We at 67HailHail are always happy to rub our rivals’ noses in it when we come out on top in the Glasgow derby, so we can hardly have a pop at Rangers-minded pundits and supporters for doing the same.
After Saturday’s characterless 2-0 home defeat to the Ibrox side, you expect plenty of digs to come our club’s way. Not least of all from our rival fans (and from some of our own as the inquest kickstarts).
However, there are certain comments that have come out over the last 24 hours which should add some fuel for Celtic’s revenge mission in January.
The Hoops travel to Ibrox for a rematch on January 2nd. When we all cool down from the disappointment of Saturday, many of us will have that game pinpointed as a chance to hopefully stretch a regained lead at the top of the Premiership.
And it’s fair to say this Celtic team have been questioned consistently by the supporters since the full-time whistle was blown by John Beaton at the weekend.
But when it comes to Peter Lovenkrands and Maurice Ross’ comments (two ex-Rangers players), it should be providing Celtic with plenty of ammunition for their anger.
First off, Lovenkrands told Sky Sports News (18/10, 12:45):
“Rangers have gone to Parkhead now and won back-to-back. Mentally for Celtic it’ll be a difficult one to get over. Celtic have now got a big game with Aberdeen coming up that will show things.
“How is their mindset going to be for the rest of the season? If Rangers can build from this it could change the league. How is their mindset going to be for the rest of the season? If Rangers can build from this it could change the league.”
And he wasn’t the only one to question Celtic’s overall quality compared to Rangers. Ross was next to have a pop as he spoke on BBC Sportsound.
“As soon as I seen the team lines, I thought the writing was on the wall for Celtic. I think Celtic have a good squad but that starting eleven was probably the weakest I’ve seen from them in 20 years.
“I think Celtic’s understanding of playing 3-5-2 is very basic. Rangers were only in second gear yesterday and it didn’t look like a Celtic v Rangers game. I think Rangers are by far the best team in Scotland right now.”
Players can’t accept being mocked
By the way, there’s nothing wrong with Lovenkrands and Ross giving these opinions. Our players deserve all the kicks they get for that performance on Saturday. You expect this from the enemy.
However, you now have players such as Scott Brown, Callum McGregor, Kris Ajer, James Forrest, and Odsonne Edouard having to listen to this. Players who have managed nine-in-a-row and gone whole seasons unbeaten. Yet they’re having to listen to pundits saying they’re comfortably second best to a team who have won absolutely nothing.
That’s how far the standards are dropping. The worst part is that, going by how both teams have started the season, you can hardly even find a convincing argument to defend our team with outside of bringing up previous trophy wins. We’ve done nothing this season to convince you we’re better than Rangers.
That’s not to say we aren’t. We know that player for player we have the better squad – that’s undoubted when you look at the sheer quality of the Celtic dressing room. But the performance levels have dipped so far that we’re having to have discussions like these. So far that Rangers-minded pundits are rubbing salt into the wounds and questioning their character.
This, quite simply, has to be the motivation that fuels our revenge mission at Ibrox. With Edouard, Ryan Christie, Nir Bitton, and Hatem Elhamed hopefully back and fit for it, we need to go into it with a new lease of life.
Being told you were part of the worst Celtic line-up in 20 years should have you raging if you’re a nine-in-a-row winner. Having your mentality questioned when you’ve consistently smacked your rivals about for years and won 10 consecutive domestic trophies must spark an anger inside of you.
It’s time to store these comments. Keep them close to you. Remember when you walk out at Ibrox in the new year that so many Ibrox-minded fans and pundits think you’re the second best team on the park by some distance.
If that doesn’t spark a passionate display full of fight from a Celtic player, and in the 10-in-a-row season too, then I don’t know what will.
In other news, a Celtic loanee managed to bag his first 90 minutes of the season with a fine performance.
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