The Celtic fans will remember all too well the narrative surrounding the club when Rangers seemed to be mounting a title challenge.
Of course, they do because Brendan Rodgers referenced it on a number of occasions during the title run-in.
Injury problems, loss of form and players adjusting when a hugely popular manager left after winning a treble last season were all factors in Celtic’s rollercoaster form in the league.
After having a seven-point lead cut at the top to go five points behind, there were a few nervy moments in the season before Brendan Rodgers‘ side finally wrapped up the title.
But it was when Rangers went top that the Scottish media went into overdrive and Liam Scales has shared what the Celtic dressing room thought of it.
Celtic players not ‘bothered’ Rangers narrative
The headlines and pundit opinion during that point of the season was that not only were the Rangers coming, but the league was all but over after they went top.
It was a strange time and Scales said that his Celtic teammates didn’t let it bother them.
Scales said [Irish Independent], “I haven’t really had any bad interactions with anyone, Celtic or Rangers.
“If a Rangers fan sees you they look the other way, but maybe it’s because we were winning the league this year.
“It’s been a different year for me. I’ve kept my head down as you do get noticed a bit more but it’s a good thing.
“It’s a bit of a fishbowl but we are all used to that now. We know what to expect.
“In the middle of the season, there was a bit of doubt about us, Rangers were favourites to win the league and the media jumped on it.
“But it never bothered us. The manager was focused on us and how we approach winning the league rather than listening to what people outside were saying.”
Rodgers was a master at deflecting criticism from his team and creating a siege mentality. The Celtic boss took all the criticism in his stride whilst dropping brilliant one-liners to put all the pressure back onto Rangers boss, Philipp Clement.
And it worked. The Ibrox gaffer took the bait, especially when Rodgers’ comments about ‘having fun‘ at the Celtic Park Glasgow Derby were taken right out of context.
And as the old season has now ended and the new season approaches, no doubt the Celtic supporters will see the same media circus that they witnessed recently.
At least they have a manager at the club who can handle the pressure that comes with the job and that will stand Celtic in good stead for the season ahead.