All posts by z3u9t.icu

Celtic wrapped up their fourth title in as many seasons last weekend when they beat Dundee United 5-0 at Tannadice Park in the Scottish Premiership.

An own goal from Ryan Strain put the Hoops 1-0 up early on in the match, before two goals apiece from Nicolas Kuhn and Adam Idah made sure of the victory.

The Scottish giants now have four matches left to play in the league with little to play for but pride and to extend their points total, as well as using the games to warm up for the SFA Cup final.

Brendan Rodgers’ side are due to face Aberdeen at Hampden Park in the SFA Cup final at the end of this month, knowing that a win would mean that they have completed the domestic treble this season.

It has been a terrific season for the Hoops, who also made it to the play-off round of the Champions League, and some of their signings in the last summer transfer window have contributed to that.

Celtic decided to splash the cash, after Matt O’Riley’s move to Brighton & Hove Albion, with a club-record swoop to sign Arne Engels from Augsburg for a reported fee of £11m.

Why Arne Engels has been a successful signing for Celtic

The Belgian midfielder had only started 13 of his 32 appearances in the Bundesliga for Augsburg in the 2023/24 campaign, which meant that the Hoops were breaking their transfer record to sign a young player who had yet to prove that he could perform consistently as a regular starter.

It was a gamble that has already paid off for the Scottish giants, though, as Engels has enjoyed a terrific debut season at Parkhead, nailing down a place as an influential figure in midfield for Rodgers.

The 21-year-old talent has scored ten goals and provided 12 assists in 48 appearances in all competitions for the Hoops this term, which shows that he has made a big impact at the top end of the pitch.

It is worth adding that eight of those ten goals have come from the penalty spot. Of course, you still have to score from 12 yards, but it does suggest that the midfielder does not carry a huge goal threat from open play.

Starts

22

9

Big chances created

11

3

Key passes per game

1.7

1.8

Assists

5

3

Tackles + interceptions per game

0.8

2.4

Duel success rate

48%

59%

As you can see in the table above, Engels has provided consistent quality as a creator for his teammates with 14 ‘big chances’ created in 31 starts in the Premiership and the Champions League combined, whilst also holding his own in physical duels.

These statistics show that the Belgium international has been a successful signing for Celtic because he has hit the ground running as a star for the Hoops.

However, the Scottish giants could land an even bigger talent than Engels by swooping to sign one of the reported transfer targets ahead of next season.

Celtic's interest in Premiership star

The Scottish Sun recently revealed that Celtic had an offer turned down for Motherwell central midfielder Lennon Miller in the January transfer window.

It was claimed that the Hoops and Italian side Udinese had bids rejected for the Scotland U21 international, who remained at Fir Park for the second half of this season.

Transfer Focus

Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.

The outlet added that Belgian side Union Saint-Gilloise are lining up a swoop for the Scottish starlet in the upcoming summer transfer window, with a fee of £5m said to be on the cards.

Celtic must, now, press ahead with another attempt to sign the Motherwell sensation when the summer window opens for business, because he has the potential to be an even bigger talent than Engels for the Bhoys.

Why Miller is an even bigger talent than Engels

Firstly, Miller is three years younger than the Belgian midfielder, who plays in the same position as him, and has already established himself as a regular starter in the Premiership.

He has started 48 matches in the Scottish top-flight since the start of last season, which shows that the teenage gem already has plenty of experience in the league despite his age.

This also means that he has even more time left ahead of him to develop and improve as a player in comparison to Engels, as he has established himself as a star at first-team level at a much younger age.

Miller’s performances in the Premiership for Motherwell, including his stunning assist against Celtic last season in the clip below, also suggest that he could offer even more than the Belgian ace in the short-term as well.

The Scottish ace, who has been hailed as “ridiculous” by pundit James McFadden, has the quality to offer a similar level of creativity whilst providing more to the team out of possession.

Appearances

31

28

Big chances created

11

10

Key passes per game

1.7

1.6

Assists

5

6

Tackles + interceptions per game

0.8

3.1

Ball recoveries per game

2.5

6.5

Duel success rate

48%

52%

As you can see in the table above, Miller, despite playing for an inferior side at Premiership level, has only created one fewer ‘big chance’ in three fewer appearances.

The Motherwell dynamo has, however, won the ball back far more frequently for his side and come out on top in a higher percentage of his duels with other midfielders.

Worth more than Tierney: Celtic have hit the jackpot on "brilliant" star

Celtic have hit the jackpot on this star who is now worth more than Kieran Tierney.

ByDan Emery May 1, 2025

Therefore, Celtic could land an even bigger talent than Engels by signing Miller because he has performed as well as the Hoops star in possession, whilst doing more for his team defensively, and is three years younger than him.

It is now down to the club to get a deal over the line for the teenage starlet, who could develop into a star for the Scottish giants next season and for many seasons to come.

Arsenal are now keen on signing an “incredible” £50m forward, who could be a “great fit” for Mikel Arteta’s side, but there is set to be competition from Liverpool, according to a report.

Gunners set to strengthen attacking options

The Gunners have done incredibly well to reach the Champions League semi-final, given that they have been without a striker since Kai Havertz suffered a hamstring injury in February, but it is near certain a new forward will be brought in this summer.

That is according to Fabrizio Romano, who has now stated a new striker “will arrive” at the Emirates Stadium, with the north Londoners identifying the likes of Benjamin Sesko, Alexander Isak and Viktor Gyokeres as potential targets.

Not only that, but Arteta is seemingly eager to strengthen out wide too, with a bid for Athletic Bilbao winger Nico Williams now in the works, while they could also snap up Bayern Munich’s Kingsley Coman for a fee of just £30m.

Arsenal hold initial talks to sign bargain striker with 176 career goals

Mikel Arteta’s side have reached out to another player.

2 ByEmilio Galantini Apr 20, 2025

There is certainly no shortage of targets for Arsenal, and a report from The Sun has now revealed they could look to raid one of their Premier League rivals, with Brentford’s Bryan Mbeumo of interest, but there will be competition for his signature.

Newcastle United and Liverpool are also keen on a move for the 25-year-old – he is thought to be Magpies director Paul Mitchell’s dream target so the Gunners could throw a spanner in the works by hijacking a move instead of going for Isak.

Mbeumo’s current contract is set to expire in the summer of 2026, and he will not come cheap with the Bees looking to receive a fee of around £50m for his services, while there is an option for the Cameroonian to extend his stay by an extra year.

"Incredible" Mbeumo could be "great fit" for Arsenal

Amid links with a move to north London in the January transfer window, Robbie Lyle from AFTV stated he could be a “great fit” for the Gunners, and his performances this season indicate he could be a fantastic signing.

The France-born forward has scored a remarkable 18 goals in the Premier League, the joint-fourth highest total in the division, while also providing six assists, indicating he is more than ready for a move to a top club.

Most recently, the right-winger showcased his finishing ability by picking up a brace and an assist in his side’s impressive 4-2 win over Brighton & Hove Albion.

Lauded as “incredible” by reporter Dom Smith, Mbeumo could take Arsenal’s attack to the next level, but he may have to move to the left wing if he is to receive regular game time, given that very few players in the world are capable of displacing Bukayo Saka.

One of Aston Villa’s top earners is reportedly open to a summer exit due to limited playing time, according to a new report.

Aston Villa's forwards thriving in charge for top five finish

Despite being knocked out of the Champions League by Paris Saint-Germain, Aston Villa are enjoying a superb run of form, having won 10 of their last 11 games in all competitions. Their most recent triumph was a resounding victory over high-flying Newcastle United at Villa Park.

Romano: Aston Villa star club are "happy" with could leave for right offer

He’s future at Villa Park isn’t guaranteed.

ByBarney Lane Apr 22, 2025

A significant factor behind Villa’s recent success has been their in-form forward line, with Ollie Watkins, Marcus Rashford, Marco Asensio and Donyell Malen all playing pivotal roles in recent months.

Asensio, in particular, has been hugely impressive since joining on loan from PSG in January, notching five goals and four assists for Unai Emery’s side — including a brilliant brace in a 2-1 win over top-four rivals Chelsea back in February.

Speaking on the Spaniard’s impact, former Villa defender Matthew Upson described him as “world class,” telling BBC Radio 5 Live: “He’s going to play a big part in the exciting finish to the season they have ahead.”

Leon Bailey attracting offers to leave Villa

With Asensio and co. flying at Villa Park, one man who has found game time hard to come by this season is Leon Bailey. The Jamaica international, who joined Villa from Bayer Leverkusen in 2021, has started just 14 Premier League games this term — though his cause hasn’t been helped by injuries, particularly since the turn of the year.

Amid his struggles, GIVEMESPORT now reports that the 27-year-old, who earns £120,000 per week, could be open to leaving Villa Park this summer if the right offer comes in, and there are suitors queuing up to tempt him away.

According to the publication, Bailey would prefer to stay and fight for his place in Emery’s plans, but if it becomes clear that regular minutes are unlikely, he would be “prepared to listen to offers from interested parties”.

Bailey has scored 22 goals and provided 24 assists in 142 appearances for Villa since joining from Bayer Leverkusen — a respectable, if unspectacular, return for a player who cost the club around £30 million.

While consistency has sometimes eluded him, the Jamaican winger has certainly shown flashes of brilliance during his time at Villa Park. One such moment came in Villa’s 3-1 win over Club Brugge in the Champions League back in March, where Bailey found the back of the net inside just three minutes.

Commenting on the goal, former Chelsea forward Pat Nevin was full of praise: “The game has started in slow motion and the goal was scored in slow motion. The ball was played to the back post and Tyrone Mings nods it back and the defenders were stationary. The control from Leon Bailey is sensational and it was a lovely little side-foot finish. Dream start for Villa.”

Chelsea are already making plans to prepare for the upcoming summer transfer window in an attempt to bolster the squad ahead of the 2025/26 campaign.

The Blues have been linked with Inter stars Yann Bisseck and Marcus Thuram, whilst Napoli centre-forward Victor Osimhen reportedly wants to sign for Enzo Maresca’s side.

Chelsea have had success in recruiting from the Serie A in the past, with French central defender Marcel Desailly being a prime example – the titan joined from AC Milan in the summer of 1998 and went on to become a stalwart at Stamford Bridge.

He ended his time in England with 222 appearances in all competitions for the Blues, winning the FA Cup and the UEFA Super Cup, before being released in 2004 after six years at the club.

Chelsea could repeat that success and raid AC Milan once again for a defensive star as they reportedly eye up one of their present-day stars.

Chelsea plot move for Milan star

According to Tutto Mercato Web, Chelsea are one of the teams interested in a deal to sign AC Milan goalkeeper Mike Maignan in the upcoming summer transfer window.

Transfer Focus

Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.

The report claims that Aston Villa and the Blues are both plotting moves to sign the France international, as Maresca looks to bolster his options in the goalkeeping position.

It adds that both teams have ‘taken information’ on the shot-stopper ahead of a possible ‘concrete’ move in the summer window, suggesting that they have made contact with either Milan or the player’s representatives to see if a transfer is realistic.

There is no mention of how much it would take to take the Italian giants into selling Maignan, but Chelsea must now push to get a deal done for him ahead of next season.

Why Chelsea should sign Mike Maignan

The Blues hit the jackpot when they signed Desailly, who went on to be a regular for many years and racked up over 200 first-team appearances, from Milan and they could do the same again by improving their defence with the French shot-stopper, who has played 154 times for the Serie A side.

Robert Sanchez has been the first choice for much of the current campaign and has done little to suggest that he is the long-term answer for Maresca in that position.

The Spaniard has made three errors that have led to shots, five errors that have led to goals, and given away two penalties in his 25 Premier League appearances this term.

Maignan’s performances in the Serie A for Milan over the past two seasons, meanwhile, suggest that he could come in to provide more stability between the sticks.

Appearances

59

41

Clean sheets

20

10

Error led to shot

2

5

Error led to goal

3

6

Penalties committed

1

2

As you can see in the table above, Sanchez has made more than twice as many errors that have led to shots, twice as many errors that have led to goals, and committed twice as many penalties in 18 fewer appearances since the start of last season.

This suggests that Maignan would improve Chelsea’s defence by not making as many critical errors that lead to goals conceded, hence why his clean sheet rate is also more impressive than the current Blues goalkeeper’s.

The French ace, who was described as “world-class” by Serie A reporter Haris Mrkonja, has the potential to be an excellent addition to Maresca’s squad as a replacement for Sanchez, given his form over the past two seasons, and that is why the club must push to land him ahead of Villa.

Chelsea now interested in signing £43m Inter Milan star alongside Thuram

The Blues have identified a new target ahead of the summer transfer window…

ByDominic Lund Apr 6, 2025

Maignan, therefore, also has the potential to be Desailly 2.0 for the club as another defensive titan, albeit in a different position, to come over from Milan to the Premier League to star at Stamford Bridge.

Newcastle United are in the race to sign a “magnificent” Premier League player this summer, with it emerging he is now set to leave his club, according to a report.

Newcastle's summer transfer plans

The main transfer saga Newcastle are involved in at the moment centers around the future of talisman Alexander Isak, who is attracting widespread interest from some of England’s biggest clubs, with Liverpool and Arsenal set to make summer proposals.

The Magpies are determined to keep hold of Isak, but should they be forced to sanction a departure, there are some fantastic potential replacements in mind, having recently made an approach for Lille striker Jonathan David.

Striker is not the only position in which Eddie Howe may strengthen this summer, however, with a move for Chelsea winger Noni Madueke being plotted, and there is a feeling the Blues may be willing to cash-in on the England international this summer.

Newcastle and PIF in contact to sign "incredible" £33m+ PL star for Howe

Eddie Howe is eyeing a deal for an in-form star once the transfer window opens.

BySean Markus Clifford Mar 31, 2025

There have also been suggestions Newcastle could pursue a new goalkeeper to provide competition for Nick Pope between the sticks, with Royal Antwerp’s Senne Lammens on the shortlist, alongside a Premier League shot-stopper.

According to a report from TEAMtalk, the EFL Cup winners have Southampton goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale on the radar for a potential summer transfer swoop, with the Englishman set to leave in the summer, given his side’s impending relegation.

Ramsdale has no desire to play in the Championship, meaning he is set to depart at the end of the season, and there is a relegation release clause in his contract, which could make him an attractive option for a number of Premier League clubs.

AFC Bournemouth and Championship promotion-hopefuls Leeds United are also interested in the goalkeeper, who cost the Saints £25m last summer.

"Magnificent" Ramsdale has experience playing under Howe

The report makes it clear that James Trafford remains Newcastle’s top target, but the Southampton goalkeeper may also be a solid choice, particularly considering his experience playing under Howe.

During his time with Bournemouth, the 6 foot 2 colossus was lauded as “magnificent” by the Newcastle manager, and he has been one of the only bright sparks in a Saints side which has vastly disappointed this season.

SofaScore ranks the five-time England international as Southampton’s best-performing player in the Premier League, and he also impressed at times during his spell with Arsenal, before ultimately being replaced by David Raya.

Ramsdale could be a solid signing for Newcastle this summer, but it is clear to see why Trafford remains the priority target, with the Burnley goalkeeper shipping just 11 goals all season in the Championship, playing a major role in the Clarets’ promotion push.

Everton midfielder Idrissa Gueye was praised for his display against Fulham in the Premier League.

Everton 2-0 Fulham

Gueye and Michael Keane supplemented Everton’s misfiring attack in a 2-0 win which extended Fulham’s woes on the road to a fifth successive match.

With the Toffees’ two strikers Beto and Thierno Barry scoring just one Premier League goal between them so far this season, there is an imperative for others to chip in. But in a team boasting the attacking talents of Jack Grealish, Iliman Ndiaye and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, it was their defensive midfielder and centre-back who made the difference.

The two teams had scored just 22 between them in 20 combined Premier League matches so the first goal was important and Gueye’s intervention, in the fourth minute of first-half added time, was even more crucial as an offside flag denied Everton on three occasions in a match they should have won more comfortably.

Gueye stabbed home his second of the campaign after Tim Iroegbunam had completely fluffed his shot in front of goal from a James Tarkowski header which rebounded off the crossbar.

After failing to score at all last season, Gueye is well on his way to beat his best return of four in an Everton shirt from 2023-24. Keane flicked home a Dewsbury-Hall corner with 10 minutes to go to banish any late anxiety. They were contributions gratefully received by boss David Moyes, whose side ended a run of one win in eight matches in all competitions.

Unsurprisingly, Gueye’s performance against the Cottagers was highly praised in the aftermath of the game.

Gueye was "brilliant" against Fulham

After opening the scoring against Fulham, pundit Sue Smith, as per Sky Sports, said of Gueye:

Minutes Played

90

Goals

1

Assists

0

Passes Made (Accuracy)

41/48 (85%)

Recoveries

3

Clearances

3

Interceptions

1

Aerial Duels Won

1/1 (100%)

Times Dribbled Past

0

All stats are from SofaScore

On X, formerly known as Twitter, Everton Extra noted that Gueye was “very, very good” in the first half against Everton, form that continued after the half-time break. Initially alongside Iroegbunam until the 22-year-old was replaced by Merlin Rohl in the 67th minute, Gueye helped Everton limit their visitors as they maintained their impressive start to life at the Hill Dickinson Stadium.

In six Premier League games at their new home, Everton have lost just once, picking up 11 points from an available 18. Everton will not play now until after the November international break, which they enter with a win that Gueye contributed heavily towards.

New Iwobi could be unleashed for Everton

Wilfried Nancy will manage his first match in charge of Celtic this afternoon as Hearts come to Parkhead in a top-of-the-table clash in the Scottish Premiership.

It will be interesting to see what tactical changes he has been able to implement after only a few days on the training pitch, as his usual system with his former club is different from the 4-3-3 or 4-2-3-1 shape that the Hoops have played this season.

Per FBRef, Nancy played with a 3-4-2-1 or a 3-4-3 system in 31 of his 43 matches with Columbus Crew this year in all competitions, often playing with two second strikers or number tens behind a main centre-forward.

If the French boss goes with his favoured 3-4-2-1 system, he could ruthlessly drop Luke McCowan from the team that started against Dundee last time out.

Why Wilfried Nancy should drop Luke McCowan

The Scottish midfielder has started the last two league matches on the right wing in Martin O’Neill’s 4-2-3-1 system, but he has been ineffective in a new role, lacking the dynamism and pace required to be effective in that area of the pitch.

McCowan, who has not scored since the opening day of the season, did not score a goal or create a ‘big chance’ for the team against Hibernian or Dundee as a winger, per Sofascore.

He also completed just two of his five attempted dribbles, per Sofascore, struggling with the explosive turn of pace that is often needed to make things happen on the wing, whilst he also lost seven of his 11 duels in total across both matches.

These statistics suggest that McCowan should be dropped irrespective of a change in formation, but a change in shape to a 3-4-2-1 would allow Nancy to ditch the Scotsman by unleashing Johnny Kenny in a new role.

The new role that Johnny Kenny could play for Celtic

It has been a rollercoaster couple of months for the Ireland international, who went from rarely playing under Brendan Rodgers to scoring four goals in O’Neill’s first four games, to now being on the bench behind Daizen Maeda.

Kenny has been an unused substitute in the last three matches, which means that he has still scored four goals in his last five appearances for the club, per Sofascore, and Nancy could bring him back into the fold as an attacking midfielder or second striker.

The two roles behind the striker in a 3-4-2-1 system are unique because it can be a very fluid front three with a lot of movement, and that could suit both Kenny and Maeda, the former of whom has been praised for his “top-drawer” mentality by his former Sligo Rovers coach Conor O’Grady.

Celtic’s Irish striker has shown that he can score goals for the club, with his four-goal burst under O’Neill, but Nancy’s job is to find the best way to fit him into the system to get the best out of him.

Per Transfermarkt, the 22-year-old star has never played as a second striker or as an attacking midfielder in his career to date. It is a role that could suit him quite nicely, though.

GK

Kasper Schmeichel

CB

Dane Murray

CB

Auston Trusty

CB

Liam Scales

RWB

Colby Donovan

CM

Callum McGregor

CM

Reo Hatate

LWB

Kieran Tierney

AM

Hyun-jun Yang

AM

Johnny Kenny

ST

Daizen Maeda

As you can see in the XI above, Kenny could play as one of two players behind Maeda, who is a relentless pressing forward who can also play deeper or out wide, and could rotate across all three positions.

This fluidity could suit the Irishman because of his mobility and desire to run beyond the last line to create chances for himself, without being the focal point who has to bring physicality and hold up play, because it will be Maeda in that position.

Of course, it is hard to judge how the system will look until Nancy has had a few games to test things out and more time on the training pitch to coach the players, but Kenny seems like a player who could benefit from a 3-4-2-1 formation.

That change in shape, whilst helping the striker, would also allow the manager to drop an underperforming player, McCowan, from the starting line-up to provide the young forward with a chance to shine in a brand-new role in his career.

Better than Maeda: Celtic star is going to be undroppable under Nancy

This Celtic star who was even better than Daizen Maeda against Dundee should be Wilfried Nancy’s first undroppable star.

1 ByDan Emery Dec 4, 2025

If this is to be the end of Martin O’Neill’s brief return, what a way to sign off.

On Thursday night, Celtic ended a 16-match, four-year-long winless streak in European away games by beating Feyenoord 3-1 at De Kuip, coming back from a goal down to do so; Yang Hyun-jun, Reo Hatate and Benjamin Nygren all on target.

This means O’Neill has won five of six matches since being parachuted into the role following Brendan Rodgers’ shock resignation.

The 73-year-old, alongside Shaun Maloney, is set to remain in charge when the Celts visit Easter Road to take on Hibernian on Sunday lunchtime, but there is optimism that Wilfried Nancy will take over soon, potentially in time for the visit of Dundee on Wednesday.

Once the Frenchman does swap Ohio for Glasgow, one of Celtic’s breakout stars from this season could well become a key figure, currently on course to replicate an active club legend.

Callum McGregor's importance at Celtic

While players, managers and board members come and go, Callum McGregor remains a constant, the heartbeat in both the team and the club as a whole.

Thursday saw the captain make his 540th appearance for the club, starting 21 of 22 matches so far this season, accumulating 1,939 minutes out of a possible 2,040 so far (95%).

When Scott Brown departed in 2021, his leadership and all-around brilliance was supposed to be impossible to replace, but McGregor has transitioned into this role seamlessly, lifting 24 major trophies to date, and it is incomprehensible to imagine a Celtic side without him.

As well as winning back the ball and keeping the team ticking in possession, McGregor continues to produce key moments, lashing home a 95th-minute winner at St Mirren last Saturday night, having scored a similar rocket against Rangers in the League Cup semi-finals earlier this month.

Having joined the club as an eight-year-old, McGregor continues to set an example to all those in the Celtic academy dreaming of representing the first team one day, but who is currently on course to follow in his footsteps?

Celtic's next academy star

Celtic have endured rotten luck in terms of injuries this season.

Cameron Carter-Vickers could be out for the rest of the season following achilles surgery, Jota remains sidelined after rupturing his ACL in April, while Alistair Johnston suffered a torn hamstring against Kairat in August, only to aggravate the issue 26 minutes into his return when Sturm Graz visited Parkhead.

With Johnston, who has been so excellent since joining the club, having started only five matches all season, most would have expected Anthony Ralston to deputise, but it appears as though Colby Donovan has leapfrogged him in the pecking order.

After featuring sporadically during pre-season, scoring against Cork City at Páirc Uí Chaoimh in July, the 19-year-old made his competitive senior debut against Livingston when Rodgers made wholesale changes in between the two legs against Kairat.

Well, since then, he hasn’t really looked back, starting just two Premiership matches, but included in the lineup for four of the five Europa League fixtures, these against Crvena zvezda, Braga, Sturm Graz and now Feyenoord, putting in an excellent display in Rotterdam.

The table below documents how well he has played in Europe so far.

Minutes

283

9th

Assists

1

2nd

Completed passes

151

7th

Key passes

3

6th

Big chances created

2

3rd

Passes into final 3rd

14

5th

Progressive passes

18

4th

Passes into box

4

3rd

Shot-creating actions

6

7th

Goal-creating actions

3

1st

Successful dribbles per 90

1.8

3rd

Tackles

7

2nd

Touches

227

6th

Average rating

7.10

2nd

As the table documents, Donovan has been excellent in the Europa League this season, contributing in a wide variety of ways.

The teenager ranks highly for all the in possession metrics, recording an assist for Liam Scales’ crucial equaliser against Sturm Graz, while only Arne Engels and Benjamin Nygren have created more big chances, ranked first in terms of goal-creating actions.

Given that incoming manager Nancy deploys a 3-4-2-1 formation, his Columbus Crew side featuring flying wing-backs Max Arfsten and Andrés Herrera, his imminent arrival could be great news for the youngster.

Speaking ahead of the clash with Braga, then-manager Rodgers praised Donovan’s “outstanding” performances, labelling him a “real bright spark” as well as heralding his “personality” and “mentality”.

Well, these all feel like compliments that could be thrown the way of a certain McGregor, whose leadership is as invaluable as his quality to this team.

Thus, it is certainly still early days, but all the signs suggest that Celtic supporters are rightly excited about Donovan, who will go on to have quite the career should he manage to match McGregor’s achievements and make 500+ appearances for the club.

Celtic man was finished under Rodgers, now he can be undroppable for Nancy

Celtic’s wait for a European away win is over, beating Feyenoord 3-1, with a star Brendan Rodgers once labelled “sloppy” playing like an £100m man.

Nov 28, 2025

Celtic have closed the gap at the top of the Scottish Premiership table on a potentially pivotal Sunday.

The Hoops demolished Kilmarnock 4-0 at Parkhead, with Johnny Kenny breaking the deadlock, Kieran Tierney adding a second shortly after half time, before Daizen Maeda and then Arne Engels from the penalty spot added a little gloss to the scoreline late on.

With Hearts held to a 1-1 draw by Dundee United over at Tynecastle, the Hoops go into the international break now just seven points adrift of the leaders, also with a game in hand.

For Martin O’Neill, since returning to the Parkhead dugout after two decades away, he has enjoyed back-to-back 4-0 Premiership wins, as well as dumping Rangers out of the League Cup semi-finals at Hampden; the less said about Thursday’s Europa League clash with Midtjylland the better!

In this victory, for however long the 73-year-old remains in caretaker charge, he learned that one Celtic player in particular can be counted on.

Will O'Neill still be at Celtic after the break?

After Sunday’s comfortable victory, O’Neill confirmed “I genuinely don’t know” if he will still be in charge for their next fixture, adding that if the board do appoint a permanent manager during the international break that it’ll “be absolutely fine by me”.

When Celtic do return to action later this month, they’ll travel to St Mirren before facing Feyenoord in Rotterdam in a repeat of the 1970 European Cup Final, but who will be in charge of those matches?

Well, could it be Wilfried Nancy?

He is currently the favourite to land the job, reportedly one of the club’s top targets alongside Kieran McKenna, and a move to Glasgow may have edged a little bit closer this weekend, after Nancy’s Columbus Crew were dumped out the MLS play-offs by rivals FC Cincinnati on Saturday, meaning their season is now over, which could expedite any appointment, if he is indeed who they want.

Irrespective of who is sat in the away dugout in Paisley in a fortnight, they surely can’t help but be impressed by the performance of one Celtic player in particular this weekend.

Celtic star enjoys his finest day of the season vs Kilmarnock

The Celtic medical staff may need to paraphrase Police Chief Brody from Jaws: we’re going to need a bigger treatment room!

The Hoops are already without Cameron Carter-Vickers, Alistair Johnston, Jota and Kelechi Ịheanachọ, before Hampden hero Callum Osmand​​​​​​​ suffered a long-term injury in Herning on Thursday, while Marcelo Saracchi was then stretchered off in the first half against Kilmarnock.

This obviously is not ideal, but does of course present opportunities for others and, in the absence of Carter-Vickers, his compatriot Auston Trusty has really impressed.

The American centre-back put in an excellent display against Rangers in last weekend’s semi-final victory, but was possibly even more eye-catching this Sunday, with the statistics supporting this assertion.

Accurate passes

98

1st

Passing accuracy %

96%

3rd

Accurate long balls

9

2nd

Dribbles success %

100%

1st

Defensive actions

9

5th

Clearances

7

3rd

Interceptions

1

6th

Duels won

9

1st

Aerial duels won

6

1st

Touches

117

1st

SofaScore rating

8.4

3rd

As the table documents, the centre-half put in a colossal defensive display on Sunday, ranked first for duels as well as accurate passes and touches.

Meantime, when only Celtic players are considered, nobody accumulated more defensive actions, clearances or interceptions.

Glasgow World documented that he ‘continued his rich vein of form’, while noting that the 27-year-old appears to be the perfect man to fill a rather large Carter-Vickers-shaped void at the back.

The defender, who was named man of the match, was also labelled “composed, dominant and aggressive”, having been “immense​​​​​​​” since Carter-Vickers suffered a long-term achilles injury against Sturm Graz.

As recognition of his form, Trusty has been recalled to the United States squad for their friendlies against Paraguay in Pennsylvania and then Uruguay in Florida next week.

Trusty has not played a single minute for the USMNT since November last year, but could well change that as Mauricio Pochettino continues to experiment ahead of the World Cup.

Back at club level, Celtic will need Trusty to remain fit, available and in form because, frankly, they don’t have any other options and, if a new manager is appointed in the next fortnight, he has really staked a claim to remain a key figure. This was undoubtedly his finest day of the campaign to date.

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