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'Why Utd must quickly get Celtic skelping out of their system'

'Why Utd must quickly get Celtic skelping out of their system'

BBC News29-04-2025

Saturday was a good day to be a Dundee United fan. That's right, you read that correctly. You might want to re-read it just to be sure, because I can hardly believe I'm typing it.Yes, our beloved team were put to the sword by Celtic, for the umpteenth time, but here's the real victory... it's the last time we have to endure that for at least four glorious months.Small mercies, people. Small mercies. Okay, all joking aside, there's searching for positives and then there's talking complete mince. I think we all know which side of that line I'm currently tap dancing on.United may have been absolutely skelped on the day, but the team need to get that one out of their system, and fast. Preferably faster than the away fans cleared the stands at full-time.There are just four games left before the lads can swap football boots for flip-flops and start their summer holidays. But there's a lot at stake between now and then.On paper, at least, none of the teams we've still to face are as terrifying as the newly-crowned champions. Which, in theory, should make things easier. In theory. In practice? Well, we are Dundee United, so buckle up.Next stop, Easter Road, where United face Hibs in what promises to be a cracker. Hibs are three points ahead of us right now and have a far superior goal difference.I don't want to say it's a must-win game, but it is definitely a must-not-lose, must-not-embarrass-ourselves, must-not-go-missing-during-the-90 minutes type of game.The carrot is dangling. Win, and you give ourselves a massive boost in the race for third place. Draw, and we're still in the race, but hoping for Aberdeen slipping up. Lose, and third place is gone.Over to you, boys. No pressure. (Okay, a wee bit of pressure).Paul McNicoll can be found at The Dode Fox Podcast, external

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Adam Idah must crack Celtic contrast for Ireland as country striker battle could shift to Parkhead
Adam Idah must crack Celtic contrast for Ireland as country striker battle could shift to Parkhead

Daily Record

time23 minutes ago

  • Daily Record

Adam Idah must crack Celtic contrast for Ireland as country striker battle could shift to Parkhead

The Hoops hitman still has some doubters to win over despite rattling 20 goals on the way to the domestic double last season Adam Idah gets a fair bit of flak for a guy who scores every 100 or so minutes on the pitch for Celtic. The big striker notched 20 goals last season for the Hoops and to add to the nine he bagged during his six months loan stint the previous campaign – which included three in the Champions League, a couple against Rangers at Ibrox and the winner in the Old Firm Scottish Cup Final in 2024. ‌ Yet there are still some doubters to be won over on the back of his big money move from Norwich City last summer. ‌ And Idah's international boss Heimer Hallgrimsson can see signs of progress already. The frontman was handed a start for Republic of Ireland in their 1-1 draw with Senegal on Friday night and Icelandic gaffer spotted some encouraging signs. Hallgrimsson knows Idah's role with the Irish side is completely at odds with the task the striker faces with Celts. In Scotland, it's often up against 10 men parked behind the ball and space is tighter than a Weight Watchers meeting in a phone box. The boot is often on the other foot with Ireland but Hallgrimsson has been impressed with the versatility shown by the Cork lad. ‌ Idah is added more and more to his game with club and country and he's convinced the big man will shine for both. Hallgrimsson said: 'He produced a solid performance. His workrate was, I thought, better than often before. Again, it's healthy competition up front. 'Adam took the job seriously. Workrate has not been an issue but in his club it's just so different a role and it's difficult to switch. ‌ 'We need a lot of defending from our strikers and he's just not used to it at Celtic – where they have their possession at say 60 or 70 or 80 percent in games. 'The space he needs to work on in games is small. It's a switch and hopefully players are learning more and more. He is growing. He knows what we expect, so that's a positive sign.' ‌ Idah is battling it out with AZ Alkmaar's Troy Parrot and Brighton's Evan Ferguson to be the main man up top for Ireland and he's likely to be given another crack in the clash against Luxembourg on Tuesday. And there's still a chance Idah and Ferguson could be club rivals as well. Celtic were in the hunt to land the Seagulls ace on loan in January before West Ham stepped in. The 20-year-old's domestic career has stalled over the last season after bursting on to the scene the previous campaign when he rattled 16 goals. ‌ It's been a tougher 12 months and the spell at West Ham didn't go to plan, with just eight goalless appearances, mainly from the bench. Ferguson was on trial at Parkhead as a teenager when he was with Bohemians and has admitted to being a boyhood Hoops fans. Rodgers is in the marker for a striker to compete with Idah next term – and could be keeping a close eye on Ireland this week. ‌ Ferguson's international gaffer is hoping to give the frontman a spark that he can take back into the club game for pre-season. Hallgrimsson said: 'Evan has been really good and we were even thinking of starting him against Senegal. 'He's been sharp in training and I think you saw when he came on he was sharp. We've been really happy with him in the sessions. Whether he was ready for 90 minutes, we were not sure. ‌ 'When you do friendlies and give players a chance you will get answers. Not all of them will be positive answers but you need to have answers. 'The new players have rocked the boat a bit, so the players watching will think 'oh, this one is coming'.' Hallgrimsson also has Hoops defender Liam Scales on board. The centre back came off the bench against Senegal and is in line for a start in Luxembourg after another solid season for Celts, where he eventually saw off the challenge of Auston Trusty to nail down a starting berth for the run in. Hallgrimsson said: 'We need to have more than one option because if you are injured in September you might miss out for the whole series of six qualifiers. We must be prepared for that as well.'

Celtic-daft Snoop Dogg announces catering plan for Parkhead which ‘fans will love'
Celtic-daft Snoop Dogg announces catering plan for Parkhead which ‘fans will love'

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Celtic-daft Snoop Dogg announces catering plan for Parkhead which ‘fans will love'

The music legend previously hinted he could INVEST in Celtic too Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) RAP superstar Snoop Dogg has never hidden his love for Celtic - and now he's announced a new catering plan for Parkhead that "fans will love". The legendary music star, 53, revealed that he wants to open his own pop-up burger bar at the stadium. Sign up for the Celtic newsletter Sign up 4 Snoop Dogg has been a Celtic fan for 20 years 4 And now he has revealed he wants to open a pop-up burger joint at Celtic Park Credit: Alamy 4 He even said he would come and personally serve Hoops fans at Parkhead Credit: Alan MacGregor Ewing Snoop is known to be a big Celtic fan and has been spotted in the green and white hoops on several occasions. He was given a Hoops top back in 2005 and has declared himself a fan ever since. Snoop congratulated the club for their title win in 2022 and had hoped to party with the players when he performed in Glasgow the following year. While that didn't materialise, he said in the following years that he would love to come to Celtic Park. And the US rapper said if his new burger van idea takes off, he would personally come and serve food to Hoops fans. Fans of the Young, Wild and Free singer will know that he enjoys cooking and is close friends with celeb chef Gordon Ramsay. The Celtic fans are gonna love it, and to make sure they are just right, Snoop is going to be serving them himself Snoop Dogg He has also appeared on numerous cooking shows, including one with top chef Martha Stewart. And he even released his own cookbook called Crook to Cook: Platinum Recipes from Tha Boss Dogg's Kitchen. So Snoop said he knows his cheese and bacon beef burgers would go down a treat with Scots at Parkhead. Speaking to the Sunday Mail, he said: "There has always been the opinion that food at sports stadiums is never good, but that ain't got to be the case. Snoop Dogg cries at Jeremy Beloate's tear-jerking performance of The Impossible Dream on The Voice 'People know that Snoop is a cook, and I would love to bring a pop-up burger to a sports stadium to show fans that food at stadiums can be good. 'It's got to be Celtic Park man, I mean, where else am I going to bring it." He added: "The Celtic fans are gonna love it, and to make sure they are just right, Snoop is going to be serving them himself.' However, he promised not to take his food over to Celtic's Old Firm rivals. SWEET INVITE BACK in February, Snoop Dogg revealed he wants to catch Oasis on their sold out tour this summer. At the time, he extended the invite to the Celtic PLAYERS to join him. He's also revealed he hops Oasis star Noel - who has a soft spot for Celtic himself - will able to sort him out. At the time, he said: "People know I never need an excuse to come visit Scotland, but yeah, for real, I need to come and see Oasis this summer. "I tried to sign Noel back in 2009 when he had left Oasis, it just never quite happened - but the main thing is the have got back together. "It's a good thing for the music industry. The city I want to see them in is Edinburgh, of course it is. "If I reach out, I know my boy Noel is going to hook me up with tickets. "It would be cool if a couple of the Celtic players could come with me. I'll have to see what Noel can do." Snoop said: "Am I going to bring my burgers to Rangers as well? Nah, I think we will give that a miss!' It comes after Snoop revealed he'd love the chance to INVEST in the Parkhead club late last year. Taking inspiration from Ryan Reynolds' co-ownership of Wrexham, he said at the time: "I love what Ryan has done with Wrexham. It's just a great story. "Investing in a sports team has been something I have been looking at for a long time. "If the chance came to invest in Celtic, I would be crazy not to take a look at it. "I have watched so much soccer in Europe, but I have never seen fans like the Celtic fans. There is something so special about them."

'He gave everything' - Clement hails Tavernier's impact
'He gave everything' - Clement hails Tavernier's impact

BBC News

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  • BBC News

'He gave everything' - Clement hails Tavernier's impact

Former Rangers manager Philippe Clement has heaped praise on captain James Tavernier for the impact he has had in his decade at the right-back has lifted all three domestic trophies, playing 513 times while contributing 130 goals - a record for a British defender - and 142 the 33-year-old has often been a target for supporter ire as Rangers have commonly lost out to Celtic in the battle for silverware during his time at Ibrox."If you're a captain in a winning team then you're an amazing captain," Clement told BBC Scotland. "If you're a captain in a losing team you're not a good captain."That's life of being a captain or being a manager in that sense for fans. It's not an easy job, but [Tavernier] got used to it in a way and gave his best."He gave everything for the club and he tried to help all the players adapt to the environment of Rangers and what fans are expecting of the players."Read more from BBC Scotland's interview with ex-Rangers boss Clement

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