After a dominant season where we have picked up the League Cup and league title, Celtic aim for treble success once again as they face Inverness Caledonian Thistle in the Scottish Cup final at the end of the season.
With 31 wins out of a possible 35, Celtic have entertained their way to success, scoring a whopping 105 goals so far this campaign. It has been a season of real joy as we claim back-to-back league success. After their title clincher at Tynecastle, Ange spoke to the press about his squad:
“I’m really proud. They’re just an outstanding group of players and staff.”
“After the success of last season, you wonder whether the hunger is still going to be there as it’s still a young group. Are they going to be as motivated? But from the first day of pre-season they came back and wanted to be a better team and be a stronger team.”
The dominant displays from Celtic throughout the season showed that on their day they are levels above any other team in the league. Quality obviously plays a part in this. If your players don’t have the attributes to perform at such a high level, then you are never going to succeed. However, it is not just ability that Ange’s side possesses. This Celtic side are known for their incredible work-rate and consistency.
“They have maintained a ridiculous standard of performance this year,” Ange pointed out, “They’ve just been incredible, and I’ve rarely had to intervene at any stage to get them back on track. I’ve had the easiest job in the world in terms of just allowing these guys to drive how good they want to be. The consistency of our football and the goals we’ve scored is about trying to be successful on all fronts. We never want to take a backward step in any competition. You want that rewarded because that’s what makes them continue to strive towards being the best they can be.”
You can see everything Ange describes in this group of players. They look like a real unit, with great cohesion.
The weekend will not be one Ange and his side will want to remember, as a few injuries and the wrong tactical changes saw an uncharacteristically flat Celtic display against their rivals Rangers in a 3-0 defeat at Ibrox.
This would be Rangers’ first win in nine games against Celtic, not exactly something to shout about. However, in the studio after the game, Eilidh Barbour said:
“The title may well be heading to Celtic Park, but the bragging rights between these two will spend the summer here at Ibrox.”
I’m not quite sure which campaign the Sky Sports presenter has been watching, but Rangers have had a disastrous season.
The Ibrox side have ten players out of contract at the end of the season, including Ryan Kent whom they signed for a massive £7m in 2019.
The other departing players could include, Scott Arfield, Steve Davis, Alfredo Morelos, Ryan Jack and Malik Tillman, who is currently on loan with a £5m option to buy at the end of the season.
But with no trophies and all these players leaving for free, how on earth are they going to finance such a deal?
Rangers are in a precarious position, particularly when Celtic are hurtling towards a domestic treble, and if three points during a game that played no part in the destination of the league trophy is what gets them through the summer, it might be time for a reality check.
BOBBY GORDON
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