As recently as two months ago, Celtic appeared to be in crisis. Protests against the club’s board were staged at several matches with one banner reading “Celtic board, on your heads be it” as Brendan Rodgers’ team seemingly allowed the Scottish Premiership title race to swing towards Rangers.
By Graham Ruthven
Heading into Saturday’s final league Old Firm Derby of the season, though, Celtic can effectively clinch yet another championship. The trophy won’t be handed out at Celtic Park, but a home victory would put Celtic six points ahead of Rangers with two games left to play. It would be all over…Bar for the fat lady singing.
Rodgers deserves credit for the way he turned around Celtic’s season to put them on the brink of a 12th title in 13 years. There was a point at which the Northern Irishman looked detached – disinterested, even – from the situation he’d entered by returning to Glasgow last summer. Now, though, he is once again driving the Hoops forward
Celtic are currently on a run of five wins from their last six league with their only stumble coming in a 3-3 draw away to Rangers which, in the context of everything, was a positive result. Indeed, that point at Ibrox could prove to be the most important in Celtic’s entire season given it put the title race back in their own hands.
While Philippe Clement has revitalised Rangers since his appointment in October, the Belgian has yet to beat Celtic. The Hoops were the more proactive of the two teams in the last Old Firm Derby and they are expected to play on the front-foot again on Saturday. Rangers might not be able to handle the attacking threat of their rivals.
After a difficult start to the season, Kyogo Furuhashi has found form in recent weeks, scoring twice in last weekend’s win over Hearts. Rodgers initially struggled to find a role for the Japanese forward, but has more recently deployed him in a position where he can get on the end of chances in and around the box.
Ange Postecoglou’s departure for Tottenham Hotspur left Celtic in ideological limbo. Rodgers prefers a more considered possession-based game and several players struggled with the transition between the two managers at the start of the season. Kyogo, perhaps more than any other player, embodied this.
There were times earlier in the season when Celtic were simply too slow and laboured on the ball to break down low defensive blocks. Rodgers, however, has done a lot to inject some intensity to his team over the last few weeks with James Forrest providing some much-needed forward thrust in recent games against Dundee and Hearts. He will likely start on Saturday.
The return of Reo Hatate and Callum McGregor from injury has also raised Celtic’s performance levels in the centre of the pitch while Cameron Carter-Vickers has finally provided some defensive consistency after a long period on the sidelines. As the treatment room has emptied at Celtic Park, the Hoops’ results and performances have improved.
“I don’t think there is any doubt [Celtic are ready], we’ll arrive into this weekend’s game and this will probably be the best version of the team that I’ve had since I’ve been here [in the second spell],” said Rodgers. “When you look at the injuries we’ve had, right the way though, the disruptions, it felt like at the weekend was about there, virtually, in player availability and where the team is at. And in terms of fitness as well.”
Matt O’Riley has flourished under Rodgers this season with the Danish international used in a more advanced midfield position than was the case under Postecoglou while centre back Liam Scales has emerged as one of the surprise packages of the season. Progress has been slower than many fans would have liked, but it has been achieved.
Another title triumph would do little to silence the complaints of supporters and pundits who justifiably claim Celtic must do more in the transfer market to take the next step in their development, but it would reflect how fortunate they are to have one of the most accomplished, experienced coaches in British football right now at the helm.
(Cover image from IMAGO)
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