Celtic just have to keep on winning games

THE series of late winners, single goal victories and extra-time results which have characterised this season for Celtic has led to a common refrain from supporters as winning by the minimum has become such a habit for them.

“We can’t keep doing this,” has been the disbelieving mantra after each last-gasp triumph against the odds or stodgy win ground out with little in the way of craft or guile to get fans excited.

We are at the stage now, however, where Celtic very much can keep doing this. There are only five games to go. Without some dramatic change taking place—looking ever more unlikely as each week passes by—then that is what Celtic simply must keep doing.

Agony or ecstasy?

Against St Mirren at Celtic Park, in the last opportunity they had to play a bottom-six side, Celtic started well and for the early part of the match actually looked like a side intent on winning the title, but in the second-half they seemed to down tools and drift into some kind of passive slumber, which could so easily have been punished. Never mind a missed opportunity to bite into the goal difference deficit, they were lucky to come through the match unscathed.

For all the grievances supporters could have—both at how they have ended up in this position and how they are going about navigating this run in—it was another win ticked off. The task in front of them got a little bit easier. ‘Win six games’ is now only ‘win five games.’ The pressure may be starting to get to Hearts, unaccustomed to such a run in. Rangers have taken two notable second prizes from Martin O’Neill this season, and still have to come to Celtic Park to face him under even greater pressure.

It has been one of the most frustrating seasons any Celtic supporter can remember. Redemption lies always just out of reach, while the hammer blow which could end it all never seems to fall. It has been a season in limbo, but we are on the verge of the conclusion now. You can’t hover between agony and ecstasy forever, and in just a few short weeks it will all be settled, one way or the other.

Managing in the mire

Celtic have resources which could have ensured this season was all very different, and it is bewildering that so little has been offered to Martin O’Neill in his highly respectable effort to set Celtic back on the right path.

Having pulled back the leaders in his first spell this season, he made way for the worst appointment Celtic have ever made as manager, a man who set fire to the good work O’Neill had done. Riding to the rescue once more, he has put Celtic back into the fight as the season comes to a close, but he has had to do it with a squad that is weak both mentally and physically, disjointed and seemingly troubled.

That he wasn’t offered more in the January transfer window is now an appalling fact to look back on. Even a single player, of a suitable calibre, could have made all the difference. As it is, Celtic must enter the final phase of the season, chasing both league and cup, with a squad that looks a very long way from the quality of title winning sides of the past.

Speaking after the St Mirren game, Martin O’Neill recognised the difficulties his side faced, but resolved to keep the supporters with the team by improving what they are offered.

“We seemed for some reason or other, devoid of real energy, which we had last week, and I know we got a little bit nervous too,” he said.“But in the second-half we surrendered possession so easily, we didn’t create and allowed St Mirren to come into the game. And in the last 15 minutes they were getting stronger as we seemed to be getting weaker.

“We have to improve a great deal, but we won the match and that’s the most important thing at this minute. We think we can rectify a couple of things during the week for the semi-final next Sunday. We hope to try and do that, but it was the energy levels that gave me a bit of a concern.

“It is a nervy time, but I felt that once we got the first goal, I thought, go on and let’s cement this, but it was a similar situation in terms of Dundee last week, not being able to do that and then you do become nervous and it was like that. We were spurred on by a really great crowd cheering us right to the end, but we’ve got to give them more to cheer about.”

This season will be decided by who has the belly for the fight. Tensions will be raised to levels not seen in decades in Scottish football. If only you could just fast-forward and find out.