Not the ideal result yesterday, but it’s not all over yet, no thanks to the Celtic Board who yet again are letting the manager, squad and support down in a third consecutive transfer window, despite having over £75m in available funds…
W need new recruits, and we need them now if we are to win anything this season, that much is plainly obvious.
We played out our second successive 2-2 draw in just three days, both with a man down, but unlike Thursday, this was seen as two points thrown away rather than a valuable points earned.
Benjamin Nygren continued his deadly streak in front of goal, after firing us ahead with a superb free kick in the 7th minute, but rather than take control of proceedings we offered the home side hope by being woeful and wasteful in possession, slack in defence, and we had Kasper Schmeichel to thank for taking that one goal lead into the interval.
Hearts however rallied at the break, and Celtic started in the same slack manner and it wasn’t a surprise when the home side equalised after we failed to deal with a corner kick yet again, allowing Stuart Findlay to head past Schmeichel in a crowded penalty box to level the game.
Hearts rallied yet again and looked the more likely side to score, and very much nearly did, only for a superb last minute challenge by Liam Scales keeping the score level.
Celtic then went into the lead, against the run of play it has to be said, courtesy of Yang who fired home from close range after good work by new Bhoy Tomas Cvancara on the left hand side.
Auston Trusty was then ordered off after a lengthy VAR check, meaning if we wanted all three points, we would have to grind it out, but it wasn’t to be as Braga hauled the home side level with just three minutes of normal time remaining.
Despite a lengthy eight minutes of added time, neither side could find a winner. and it finished honours even, meaning the only winners on the day where theRangers who leapfrogged us into second place, and are now only four points adrift of league leaders Hearts.
It’s not the end of the world in regard to our title chances, as there’s still a lot of football to be played. But to give us a fighting chance, we need new recruits, and we need them as a matter of urgency. That much is plainly obvious.
Looking at the February fixtures for the three teams in the title race gives Celtic supporters some cause for optimism as after a tough run of games in the Scottish Premiership we certainly seem to have a run of games where maximum points can be gained.
Upcoming Fixtures to end February
Celtic
The Europa League match against Utrecht is the final match in January then in February we have league matches against Falkirk (H), Aberdeen (A), Livingston (H), Kilmarnock (A) and Hibs (H) and 15 points should be the target. We also have a Scottish cup tie against Dundee (H)
Hearts
Hearts next six league fixtures to end of February are against Dundee Utd (A), St Mirren (A), Hibs (H) – both Edinburgh sides are out of Scottish Cup, theRangers (A), Falkirk (H) and Aberdeen (H).
theRangers
And theRangers have these games to the end of February – Hibs (A), Kilmarnock (H), then their Scottish Cup tie, Motherwell (A), Hearts (H) and Livingston (A).
March opens with the Glasgow Derby at Ibrox and if Celtic can be perfect in February then things should look much better than they do this morning in terms of the league table.
It’s not over yet but our chances will be significantly improved if new signings are added in the week ahead. If that doesn’t happen our chances of retaining our title will be reduced dramatically.
Over to you Michael. Time to deliver.
Just an Ordinary Bhoy
It’s the last few days of the Half Price January sale at Celtic Star Books. Every book ordered is now just £10 and p&p is only charged on the first book at £4.50. So ordering three books will cost a total of £34.50 and given you a £30 saving. Order at celticstarbooks.com/shop
All Books Now Half Price in the Celtic Star Books January Sale…
Please note that p&p is priced at £4.50 is only charged on ONE book so you can buy as many of our books as you like and the postage cost will remain the same. Why not expand your Celtic library today?
