Celtic v Rangers title race LIVE: Taylor on Hampden strike, Scottish Cup final ticket details, Hatate ‘running on empty’

LEIPZIG LEAVE IT LATE

RB Leipzig needed stoppage time to beat Union Berlin in the German Cup tonight, the first of two semi-final ties they had scheduled in the coming weeks.

Rangers' Europa League last four opponents are currently third in the Bundesliga and have lost just once in 2022.

Union, sixth-placed in the league, took the lead in the semi-final thanks to Sheraldo Becker's 25th minute strike.

Andre Silva levelled form the spot after the hour mark before Emil Forsberg snatched the win in the 92nd minute.

AWKWARD MOMENT

Ally McCoist was left floored by a Manchester United fan's bizarre angry phone call live on talkSPORT earlier today.

Rangers hero McCoist was on the radio station's Breakfast Show alongside Laura Woods and ormer Aston Villa striker Gabby Agbonlahor on the show when Red Devils fan Jeremy got through to speak to them.

He began by saying: "I think Man Utd have took a backwards step, to be honest with you.

"I don't think they're any better than when Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was there.

As a matter of fact I think they're a joke."

It was at this point his call took a turn for the weird.

Stopping mid-sentence, Jeremy could be heard shouting angrily at someone in the background to "make their own tea".

He said: "I think... make your own tea, I'm on the phone with Laura and Ally!"

DERBY GOAL WAS BITTERSWEET FOR TAYLOR

Greg Taylor says his the feeling of scoring against Rangers in the Scottish Cup semi-final was like nothing he'd ever experienced in his life before.

But now he'll always look back on it as a bittersweet moment.

The Celtic left-back spoke to Celtic TV in the wake of Sunday's derby defeat, with the Hoops now looking ahead to the game against Ross County.

Taylor said: "The feeling when I scored was like nothing I've felt in my entire life it was just unfortunate we never managed to get the result.

"It's bittersweet."

Taylor revealed the squad have been hurting ever since their Treble dream died.

He said: "It hurts for a few days. It was a big game and a big opportunity that we unfortunately didn't manage to take.

"With football you've got to move your focus to the next game. That's what we've done, we trained well today and we prepare for Sunday.

"We've got five big league games to go now and we need to finish with five strong performances.

"We know what's at stake come the end of it."

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Tav got it

He's played every minute of this season so far.

He's the top goalscorer in the Europa League and has chipped in with six goals in the Premiership too.

He's got assists and his defending is improving with a couple of tackles per game average.

How much would James Tavernier be worth this summer if he were to leave Rangers? Here's his league contribution.

Lonely Bolingoli

Boli Bolingoli has shared a video of himself training alone in Belgium.

The Celtic outcast was working with Maluka Football - who specialise in 'Pro & Elite specific training in small groups'.

The Belgian isn't anywhere near the first team picture at Parkhead despite a recent move away following through.

But it looks like he is keeping himself in shape ahead of a move in the summer.

WORK OF ART

A tattoo artist has shown off his realistic-looking design of a Celtic badge.

David Jay Kai creates tattoos featuring badges of the likes of Hearts, Rangers, Hibs and Scotland.

Some of his designs feature tartan patterns as if they appear under the skin of his client.

While he has even recreated a photograph of a young Jambos fan in the stands at Tynecastle.

DOUBLES UP FOR ABADA

Liel Abada's stats for Celtic in his debut season place him in some esteemed company.

The Israeli winger has been a revelation since arriving at Parkhead in the summer.

He has racked up 15 goals and 11 assists - good enough to put him in the top five for under-21 players in first tier divisions in Europe who have a 'double-double' ie double figures for goals and assists.

Abada is third on the list, behind Real Madrid's Brazilian starlet Vinicius Junior and Dutchman Joshua Kirkzee, who is on loan at Anderlecht from Bayern Munich.

Bayer Leverkusen wonderkid Florian Wirtz and Sparta Prague winger Adam Hzolek are ranked just behind Abada.

THOMMO COULD BE TOO YOUNG FOR HIBS

Barry Ferguson reckons old teammate Kevin Thomson is unlikely to be an option for Hibs - for the same reasons Shaun Maloney was sacked.

The former Rangers captain was asked about the chances of his ex-Gers pal taking over at Easter Road.

Ferguson has been impressed with Thomson, who had two spells at Hibs in his playing career, as he led Kelty Hearts to League One this season.

But he told Go Radio: "The problem is Shaun Maloney was a young coach, are they going to go down that route again or go with a bit of experience?

"Or could they go with a mix with an experienced guy as a head coach and a young coach together?"

He added: "Thommo's done a brilliant job at Kelty, he's got them promoted into League One but there's a number of good managers out there.

"He's made it quite clear he wants to go full-time in the mad world of management.

"We'll have to wait and see but I think they may go down the experienced route."

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CUP FEVER

Rangers fans can now look forward to buying tickets for the Scottish Cup final after Hearts released the details.

Jambos fans are set to sit in Hampden's East Stand as well as in some sections of the North and South Stands.

And prices will range between £10 and £40 for those heading to the big game.

TOP OF THE CHARTS

James Tavernier joint top goalscorer in the Europa League this season.

He is on six goals to date and can go out on his own if he scores in the two-legged showdown with RB Leipzig.

The Light Blues also lead the way with shots on target through Alfredo Morelos, Balls recovered by Connor Goldson and saves by Allan McGregor.

As a team they are in a three-way tie as highest goalscorers on 19 with Braga and Lyon - who are both out of the competition.

Rangers also lead the way on tackles and balls recovered.

STRIP SEARCH

Rangers fans have been reacting after footage online appeared to show some of next season's kit being leaked.

It isn't known if the kit is an away kit or potential third kit but iIn a video circulating social media, midfielder John Lundstram is spotted posing for the camera.

He is wearing what looks like a dark blue/black strip with light blue trims, with the shirt seemingly having thin blue lines down the front.

A photographer is seen taking his pictures and asking Lundstram to perform different poses.

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IT WOULD BE OZ-SOME

Jason Cummings insists it would be an 'absolute honour' to land full international caps for Australia.

The Socceroos face a play off with the United Arab Emirates with the winner facing Peru for the chance to reach the World Cup Finals later this year.

The ex-Hibs, Rangers and Dundee striker has won two caps for Scotland - only playing five minutes in total in two sub appearances.

And many in Australia have tipped the in-form Central Coast Mariners striker to rescue their Qatar 2022 dream.

He said: "It's good to see that I'm getting recognition, a lot of people are saying they want to get me in the national team, which would be an absolute honour if I could.

"If I keep doing well, keep scoring goals, I might have a chance of getting in there. I'd love to be. I love scoring goals and I'd obviously work my socks off.

"I’ve had no contact yet with manager Graham Arnold and my main focus now is obviously with the Mariners and getting a top six finish.

“I’ve spoken to Martin Boyle a few times and he’s wanting to get me in as well. It’s not up to me if I get called up, but hopefully, I can one day."

THE STORY AT THE TOP

Celtic and Rangers are back in league business this weekend as the top six gets underway.

The Light Blues are first in action as they face Motherwell after successfully negotiating to bring the fixture forward 24 hours.

They could close the gap to three points with victory at Fir Park ahead of the Hoops' trip to Dingwall to face Ross County.

Both Old Firm clubs face tough tests with this weekend's opponents fighting it out to land a spot in Europe next season.

TIRED BHOY

Celtic star Reo Hatate has admitted he feels mentally and physically drained during the Premiership runin.

The 24-year-old, who has crammed in 17 games in three months, says he had double vision before his side’s Old Firm win at Ibrox - after flying back from international duty.

He said: “Since my debut against Hibernian I’ve felt the intensity of the European game and played a number of games.

“For the national team I had to go to Australia, then Japan, and back to Scotland.

“My first day back at Celtic there was a moment that I saw two balls and was clearly jet lagged.

“But in Europe you need to be tough enough to stay fit and fight for your position.”

“I definitely feel tired but I want to keep doing whatever I can to help the team win the league. I think I’ll become tougher and stronger as a result.”

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NEW DIRECTION

Rangers have revealed that they are recruiting a new full-time addition to their scouting department.

The Ibrox men are keen to bring in a new recruitment analyst to join the team at the Rangers Training Centre.

Reporting to the head of scouting, the post is aimed to utilise more data in the Gers' player recruitment processes.

An advert shared today on Training Ground Guru social media feed read: "A unique opportunity has arisen to join the Scouting department of Rangers Football Club as a Recruitment Analyst.

"The full-time position will be based at the Training Centre, reporting to the Head of Scouting.

"Working in conjunction with the Sporting Director, the Head of Scouting and the club's insights team, the remit of the Recruitment Analyst is to maximise the impact data has on our talent identification process."

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MORE FROM HINKEL

"The atmosphere in the Ibrox stadium will be special.

"I've been very fortunate to experience Glasgow derbies as a player.

"For me, the Old Firm is one of the greatest games ever. The mood was indescribable every time.

"For me, the Uefa Cup victory with Sevilla is something very special to this day. It's something that stays.

"You could see that at the party afterwards [in 2007].

"The fans were extremely happy and proud."

OLD PALS ACT

Andreas Hinkel is banking on support from his old Celtic pals when RB Leipzig come up against Rangers in the Europa League.

The duo go head-to-head in the semi-finals with the first leg showdown taking place next week.

Hinkel has huge respect for the progress the LIght Blues have made and says it is great news for Scottish football.

In an interview with Sport BILD, he said: "Part of the city will definitely be a Leipzig fan at these two games.

"It's very good for Scottish football that Rangers have recovered after the difficult times, including being relegated [to the fourth tier in 2012].

"They have a lot of quality on offence with players like Ryan Kent, Joe Aribo, Kemar Roofe and Aaron Ramsey.

"In defence they are robust and strong in duels. They have a lot of players with Premier League experience in their ranks. They already know how the game works."

MORE FROM COMMONS ON MALONEY

"Listen, six wins in 19 games obviously isn't great. Maloney would be the first to admit that.

"But he deserved more time to turn it around and implement his ideas.

"At the very least, he should have been allowed to reshape the squad in the summer and then have a good crack at it next season. I would have given him the summer and at least ten games at the start of next season.

"If at that point, things hadn't improved, then, yeah, there would maybe have been a decision to make.

"Look across the city. Hearts fans were insisting Robbie Neilson should be sacked just over 12 months ago. But they stuck with him and are now reaping the rewards after an excellent season which has seen them secure European football and reach a Scottish Cup Final.

"That shows how patience and perseverance can pay off. But Hibs owner Gordon doesn't seem to have a clue what he's doing.

"He got rid of Jack Ross just a week before the League Cup Final back in December. Now he's given Maloney the bullet with just five games to go until the end of the season.

"The timing makes no sense at all. Hibs are eight points clear of any relegation trouble, so it's not like they are in any immediate danger of going down.

"It just strikes me as a panicked, thoughtless move from Gordon. He's stumbling around in the dark, making one mistake after another."

'RIDICULOUS DECISION'

Kris Commons has slammed Hibs owner Ron Gordon over his call to axe former Celtic star Shaun Maloney.

His stint at Easter Road was brought to an end after just 120 days over fears he could get the club RELEGATED from the top flight.

Speaking in his Daily Mail column, Commons said: "I understand that results haven't been great. But this still strikes me as a ridiculous decision from owner Ron Gordon.

"When you appoint a rookie head coach, you surely have to understand it might take some time for them to get it right.

"You are making a commitment to someone and there needs to be a degree of patience.

"Maloney was never going to provide a quick fix. He was never going to walk in and reinvent the wheel from day one. He needed time - but Hibs simply weren't willing to give him any.

"Which makes you wonder what on earth the point was in giving him the job in the first place if you're just going to sack him after four months?

"I feel sorry for Maloney. I know him personally from our time playing together with Scotland and Celtic and I can tell you he's a really honest and genuine fella."

ANGRY ROW

Hibs owner Ron Gordon sacked former Celtic star Shaun Maloney admits fears he could get the club RELEGATED to the Championship.

But the ex-Hoops attacker did not go quietly as as his 19-game reign was brought to an abrupt end.

SunSport understands it followed a bitter exchange between Maloney and Ben Kensell within earshot of the stunned Easter Road squad as they prepared to start training.

It all means Hibs are now looking for a 16th permanent manager since 2000.