The former Parkhead strike hero assesses the nip and tuck title race in his latest Record Sport column.
Brendan Rodgers said at New Year it’s normal for him to be hearing that Rangers are coming. Well, they are officially here. This time under Philippe Clement.
As he’s done in the past, Rodgers has to find a way to push back that Ibrox challenge and ensure Celtic finish on top. I wouldn’t bet against him doing it again. This is developing into a proper battle and my experience of being a part of it as a player in Glasgow tells me that it comes down as much to temperament as ability. It flips so quickly. So suddenly.
The Belgian walked into Ibrox with a good managerial record and he’s already stuck a trophy onto the sideboard. He clearly has found a way of playing which is effective. It’s direct enough and getting the job done.
I’ll be honest, I’m still not convinced it’s much more than an average Rangers side, but he’s getting a tune out of them. At the start of the season, stalwarts such as James Tavernier were being panned and the new signings called out as not being good enough.
Clement has got the senior players doing the business and bringing something out in boys that were tagged as not up to it. Cyriel Dessers is case in point. The Nigerian was being hounded as an out-and-out dud in the first weeks of the season. Now he’s scoring goals regularly. Important goals, into the bargain.
Clement has also spoken superbly. He’s not made silly statements about chasing Celtic and he’s also been pretty clear about one or two things which have come across a ticking-off to the hierarchy.
The amount of players out of contract in the summer for one and the words about Willie Collum last week spoke volumes.
Getting results means you are speaking from a position of strength and Clement is doing it concisely and with purpose.
The general feeling is that Rangers are the team on the up with momentum and Celtic are going in the other direction, but this is dangerous territory. Clement’s team haven’t cracked it yet. Far from it.
It only takes one bad result, one bad moment in a game, one dodgy decision or one red card and Celtic have the upper hand. Let’s not forget, Celtic have also played Rangers twice this season and beaten them twice.
If they were playing each other today, I wouldn’t bet against Rodgers’ team winning again. In the big Old Firm moments, the champions have delivered.
I’ve been constructive in criticism of Celtic this season because I do not feel they have not been performing well. I still think that. Rodgers has had to battle through matches and it still feels as if he is searching for the right blend.
Going with two strikers at St Mirren last weekend was something different and tells me there’s still a hunt on for the ideal set-up. But securing eight wins and a draw for the last nine games tells you that Rodgers is finding ways to get things done and I am also aware of the external factors which are hampering Celtic at the moment.
I’m not going to go through the injuries one-by-one again because it’s been done time and again this season. Nonetheless, it has to be pointed out that Rodgers is managing this situation with his best defender Cameron Carter-Vickers either sidelined or not at his peak and one of his most creative and energetic forces in Reo Hatate not being available.
Liel Abada was missing and, although he’s back, there has to be a doubt whether he’ll ever recapture his best form at Celtic. I’m not going to make judgements on his position. This is a young guy who has been placed into a difficult situation not of his own making and none of us can put ourselves in his shoes and fully understand what he is feeling or how he’s been affected.
But Rodgers has had to deal with a tough hand at various stages of the season and, while letting a points lead in the table slip, I have no doubts that we are still to see the very best of Celtic this season.
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