Scottish Premiership

CELTIC made it a historic quadruple treble after a thrilling penalty shootout victory over Hearts.
The Hoops looked to be on easy street as they racked up a two-goal first half lead courtesy of strikes from Ryan Christie and Odsonne Edouard, but two second-half goals from the Championship side turned the showpiece on its head.

Celtic clinched the quadruple-treble… justCredit: Kenny Ramsay – The Sun Glasgow

The Hoops made a dominant start but were made to wait until the 19th minute to open the scoring with an absolute stunner.
Latching on to a mistimed clearance on the edge of the box, Ryan Christie controlled the ball on the ground with his first touch.
And with his second, he fired a curling shot past Craig Gordon into the far corner of the net.
Celtic were noticeably fired up and both Scott Brown and Greg Taylor had chances to double the Hoops’ lead.

However, it was Odsonne Edouard who eventually got the second goal with the cheekiest of finishes.
After winning a penalty due to Christophe Berra’s handball, the Frenchman dinked the ball over former Celtic team-mate Gordon with a panenka.
The keeper was far from pleased and threw the ball at Edouard after picking it out of the net.
Celtic continued to dominate the game but Conor Hazard was forced to stop Liam Boyce late in the half.

Leigh Griffiths restores Celtic’s advantage but it went to penalties

Celtic star Ryan Christie shoots at goalCredit: Reuters

Ryan Christie can’t keep Stephen Kinglsey’s effort out

Going in at half-time, Celtic would have been forgiven for thinking they would storm their way to another Scottish Cup triumph.
But things changed.
Hearts appeared to change their shape for the second half and were rewarded with less than two minutes back on the clock.
Andy Halliday played a cross into the box and Boyce rose above the Celtic defence to head it past young keeper Conor Hazard.
Hearts really turned the pressure on after this and constantly put the Hoops defence under threat.
Their next best chance came through Josh Ginnelly, who took advantage of a defensive howler between Christopher Jullien and Shane Duffy to run through on goal.
However, Hazard was able to get out and block his shot in time.
Steven Naismith was later able to run into Celtic’s box and his shot was cleared only as far as Michael Smith, whose cross was then cleared for a corner.

INCREDIBLE strike for Ryan Christie as he delivers another Hampden screamer 🔥”It’s an absolute wonder of a goal from Ryan Christie!” 🗣 pic.twitter.com/YQC0cE3HMd
— Premier Sports 📺 (@PremierSportsTV) December 20, 2020

And Hearts’ second-half performance up to this point was rewarded from the resulting set-piece.
Ginnelly fired the ball into the box and Stephen Kingsley was able to head the ball over the line.
It was quickly cleared away in the midst of the scramble but the referee pointed to his watch to show that goal-line technology said it was in.
After this however, the game quietened down and there weren’t as many chances as there had been earlier in the proceedings.
Some players started to pull up with cramp, with Hearts ace Aidy White ultimately having to be taken off.
As it went on, it looked like both sets of players were just preparing for extra-time.
But Ginnelly had a great chance to win it for the Jambos when the ball was cut back to him in the middle of the box.
Unfortunately for Hearts this time, he fired the ball high over the bar.

We then went into extra time – as this seesawing final swung both ways again.
First substitute Leigh Griffiths knocked in from close range after Gordon had saved Scott Brown’s header – before Ginnelly equalised again.
The on-loan Preston winger finished bravely at the far post after Kingsley had kept the chance alive.
Proceedings then went to penalties, with Naismith scoring first for the Jambos, before Griffiths levelled for 1-1.
Michael Smith and Callum McGregor then converted, before Olly Lee made it 3-2.
Gordon then saved from Christie – but Hazard did likewise from Kingsley’s subsequent effort.
Substitute Mikey Johnstone put Celtic level again at 3-3, before Hazard produced another stop, this time from Craig Wighton
Kris Ajer then smashed home to seal the quadruple-treble for under-pressure Neil Lennon.

“This has just been the most dramatic, the most incredible of Scottish Cup finals!” 🗣Celtic win the Scottish Cup for the 40th time and complete the quadruple treble! 🍀🏆 pic.twitter.com/Xv8we6pO9e
— Premier Sports 📺 (@PremierSportsTV) December 20, 2020

Odsonne Edouard celebrates after scoring Celtic’s second goalCredit: PA:Press Association

Hearts star Liam Boyce in action against CelticCredit: Reuters

Hearts star Stephen Kingsley celebrates with his team-mates after scoring the equaliserCredit: PA:Press Association

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ST MIRREN boss Jim Goodwin was sent off for CELEBRATING his side’s late winner against Rangers in the Betfred Cup.
Conor McCarthy scored a dramatic stoppage time winner to seal the 3-2 victory for the Buddies.

St Mirren boss Jim Goodwin is sent to the standsCredit: Getty

It’s understood Goodwin was shown red for this gesture

And it ensured the Paisley side were the first to inflict defeat on the Gers in all competitions this season.
However, Goodwin was sent to the stands by referee David Dickinson amid the celebrations for the goal.
And speaking on Premier Sports after full-time, the St Mirren boss insisted he was shown red for celebrating.
He said: “It’s the first time in my managerial career that I’ve been a shown a red card.

“I don’t mind being shown a red card for being frustrated but I’ve been sent off for celebrating, and it’s really, really disappointing.
“It has kind of put a little bit of a dampener on things but I’ll try not to let it affect me too much now.
“We’ll enjoy this moment and we’ll talk about that tomorrow.”
St Mirren were considered to be the underdogs going into the Betfred Cup quarter-final clash with Rangers.

Steven Gerrard’s man were quick to establish their dominance on the game and took the lead after just seven minutes.
After picking up the ball, Connor Goldson took it past several defenders before firing home.
The Buddies gradually started to play their way back into the game however and were rewarded with a penalty shortly before half-time.
Jamie McGrath calmly converted it to bring the score level, before firing St Mirren ahead less than 10 minutes into the second half.
Rangers thought they were heading for extra-time when Steven Davis equalised with just minutes to go before the end of regulation time.
However, McCarthy was ultimately able to seal the victory for the home side with his late winner and book their place in the Betfred Cup semi-final.
Goodwin admitted it’ll take a while for the result to fully settle in for him.
He said: “It’ll take a few hours for that one to sink in. Conceding the equaliser so late in the game when we’ve put so much into it, you fear the worst.
“But for the boys to just keep going the way they did and to score in the manner that we did was fantastic. It was a real monumental effort from everyone.”

Goodwin celebrates the win at full-timeCredit: Willie Vass – The Sun

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DANNY MURPHY reckons Steven Gerrard could pull off a sensational loan swoop for Tottenham midfielder Dele Alli.
England international Alli has fallen out of favour under Jose Mourinho and could be allowed to leave North London in January.

Dele Alli has fallen out of favour at TottenhamCredit: Reuters

The 24-year-old hasn’t made a Premier League start since the first day of the season and Spurs are now open to offers.
Carlo Ancelotti’s Everton have been heavily linked with a January loan swoop, while French giants PSG are also keeping tabs on his situation.
But ex-Liverpool and England star Murphy believes Gerrard could persuade Alli to make a shock move north of the border to Ibrox.
He told talkSPORT: “I’m not sure Dele would be up for it, but I thought maybe Stevie G at Rangers could persuade him to go there and win him the title.

“He’d play every week, score a lot of goals, get his confidence up and impress Gareth Southgate.
“There is an argument to say would that be enough scoring at that level, because it is a drop down. But I don’t know.
“Maybe playing under Stevie is something that he would enjoy.”
Alli’s stock has dropped considerably since he played a starring role in England’s run to the 2018 World Cup semi-finals.

Ex-England star Danny Murphy thinks Steven Gerrard should make a moveCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd

A regular under Mauricio Pochettino, he has not been seen in a Mourinho Premier League matchday squad since the start of October.
The Portuguese boss has admitted it is ‘impossible’ to keep all his stars happy.
Alli’s meteoric rise after arriving from League One MK Dons in 2015 saw him become a regular for club and country.
But he has scored two goals in only nine appearances this season for Spurs.

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CELTIC are closing in on a bumper contract extension for shock new No1 Conor Hazard.
SunSport understands talks have been on-going since the summer with the 22-year-old.

Celtic keeper Conor Hazard is in line for a new dealCredit: SNS Group

And now after his stunning breakthrough Hoops boss Neil Lennon is keen to get Hazard’s immediate future tied up with his present deal expiring next summer.
The Northern Ireland international has been assured in both the Europa League victory over Lille and Sunday’s 2-0 Premiership win over Kilmarnock.
Lennon axed £4.5 million Vasilis Barkas after previously recalling him for Scott Bain.
Now 6’4 Hazard – who has had impressive loan spells at Falkirk, Partick Thistle and Dundee – looks in pole position for an extended run, including Sunday’s Scottish Cup final against Hearts at Hampden.

Northern Ireland stopper Hazard has been solid between the sticksCredit: Kenny Ramsay – The Sun Glasgow
Celtic are going for a quadruple Treble and Lennon faces a huge selection call, not just with Hazard but also David Turnbull and Ismaila Soro.
The Downpatrick-born Hazard joined the Hoops youth academy from Cliftonville in 2014 and was promoted to the first team squad by Brendan Rodgers in 2017 when he also signed a four year contract.
Championship outfit Dundee had wanted to take him back to Dens Park on loan for this campaign but were knocked back by the Hoops amid stalemate over negotiations.
Hazard made his international debut in 2018 and is now a regular squad pick for Northern Ireland boss Ian Baraclough.

His ambition is to emulate David Marshall, the last academy goalkeeper to establish himself in the Celts top team.
Back in 2017, Hazard said: “It feels amazing and it’s a great honour for me. It’s a boyhood dream come true and it still has to sink in. 
“It feels unreal and it’s special to have my family over to see me signing.

“They have obviously been with me from the beginning.
“My Mum and Dad drove me everywhere and there has always been that football competition between my brother and I in the back garden.
“I wouldn’t have been able to do without all the coaches I have worked with.
“I have had great help from Colin Meldrum and Stevie Woods who have really developed me over the past three years and hopefully there is more to come.”

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HUNDREDS of protesting Celtic fans gathered outside Parkhead ahead of Sunday’s 2-0 win over Kilmarnock.
Punters turned out in their numbers after the Celtic Trust organised a ‘Covid-compliant’ demo demanding change.

Hundreds of Celtic fans gathered outside Parkhead on a wet and miserable day in Glasgow

Some Celtic fans had a banner defending under-fire Neil Lennon

Another poster blasts chief exec Peter Lawwell

The group asked people not to travel from outside of Glasgow and urged fans to follow strict government regulations by wearing face masks and observing social distancing measures, as well as standing at least two metres apart.
There was a large police presence at Celtic Park as around 400 supporters stood outside the ground entrance chanting “sack the board”.
A number of banners were also unveiled, with one defending under-fire boss Neil Lennon, reading: “To disrespect Lenny, who has suffered 20 yrs of abuse in the name of Celtic, is a disgrace!!”
While another took aim at chief executive Peter Lawwell, reading: “WANTED for gross negligence PETER PAIDWELL.”

Jeanette Findlay of the Celtic Trust addressed the rain-soaked crowd, declaring: “The Celtic Trust took the view that something had to be done to allow supporters the opportunity to convey how they felt about what we’ve been saying for the last few months, in terms of the potential loss of this important season.
“And while that was going, the board – who are responsible for all of this, whose job it is to make sure that we have a successful team on the park – have had nothing to say. Absolutely nothing.”
Dozens of riot vans and police horses were deployed ahead of the 3pm kick-off.
Later on, fans cheered as they gave the Celtic team bus a warm welcome, singing The Celtic Song loud and clear as the players made their way into the stadium.

Celtic beat Kilmarnock 2-0 to ease some of the tension at ParkheadCredit: PA:Press Association

Mohamed Elyounoussi opened the scoringCredit: PA:Press Association

Centre-back Shane Duffy powered in a headerCredit: Kenny Ramsay – The Sun Glasgow
Tensions are high among the Parkhead faithful, with Rangers now 13 points – although Celtic have two games in hand – leaving their ten-in-a-row dreams in tatters.
An impressive win against Kilmarnock on Sunday afternoon, a second win on the bounce, would have eased some tensions.
Mohamed Elyounoussi and Shane Duffy both scored after the break to give the home side all three points.

Jeanette Findlay of the Celtic Trust addresses fans

The Celtic team bus arrives as fans cheer

One fan holds a ‘Millions wasted’ placardCredit: PA:Press Association

Hundreds gathered outside the Celtic WayCredit: PA:Press Association
But club legend Lennon and the Hoops board have come in for heavy abuse and criticism in recent weeks following a horror run of results.
Celts recently fell to a shock Betfred Cup exit as Ross County ended their domestic dominance, while they have been humiliated in Europe having been dumped out of both the Champions League and Europa League.
Club supremos Dermot Desmond and Peter Lawwell have been targeted by supporters upset at the club’s stance to keep Lennon as manager, with the Northern Irishman’s future set to be reviewed in the New Year.
The Celtic hierarchy backed Lennon with a £14million transfer warchest in the summer but big-money signings like Vasilis Barkas and Albian Ajeti haven’t come close to justifying their hefty price tags.

The Celtic Trust’s appeal to supporters
Celtic’s underperforming players have been left shellshocked in recent weeks after a furious fan backlash at the club’s dramatic collapse.
Missiles were launched at cars after the 2-0 home loss to County, while fans chased down the bus following last week’s 1-1 draw with St Johnstone.
This week, fans have pinned banners and scarves on security gates along the Celtic Way – with Lennon blasting one which read “shoot the board”.
On Saturday night, Rangers fans unveiled a banner at the home of their fiercest rivals, reading: “Back the board, shoot the ultras”.
Speaking ahead of this afternoon’s demonstration, Celtic Trust chairman David Low shared his concerns over the board as he reminded them how protests helped their case in the 1990s.

Celtic chiefs Peter Lawwell and Dermot DesmondCredit: Kenny Ramsay – The Sun Glasgow

Neil Lennon has won just four of his last 14 games – but has now won two on the bounceCredit: EPA
He told A Celtic State of Mind podcast: “I think it’s a concern that the ownership control of Celtic vests on two people; Dermot Desmond and a guy called Nick Train who runs an investment firm in the city.
“Now, it’s nothing personal against Dermot Desmond. Having a billionaire in your corner during a global pandemic is a good thing on balance.
“It’s just a matter of fact thing. It is not a healthy thing to have the control of the football club vested in two people.
“Particularly when one is a financial investor with no emotional investment in Celtic. If the shares double or treble, that guy sells his shares and he’s gone.
“He has no interest in the ongoing future of the football club once he’s cashed his chips in.
“Again, that’s his business. It’s not an indictment or anything bad, his motivations are different.

“Basically, there is a possibility, if the price was right, we could wake up one morning and find out control of the club has changed and we would have nothing to do to stop that.
“So that’s not a good thing and that’s why I got involved in the Trust.”
Disillusioned shareholders will have the chance to grill the club’s blazers at tomorrow’s virtual AGM.

Three Celtic security staff rip down anti-Lawwell and Desmond banner five minutes after it goes up More