CELTIC have not lost a competitive game at Dens Park since Saturday September 24 1988.
This afternoon on Tayside is not a good day for an interruption to a praiseworthy 34-game unbeaten sequence.
The hosts have not gained as much as a solitary point against their Glasgow visitors since 2016 and, over that period, have been on the receiving end of eight consecutive defeats.
It would be gratifying for the sake of my old ticker – not to mention the palpatations of everyone of a Celtic persuasion – if we are discussing the ninth victory in that procession of perfection when this afternoon fades into early evening.
However, you and I know that expectations have the annoying habit of failing to follow the script in this wonderful and unpredictable sport.
TRIUMPHANT ON TAYSIDE…Brendan Rodgers applauds his players and the travelling support after Celtic’s 3-0 win at Dens Park on Boxing Day.
A momentary lapse in concentration, a miskick, a bad bounce, a freakish deflection, an unenforced error, a missed opportunity, a breakdown in communication and a whole range of irritating and unforeseen elements can combine to produce a banana skin for the unsuspecting victim.
And we haven’t even discussed unfathomable decisions by the individual entrusted with the silver whistle or incomprehensible interventions from the technical guru in the VAR studio.
We only have to look back to Tynecastle seven games ago to acknowledge outside influences can jeopardise outcomes of what actually takes place on the field of action.
Best not to dwell on that calamitious chain of judgements in the capital and trust the bewildering intrusions on that particular afternoon will be rendered redundant when the final whistle sounds on the league campaign on Saturday May 18.
And let’s also hope we do not have reason to query the competence of the officials on and off the pitch after today’s confrontation at Dens. Please let there be no debates about bananas or any variety of fruit.
The champions have already dropped points to St Johnstone, Hibs, Motherwell, Kilmarnock, Hearts, Aberdeen and Rangers in this crusade.
No doubt you will have noted the name of Dundee is missing from that rather perplexing list.
I have every faith in Brendan and the Bhoys to ensure that situation remains unaltered after this afternoon’s skirmish.
Please excuse me while I now go and check my Valium supply.
ALEX GORDON
