On 30 September 2021, Celtic were humbled by Bayer Leverkusen at Paradise. The 4-0 defeat led many journalists, and some fans, to question the direction of the team and Ange Postecoglou’s expansive attacking tactics. Since that night, Celtic have embarked on an incredible run.
The Bhoys went to Pittodrie with a very strong line up on 3 October. A late goal from Jota secured three points and provided the platform for the players to go forward. A similar line up saw off Motherwell after the international break, before Ferencvaros were convincingly beaten in the Europa League.
Wins over St Johnstone and Hibernian followed, when an unexpected calamity at home saw the Hoops drop points against Livingston – Giakoumakis missing a penalty which condemned Celtic to a 0-0 draw. That stalemate would be the only blotch on Celtic’s domestic record for the next 10 games.
Indeed, an away victory over Ferencvaros was the perfect pick me up, Celtic regaining confidence and then beating Dundee 4-2 at Dens Park on 7 November. A hard fought win over St Johnstone in the Semi Final of the League Cup came next, before two late goals stole the match from Postecoglou’s men against Bayer Leverkusen in Germany (3-2 defeat).
Celtic returned from German soil with a tricky contest against Aberdeen to deal with. A deflected goal by Callum McGregor was enough to clinch the game, and Kyogo was the matchwinner against Hearts the following week. The victory over the Jambos came at considerable cost as Jota, Welsh and Ralston all limped off with injury, adding to the ongoing absences of Rogic and Taylor.
Ironically, Rogic and Taylor returned for the trip to Tannadice on 5 December, where the former scored a sensational goal to set Celtic on their way to a 3-0 win. Then, disaster struck against Real Betis as a hamstring injury to Kyogo threatened to overshadow a marvelous 3-2 triumph against the Spanish giants.
Celtic’s injury woes were evident in the next match against Motherwell at Paradise, but the Bhoys did prevail by a narrow margin. That result was then followed by a last gasp Ralston winner at Dingwall, earning three points for a depleted team which was without the services of Rogic, Taylor, Kyogo, Forrest, Johnston, Ajeti, Giakoumakis and Jota.
Ange’s first taste of silverware came on 19 December, when Kyogo played through injury to score both goals in Celtic’s 2-1 win. Ralston was unable to start that game, while Turnbull had to be withdrawn due to a serious hamstring injury in the first half. The resilience of Postecoglou’s team had proved remarkable.
A lengthy injury list combined with an outbreak of Covid-19 to disastrous effect as Hart, Starfelt, Turnbull, Kyogo, Giakoumakis, Ajeti, Forrest, Taylor and Jota all missed out on the trip to New St Mirren Park. A 0-0 draw had many beginning to wonder if this Celtic team had finally ran out of steam. Was this a step too far for a squad that had been ravaged by injuries for so long?
The Bhoys responded with an emphatic answer by beating St Johnstone 3-1 at McDiarmid Park. The absences from the St Mirren game were added to by McGregor, Ralston and Bain also being unavailable. Kyogo was risked but his hamstring went within 15 minutes and he had to come off, though Starfelt did ably return. That win meant that Celtic entered the winter break in a reasonable position in the league table and there were hopes that players would recover for the New Year.
The first match after the winter break saw Celtic face Hibernian. Turnbull, Jota and Kyogo remained unable to start the game, but new signing Maeda did much to ease the nerves with an early goal, while Hatate (another new signing) excelled in midfield. A 2-0 win piled pressure on the league leaders, who blinked at Pittodrie.
Scottish Cup duties intervened at that point, a trip to Alloa Athletic rekindling the injury concerns that have plagued the squad all season. Celtic won the game 2-1, but the sight of Abada, Ideguchi and McGregor being substituted due to various ailments was unwelcome.
An injury list that had such names as Kyogo, McGregor, Turnbull and Johnston was compounded by Rogic and Maeda being called up for international duty ahead of an extremely testing contest at Tynecastle. New Bhoy Matt O’Riley added a new option in midfield, and thanks in part to him Celtic came away with another 2-1 success.
Significant absences remained the backdrop to the build up against Dundee United this weekend, and they will be added to now that Nir Bitton is set to be suspended for the game next Wednesday night. However, another last gasp strike – this time from Abada – was enough to ensure that yet another three points were collected.
The result means that Celtic have now won 20 of their last 23 games in all competitions, drawing twice, and losing just once (3-2 against Bayer Leverkusen). The Hoops have averaged no fewer than six absences per game this season, so that run is quite magnificent.
It is almost certain that Postecoglou will be unable to call on McGregor, Kyogo, Turnbull, Bitton, Ideguchi, Johnston, Ajeti, Maeda or Rogic for the Glasgow Derby next week. Nevertheless, it’s vital that Celtic find a way to win again, before the latter pair return to the squad and hopefully others get back to fitness.
Obviously the 2 draws were frustrating but this is an incredible run of results given squad inherited & subsequent injuries
Massive credit to Ange & the players.
Also 12 single goal wins which while not good for the heart shows a steeliness we don’t get credit for. pic.twitter.com/U0yKmcfSrp
— Stevie Jackson (@bobby__peru) January 29, 2022
12:30: Rangers start 4 points ahead
14:22: Rangers are going 7 points clear
14:23: Rangers only go 5 points ahead
16:50: Celtic only cutting the gap to 4 points
16:51: Celtic win and the gap is now 2 points
The title race in Scotland summed up in about 4 and a half hours💚🤍
— Kieran (@Kieran_Sellick) January 30, 2022
That penalty should have been re taken. The keeper was off his line,and two defenders have encroached inside the 18 yard line !