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RANGERS COME FROM BEHIND TO DEFEAT CELTIC IN SCOTTISH CUP SEMI-FINAL AT HAMPDEN

Rangers came from behind in the most dramatic fashion to beat Celtic 2-1 in extra time at Hampden Park to set up a Scottish Cup final meeting with Hearts.

The Light Blues had edged the first half of a pulsating semi-final, but there was little between the teams after the break until the 64th minute when Hoops left-back Greg Taylor fired in from the edge of the box.

Rangers substitute Scott Arfield levelled in the 78th minute with a fine finish to take the game to extra-time, the second time in four days for the Light Blues.

As the game looked set for penalties, Parkhead defender Carl Starfelt put through his own goal in the 114th minute with substitute Fashion Sakala in attendance to give Giovanni van Bronckhorst’s side a memorable win and also deny Celtic the possibility of winning the domestic treble.

It was another memorable encounter between the two giants of Scottish football.

While Celtic had a clear week to prepare for the game, Rangers had taken 120 gruelling minutes to overcome Braga in their Europa League quarter-final tie at Ibrox on Thursday night.

Van Bronckhorst only made one change however, bringing in Scottish Cup keeper Jon McLaughlin for Allan McGregor.

Ange Postecoglou brought in Liel Abada and played Japan international Daizen Maeda through the middle with Kyogo Furuhashi on the bench.

The national stadium was split 50-50 between blue and green and the game began in frantic fashion amidst a smog of smoke from flares at both ends.

Rangers threatened first in the second minute, John Lundstram robbing Hoops midfielder Reo Hatate and Aaron Ramsey playing in Ryan Kent who shot over the bar from 12 yards.

The Light Blues came close in the 32nd minute when Starfelt gave possession away to Gers midfielder Ryan Jack.

The Celtic defender had to clear Kemar Roofe’s header from Borna Barisic’s cross away from the goal line before Hoops keeper Joe Hart saved from Joe Aribo on the follow-up.

Then, Lundstram took a pass from Aribo and rattled the post with a 20-yard drive.

Ramsey went off injured to be replaced by Scott Wright, who crossed for Aribo to head weakly wide in the last action of the first half.

Hatate screwed a shot wide of the far post in the 53rd minute and Kent did likewise for the Light Blues at the other end moments later.

Celtic brought on Furuhashi and Matt O’Riley for Abada and Tom Rogic just before the hour mark as Postecoglou looked for his side to impose themselves on the game, which they did.

O’Riley played a short free-kick to skipper Callum McGregor, he played the ball to Taylor and his shot from the edge of the box deflected off Calvin Bassey before beating McLaughlin for his first goal since August 2020.

Defender Cameron Carter-Vickers smashed a shot against the bar as Celtic hunted for number two and Rangers replaced Aribo and Jack with Arfield and Steve Davis.

Arfield – who had missed two great chances against Braga on Thursday – made a quick impact, flashing a shot past Hart from inside the box after a cross from captain James Tavernier had landed at his feet.

After a nervy end to the regulation 90 minutes came extra time, where Stephen Welsh and James Forrest replaced Taylor and Maeda.

Roofe got put through by Wright, but Hart was quickly out to smother, before Lundstram made way for Glen Kamara as the first half of extra time finished goalless.

Leon Balogun replaced Barisic and Sakala took over from Roofe, with Hatate making way for David Turnbull, as the substitutes kept coming.

Hart made a great save from Tavernier in the 110th minute but moments later, Bassey raced down the left and his cross was knocked into his own net by Starfelt under pressure from Sakala and the blue half of Hampden Park erupted.

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CELTIC SEE OFF RAITH ROVERS TO REACH SCOTTISH CUP QUARTER-FINALS

Celtic secured their place in the Scottish Cup quarter-finals with comprehensive 4-0 win over Championship side Raith Rovers at Parkhead.

The Hoops led at the end of a rather low-key first half through a fine strike from Liam Scales but second-half goals from Giorgos Giakoumakis, substitute Daizen Maeda and stand-in skipper Nir Bitton put gloss on the scoreline.

Ange Postecoglou’s side have thrilled in recent months with a 20-game unbeaten run in the cinch Premiership to take them top but this performance took time to warm up albeit credit should go to John McGlynn’s side who were, for the most part, determined and well-organised.

A further bonus was the return of defender Christopher Jullien as a second-half substitute following a long spell out with a knee injury.

The backdrop to the game saw Raith embroiled in the controversial signing of David Goodwillie, who was found by a judge in a civil case in 2017 to have raped a woman.

The Kirkcaldy club’s decision to hand the 32-year-old striker a two-and-a-half-year contract sparked a ferocious backlash.

McGlynn apologised for the “enormous” mistake in signing the player while Raith stated that Goodwillie will not play for them, and the Rovers boss would have been glad the focus was back on the football.

While McGlynn made one change – former Luton defender Frankie Musonda in for injured Tom Lang – Postecoglou rang the changes with only goalkeeper Joe Hart, defenders Anthony Ralston and Cameron Carter-Vickers and midfielder Reo Hatate keeping their places following the 3-2 win over Aberdeen on Wednesday night.

It took less than three minutes for the home side to demonstrate their intent with winger Mikey Johnston firing just over the bar after linking with Hatate.

With the home side dominating, Bitton’s long-range shot dipped over the bar and in the 16th minute Hatate’s decent drive was saved by Kirkcaldy keeper Jamie MacDonald.

Midway through the first half Celtic got the breakthrough when Tom Rogic rolled the ball to Scales just outside the box and the former Shamrock Rovers player took a touch before steering a left-footed shot past the diving MacDonald.

Raith had offered little in attack but minutes later they claimed for a penalty when Carter-Vickers appeared to use an upper arm to control a goal-bound header from Reghan Tumilty but referee Steven McLean took no notice.

The Fife side pressed enthusiastically at the start of the second half but Celtic defended well and at the other end Giakoumakis struck the bar from Johnston’s cut-back as the offside flag was raised.

Johnston limped off injured to be replaced by Jota before Hart saved a 20-yard drive by Jamie Gullan as Rovers threatened again.

However, the tie was effectively over in the 68th minute when Jota raced down the left and squared for Giakoumakis to slip the ball past MacDonald, the striker’s last action before he was replaced by Maeda.

In the 71st minute the Japan striker grabbed a third when Ralston helped on a corner with Maeda heading over the line at the second attempt.

Jullien was back on the bench after recovering from a knee injury which kept him out since December 30th, 2020, and he got a huge cheer when he replaced Carter-Vickers.

McLean pointed to the spot when Jota’s shot came off the arm of substitute Sean Mackie – on for Raith to make his debut – and after MacDonald saved his penalty, Bitton bundled the ball over the line.

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CELTIC MOVE TOP OF SCOTTISH PREMIERSHIP AFTER 3-0 THRASHING OF RANGERS

Celtic have moved to the top of the Scottish Premiership table.

Two first half goals from Reo Hatate helped them to a 3-0 victory at home to Old Firm rivals, Rangers.

The win was Celtic’s fifth in a row, and sees them lead Rangers by a point.

Connor Goldson missed Rangers’ best chance of the game in stoppage-time when he headed over from six yards.

The full-time whistle soon sparked further celebrations from the home support after a big win in the Old Firm derby.

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FORMER CELTIC MANAGER, JANSEN WIM DIES AT 75

Former Celtic manager Wim Jansen has died at the age of 75, his ex-club Feyenoord have announced.

The Dutchman, who had been living with dementia, won the title in his only season in charge in 1997-98, stopping Rangers from winning ten-in-a-row.

Jansen signed club legend Henrik Larsson and also won the League Cup.

He made over 500 appearances for Feyenoord, including the 1970 European Cup final win over Celtic in Milan, and managed the Rotterdam team.

Twice a losing World Cup finalist in 1974 and 1978, he also won four titles with Feyenoord as a player as well as the Uefa Cup in 1974. At the tail end of his career he won another title with Ajax in 1982.

As a manager he won the Dutch Cup twice with Feyenoord.

His old club paid tribute to “a wonderful person and great Feyenoord player”.

Jansen replaced Tommy Burns in July 1997 and was Celtic’s first non British or Irish manager.

The title was clinched by a two-point margin thanks to a final day win at home to St Johnstone, but he resigned almost immediately and was later replaced by Jozef Venglos.

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JERMAINE DEFOE RELIEVED FROM COACHING DUTIES AT RANGERS BY VAN BRONCKHORST

Giovanni van Bronckhorst has removed Jermain Defoe from coaching duties at Rangers – but stressed the veteran striker can still play a vital on-field role this season.

Defoe signed a 12-month player-coach contract during the summer to stay at Ibrox under Steven Gerrard’s management.

However, the 39-year-old had played only eight minutes of first-team action prior to being introduced from the bench by Van Bronckhorst in Sunday’s 3-1 win over Livingston.

The new Ibrox boss has brought in former Holland and Bayern Munich striker Roy Makaay as part of his coaching team, which would limit Defoe’s training ground involvement.

Van Bronckhorst instead expects the ex-England international to have opportunities to add to his 32 goals for Rangers since joining the club in 2019.

‘He’s been really good,’ the Ibrox boss said of Defoe. ‘When I came here, of course he was part of the coaching staff but also a player.

‘He’s also busy with his training badges, which is really good because we’ve already started thinking about team processes and tactical possibilities

‘But, for now, Jermain is still a player and we’ll use him only as a player. The quality he has is sometimes needed in games.

‘Of course, Kemar (Roofe) has been out for the last two games. Jermain couldn’t play in Europe because he wasn’t eligible but I think he can still have an important role this season.’

Roofe last played for Rangers on November 7, but Van Bronckhorst is optimistic he might be able to figure in his plans for tomorrow’s trip to Easter Road.

‘I think we don’t have any other injuries for tomorrow,’ he said. ‘Everyone came out of the (Livingston) game really good.

‘Kemar Roofe was on the training pitch today so we will assess him tomorrow and maybe he can be part of the squad on Wednesday.’

Van Bronckhorst also hopes Filip Helander will be restored to his plans in the weeks ahead. Out since undergoing knee surgery in September, the Sweden defender is gradually stepping up his recovery programme.

‘Filip is outside on the pitch again, so we have to slowly bring him back to fitness levels required to play games,’ said the Rangers boss

‘Hopefully, we expect him to take part in training some time this month. He’s been an important player for the team and, with him being fit, I have more options for the back.’

With Leon Balogun also out injured, young left-back Calvin Bassey moved inside to join Connor Goldson at centre-back for the wins over Sparta and Livingston and is likely to continue in that role at Easter Road.

‘I’ve been really impressed,’ added Van Bronckhorst. ‘He’s a really talented defender. Normally he plays in the left-back position but doesn’t have much experience in the centre back area. So I’m really happy with his performances so far.

‘I think he has the physical ability to play there. We will help him a lot in that position, when he has to pass, when he has to dribble, the positioning he has to take when the other defender has got the ball.

‘He’s a player who is very open to learning and he gives a lot of energy to the team. The last two games, I’m really happy with the way he played.’

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CELTIC’S EUROPA LEAGUE HOPES ENDED BY DEFEAT TO BAYER LEVERKUSEN

Celtic’s hopes of progressing in the Europa League were dashed in agonising fashion as a late fightback from Bayer Leverkusen denied them a famous victory in Germany.

Ange Postecoglou’s spirited side knew they would probably require a win to keep their last-32 dream alive and they were on course for this outcome until the closing stages after a Josip Juranovic penalty and a strike from Jota cancelled out Robert Andrich’s early goal for the hosts.

However, Leverkusen hit back twice in the closing eight minutes to win 3-2 and top the group.

The result means Celtic will drop into the Conference League after Christmas, with Real Betis going through in the Europa League as runners-up.

Celtic made one change to the side that defeated St Johnstone in last weekend’s Premier Sports Cup semi-final, with Hampden goal hero James Forrest coming in for his first start in more than three months in place of Liel Abada.

The Germans signalled their intent in the 10th minute when Andrich headed over from a Florian Wirtz corner.

Celtic were looking reasonably comfortable in the early stages, although Cameron Carter-Vickers had to make a vital clearance from inside his own six-yard box when former Hoops right-back Jeremie Frimpong darted into the box and drilled a dangerous low ball across the face of goal in the 12th minute.

The visitors failed to heed the warning from Leverkusen’s earlier corner, and they fell behind in the 16th minute when Andrich got in front of Stephen Welsh to head in another Wirtz delivery.

Celtic had a rare foray forward in the 35th minute which resulted in David Turnbull threading a through ball in behind for Kyogo Furuhashi but the offside flag was raised as the Japanese attacker burst into the box and fired a low angled shot just behind the far post.

Having been pegged back for long periods of the match, the visitors got themselves level in the 39th minute with a penalty awarded following a VAR review after Leverkusen goalkeeper Lukas Hradecky clattered recklessly into Kyogo while trying to defend a cross into the box from Jota.

Hradecky was booked and Juranovic produced an outrageously nonchalant finish as he chipped a Panenka-style spot-kick in off the underside of the crossbar.

Juranovic was fortunate to get away with a lapse in the 44th minute when he gave the ball away cheaply just outside his area allowing Moussa Diaby to fire a powerful angled half-volley off the junction of post and bar before Wirtz sent the rebound crashing against the opposite post.

Celtic had another major let-off eight minutes after the break when Joe Hart made a brilliant double save to deny Diaby and then Amine Adli.

Remarkably, Celtic took the lead in the 56th minute when Jota drilled in a clinical low angled shot from just inside the box after being teed up by Kyogo following some brilliant play by Forrest and Nir Bitton.

Hart made a couple of saves to deny Adli as the Scots started to believe they might be closing in on their first victory in Germany.

But Andrich dashed their hopes in the 82nd minute when he drilled a low shot through the legs of Hart from 12 yards out after being set up by substitute Nadiem Amiri.

And the hosts claimed victory in the 87th minute when Diaby volleyed home after being picked out by a chipped pass from Wirtz.

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CELTIC SURRENDER TWO-GOAL LEAD IN EUROPA LEAGUE OPENER AT REAL BETIS

Celtic surrendered a two-goal lead to crash to a 4-3 defeat in their Europa League opener at Real Betis.

Albian Ajeti fired the Scottish side in front and then won a penalty from which Josip Juranovic doubled the lead inside the opening half-hour of the Group G encounter at the Benito Villamarin Stadium.

Yet things began to turn sour as the Spanish side, managed by former Manchester City and West Ham boss Manuel Pellegrini, hit back to level matters with two goals in quick succession from Juan Miranda and Juanmi.

Borja Iglesias then put the hosts ahead early in the second half and Juanmi increased the advantage with his second. Anthony Ralston gave the Hoops late hope but Betis held on.

West Ham endured no such frustration as they produced an impressive display to beat Dinamo Zagreb 2-0 in Croatia.

The influential Michail Antonio opened the scoring in the 22nd minute and Declan Rice doubled the lead for David Moyes’ side five minutes into the second half.

Genk joined the Hammers level at the top of Group H after an injury-time strike from Paul Onuachu secured a 1-0 win at Rapid Vienna.

The other match in Celtic’s group, meanwhile, saw Bayer Leverkusen come from behind to beat Ferencvaros 2-1 with goals from Exequiel Palacios and Florian Wirtz.

Galatasaray benefited from an own goal as they opened in Group E with a 1-0 victory over Lazio in Istanbul.

Goalkeeper Thomas Strakosha got the final touch after a cross from Olimpiu Vasile Morutan was diverted towards his own goal by defender Manuel Lazzari in the 67th minute.

Substitute Tino Anjorin scored an 89th-minute equaliser as Lokomotiv Moscow snatched a 1-1 draw at home to Marseille.

In Group F, an 85th-minute penalty from Alexandar Katai gave Red Star Belgrade a 2-1 win over Sporting Braga, while Midtjylland and Ludogorets drew 1-1.

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CELTIC CHIEF EXECUTIVE DOMINIC MCKAY STANDS DOWN AFTER APPOINTMENT

Dominic McKay has stood down as Celtic chief executive just months after joining the Parkhead club.

The former chief operating officer of Scottish Rugby began work at the Glasgow club on April 19th before officially succeeding the outgoing chief executive Peter Lawwell on July 1st.

However, Celtic announced on Friday that McKay, who helped bring in new manager Ange Postecoglou, has stood down from his position for personal reasons.

McKay told the club’s official website said: “I’d like to thank the board and everyone at Celtic for their support and wish everyone at Celtic every success for the future.”

Celtic chairman Ian Bankier said: “We thank Dom for his efforts on behalf of the club and everyone wishes Dom and his family very well for the future.”

Celtic’s director of legal and football affairs Michael Nicholson has been appointed to the board of Celtic plc as acting chief executive officer.

The 45-year-old joined Celtic in 2013 as company secretary and head of legal and was promoted to director of legal and football affairs in 2019.

Bankier said: “It has been my pleasure to work closely with Michael for more than eight years now.

“Having been at the heart of the senior executive and reporting to the board, he has a solid grip on how to achieve our immediate and future objectives.

“Michael is an absolute team player and he will lead an experienced and talented team of executives and colleagues at Celtic.

“Everyone at Celtic will of course work collectively and focus strongly on ensuring we continue to drive the club forward in every area, on and off the field.

“The board, our management team and all our staff will continue to work together with the ultimate objective, as always, of delivering success for our supporters.”

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CELTIC SIGN JOE HART AND JAMES MC CARTHY

Celtic have announced the double signing of Republic of Ireland midfielder James McCarthy and former England goalkeeper Joe Hart.

Goalkeeper Hart joins from Tottenham on a three-year deal while McCarthy has penned a four-year contract following his summer exit from Crystal Palace.

The Hoops will be hoping both men can have a positive impact on the squad after a difficult start to the season.

Manager Ange Postecoglou said on the club’s official site: “I’m delighted that we have signed two top-class players in Joe and James.

“Both of them have a wealth of experience at both club and international level and that is something which can only benefit the squad, and I’m looking forward to working with both of them.

“I know our supporters will be well aware of both players, and I’m sure they’ll welcome them to the club and look forward to seeing both of them play for Celtic in the seasons ahead.”

Hart, the 34-year-old former England and Manchester City goalkeeper, played 10 times for Spurs last season but only in FA Cup and Europa League games. He has left Spurs for £1 million with a year to go on his deal.

Postecoglou started the season with Greece international Vasilis Barkas, signed last year from AEK for a reported £5 million fee, between the sticks but he has been replaced by Scott Bain in what is widely perceived as a problem position for the Parkhead club.

Hart said: “This is a great moment for me in my career and I am absolutely delighted to be joining a club of Celtic’s stature.

“I know just how big this club is and of the incredible support that it enjoys, and I can’t wait to play in front of the fans at Celtic Park.

“I’m looking forward to meeting up with my new team-mates now and getting to work with the squad and, in particular, the other goalkeepers here.”

McCarthy returns to Scotland 10 years after leaving Hamilton following distinguished spells at Wigan, Everton and Palace.

The 30-year-old joins after two years at Selhurst Park.
James McCarthy left Crystal Palace in the summer after two seasons

He added: “To have signed for Celtic is a brilliant feeling and this is a special day for me and my family.

“I know all about the club, the size of it and all the success it’s enjoyed, particularly in recent years. I’m looking forward to pulling on the Hoops, playing at Paradise and helping the team deliver more success to these amazing fans in the seasons ahead.”

Postecoglou’s side are preparing to face Czech hosts Jablonec in the first leg of their Europa League third qualifying round on Thursday.

Celtic have already been knocked out of the Champions League qualifiers by Danish side Midtjylland and lost 2-1 to Hearts at Tynecastle in their cinch Premiership opener at Tynecastle on Saturday night.

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CELTIC CRASH OUT OF CHAMPIONS LEAGUE QUALIFICATION IN DENMARK

Celtic failed in their latest Champions League campaign Wednesday, going down 2-1 after extra-time and 3-2 on aggregate at Denmark’s Midtjylland in the second qualifying round with defiant coach Ange Postecoglou insisting: “I take responsibility.”

Celtic, the first British club ever to be crowned European champions in 1967, getting in a year ahead of Manchester United, had only themselves to blame as they squandered the lead to drop into the far less lucrative Europa League, where they will now take on Czech side Jablonec.

“Catastrophic means the end — it’s far from the end,” newly-arrived Postecoglou said.

“It’s been suggested that the club is falling apart. That’s not the case. I can’t ask more of the players. I take responsibility, I don’t blame people.”

Callum McGregor fired in a scorcher to give them hope, volleying home following a corner to put Celtic ahead three minutes after half-time.

James Forrest should then have all but killed the tie, only to fluff a gilt-edged chance for the visitors just after coming on.

The Glaswegians lived to regret that as Midtjylland drew level just after the hour as Awer Mabil, with 17 Australia caps to his credit, headed beyond keeper Scott Bain.

Celtic promptly fell behind on the night and on aggregate four minutes into the first period of extra-time, Raphael Onyedika firing home from close range amid confusion in the Celtic defence after a freekick routine.

The Danes now go on to face experienced Dutch outfit PSV Eindhoven, who won 2-1 away at Turkey’s Galatasaray for a 7-2 aggregate success, in the third qualifying round.

Celtic must now recover in time for this weekend’s start of the Scottish Premiership season. They face Hearts on Saturday.

In other games, Sparta Prague came from 2-1 down in the away leg to oust Rapid Vienna with a 2-0 home return and 1991 European champions Red Star Belgrade thrashed the Kazakhs of Kairat 5-0 to advance 6-2.

Elsewhere, Greek side Olympiakos won 1-0 at Neftchi Baku of Azerbaijan to complete a 2-0 victory.

Moldova’s Sheriff Tiraspol saw off Armenia’s Alashkert 3-1 to advance 4-1 overall and Romania’s Cluj were too strong for Gibraltar’s Lincoln Red Imps, who succumbed 2-0 on the night and 4-1 on aggregate.

Bulgaria’s Ludogorets put out NS Mura of Slovenia 3-1 on the night and on aggregate while Swiss side Young Boys Berne edged Slovakia’s Slovan Bratislava 3-2 on Wednesday after the first game ended goalless.