JUST IN CASE you missed it, a team from Edinburgh called Hearts are leading the Premiership.
Some folk who should know better are getting terribly excited and losing a grip on reality. I’m reading and hearing all sorts of hooha and guff from managers, players and media.
You and I agree that Celtic require keen competition to remain sharp and, by that token, Derek McInnes’ club are to be applauded. They have stepped up to the plate and provided that challenge.
Now, with the Gorgie club sitting in pole position at Christmas, we are being informed it’s now Hearts’ title to lose.
Let’s get something straight before this becomes an anthem for the ignorant. Hearts cannot lose the title for one very good reason.
They don’t have a title to lose. Maybe some folk are getting confused.
TWO OF A KIND…James Forrest and Callum McGregor with the Premiership silverware.
The only team that can surrender the title are Celtic, who have had the championship in their possession for the past four years and, in fact, have lifted the crown in thirteen of the last 14 seasons.
The only hiccup, of course, came in the dismal Covid term in 2020/21 when the team disintegrated before our very eyes as some players went through the motions before having their wishes granted with a transfer in the summer.
I do NOT include Scott Brown among that number.
However, I’m sure even Odsonne Edouard, Ryan Christie and Kristoffer Ajer would admit it was not their most memorable spell at Parkhead as the defeats piled up and performances nosedived.
Thankfully, normal service was resumed in the following crusade under Ange Postecoglou and four titles have been added in succession since the team refound its focus.
Celtic are six points behind Hearts with a game in hand and the entire second half of the season to be played.
It’s a bit premature – not to say disrespectful – to write off the champions at this stage of the campaign.
The club have their eyes on a 56th flag which will be a record. Hard work will be required on and off the pitch to make this happen.
Callum McGregor, Kieran Tierney, Anthony Ralston, Reo Hatate, Daizen Maeda and, of course, marathon man James Forrest have been over this course a few times and have a reasonable idea of what is required to be crowned champions of Scotland.
Hearts last won the championship in season 1959/60.
Celtic have conquered all THIRTY-FIVE times since then.
So, please, for the sake of everyone’s sanity, let’s keep it real.
Dismiss Celtic at your peril.
ALEX GORDON
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