Kris Boyd spent most of the discussion tearing into Rangers after their collapse against Hearts, but in doing so he ended up admitting exactly why Celtic are still firmly alive in this title race.
The former Rangers striker effectively summed up the difference between the two teams right now. Rangers have crumbled under pressure. Celtic have simply kept winning.
Speaking after Hearts’ dramatic comeback at Tynecastle, Boyd delivered a surprisingly honest assessment of Celtic’s response since the damaging defeat at Tannadice earlier this season.
Would you like to see Reo Hatate feature against Rangers?
Hatate has been an unused sub for three matches in a row!
Kris Boyd admitted Celtic handled the Tannadice setback like champions
Boyd openly admitted many people expected Celtic’s title hopes to disappear after the loss at Tannadice.
He said: “I think if you go back to that night, the day at Tannadice they lose the game there and you think, ‘Right, that’s Celtic done’, the response since then has shown that Celtic have got talented players in there.”
“They’re winning games of football. You don’t get extra points if you go and dominate a game for 90 minutes and score five goals every week. It doesn’t get you an extra point.”
That response has been difficult to argue with. Celtic have won four straight league matches since that defeat, taking 12 points from 12 while continuing to pile pressure onto the teams above them.
It has not always been comfortable, but Boyd admitted that is largely irrelevant at this stage of a title race.
Celtic have quietly done what Rangers could not
What made Boyd’s comments especially interesting was the contrast with his criticism of Rangers throughout the programme.
Again and again, he questioned their mentality, their composure and their ability to handle pressure situations. Then he effectively explained why Celtic still remain such a serious threat in the title race.
Boyd said: “Celtic know what’s at stake. They know they have to pick up three points every single game they go into. And that’s exactly what they’ve been doing.”
“And Arne Engels coming back as well, Alistair Johnston is now back, was unbelievable for the goal. Maeda’s back to form. So Celtic are now in a good position.”
Celtic are still standing because mentality matters most now
Perhaps the most revealing part of Boyd’s assessment was his acknowledgement that Celtic have continued collecting points despite constant criticism around performances.
He said: “Everybody’s had them written off, because of previous seasons. The level of performance because it’s not been at that level. But if you actually look at it have been winning games of football.”
“They have just done enough to win the games and they got the three points and they are still in the mix. Hearts will know that. Huge result for Hearts yesterday, but Celtic are still there.”
For all the discussion around Rangers momentum over recent months, Boyd’s comments made one thing very clear.
Celtic still have the mentality, experience and composure that title races demand most.
Receive a digest of our best Celtic content each week direct to your mailbox
