It might not feel like it right now, but there are still voices backing Celtic to pull off something dramatic in this title race.
The Hoops are licking their wounds after a damaging 2-0 defeat to Dundee United at Tannadice — a result that has left them sitting third, five points off the top, and running out of margin for error.
Goals from Will Ferry and Emmanuel Agyei did the damage on a difficult surface, but the bigger issue was Celtic’s lack of cutting edge and urgency when it mattered most.
It was a performance that raised serious questions. Too much possession without purpose. Not enough chances. And when the key moments arrived, Celtic simply didn’t respond.
Yet, despite all of that, former midfielder and now pundit believes the title is still there to be won — and his reasoning comes down to one man: .
Savage, who hasn’t always been the biggest supporter of Celtic or Scottish football in general, made a bold call when speaking on radio, insisting the Hoops are far from finished.
He said on the radio: “I think they will win the league.”
It’s a statement that might raise eyebrows given the current table, but Savage is putting his faith in what he calls the “Martin O’Neill factor” — the experience, presence, and know-how of a manager who has been here before and understands exactly what it takes to navigate a title run-in.
And to be fair, O’Neill himself isn’t throwing in the towel either.
After the defeat at Tannadice, the interim boss didn’t shy away from the scale of the setback. He knows how damaging that result could be — especially with rivals picking up wins elsewhere — but his message was clear: the fight isn’t over.
He said: “No, we can’t [be inconsistent]. Really disappointing, I must admit.
“So, yeah, we have to come back and try and get a bit of strength about ourselves and reinvent our character.”
That word — character — might end up defining Celtic’s season.
Because the reality is brutal. This is already their worst campaign in terms of defeats this century. They’ve dropped points too often, failed to kill games, and have been punished for lapses in concentration — something that was evident again against Dundee United.
Even before the goals went in, there were warning signs. Celtic dominated territory but didn’t do enough with it. Crosses were easily dealt with, movement in the final third was predictable, and when United sensed vulnerability after the break, they struck decisively.
Once Ferry opened the scoring, the mood shifted instantly. The confidence drained, urgency crept in, and spaces began to appear. Agyei’s second goal felt inevitable — a reflection of a side that had lost control of both the game and the moment.
Add in the wider context — fan frustration, criticism of recruitment, questions over squad depth — and it’s clear this is a team under real pressure heading into the final stretch.
But here’s where Savage’s argument comes in.
Title races aren’t always about who’s been the best over the season — sometimes it’s about who holds their nerve when everything tightens up. Celtic still have key fixtures ahead, including clashes that could directly impact the teams above them. Win those, and suddenly the picture changes.
O’Neill has built his reputation on handling exactly these kinds of situations. He’s seen title races swing on moments, on momentum, on belief. And if he can find a way to steady this Celtic side — to turn frustration into focus — then Savage’s prediction might not look so outrageous after all.
Right now, though, it feels like Celtic are walking a tightrope.
Another slip, and it’s probably gone.
But string together a run of wins — and this title race could flip on its head.