Celtic supporters are having a lot of fun this week and for good reason.
While everyone acknowledges no silverware has been won yet, the turnaround in fortunes during the ongoing title race has left the Bhoys in pole position to secure another Scottish Premiership trophy.
Brendan Rodgers’ side sit three points clear at the top of the table after Rangers badly messed up their two games in hand with a defeat at Ross County and a draw away to Dundee.
Philippe Clement and his team have had a horror week. It’s left their supporters wondering where it’s all gone wrong and their big-name pundits walking back boastful predictions made before the recent 3-3 derby at Ibrox.
Barry Ferguson is one such pundit. He claimed that Celtic would be five points behind his old club at this stage – a laughable eight-point swing from where things currently sit. But he’s at least been honest in the aftermath and it’s clear he is absolutely gutted.
Barry Ferguson on events in Celtic and Rangers title race
The former Ibrox captain told The Daily Record [19/04 print edition]: “No one enjoys having to admit when they’ve got it wrong. So what I’m about to write won’t be easy. But a couple of weeks ago I didn’t just make a mistake in this column – I ignored all my instincts and threw caution to the wind when I predicted Rangers would go into the post-split fixtures five points clear at the top of the table and on their way to the title.
“In my own defence, I did add that football does have a habit of biting you on the bum if you start taking anything for granted. So now here I am, with teeth marks all over my backside, trying to work out what the hell has just happened over the course of the last fortnight.
“And the truth is it’s getting very difficult for me to try to defend the indefensible where my old club’s recent results and performances are concerned. Let’s just say I was almost lost for words on Wednesday when I watched them lose another two precious points in Dundee and it left me feeling so down that I struggled to get a decent night’s sleep.”
Celtic must keep eyes on the prize
It’s good to see the swagger taken out of Rangers’ step. But Celtic have had enough of their twists and turns this season and nothing can be taken for granted.
Thankfully the message coming out of Lennoxtown is strong and purposeful. Rodgers was perfectly clear today that his staff and players have not been distracted by events across the city.
All the noise around the title race must be ignored. No complacency, no let up, no letting the Ibrox lot off the hook. The title is there to be won and Celtic must assert their dominance. Five games to go.
