The Final Straight

Well, it's that time of the year again; post split with little to separate the two giants of Scottish football, in this case a single point is all that stands between Celtic and the league title. Given that we are approaching the end of the season with some rapidity, I think it's time that everybody lay their cards on the table and give their honest predictions as to what will happen over the next month or so. Here are my cards...


In brief, I think this seasons league title will be displayed with green and white ribbons and that is not simply due to the tint in my glasses. Before the game against Kilmarnock, I was of the opinion that if Celtic produce victories in their next two games, the the league is ours; as the Kilmarnock game turned out to be a resounding 4-0 to the hoops then it has left me with full confidence in the ability of the team at Celtic Park to take the fight to Ibrox and return with the title odds heavily in their favor. 

If you look at the remaining games on the Celtic calender post-Easter Sunday's old firm, there isn't a great deal to provide a challenge; the only teams pitted against The Bhoys in the league that could have posed a threat to their chances after the final Old Firm in a business-as-usual league tie are Hearts and Dundee United, but, the Dundee's game marks the first time that their heavy 3 player suspension wears off and I believe the recovery time is too little to face an Old Firm side and Hearts last win was more than a month ago against St. Mirren and even that was settled in the 93rd minute, all their other games since then have been draws. 


So, in my opinion as it stands, the only hurdle to completing our campaign to the league title with success is the Easter Sunday Old Firm match. This is the most important game of the season for the two Glasgow giants, more so for Rangers as with our game-in-hand they need a win if they are to undeniably claim the SPL top spot. If you are reading this blog then you already know this, but I believe that whoever wins this game on Sunday, quite simply, wins the league; this is of coarse barring some major upset from one of the aforementioned Celtic fixtures and/or the games that Rangers have still to play and it's looking a little bit hopeful that should a result for Celtic not present itself, or the result be a draw, then a fully recovered Dundee United could provide a safety net and be ready and waiting to take revenge on The Gers for the questionable "3-red-cards" game by taking them out of the title race. but things like that shouldn't be taken into consideration when planning out how to play a game like Sunday's; go out there and bring back a win!

After that we can celebrate Neil Lennon lifting the trophy, in his first season as manager and with many of his players in the same boat, and breathe a sigh of relief...at least until the 21st of May...