Match Pictures | Matches: 2024 – 2025
Trivia
- KO: 17:30 Saturday; Premier TV
- Scottish Cup fourth round
- Tickets cost £25, not on season ticket book so crowd lower than normal (as well as there’s 9 games this month!).
- Played what is deemed likely starting team on Wednesday coming.
- Key match next Wednesday: YB of Berne in Champions League. So no injuries or over-exertion demanded for Kilmarnock match.
- Reports:
- Daniel Cummings interest from Brighton & West Ham but Celtic want to keep him. Linked with move for Aston Villa forward Louie Barry. Valle loan may be cut early to move to Como esp if Tierney returns to Celtic (reportedly Valle loan to Como already in place). Celtic consider £8.5m offer for La Liga winger Raul Moro. Reported interest from Rennes in Kyogo opens up intriguing possibility of a player-plus-cash deal involving Jota. Palma loan out could be back on as Rayo Vallecano transfer ban lifted but their manager claims knowing nought about the proposed move to his club!
- Raul Moro, a reported signing target for Celtic, suffered a broken collarbone in yesterday’s La Liga loss at Espanyol. So any possible transfer likely off for now.
- Reports: Aston Villa don’t want to sell Louie Barry this month and are hopeful of giving him a new contract before sending him on loan again. However thats not prevented Celtic from lodging £5m bid plus add-ons.
- Transfer window:
- In: –
- Out: Stephen Welsh to KV Mechelen (Belgium) on loan till end of season. Holm on loan to LA FC in the MLS for 2024.
- Celtic women’s teams: Celtic and Sevco held talks with the Women’s Super League in England about leaving the Scottish Women’s Premier League.
- Celtic added 80-year-old former Tottenham Hotspur manager David Pleat to their English scouting set up! In fairness he has a good record and great connections.
- Scottish footballing legend Denis Law passed away. RIP
- Legendary film maker David Lynch passed away. RIP
- Former Celtic manager Tony Mowbray re-appointed as West Brom manager!
- Ex-Celt Charlie Mulgrew named new Kelty Hearts manager
Summary
“The objective is to get through and we did that,”
Brendan Rodgers…
Talk Football @talkfootball.bsky.social Celtic Edge Past Kilmarnock in Scottish Cup Thriller Celtic began their Scottish Cup defence with a hard-fought 2-1 win over Kilmarnock. McGregor’s early strike was canceled out by teen Bobby Wales, but the holders found a way past a resilient Killie side at Parkhead
Joebloggscity of TheCelticWiki :
Going into this match, Celtic chasing a possible treble (having won the league cup and have an unassailable lead in the league), but really eyes were more fixated on the key match v YB of Berne in the Champions League next Wednesday. Win that and Celtic enter the playoffs in the new format, first time beyond the group stages in ten years. That’s not to understate the importance of this domestic Cup match, but the manager had to balance priorities & focus especially with a side underperforming of late.
Anyhow, this turned out to be a far more arduous game than it should have been. A very profligate Celtic should have been at least 3-4 goals ahead, yet after the opening goal by McGregor (another brilliant long range shot), there were clear misses by various players (most notably one by Hatate), and Kilmarnock came back into the game with an equaliser only for a late goal through a great move by Kuhn with Maeda for the latter to score, and ease things up. Teams now feel comfortable to take Celtic on with a high press, with even Schemichel faltering badly with some kickouts whilst Hatate is way long out of sorts (should he be dropped for Wednesday?). Good form though from Trusty & CCV with Trusty earning praise from the manager after justifiable criticism by him on Trusty during the week.
There has been a dip in form of this side for now over a month, and there are concerns justifiably going into Wednesday.
Krys @kryskujawa.bsky.social · 14h Cup football is about getting to the next round, and job done. But in the context of the season, we’ve put all our European eggs into the Young Boys basket and we’re going into it with some worryingly dodgy defending and some real profligacy up front in recent games. That’s concerning.
Stevie Jackson @bobbyperu1975.bsky.social · 14h Job done Should have been a lot more comfortable What a season Maeda is having. 15 goals in 30 games is a great return from him
Stevie Jackson @bobbyperu1975.bsky.social · 15h Reo continues to be such a source of frustration. Made a couple of passes that nobody else on the park would see never mind be able to execute but also simple passes and an easy finish messed up.
Teams
Celtic
Manager: Brendan Rodgers
Formation: 4 – 3 – 3
01 K. Schmeichel
03 G. Taylor, subbed for L. Scales at 83mins
06 A. Trusty
20 C. Carter-Vickers
02 A. Johnston
41 R. Hatate, subbed for L. McCowan at 93mins
42 C. McGregor (c), Captain
27 A. Engels, subbed for Paulo Bernardo at 68mins
38 D. Maeda
08 K. Furuhashi, subbed for A. Idah at 83mins
10 N. Kühn
Subs:
28 Paulo Bernardo
09 A. Idah
14 L. McCowan
56 A. Ralston
05 L. Scales
12 V. Sinisalo
11 Álex Valle
13 Yang Hyun-Jun
Goals:
C. McGregor (12′)
D. Maeda (70′)
Assists:
K. Furuhashi (12′), N. Kühn (70′)
Kilmarnock
Manager: Derek McInnes
Formation: 3 – 4 – 2 – 1
Starting lineup
20 R. McCrorie, subbed for K. O’Hara at 4mins
06 R. Deas
04 J. Wright
05 L. Mayo
03 C. Ndaba
31 L. Polworth 59′, Yellow Card at 59mins, subbed for D. Watson at 67mins
22 L. Donnelly, subbed for R. McKenzie at 66mins
08 B. Lyons (c), Captain, subbed for D. Armstrong at 40mins
24 B. Wales, subbed for B. Anderson at 87mins
15 F. Murray
23 M. Watkins
Subs:
19 B. Anderson
11 D. Armstrong
29 A. Brown
14 G. Mackay-Steven
07 R. McKenzie 80′, Yellow Card at 80mins
01 K. O’Hara
21 C. Ramsay
12 D. Watson
Goals:
B. Wales (45’+1)
Assists:
R. Deas (45’+1)
Referee Nick Walsh
Video Assistant Referee Steven McLean
Assistant Referee 1 Graeme Stewart
Assistant Referee 2 Calum Spence
Assistant VAR Official Gary Hilland
Att:
Articles
- Match Report (see below)
Pictures
Match Links
Stats
Celtic
Kilmarnock
Overall possession
Celtic 66% Kilmarnock 34%
Shots
Celtic 18 Kilmarnock 5
Shots on target
Celtic 7 Kilmarnock 2
Goalkeeper saves
Celtic 1 Kilmarnock 5
Fouls
Celtic 9 Kilmarnock 7
Corners
Celtic 4 Kilmarnock 1
Shots
Celtic 18 Kilmarnock 5
Shots on target
Celtic 7 Kilmarnock 2
Shots off target
Celtic 9 Kilmarnock 2
Blocked shots
Celtic 2 Kilmarnock 1
Hit woodwork
Celtic 1 Kilmarnock 1
Fouls
Celtic 9 Kilmarnock 7
Total yellow cards
Celtic 0 Kilmarnock 2
Goalkeeper saves
Celtic 1 Kilmarnock 5
Diving saves
Celtic 0 Kilmarnock 1
Saved shots from inside the box
Celtic 1 Kilmarnock 1
Saved shots from outside the box
Celtic 0 Kilmarnock 4
Goal kicks
Celtic 4 Kilmarnock 12
Articles
Celts progress in cup with 2-1 win over Kilmarnock
https://www.celticfc.com/news/2025/january/18/celts-progress-in-cup-with-2-1-win-over-kilmarnock/
Match Report
By Joe Sullivan
Share
18 Jan 2025, 7:58 pm
Scottish Cup
Saturday, January 18, 2025
Celtic Park
CELTIC…2
(McGregor 12, Maeda 70)
KILMARNOCK…1
(Wales 45+1)
The Celts go into Monday night’s Scottish Cup fifth-round draw following a 2-1 over Kilmarnock in this Saturday evening outing for the Hoops.
Goals in each half from Callum McGregor and Daizen Maeda sandwiched a late first-half equaliser from the visitors in a game that had plenty of goalmouth action
The match got off to a flier when Kyogo sent Reo Hatate right through on goal but Robby McCrorie was quickly off his line and the players collided in in the box.
After the lengthy treatment the keeper was replaced by Kieran O’Hara but there was little any keeper could have done about the opener from Celtic in the 12th minute.
Cameron Carter-Vickers played forward to Kyogo who neatly touched the ball on to Callum McGregor. The skipper strode forward before unleashing a wicked low shot from over 20 yards to open the scoring for the Celts.
That opener had come after earlier pressure from the Celts who carved open a great chance after a free-kick at the other end saw Kasper Schmeichel touch the ball on to the crossbar and the Celts broke forward through Nicolas Kuhn and Maeda but the Japanese winger’s shot was saved.
That was only one of a number of attempts on the Kilmarnock goal that belied the 1-0 scoreline that stood for the majority of the half and, indeed looked like it would be the half-time scoreline.
In fact even when, in time added on when Bobby Wales managed to touch the ball in at the back post following a free-kick, a lengthy VAR check looked like it would be going Celtic’s way because of a possible Robbie Deas hand-ball, but, in the end, the goal stood.
66%
Possession
34%
18
Shots
5
7
Shots On Target
2
4
Corners
1
9
Fouls
7
0
0
Cards
2
0
The second half was very similar to the first with the Hoops controlling the bulk of the pressure and creating numerous opportunities, but to say the visitors’ goal was living a charmed life would be hard on a Kilmarnock side who worked to keep the score down.
When the goal came, though, it brought the house down as the energetic and workmanlike Nicolas Kuhn picked out the equally busy Maeda who composed himself before knocking home what proved to be the vital winner in the 70th minute.
There were, however, plenty more chances to increase the scoreline and, soon after the second goal, a wonderful Kuhn shot cracked off the crossbar before Reo Hatate brought out acrobatics from O’Hara who somehow managed to get a hand to the Japanese midfielder’s shot at the top corner.
Maeda had the ball in the net again late in the game, but a long VAR check gave offside, and the game played out with the 2-1 scoreline taking the Celts through to the next round.
Celtic: Schmeichel, Johnston, Carter-Vickers, Trusty, Taylor (Scales 83′), Engels (Paulo Bernardo 68′), McGregor, Hatate (McCowan 93′), Kühn, Kyogo (Idah 83′), Maeda
Subs: Scales, Idah, Valle, Sinisalo, Hyunjun Yang, McCowan, Paulo Bernardo, Ralston
Kilmarnock: McCrorie (O’Hara 4′), Mayo, Wright, Deas, Lyons (Armstrong 40′), Donnelly (McKenzie 66′), Polworth (Watson 67′), Ndaba, Murray, Wales (Anderson 87′), Watkins
Subs: O’Hara, McKenzie, Armstrong, Watson, Mackay-Steven, Anderson, Ramsay, Aaron Brown
BBC
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/live/c5yegl4wle6t#Report
Martin Dowden
BBC Sport Scotland at Celtic Park
Daizen Maeda’s second-half goal ensured holders Celtic started the defence of their Scottish Cup with a victory over Premiership rivals Kilmarnock.
Victory extends Brendan Rodgers’ unbeaten run in this competition over his two spells in charge but, after initially dominating, his league leaders were fully tested by their impressive visitors.
Celtic’s intent was clear from the off. Nicolas Kuhn raced clear within 20 seconds, took a heavy touch, and caught Robbie McCrorie in the face, with the goalkeeper having to be replaced by Kieran O’Hara.
Despite that blow, the visitors almost struck first. Fraser Murray won a free-kick, took it and his curling shot thudded off the crossbar.
Immediately, Kuhn raced away and played in Maeda, but he couldn’t convert.
Celtic were firmly on top, though, and while the opener was a great finish from Callum McGregor, the Celtic captain was afforded far too much space.
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Everything you need to know about Kilmarnock
Chances flowed. Kyogo got in but was off target. Reo Hatate blazed over from six yards. Kyogo then squared for Kuhn to tap home but Robbie Deas got there.
As half-time approached, things changed dramatically.
Derek McInnes’ side showed real bravery to press, commit numbers forward and go man-for-man at the back.
It paid off when Murray crossed, the ball hit Deas’ hand and fell to Bobby Wales, who scored. After a VAR check, it was given.
Kilmarnock’s belief became palpable as they continued that approach.
It did leave a lot of space to be exploited, though, and eventually it was. Maeda broke free but as he scampered away Lewis Mayo showed pace to deny the winger.
McInnes celebrated that like a goal but moments later Maeda delivered, again wide open from Kuhn’s run across the box, and he finished coolly.
Celtic upped it from there. Kuhn smashed off the bar, Hatate was superbly denied by O’Hara and Kuhn then missed from eight yards, but the holders had done enough to progress to the next round.
What they said
Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers: “I don’t think the scoreline reflected the game and the dominance in the game but if you don’t finish your chances and opportunities Kilmarnock are a team that can hurt you,
“They play a pressure game and you’ve got to be strong. Overall I’m really pleased with the appetite with the team because we had so many chances the game should’ve been dead and buried at half time.”
Kilmarnock manager Derek McInnes: “We wanted to come here, with the odds stacked against us, and be competitive. We had a dressing room full of belief.
“We came here depleted and it didn’t help much when we have two injuries in the first half.
“Celtic were enjoying the first half too much for my liking. We finished the first half strong and we went, as we planned, man for man in the second half. Risk and reward. We spooked Celtic in the second half.”
Celtic’s slight afflictions remain despite Brendan Rodgers’ continual love affair
https://www.scotsman.com/sport/football/celtic/latest-celtic-news/celtics-slight-afflictions-remain-despite-brendan-rodgers-continual-love-affair-4949616Mark Atkinson
By Mark Atkinson
Sports Editor
Comments
Published 18th Jan 2025, 19:39 GMT
Updated 18th Jan 2025, 20:07 GMT
Holders defeat Kilmarnock but ruthlessness still lacking
Eighteen not out for Brendan Rodgers. The Celtic manager’s love affair with the Scottish Cup continues, although his unblemished record was put in slight jeopardy in an entertaining fourth-round encounter with Kilmarnock.
Across two spells, Rodgers has won every single tie he has presided over in this competition. Open it up to the League Cup too and it’s only one defeat in 34 knockout contests. The only team to land a blow? Kilmarnock, the visitors to Celtic Park on this crisp January evening in Glasgow.
A repeat of Killie’s win in August 2023 never felt truly likely but Derek McInnes’ men gave it a good shot. The Ayrshire side deserve credit for recovering from the loss of their goalkeeper Robby McCrorie after just 22 seconds, who injured his eye in a jolting collision with Nicolas Kuhn’s knee.
Daizen Maeda slots home Celtic’s winner.
Daizen Maeda slots home Celtic’s winner. | SNS Group
Such an early change-up could have flummoxed Kilmarnock, but McCrorie’s deputy Kieran O’Hara fared well and the visitors had enough about them to level through Bobby Wales in first-half stoppage time after Callum McGregor had put Celtic ahead on 12 minutes. The hosts dominated after the break and Killie bowed on 67 minutes when Daizen Maeda netted. It was the last goal in a 2-1 triumph.
Celtic have not been at their sparkling best recently, especially away from home, where points have been dropped at Ibrox and Dens Park. Parkhead is normally their impervious fortress in terms of performances and results but there were still signs of slight afflictions that have crept into the team of late. Celtic missed a barrow-load of chances and had their edgy moments at the back.
Rodgers pointed pre-match to a sapping winter schedule of a game every three-to-four days and that all teams suffer a mini-funk during the season. This is probably Celtic’s, although they will want to snap out of it when they face Young Boys on Champions League duty in Wednesday. The Swiss are out of the qualification hunt but pose a threat nevertheless to Celtic’s hopes of progression.
The future of Kyogo Furuhashi has dominated the agenda this month. Will he or won’t he leave before the window closes? The Japanese led the line on his own with the shot-shy Adam Idah put on the bench in the midst of a 12-game barren run. Furuhashi got into plenty of good positions but lacked composure at the final moment. Celtic had 18 shots but were too wasteful.
It was a difficult night for Celtic striker Kyogo Furuhashi.
It was a difficult night for Celtic striker Kyogo Furuhashi. | SNS Group
Rodgers says he wants to replenish his forward line and perhaps Celtic could do with another option. At the back, Auston Trusty partnered Cameron Carter-Vickers despite his “soft” performance in Tuesday’s 3-3 draw with Dundee. Kilmarnock were not able to rough up the American duo without their captain and injured battering ram Kyle Vassell, although Marley Watkins and Wales kept the hosts on their toes.
Celtic’s opener on 12 minutes is a goal we have seen six times before this season. McGregor strode past a weak challenge from Liam Polworth and took aim, sweeping the ball beyond O’Hara from just outside the penalty box. The skipper only deals with strikes from this distance.
Furuhashi planted an effort when clean through on goal the wrong side of the post and Reo Hatate blazed over from six yards out as Celtic sought a second goal that could floor their visitors. Their profligacy was once again costly as despite their dominance, they went in level at the break.
There was an element of controversy about Kilmarnock’s equaliser in the first minute of stoppage time. Fraser Murray’s cross from the left appeared to strike the arm of Robby Deas – albeit by his side – with the ball deviating into the path of Wales at the back post. His shot was so nearly saved by Kasper Schmeichel, the ball squirming in off the post. VAR checked the handball but cleared it.
Furuhashi had Celtic’s first two opportunities of the second period. One was blocked by Lewis Mayo, the other spooned over the crossbar. Kilmarnock were listing as Celtic surged forward, wave after wave of attacks now. Mayo was the saviour once more, showing admirable pace to keep up with Maeda as he crashed through on goal.
Kilmarnock goalkeeper Robby McCrorie was injured after 22 seconds.
Kilmarnock goalkeeper Robby McCrorie was injured after 22 seconds. | SNS Group
The tide turned on 67 minutes, though. Mayo was nowhere to be seen as Kuhn cut infield and then found the Japanese all alone inside the box. He took a touch, steadied himself and slotted past O’Hara. Celtic finally hit the front again.
They wanted a third. Kuhn cracked the crossbar and on the follow-up, Hatate’s netbound effort was clawed away by O’Hara. Then on 87 minutes, Kuhn somehow contrived to fire wide after being fed by sub Idah.
It mattered not in the end, but Celtic will want to find their shooting boots for their next venture.