While he’s buoyed by his squad’s return without any new injuries, there’s a palpable sense of frustration over how Greg Taylor and Anthony Ralston were utilised—or, more accurately, not utilised—by Scotland manager Steve Clarke during the break.

Taylor found himself benched for both matches against the Netherlands and Northern Ireland, while Ralston played only a minor role, overshadowed by Nathan Patterson’s selection as the preferred right wingback.

This decision has sparked debate, particularly after Patterson’s performance against the Irish, which included a costly mistake directly leading to the only goal of the match.

Peter Grant expressed his view on The Go Radio Football Show, spotlighting Ralston’s defensive quality over Patterson’s and advocating for Ralston’s inclusion in future line-ups, over the former Ibrox stars.

He said: “I think Tony Ralston, you need competitors, you need people to go and run, people who can defend, I think he’s a better defender than Patterson.

“Better defender, but Patterson is probably better going the opposite way. And that’s the only question mark I would have between the two on who would go [to the Euros] as well or would he take both even though Hickey is there.”

With 27 goals across all competitions this season, it’s no wonder that former Celtic star Peter Grant sees Szmodics as a potential transfer target for Celtic. However, Grant cautions that acquiring such a talent won’t come cheap.

The buzz around Szmodics has grown, with reports linking him to a move to Celtic Park.

Yet, Grant, speaking on Go Radio, highlighted the financial implications of securing a player of Szmodics’ calibre, suggesting that a transfer fee could reach upwards of £10 million, given his current contract situation with Blackburn Rovers, which extends for another two years.

“He’s not a striker; he scores a hell of a lot of goals, I seen him as a youngster before he got his move to Peterborough, at Colchester, and I was really impressed with him

“I like going to games and not knowing who the personnel are. Some people jump out at you, and he jumped out at me, and I thought ‘, this kid can play’, and then not long after that, he went to Peterborough.

“He’s a goal threat, he scored goals, the Championship is a really difficult league, and if you’re not playing with one of the top sides, it’s even harder, and he’s constantly scored goals. He’s just a good footballer above anything else with an eye for a goal, a very good eye for a goal in big moments.”

“(He’s) anybody’s type of player really, anybody who can score goals. If he’s still in contract, he’ll cost a pretty penny; anyone who scores goals in the Championship will cost a right few bob anyway.”

Pressed on a potential price tag, Grant said: “Nearly £10 million.”

On the face of it, the potential transfer looks like it could be a huge acquisition from the Hoops. He’s clearly a quality player, but whether Celtic will be looking to spend that sort of money this summer on multiple players remains unanswered.

Rodgers, who criticised the officiating and the use of VAR following Celtic’s match against Hearts, described the decisions as “incompetent” and lamented the overreach of VAR in re-refereeing the game.

Walker stresses that the narrative surrounding Rodgers’ comments and subsequent ban has overshadowed a crucial conversation about the role and effectiveness of VAR within the league.

The technology, intended to assist referees in making more accurate decisions, is under scrutiny for its intrusive application, often intervening without clear and obvious errors by the on-field officials.

Walker expressed his perspective on Go Radio, stating, “This whole one or two game ban, it’s a non-story. There’s a much bigger picture about VAR and the use of VAR. Celtic, it would have been great if they’d come out and said they were going to have a meeting with all the clubs, and the SFA, and the head of referees, and try to make things better.

“If you remember recently, all the clubs were concerned about the handballs. It seemed to work really well for a month or six weeks, and then we’ve gone back and simplified it. And we’ve gone back to the madness. That, in my view, is the much bigger story.”

What happened in the SFA meeting today will probably never be disclosed, but going by Celtic’s earlier statement, the club went in prepared with plenty of evidence to back their stance.

Currently leading Rangers by a slender one-point margin, Celtic could potentially find themselves playing catch-up by kick-off on Sunday, depending on Rangers’ result against Hibernian the day before. Nonetheless, victory at the Tony Macaroni Arena would set Celtic up with the tantalising prospect of pulling four points clear of their rivals with a win at Ibrox the following week.

While the attention of many may already be drifting towards the next week’s showdown with Rangers, the immediate focus remains squarely on overcoming Livingston. This match is as pivotal as any in the quest for the Premiership title, emphasizing the need for undivided concentration and commitment.

Celtic’s last meeting with Livingston in the Scottish Cup, just two matches ago, showcased some great attacking play, with Daizen Maeda’s hat-trick and Kyogo Furuhashi’s late goal securing a 4-2 victory. However, it also exposed defensive vulnerabilities, something Brendan Rodgers is keen to address.

In his comments looking ahead to the match, Rodgers highlighted the need for a more disciplined performance.

He told Celtic TV: “We played Livingston only recently. Attacking-wise, we were very good in the game, but we gave too much away for my liking.

“So our mentality and focus is to go and play to the level of game that we want to play, but making sure that we don’t give much up in terms of opportunities and space. If we can do that, then we can have a very good day hopefully.

“Obviously, with Livingston being at home and on the astroturf pitch, they’ll maybe be more accustomed to that.

“Whatever team David Martindale puts out, they are normally battling and working very, very hard. We have seen that. They are a big physical team that play to their strengths and can play to their strengths well.

“But really, we have to control our game. Our focus is very much on playing in our rhythm and in our way. If we can do that, then we will be able to give the opposition more issues and more to think about.”

Anticipation is building for the team news, with fans eagerly awaiting updates on key players. Callum McGregor, Reo Hatate, and Liam Scales are all in contention to return to the squad, providing a timely boost. Meanwhile, the participation of Cameron Carter-Vickers is under scrutiny, given the artificial surface at Livingston and the looming Glasgow Derby.

The hearing centred on Rodgers’ critique of referee Don Robertson and VAR John Beaton, with Rodgers branding the officiating “incompetent.” This verdict means Rodgers will be absent from the sidelines for the upcoming match against Livingston, a crucial fixture in Celtic’s campaign.

The penalty appears to represent a middle-ground approach by the SFA amid a robust defence mounted by Celtic.

With Rodgers consigned to the stands for the Livingston encounter, assistant manager John Kennedy will assume touchline duties at the Tony Macaroni Arena.

Adding a lighter note to the situation, pundit Mark Wilson suggested an unconventional strategy for Rodgers to continue influencing the game despite his ban.

After Gordon Duncan commented on the size of Livingston’s stadium, Wilson humorously said, Speaking on Clyde 1 Super Scoreboard: “See if I was him [Rodgers] I wouldn’t even sit down at Livi. I would just stand up and block the person behind me and just shout instructions”

Now, that would be something from the manager, while still technically observing his ban.

The club has confirmed via email to those season ticket holders who were successful in the ballot, outlining the details for purchasing their tickets for the semi-final clash.

The tickets are set to go on sale starting Friday, March 29th, and will be available until April 5th.

Aberdeen, still on the hunt for a new manager following Neil Warnock’s unexpected departure from his interim role, faces a period of uncertainty ahead of this critical game. The Dons’ search for leadership has taken longer than anticipated, adding an additional layer of intrigue to the upcoming semi-final.

The Dons had hoped a manager would be in place as they emerged from the international break.

Season ticket holders who are part of the Home Cup Ticket Scheme but did not receive an email have unfortunately not been successful in the ballot.

The hearing, which concluded with Rodgers being penalised for his outspoken criticism of referee Don Robertson and VAR John Beaton’s decisions in Celtic’s defeat to Hearts, will only see the Celtic boss miss the Livingston game, having to watch it from the stands.

Rodgers’ comments, born out of frustration and the heat of the moment, described the officiating as “incompetent.”

Such criticism, while harsh, shed light on the inconsistencies and questionable decisions that have marred the Scottish Premiership this season.

This decision is a bit of a cop out or compromise from the SFA who saw a full throttle Celtic come at them in the wake of the charge.

John Kennedy will take the team on Sunday with Brendan sitting in the stands at the Tony Macaroni.

Celtic will be hoping that this doesn’t affect the game and the bhoys can go get a win at Livi and set up a big tie against Rangers next weekend where Rodgers will be in the dugout.

At the heart of the proceedings is Rodgers’ critique of the officiating following Celtic’s defeat to Heart of Midlothian, where he labelled the refereeing decisions as “incompetence”. This comment has led to Rodgers being charged under SFA Disciplinary Rule 72, setting the stage for a pivotal decision.

In response to the charges, Celtic have enlisted the expertise of Nick De Marco, a distinguished legal figure renowned for his involvement in high-profile football cases.

De Marco’s track record includes successfully representing Celtic in the past, notably in a 2019 case involving Scott Brown. Brown was cleared of wrongdoing by the SFA following his celebrations in a derby win over Rangers, with De Marco playing a pivotal role in that outcome.

Celtic’s decision to once again turn to De Marco underscores the seriousness with which the club is approaching Rodgers’ defence, aiming to mitigate the potential ramifications of the hearing.

The stakes for Rodgers and Celtic are undeniably high. Should Rodgers be found guilty of violating Disciplinary Rule 72, he faces a minimum two-match touchline ban. Such a penalty would sideline him for critical upcoming fixtures, including this weekend’s trip to Livingston and the Glasgow Derby against Rangers at Ibrox.

Both matches are crucial in Celtic’s pursuit of the Scottish Premiership title, and Rodgers’ absence from the dugout could present a significant challenge for the team during this decisive phase of the season.

Rodgers’ comments were made in the aftermath of a contentious match against Hearts, which saw controversial decisions including the dismissal of Hyunjun Yang and a penalty awarded against Tomoki Iwata for handball—both influenced by VAR interventions. Rodgers’ frustration with these decisions reflects broader concerns about VAR’s impact on the game and the consistency of officiating in Scottish football.

This match holds particular significance as Celtic aims to maintain their lead in the Premiership, facing a Livingston side that currently finds itself at the bottom of the league standings.

The presence of Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers on the sidelines remains uncertain due to a pending SFA hearing set for Thursday. Rodgers faces the possibility of a touchline ban following his critical remarks about officiating after Celtic’s match against Hearts.

TV Channel

For fans eager to catch the action live, Sky Sports will broadcast the match on their Sky Sports Football channel, with streaming options available via the Sky Go app. The match is scheduled for Easter Sunday, March 31st, with kick-off at 12pm.

Officials

Don Robertson has been appointed as the match official. Robertson’s selection is notable given his involvement in the Hearts game that led to Rodgers’ outspoken criticism, ensuring all eyes will be on the officiating team, which also includes Assistant Referees Graeme Stewart and Andy Milne, Fourth Official Euan Anderson, VAR Alan Muir, and AVAR Graeme Leslie.

Early Team News

Celtic could welcome the return of several key players from injury, with Callum McGregor, Liam Scales, Luis Palma, and Reo Hatate all potentially available for selection. Rodgers is expected to provide further updates on the squad’s status during the pre-match press conference on Friday, offering insights into team selection and readiness.

The club has announced a vacancy for a first-team analyst. The new addition will play a pivotal role in offering strategic and tactical insights to boost on-field performance.

New Role: First Team Analyst

Celtic Football Club are currently seeking a First Team Analyst to play a crucial role in providing strategic and tactical insights to support the coaching staff and first team players in enhancing performance on the field.https://t.co/m6XYgdUhTr

— Jobs In Football (@JobsInFootball) March 27, 2024

The successful candidate will report to the Head of Analysis & Technical Operations and work closely with Jack Lyons, a figure well-acquainted with Rodgers’ tactical philosophies.

Lyons, who rejoined Celtic this season after a stint at Leicester City with Rodgers, initially joined the Celtic backroom team as an Opposition Analyst during Rodgers’ first tenure at the club.

Responsibilities for the First Team Analyst will be comprehensive, encompassing the development of game plans, conducting detailed post-match analyses, undertaking research projects aimed at enhancing team and individual performances, and crafting presentations with recommendations for improvements.

Whoever takes up the role will be the first of a few appointments at Lennoxtown this summer, or so you’d hope. After Mark Lawwell and Joe Dudgeon announced their departures, Celtic will be looking to being in a HEad of Recruitment and a Lead First Team Scout.