Ryan Stevenson claimed Celtic would “buckle” under pressure, but their response against Dundee and results elsewhere have already cast serious doubt on that verdict.
Stevenson’s view on Celtic was clear when he said, “Of the three contenders, I think Celtic will buckle. Their last result when losing to Dundee United looked like a deal breaker. The pressure on them now, the disgruntlement between the fans and the board, I just don’t see them involved.
Celtic need to win every game. I can’t see them doing that unless there’s a big upturn. And, as soon as they draw or lose another game, I reckon the wheels will just completely come off.”
The comments were delivered with certainty and quickly fed into a wider narrative around Celtic’s position in the title race. That narrative has already been tested by what followed at Dens Park today.
Celtic travelled to Dundee needing a response and delivered one, securing a 2-1 win that kept them firmly in contention. The result did not suggest a team on the verge of collapse.
Your INSTANT REACTION to that win 😅
Is the title race in our hands?
Celtic response immediately challenges Stevenson’s claim
The idea that Celtic would struggle to cope with pressure looks weaker when placed against that result. Winning in that situation is the exact outcome that was dismissed.
At the same time, Hearts dropped points in a 2-2 draw with Livingston, which underlines that the title pressure is not isolated to just Celtic. Title races this tight are rarely straightforward.
Framing Celtic as the side most likely to fall away already looks misplaced given how results have unfolded.
Celtic are not the only side under pressure in this title race
The wider context makes Stevenson’s claim look increasingly unbalanced. Every team in the race is dealing with the same demands as the season reaches its decisive phase.
Points will be dropped and momentum will shift, because that is the nature of a title run-in. Suggesting one team will collapse while others will not does not reflect that reality.
Celtic’s position has not changed dramatically in the space of a week, but the perception around them has. That is why statements like Stevenson’s can quickly look out of step with events.
The prediction of a title collapse has been absolutely dismantled this weekend. Celtic have responded when required, and that alone is enough to leave Stevenson with egg on his face.
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