The Full Scottish with Brian P. Dunleavy Follow Brian on Twitter Former Celtic striker John Hartson said this week that it will “take a miracle” for the Hoops to catch Rangers in the Premiership title race. Frankly, we don’t believe it miracles—and we think he may be right. Although the positive vibes (albeit muted ones) […]
The post A Christmas Miracle for Celtic? first appeared on FirstTouchOnline.com.The Full Scottish with Brian P. Dunleavy
Former Celtic striker John Hartson said this week that it will “take a miracle” for the Hoops to catch Rangers in the Premiership title race.
Frankly, we don’t believe it miracles—and we think he may be right. Although the positive vibes (albeit muted ones) that have returned to the Hoops side, if not Celtic Park as a whole, over the course of four straight wins—including an unprecedented fourth consecutive domestic treble—are welcome, the Bhoys will need more than positive thinking.
Steven Gerrard’s Rangers continue to win in the league and do so in dominating fashion. They hold a 16-point lead in the table, though Celtic have three matches in hand, and every one of them well earned.
Last season, we observed that the Hoops seem to have taken up full-time residence in the heads of the Ibrox men after the latter dominated play in the League Cup final only to lose, in spite of a second-half red card to Jeremie Frimpong.
Neil Lennon’s team seem to hold on to their penthouse view in the collective Govan psyche after the turn of the year last season, when an impressive run of form rendered the title race over, bar the shouting, before COVID-19 stopped the world.
This season, at least so far, it’s ’Gers benefitting from location, location, location. Celtic may have secured its fourth consecutive Scottish Cup by defeating Hearts, on penalties, last Sunday but rather than wilt in response to the Hoops’ apparent resurgence, Gerrard’s side turned in another comprehensive performance in midweek in Perth against St. Johnstone, the same team Lennon’s charged struggled against during a 1-1 draw earlier this month.
Gerrard seems to have changed the mojo at Ibrox. Whether Rangers can maintain it should Celtic continue to play well remains to be seen.
In fact, we may all find out sooner rather than later—with the two bitter rivals set to meet on January 2nd at Ibrox. Even with a win, Celtic may still “need a miracle,” but a result could give them a leg up on the psychic battle as the season progresses into the second half.
