Latest news with #KasperSchmeichel
Daily Record
3 days ago
- Sport
- Daily Record
The Rangers are coming but there shouldn't be sniggers and it might just be best thing for Celtic
The Rangers are coming – again. This time Celtic fans shouldn't be sniggering at the suggestion. And what is going on over at Ibrox cannot be ignored by those in charge at Parkhead. It would be foolish to put the head in the sand when it comes to the challenge coming from across the city. But it doesn't necessarily have to be a bad thing for Celtic. In fact, Rangers finally getting their act together might be the best thing that can happen to them. Just like last week's Scottish Cup Final. I'm sure there are plenty of Celtic fans who were and still are distraught at losing to Aberdeen and seeing the Treble going up in smoke. But I can't help but think the defeat was a GOOD thing for the club in the long run. I mean that. If Kasper Schmeichel hadn't made that uncharacteristic mistake, or if Daizen Maeda had stuck away that last chance, the entire story would have been different. Celtic would have completed the clean sweep, everything would have been sen as hunky dory. But it would have papered over some of the recent cracks. Listen, it's still a phenomenal achievement winning the Double. Regardless of what anyone thinks, it's tough to win two out of three never mind the job lot. Celtic have made it look easy in recent years and they could well have done it again this time but for some big moments at Hampden last week. That doesn't get away from the fact this is a team that is in real need of refreshing. They should be proud of their achievements this term. But the defeat to Aberdeen has made them feel a little uncomfortable and maybe now some have cottoned on to the fact there is work to be done. The big news from Rangers yesterday only underlines it. Celtic simply cannot afford to sit on their hands because their rivals won't be worse next season than they were this time around – they can't be. Celtic certainly can't assume they will be. And they can't get away with just doing the bare minimum to stay out in front. The new Rangers owners are already talking about a £20m immediate investment in the team. That's a decent chunk of money for Scottish football – but not to Celtic. They spent about double that in the last two windows, so that shows you the challenge Rangers face. You would expect Celtic to go and spend at least the same again this summer. They'll have to. The events of the last week should allow Brendan Rodgers to go tot he club's hierarchy and explain the team does need strengthened and rejuvenated. They need more to qualify and then compete in the Champions League – and now to also stay ahead of the game in Scotland. Don't get me wrong, I don't think there is any need to panic. But Celtic do need to recognise the threat – as well as the opportunity. My old manager Martin O'Neill has often stated he believes a strong Rangers helps make a strong Celtic. I would go along with that. In my time at the club, Rangers were strong – and we had to be to knock them off their perch. If there is a proper challenge coming from across the city, then Celtic will have to raise their levels and respond. That's no bad thing. And even though the league was won by 17 points, I don't think the gap is as big as it would seem. It doesn't take much to tip the scales in Glasgow, as we discovered when we turned a 21-point league loss into big win in O'Neill's first term in charge. It was similar when Ange Postecoglou arrived at Parkhead in 2021, when everyone expected Rangers to dominate on the back of their title victory. Things can flip quickly. There's the stuff about Rangers coming, but in reality they are still a long way back. The long wait for the takeover to go through and the delay over a manager hasn't helped them. They are playing catch up and that's where Celtic need to hammer home their advantage, on and off the pitch. Rodgers will know the importance of a fast start. He needs players in place for the Champions League qualifier but also to apply the early pressure in the league, when a new-look Rangers side will still be finding their feet. This is no time to be mucking about. Rangers fans will be galvanised and there will be a feel good factor on the back of the owners coming in. In contrast, it's all a bit flat at Celtic right now. The best way to lift that mood is to get busy in the transfer market. Because there are questions right now. There is a pressing need for a striker after the decision to sell Kyogo – and not replace him – came back to bite them on the backside. There are doubts whether Daizen Maeda and Reo Hatate will be sold, people will wonder if the Nicholas Kuhn of the first half of the season will turn up, or the pale imitation we saw in the second. There are questions about Adam Idah, the centre of defence, the wide areas. All of a sudden from a position of supreme strength, it now looks like there's a growing list of jobs to do. I've got no doubt Rodgers knows it too. He's hinted about it often enough. He's also heard plenty of times that Rangers are coming. They may or may not be this time, but, regardless, Celtic cannot afford to sit still.
The Herald Scotland
5 days ago
- Sport
- The Herald Scotland
Aberdeen confirm exit of Celtic-bound Ross Doohan
Doohan is one of 12 players leaving the club, eight at the end of their contracts and four who see their loans coming to and end. As first revealed by Herald Sport on May 5, Celtic are making their move to bring the 27-year-old back to where he started. He will act as back-up to Kasper Schmeichel and Viljami Sinisalo and boost club-trained quota for European competition. Read more: Former Glasgow football ground could become nationally important site Mark Warburton issues Rangers management warning to Davide Ancelotti Previous third-choice keeper Scott Bain left the Hoops today after a seven-and-a-half-year stay, with Brendan Rodgers paying a classy tribute to him. Doohan made four appearances in cup competitions during his first Parkhead spell, and had a string of loans, before going on to sign permanently for Forest Green Rovers and then move on to Pittodrie. Aberdeen are also releasing Jack MacKenzie, Tom Ritchie, Blair McKenzie. Evan Towler, Victor Enem and Fraser Mackie. Jamie McGrath has already signed a pre-contract with Hibs. Kevin Nisbet, Oday Dabbagh, Jeppe Okkels and Alfie Dorrington head back to their parent clubs with the Dons not taking up their permanent options on Dabbagh and Okkels.
The National
5 days ago
- Sport
- The National
Aberdeen confirm exit of Celtic-bound Ross Doohan
The Scottish Cup winners have put out a squad update after their season ended with that historic victory over the Hoops at Hampden on Saturday. Doohan is one of 12 players leaving the club, eight at the end of their contracts and four who see their loans coming to and end. As first revealed by Herald Sport on May 5, Celtic are making their move to bring the 27-year-old back to where he started. He will act as back-up to Kasper Schmeichel and Viljami Sinisalo and boost club-trained quota for European competition. Read more: Former Glasgow football ground could become nationally important site Mark Warburton issues Rangers management warning to Davide Ancelotti Previous third-choice keeper Scott Bain left the Hoops today after a seven-and-a-half-year stay, with Brendan Rodgers paying a classy tribute to him. Doohan made four appearances in cup competitions during his first Parkhead spell, and had a string of loans, before going on to sign permanently for Forest Green Rovers and then move on to Pittodrie. Aberdeen are also releasing Jack MacKenzie, Tom Ritchie, Blair McKenzie. Evan Towler, Victor Enem and Fraser Mackie. Jamie McGrath has already signed a pre-contract with Hibs. Kevin Nisbet, Oday Dabbagh, Jeppe Okkels and Alfie Dorrington head back to their parent clubs with the Dons not taking up their permanent options on Dabbagh and Okkels.
Daily Record
5 days ago
- Sport
- Daily Record
Kasper Schmeichel in Celtic quit fear as major Greg Taylor issue pinpointed
The former Hoops boss has had his say on some of the issues up for debate at his old club Gordon Strachan reckons Kasper Schmeichel could QUIT Celtic this summer – while revealing Greg Taylor's small problem. The former Hoops boss has cast doubt over the big keeper's future after the 38-year-old boobed in Saturday's Scottish Cup Final shootout defeat to Aberdeen. Strachan would also love to see Taylor stick around – even though his lack of inches stops him hitting the top heights. The full back is in limbo with his contract up at Parkhead and former hero Kieran Tierney set to return in a few weeks. Boss Brendan Rodgers hasn't given up hope in persuading the 27-year-old to stick around but there is interest in England, Croatia and in the USA. Strachan is a huge fan of the left back – even if he is too wee. The pint-sized former Celtic manager knows it's hard going against some of the giants in Scottish pint-sized former Celtic manager knows it's hard going against some of the giants in Scottish football. Ex-Scotland gaffer Strachan – speaking to Esports Insider – said: 'Celtic have Kieran Tierney coming back into the team for next season, which will be a huge boost and a great signing. 'However, I really like Greg Taylor. He's not tall, but he jumps well, plays the system as well as anybody – if he was six foot tall and slightly quicker, he'd be a world class left-back. 'Unfortunately, as I know too well, the lack of height can be a disadvantage at times. He is still a consistent left-back though and he's been impressive.' Strachan reckons Celtic will be busy in the summer transfer window with another striker a top priority. But he also believes the Hoops might be in the market for a new keeper – as Kasper Schmeichel could decide to hang up the gloves. Celts hit the button on an one-year extension to the Denmark no.1's deal at the club but the 39-year-old was the Hampden fall guy after gifting Aberdeen's later leveller in the Scottish Cup penalty shootout defeat. Strachan said: 'Celtic don't have the money to go big bucks, they'll need to pluck an attacker out of the air which they're good at. 'They'll be signings this summer you've probably never heard of, but you'll be talking about them big time in a year. 'The club have a plan, and it usually works. They'll be looking at attackers overall and perhaps a goalkeeper, but they don't have the money to go all out in the window. 'I expect there'll be some other big decisions on Brendan Rodgers' mind for the rest of the squad. Kasper Schmeichel will have a decision on whether he wants to keep going or call it a day. 'Wide men and strikers are always in the conversation for Celtic and midfielders always want a striker to give the ball to. 'Fans were naturally worried about Celtic losing the cup final last week, but I wouldn't be too worried. 'They hit the post and the bar, and Kasper made an uncharacteristic mistake. If you account for those, you'd probably say it would've been a comfortable win for Celtic, so there's no need to enter panic mode and start demanding loads of transfers.'
Press and Journal
6 days ago
- Sport
- Press and Journal
Colin Farquhar: Dons win sent me on Holburn Street pub crawl - and celebrations showed Aberdeen at its best
There was just something about the way that Kasper Schmeichel was holding himself in the minutes leading up to Saturday's penalty shoot-out that made me think Aberdeen were going to pinch the cup. Sitting in a packed Holburn Bar with a few pals, I text another mate to say, 'I reckon Aberdeen might win'. Lo and behold, they did. A few penalties later and a different history is written. The place absolutely erupted. A celebrating lad somewhere behind me grabbed me by the shoulders and shook me so much I near enough dropped my pint. Aberdeen had won their first Scottish Cup for 35 years, repeating the trick of defeating Celtic on penalties as happened in 1990. The party spirit continued on into the night. My pals and I worked our way along the bars of Holburn Street – the Adam Lounge, an absolutely rocking Foundry and then finally The Glen Tanar – while Dons' fans drank in their triumph. Rarely have I noted such vibrancy of mood on a night out in Aberdeen. It was smashing stuff. Long may it continue. The aftermath of the game, Sunday's trophy parade and the general atmosphere since have been a wonderful advert for the city. ACC reckoned that almost eighty thousand supporters packed into the city centre to celebrate on Sunday, in a sea of red. A few of the news sites estimated above one hundred thousand fans. I can certainly confirm that as I walked up to the Holburn Street Sainsbury's on Sunday morning for a paper, it appeared that every middle-aged bloke in the city and their dog owned an Aberdeen football top. Families streaming into town to share the moment with the players and each other, to take in what might be a once-in-a-generation moment, at the current rate of victory. Folk also piled in from Aberdeenshire to celebrate. Cars were everywhere in Ferryhill, as supporters crammed into the city. It has been such a super show of unity, positivity and enthusiasm for the team, and by extension for the city, from its citizens. It only makes you wish it happened more often. Of late in the north-east we've often had to hear many talk down the city – how it has emerged from the pandemic; the wear and tear inflicted since the oil downturn, or the poor performance of the housing market, compared to other places in Scotland. But over the past few days what we've seen is a wonderful presentation of the city's beauty and prestige, through its team and their fans, who many, yours truly included, had written off prior to the game. To watch the videos of the celebrations on the parade is to see the best of Aberdeen. All of a sudden Union Street, bedecked in red, looked every inch the Granite Mile; its beautiful architecture front and centre. Union Terrace, with its magnificent facades and Rosemount Viaduct, with His Majesty's and the Central Library providing the background, hemming everyone in around the players, the bus and the trophy before they moved down Schoolhill onto Broad Street. We have the privilege of living in a beautiful place, with great bones. It's a pity there's not often the occasion to showcase or shout about it like we've been given since Saturday. All of a sudden, you see with your own eyes why our city can support something like The Aberdeen Adventurer, our city sightseeing tour. Aberdeen is grand when viewed through the right lens. You also see how great the city centre is as a civic space when seen with pride. Eighty thousand people, joyously mingling. I was under the impression the bus gates were preventing this sort of thing… Casting my mind back to the pub on Saturday – no easy feat, let me tell you – the one thing that struck me was just how invested everyone was in not just the game, but the mood, or the vibe. Even folk who don't like football were clearly lifted by the occasion; happy, at ease and triumphant. It all reflects the goodwill that poured out of the city centre businesses and institutions in the run up to the game – turning the Union Street granite, red. To see the Dons' fans flock there on Sunday was a truly special treat. It might well be that no one expected Aberdeen to win on Saturday. Celtic are the superior team, as they usually, ably, demonstrate. But with one plucky win, Aberdeen have thrown a huge party for all of Scotland to see, superbly plastered over print and screen. A chance to see our city shine, as it rightfully can. Perhaps a chance for us to realise it's not so bad after all. Colin Farquhar works as a creative spaces manager and film programmer in the north-east culture sector
