Burden of history against Kilmarnock

I don’t like the run-up to home games against Kilmarnock, this was especially so when Gordon Strachan was manager.  Someone would always ask Gordon the 1955 question, “Gordon, did you know….”  If you don’t know the question, don’t go looking for it.  It’s a fact that should ostensibly give you confidence but it only puts me into a nervous disposition.  During Gordon’s time, every game felt like a must-win game.  The carnage on here after a 2-2 home draw with Dundee United lives long in the memory, so the burden of a reversal at home to Kilmarnock would have been intolerable.

Celtic have an enormously impressive history which can inspire great things in the support but sometimes it’s evidently a burden to those having to go out and win the next game.  Jock Stein’s famous, “The Celtic jersey doesn’t shrink to fit inferior players” quote was meant to inspire greatness and awe, but I’ve seen it used to damn contemporary players who were in no way inferior to some who played for Celtic in Jock’s latter years in charge.

Kilmarnock beat Rangers last time out and will feel as though they let two points slip away against us earlier in the season.  Celtic should be sufficiently concerned to avoid premature Christmas cheer.

Best wishes to our friends at the Melbourne No. 1 CSC, who will be celebrating Christmas during tomorrow’s game.