From now on when John Hartson speaks, we all listen after he was proved right about Celtic’s “crisis”.
Several weeks ago when the Hoops were toiling, nobody were giving them much hope. The team was apparently in rapid decline and heading for a dismal season. Brendan Rodgers was supposedly going wherever the media linked him to, and Celtic were on their knees.
Hartson, however, was one to call it out at the time. Now, the big Welshman can’t help but look back on it and boast that he told us so. Quite right too considering all of the criticism his club were receiving.
The Hoops hero was delighted with how Celtic performed at Hampden on Sunday. Therefore, today, he’s taken to his exclusive Evening Times column to have a go back.
“I was big advocate for a ‘there is no crisis at Celtic and I’m thinking I’ve a few believers more with me now.
“Hey, I might possibly have been one of the few who were of that school of thought when some points were dropped here and there. We are just into a quarter of the season and I always felt that when Celtic clicked into gear, as they have been doing, then this group of players would show how good they still were.
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“It also helps that Brendan Rodgers is not being linked with every single manager’s job on the face of the planet. That talk has settled down, thankfully, and I’ve stopped reading and listening to absolute nonsense about Celtic being in a crisis – they never were – and the manager was never on the verge of leaving.”
Crisis averted
Nobody can deny how poor Celtic were early on this season. Poor performances were coinciding with some really dismal results that halted momentum.
Being knocked out of the Champions League was bad enough. Drawing to St Mirren and losing at the likes of Hearts and Kilmarnock was even worse, however.
Celtic have always had the quality in their squad to bounce back from those set-backs. Hartson always maintained that when many people were keen to sweep it under the carpet. Now, it looks like Celtic are firing on all cylinders and ready to sweep up the competition once more.
The display in the 3-0 win over Hearts at Murrayfield was nothing short of sensational. Celtic put their best foot forward and thoroughly deserved their place in the final.
It’s not just the starting XI performing either, it’s the substitutes. Scott Sinclair and Ryan Christie both had terrific roles to play from the bench on Sunday. The latter played a part in all three goals as Celtic steamrolled to success.
It’s now four big domestic wins on the spin. Aberdeen, St Johnstone, Hibs, and Hearts have all impressively been put to the sword. Now? Dundee are in the firing line, and they should be very concerned.