SENTINELCELTS

I’ll be approaching the 2nd half of the season almost exactly how I approached the 1st, with zero expectations of ultimate victory. Despite having assembled probably the best squad in the land, despite having the best striker, left winger and central defender in the league, despite the fact the title is still in our own hands, I’m not going to publicly predict a famous dream debut title for our Greek Australian leader.
 
Wearing the green tinted specs, sure there’s a good chance it could happen, but given the circumstances the head is overruling the heart by telling me its a step too far this year.
 
Even with a managerial change the current Champions have been ruthless domestically, hoping for that to change would be simply that, a hope and not an expectation.
Realistically, another ruthless six weeks would more than likely be enough to seal another Championship.
 
The team currently playing out of Ibrox shall face the best the nation has to offer in a very hard sequence of fixtures, starting tomorrow with a visit to a Scott Brown lead Aberdeen who will fancy their chances having blown a great lead at Ibrox, and finishing with a trip to Tannadice trying to halt the leagues top scorer Tony Watt.
In between Hearts, Hibs and our course our own team awaits.
I wouldn’t want their immediate fixture list, but perhaps they see it differently over there, and relish the chance to get one hand on the league trophy.
Entering March with a six point or more gap at the top, with only three fixtures that month, would have even the most fervent Tim thinking it’s over.
Anything but a Celtic victory in the early April derby clash would then surely seal the league.
 
Do I expect that club to waltz through the next six weeks racking up victory after victory, no. But then I didn’t expect their very strong start to the season, only one defeat this far with their famous twelfth man their MVP.
 
The Leather Belts shall go about their business regardless of events elsewhere, but time is running out to wrestle that title back where it belongs.
In order to become Champions once again, it’s clear what must happen.
We must become the more ruthless team over the next six weeks.
 
Glasgow Celtic must at least match our opponents leading up to the derby clash. Any dropped points must come from the other side of the city so as to enter the big game with momentum.
And then we must win that derby clash fullstop.
Anything less and we won’t be in the hunt to become Champions.
 
More and more that tie is becoming a winner takes all clash. We thrash them and send a demoralized, hurting squad against the two Edinburgh teams immediately afterwards, their worst nightmare could happen and momentum shifts.
 
A draw doesn’t help us. Should the Ibrox mob secure all three points, they can bring a large degree of confidence into the two following fixtures, two victories and the leagues as good as done.
 
Should that happen we must hold our hands up. Beating Celtic, Hearts and the Hi-Bees one after the other at this stage of the season would be the mark of Champions, excellent form the rest just can’t live with.
Yep, the next six weeks could secure their second title in two years and forty million smackeroonies.
 
The famous Glasgow Celtic can’t secure the title in the next six weeks, but they can secure a title race. Emerging the stronger by first of March with a derby victory notched up merely means the final three months shall turn into squeaky bum time, and places even more importance on the last two meetings between the teams.
 
Every season is important but few offer a debut title either way, or such huge financial rewards.
They shall fight to win, we must fight to keep hope alive.
Bring it on.

By Mahe