Last season was a catastrophe, don’t kid yourselves.
The awful playing style, the resignation of a club legend, the Dubai debacle, Oli Ntcham going AWOL, the poor signings, Griff’s absence – and plenty more.
Yet, in an interview with BBC Sportsound, Celtic club legend John Collins has claimed that Celtic would have made up the 25-point gap for the title last season if they had done one thing – switched goalkeepers with theRangers.
Collins, who made 221 league appearances for Celtic and scoring 47 in the process, watched in dismay as he reflected upon Celtic’s agonising draw with FC Midtjylland in last night’s Champions League qualifier.
And as predicted, the fuel has only been added to the fire in Celtic’s quest to find a permanent starting goalkeeper following Barkas’ antics last night, in which he inexplicably let an Evander free-kick sail into the top corner with no objection as Celtic shot themselves in the foot with a 1-1 draw against the Danes.
If you switch goalkeepers last year then Celtic might have won the league.
Celtic’s inability to find a consistent number one last season – alternating between Vasilis Barkas, Scott Bain and the inexperienced Conor Hazard, only added to the uncertainty at the back behind what was an already shaky Hoops’ defence.
Admittedly, Allan McGregor had a much better season than the pretenders who forged their way into Celtic’s goal – however, it seems a bit far fetched to think that McGregor would have made up 25 points by himself.
“Celtic dominate games week in week out and the goalkeeper has to make maximum two saves. But you have to make those saves and that is what won Rangers the league.
“Big saves against Celtic in the big matches. Their goalkeepers’ saves probably won them the league. If you switch goalkeepers last year then Celtic might have won the league.”
Let’s hope Celtic manage to actually find a permanent shot-stopper this year; otherwise, Collins’ prediction may – just may – come true again.
