Celtic Football Club once again showcased their incredible attacking prowess, leaving Raith Rovers reeling after a resounding 5-0 victory in the Scottish Cup. It was a night to remember for the Hoops and a tough lesson for Barry Robson’s side, who found out the hard way just how ruthless Brendan Rodgers’ men can be.

Celtic’s Firepower Too Much to Handle

From the moment the whistle blew, it was clear that Celtic meant business. Within just six minutes, Daizen Maeda had already found the back of the net, sending a clear message that Raith Rovers were in for a long evening. Robson had explicitly warned his players to “not lose an early goal,” but Celtic had other ideas.

Maeda, who has now bagged three hat-tricks in the past 12 months, was in unstoppable form. His clinical finishing, combined with goals from Luke McCowan and Yang Hyun-jun in the second half, sealed an emphatic win for the Scottish giants.

For Raith Rovers, it was always going to be an uphill battle, but to their credit, they showed resilience. Speaking after the match, Robson admitted that despite the early setback, his team tried to grow into the game. “It rocked us a wee bit, but after that, I thought we settled down and showed good character,” he said. “We had a few chances, a few transitions.”

A Harsh Reality Check for Raith

No one expected an easy ride against Celtic, but Robson acknowledged just how challenging the task was. “They beat a Scottish Premier League team three days ago by 6-0,” he pointed out. “And that’s a team with probably three or four times the budget we’re on.”

The gulf in quality was evident, and the Raith boss was quick to praise his players and the traveling supporters. “They kept fighting, they really did, and a big help with that was the fans. We needed them there today because this Celtic side can beat teams by six, seven, or eight-nil.”

Robson admitted he wished he could have given the fans more to cheer about, but Celtic’s blistering speed and clinical finishing made that a near-impossible task. “I would have loved to have given the fans a wee bit more, but you could see that when we did go out and try to press and went for it, you could see the speed Celtic have going the other way.”

His side did their best to contain the onslaught, but against a team of Celtic’s caliber, there’s only so much you can do. “If we hadn’t lost those goals at crucial times, we might have tried to make it a bit closer,” he reflected. “I just think we deserved a wee bit more.”

‘You Can’t Go Chasing Celtic’

Robson’s game plan was clear contain Celtic and try to keep things tight. But executing that plan against a team bursting with attacking flair is easier said than done. “I think the game plan went fine because you can’t go chasing Celtic,” he admitted. “You can see the speed they’ve got at the top end of the pitch, so you could lose countless amounts of goals.”

Raith Rovers did have moments where they could have kept possession better, but as Robson explained, “It’s difficult when you’re chasing the game.” In truth, Celtic’s relentless pressure and sheer quality made it nearly impossible for Raith to gain any real foothold in the match.

Despite the heavy defeat, Robson remains optimistic about his side’s performances. He knows his team is up against financial and quality limitations, but their fighting spirit was evident. Now, their focus shifts back to the league, where they must bounce back against Partick Thistle.

For Celtic, the journey in the Scottish Cup continues. The draw for the quarter-finals will reveal their next opponent, and if this performance was anything to go by, whoever faces them will need to brace themselves for a battle.

As for Raith Rovers, they leave Glasgow with a valuable learning experience and a clear understanding of just how unforgiving the top teams can be. They might not have won the match, but they certainly earned respect for their effort.

For now, one thing is certain Brendan Rodgers’ Celtic are a force to be reckoned with, and they’re showing no signs of slowing down.

Lopez Says ‘No Thanks’ to United’s Big Money Move

Manchester United are no strangers to flexing their financial muscle in the transfer market, but even they might have met their match in Barcelona’s rising star, Fermin Lopez. The Red Devils were reportedly ready to splash out a hefty sum to lure the talented midfielder to Old Trafford, but there’s just one tiny problem Lopez has absolutely no intention of leaving the Camp Nou.

According to reports from Spain, United were keen to add Lopez to their ranks, hoping he would provide a much-needed boost to a midfield that has struggled this season. Casemiro, Christian Eriksen, and Mason Mount have all failed to truly stamp their authority under new boss Ruben Amorim, leaving United scrambling for reinforcements. But their pursuit of Lopez may already be over before it even began.

Spanish outlet Fichajes claims that the 21-year-old’s ‘outstanding’ performances have drawn attention from several Premier League clubs, including United. Tempting financial offers have been put on the table, but Lopez has remained firm he’s staying in Barcelona. No amount of English charm or Premier League glitz is going to convince him otherwise.

Barcelona’s €500m Insurance Policy

United were reportedly preparing a deal worth around €70 million (£60 million) to bring Lopez to England. Sounds like a fair price for one of Spain’s brightest young talents, right? Wrong. Barcelona clearly saw this coming and preemptively secured Lopez’s loyalty with a jaw-dropping €500 million (£430 million) release clause. That’s right United’s £60 million offer is about as useful as trying to buy a luxury sports car with pocket change.

Adding insult to injury, Lopez reportedly turned down the personal offer outright. Spanish publication Sport claims that from the very beginning, he made it crystal clear to his agents and Barcelona that his heart belongs at Camp Nou. The midfielder is determined to prove himself under Hansi Flick and has no interest in swapping sunny Spain for the cloudy skies of Manchester.

Despite this, United’s interest remains strong. The club still believes Lopez has what it takes to thrive in the Premier League and could revisit their pursuit in the next transfer window. After all, in football, money talks though in this case, Lopez is wearing noise-canceling headphones.

The young Spaniard has been with Barcelona since the tender age of 13, rising through the ranks and making a name for himself with a standout performance against Real Madrid in a pre-season friendly, where he bagged a goal and an assist. Last season, he registered eight goals in 31 La Liga appearances, and despite a slightly slower start this year with two goals in 14 games, his stock continues to rise.

For now, United will have to look elsewhere for midfield reinforcements. As for Fermin Lopez, he’s living the dream at Barcelona, and no amount of money at least not £60 million will change that anytime soon.

Since arriving at Aston Villa, Morgan Rogers has quickly learned that working under Unai Emery is no walk in the park. The Spanish tactician is known for his meticulous attention to detail and unrelenting demands on the pitch.

According to Rogers, Emery is “demanding” in the best possible way constantly pushing his players to their limits, ensuring that every tactical instruction is followed to perfection.

As a manager who has won four Europa League titles and guided teams to top-tier success, Emery is not one to let complacency creep into his squad. He tailors his game plans based on the opposition’s strengths and weaknesses, making sure his players always have a structured approach.

Rogers, who was once hailed by Pep Guardiola as an “exceptional player,” has been thriving under Emery’s guidance. This season, he has racked up an impressive 10 goals and five assists across all competitions, proving that he’s heading in the right direction. However, he’s fully aware that he’s far from a finished product, and his best bet for continued growth is to keep listening to his manager’s wisdom.

The Unusual Demand That Keeps Rogers on His Toes

Rogers recently revealed an interesting aspect of Emery’s coaching style, one that might seem a little surprising. Speaking to Sky Sports, the young midfielder explained that while Emery is big on structure, he doesn’t want his creative players to play it safe. Instead, he actively encourages them to take risks in dangerous areas even if they fail a few times.

“Yeah, it can be [difficult], but at the same time, the manager probably wants me to do more than I do,” Rogers admitted. “And that’s probably a bit bizarre for me to say because if I’ve done it three times a game and I’ve lost it three times in a row, and then the next time I pass it, he’ll absolutely hammer me for not doing it again.”

That’s right while most managers might scold a player for losing possession repeatedly, Emery expects his creative talents to keep trying, no matter what. For Rogers, this has been a revelation, as it allows him to play to his strengths rather than conforming to a rigid, one-size-fits-all tactical approach.

“He wants me to play to my strengths,” Rogers added. “If another player’s strengths are different from mine, I don’t have to play like them. That’s what makes this manager so good—he adapts to who’s playing and lets us shine in our own way.”

This is precisely why Rogers has been so effective this season. Unlike some managers who try to mold players into a set system, Emery allows them to express themselves while maintaining discipline. This balance between structure and creativity is what sets him apart as an elite coach.

A Change of Philosophy? Unai Emery’s Evolution

Interestingly, this approach seems to mark a shift in Emery’s coaching philosophy. Back in 2019, former Arsenal midfielder Henrikh Mkhitaryan criticized the Spaniard for being too rigid, saying that his tactical demands restricted his ability to play freely.

“He paid more attention to tactics, so my role changed,” Mkhitaryan told FourFourTwo at the time. “I was starting as a winger but had to build play with the defensive midfielder. It’s why I couldn’t contribute as many goals or assists.”

“I like to play more freely and move wherever there’s space, but you have to do the job that the manager asks.”

Perhaps Emery took this criticism to heart and refined his approach. Rather than stifling attacking talents like Rogers, he now encourages them to embrace their individual qualities. As a result, the 22-year-old has flourished, drawing comparisons to Jude Bellingham for his fearless approach and dynamic playing style.

With the season still unfolding, it’s clear that Rogers has a bright future under Emery’s guidance. The freedom to express himself while operating within a well-structured system could be the key to unlocking his full potential. And if he continues to heed his manager’s instructions, Aston Villa fans can expect even greater things from their rising star.