In some quarters today’s Glasgow Derby is being described as a must not lose encounter. Neil Lennon, Ryan Christie and Callum McGregor have all gone down that route when interviewed in the build-up to this afternoon’s clash.
Whilst that particular message makes sense when it comes to public consumption, we can but hope it’s not one that is being considered as an acceptable outcome within the confines of the changing room.
Today’s game is a ‘just win’ encounter. Our form until the last four weeks has left us in a precarious position when it comes to Celtic achieving a record breaking tenth consecutive title. Countenancing even a draw at this stage is not something that can be viewed as acceptable, not when there remains a power of work to gather in a rival who has built a sixteen-point lead at the top of the table.
There is only one side today who can comfortably accept a draw as a good result and that is the team who need do nothing more than maintain the current equilibrium in the title race. Sixteen points at this stage, should be viewed as 17 of a deficit when you consider the huge gap in goal difference. At this stage that equates to a further point.
As such even a drawn game at this time would leave Celtic requiring assistance from elsewhere to crawl ourselves back into a title race. Only a win keeps the matter in our own hands and as such that is the only acceptable outcome today.
Sending out a Celtic team with that singular message will focus the minds. Our opponents on the other hand may be the ones caught between the two stools of stick or twist when it comes to approaching today’s game from a tactical perspective.
Celtic however have no scope for any form of hesitancy. This is a game where bravery on the ball, in creating and taking chances will be just as if not more important than the traditional battling for possession, yards or winning tackles.
There can be no mixed messages, no acceptance of a point being viewed as anything other than a failure today.
Celtic’s last performance in a Glasgow Derby was not acceptable, even in the dark days of a rampant and expensively assembled Rangers side in the 90’s, Celtic never put in a performance as inept and embarrassing as they did that day. That is a wrong that can be put right today. Their only comfort or excuse can be the fact the squad was severely impacted by Covid, track and trace withdrawals and injuries. There are far more limited excuses available today.
Right now, Celtic are back in form. The team is scoring and creating. In terms of stats Celtic’s level have gone through the roof whist our opponents, although winning have been dropping off. Celtic will be aware of the switch and so too will our rivals.
Analytical feedback is supplied to players after every game, individuals will know their own numbers. While Celtic players can be buoyed by theirs, there will be doubts creeping in to our opponents that a defeat is likely if they keep performing as they have been in recent weeks. Standards have been dropping and a good team could take advantage. Celtic are a good team. That will be at the back of their minds. There is a vulnerability creeping in.
As such opportunity knocks for Celtic to take the game to their opponents today. Big players need to step up and perform to their best. They need not to think of this game as a league tie, this is a one-off match, one that if Celtic win they are back in this title race.
A thirteen-point gap and victory in the three games in hand cuts a title race from insurmountable to four points and possible. And with two further games to play against our rivals, even the case of both teams matching each other outside of these encounters leaves it entirely in our hands to win this title. To be in that position a win today is essential.
And this Celtic side can do just that. If they do, they know they have gone on a long unbeaten run post-Christmas just last season and emerged with the title. Our opponents on the other hand have the muscle memory of a title collapse. The psychological edge will lie with Celtic. Anything other than a win today leaves that edge with our opponents.
So, whilst the message in the media from Celtic appears to be this game is must not lose, the message from Neil Lennon to the players must be to win, exorcise the ghosts of 17th October and plant seeds of doubt in the delicate mentality of our opponents.
Celtic have done it all before, theRangers have not. That is their weakness and our strength. It’s why we must have one goal in mind. Just win Celtic.
Niall J
