When Celtic – by way of a lucky Moi Elyounoussi goal – grabbed a draw from the jaws of defeat against St Johnstone on 6 December, the thoughts of a Celtic title challenge seemed a million miles away.
Celtic’s win yesterday against Dundee United, the three goals, clean sheet and crisp, sharp team performance have now led to a feeling of renewed optimism that Celtic can start 2021 as they ended 2020. With a win.
After that 1-1 draw at Celtic Park, it was absolutely essential Celtic went on a sustained winning run. There was no margin for error, it had to be win after win right up the visit to Ibrox and then it was essential Celtic did not lose that encounter either.
So far Celtic’s return to form has been as unlikely as the slump that went before it. In that time Neil Lennon and his men have found a formation, an injection of young energetic players and carried out the first part of their task, to remain on the coattails of our rivals across the City.
Now on Saturday lunchtime the final part of that task has to be faced, and it’s one we’ll go into with renewed optimism and belief.
Celtic have slowly but surely returned to winning ways and against Hamilton – and particularly yesterday against Dundee United – confidence had also started to return.
All three goals in a controlled performance, against a side who had not lost by more than a single goal in 17 games, were from the top drawer, all three indicative of a side not only winning games now but also one where there was an element of putting on the style was returning to the Celtic play. It is very timely indeed.
It’s one thing to go to Ibrox in winning form, it’s something altogether more assuring to go there with a gallus streak returning to our play. Chances may well be minimal and as such hesitancy and caution in the final third could have been a concern. You just had to see Ismaila Soro and David Turnbull’s strikes from distance to see there is no such caution when Celtic are on the front foot these days, and what about the through ball from Griffiths to Eddy for the beautifully lobbed third? A real ‘Celtic way’ goal and a couple of names on a team-sheet to strike fear into any side.
Our rivals you’d have to admit are on an impressive run and they will be buoyed by their win at Celtic Park, but talking of team sheets it’s worth comparing what theRangers faced last time out compared to what they are likely to face on Saturday.
Instead of Griffiths and Edouard, a Covid and injury hit Celtic side started that game on 17 October with Moi Elyounoussi and Patryk Klimala up front in the 2-0 defeat at Celtic Park. It is rather unlikely either will start the game at Ibrox and you can be certain theRangers defence will be far more concerned at coming up against Griff and Eddy.
In midfield both Olivier Ntcham and Scott Brown began that game alongside Callum McGregor. The form of both David Turnbull and Ismaila Soro means a place on the bench is far more likely than a first eleven jersey for Broony or Ntcham this time around. The youthful energy and snapping at heels of Soro and consistent creativity of David Turnbull is likely to be more of a threat to our rivals this time around.
While at the back both Shane Duffy and Stephen Welsh joined Kris Ajer in defence last time. Two out of those three are unlikely to play on Saturday, though of course we waited with bated breath on the injury situation surrounding Christopher Jullien.
It looks however that at least five and possibly six of the eleven who lost to theRangers at Celtic Park are unlikely to start this game at Ibrox, they will also have to face a formation that seems to be reaping rewards for the Celts.
Celtic go to Ibrox with the sort of form figures theRangers have not faced this season. The Celts are now unbeaten in six league games, our last four games have all been won without conceding a goal –something unthinkable only a few weeks ago – indeed Celtic had only kept one clean sheet in the league all season prior to this upturn in form.
The timing of a Celtic win at Ibrox could blow the title race wide open. Not only would it plant seeds of doubt and shift the psychological edge to Glasgow’s East End, it would cut the deficit at the top to 13 points with Celtic having three games in hand. Winning those games now seems plausible and with it a 13-point gap would close to four.
With theRangers then facing three away games in their four fixtures following the Glasgow Derby, including trips to Aberdeen, Hibs and Motherwell it would test the mental resilience of a side not famed for holding their nerve when the silverware comes into sight. Just look what happened when they were afforded a free hit at the League Cup this season for the most recent example a questionable mentality at Ibrox.
For any of this to have a chance of happening Celtic need to go to Ibrox and win. And while it has been described as a must not lose game for Celtic I don’t think given the deficit at play that Celtic can consider anything other than going for all three points on Saturday. A win will result in the jitters returning to theRangers dressing room whereby a draw could easily be shrugged off.
Our rivals may well approach this encounter with confidence having won the first Derby of the season, but they haven’t played this Celtic team yet and the one that takes the field on Saturday will be a very different proposition in terms of personnel, confidence and momentum than the one that lost so meekly at Celtic Park last time out.
Celtic have hit form and started winning games at just the right time. There is also something returning to Celtic’s play we haven’t seen for some time. A swagger and belief evidenced by the style of all three goals yesterday. When that returns to a Celtic side, it is hard not to believe history may yet beckon for this team. Something that seemed almost impossible just 25 days ago now feels entirely attainable.
Niall J
