Latest news with #ScottishCupFinal
Daily Record
14 hours 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.
Daily Record
a day ago
- Sport
- Daily Record
Jack MacKenzie breaks silence on atrocious flying seat injury as Aberdeen Scottish Cup hero confesses 'I got lucky'
The defender was badly hurt and needed stitches and carried off the pitch after the shocking incident after the whistle Scottish Cup hero Jack MacKenzie has urged Scottish football to learn its lessons and make sure the ugly injury he suffered at Tannadice never happens again. The defender was badly hurt after he was hit from a flying seat that was allegedly thrown from the Aberdeen support, after their final day Premiership defeat at Dundee United. MacKenzie needed stitches and had to be carried off the pitch after the horror incident and hopes the authorities can stamp out such flashpoints in the future. The left-back, speaking in an exclusive interview with Record Sport, stated: 'That incident we all want to forget about it and to move on, but we need to look at the serious side of things, where it needs to be taken out of football. 'It is something that needs to be looked at. 'You don't want to see an incident like that again.' The 25-year-old might have been struck but he claimed he was lucky. He also knows it could have been far worse if it had hit one of the young Dundee United fans who were beside him. The incident happened after some of the United fans ran on to the pitch to celebrate their win and European qualification. MacKenzie, who is set to join Plymouth on freedom of contract, admitted: 'There were little Dundee United supporting kids beside me, who were maybe 10 or 11 years old. 'If it had hit them on the head then we could have been looking at something completely horrendous. 'I was unlucky that it hit me but I also got lucky that it didn't cause me even more damage.' The defender admitted the aftermath of the incident was the hardest of his career, from the incident to the fear that it would cost him his Hampden farewell in the Scottish Cup Final against Celtic. Luckily, he was fit and managed to help Aberdeen lift the cup. He explained: 'The week before was probably one of the hardest he had had in football. It was tough. 'I just feared that could be the note I was leaving the club on and I just didn't want that. I wasn't nice for my family, my teammates or myself. 'There was a concern. I didn't train much at the start of the week because the stitches hadn't closed up as much as we hoped they would. 'I was also lucky I didn't get a concussion. An inch lower and it could have hit my eye and it could have been worse but all I ever wanted to do was be involved in the final. When I got the green light to play it was a relief. 'I wouldn't say it has been forgotten about but winning the Scottish Cup definitely outshines that.'
Daily Record
2 days ago
- Sport
- Daily Record
12 stars leave Aberdeen as Jimmy Thelin summer transfer drive kicks off with host of exits from Scottish Cup winners
The Dons have been in party mode after winning the Scottish Cup - but focus on the new season has now began Aberdeen have confirmed 12 players will leave the club between permanent exits and loan returns. The Dons have been in party mode since last weekend after they defeated Celtic at Hampden in the Scottish Cup Final to end a long wait for the famous old trophy. That has secured the men from the Granite City a £5million bonus with European group stage football guaranteed with the Reds entering the Europa League play-off round with the parachute of the Conference League if they fall at the final hurdle in Europe's second tier competition. The hard work is now underway behind the scenes with a host of players heading for the exit door headlined by Jack MacKenzie, Ross Doohan and Jamie McGrath while loanees like Kevin Nisbet return to their parent clubs. McGrath penned a pre-contract with Hibs and he heads for Easter Road while MacKenzie appears to be heading south of the border. Doohan is heading for Celtic to replace Scott Bain as the No3 for Brendan Rodgers. Speaking on the exits, Thelin said: "We would like to thank each and every player leaving the club for their effort and contributions whilst with Aberdeen and wish them all every success in their future careers. 'Some of these boys have been here for a long, long time and departing a club is always emotional. But they can look back with pride and I am so pleased many of them are leaving with a winner's medal from last weekend.' Aberdeen have already started the recruitment process for next season after landing Nicolas Milanovic. He's the first of a busy summer ahead for the Pittodrie outfit. Aberdeen player exits with contracts expiring Jack MacKenzie Ross Doohan Tom Ritchie Jamie McGrath Blair McKenzie Evan Towler Victor Enem Fraser Mackie Loan periods over and return to parent clubs Kevin Nisbet Oday Dabbagh Jeppe Okkels Alfie Dorrington
Daily Record
2 days ago
- Sport
- Daily Record
Write off Kasper Schmeichel at Celtic at your peril as criticism of him is miles offside
There's a variation of the famous old Antti Niemi gag that's been doing the rounds this week. The classic went on the lines of a phone-in caller asking why the former Rangers and Hearts keeper hadn't been called up for Scotland. Because he's Finnish, came the host's reply. He's no finished, he's only 28… This week it's been about Kasper Schmeichel. He's no Finnish, he's a Dane… Except Schmeichel is a decade on from 28 and some folk are saying he IS finished. Which is a bit extraordinary really. Okay, the big fella chucked one in at the weekend in the Scottish Cup Final to help gift Aberdeen the trophy and sink the Celtic 's Treble hopes. It was a costly blunder given the Dons had barely had a poke at goal for 83 minutes in the kind of rope-a-dope performance that would have Muhammed Ali blushing. But that doesn't mean Schmeichel should chuck it altogether. Folk have short memories. It wasn't so long ago the Denmark legend was producing one of the greatest Champions League displays ever seen. He was sensational against Bayern Munich at the Allianz Area and without him, Celtic wouldn't have won the Moral Victory Cup in Germany. And it wasn't a one off either. Schmeichel proved to be an inspirational signing for Brendan Rodgers last summer and he played a massive part in Celtic winning the Double. They did win a Double remember? Which is usually a very good thing, even if Celtic fans have been acting as though their team got relegated last weekend. Anyway, the great Dane was one of the star performers of the season and he was the ideal man to replace Joe Hart on the pitch and in the dressing room. The majority of punters who look at the bigger picture know that too. And they should also see that Schmeichel can have a big part to play next season as well. Celtic's future between the sticks looks in safe hands with Viljami Sinisalo, after the Finn – a real Finn – came into the side when the no.1 was injured on international duty and he looked the part. He should get more game time regardless to smooth the transition. But Schmeichel should still be the main man. It's actually bizarre the amount of stick he's got – mainly, it has to be said, in his homeland. The stuff about him being overweight and looking like a child with polio was miles offside, especially for a guy who has put his body on the line 113 times for his nation. Don't forget he also bust his shoulder while playing for Denmark – and yet he played on. That could have cost him far more than six weeks out. He battled back to fitness to be part of the Cup Final, and yet it might have backfired. No one should hold it against him. Schmeichel might be 38 but he's still a superb goalkeeper. And don't forget, his predecessor Hart took some flak from supporters too before the penny dropped and he was hailed a hero. Don't bet against the same happening for the current custodian – because he's certainly not Finnish or finished.
Irish Post
2 days ago
- Sport
- Irish Post
Rodgers says Celtic can have 'no complaints' after surprising loss to Aberdeen in Scottish Cup Final
CELTIC manager Brendan Rodgers said his side can have 'no complaints' after their Scottish Cup Final defeat to Aberdeen saw the Hoops miss out on a domestic treble. Celtic were heavy favourites going into the clash, having scored 19 goals against the Dons and conceding just four in their five previous meetings this season. However, Jimmy Thelin's side tore up the script to deservedly land the Scottish Cup for the first time in 35 years after a penalty shootout victory at Hampden. Despite conceding Celtic didn't do enough to win, Rodgers hailed his side's success in the league and League Cup and said Saturday's loss would motivate the side for next season. "We know how hard you have to work, none of this is given to you, you really have to earn it," he told Celtic TV. 'Today we just didn't do enough to earn that. Brendan Rodgers felt Celtic's offensive play was lacking (Image: Ian MacNicol / Getty Images) "Our other titles — we've won two out of three domestic titles this year — we've definitely earned them, so it's just a reference to how tough it is to win trophies and how good this team and this club have been over a number of years. "Days like today, it's all part of sport and part of football. It's not nice but it'll allow us to renew the motivation again going into the summer." He added: "In terms of the game itself, we can have no complaints really because when you don't create so much and you're safe on it, then that's what can happen. "You put yourself in a position where you can win it or lose it and sadly for us, we lost it. "But the bigger picture is we've won two out of three titles this season — the players have given me everything and they've given the club everything. "Now they need to go away and be with their families because their families need them now, they'll need them, and then we get to the summer and look to regroup and get excited by next season." Resolute Dons Despite Celtic's success against the Dons this season — which includes a 6-0 League Cup semi-final victory and two 5-1 league wins — the Hoops were unable to breach Aberdeen's five-man back line for most of the first half. The Scottish champions had more than 80 per cent possession throughout the game but were unable to muster an effort on target before the breakthrough five minutes before the interval. When it came, it wasn't from a Celtic player but an Alfie Donnington own goal, the on-loan Spurs defender turning Arne Engels' corner into his own net to give Celtic a 1-0 lead. Alfie Dorrington turns the ball into his own net to hand Celtic the lead (Image: Ian MacNicol / Getty Images) The closest Celtic came to doubling the advantage was an Engels effort from the edge of the box that struck the upright midway through the second half. It was to prove a costly miss as seven minutes from time, Celtic keeper Kasper Schmeichel looked like he would collect a low cross from Dons substitute Shayden Morris but instead palmed the ball into his own goal. Daizen Maeda had a chance to seal it late in injury time when he found himself one-on-one with Dimitar Mitov but the Bulgarian keeper superbly denied the PFA Scotland Player of the Year with an outstretched leg. An error from Kasper Schmeichel led to the Dons' equaliser (Image: Ian MacNicol / Getty Images) The Dons had finished the stronger side in normal time and continued to look threatening after the break, Dante Polvara firing just over with a powerful drive from 12 yards. At the other end, Jeffrey Schlupp rattled the bar with a fierce strike from 20 yards but neither side could find a winner before the game went to penalties. Celtic captain Callum McGregor was first up but saw his effort saved by Mitov while the Dons converted their opening four penalties. Mitov then denied Alistair Johnston to send the Aberdeen fans into raptures as the club claimed a first trophy in 11 years after their 2013-14 League Cup success. Celtic fail to match own standards Rodgers admitted his side failed to replicate the performances they've produced against Aberdeen — and many others — throughout the season. "We're very disappointed to lose, I don't think we played well enough to stand here and say we should have won the game," he told Celtic TV. "I don't think our offensive attacking play was anywhere to the standard of what we've been a lot of the season, so when you're like that, you can either win the game or lose the game. "Unfortunately for us we lost it but congratulations to Aberdeen, they pick up the trophy and we're on the wrong side of it, which hasn't happened so often." Dimitar Mitov denies Callum McGregor from the spot (Image: Ian MacNicol / Getty Images) Meanwhile, Aberdeen boss Thelin praised his players for their determination after a torrid second half of the season. The Dons won just five of their last 27 league games, having been top of the table in November after 11 matches. "All this week, we have tried to visualise how to win this game, and create this belief inside the squad," he said, reports the club website. "Celtic is a really good team, Brendan is a really amazing manager, but the way our players compete today out there, how they defend together, they had cramp, they were tired, but they keep believing, and I'm so proud how they also used the energy from our supporters who travel down here today. "When it was so tight, they tried to take the extra step for each other and then they were so strong in the penalties also." Aberdeen manager Jimmy Thelin celebrates with the Scottish Cup (Image: Ian MacNicol / Getty Images) The result sees the season end on a dour note for Celtic, who were looking to break their own world record by securing a ninth domestic treble. After remaining undefeated domestically until the turn of the year, dropping just four points in the league, Celtic suffered four domestic defeats in 2025. The league was still won at a canter but the disappointment of Saturday's loss and the dip in form in the second half of the season will provide the manager with food for thought this summer. It will arguably strengthen his bargaining position with the board when it comes to bringing in reinforcements, with the club no doubt hoping to go one further in the Champions League next season after running Bayern Munich close in their Champions League playoff tie. After their 57-game campaign, the Hoops have a six-week break before travelling to Ireland for a friendly against Cork City and then host Newcastle United two weeks later.
