Under-fire Braga boss given white handkerchiefs treatment

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The Celtic Star

·30. September 2025

Under-fire Braga boss given white handkerchiefs treatment

Under-fire Braga manager Carlos Vicens has made it clear he has no intention of stepping down before this week’s crucial Europa League clash with Celtic, even as frustrated supporters displayed white handkerchiefs in protest on Sunday.

Carlos Vicens head coach of Sporting Braga during the UEFA Europe League League phase,Matchday 1, between Sporting Club de Braga and Feyenoord at Stadium Municipal of Braga on 24 September 2025 in Braga Portugal Photo by Luis de la Mata IMAGO/ SportPix/Sipa/

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Celtic host the Portuguese outfit at Celtic Park in their second group stage fixture on Thursday, following a 1-1 stalemate away to Red Star Belgrade last week.

While Braga opened their European campaign positively with a 1-0 victory against Feyenoord, their league struggles continued as a weekend 1-0 defeat to Nacional extended their winless run in domestic competition to five matches.

When the match ended, the Braga supporters expressed their frustration by waving white handkerchiefs towards their Spanish coach following yet another defeat. That usually means the end for a manager when that happens in southern Europe.

Braga players celebrated the winning goal iduring the UEFA Europe League League phase,Matchday 1, between Sporting Club de Braga and Feyenoord at Stadium Municipal of Braga on 24 September 2025 in Braga Portugal Photo by Luis de la Mata IMAGO/sportPix

However, Vicens has vowed to make changes and is confident his side will show improvements during their trip to Glasgow. Speaking via Glasgow Times, he said: “I am very disappointed because we didn’t show the passion and commitment we displayed against Feyenoord in the Europa League.”

“We have to continue working to improve starting immediately, including myself, so you will see a different version of Braga in Scotland. If I have to make changes to freshen up the team, I will.”

Vicens added: “We can’t just be raising our games for big matches – it has to be the same level in every match. I am certain I can get the players to improve.”

Red Star Belgrade 1-1 Celtic.Kelechi Iheanacho of Celtic celebrates his goal Crvena zvezda v Celtic, UEFA Europa League, Football, Rajko Mitic Stadium, Belgrade, Serbia – 24 Sep 2025Belgrade Rajko Mitic Stadium Serbia Photo Nikola Krstic Shutterstock

“It’s true that we’ve gone five games without a win in the league, but the season doesn’t stop and there are games every three days. I still have the strength and energy for the job and I know I can change the mentality here.”

This is also a must-win for Celtic. It has been disappointment after disappointment so far this season for Brendan Rodgers’ side, but three points on Thursday will hopefully kickstart a successful European campaign.

Four points after two games would be a positive start and set Celtic up nicely for a decent run in a competition we should really have aspirations to succeed in given our Champions League performances last season. It’s time Brendan Rodgers got the team playing to the best of their potential and winning some big matches.

Kelechi Iheanacho of Celtic reacts after missing a good scoring opportunity. Celtic v Hibernian, Scottish Premiership, Celtic Park, 27 September 2025. Photo Stuart Wallace Shutterstock/IMAGO

The goalless draw against Hibs on Saturday saw Celtic drop to second in the Scottish Premiership, falling two points behind Hearts. Time to wake up Bhoys!

Conor Spence

“He’s an amazing kid with an amazing attitude,” Calmac praises Colby Donovan…Continues on the next page…

Colby Donovan, Callum McGregor and Brendan Rodgers all smiles after the match. Partick Thistle v Celtic. Premier Sports League Cup. Sunday 21 September. Photo Vagelis Georgariou (The Celtic Star)

It may well have just dawned on Callum McGregor that he’s now reached the veteran stage of his playing career and that’s as a result of watching with appreciation an admiration for a 19 year old breaking into the Celtic first team and impressing everyone from the Celtic manager, the skipper and everyone else who has watched Colby Donovan play in the Hoops.

Colby Donovan of Celtic Crvena zvezda v Celtic, UEFA Europa League, Football, Rajko Mitic Stadium, Belgrade, Serbia – 24 Sep 2025. Belgrade Rajko Mitic Stadium Serbia Photo Nikola Krstic Shutterstock

“It shows my age when I see players like Colby coming through now! He’s been fantastic since he came in,” Calmac said as reported by Newsquest owned TCW. The Celtic captain was refecting on Donovan’s European debut in Belgrade last midweek before he was rested by the manager at the weekend after playing five games in quick succession, two on international duty with Scotland and three for Celtic.

You’d expect to see Colby back in the team on Thursday night at Celtic Park for the match against Portuguese side Sporting Braga.

Colby Donovan of Celtic Crvena zvezda v Celtic, UEFA Europa League, Football, Rajko Mitic Stadium, Belgrade, Serbia – 24 Sep 2025Belgrade Rajko Mitic Stadium Serbia Photo Nikola Krstic Shutterstock

“To come into that hostile environment (Belgrade) and play the way he did, with the quality and confidence he’s got, just speaks volumes about him,” Callum McGregor said.”He’s really enjoying his time, and we just need to keep on him and keep him hungry — which he will do. He’s an amazing kid with an amazing attitude.

“So, as many games as he can get, he’ll just get better and better. He’s got a real chance. He has no fear, and that’s what you get with young lads when they come in — they don’t really realise where they are. At one point, I thought he might be a bit shy, but he’s come in and he backs himself — in a good way, not in an arrogant way at all.”

McGregor added: “He knows he’s a good player, but he’s the first to help, he’s the first to be asking questions. He wants to learn, so he’s shown the right attitude as well. He’s just an amazing kid, and someone you want to do really well.

Colby Donovan in action during Partick Thistle v Celtic. Premier Sports League Cup tie. Sunday 21 September. Photo Vagelis Georgariou (The Celtic Star)

“So, I’m hoping he goes on and makes a few more appearances. You need something a bit special — just that presence and personality when you go on the pitch — and he certainly has that. I think that, coupled with hard work and the right attitude, will stand you in good stead.

“When you look at the senior players and the guys that have played so many games, it’s pretty much always the same type of player and the same type of guy — someone who just wants more and more and keeps working. So, he’s certainly in that mould as well.

Colby Donovan at Rugby Park, Kilmarnock v Celtic, 14 September 2025. Photo Vagelis Georgariou (The Celtic Star)

“As much as we can try and help him — that’s our job.”

A Celtic Star in the making is young Colby and he’s also a welcome boost for the Celtic Academy to see one of their own make a major impact in the first team. Expect him to start on Thursday night.

Continues on the next page…

Danny McGrain, David Potter & Willie Fernie – what a combination!

Celtic in the Eighties by David Potter. Out now, order your copy at Celticstarbooks.com

We’re certainly Putting on the Style with the new promotion from Celtic Star Books. David Potter’s final book – Celtic in the Eighties – has been selling wonderfully well since its launch earlier this month. It is by far our fastest-ever seller. Order one of the last remaining copies of Celtic in the Eighties and Danny McGrain will sign it for you PLUS you’ll receive a copy of David Potter’s wonderful book on Willie Fernie as a free gift.

Celtic in the Eighties and Willie Fernie – Putting on the Style both by David Potter. Photo The Celtic Star

Danny McGrain has now agreed to sign the final batch of Celtic in the Eighties. Ordering is simple, just place your order for Celtic in the Eighties at celticstarbooks.com/shop and we’ll do the rest, ensuring your copy is signed by Danny and a complimentary Willie Fernie book dispatched by the next working day, whilst stocks last, from Wednesday of this week (Danny is signing the books on Tuesday evening).

Celtic 3-0 St Mirren, Scottish Premier League, Celtic Park, 15 May 1982.Celtic captain Danny McGrain collects the championship trophy as Roy Aitken looks on. Photo The Celtic Wiki

Danny McGrain signing copies of Celtic in the Eighties by David Potter. Photo: Celtic Star Books

Please note that stocks are now running very low indeed and the book will NOT be reprinted. Click on the image below to order. Please note that postage will only be charged on ONE book.

Celtic in the Eighties by David Potter. Out now on Celtic Star Books. Click on image above to order.