HAVE you ever awakened from a deep slumber and wondered if you have just emulated Rip Van Winkle and snoozed your way through a fairly lengthy period?
In the case in the original short story, which was published in 1819, a Dutch-American villager (old Rip Van himself) enjoys a snorefest that lasts twenty years.
I’m fairly sure the current Mrs Gordon would have something to say if I dodged my household duties for two decades.
Nevertheless, dear reader, when I went to catch up with my zzzzzzs last night, I was convinced Celtic were only three points adrift of leaders Hearts with three games – and a possible nine points – to play.
I have to say I was more than a tad confused and more than a shade concerned when I caught up with my reading this morning and came across an article in a newspaper that stated – and I quote – “Celtic, who host them [Hearts] on the final day, would be expected to give them a guard of honour as they relinquish their crown to the Gorgie stars.”
Eh? Whit? Did I miss something?
SHAKE ON IT…Callum McGregor and Derek McInnes after Celtic’s 3-1 collapse at Tynecastle in October last year – Brendan Rodgers’ last game in charge.
Okay, it was an article that was attempting to bring dodgy crystal ball qualities into play, but to my tired old eyes, the summation was just a wee bit lopsided.
If the Edinburgh club beat Motherwell at Fir Park on Saturday evening and follow up with a midweek win over Falkirk at Tynecastle they will have picked up maximum points in two utterly vital encounters.
Praiseworthy, indeed.
However, what if the champions beat Rangers at Parkhead on Sunday afternoon and then go to North Lanarkshire and overcome Jens Berthel Askou’s team on Wednesday?
I don’t think there is anything absurd with either possible scenario, do you?
That being the case, why should anyone even mention “a guard of honour” before a game where the hosts could emerge victorious and be level on points with their opponents?
Then, of course, it would be down to goal difference and the Hoops are trailing by five at the moment. They may yet pay a heavy price – something in the region of £40million Champions League cash – for not sorting out a frontline that has fired blanks way too often in this challenging campaign.
Of course, there are a few feasible permutations that can yet obliterate any ludicrous notion of Derek McInnes’ men being greeted by rapturous applause from Martin O’Neill’s also-rans in the east end of Glasgow a week on Saturday.
Given the convincing performances by Motherwell for most of an enlightening crusade under their impressive and ambitious Danish gaffer, should they be written off on Saturday?
To Celtic’s cost on a cold, bitter December evening at Fir Park they were totally outplayed by the home side and soundly beaten 2-0. It could have been worse.
A MAN ALONE…Wilfried Nancy looks on in anguish as misery mounts at Motherwell.
Wilfried Nancy was experiencing his fifth loss in seven outings on that deeply depressing occasion and, mercifully, we were all put out of our misery when the Frenchman was fired a few days later after another painful reverse, this time against Danny Rohl’s Ibrox visitors.
Well hadn’t won in four games, losing three, when they arrived in Govan on Sunday April 26 and halted the so-called Gers juggernaut with a thoroughly deserved 3-2 success.
They now await the visit of Hearts, champions-elect in some estimations, following a mesmerisingly awful performance against Falkirk last time out when they toppled to a 1-0 loss.
I watched the highlights of that match and was mightily puzzled by the presentation of a team that have made life difficult on the three occasions they have played Celtic in this perplexing season.
Barney Stewart, the home side’s attack-leader who had had a fine campaign, missed a series of excellent opportunities in a bewildering first-half in which it is no exaggeration to say he could have claimed a hat-trick.
Remember, please, this was against a team who hardly gave the Hoops players a kick of the ball during a nightmare-inducing experience at Fir Park in the last match of a fairly turgid 2025 (although a fourth successive title did ease the anguish a little).
ON THE BALL…Martin O’Neill displays the skills of yesteryear at Easter Road.
Falkirk were well worth their win against a virtually unrecognisable Motherwell, but Askou’s men have proved they are more than capable of coming back from a bloodied nose. Just ask the patrons of Govan.
Banana skins have littered the path to this season’s crown and there is no valid reason to believe the pesky, slippery objects have been magically removed from proceedings at this late stage.
With three Premiership hurdles still to be cleared, I don’t suppose the custard pies have been put away in the deep freeze, either.
Here’s a final thought which eluded the restricted imagination of the newspaper scribe.
What if Hearts lose their next two games and Celtic win theirs?
Would Wee Derek’s men be expected to form a guard of honour at Parkhead a week on Saturday?
Lovely thought, isn’t it?
ALEX GORDON
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