Scottish football is in for a Celtic shock if they think anything’s changed

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After last night’s Celtic disappointment in Europe, there’ll be plenty of pundits, fans, even players, who think the Bhoys are a wounded animal.

A team to be got at, a side lacking confidence after being shown up on the continent again.

Scottish football is, rightly or wrongly, adjudging Celtic pretty harshly right now. In fairness, the Hoops could and should’ve beaten Bodo/Glimt over two legs, but there are certain facts that remain.

Celtic are top of the league. In our last 5 domestic games, we’ve scored 17 goals, including a 3-0 rout over Rangers. We’ve won a Premier Sports Cup, we’re in the Quarter Final of the Scottish Cup.

The Hoops haven’t lost a domestic game since the 30th of October. That’s unreal form, the kind we saw in the halcyon days of the 16-17 season. Barring early slip-ups against Rangers and Hearts, the Bhoys have largely came, saw and conquered all of Scottish football has had to offer us.

This, in a season where we’re meant to be rebuilding, under a manager who was meant to be gone by Christmas.

After every single European setback, Celtic have come back stronger. With a better squad than before, a side well-drilled in the ethos of Ange Postecoglou and an expectant Hoops faithful behind them, there is nothing to suggest we can’t keep winning games like we have.

Not a thing.

After the doom and gloom subsides, Scottish football will see the real Celtic again

Yeah, fine; opposition fans across Scottish football will take their shots at Celtic, and that’s up to them.

However, with May drawing ever closer, this Hoops side still have momentum. We’re out of Europe, but nothing has changed at all domestically. Our next fixtures represent some challenges, including Easter Road on Sunday, and the grim spectre of a trip to Livingston.

It remains the case, though, that when Celtic were written off, they kept plugging away. Now, we’re rightfully back on top. Losing games in a new UEFA competition, frustrating as it was, doesn’t change that at all.

We’ve no choice now but to focus on the league and cup. For many supporters, Europe was something of a distraction anyway. It’s now no longer a factor, for good or bad, and it’s going to take a lot to dislodge Celtic from the top of the table.

This team have shown invention, resolve and a real camaraderie. We’ve found winners late, or we’ve shoved opposition to the side very early on. And it’s been entertaining with every step.

This season still has so, so much to offer Celtic. Scottish football fans might be enjoying our struggles from last night.

But if they think Celtic are going to let that disappointment affect them? Think again.

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