BBC Sport journalist shares Rangers Scottish Premiership title verdict amid Celtic ‘crisis’
Celtic are still “in control” of the Scottish Premiership title despite Rangers trailing them by just five points and having two games in hand.
That is according to BBC Sport journalist Andy Campbell, who shared the verdict after the Bhoys lost 2-0 to Hearts on Saturday (16 December).
Brendan Rodgers’s side currently top the standings with 42 points after 18 matches, with the Gers in second with 37 points from 16 matches.
“It scarcely takes much for hyperbole to take hold of headlines surrounding Celtic,” Campbell wrote for BBC Sport (16 December). “A draw is a disaster, defeat a catastrophe. Successive league defeats? A crisis.
“In reality, it’s not. Yet. Yes, with Celtic having lost to Kilmarnock and Hearts inside seven days, Rangers trail the defending Scottish Premiership champions by five points and have two games in hand.
“But the Ibrox side will not play one of those fixtures until after the winter break. Add to that the not-so-small matter of an Old Firm game to be played before the hiatus and Celtic still have it very much within their gift to be in control of their destiny.”
Tight
Celtic threatened to run away with the Scottish Premiership title in the early stages of the season, with Rodgers initially enjoying his return to the Celtic Park dugout. His success coincided with Michael Beale’s failures at Ibrox, with the boss quickly replaced by Philippe Clement.
And the Belgian really has turned things around, with his side now well in contention to lift the league title, with their efforts certainly helped by Celtic’s recent struggles.
The Bhoys finished their Champions League group stage campaign strongly with an impressive 2-1 win against Feyenoord on Wednesday (13 December), but that has been overshadowed by the defeat at home to Hearts.
It is now back-to-back league defeats for Rodgers and his men, with the club having lost 2-1 to Kilmarnock last Sunday (10 December).
The upcoming Old Firm derby will be massive in terms of the title race, with Celtic Park playing host to that fixture on 30 December.
In other Rangers news, Scott Brown has shared a Celtic admission ahead of the Viaplay Cup final clash between the Gers and Aberdeen.