidental at times amid tributes and demonstrations. A near-impeccable minute’s silence was held for Pope Francis, whose funeral was taking place at the same time in Rome.
The away fans were not so happy with United’s stance on ticket prices for the match, hence the delay after 13 minutes after a shower of tangerines landed on the pitch in front of the old Shed end. A banner was displayed at the same time: “Enjoy the fruits of our labour”.
Daizen Maeda certainly did. The Celtic forward enjoyed a vitamin C boost when he picked up one of the tangerines and ate it in an interesting variation on Willie Johnston taking a slurp from a beer can before delivering a corner while at Vancouver Whitecaps. United fans were certainly in need of something a bit stronger than fruit juice. They were queuing up to get out after 47 minutes, when Adam Idah headed in to make it 4-0.
Celtic fans protest over ticket pricing by throwing tangerines onto the pitch (Photo by Craig Williamson / SNS Group)
Celtic fans protest over ticket pricing by throwing tangerines onto the pitch (Photo by Craig Williamson / SNS Group)
Those who left at this point missed the second protest from Celtic fans, this time involving beach balls. “Stop pricing fans out of football,” was the accompanying and very sound demand from behind the goal.
The Celtic supporters had been given this part of the ground along with the Jerry Kerr and Jim McLean Fair Play Stands but with some tickets priced as high as £43, these fans were not as appreciative as they might otherwise have been. This was particularly true after it emerged that some home tickets had been available for as little as £10. United argued that this was part of a ticket promotion.
It didn’t stop the Celtic fans flooding into Tannadice and nor did it stop the home fans flooding out. The last 40 or so minutes were played out with a backdrop of empty tangerine-coloured seats. It’s been a good season for Jim Goodwin’s men and they remain in contention for a European spot but few supporters want to see their own ground turn into a party venue for opposition fans. “No offence, lads, we will be back for the St Mirren game,” you could almost hear them assure the players over their shoulder as they headed off to do better things with their afternoon.
United were always on a hiding to nothing here. Brendan Rodgers had urged his players to finish things off in style on the eve of the match and they did this and then some. It’s now 16 goals in four visits to Tannadice with none conceded. It is though Rodgers’ first victory at the ground following the 0-0 draw in December.
The hosts started fairly brightly as well. Ross Docherty headed just over and a Ruari Paton shot was gathered by Viljami Sinisalo. Then came the tangerines. While that sounds like a positive development for Dundee United, it wasn’t the case here. Celtic used the delay caused by the succulent missiles to re-group. All their players seemed to come back re-energised, not just Maeda.
The Japanese forward, who had started through the middle, headed past from a Greg Taylor flick on shortly afterwards. Another flick, this time from Liam Scales following an Arne Engels corner, led to Celtic taking the lead through a Ryan Strain own goal after half an hour. The full-back, in attempting to clear the danger from Jota, saw the ball rebound off his shin into the goal.
It broke the seal though Jota, who was credited by some as having scored the goal, was replaced moments afterwards after coming off worse in a 50-50 battle for the ball with Allan Campbell on the edge of the box. Idah came on and Celtic’s momentum was barely disrupted. They struck twice more before half-time. First Maeda, who was pushed out wide following Idah’s arrival, delivered a teasing ball which Kuhn, who had arrived from the opposite right flank, finished with his weaker foot. Maeda was unstoppable at this point, as was Kuhn. The pair interlinked again via an Idah dummy, with Kuhn taking advantage of the space and time to pick his spot.
Idah got off the mark just after half-time with a downwards header after Alistair Johnston’s cross before the striker secured a double on 58 minutes following Callum McGregor’s lay-off, with United ‘keeper Jack Walton looking suspect at his near post. It’s a treble that now occupies Idah and his teammates’ minds in this most golden of Celtic golden ages.
Brendan Rodgers makes “less understand me” point as he breaks new ground as Celtic manager and issues Jota update
https://www.scotsman.com/sport/football/celtic/brendan-rodgers-makes-less-understand-me-point-as-he-breaks-new-ground-as-celtic-manager-and-issues-jota-update-5101173
Alan Pattullo
By Alan Pattullo
Specialist Sports Writer
0Comments
Published 26th Apr 2025, 18:00 BST
Updated 26th Apr 2025, 19:14 BST
Northern Irishman is not leaving anytime soon as he urges fans to listen to him alone
Brendan Rodgers has reaffirmed his commitment to Celtic, upping his original 150 per cent assurance to 200 per cent as he celebrated the Parkhead club’s latest Scottish Premiership title win after a 5-0 win over Dundee United.
The Parkhead manager advised anyone reading headlines linking him with clubs elsewhere to do so with extreme caution. Rodgers is contracted to Celtic under next summer having made such a surprising and, in the view of many supporters, unpopular return in 2023.
He is now Celtic’s most successful living manager having collected an 11th major honour at Tannadice and can become the first to win three trebles in next month’s Scottish Cup final against Aberdeen. He stressed he is as happy as he’s ever been in two spells at the club.
Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers kicks a ball back into the crowd at Tannadice – it was thrown on as apart of a protest by Celtic fans at ticket prices (Photo by Craig Foy / SNS Group)
Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers kicks a ball back into the crowd at Tannadice – it was thrown on as apart of a protest by Celtic fans at ticket prices (Photo by Craig Foy / SNS Group)
“It’s been interesting I’ve got to say the last few months,” he said. “People deciding where I was supposed to be going and I wasn’t happy. But what I can tell you….and I would say, listen to what I say, not what people try to anticipate my mood and what I might be.
“I can tell you…I know I said 150%, but 200% I’ll be here for sure next season because we want to build again, we want to grow. But what I’ll also say, there’s very, very few people that know me and there’s even less understand me. So that’s a really, really small group of people.
“So when I see all the headlines – I don’t have an agent, I don’t have an agent spinning a story for me or anything like that – so it’s just a guess. So if there’s a headline out there, I am telling you, it’s a guess. Because there’s hardly anyone who knows what I think and actually understands how I work.
“I am so, happy,” he added. “I came back because of the professional challenge of Celtic, knowing the pressures. My emotional attachment to the club clearly has me here rather than being elsewhere. And just the challenge of being the best Celtic manager I can possibly be. Days like today makes it really special.”
“We’re nearly two years into a three-year deal,” he said. I said minimum I would be three years. The big thing with Celtic, it’s about having the energy. That’s the big thing, and there’s lots of other things. Of course, as any manager, you need to feel wanted, you need to feel appreciated.
“You need to feel that you can develop a team, you can develop a club. So there’s lots of things that come into it, but I definitely know that we want to finish better than what we did last year. And then I’ll go into next year super hungry to beat this year, whatever we end up doing.”
Celtic have now scored more goals than last season and are just four away from the Invincibles’ total of 106, also under Rodgers. “Like you say, we had 106 (that season) and we were on 97 when we started (at kick-off against Dundee United),” he said. “So we’re in a good place to challenge that. But also important are our goals conceded. We’re even less than last year. If you look at that record, we wanted to beat that 2016-17 team as well, which was very good defensively. So we’re on course for that.”
Rodgers also provided an update on Jota, who limped off shortly after Celtic opened the scoring 30 minutes in. He joined the celebrations with his right leg in a brace. “He just felt his knee,” said Rodgers. “He’s with the medical guys, we’re looking at whether his meniscus is a little bit sore. We’ll just have to assess that. Of course, they put it in the brace to protect it. We’ll see in the next couple of days.”
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