I’ve never been this negative about a Glasgow Derby, and I’m sure that I’ll not be alone among the Celtic support. It just shows how far we have fallen in 2025 especially since Wilfried Nancy arrived at the club…
Benjamin Nygren of Celtic cutting inside during the Scottish Premiership match between Livingston and Celtic at Set Fare Arena on December 27, 2025. (Photo by WM Sport Media/Getty Images)
Tomorrow Celtic will play our first game of 2026, and it happens to be a Glasgow Derby as we host theRangers at Celtic Park in what is already a season defining game. Although admittedly due to our own failings, it should never in a million years be a game with so much riding on the outcome.
The normal upbeat optimism we hold going into these games has been replaced by one of uncertainty and even some trepidation. The fact that we are feeling like this before a game of such a magnitude speaks volumes of our current plight.
Chris McKay and Paul Tisdale, Motherwell v Celtic, Scottish Premiership. 30 December 2025 Photo by Vagelis Georgariou (The Celtic Star)
I’m normally optimistic about our chances heading into these fixtures, no matter our form, but I can’t even get myself up for it, truth be told I’m absolutely dreading it, and I’m certainly not alone in feeling this way.
Anyone who watched Celtic totally bullied and outplayed by Motherwell on Tuesday knows the brutal truth. We have very little chance in my opinion of winning the game, certainly not if we apply ourselves in the same manner as we did at Fir Park and play the same headless chicken style of football that the manager has introduced at great cost to our season.
Despondent Celts. Motherwell v Celtic, Scottish Premiership. 30 December 2025 Photo by Vagelis Georgariou (The Celtic Star)
The players look like they’ve chucked it, the manager has lost the proverbial dressing room, and when that happens there is no going back. He has lost the away support – as we heard at Tannadice and Fir Park in punishing Celtic defeats.
The latest Ibrox side will never have a better chance to put one over on us on our own patch, and they clearly smell blood, and will be going all out to take full advantage. Seasoned gamblers will be licking their lips at the current bookies odds of 13/5 for an away win, which is widely available on most sites.
Michael Nicholson and Chris McKay, Motherwell v Celtic, Scottish Premiership. 30 December 2025 Photo by Vagelis Georgariou (The Celtic Star)
Of course there’s still a small slimmer of hope that we manage to turn up on the day, and earn all three points although that will just be papering over the cracks so to speak. The fact that we’re all going into a home game against a sub-standard Ibrox team with literally no confidence, shows how far we have fallen as a football club.
If we lose tomorrow will see the unrest increase and the blame will be directed in the direction of the manager, the CEO and the head of football operations.
Just an Ordinary Bhoy
🗣️ “The Celtic players look directionless. The squad is in dire need of major surgery.”
Celtic fan Conor Spence from the Celtic Star reflects on the Motherwell defeat, Wilfried Nancy’s future and Saturday’s Old Firm – live on Sky Sports 📺 pic.twitter.com/SRaCuTU1aS
— Sky Sports Scotland (@ScotlandSky) December 31, 2025
Happy New Year from everyone at The Celtic Star!
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