Pat Bonner: Lose the league and Celtic fans won't forgive you

By David Walton

January 17, 2019

Celtic great Pat Bonner has opened up on the title-race, and claimed that Brendan Rodgers and Peter Lawwell won’t be forgiven if the club concede the title.

The Hoops are currently level on points with Rangers at the top of the table. With a game in-hand there for them, however, it’s still advantage Celtic in the title-race.

The club have also been making moves in the transfer market. Vakoun Issouf Bayo, Timothy Weah, and Oliver Burke have all joined this month. The latter two are on six-month loan deals.

Brendan Rodgers has made three acquisitions this season, with more scheduled to come (Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

With two more targets in the pipeline, Celtic’s work has yet to be done. And according to Bonner, speaking in the Daily Mail, the top men won’t be forgiven if things don’t go their way this season.

“The fans won’t forgive them – Peter Lawwell more than Brendan, probably – if they don’t win ten in a row

“Given the position of strength they were working from and how close they are to doing it.

“The league is undoubtedly the big thing this year. I would forget about the Treble and just concentrate on winning that eighth successive championship – a double this season would be enough.”

Celtic’s appetite demands more

The appetite Celtic now have for success is on an unprecedented level. It’s now as if supporters expect the club to be winning the treble every season, as the club has now become obsessed with domestic domination.

It’s testament to the work done by Rodgers. If any Celtic manager has earned some leeway, then it’s him. Winning the double-treble and going a full-season unbeaten was incredible.

But the Northern Irishman can’t be totally absolved of blame this season either. Some baffling tactical decisions against the likes of Hibernian and Rangers in particular have left the league table closer than we would like it.

Pat Bonner played for Celtic between 1982 and 1998 Mandatory Credit: Russell Cheyne/Allsport

Peter Lawwell, however, will be the one fans have their eyes on more, like Bonner says. The Celtic Chief Executive consistently seems to try his best not to spend anything substantial on player recruitment. The Odsonne Edouard deal aside, it’s rare the club pay big money for a player, even if they have it.

The title is a long way from being lost. Celtic remain in the driving seat despite a dodgy first half of the campaign. But if worse comes to worst, Bonner is right and fury will be vented in all directions.