Celtic boss Brendan Rodgers has endured a varied first campaign back in charge at Parkhead after replacing Ange Postecoglou in the dugout.
As we canter towards the business end of the season, the Bhoys are still in a position where they could claim both the Scottish Premiership and Scottish Cup, though any silverware will be hard-earned.
In the league, Celtic have dropped points on eight separate occasions; nevertheless, Rodgers has a chance to pile the pressure on Rangers this weekend if his side can emerge from Ibrox victorious this Sunday.
Doubters have been quick to discredit the Irishman since his return to the Hoops; nevertheless, it isn’t all about the journey; the final destination takes precedence, especially in Glasgow.
Title races aren’t for the faint of heart; regardless, we find ourselves neck-and-neck with our arch-rivals in early April, which is just a situation we must deal with to the best of our ability during the run-in.
On a positive note, Rodgers has nearly a full-strength squad to choose from as we head to Govan. Luis Palma and Callum McGregor are expected to be involved on a day when our title-winning credentials are set to be scrutinized.
Neil Warnock calls out treatment of Celtic boss Brendan Rodgers
Experienced boss Neil Warnock enjoyed a short, colourful stint at Aberdeen earlier this year before departing the club in early March after just over a month in charge.
Now a free man, the 75-year-old shared an honest account of his time in Scotland live on the airwaves with Alan Brazil and Ally McCoist on the talkSPORT Breakfast Show.
In an intriguing observation, he couldn’t help but notice the unwelcome attention he believes Rodgers attracts from some sections of the media.
He stated: “I look at the press up there, poor Brendan Rodgers gets absolutely slaughtered, doesn’t he? Every game.
“The ex-players, Willie Miller and one or two others, the things that they said, they’ve obviously got big chips on their shoulders. It’s not easy up there, but I’m glad we’re going to have a really close finish (to the season), aren’t we?”
Celtic and Brendan Rodgers should ignore external noise
Scottish football is famous for its boom-and-bust culture, and that won’t change; however, there isn’t any point in Rodgers paying too much attention to external noise during the season run-in.
Collectively, Celtic know what they need to do for the remainder of this campaign, though it is interesting to see Warnock highlight the media’s role in leading the narrative surrounding any given managerial tenure, albeit in a jovial manner.
Nevertheless, it is what it is, and I’m sure Rodgers will have bigger priorities than what people who cannot positively influence his situation have to say.