“I wouldn’t write Celtic off,” BBC Sportscene pundit

BBC Sportscene pundit Michael Stewart reminded their audience that Celtic haven’t gone away and are still very much involved in this title race after yesterday’s sensational second half at Fir Park when Brendan Rodgers’ side turned around a dismal first half showing to run out emphatic 3-1 winners.

Many Celtic supporters could have been forgiven at half-time yesterday to start to think the unthinkable as far as this season’s title is concerned but they’ll have changed their tune after the second half performance that yielded three goals and could easily have been more. It was a performance and result that re-ignites Celtic’s season and kick-starts the team back into gear after a stuttering start to the post winter break fixtures.

Stewart, always a balanced pundit, points to the return of Cameron Carter-Vickers for the business end to the season, notes the impact of both Yang and in particular Adam Idah in the second half yesterday and also mentions the tantalising prospect of a Reo Hatate return that can’t be too far away as another reason why Celtic shouldn’t be written off in this title race that is – as some have forgotten – still very much in our own hands.

What none of the pundits are talking about is the slight difficulty theRangers have had in talking anything from Celtic when it matters. That cost Mick Beale his job and Clement also has to taste anything but bitter defeat at the hands of the Hoops.

Stewart, speaking on BBC Sportscene last night had this to say about Celtic’s second half showing at Fir Park and what it means in the grand scheme of things where it comes to the destination of this season’s Scottish Premiership title.

“The third goal is the icing on the cake but to a certain extent it is irrelevant. The second goal was the huge goal. Near the end of the game it felt like it was going to slip away from them but that goes in and you are then able to accentuate the positives,” the BBC man stated.

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“Carter-Vickers is back. That is huge. When he came on you noticed Theo Bair dropped out of the game. He wasn’t as effective as he was early on in the game. McGregor was better today. When you look at the likes of Yang in the wide area. Not to say he was the answer, but he was giving a bit of penetration there and Idah of course a massive positive,” Stewart added.

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“All of a sudden you start to see the semblance of recovery and if Hatate gets back into that team quick enough as well you can potentially see a route for Celtic to get back in and apply some pressure on (the)Rangers at the top of that table.

“I still do feel they (theRangers) are slight favourites. The momentum is with them but having seen that today with a bit of fight and desire and some players coming back, I wouldn’t write Celtic off.”

That’s a fair assessment. The one factor that Stewart didn’t mention is the turn-around in the mood among the Celtic supporters at Fir Park and afterwards on social media and forums. Despondency has been replaced by title winning battle fever as the the days get longer and Celtic thoughts turn towards trophies. The Celtic support knows what it takes to help deliver the title and we’ll see a BIG difference at Celtic Park on Wednesday night – on and off the park – as Celtic unites behind our title winning push.

READ THIS…Brendan’s Great ‘Idah Idea’ Turns Anxiety To Elation At Fir Park

You really must believe us… We’re going to win the league, we’re going to win the league, we’re going to win the league…

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About Author

The Celtic Star founder and editor David Faulds has edited numerous Celtic books over the past decade or so including several from Lisbon Lions, Willie Wallace, Tommy Gemmell and Jim Craig. Earliest Celtic memories include a win over East Fife at Celtic Park and the 4-1 League Cup loss to Partick Thistle as a 6 year old. Best game? Easy 4-2, 1979 when Ten Men Won the League. Email editor@thecelticstar.co.uk

2 Comments

  1. Bang on !! Now Celtic lets go win this Double!! Its what we do and who we are and thats winners!! We own this set up!! And the posionous filth of mordor know that all too well , they are terrified of Brendan ! And no wonder he sick a beating them !!And they cant handle a vibrant Celtic! And never could especially when we are all togetger! See they dont know that feeling as they live to hate! Whereas we live iur club as the man says ” We are Celtic and they are us” Lets do this CELTIC! Its ours for the taking there no doubts in my mind about that