BY MY arithmetic, admittedly dodgy, Celtic can just about wrap up a FIFTY-FIFTH title in their glorious history over the next four league games.
No, I have not been plundering Santa’s secret stash of the yo-ho-ho juice, I can assure you, dear reader.
Actually, with only 15 games played and a nine-point advantage and a game in hand over nearest challengers Aberdeen, there may well be a few of you who believe the fourth successive championship is already in the bag.
Nothing wrong with optimism and I have been known to indulge in a little daydreaming myself.
THE CUP THAT CHEERS…skipper Callum McGregor and boss Brendan Rodgers proudly hold aloft the newly-won trophy after another success at Hampden yesterday.
Admittedly, things are looking good and Brendan Rodgers and Co – and everyone else of a Celtic persuasion – will have enjoyed the Premier Sports League Cup triumph over Philippe Clement’s Ibrox outfit at Hampden yesterday.
I had to laugh at some of the comments from the talking heads who insisted the game became a lottery when it reached the penalty-kick stage to decide the destination of the silverware.
Do these peabrains not realise the skill required – not to mention the necessity of a strong nerve – to take a spot-kick in such an environment? There is also a fair bit of talent needed for a goalkeeper to try to attempt to prevent an opponent from scoring from 12 yards.
So, please don’t give me that ‘down to chance’ malarkey. Celtic won their 119th trophy fairly and squarely.
However, you have to give credit to their opponents from across the Clyde. Sportingly, Brendan made that observation as he reflected on another job well done at the national stadium.
The champions play Dundee United at Tannadice on Sunday, Motherwell at Parkhead on Boxing Day and bring down the curtain on 2024 with another home match against St Johnstone on Sunday December 29.
A new year kicks off at Ibrox on Thursday January 2 – and I believe that will be the occasion when Celtic get an iron grip on the championship.
Yes, I realise there will still be half of the Premiership still to play all the way to mid-May, but another win over Clement’s side will destroy any thoughts they harbour of somehow overturning the Hoops’ current 11-point lead.
PICK IT OUT…Reo Hatate celebrates after firing in his penalty-kick.
As it happens, I don’t think there’s snowball’s chance in hell of the Govan club catching Scotland’s title kings, but their performance at Hampden yesterday will offer them hope, remote though it may be.
This was a Rangers team firing on all cylinders. Their energy levels were fairly impressive as they tried to cover the pitch to close down opponents, intercept passes, put in strong challenges, some not entirely legal (as eight yellow cards would suggest), look to surge mob-handed on the break and basically deliver an exhausting display.
All to no avail, I’m delighted to say. However, their game plan did push Rodgers’ players all the way although it must also be stated some didn’t exactly deliver five-star displays as an answer to the questions posed.
If the points situation remains the same until the first action of 2025, Celtic will be aware that victory will fire them to a 14-point advantage.
That would flatten Clement’s side. No amount of hooha out of Ibrox could persuade anyone that there was still an outside chance they could have a say in the destination of the 2024/25 championship crown.
They already know their best was not good enough at Hampden yesterday.
Meanwhile, dear friends, as I said yesterday in my preview to the grand finale, it’s trebles all round, methinks.
ALEX GORDON
