Time will now tell whether or not Celtic are starting to hit the right notes at the right time.
One thing is for sure: Celtic’s win over Falkirk on Saturday evening is a positive sign that these post-split fixtures could lead to the Premiership title.
Another reason for optimism are the words of Falkirk manager John McGlynn, and what he noticed about the champions of Scotland without the ball.
For much of this campaign, Celtic have struggled to find their rhythm with the ball, while entirely losing their pressing spark without it.
Yet, according to McGlynn, Martin O’Neill’s men completely flipped that script, proving to be ‘very much at it’ during their recent clash.
“They were very much at it,” said McGlynn. “Sprinting to every situation that they could press. I haven’t seen them do that. They were at it.”
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There is perhaps no better example of this returning spark than Daizen Maeda’s display against Falkirk.
By constantly harrying the opposition into mistakes, his high-pressing game was the direct catalyst for two goals – his own opener and Kieran Tierney’s sensational thunderbolt.
But you don’t just press as a one-man army.
Perhaps the much-changed atmosphere around Celtic also played a part, because all of this is very much needed, and could play a pivotal role in the domestic double being secured.
Of course, Hoops fans will be cautious and well aware that the team can fall back into old habits, but so far, hearing and listening to McGlynn’s comments on BBC Radio Scotland is a huge positive for all.
“I don’t think there is an awful lot in the game at all,” stated McGlynn. “It was disappointing to lose that goal, and of course, with Celtic, they are always going to go right to the final whistle.
“They were very much at it. Sprinting to every situation that they could press. I haven’t seen them do that. They were at it.”
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