Former Celtic midfielder Paul Hartley has expressed doubts over whether there is enough momentum and positivity surrounding the club to fuel a title push…
Hartley previously experienced a dramatic late-season surge during the 2007/08 campaign, when Gordon Strachan’s men overturned an eight-point deficit across the closing weeks to secure the title.
However, Hartley admits that, from his current vantage point, the same level of unity and belief does not appear evident within the club right now.
The ex-Scotland international was also a member of the Hearts squad that mounted a genuine title challenge in 2005/06 and believes the present Tynecastle group mirrors that strong collective mentality, placing them in pole position.
When questioned about his concerns regarding Celtic’s prospects, Hartley responded via Sky Sports: “Yeah, I would. I think the other two are much stronger. I think Hearts are favourites for the title at this moment in time because of where they’re at, what they’ve done so far this season.”
Hearts and Celtic are set to meet at Tynecastle this weekend, where the Scottish championship arrive having been beaten in both previous encounters this season.
Another defeat for Celtic would open up a nine-point gap in the title race, which would then feel like curtains for O’Neill’s men in regard to winning a fifth consecutive league.
“I think it would be a big challenge for Celtic to come back from that,” Hartley said. “I think they can’t get beat. Listen, they’ve been over the course before and maybe they’ve been in a worse situation. Would I fancy them go and win? I don’t know.
“I just think with Hearts’ form, I covered theRangers game a few weeks ago, they were outstanding. They’ve maybe not been at it all the time, but they know how to win. Hearts are looking strong. You can see their home form, they’ve not been beaten in the league this season. At this moment Hearts are in the driving seat.”
Hartley added: “I did the TV a few a weeks ago and Boydy [Kris Boyd] was talking about (the)Rangers being 12 points behind and he’s going about with his Hearts top on!”
“But nine points? Celtic have no momentum. Even yesterday [Sunday], they should be really putting a few past Auchinleck. I think we were eight behind [in 2008]with seven games left, but it feels different now at Celtic. I just think the atmosphere’s different at this moment in time.
“On the flip side, at Hearts the atmosphere is excellent. It reminds me of the start to the 2005-06 season with George Burley. The atmosphere at the club is great and it’s easy to see it after games. The manager, the fans, there’s a togetherness.
“You don’t feel Celtic have got that at this moment in time. You just feel there’s a big distance between everybody connected to the club. Now Martin, he’s a shrewd operator. So, it’s going to be fascinating. I think the title race is going to go down to the last weeks of the season, maybe even the last week.”
Conor Spence
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