Charlie Nicholas is the latest pundit to label Celtic title-favourites after previously ridiculing Ange Postecoglou when he arrived.
As we all know, Nicholas has had to do a full-scale U-turn on the Celtic boss after previously comparing him to Ronny Deila. In fairness, he’s now the only one. Hugh Keevins had to do the exact same whilst Kris Commons has recently stated Celtic are now the pacesetters in the title race after previously stating Ange had the worst Hoops team since the 90s.
Celtic managed to extend their gap at the top of the Premiership on Sunday after going 3 clear of Rangers. A dramatic 3-2 win over Dundee was coupled with the Ibrox club dropping points at Tannadice.
And now Nicholas has decided to join in on Commons’ narrative as he finally makes us favourites to take the league come May. Speaking in his Scottish Daily Express column [print edition, 22/02, page 55], the former Celtic striker said: “The win over Dundee coupled with Rangers’ draw at Tannadice means Celtic ended the weekend with a three-point cushion at the top of the table, not to mention a superior goal difference over their Old Firm rivals. I would put the title race at 55/45 in favour of Postecoglou’s side.”
“Celtic are in a good place but things could change again very quickly. On another day Rangers would have been out of sight against Dundee United given the amount of chances they created.
“Giorgos Giakoumakis is hitting form and the Celtic striker should have the Premiership’s top goalscorer award in his sights. Giakoumakis is six behind joint leaders Alfredo Morelos and Regan Charles-Cook, who are on 11 goals, but the Greek can overtake both if he continues to play with the same confidence he did last weekend.”
Celtic fans used to favourites tag, but it’s a new question for the players
This isn’t anything the Celtic fans aren’t used to. We were top of the tree in Scotland for 9 years. Every year we were entering as the favourites and every year we continued to deliver before the shambles that was last season.
However, this is a totally new group of players. Ange has managed to bring in as many as 14 first-team players to the club. The heroes of the 9-in-a-row tenure are more or less gone. So it’s the same question for supporters, but it’s a new one being asked of the players.
This is where we need our leaders to be vocal and their experience needs used. Sure, we have plenty of title-winners still in our team. Joe Hart and Reo Hatate delivered in England and Japan respectively. Callum McGregor and Christopher Jullien, meanwhile, have been round the block before in Scotland.
We’re going to need to use all of that experience and more this season. The pressure is colossal considering the prize on offer – automatic entry into the Champions League group stage. It’s a massive year for the football club and one we need to seize.
Ange has managed to single handedly turn around so many opinions on him. And for a country as stubborn as Scotland when it comes to football punditry, that’s superb going from him. But unfortunately there are no “turning opinions around” trophies to win this season. We’ll leave the imaginary competition wins for our rivals.
Big question marks are about to be asked of this Celtic team. They’ve answered them all season. But things are only going to get harder from here on in.
In other news, Martin O’Neill weighing up offer to manage Celtic at summer Masters tournament
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