As is usually the case the Scottish hacks and their carefully selected pundits have been hyping theRangers to the extent that their gullible support believes that they are some team, easily the best in Scotland and this time more than capable of turning around the insignificant matter of a nine points advantage that Celtic currently hold.
Barry Ferguson has previously explained how easy it is going to be. They’ll just win all their games ahead of Celtic visiting Ibrox on 2 January and of course Celtic are almost inevitably going to drop points ahead of that Glasgow Derby.
Three wins in the remaining top two fixtures will see them clear and the dream of 56 (sic) will be realised, no problem at all.
Neil McCann, brought up a Celtic supporter but took the shilling, added his own analysis after theRangers won a friendly match on the day Celtic shipped four goals to Rennes, to make the Ibrox side almost inevitably title favourites.
“Although it’s nine points in the league, I still believe it’s do-able,” the former Celtic supporter told Rangers TV, as reported by Football Scotland. “I find it strange because I’ve heard other guys who have played the game, whether they’ve got their Celtic hat on or whatever, on different media platforms, and they say the league is done.
“If you’re a Rangers (sic) player or you’re their manager, would you surrender the league now? The answer would be no. So why, suddenly, as a pundit looking from the outside, would you just give the title up?
“I take the point that if Celtic were to take more points and stretch the lead, then it becomes difficult. But while it’s still in your own hands – and it is if they go and win the three Old Firms (sic) – if they get to 2 January with full points, and Celtic drop a couple, then there’s no reason why the challenge can’t still be on.”
An alternative narrative has been put forward by Stiliyan Petrov in The Sunday Post print edition, Post Match supplement, page 10, where the former Celtic midfielder gave his take on where the Scottish Premiership title-race currently sits and how it is likely to develop when play resumes starting on Thursday when Hibs take on Mick Beal’s charges at Easter Road.
Talking about Celtic, Petrov said: “They are going to take some stopping. I wouldn’t be surprised in the slightest if they increased their lead in the coming months. Ange Postecoglou has such high standards, and he puts demands on his players. They know the score. They have it in them to cope with the schedule over the next few months. I think they will be looking forward to the fixture list.
“They have a League Cup semi-final against Kilmarnock on the horizon, and the Scottish Cup gets under way next month. It will be on their minds to win the Treble. That’s the kind of belief inside Celtic Park. Callum McGregor is also back after two months out. What a boost to have the captain and leader back in the team. He will be desperate to get that jersey on again, and back playing in front of 60,000 supporters.
“The first game is away to Aberdeen on Saturday, and they will look to put a marker down from the off. They will want a victory to show they remain relentless. So I believe Celtic will have the title won with a few points to spare.”
What is clear is that the league is not over, Celtic have frustratingly lost titles narrowly after having a decent lead, so we have been there before. Equally we have had a few unlikely comebacks ourselves no more so than in 1986. But no Celtic supporter would swap league positions with theRangers and every one of their supporters would love to be nine points clear at this stage.
