Pat Bonner states Celtic have made a "huge" psychological step in the title race today

By David Walton

February 20, 2022

Pat Bonner believes Celtic have made a huge psychological stride in battling past Dundee at Parkhead this evening.

The Hoops managed to secure a priceless 3-2 win at home to the Dee a that extends our lead at the top of the Premiership to 3 points. With only 11 rounds of games to play, things are starting to get tight at the summit of the league.

In recent weeks the Hoops have had to pass plenty of tests. A mammoth clash with our rivals at Parkhead. Having to overcome Dundee United in the last minute with 10 men. The dramatic 3-2 win at Pittodrie. Today was yet another of those tests, with Giorgos Giakoumakis the hero with a sensational hat-trick.

And as he reflected on a massive 3 points for the Hoops, Bonner believes it’s big psychologically as he analysed the current state of the title race.

Speaking via BBC Sportsound today [20/02, 16:53], Bonner said: “It was an incredible game. There was a bit pf psychology in it because this game could’ve almost affected Celtic if they didn’t get 3 points. Because at home, they’re 2-1 up, they lose a goal, they got beat during the week, and it could’ve affected them mentally I think.

“It goes the other way now. It gives them a huge positive kick. They go 3 points up [on Rangers]. The fans are happy, they’re walking around – just the whole thing changes incredibly from Celtic’s perspective. From that perspective, Celtic have opened up that gap and I think, psychologically, that is a huge, huge step for them.

“If it didn’t go that way today it would’ve been a different conversation we would’ve been having at this point in time.”

Celtic winning the battle of character with Rangers

If you look at how both Celtic and Rangers are faring against adversity, certainly domestically, then it’s the Hoops who continue to impress.

Ange Postecoglou’s men have now won their last 10 domestic matches in all competitions. They’ve combatted every single challenge thrown in their face in 2022, and have incredibly managed to create a 9-point swing since the Premiership resumed last month.

Contrastingly, Rangers have crumbled on several occasions this year alone. They couldn’t cope with the heat of a fiery Pittodrie whilst the Parkhead cauldron absolutely gobbled them up. They conceded 3 goals to ship points at Ross County, and then again couldn’t lift their game to win at Tannadice.

They can go on about their win in Dortmund all they want. The truth is they’re trailing Celtic where it truly matters – the title race. They’re in danger of losing a UEFA Champions League spot to us, and in the long-term, it’ll only be Celtic who are laughing because of it.

Today was a big psychological step, just as it was for us against Hearts, Rangers, Dundee United, and Aberdeen beforehand. You can’t not admire what Celtic are doing this year, even if Europe was a big disappointment on Thursday night.

Let’s see if we can show ourselves up in a better way come Thursday night. Tonight, however, Celtic fans have every right to be singing from the rafters as the gap at the top of the tree grows.

In other news, “Marked his arrival big time”; Giorgos Giakoumakis wows Michael Stewart with Celtic heroics