Whatever has come Celtic’s way this season from pundits and fans, and whatever comes their way for the post-split fixtures, they can’t argue against it and have to take it on the chin.
Even if some find it unfair or agenda-driven, because Celtic have been so abject this term that they have nowhere to hide.
You would think that if Celtic beat St Mirren in the Scottish Cup semi-final at the weekend, then they could use that as momentum for the chaotic post-split fixtures, but not from Steven Naismith’s perspective.
“For Celtic, I don’t feel this weekend, even if they win comfortably,” said Naismith. “I don’t think that really does that for them.
“I just think everything is teetering on the edge. Where the squad is sitting. What the performances have been like.”
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Steven Naismith questions possible Celtic boost if they beat St Mirren in Scottish Cup semi-final
While Celtic will be battling it out for a place in the Scottish Cup final on Sunday, Hearts and Rangers will go on a mini break.
That’s because they don’t have any matches this weekend, and are just waiting for those post-split fixtures to unleash misery or joy on everybody involved.
Naismith told The Warm-Up that he thinks Celtic will beat St Mirren ‘comfortably’ at Hampden, after securing a 1-0 win in the Premiership this past weekend.
You also have the return of the Green Brigade, and once again, Naismith is ‘not sure’ it will give the champions of Scotland that extra few per cent that they need to win the title.
Even Chris Sutton didn’t disagree with the former Scotland international, as this is talk Celtic have to accept and swallow unless they do something about it on the pitch.
“See if it was a normal season, all teams decent enough playing,” said Naismith. “You play in a semi-final and then get into a semi-final. That gives you that wee bit more of a lift.
“For Celtic, I don’t feel this weekend, even if they win comfortably, I don’t think that really does that for them.
“I just think everything is teetering on the edge. Where the squad is sitting. What the performances have been like.
“I think they will win comfortably in the cup semi-final. Based on the League Cup final, and how poor they were. Based on the weekend. I also don’t think St Mirren carried any threat against Celtic. I think, for that reason, Celtic will create enough chances that somebody will score a goal or two to get them to the final.
“But I don’t think it gives them that lift. Everything is a bit, ‘we are close to last chance here or else we are going to fall away.’
Chris Sutton then asks: “The Green Brigade back in at Celtic Park. Do you think that’s going to make a big difference?
Naismith: “I am not sure it does. Maybe for the games against Rangers and Hearts. But I don’t think it does.”
Sutton: “I think it’s good that they are back. It should have been done earlier, really getting them back in. But I don’t think that will make so much of a difference.
“If Celtic drop points against Falkirk, which is a possibility, then I think it will all just kick off.”
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