As a cloud continues to hover over Parkhead, Celtic have to just focus on winning and nothing more.
The Hoops are in a mini-series of setbacks that seem to have set the club back.
A long-running saga with Dedryck Boyata has coincided with lacklustre defending. The knock-on effect then saw Celtic bumped out of Europe after losing early ground to Rangers in what could be a title-race.
All in all, it’s been a pretty dismal few weeks to start the season for Brendan Rodgers’ men.
In football, there’s only one way to gain confidence back – by winning, It doesn’t matter how, and it doesn’t matter where, just win. Failure to do so, regardless of team performance, and supporters will be on a club’s back.
That’s why Saturday’s 3-1 win at Partick Thistle was so important for Rodgers’ side. Whilst winning with style would’ve been nice given the time Celtic are having, it didn’t matter in the end. Progression to the Betfred Cup quarter-finals was sealed and it was job done.
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Against Thistle, Celtic only impressed in flashes. When they had to turn on the style, they did, and that’s what should please the manager most.
If Celtic continue to stutter from victory to victory and slowly build some ground between them and their title rivals, all will be forgiven. It won’t matter if Celtic are playing beautiful football to do it either.
The club is in a mini-crisis
At the end of the day, the club is in a mini-crisis. There have been too many setbacks over the last several weeks, and it’s pushed Celtic backwards.
Be it a refusal to spend money from the board, or simply terrible defending from players who should know better. The Parkhead side have had their fair share of hard knocks in recent times.
However, it will all be forgotten should they build up a head of steam both at home and in Europe.
Thursday night’s clash at Suduva in the Europa League playoff first-leg isn’t a match where pretty football should be expected.
A tough trip to Lithuania against a side who’ll be looking to be hard to beat. This is a game that simply requires a win. It’ll then be followed up by games against Hamilton, Suduva and Rangers at Parkhead.
Pretty football would be encouraging and welcome, but at the moment not essential. Should Celtic win their next four matches, nobody is going to be talking about internal affairs.
It’s a fickle but simple game. Fans love to moan, and it doesn’t take much for them to do so. However, four wins from the next four and it’s all systems go at Parkhead once more.
And that’ll be the case regardless of performance.