With so many potential twists and turns ahead, nobody at Celtic or Rangers is very keen on hyping up the coming title race beyond recognition of the obvious stakes.
Speak to Brendan Rodgers and he’ll tell you he is strictly focused on the Bhoys and Philippe Clement would say the same about his Ibrox lot.
For fans, the tension is undoubtedly mounting. Celtic have just eight Scottish Premiership games remaining and two of them are derbies.
But how are the players feeling? It has to be noted that many members of this squad have been in title races before and have been successful. You’d need a big cupboard for all the medals won by this group.
A calmness is coming out of Celtic right now and it’s not complacency. Joe Hart’s media appearance today was the perfect example.
Joe Hart on how the Celtic squad are feeling right now
The big goalkeeper is one of those who stayed at Lennoxtown during the international break and he’s observing a confident squad ready to make a final push for silverware.
Speaking in a media conference on Friday, Hart said: “It was used well. Some got good international minutes, and we stayed back and got some good training in.
“We’re all ready to go. Especially the guys who didn’t have the internationals as a distraction. We’ve been waiting for this to come around now and we’re looking forward to Sunday.
“We’ve got to take it on. We have to keep everyone in as good a condition as we possibly can and have a stronger squad to pick from and we have to attack every game.
Asked about the mood in the dressing room, Hart continued: “We’re in a good place. There’s always that fresh feeling after an international break. You spend an awful lot of time together so it’s nice to have some time apart, have a few stories to share. We’re getting a few people back fit. I feel like we’re in a good spot.”
Joe Hart can go out on retirement high
For Hart, this is a last hurrah and he’ll be desperate to bow out with some silverware.
The Englishman has won a lot in the game and has nothing to prove – but taking a lap of honour in front of 60,000 supporters would be very special indeed.
The goalkeeper is still capable of pulling off stops to win points for Celtic. Although there’s an acknowledgement that the Bhoys can upgrade the position this summer, it would be incredibly satisfying to see Hart at the centre of more trophy success in Scotland.
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