Sport Nation 2Celtic delivered a dominant 5-0 victory against Ross County on Saturday, a match that highlighted their formidable strength under manager Brendan Rodgers. Despite making significant changes to his starting lineup, Rodgers’ side proved too strong for their opponents, maintaining their 11-point lead at the top of the Scottish Premiership. In contrast, Rangers managed only a narrow 1-0 win over St. Johnstone, a pattern indicative of their struggles this season.
Celtic’s Formidable Start to the Season
The reigning champions have been nothing short of spectacular. Scoring 40 goals and conceding just four across their opening 13 matches, Celtic have asserted their dominance. Aberdeen, currently second in the league, sits between Celtic and Rangers but has seen a dip in form, failing to secure a win in their last three outings. This makes Celtic’s path to securing their fourth consecutive league title appear unchallenged.
While acknowledging that the league is far from over, former Celtic manager Martin O’Neill believes Rangers pose little to no threat to Celtic’s title ambitions this season. Speaking on talkSPORT, O’Neill stated, “I don’t think Brendan [Rodgers] has to worry too much because Rangers are so poor.”
O’Neill’s Take on the Rivalry
O’Neill, who has been vocal about the growing disparity between Celtic and Rangers, dismissed suggestions that the gap between the two Glasgow rivals is narrowing. He argued that Rangers lack the quality to challenge Celtic over an entire season. “I had this argument with Graeme Souness some weeks ago. He claimed there wasn’t a big gap between them, but there is a massive gap,” O’Neill said.
He continued, “On any given Saturday, Rangers might pose a threat to Celtic, but over the course of a season, especially in league terms, they’re simply not good enough. Right now, there’s no challenge from Rangers. Aberdeen has done well so far, but expecting them to sustain this form for the entire season is unrealistic.”
Champions League Performance
Celtic’s impressive domestic form extends into European competitions. In the Champions League, they have garnered eight points from five games, demonstrating their growing strength on the continental stage. Reflecting on Celtic’s performances, O’Neill highlighted their resilience: “Expectations were high after their splendid display against Leipzig. Against Brugge, they struggled in the first half but showed much improvement in the second.”
The team’s ability to balance strong performances in both the league and Europe underscores their dominance. “Celtic are very, very strong,” O’Neill remarked. “You just expect them to win their games. By the end of the season, the points gap could be even wider.”
Challenges for Rangers
Rangers’ narrow victory over St. Johnstone epitomized their inconsistent form. O’Neill expressed little surprise at their struggles, particularly in away matches. “You don’t feel that Rangers are capable of going away from home and winning convincingly,” he said. This lack of consistency has left Rangers trailing in Celtic’s wake, unable to mount a serious challenge for the title.
Avoiding Complacency
Despite their commanding position, O’Neill cautioned against complacency. However, he expressed confidence in Rodgers’ ability to keep the squad focused. “Complacency? I don’t think Celtic will be complacent,” he stated. With a well-rounded squad and tactical adaptability, Celtic seem poised to continue their dominance.
Outlook for the Season
As the season progresses, the question remains not whether Celtic will win the league but by how much they will extend their lead. With Aberdeen unlikely to sustain a title challenge and Rangers struggling for consistency, Celtic’s dominance appears unassailable. Rodgers’ team is not only setting the standard in Scotland but also proving their mettle on the European stage.
For now, all eyes remain on Celtic as they continue to march towards another title, reinforcing their status as the top team in Scottish football.
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