Podolski to consider Bayern exit

The Bayern Munich striker Lukas Podolski is considering his future after being left on the bench yet again for the 3-1 win over Arminia Bielefeld on Saturday. The coach Jurgen Klinsmann favoured Miroslav Klose as a lone frontman, as he has done for most of the season, and Podolski, 23, is running out of patience. "I was not surprised to be left on the bench, but angry," said the forward, who came off the bench to score a penalty.

In other Bundesliga matches, Vedad Ibisevic took his tally to 13 as Hoffenheim continued their stunning maiden season with a 4-1 demolition of Karlsruhe. Ralf Rangnick's side have now scored 31 goals in 11 games, and they lead Bayer Leverkusen by a point. In the Scottish Premier League, a clever strike by Shaun Maloney and a controversial goal from Gary Caldwell gave Celtic a comfortable 2-0 win over 10-man Hearts to take them back to the top of the table.

After just seven minutes Maloney volleyed the ball back over the head of Janos Balogh after the Jambos keeper had punched clear an Andreas Hinkel free-kick, before Caldwell appeared to use a hand in doubling the visitors' lead. The champions could even afford to miss a penalty six minutes after the break after Marius Zaliukas had been shown a straight red for a last-ditch foul on Scott McDonald, Paul Hartley sending his spot-kick wide of the target.

Elsewhere, Da Silva Liedson's winner ensured 10-man Sporting kept pace at the top of the Portuguese Liga with a 1-0 win over Rio Ave. In France, Rennes clung on to a first penalty by Jimmy Briand to go past Sochaux while Le Havre held Monaco to a goalless draw. * Agencies