According to a rumor, a bid for Celtic’s central defender Yuki Kobayashi has reportedly been accepted. Kobayashi was last seen as a substitute during Celtic’s September Ibrox victory over Rangers, but under Brendan Rodgers, he was no longer involved.
Since the 23-year-old hasn’t played yet this season, it was assumed that he will be traded in order to get more playing time. According to Football Insider, the Japanese defender may be on his way out after an offer was accepted. This indicates that a trip back to Japan or the MLS is probably in order.
Kobayashi made just seven appearances after moving from Vissel Kobe and seems more uncomfortable with the fast-paced, physical style of Scottish football. Ange’s choice of Tomoki Iwata over Kobayashi in the Scottish Cup Final, following Kobayashi’s lackluster performance at Ibrox, was telling.
Harry Kewell is allegedly keeping an eye on Kobayashi’s circumstances, as the Australian is currently leading Yokohama F Marinos. In an effort to reduce the size of his squad, Brendan Rodgers may be able to move or loan the defender, according to the report.
Referee and VAR for Celtic vs. Livingston’s Scottish Cup match confirmed
Celtic hopes to recover from a difficult loss to Heart of Midlothian in their most recent game as they prepare for a critical Scottish Cup quarterfinal matchup against Livingston this Sunday
The match was tainted by controversial refereeing calls, such as Hyunjun Yang’s red card and a contested penalty against Tomoki Iwata. This has caused stress in Celtic’s Scottish Premiership title campaign, as they are currently two points behind Rangers.
Although Celtic would have chosen to play in the league during the middle of the week instead of in this cup encounter, the team will at least have a full week of preparation before the game.
Celtic has a great opportunity to make a statement by winning this match and making it to the semi-finals at Hampden for the first time this year.
Under the direction of David Martindale, Livingston has had two victories, two draws, and two losses in their last five games. The game is scheduled to begin at 2:30 pm at Parkhead.
Willie Collum will officiate the match, assisted by Frank Connor and Steven Traynor, according to the Scottish FA. Nick Walsh will be in charge of VAR, and David Munro will serve as the fourth official.
With Rodgers’ remarks from the previous weekend, John Beaton became the center of attention. He is assigned to Aberdeen vs St Johnstone.
Seen on camera: Beaton grinning during Celtic’s heart penalty
Even though John Bentley was far from the action at Tynecastle yesterday, the referee was still able to command attention
He was standing in front of several screens at Glasgow’s Clydesdale House, serving as match official Don Robertson’s VAR assistant.
After the champions were defeated 2-0 by Hearts in a highly controversial match that saw Yang Hyun-jun sent off in the 14th minute and the home team granted a penalty kick shortly before halftime, the Hoops manager became enraged at full time.
Beaton is no stranger to making perplexing decisions when it comes to Celtic, having exiled Joe Hart, 36, earlier in the season against Livingston for the keeper’s lone sending-off in a 20-year career.
We’ll have to settle for just one example from his mountain of perplexing decisions because it would take far too long to explain them all, and I have a dentist appointment on April 3.
Rewinding to April of last year, CQN reported that the whistler had appeared sullen at Parkhead after the Hoops’ well-earned 3-2 victory in the Glasgow derby.
With just seven league games remaining, 60,000 jubilant supporters in Glasgow’s east end celebrated the champions’ victory, which put them 12 points ahead of the competition. Despite this, the fourth official maintained a somber expression.
Ange Postecoglou, the former goalie, shook hands with his defeated opponent Michael Beale in a sportsmanlike manner before doing the same with the assistant referee.
Beaton accepted the Celtic manager’s hand, but he was unable to remove his scowl.
With her tongue firmly in her cheek, CQN questioned, “Why so glum, John?”
And sure enough, we located one from January of last year, where Beaton is seen grinning broadly. Paradoxically, Hearts had been awarded a penalty kick at Tynecastle against Celtic.
Images from CQN’s match summary showed that Liam Boyce had sneaked one away from an offside position, but the Hoops were ahead 2-1 thanks to goals from Reo Hatate and Giorgos Giakoumakis.
Beaton determined that Nir Bitton had handled a header from Peter Haring after a corner kick from the right wing in the 72nd minute. Among other confused Celts, keeper Joe Hart questioned the controversial decision. Doesn’t that sound uncannily familiar?
The referee appeared content enough to explain. Boyce blasted his effort against the woodwork, and the ball bounced clear, serving justice.
The Hoops held on for three more points during the seven minutes of stoppage time, securing a historic championship victory in Postecoglou’s first campaign.
With nine games remaining, two of which are against the Ibrox team, the Hoops are now two points behind and are hoping to survive.
I’m not going to wager against them.
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