Match Pictures | Matches: 2025 – 2026
Trivia
- KO: 3pm, Sunday; Celtic TV only
- Back after the international break, with good results for Scotland, but Ireland were humiliated 2-1 by Armenia (Adam Idah scored an equaliser v Hungary)!
- After 5 games, Celtic on top of the league on 13pts & -7GD but by just 1 goal with Hearts second on 13pts & -6GD. Sevco yet to win a game and lost 2-0 at home to Hearts yesterday, 4 draws and a defeat. Celtic 9pts ahead of Sevco now. Aberdeen on 1pt at the foot of the table!
- Debut start of Colby Donavan, debut for Iheanacho & Tounekti.
- Partial boycott of Sunday’s match against Kilmarnock, number of fans stayed out for the first 12 mins (as in “The 12 minutes without the 12th man”). There was a decent number at the start but most seemed to stream in on 12 mins.
- Votes of no confidence has been issued to the Celtic board by various fan groups. Protests are growing, and confidence in the board is very very low.
- Brendan Rodgers has called for the “coward” inside the club who briefed a media report against him to leave the Scottish champions.
- Celtic will not allow Daizen Maeda to leave in January after blocking a potential summer move for the Japan forward.
- Report claims Brendan Rodgers to hold urgent talks with Daizen Maeda to get a sense of his attitude after he publicly stated his desire to leave.
- Former Celtic striker Oh Hyeon-gyu says he’s baffled why Stuttgart pulled the plug on a £24m transfer because of injury concerns – costing his former club a £4m windfall.
- Ex-Celtic manager Ange Postecoglou appointed Nottingham Forest head coach.
- Ex-Celt Adam Idah: At Swansea City, no sooner than he had arrived, before even his first match and after only two weeks at the club, the Director of Football at his new club & was responsible for signing Idah, has been cut!
- Report: Celtic looking at Kazakhstan winger Galymzhan Kenzhebek playing for Yelimay Semey but out of contract at end of year.
- Celtic-linked Kasper Dolberg says it was an easy decision to choose a return to Ajax this summer.
- Ex-Celt Gustaf Lagerbielke is at the centre of a bizarre episode after he was officially declared as a missing person by a Dutch council despite sealing a £2.5m summer transfer to Braga
- Boxing legend Ricky Hatton passed away prematurely, aged just 46. RIP
Summary
“He was barely in the game, but when the big moment came, Iheanacho strolled up and put it in.”
Chris Sutton
Celtic match-winner Kelechi Iheanacho tells Sky Sports: “Big drama, big drama. [Sebastian Tounekti] made the difference in first half and second half. Three points, massive. I asked the skipper to let me take the penalty and he said it was fine. It’s very, very important to make my mark on my debut. Hopefully more to come.”
Celtic winger Sebastian Tounekti was rightly named as man of the match on live television. On his debut performance, he tells Sky Sports: “It was fine. I know my quality. The reason I came to Celtic is because it suits my playing style and it showed today. Hopefully I can make goals and more assists.”
clarification from the Scottish FA about the handball decision that led to Celtic’s spot-kick winner… “The penalty was awarded for handball by the Kilmarnock defender whose arm is in an unnatural position. A deflection doesn’t always negate a handball offence. He doesn’t know where ball is going and his arm is up in an unnatural position to block a shot.”
Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers is “delighted” with the late win.
“We had a lot of control in the game without creating so much in the first half,” he tells BBC Scotland.”With the international break, there are a lot of new faces in the starting line-up, so the connection is not as fluid as we would like, but we were still comfortable in the game. Second-half, we dominated the game and deservedly went in front with other opportunities. In the Celtic spirit, we kept going right to the end and delighted for Kelechi Iheanacho get the penalty. I know he thrives off confidence from his teammates, manager and supporters. Delighted for the team, there’s been so much noise, but we got out there and won.
“Sebastian Tounekti was so excited – he was so good for his first game. He’s brilliant. He has that physicality and speed. He can do everything really and he plays with joy, which is what it is about and we’ve been looking for that quality.
“The new guys probably don’t know the importance of a win here. It’s not easy. The pitch, Kilmarnock are well-organised, there are some good players in there that make it difficult and a direct style. But we stood up to that and got the win. For us, it’s controlling what we can control and we have the confidence to come through.It’s still very early in the season. We’ve started well in the league with our four wins and a draw and we’re only going to get better.”
Kilmarnock manager Stuart Kettlewell tells BBC Scotland: “Frustration, disappointed. Gutted for the players, not for myself. “To lose it in that nature is heart-breaking for them, sore one for us all. We looked like the team that would go on and win it. Players executed the game plan really well through stages.” On the penalty decision: “I sat here with the players and staff for a referee’s meeting. That type of incident was addressed. We were under the impression that wasn’t going to be given as a penalty any more. “I’m probably one of the most black and white guys you’ll ever find. Of course I’m frustrated if that’s what I’ve been told. If that’s not the case or the rule, someone will have to tell me.”
joebloggscity of TheCelticWiki:
A late late winner eases the pressure at Celtic in what is a highly volatile period for the club. New transferees are the highlights for the day for Celtic, with Sarachi providing the assist for Maeda to score, whilst Tounekti really impressed today on his debut, and underfire Iheanacho was man enough to take the crucial last minute penalty to score to win Celtic the points.
It was a clear penalty with thanks to VAR to note it, whilst an earlier penalty claim for Celtic was rightly over ruled. There’s no denying, most Celtic fans gasped when Iheanacho walked up to take the penalty, but a decent penalty. He deerves respects for that. He has had to take a lot of flak before even his first kick of the ball with Celtic.
It can’t be denied that the defending at the conceded goal was poor which is a concern, and Killie did have a couple of other opportunities to score. Thankfully not.
While new winger Sebastian Tounekti looked promising in flashes, the same can’t be said on the opposing right wing of Michel-Ange Balikwisha. Celtic have produced nothing at all down his flank and he doesn’t look as capable, or willing, to go past someone in the way Tounekti does.
E-Tims @ETimsNet · 1h A tale of two wingers. Tounetki excellent and Balikwisha really poor. Balikwisha safe & taking no responsibility. Tounetki demanding the ball. Driving at defenders. Pace and creativity. Some players take time to adapt. I hope some fans don;t get on Balikwisha’s back too early.
SS1888 of KDS:
Pretty much controlled the game on an abomination of a pitch.
Tounekti looked excellent and Iheanacho showed bottle with the pen.
Nobody else performed particularly well. It wasn’t a great watch, but rarely is at Killie.
I would have accepted the point to be honest and moved on, but will happily take all 3!
It’s hard to see these things rationally, I’m looking for the penalty when you see it hit his arm. But I’m not sure I’m to happy if that’s given against us, but eff it, it wasn’t, we got one in our favour, that’s it.
FM of KdS:
We got the result and that’s all that counts (Nicholson looked as though had lost).
We know the flaws in the squad and the work that needs to be done. Today wasn’t brilliant (second half better than first) but it was a good first step and Rodgers must now take the squad we have and make the best of it.
No favourites. We need delivery and if that means dropping the likes of Hatate, McGregor or Kasper then so be it.
Teams
Celtic
Manager: Brendan Rodgers
Formation: 4 – 3 – 3
01 K. Schmeichel
36 M. Saracchi, subbed for K. Tierney at 58mins
05 L. Scales
20 C. Carter-Vickers
51 C. Donovan
41 R. Hatate, subbed for L. McCowan at 70mins
42 C. McGregor (c), Captain
08 B. Nygren 55′, Yellow Card at 55mins
10 M. Balikwisha, subbed for J. Forrest at 58mins
38 D. Maeda, subbed for K. Ịheanachọ at 70mins
23 S. Tounekti 39′, Yellow Card at 39mins, subbed for Yang Hyun-Jun at 88mins
Subs:
27 A. Engels
49 J. Forrest
28 Paulo Bernardo
14 L. McCowan
47 D. Murray
12 V. Sinisalo
63 K. Tierney
13 Yang Hyun-Jun
17 K. Ịheanachọ 90′-7, Yellow Card at 90mins plus 7
Goals:
D. Maeda (56′)
K. Ịheanachọ (90′-6 pen)
Assists:
M. Saracchi (56′)
Kilmarnock
Manager: Stuart Kettlewell
Formation: 5 – 3 – 2
01 M. Stryjek
06 R. Deas (c), Captain
05 L. Mayo
14 G. Stanger, subbed for M. Watkins at 77mins
03 D. Thompson
15 J. Brown, subbed for Z. Williams at 84mins
07 R. McKenzie, subbed for G. Kiltie at 71mins
31 L. Polworth, subbed for J. Thomson at 71mins
12 D. Watson 90′-6, Yellow Card at 90mins plus 6
29 D. Daniëls, subbed for B. Anderson at 71mins
09 M. Dackers
Subs:
19 B. Anderson
30 E. Beach
32 R. Ellis
04 Z. Williams
11 G. Kiltie 90′-5, Yellow Card at 90mins plus 5
25 E. Brown
22 J. Thomson
38 A. Traynor
23 M. Watkins
Goals:
D. Watson (83′)
Assists:
G. Kiltie (83′)
Venue:The BBSP Stadium Rugby Park
Ref:
Att:
Articles
- Match Report (see below)
Pictures
Match Links
Stats
Overall possession
Kilmarnock 24% Celtic 76%
Shots
Kilmarnock 12 Celtic 21
Shots
Shots on target
Kilmarnock 2 Celtic 6
Shots on target
Total touches inside the opposition box
Kilmarnock 17 Celtic 46
Goalkeeper saves
Kilmarnock 4 Celtic 1
Goalkeeper saves
Fouls committed
Kilmarnock 10 Celtic 10
Fouls committed
Corners
Kilmarnock 6 Celtic 7
Corners
In-depth match stats
Attack
Shots
Kilmarnock 12 Celtic 21
Shots
Shots on target
Kilmarnock 2 Celtic 6
Shots on target
Shots off target
Kilmarnock 5 Celtic 9
Shots off target
Attempts out of box
Kilmarnock 3 Celtic 3
Attempts out of box
One-on-one attempts
Kilmarnock 0 Celtic 1
One-on-one attempts
Total offsides
Kilmarnock 2 Celtic 0
Total offsides
Distribution
Total passes
Kilmarnock 209 Celtic 732
Total passes
Pass accuracy %
Kilmarnock 71.8 Celtic 90.3
Pass accuracy %
Backward passes
Kilmarnock 35 Celtic 111
Backward passes
Forward passes
Kilmarnock 106 Celtic 185
Forward passes
Total long balls
Kilmarnock 57 Celtic 26
Total long balls
Successful final third passes
Kilmarnock 43 Celtic 158
Successful final third passes
Total crosses
Kilmarnock 28 Celtic 20
Total crosses
Defence
Total tackles
Kilmarnock 14 Celtic 12
Total tackles
Won tackle %
Kilmarnock 78.6 Celtic 66.7
Won tackle %
Fouls committed
Kilmarnock 10 Celtic 10
Fouls committed
Total yellow cards
Kilmarnock 2 Celtic 3
Total yellow cards
Total clearances
Kilmarnock 28 Celtic 33
Total clearances
Pre Match Facts
Kilmarnock have lost 16 of their last 19 league meetings with Celtic (W1 D2), including their last four in a row, all by a margin of 2- goals.
Celtic have won seven and lost just one of their last nine league visits to Kilmarnock (D1), winning their last two by an aggregate score of 7-0.
Kilmarnock have drawn each of their first four league matches this season, their longest run of consecutive draws in the Scottish top-flight since a run of four between February and March 2000.
Celtic are unbeaten in their last 10 league matches (W7 D3) since a 0-1 defeat to St. Johnstone in April, winning by a 2- goal margin in six of their seven victories in this time.
Celtic are yet to concede a league goal this season, and could keep a clean sheet in all of their first five Scottish Premiership matches for a second consecutive season after doing so last term, a run of games which included a 4-0 victory against Kilmarnock.
Articles
Iheanacho is spot-on to seal dramatic win at Rugby Park
https://www.celticfc.com/news/2025/september/14/iheanacho-is-spot-on-to-seal-dramatic-win-at-rugby-park/
First Team
By Matthew Campbell
Share
14 Sep 2025, 5:01 pm
Scottish Premiership
Sunday, September 14, 2025
Rugby Park, Kilmarnock
KILMARNOCK…1
(Watson 83)
CELTIC…2
(Maeda 56, Iheanacho 90-5pen)
Celtic secured all three points against Kilmarnock at Rugby Park this afternoon in dramatic fashion as Kelechi Iheanacho fired home an added time penalty to give Brendan Rodgers’ side a 2-1 victory.
Early in the match, Celtic found themselves with the first opportunity of the game when a cross in to the box from a corner-kick found Liam Scales, but the Irishman didn’t get enough power on his shot to trouble the home goalkeeper.
The Celts dominated the opening 20 minutes of the game in terms of possession, with Brendan Rodgers’ men enjoying nearly 80 per cent possession, but with Kilmarnock camped deep in their own half, chances on goal were few and far between.
Making his debut in the Hoops, Sebastian Tounekti looked threatening on the left wing, and just after the half-hour mark, Callum McGregor picked him out with a ball over the top of the Kilmarnock defence.
The winger had work to do to reach the ball and, at full-stretch, he attempted a first-time lob over the goalkeeper which he wasn’t able to steer on target.
The Tunisian skipped past several Kilmarnock defenders moments later as he weaved his way in to the box and slipped the ball to Benjamin Nygren, but the Swede failed to find the target with his shot and the chance was gone.
Cameron Carter-Vickers, who showed last season at Celtic Park against Kilmarnock that he is more than capable of finding the back of the net from distance, forced a good save from Max Stryjek near the end of the half as he fired a shot towards the bottom corner from 30 yards out.
24%
Possession
76%
12
Shots
21
2
Shots On Target
6
6
Corners
7
10
Fouls
10
2
0
Cards
3
0
Kilmarnock had a chance early in the second half to open the scoring when David Watson got his foot to the ball in the box after a good delivery from a free-kick, but he put his effort just wide of the post.
And Celtic soon took the lead in impressive fashion 10 minutes in to the second half. An excellent delivery from Marcelo Saracchi evaded the entire Killie back-line, and Daizen Maeda came flying in with a diving header to find the bottom corner of the net and give the Celts a 1-0 lead.
Benjamin Nygren almost doubled the Celtic advantage 10 minutes later when, once again, Tounekti skipped in to the box and found the Swede in a shooting position.
His shot was heading for the back of the net but a Kilmarnock defender was able to get his head in the way and divert the ball over the bar.
With 20 minutes remaining, new Bhoy, Kelechi Iheanacho was handed his Celtic debut, replacing Daizen Maeda up top for the Hoops, and Celtic continued to create chances, but were unable to make them count.
And with just under 10 minutes left to play, Kilmarnock levelled the game from a corner-kick, with David Watson powering a header beyond Kasper Schmeichel.
Just when it looked like the game was heading for a draw, Celtic were awarded a penalty for handball following a VAR check. Kelechi Iheanacho stepped up to take the spot-kick and fired it high in to the net with the last kick of the game, giving the Hoops a 2-1 win and maintaining their unbeaten start to the Premiership season.
Kilmarnock: Stryjek, Brown (Williams 84′), Stanger (Watkins 77′), Mayo, Deas, Thompson, Watson, Polworth (Thomson 71′), McKenzie (Kiltie 71′), Dackers, Daniëls (Anderson 71′)
Subs: Williams, Kiltie, Anderson, Thomson, Watkins, Brown, Beach, Ellis, Traynor
Celtic: Schmeichel, Donovan, Carter-Vickers, Scales, Saracchi (Tierney 58′), Nygren, McGregor, Hatate (McCowan 70′), Tounekti (Hyunjun Yang 88′), Maeda (Iheanacho 70′), Balikwisha (Forrest 58′)
Subs: Sinisalo, Hyunjun Yang, McCowan, Iheanacho, Engels, Paulo Bernardo, Murray, Forrest, Tierney
BBC
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/live/cpd9ng282p9t#Report
At a glance
Celtic return to top of Scottish Premiership on goal difference
Kelechi Iheanacho scores winner on debut, converting VAR-awarded penalty in added time
David Watson headed Kilmarnock level after Daizen Maeda’s nodded opener
ByKheredine Idessane
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter at Rugby Park
A perfect penalty from debutant Kelechi Iheanacho secured three points for Celtic at the end of a pulsating Scottish Premiership encounter with Kilmarnock.
The VAR-awarded spot-kick had Celtic fans in the Chadwick Stand, half of whom had delayed their arrival until the 12th minute in protest at the club’s board, celebrating wildly as their side returned to the top of the table.
In contrast, the home support were crestfallen after being on course for at least a point.
David Watson had powerfully nodded in to cancel out a fine diving header from Daizen Maeda, the off-form Japan star stooping to direct in Marcelo Saracchi’s fine cross shortly after half-time for his first league goal this season.
But there was to be a dramatic end as referee John Beaton went to the monitor after James Forrest’s shot struck Lewis Mayo arm on its way, with the Kilmarnock defender judged to have had his arm in an unnatural position.
Around half the visiting support delayed their entry at Rugby Park in protest against what they view as a lack of ambition and spending by Celtic’s hierarchy.
Chants of ‘sack the board’ after the final whistle were somewhat muted, given the joy that greeted Iheanacho’s late strike.
Until the first goal went in, a fairly drab, gloomy affair ensued, illuminated every now and again by the skill, speed and flair of Celtic wing debutant, Sebastian Tounekti, who already looks like the best bit of business in a transfer window that otherwise frustrated manager Brendan Rodgers and the support alike.
Celtic look like they needed something to spark them into life this season, and it may well just have been provided by Iheanacho’s dramatic introduction into Scotland’s top flight, the Nigeria international having joined as a free agent after the closure of the summer transfer window.
Though disappointed, Kilmarnock will take great heart from the way they contained the visitors for much of the match and the threat they posed towards the end of the game.
Celtic lead Hearts on goal difference after five games, with Hibernian and St Mirren both seven points off the top two. Stuart Kettlewell’s Killie, eighth, remain on four points.
Analysis: Tounekti impresses as Killie rue penalty award
It looked as though Maeda’s return to scoring form would get Celtic over the line, despite another unconvincing display, but an inability to kill of their stubborn opponents nearly came back to bite the champions before a contentious late penalty and Iheanacho’s fine conversion of it.
Until Maeda scored, it had been a familiar tale for the visitors – plenty of the ball, precious little danger of them doing much with it. Lots of recycling of the ball from one side of the field to the other. Plenty of touches from the midfield trio and the back four. Serious penetration? Not likely, unless new Tunisian winger Tounekti was on the ball. He was the one player in hoops who looked like he could create something, or at least eliminate his marker and produce a moment of quality. Few of his team-mates appeared capable of similar.
From a side bursting with creativity and goals last season, it’s quite the drop-off in quality. Sadly from their perspective, it’s not particularly surprising given the lethargy that has blighted much of the early stages of this campaign.
For Kilmarnock, it was a bitter pill to swallow. They very nearly had another precious point and no-one in the stadium would have begrudged them it. The ongoing project under new boss Kettlewell continues to gather momentum. Disciplined, well organised, willing to work. All part of his ‘non-negotiables’ but nonetheless impressive when seen put into action against a side who’ve just spent the bulk of £10m on two new wingers, one of whom, Michel-Ange Balikwisha, was made to look completely anonymous.
In the end, Killie might feel this is the one that got away. They were the side with all the late pressure after Watson’s equaliser and they had Celtic hanging on in the end before the late twist to this tale.
What’s next for these teams?
Celtic continue the defence of the Premier Sports Cup next weekend with an away tie against Championship Partick Thistle on Sunday (15:30 BST).
Kilmarnock play their quarter-final tie at home to St Mirren on Friday (19:45).
Celtic fans stage late entry protest against board
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/articles/cx254vjzzrwo
There were notable gaps in the Celtic away end for the first 12 minutes at Rugby ParkImage source, SNS
Image caption,
There were notable gaps in the Celtic away end for the first 12 minutes at Rugby Park
Published
11 September 2025
Updated 2 hours ago
Celtic fans continued to demonstrate their dissatisfaction with the club’s board by staging a late entry protest at Kilmarnock.
About half of the travelling support at Rugby Park took part in the protest for the first 12 minutes of the Scottish Premiership match.
A substantial section of the fanbase remain angry about a lack of significant summer signings, and failure to reach the league phase of the Champions League has heightened pressure on those in charge at Celtic Park.
Manager Brendan Rodgers said “I fully understand” when asked about the frustrations of the fans that led to the planned protest.
“You can’t tell anyone how to feel,” he told BBC Scotland pre-match.
“If you’re bringing your kids and you want them to be in the stands for the start of the game, then supporters are within their rights.
“We’re keen to make the football united and the spirit of the team. The fans and the board and the situation, I fully understand it and the frustration.”
Follow live text coverage of Celtic’s trip to Kilmarnock
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
A lengthy club statement explaining recent recruitment was met with widespread derision and prompted an open letter from fans groups demanding answers for “repeated failures in transfer dealings”.
Those groups have since released a joint communication saying their concerns have “still to be addressed” despite the open letter “representing tens of thousands of Celtic fans”.
They cite a survey with 38,832 respondents and say there is an “overwhelming consensus” to back the following strategy.
“To build on the recent ‘no confidence’ votes on the Celtic FC board, seeking the removal of Michael Nicholson, CEO, Chris McKay, CFO, Peter Lawwell, chairman.
“To build a strategic, escalatory campaign against the Celtic board.
“To build a democratic and representative fan body.
“To coordinate a ‘late entry’ protest at Kilmarnock v Celtic to further visualise and vocalise fan discontent.
“To help progress these points and the fan movement generally, a steering group of volunteers is being assembled.”
The joint statement ends: “It is natural that there will be a mix of feeling regarding some actions or inaction, however the most important consideration at this stage is maintaining, building and utilising broad fan support.”
Brendan Rodgers takes aim at Celtic leak ‘coward’, wants probe and addresses future in dramatic press conference
Mark Atkinson
By Mark Atkinson
Sports Editor
https://www.scotsman.com/sport/football/celtic/latest-celtic-news/brendan-rodgers-takes-aim-at-celtic-leak-coward-wants-probe-and-addresses-future-in-dramatic-press-conference-5315607Published 12th Sep 2025, 15:48 BST
Manager open to staying beyond contract despite transfer saga and enemy from within
Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers reiterated his dedication to Celtic despite a failed summer transfer window and called for the “coward” who briefed against him to the media last week to resign from their position at the club should an investigation identify them.
Speaking for the first time in almost two weeks, Rodgers refuted any suggestion that he could walk away from Celtic before his three-year contract expires at the end of the season – and even opened the door to staying longer should the club offer him a new deal.
Rodgers also took dead aim at the Celtic “insiders” that broke ranks last Saturday morning when claiming anonymously to the Scottish Sun that the Parkhead boss is trying to engineer his exit after the Scottish champions failed to match his ambition in the transfer market. The Northern Irishman called the leak “a cowardly action” and said it carried no truth.
Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers has spoken at length on his future.
Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers has spoken at length on his future. | SNS Group
Celtic are also facing disunity among supporters who are fuming at the club’s lack of investment in the playing squad, with a late arrival protest planned during Sunday’s Premiership match away at Kilmarnock. Rodgers said he understood the fan frustration and once again reaffirmed his belief that Celtic need to do better when it comes to recruitment.
In an explosive pre-match press conference, Rodgers said on his future: “I understand the frustration. But I also know the quicker we can become one and come together, that’s where the strength lies in Celtic. Everyone together, fighting for the one cause, that’s the power of Celtic. I’m pretty sure the guys on our board won’t want this either. I hope we can find a solution that can get everyone together again.
“I think the business model of the club is highly successful. What we have to marry that in with is the football. Not just investment, timing of investment. It was clear what we needed, and we needed it early. We had these qualification games. Summer 2025 was a critical window for us to get players in to be ready for these games, and we weren’t ready.
Celtic boss reaffirms commitment to club
“That made me leave last time. This time I won’t do that, one hundred per cent. I said 150 per cent a few weeks ago, so I’ll go back to that! It didn’t make me think of walking way, I just felt empty, if I’m honest.”
Rodgers was pressed as to whether this would be his last season in charge of Celtic, given that his current deal expires next summer and while informal talks on his future took place with major shareholder Dermot Desmond and chief executive Michael Nicholson in pre-season, the manager said there had been no progress made – but that “he would love to stay longer” if the conditions were right.
Rodgers continued: “It hasn’t really changed from the last time. I would love to stay here longer. I’ve had informal chats with Dermot and Michael. I haven’t had an offer yet to think over. And until that comes, then I’m not going to be so arrogant to say, yeah, I don’t want to be here for another three years. The club might not want me here. So I have to respect that. And until that happens, until there’s something serious on a piece of paper, then I just continue to do my job.
Celtic train ahead of their match against Kilmarnock on Sunday.
Celtic train ahead of their match against Kilmarnock on Sunday. | SNS Group
“As long as everything’s aligned, and we can operate how we want to, absolutely [I want to stay]. That’s why I came back. I came back to hopefully stay for more than three years. What I would guarantee was that I would do three years – I’ve been categorical in that. So I want to do three years and I’m more so determined than this year to do it.
“And if going forward, if I do get offered a deal, then of course there needs to be conditions within that allows me to work to the best I possibly can. If not, then it’s maybe just there’s two philosophies that don’t quite add up. And I also accept that. I’ll go away, I’ll be a Celtic supporter for the rest of my life and we’ll go our separate ways.
“My hope was to come back here, to take the club forward. We’ve seen progress, we’ve seen Europe, we’ve seen everything. So can we sustain that? And it hasn’t quite happened for us in the Champions League. But, I’m hopeful that in the future something can be resolved.”
‘It was interesting when it came’
As well as the travails of the transfer window, Rodgers has also had to contend with the claims that he was looking to move on from Celtic due to the lack of signings.
“It was interesting when it came, when I was showed that,” said Rodgers. “My honest take, I thought it was a cowardly action, by whoever it is. It’s not something that you would want, and certainly my relationships with the guys that I am close with, if I didn’t hear it within the board, then I would struggle to understand why.
“Because since I’ve come back in 2016, or came here first and then doing my second stint, all I’ve tried to do is drive the club forward. Was I surprised by it? Not really. I think I was briefed upon the first time I was here. When I left, and now since I’ve come back. But I’m thick-skinned, and it’s because I want to do so well here, and determined to do so well.
Brendan Rodgers said Dermot Desmond and Michael Nicholson were ‘good guys’.
Brendan Rodgers said Dermot Desmond and Michael Nicholson were ‘good guys’. | SNS Group
“But I know, Dermot, Michael, the guys that I work with on a daily basis, or certainly communicate with on a daily basis, they feel the same as I. But of course when it comes out, and when the need for that to be out there like that … I think if you speak to any of my staff here, speak to players, they know all I ever do is give everything for them. I respect them. Most of them will have got new contracts in my times here.
“Staff will have had new deals, and increased their wages, and so I always try to improve the conditions for them. If there’s something to nitpick, I would say my drive is to make Celtic the very best it can be. But all within. Not unrealistic, not Premier League money, not millions and millions and millions.
“And if you look at what I’ve spent to what has been brought in, that will also tell you. So, yeah, it’s disappointing when it does come out. Like I said, it’s a cowardly action, but it just makes me more determined to succeed here.”
‘Good people at Celtic’
Rodgers explained that there are “good people” within the corridors of power at Celtic Park and that there are still connections between him and the board. He also revealed he was due to meet Nicholson for more talks later on Friday.
“On a personal level, it’s absolutely fine,” Rodgers said. “I have a huge respect for Dermot. Big reason why I came back. He’s always supported me. Like I said, Michael and Chris [McKay, chief financial officer], who I work with on a day-to-day basis, good guys.
“These are guys that are in on Christmas Day in the football club, when we’re there and doing all the things that they want to do for Celtic. So these are honest guys. In my opinion, what we need to do is try and ensure that our football model can be lined up. Otherwise, we’re just going to be in this cycle. But they’re good people. They’re good guys.”
Brendan Rodgers’ contract at Celtic expires at the end of the season.
Brendan Rodgers’ contract at Celtic expires at the end of the season. | SNS Group
Asked if he wanted a club investigation into who is briefing against him and a resignation from whoever was deemed responsible, Rodgers continued: “I don’t think there’s any doubt. I think if you’re sat in the position that I’m in with the weight of the club on your shoulders and to be the spokesperson and be the manager and be the psychologist and be everything, it’s so important that you feel supported.
“And I think that, like I said, it’s anyone that is briefing against that person and whenever they know, they could come and speak to me at any time. And I’m here from early morning to late in the evening or come to my house or do whatever.
Rodgers calls for ‘cowardly’ insider to leave Celtic
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/articles/c62nk52n221o
Brendan RodgersImage source, SNS
Image caption,
Brendan Rodgers said Celtic’s transfer dealing left him feeling empty
Published
12 September 2025
Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers has called for the “coward” inside the club who briefed a media report against him to leave the Scottish champions.
An article, external emerged last week from an unknown Parkhead insider saying Rodgers was attempting to “engineer his way out” of his contract, which runs until next summer.
It comes fresh on the back of failing to get into the Champions League and a transfer window which, in a revealing media conference on Friday, he described as leaving him feeling “empty”.
“My honest take is I thought it was a cowardly action by whoever it is,” said Rodgers.
“It’s not something you’d want. Certainly my relationships with the guys, I am close with here within the board, I would struggle to understand why.
“All I’ve tried to do is drive the club forward. Was I surprised by it? Not really.
“I’m thick skinned and it’s because I want to do so well here. I’m determined.
“I know Dermot [Desmond, majority shareholder], Michael [Nicholson, chief executive], the guys I work with on a daily basis, certainly communicate on a daily basis, feel the same.”
In the report by the Scottish Sun, there was no hint as to where the leak had come from, other than it said senior figures were concerned the former Liverpool boss, who previously left his role at Celtic midway through his third season, had eyes on an exit.
There was also a claim his public frustrations about the club’s transfer dealings had “torn the club apart”.
When asked on Friday if the person who was speaking against him should resign, Rodgers added: “I don’t think there’s any doubt.
“If you’re sat in the position that I’m in with the weight of the club on your shoulders to be the spokesperson, to be the manager, be the psychologist and be everything, it’s so important you feel supported.
“I’m pretty sure there will be some questioned asked on it as, like I said, there was quite a bit of detail in there – and wrong I may add.”
Rodgers open to staying despite window pain
Despite that, the Celtic manager has said he would “100%” be open to extending his contract even after a poor transfer window.
Asked if he felt let down by the club’s inability to back him, Rodgers said: “It’s not about me.
“I want Celtic to be the very best that it can be. My ambition is for the club, for our supporters, for the players.
“It’s not a personal thing for me. I can only do my very best to improve what it is we need to improve. Whatever situation I’m in, I will then look to be the very best that I can be.
“The first time I was here, I probably left because of that [frustration at lack of backing]. But I won’t be doing that this time. Absolutely no chance – 100%.
“My duty is to be here and help the team, the squad, the club get back again and moving on.”
Frustration has grown among Celtic fans over a lack of reinforcements, particularly in attack.
Kyogo Furuhashi and Nicolas Kuhn have both left, while Jota’s returned has been hampered by injury.
Signings have been made, including striker Kelechi Iheanacho, Tunisia international Sebastian Tounekti and Michel-Ange Balikwisha. Recruit Benjamin Nygren is the only arrival to have made any impact to date.
When asked if a window that Rodgers admitted “could have been better for us” had made him ponder quitting, he added: “It didn’t. It didn’t make me think to walk away. I just felt empty, if I’m honest.
“It was a long process and the weight is on your shoulders when you’re here, carrying everything. When it doesn’t quite go the way you want, then of course you have an empty feeling.”
Are Celtic facing a crossroads already this season?
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/articles/cqjevnkkvq9o
Brendan RodgersImage source, SNS
Image caption,
Brendan Rodgers says the transfer window left him feeling empty
ByKheredine Idessane
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter
Published
13 September 2025
For a club who have enjoyed domestic dominance in recent times and whose traditional title rivals have yet to win a league game and sit 10th in the table, Celtic fans should be relatively content with their lot.
However, sections of the Parkhead support are anything but.
A dismal transfer window despite money in the bank, no Champions League football, and now manager Brendan Rodgers calling for a “cowardly” club insider to leave.
As Celtic get ready to go to Kilmarnock on Sunday in a match which will feature an away fan protest, how has the champions’ season hit what feels a pivotal crossroads already?
Celtic statement leaves fans wanting answers
A decline can be traced back to the high point of the performance arc under Rodgers, away to Bayern Munich on 18 February.
The team were seconds away from a first win on German soil and on the brink of extra time in the Allianz Arena. Despite Alphonso Davies’ last-gasp, heart-breaking equaliser, it was clear Celtic had delivered on a pre-season promise of progress and respectability in the Champions League.
Fast-forward six months to the calamity of Kairat Almaty and failure to qualify for Europe’s premier competition.
A weak summer of recruitment was lambasted by fans and pundits but defended by the board in a statement last Saturday which said “we can never compromise the financial integrity of the club” and “it is important to remain disciplined in our approach”.
But Kieran Maguire, author of The Price of Football told BBC Scotland: “Celtic’s statement does seem a little bit disingenuous. Uefa rules allow clubs to spend 70% of their revenues on player wages. Celtic currently spend around 53%.
“Uefa rules also allow you to take into consideration player sale profits and add those to revenue, so Celtic have an awful lot of headroom should they chose to spend more in terms of player recruitment and retention.
“I’m a little bit confused as to the nature and the timing of the statement. It does appear to be very inconsistent with a detailed analysis of the figures.”
Celtic emerged from the transfer window with a net profit on player trading. They could have trebled the approximate £10m shelled out for late arrivals Sebastian Tounekti and Michel-Ange Balikwisha and stayed within the Uefa parameters.
‘Sack the board’ no longer empty slogan
Chants of “sack the board” have reverberated around Celtic Park at various points this season, with many fans of the opinion that Rodgers has not been adequately backed.
According to the last published set of accounts, the club had £65m in the bank. Not to mention the £15m secured by the sale of Nicolas Kuhn to Como.
A meeting with chief executive Michael Nicholson and certain supporter groups was supposed to douse the flames of discontent. Celtic’s statement thereafter added a rather large dose of rocket fuel to the fire.
“The backdrop to the current anger and frustration felt by Celtic fans is an ongoing failure over a prolonged period of time both in the Champions League and in the transfer market,” said Paul-John Dykes from the A Celtic State Of Mind podcast.
“Seven months ago, Brendan Rodgers spoke about having an unswerving plan to make Celtic a seasoned club at Champions League level. The board failed to replace the quality that has since left.
“We are united as a fan movement with the aim of influencing positive change at boardroom level. One of our objectives is to call for the removal of Michael Nicholson, Chris McKay and Peter Lawwell.”
Fan banner saying Zero AmbitionImage source, SNS
Image caption,
A fan banner at Celtic Park
With the clock ticking down on deadline day, Celtic ended up paying over £5m for Tounekti.
Adam Idah was sold despite clear assurances that the striker would be going nowhere until a suitable replacement was secured. Instead, free agent Kelechi Iheanacho was signed up after the window closed.
Asked prior to the long trip to Almaty what would get his players back to their usual levels “competition,” came the quickfire reply from Rodgers.
Not coaching, not cajoling, not training. Competition.
The manager has been asking for it since the turn of the year. The sale of Kyogo Furuhashi with no thought for a replacement is still a puzzler eight months on.
Some £30m had been spent on Idah, Arne Engels, Auston Trusty and Paulo Bernardo in the previous summer.
This time round, Rodgers wanted quality, not quantity. What he got was the return of Kieran Tierney and a decent looking forward in Benjamin Nygren along with several “club signings” that he has largely overlooked.
Tounekti, Iheanacho, Balikwisha and Marcelo Saracchi may yet prove to be worthwhile additions but arrived once the Champions League horse had bolted.
You then have regular performer Daizen Maeda looking a shadow of himself after a summer move was blocked.
Rodgers’ presser pressure point
The latest twist in this Celtic tale came on Friday.
While being quizzed on the transfer window – which Rodgers said left him feeling “empty” – he was also questioned on a recent media report which cited an unnamed club insider claiming the Celtic boss was trying to engineer an exit.
Rodgers, whose contract runs until next summer, was blunt in his response.
“My honest take is I thought it was a cowardly action by whoever it is,” he said.
“It’s not something you’d want. Certainly my relationships with the guys, I am close with here within the board, I would struggle to understand why.
“All I’ve tried to do is drive the club forward. Was I surprised by it? Not really.”
When asked if the person who was speaking against him should resign, he added: “I don’t think there’s any doubt.”
Then came the questions about his future. On whether he’d want to stay beyond the end of the season, with the answer coming back as “100%”.
Whether that happens or not remains to be seen. Next summer seems a long way away in the here and now for Celtic.
Against the backdrop of a fan protest, a routine Premiership encounter with Kilmarnock has taken on another new dimension.
How Rodgers, his team and club navigate the coming days and weeks will be intriguing stuff.
Daily Record
https://www.msn.com/en-gb/sport/football/dramatic-celtic-triumph-cant-quell-board-backlash-as-kilmarnock-undone-by-var-drama-5-talking-points/ar-AA1MwXaJDramatic Celtic triumph can’t quell board backlash as Kilmarnock undone by VAR drama – 5 talking points
Story by Michael Gannon
• 29m • 4 min read
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Celtic’s Kelechi Iheanacho celebrates after scoring to make it 2-1 © SNS Group
Celtic fans sat out the start in protest but stuck around for the wild celebrations at the end on an incredible afternoon at Rugby Park.
Kelechi Ihenacho slammed in a 96th-minute penalty with the last kick of the ball to leave Kilmarnock crushed.
A section of supporters kept their promise to remain outside until after the 12 minute mod anger at the way the club is being run.
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Yet it was two summer recruits who made the difference in Ayrshire. Deadline day arrival Sebastian Tounekti dazzled on his debut while Daizen Maeda ditched his disappointment over an exit by delivering a crucial opening goal.
Celtic looked set to see it out but David Watson pounced from a corner and the Hoops had to hang on as Stuart Kettlewell’s men threatened to grab all three points.
There was another huge twist in storage time when sub James Forrest’s drive was blocked by the arm of Lewis Mayo – and it was clocked by VAR.
Ihenacho – who was written off as a panic buy after the window closed – had the guts to step up and he riffled high into the net.
The Nigerian sparked mayhem in the away end – but it doesn’t look like it will get the under-fire Hoops board off the hook.
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Fan power
Celtic fans are fuming and doesn’t look like this dramatic win will heal the rift with the club’s board.
The supporters made their anger at the way the club is being run with the no show until 12 minutes after kick-off.
The away end was half empty at kick-off and then filled up as promised.
The protests didn’t end there though with A series of banners including ‘Sack the Board, Back the Team,’ in a throwback to the slogan from the nineties when they did manage to empty out the club’s directors.
There were plenty of others targeting the club’s leadership and chants throughout.
They celebrated at the death but even after the winner there were sack the board chants.
This isn’t going away.
Seb on the go
The poor lad might have got lost in the wash on transfer deadline day given all the frantic carry on, but it looks like Celtic did manage to pull off a sensational piece of business.
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Sebastian Tounekti made a huge first impression here. Celts were slow and laboured in general, but they came to life every time the Tunisian ace was on the ball.
The 22-year-old looks to have quick feet and loves taking on his man, hitting the byline and cutting balls across the face.
There was no easing himself in at Rugby Park. Tounekti was demanding the ball and teammates quickly cottoned on to the fact he was the main danger man.
He was invoked in just about every single move where the Hoops threatened and by the end he was ripping Killie to ribbons.
The wide man will be disappointed to lose his man for the Killie goal but Tounekti could be a cracker.
New Bhoys
What a way to silence any doubter. Kelechi Iheadacho’s arrival was almost ridiculed in some quarters, but the former Man City and Leicester man has plenty of experience and nerves of steel.
It was a risk taking the spot kick but he did the business to secure the points.
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Elsewhere Marcelo Saracchi was handed his first start for Celts as well and he would have got pass marks for his wonderful cross for Maeda alone.
But the borrowed Boca Juniors man did more than enough to endear himself otherwise.
Youngster Colby Donovan was also more than decent on the right but on that other flank it was a tough afternoon for Michel-Ange Balikwisha. He copped flak for constantly cutting back at Ibrox and it was a similar story here.
Even on his preferred right foot, there were times when he could have hit the byline but chose to hit the break.
Rodgers was seen giving an ear bashing at one point and it’s something to be worked on.
Changed Daiz
Daizen Maeda apparently had emptied his Lennoxtown locker on deadline day ahead of an expected exit.
Celtic blocked the move due to dithering over striker signings and even Rodgers admitted the attacker should have been sold.
Celtic’s Daizen Maeda (left) celebrates after scoring © PA
But here he was, back in the Hoops and needed up front. The Japanese ace is a hard man to read at the best of times but he didn’t seem to be the happiest of chappies.
That might be his natural look mind you as he got through his usual power of work.
It wasn’t really happening for almost an hour as he struggled for service and for space.
Yet he found a bit of last season’s magic when Celtic needed it most – throwing himself on to Saracchi’s brilliant ball to nod in the vital opener.
There should be no concerns over the hitman downing tools.
Killie in superb shape
Stuart Kettlewell’s side might still be chasing their first win of the season and this one will sting.
But they shouldn’t feel too down though.
Celtic’s pressure and touch of class got them ahead but Killie were well in the game for long enough to make sure they still had a chance – and were seconds away from a fifth draw on the bounce.
Kettlewell didn’t exactly get the red carpet treatment when he was appointed but the punters have gradually been won over.
The manager has recruited well and he’s got his side looking like a classic Kilmarnock outfit, well organised and hard to beat.
This is without key men such as Brad Lyons and Matty Kennedy as well and it should give Rugby Park fans plenty of optimism about the months to come.