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PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA – OCTOBER 26: Elgton Jenkins #74 of the Green Bay Packers in action during the game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Acrisure Stadium on October 26, 2025 in Pittsburgh, United States. (Photo by Joe Sargent/Getty Images) | Getty Images

The Green Bay Packers have some work to do in order to get under the projected salary cap for 2026 before the start of the new league year on March 11th. The team is right around the final cap number for the coming season as it stands presently, and they will need to free up a decent amount of space for their draft class, some extensions or re-signings, and any additions they plan to make in free agency.

The most logical way to free up salary cap space is with the release of a pair of players who have massive cap hits for the coming season but also have failed to live up to them. Yes, in all likelihood, Elgton Jenkins and Rashan Gary will hit the street in the next two weeks looking for opportunities elsewhere.

Jenkins is the biggest value cut. His current contract, which has one year remaining, would have a cap hit of about $24.3 million, according to Overthecap.com, but releasing him will leave the Packers with only $4.8 million in dead money — a savings of about $19.5 million. Jenkins has largely been healthy the last few years leading up to the 2025 season, but with him being 31 years old, coming off a broken leg, and moving from guard to center anyway before last season, that’s a massive and unreasonable cap hit for a player in his situation.

Then there’s Gary, who is still on the right side of 30 (he just turned 28 in December). However, Gary still has never managed to hit double digits in sacks and he was shut out for the entire second half of the 2025 season. That’s right, Gary’s last sack came in week 7, when he sacked Aaron Rodgers twice. Gary’s cap number comes in at just over $28 million for the coming season, with the cap savings from releasing him being worth about $11 million on the Packers’ books.

It’s never a fun time when a team cuts a veteran player for financial reasons. Perhaps Gary and the Packers could work out some sort of pay cut or arrangement to keep him in Green Bay, though that currently seems unlikely. But the Packers could actually end up with some appealing options coming free from other teams during cap casualty season as well. Let’s take a look at that and much more as we get the first Curds of NFL Combine week underway.

Potential NFL Cuts Could Provide More Gain Than Pain for Packers | SI.com
Yes, Jenkins and Gary are logical cuts for the Packers, but there are plenty of potential targets out there who could be cut from other teams. How about the idea of bringing back Kenny Clark?

Ranking deepest, thinnest positions in NFL free agency, draft | ESPN
Good news: it’s a good year to need an interior offensive lineman. Bad news: it’s a bad year to need an outside cornerback with size.

Sean Rhyan statistical analysis: Was his center performance overrated? | Packers Wire
Rhyan wasn’t much of a pass-blocker after moving to center, though he was notably better than Jenkins was in the power running game. Do the Packers look to re-sign him or try to find a free agent replacement instead?

Saquon Barkley ‘super excited’ to work with new Eagles OC Sean Mannion: ‘It’s refreshing’ | NFL.com
I will be watching Mannion’s work with the Eagles with great curiosity, because the former Packers assistant coach is barely two years removed from being an active NFL player.

2025 FAN Hall of Fame inductee Patrick Suplicki: ‘It’s a great feeling’ | Packers.com
Congratulations to the newest inductee!

William Shatner to Release Metal Album Featuring 35 Handpicked Musicians | Consequence.net
I, for one, can’t wait to hear his spoken word version of “Breaking the Law” by Judas Priest.

​https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/monday-cheese-curds-cap-casualties-134000145.html 

Real Madrid forward confident about returning from injury for Getafe clash

Real Madrid could receive a timely attacking boost as Rodrygo edges closer to full fitness.

According to journalist Guillermo Rai in The Athletic, sources close to the Brazilian forward are confident he will be ready to feature against Getafe next week. 

The report adds that optimism is shared both within the club and in the player’s camp.

Rodrygo has recently resumed partial training with the group after being sidelined due to tendonitis in his right calf. 

Earlier this month, Real Madrid confirmed that he was dealing with a hamstring-related issue, which forced him out of competitive action. Since then, his recovery has progressed steadily.

A crucial comeback

In recent days, the 25-year-old has taken visible steps forward. The club confirmed that he had returned to training, and it was later reported that he completed part of a session with the first team. 

Rodrygo himself even shared an image of him running during training, a positive sign that he is regaining rhythm and confidence.

Rodrygo is expected to return against Getafe. (Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty Images)

The timing of his comeback is crucial.

Real Madrid are set to go through a demanding stretch of fixtures, including their UEFA Champions League commitments against Benfica. 

However, sources suggest that the upcoming European clash may arrive slightly too soon for Rodrygo to be fully involved.

Instead, the focus is on La Liga. The expectation is that he could return when Madrid host Getafe at the Santiago Bernabéu on Monday, March 2. 

Internally, there is a belief that he will be fit and ready for that match, provided no setbacks occur in the coming days.

His return would offer a significant lift to Madrid’s attacking structure. In tight league games, especially against well-organised opponents like Getafe, his qualities can prove decisive.

For now, patience remains the approach. Real Madrid’s medical and coaching staff are carefully managing his reintegration to avoid any recurrence, but the signs are encouraging.

​https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/real-madrid-forward-confident-returning-134000869.html 

Yan Diomande opens up on decision to reject Chelsea

Yan Diomande has opened up on his decision to reject Chelsea and believes it was the right decision.

The RB Leipzig winger turned down a move to Chelsea in 2024, instead favouring a switch to Spanish side Leganes. He made 10 La Liga appearances for Leganes last season, but could not help the club avoid relegation, before signing for Leipzig in the summer.

This season, the 19-year-old has had a breakout season to emerge as one of Europe’s most coveted talents.

Diomande has scored eight goals in the Bundesliga and added five assists, with top clubs around Europe considering big bids in the summer. Liverpool, Bayern Munich and Manchester United have all been heavily linked.

He also made his Ivory Coast debut last year and has since scored three goals in nine caps for the national team.

Speaking to RBLive, Diomande discussed his decision to reject Chelsea and said the pursuit of immediate first-team football has helped his rapid rise.

“A lot of people told me I absolutely had to play for Chelsea. Then I stopped everything and made a decision for myself,” he said.

“I knew the president of Leganes; he had helped with my move to the USA. Suddenly, I was faced with a choice: Leganes or Chelsea? It was risky, but luckily, it was the right decision. I think patience is very important in football. It’s not always just about money.

“If you play well, it will come naturally. I’m young; I need to play to increase my sporting value, to improve. And I wouldn’t get that on the bench.”

Read – Premier League Team of the Week – Stach, O’Reilly, Gyokeres

See more – Premier League Awards: Gyokeres delivers, Bend it like Stach

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​https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/yan-diomande-opens-decision-reject-134000265.html 

LONDON, ENGLAND – FEBRUARY 22: Igor Tudor manager / head coach of Tottenham Hotspur ahead of the Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur and Arsenal at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on February 22, 2026 in London, England. (Photo by Catherine Ivill – AMA/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Tottenham’s 4-1 defeat to Arsenal yesterday illustrated a couple of things. First, there’s an unquestionable and sizable gap between these two teams, one of which is pushing for a Premier League title and the other which is trying to avoid relegation. But it also showed the level of work that’s needed from Spurs to get the 12 points likely needed to avoid the drop. Picking up points against Arsenal was already going to be unlikely, especially under a new interim head coach in Igor Tudor who only had five days to work with his new team before arguably the most difficult fixture on the calendar.

Tudor was asked about this in the post-match press conference, and the Croatian admitted that while Arsenal proved to be too much to handle, there’s a lot of work that can still be done to improve the level of the squad going forward.

“Both things. [There’s a] big gap in this specific moment between the two teams. It was too much Arsenal for us in this moment with the problems we have. Also it’s nice to understand where we are because you prepare in the best possible way then there is the game to show you reality. So it’s nice from one point of view so each of us understand and come, as I said the players, stay quiet they come on Tuesday and restart after these three or four training sessions to start to work harder than we did until now. To change our habits, to change the state of mind which is now as a team. It is the only way to work.”

Tottenham weren’t abject against Arsenal. While on the pitch they didn’t look substantially different in attack than they did under Thomas Frank, they had a sense of intent about them that seemed to be missing under the recently-departed Dane. Even so, the defensive performance was at times suspect, with Tudor suggesting it wasn’t that the team wasn’t trying, it’s that the team simply couldn’t get the job done this time. Tudor implied that the squad, critically injured and under a great deal of pressure, will be able to counter the pressures against it through hard work, introspection, and belief.

“[There were too many] problems in this moment to let this level of team not punish you. Because you wanted to go to press high but to press high from back you need to jump so if you are late and don’t take the ball around there, also with the ball. So we prepare to press high but we didn’t take the ball. So we need more time to be in a physical moment and physical situation that we can go strong and take the ball. Now we are not in that moment.

“Even with the ball, a lack of confidence is very evident in the team. So we wanted and prepared to do the things but there is an opponent, there is a reality today. So I’m very sad and very angry and everything but in one way it is also good to understand where is our goal. What is the goal of this club? What is the goal of this team? What is this goal of this coach, these players, this staff? To become serious. Serious, not just a group of 20 players. The medicine is you look in the mirror. Each of us look in the mirror and really try, really start to change the habits. Working hard is the only way.”

Nobody likes to lose a North London Derby. It sucks to lose to your biggest rivals no matter the circumstances, but considering the relative statuses of both teams, and the fact that Spurs are in the position where they are with a new interim head coach and a relegation battle, Sunday’s match was a free hit. Tudor suggested that he’s learned a few things about his new team in the process, but there’s a clear indication that the challenge was simply too great.

“I saw the passion. I saw the will. So I was not angry because they wanted to do but then they were not able to do in this moment the things. They wanted to do all what we prepared so I said ‘that is good’ but we need to understand which moment we are now because we are not able to do. Why we are not able to do is the question we resolve and I speak from day one at the club I come here to resolve the problems. You believe that in three/four trainings you will do your best but when the game starts you don’t know what will happen because it is like this.

“But as I said before, Tuesday I [came] in [and] everyone [was] there. Stay humble — that is the key. Stay humble that is the key of each of us and trying to become, what I said before, a team. A Squad. A hard-working team. That is the only goal we have now in this moment.”

The real work begins now, and Spurs will need to rise to the challenge when they travel to Craven Cottage to face Fulham on Sunday, March 1. It’s now about taking small positive things from the Arsenal loss, working hard, and building upon those successes to get better, and Tudor thinks there’s enough time to save the season.

“Of course, there is enough time. As I said, this was not a perfect team to play the first game after three or four sessions, but in one way we need to see something good. If I can tell this, you know. Something good to see where we need to be. You know, where is the goal? What is the level? What is, you know. So today, totally different worlds. I need to be honest. Two totally different worlds. Psychological and physical worlds, levels.”

Igor Tudor knows the job. He knows what it will take, and the amount of work required. He also knows that he will have a couple of players back available to him this week, with more on the way. The challenge isn’t lessened by the reality — Spurs still need to do the job and perform on the pitch. But I take a certain amount of comfort from his response to yesterday’s loss. Now we need to see how the players respond.

​https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/tudor-big-gap-between-spurs-133952999.html 

Photo by IZHAR KHAN / AFP via Getty Images

Alexander Zverev is back in action this week, stepping into the Mexican Open for his first tournament since a tough loss at the Australian Open semi-finals.

The German fell to Carlos Alcaraz in five sets, coming just short of reaching the final.

After dropping the first two sets, Zverev battled back to force a fifth and even found himself just one game away from closing out the match.

But Alcaraz, dealing with cramps earlier on, dug deep to break back and eventually secure his place in history as the youngest player ever to complete the career Grand Slam.

Now getting ready for Acapulco, Zverev spoke about how he felt about that semi-final match in Australia.

Alexander Zverev opens up on his Australian Open semi-final exit

Photo by WILLIAM WEST / AFP via Getty Images

Speaking to Tennis TV, the German star said: “I felt like Australia, I played the right way.

“I lost the match because I got tired in the end, to be very honest. I had nothing left at 5-4.

“I mean, yeah, there were a few points, especially the first point I remember in the game, where, you know, I should have hit the forehand a bit earlier, I should have hit the backhand a bit earlier, but to do that, you have to move to those balls, and I just couldn’t move there anymore.

“You know, that was probably the reason why I lost the match. And also Carlos, obviously, for two sets had a bit of a break physically, he wasn’t moving as much, whereas I had to really get back into the match.

“But I still feel like Australia, in a way, was a success, even though I didn’t win the tournament.

“It was a success in a way that, you know, I feel like my game was working, and the plan that we had for this year seems to be working. And yeah, I’m happy about that, and we continue doing the work.”

Who Alexander Zverev is facing at the Mexican Open 2026

Following his Australian Open loss, former champion Zverev will now focus on the Mexican Open.

He lost to Nick Kyrgios in the 2019 final, but went on to win the tournament two years later by defeating Stefanos Tsitsipas in 2021.

In this year’s first round, Zverev will be up against Corentin Moutet, an opponent he has already faced twice before.

The 28-year-old won both of those matches last year. He beat the Frenchman twice in the round of 16, securing victories at both the Stuttgart Open and the China Open.

Read more:

​https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/alexander-zverev-pinpoints-issues-vs-133841975.html 

Newcastle United vs Qarabağ FK: Take our UEFA Champions League quiz before kick-off

The Magpies welcome their Azerbaijan opponents to Tyneside for the second leg of a tie that looks all but over.

United put Qarabağ FK to the sword in Baku last week, winning 6-1 after a 2529-mile trip to Eastern Europe.

Eddie Howe, however, isn’t ready to take his foot off the pedal and wants the job done in style at St. James’ Park this week.

Before the action gets underway, you can take our pre-match quiz using the interactive tool below.

​https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/newcastle-united-vs-qaraba-fk-133700534.html 

While the world was just tuning into the Milano Cortina hockey tournament, front offices across the NHL were focused on the return of the NFL schedule and the March 6 trade deadline.

Organizations have less than two weeks to acquire pieces that will either help push a team into the playoffs or ensure a deep run.

Here are the Stanley Cup Power Rankings as we come back from the 2026 Winter Olympic break.

MORE: 2026 Winter Olympics men’s hockey, NHL payrolls for final four teams

18. Toronto Maple Leafs

Toronto has work to do when the NHL season resumes. The Maple Leafs are six points out of the Eastern Conference’s final playoff spot. The team relies on a high-octane offense, but the front office must improve the defense.

17. Ottawa Senators

Feb 5, 2026; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Ottawa Senators center Tim StŸtzle (18) celebrates his game-winning goal with right wing Claude Giroux (28) against the Philadelphia Flyers in overtime at Xfinity Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-Imagn Images

Since January 13th, Ottawa is 8-5. The offense has been on a tear, and the team has held opponents to two goals or fewer in each win. The Senators’ roster isn’t a Stanley Cup contender, and improvements are needed for the league’s 24th–ranked defense.

16. Columbus Blue Jackets

The regular season has just over 20 games left, and Columbus is closer to an Eastern Conference Wild Card spot than Toronto. The league standings will change by the end of the season, but the Blue Jackets have become playoff contenders since starting their 11-1 run on January 11th. Leading up to the trade deadline, the Columbus front office must decide if they will be buyers.

15. Washington Capitals

Washington has had a rough go around since the calendar flipped. The team’s offense and defense have struggled, but the Olympic pause can kickstart both sides of the puck that are currently on life support. The Capitals will be a team looking for reinforcements at the trade deadline.

14. Utah Mammoth

Utah is one of the league’s most underrated teams and is overshadowed by division rivals Colorado, Minnesota, and Dallas. The Mammoth are flying under the radar and can play stress-free hockey without being under a microscope. The team’s strength lies in its 4th–ranked defense and is a dark horse to win the Stanley Cup.

13. Edmonton Oilers

Oct 4, 2024; Vancouver, British Columbia, CAN; Edmonton Oilers forward Connor McDavid (97) handles the puck against the Vancouver Canucks during the second period at Rogers Arena. | Bob Frid-Imagn Images

The Oilers entered the Olympic pause on a three-game losing streak and can use the break from league play. Edmonton’s storyline continues to be the same: an electrifying offense with a below-average defense that surrenders a high number of goals per game. Connor McDavid wants to win as a member of the Oilers, and the front office must do whatever is possible to improve the defense at the trade deadline.

12. New York Islanders

The Islanders’ defense and goaltending have made up for an offense that ranks 24th in goals scored per game. However, this may be troublesome when facing better offenses in the playoffs. At the trade deadline, New York must add to the offense to have a serious shot at winning the Stanley Cup.

11. Boston Bruins

The Bruins have played consistent hockey, other than two six-game losing streaks in mid-October and mid-December. Boston has relied upon its offense throughout the season, and this has covered defensive flaws. The front office will look to add defensive pieces, specifically ones that can help one of the worst penalty-killing units in the league.

10. Buffalo Sabres

Buffalo’s season was up and down before the switch went off in early December. The team went 11-18 from October 9th to December 8th. The Sabres’ rise started on December 9th, and their record is 21-7 at the Olympic pause. The roster is young and lacks playoff experience, but it will be a tough series matchup for playoff opponents.

9. Pittsburgh Penguins

Jan 11, 2026; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Pittsburgh Penguins center Sidney Crosby (87) prepares for a face-off during the second period of the game against the Boston Bruins at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Natalie Reid-Imagn Images

Pittsburgh’s early-season woes were correlated with the injuries the team dealt with. As the team started to reach full health, the Penguins started winning on a consistent basis. The team is full of veterans who can lead the way to the Eastern Conference Finals. Sidney Crosby’s injury in the Olympics shouldn’t keep him out long, if at all.

8. Montreal Canadiens

Montreal was chasing Detroit for the division lead before Tampa Bay started the hottest streak this season. The Canadiens are tied for second and trail Tampa Bay by six points. The team’s offense has been one of the NHL’s best, but the defense is below-average and surrenders a high number of goals per game.

7. Detroit Red Wings

The Red Wings are on the verge of reaching the playoffs for the first time since the 2015-2016 season. Detroit’s defense has led the way to the team’s consistent play throughout the season. Entering the playoffs, the team’s two glaring issues are a lack of playoff experience and goal scoring.

6. Vegas Golden Knights

Jan 23, 2026; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Vegas Golden Knights right wing Mitch Marner (93) skates during the warmup before a game against the Toronto Maple Leafs at Scotiabank Arena. Mandatory Credit: Nick Turchiaro-Imagn Images

The Golden Knights were starting to pull away from the rest of the Pacific Division before enduring a six-game losing streak from January 25th to February 1st. However, they were able to stop the slide before the league pause, winning back-to-back games. Defensive reinforcements are needed as Vegas must compete with Colorado, Minnesota, Dallas, and Edmonton for the Western Conference representative in the Stanley Cup Finals.

5. Dallas Stars

The Central Division features three of the league’s best teams, and Dallas has the best record against division opponents. The strength of the Stars is their defense, and the front office may add offensive depth to help in the playoffs. Colorado may not relinquish its division lead, but Dallas and Minnesota will continue the fight for second place.

4. Minnesota Wild

Feb 4, 2026; Nashville, Tennessee, USA; Minnesota Wild right wing Vladimir Tarasenko (91) celebrates with his teammates after scoring a goal against the Nashville Predators during the third period at Bridgestone Arena. Mandatory Credit: Steve Roberts-Imagn Images

The Western Conference playoffs are headed for huge storylines, and the Wild can be the team to reach the conference finals. Minnesota faced adversity early this season, but quickly solved many issues. The team is among league leaders in nearly every statistical category and will be a matchup nightmare in the playoffs.

3. Carolina Hurricanes

Carolina has led the Eastern Conference in points throughout the season. The Hurricanes strong season has seen the offense and defense rank in the top 10 of the NHL. Barring an upset, Carolina will be a favorite to reach the conference finals.

2. Tampa Bay Lightning

Tampa Bay started the season adding points while solving inconsistencies. They chased Detroit and Montreal for the first three months of the season until mid-December. Since December 20th, the team is 19-2 and rank 2nd in offense and defense.

1. Colorado Avalanche

May 1, 2025; Denver, Colorado, USA; Colorado Avalanche center Nathan MacKinnon (29) celebrates his go ahead goal in the third period against the Dallas Stars in game six of the first round of the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Ball Arena. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images

Colorado has been the NHL’s best throughout the season. Suffering one losing streak in October, the team looked invincible through the New Year. The Avalanche have come back to Earth since early January, but continue to lead the NHL in points, goal differential, and goals scored per game

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OLYMPICS: Team USA flag bearers revealed for 2026 Winter Olympics Closing Ceremony

NFL: Predicting the 2026 NFL free agent signings

MLB: Detroit Tigers drop unreal alternate jerseys for 2026 MLB season

NBA: Charlotte Hornets share update after LaMelo Ball’s car crash

SPORTS MEDIA: Olympics reporter apologizes for drinking, slurring words during live segment

The post NHL Stanley Cup Power Rankings following 2026 Winter Olympic break  appeared first on The Big Lead.

​https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/nhl-stanley-cup-power-rankings-133700319.html 

Moving Elgton Jenkins from guard, where he had started the vast majority of his career, to center, was the centerpiece of the Green Bay Packers‘ offensive line plans in 2025.

Like much of their strategy for the offensive line last year, it did not pan out.

After being a rock solid, reliable presence on the interior for the Packers for six seasons, Jenkins’ play declined rapidly at his new position. He also missed the final nine games of the season with a lower leg fracture.

These are Jenkins’ percentile ranks compared to his fellow centers in 2025:

In terms of positives, Jenkins did not allow many low quality pressures, and this has been a consistent strength of his game going back to previous years.

He has been above average in preventing QB hurries in each of the last four seasons, and since 2024 has averaged a ranking in the 79th percentile in hurries while in true pass sets, which ignore plays like screens, play action and quick throws, which make life easier for O-linemen.

Jenkins was one of the best pass protecting guards in the league in 2024, but his performance dropped off significantly in that regard after the move to center.

While it was not all noticeable when looking at hurries, Jenkins allowed too many hits and sacks of Jordan Love in 2025. He ranked in the 78th percentile for hits per snap and the 80th for sacks in the previous season at guard, making his poor numbers from last year even more eye opening.

On the surface, two sacks allowed is not anything to panic about, but Jenkins gave up those pair of sacks in just nine games in 2025, having only surrendered one in his previous 35 games at guard. 

He was a just below average pass protector at center. Not a disaster, but well below the bar he had set. 

Jenkins’ run blocking was a real problem for the Packers last year, and represented a falloff from earlier in his career.

Zone blocking had not been a strength of his game before 2025, as he ranked below average in both 2024 and 2023. The real disappointment was his work on gap scheme plays.

Jenkins ranked in the 82nd percentile among guards in gap blocking PFF grade in 2024, before falling to the 15th percentile in 2025 compared to other centers. His grade fell from 66.8 to 55.7. This is where Sean Rhyan actually provided an upgrade over Jenkins after he was lost for the year.

For the second straight year, Jenkins was a flag magnet. He drew ten penalties in 2024 and followed it up with four in just nine games last season. His ranking for penalties per snap has dipped significantly since 2022, when he ranked in the 58th percentile, to where he was in 2025.

Even before last season, it was pretty apparent Jenkins would not be playing for the Packers in 2026 on his current contract, which is set to pay him over $24 million but has no guarantees.

If he had performed well at center, there was perhaps a possibility Jenkins and the team could have worked something out to keep him around, but now 30 years old and coming off the worst season of his career, it is fair to assume he has played his final snap as a Packer.

This article originally appeared on Packers Wire: Packers stats show Elgton Jenkins had worst year of career at center

​https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/stats-show-packers-ol-elgton-133614638.html 

Hibernian’s first win at Celtic Park since 2010 was the latest twist in the title race [SNS]

Hearst extended their lead at the top of the table, Celtic slumped to what could be a costly defeat, Rangers dropped points on the road and Motherwell shone as they put pressure on the top three.

Just another weekend in what’s been a memorable Scottish Premiership season.

With just a handful of games to go until the split, every moment counts and the six fixtures over Saturday and Sunday delivered plenty of storylines, as usual.

BBC Scotland asked for your views on the action through our live pages.

Here is a selection of what you made of a dramatic weekend in the top flight.

‘Toothless’ Celtic struggle against ‘controlled and professional’ Hibs

Celtic fans were dismayed by their team’s showing in Sunday’s 2-1 home defeat by Hibernian…

John: We’re not playing well but still clinging on. With Martin O’Neill in charge I’ll never give up until it’s mathematically impossible. They need to win every game now until the end of the season. Do I think it is possible? I’m not confident but… it’s not over yet!

Lewis: That game was a hard watch. Never have I seen so many players who are of a standard so poor for a club of Celtic’s stature. The people who run the club are clearly to blame.

Peter: If Martin O’Neill thinks we were terrific he must have been at another match. We were rubbish and got what we deserved. We’ll do well to finish third the way we are playing. The core of our team is well past its sell by date and we don’t seem to be able to get anyone capable or ready to replace them. Seething.

Harry: Celtic still have 33 points to play for, and are well placed to win the league. Victories over Hearts and Rangers are not beyond the team. A more direct approach is required: stop square-passing and go for goal. Run at defences and beat them. There’s no turning back.

Benny: Toothless again from Celtic in the final third of the pitch. No cutting edge and no goal threat. No clue why Trusty let himself be goaded for the red card. Very naive from a player who should know better. How we lost that game is typical of this whole season. Shambolic.

Hibs ended a 16-year wait for a win at Celtic Park and supporters gave credit to head coach David Gray…

Niall: A stunning result and badly needed for this team and manager. Hibs have shown in flashes that they can compete with the best in the league, so let’s keep that momentum going until the end of the season. Who knows where we could end up?

Hannah: It’s been some two seasons for Sir David Gray. Since he’s been in the driving seat at Hibs, the team have won at Celtic Park, Ibrox, Tynecastle and Pittodrie (on more than one occasion). It’s been inconsistent but you’ve got to say Hibs wouldn’t have gotten the results they have bagged if Gray wasn’t in charge. Build that man a statue.

Scott: At half-time I was thinking ‘same old Hibs’ but they stuck at it and whilst Celtic huffed and puffed I thought Hibs put on a controlled, professional performance. More like this please.

Tim: It looks like Hibs’ transfer business in January was top notch. The new signings are adding a touch of class. And with Nicky Cadden back, we have a real threat. If only we could run a string of good results together.

Alan: Well done Sir David, that proves the doubters wrong. It took Fergie over three years to sort out Manchester United. Hibs are definitely in a much better place after a few dodgy managerial appointments in the recent past. Very organised today, good signs from some of the new recruits, but still think a decent keeper would take us to the next level.

Neil: A great result, I’ve seen us play better and got beaten. Miguel Chaiwa was a standout, hopefully this run in the team helps him flourish. Everyone is saying the result helps Hearts, but I’m not bothered as we’ll skelp them as well.

‘Small margins’ and ‘epic howler’ as Rangers draw at Livingston

Rangers dropped two valuable points in the title race and fans were unhappy about a late penalty call that didn’t go their way…

John: Rangers threw the kitchen sink at Livingston but it was it was just one of those days unfortunately. On another day it could have been 2-5. Ref’s decision not to award a foul/penalty and red card for the late challenge on Mikey Moore was an epic howler. Onwards & upwards. The upcoming Old Firm double header will be pivotal in deciding the honours for season 25-26. I can’t wait!

Alan: One of the strangest decisions of the season at the end. It’s a foul all day long, only question was inside or outside the box? Small margins cost titles, and this year it’s tighter than ever.

Derek: It was proved again today, Chermiti is not the answer! Why couldn’t we play with the same intensity that we finished the game with? Far too slow and poor goals to give away from a defensive point of view. No wins in the last three away games, that form doesn’t win you leagues. Sorry lads, just not good enough.

Elaine: Not our best but how many times are we going to be on the wrong end of a ridiculous VAR decision. Fair play to the Livi goalkeeper though but his MOTM says it all. Our strikers need to step up if we are going to win the league.

Matthew: A frantic performance categorised by desperate attack and lacklustre defence. Rohl has worked wonders with this squad, but our defensive shape is still at sea every time we face set pieces and counter attacks. Some of these guys earn more every week than I do in a year – surely you can stay focused for a full 90 minutes of a football match. We seem incredulously shot shy, passing backwards or sideways waiting for an open goal or a tap in to present itself. We need another dimension in attack.

Livingston supporters were enjoying the Marvin Bartley effect and starting to believe after a gruelling season so far…

Malky: Gutted. I thought the Lions were going to get a well deserved victory but the ref had other ideas. Definitely an improvement under big Marv.

Malcolm: A good result that probably accurately reflects the game. The forward line does seem to be coming together now, which is brilliant. Seems that we have a huge squad now. Maybe it’d help training and selection if we shed some weight. If the goals start coming we’ll at least go down fighting or, at a push, retain our Premiership status. It’s a shame though that the mainstream media will now spend a week bubbling about the penalty claim and not mention the Livi goals (the first of which was incredible, and the second a textbook finish). If Rangers can’t beat a 10-man Livingston in over 100 minutes, then credit to Livingston. Well done!

Matt: There’s little point in asking where that performance has been all season – Marvin has got more of a tune out of that squad in three games than the previous manager did in the last 25. Full credit to Bartley for the impact he’s made – he’s not only saying the right things to the camera, but clearly implementing them behind the scenes as well. That performance yesterday was the most entertainment we’ve had at a Livingston game in a very long time – if that continues ’til the end of the season there’s a danger Marvin will get the fans believing they can somehow stay up as much as he does!

‘Nervous’ Hearts do business, Falkirk ‘still learning’

Islam Chesnokov scored the only goal of the game at Tynecastle [BBC]

Results are more important than performances at this stage in the season and Hearts fans admitted it was a tense afternoon as their side defeated Falkirk 1-0 at Tynecastle..

Paul: A win is a win at this point in the season. Being only a goal up was pretty nerve shredding, but in the end it was reasonably comfortable.

Jim: It was a hard, nervous watch at times and not pretty, but it’s three points in the bag and at this stage that’s all that counts. Injuries continue to be a concern and the sooner we get Lawrence Shankland and Cammy Devlin back the better.

Peter: We saw a lot of character in our side with great contributions from Blair Spittal, Harry Milne and the tireless Claudio Braga. Islam Chesnokov stepped up his game and the finish for his first Hearts goal was clinical. We need to start games better, but well done overall in a tense affair.

Harry: Braga single-handedly keeping us in this. His work off the ball is all so selfless and he’s doing the work of two men. He’s crying out for Shankland, we are missing that touch of quality in that gap.

Frank: This is the type of result which, in the past, the Old Firm grind out on their way to first or second, so that is a positive for us. Falkirk will go home regretting their inability to score.

Neil: Hearts starting to look tired and nervous as we approach the business end of the season. Goes without saying that we miss Devlin and Shankland badly. Midfield replacements not good enough and Braga being asked to do a job that takes him away from his comfort zone. Chesnokov not yet up to speed but starting to show promising signs. One more game ticked off – 10 to go to become legends!

Despite defeat, Falkirk could hold their heads high after another strong showing…

Dave: Falkirk have come a long way in a short time under McGlynn. We are young and we are still learning to go to league leaders lose by odd goal. We will come again.

‘Sweet revenge’ for five-star Motherwell in Paisley rout

Motherwell enjoyed a statement win in Paisley with a 5-0 demolition of St Mirren that keeps their Premiership title hopes alive…

Matt: That was sweet revenge for the League Cup semi-final defeat. We were electric. Now we just need to repeat the feat against Dundee and Dundee United and it gives us a fantastic platform to take into the Celtic game at Parkhead. Win that and we are firmly in the title race. Have to pinch myself that we are even in the conversation.

Mark: Sensational Motherwell do it again! How many teams can go to St Mirren’s home turf and batter them for five goals? I don’t want to get carried away, but that is a champions performance- too soon?

Alan: The manager has had a transformational impact on Motherwell and this was another comprehensive and utterly impressive result. It’s particularly pleasing to have another clean sheet. The defence need as much praise as the attack, and with a number of different scorers the issue of having no striker a few months ago has surely been put to rest.

Robert: Five goals and another clean sheet is another fantastic result. And five different scorers is very encouraging.

James: Phenomenal. No more words required. On we go. Have said for long enough we would give somebody a doing.

Edward: We are title contenders!

St Mirren fans were unhappy with Stephen Robinson’s tactical switch and another poor performance that has fears of relegation growing by the day…

Eddie: We haven’t performed since winning the cup. It’s a worry given the total collapse against Well (another shocking ref decision albeit game was over by then). We seem to have become a bad team in two months and we are staring at relegation.

Andrew: It seems crazy that Stephen Robinson tried out four at the back against such a good team. Surely we need to get back to a solid 3-5-2 with Gogic at the back, Richardson right-wing back and Mandron and Nlundulu up front. The constant changing of personnel (and Richard King getting a game) is why we keep shipping goals. If we don’t go back to our reliable first XI we will be relegated.

William: Totally embarrassing defeat. How can the coach set up like that with the 11 he put on the park, they were miles off it. Recruitment, especially in January, has been terrible. Defeat to Livingston and we might not escape with a play-off.

John: I keep thinking that we’ve reached rock bottom, but this St Mirren side keeps proving me wrong. A horrendous performance from start to finish, with every part of the side lacking confidence and competence. We were lucky it was only five. Last night exposed how threadbare the squad is at the moment. Also that Robbo’s tactics aren’t going to get us out of this mess.

Peter: The manager has admitted his error in playing a back four. As for the red card, everyone can see it’s a ridiculous decision by the officials and the untouched Motherwell player.

Douglas: Difficult to think where to start with this performance. Shamal George had a shocker, but in truth there were hardly any creditable performances out there. Saints, on the basis of this dismal performance, are in real trouble.

‘Dire’ Dons slip to defeat against ‘unbelievable’ Dundee

Ethan Hamilton’s stunning strike settled the contest at Pittodrie [SNS]

Dundee won at Pittodrie in the top flight for the first time in 22 years by beating 10-man Aberdeen 3-2 and the Dons support was furious…

James: Excuses. Poor discipline. Non-progressive. Fearful. Tired. No confidence. Poor defensively. Lack of intensity. No backbone and grit. Aberdeen need to sit back and really evaluate the direction the club is going. Large financial commitments have been made with transfer fees and wage structure… and it is getting worse, not better.

Mike: Things usually get worse before they get better and this is what we are seeing. Not sure the club can wait until the summer, though, if results don’t improve as all the uncertainty is having a psychological impact on everyone including the coaches. Any potential manager humming and hawing like Eirik Horneland should be deleted from the list and move on. Another example of poor leadership at the top.

Sandy: Dire, dismal, dreich. I am not talking about the weather. Forget about this so-called frontrunner for the manager’s job. If he can’t come now, get someone else in the door. Who is in charge, the club or this so called frontrunner?

Neil: This season has transpired as the worst in my 50-plus years supporting the club. There have been far too many mediocre players signed, too many in on loan and general apathy in footballers playing for the badge. Ultimately, the club owners need to come out and speak to the many fans who still attend matches to explain how they plan to turn this around.

Chris: Useless, clueless, heartless – any of these cover how the team perform week on week. Time for the fans to vote with their feet and stay away till change comes.

Mark: Garbage again and the same old excuses about defending and refereeing decisions. So poor from Aberdeen and time for a clearout from boardroom level to playing staff. Nothing positive can be taken from this season.

Dundee have made a habit of breaking long-standing records under Steven Pressley this season and fans are delighted at what they are seeing…

Flynn: Another record broken by Pressley, outstanding performance again but this time a result to merit it. Past Dundee teams would give up after going 1-0 down but for once Dundee didn’t give up and deserved all three points. Another great performance from Ethan Hamilton and the only issue will be keeping him in the summer.

Darren: Great win, but Jon McCracken at fault again, he has cost us goals in the last three games. He made the same mistake as last week but fortunately we were not punished on this occasion.

Jim: Absolutely brilliant result. The players showed fight to get the win and proved that they can win games after setbacks. And what a winner as well. We’ve been playing well without getting results and we needed that. With four difficult games coming up Steven Pressley may have to look at McCracken’s position. He’s made mistakes in a lot of games.

Gary: 22 years! Another stat this team have binned! After the mistake for the first goal and slow second-half start I feared the usual dropped points, but what a cracker from one of our captains! Still think the keeper needs swapped out and we could use our bench better, but can’t really argue with the quality of the winning goal.

Mark: Beyond words, unbelievable result.

Albert: Fantastic to see Pressley’s great work coming to fruition now. A long-awaited victory up at Pittodrie too. Future looks bright again.

‘Jellyfish’ United fail to impress as Kilmarnock take ‘priceless’ point

On a pitch that has taken a toll from recent rain, United held the lead through Amar Fatah but fans were dismayed as Kilmarnock snatched a 1-1 draw with an added-time goal…

Das: Controlled the midfield for 85 minutes, then for some reason switched off. Why Jim Goodwin never killed the play with two subs, I have no idea.

Dave: Yet another pathetic defensive display at the end. This bunch of players look like a jellyfish looking for a backbone. Ross Graham as captain? Don’t make me laugh! He is a bog standard defender totally out of his depth in a leadership role.

Ross: Mentality, mentality, mentality. Home league form has been horrible but we still don’t learn. We sat back deep in numbers because that always works. Not. Invited the goal and just once again looked soft. Stop pressing the panic button, United.

Euan: Once again we let teams attack us by sitting back in and around our box for the last 10 minutes. Every United supporter saw it coming. What does Jim do? He stands there and watches and does nothing and then blames the players post-match. How many times does this have to happen before he realises he’s the one at fault? Time’s up, Jim. Move on and please do it quickly.

Andrew: Goodwin playing to hang on was the issue when we have consistently let in late goals all season. Last 10 we didn’t have any possession and needed fresh legs, didn’t make any subs. That’s on Jim.

Matthew: That result is 100% on the manager. Everyone in the ground could see how deep the team was and that subs needed made with five minutes to go – why couldn’t he? A decent team performance sabotaged by Goodwin’s poor game management.

Kilmarnock fans were impressed by the attitude shown by Neil McCann’s side and took positives from edging another point closer to St Mirren…

Robert: Kelle Roos was outstanding, their goal was from skill not a mistake and we kept going to the end. It was good to have Marley Watkins back. Definitely think the red for Jack Thomson was only a yellow, not the last man.

Amy: A deserved point in the end. We’ve got a much more exciting style of play now and actually look like we can score goals. Positive we’ll have enough to catch St Mirren, who’ve yet to beat us in the league.

John: I hope the team gets back to winning ways soon as we need more wins than draws. Hope we can keep David Watson, sign him up soon so that we can get a fair transfer price for him.

Frank: A point gained on a difficult pitch can only be positive. Not losing while not playing as well as previous games is also a positive. The team certainly rolled their sleeves up and gave a honest account of themselves.

Anna: Well, it makes a change for us to score in injury time instead of being scored against. One goal was always going to decide the game… or so it seemed until Watkins popped up with a priceless equaliser. My only criticism is why did we start Aaron Tshibola up front when there were proven strikers like Bruce Anderson and Watkins on the bench? Still, a priceless away point like that is always welcome.

​https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/celtic-hard-watch-sensational-well-133536306.html