There are 2 must-watch live matches on TV for Celtic fans today

By John McGinley

May 22, 2021

The Celtic season is over, but the action continues in a variety of other leagues and tournaments.

Depending on where you are, what kind of pandemic-related restrictions you are living under and what your local weather is like, a day in front of the telly watching football for the last time this season might be a prime activity.

It just so happens that two matches are scheduled today that should be of interest to Celtic supporters.

Celtic implications from Brentford vs Bournemouth

First up we have Brentford vs Bournemouth in the English Championship play-off semi-final 2nd leg, kicking off at 12:30pm.

As we know, Celtic are locked in an ongoing, drawn-out saga with Eddie Howe, who is potentially going to be our new manager.

The latest reporting on that situation suggests that the deal being officially announced depends on the fate of the Cherries and when their season actually finishes. [Daily Record]

Backroom staff and potential financial implications of Bournemouth’s promotion have all been cited as reasons for the Eddie Howe delay.

They hold a 1-0 aggregate lead over Brentford heading into today’s game and if they win will go on to the final at Wembley next weekend.

Many Celtic fans will be hoping that Ivan Toney and the Bees can overcome that deficit today, end Bournemouth’s season and pave the way for a Howe announcement this week at some point.

If nothing else it’ll be interesting to watch the performance of the Cherries, knowing a number of their coaching staff could be on their way to Glasgow.

The match is live on Sky Sports Football this lunchtime.

3 reported Celtic targets on display in Scottish Cup Final

The Scottish Cup final is always an event on my calendar every year anyway, with or without Celtic.

It just so happens that today’s match between Hibernian and St Johnstone at Hampden holds a little more interest for the Bhoys than you might expect.

Three recently reported transfer targets are expected to be in action.

Kevin Nisbet holds the potential to steal the headlines more than anyone else on the pitch given his goalscoring form this season. He’s netted 18 goals and assisted eight times in all competitions this season, bagging himself a place in Steve Clarke’s Scotland squad for the Euros. [Transfermarkt]

Nisbet was linked with a move to Celtic as recently as last week and it’s said Celtic are considering making a summer offer. Could he be a direct replacement for the struggling Leigh Griffiths? [Scottish Sun]

Celtic target Kevin Nisbet in action for Hibernian / (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

Josh Doig is also expected to line up for Hibs today and the young left-back has been linked with 11 clubs this year, including Celtic. It’ll be interesting to see how he copes with the big occasion in a national final at just 18 years of age. If he has the poise and composure to perform, it would bolster the argument for Celtic to sign him.

In the St Johnstone ranks it is Ali McCann who is catching the eye of Celtic. He was scouted by Celtic last year and again has been recently linked, with interim boss John Kennedy stating he is ‘impressive’ earlier this month. [BBC]

Again, at 21, it’ll be fascinating to see how the young midfielder handles today’s occasion. If he runs the show in a national final, as he is capable of doing, and helps Saints win a double this season there will be a strong argument for Celtic to make a move.

The Scottish Cup Final kicks off on BBC One Scotland and Premier Sports at 2pm.

In other news, former Celtic star Aiden McGeady’s contract gesture.