Hugh Keevins thinks Celtic are WORSE than Hearts and Hibs at the moment.
The outspoken Daily Record columnist has argued the Edinburgh pair are in a better position on a number of fronts than the Scottish Premiership champions.
Keevins also believes the Hoops are in fear ahead of facing Kairat Almaty in the Champions League play-off round, while Hearts and Hibs will profit if Celtic drop down into the Europa League.
67 Hail Hail have outlined and picked apart his baffling claims below.
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What Keevins has said about Celtic
Hearts and Hibs ‘better’ than Celtic
Keevins: “Hearts and Hibs are currently better than Celtic and Rangers. And the reason for that is they are a thrilling watch.
“They have outstanding goal threats, there is a sense of purpose and stability behind the scenes at Easter Road and Tynecastle while two sets of supporters lap it all up and fill the grounds.
“Unlike the simmering, bickering twosome at the other end of the M8. You get an impression that discontent from supporters is one bad result away from taking place at either club. Or both.”
Celtic are yet to put in a bad performance this season and have won all three of their competitive games so far, scoring seven goals and conceding once.
Hearts and Hibs have been good, there’s no doubting that, but their quality does not match up to what the Bhoys can offer.
Celtic also boast an ‘outstanding goal threat’ in Daizen Maeda, who was top scorer in the Scottish Premiership last season and won every player of the year award available to him.
While the Hoops are one of the best run clubs in European football. You only have to look at the club’s bank balance – just over £65m – to understand they are pretty stable.
Keevins suggests Celtic fear Kairat Almaty
Keevins: “Hibs’ Conference League win over Partizan Belgrade was entertainment of the highest order. Their play-off tie with Legia Warsaw promises more of the same.
“Meanwhile, Old Firm fans look at what’s next for them in Europe through the cracks in their fingers.”
There’s no doubt that Hibs against Partizan Belgrade on Thursday evening was a thrilling watch, but that doesn’t mean to say the Easter Road outfit were good.
Hibs lost on the night and their goalkeeper Jordan Smith embarrassed himself with two howlers that could have severely cost his side.
Keevins then suggests Celtic are approaching the Kairat Almaty play-off ties with trepidation, which doesn’t really correlate with his point Hibs and Partizan serving up excellent entertainment.
Kairat Almaty are clearly no mugs as they are just one tie away from reaching the Champions League league phase, but Celtic do not fear a side who are ranked 311th in UEFA’s club coefficient rankings.
The Hoops, on the other hand, are 56th on that leaderboard. Kairat have played just one season of European group stage football in their entire history, and that came in the Conference League.
Yes, there’s a lot riding on these two games for Celtic, but the club are heavy favourites to progress. Keevins would have a point if Real Madrid were the opponents.
Celtic ‘teetering on brink of eruption’
Keevins: “Hearts don’t have Europe to distract them and are building momentum. Tony Bloom’s money has borne fruit – he doesn’t let cash burn a hole in his pocket, unlike some you could mention.
“It’s been 40 years since the title went outside of Glasgow. No-one is suggesting history is about to be rewritten.
“But Celtic and Rangers are teetering on the brink of eruption and, as an old saying goes, in confusion, there is profit.”
Celtic fans will turn on the board more than ever if the club do not reach the Champions League league phase, that is true. But Hearts and Hibs won’t ‘profit’ from that, as Keevins tries to argue.
Celtic will then compete in the Europa League league phase and will remain humongous favourites to retain the Premiership title.
They will also be favourites to win both domestic cup competitions, even if the Edinburgh duo pose a bit more of a threat this season.
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