FORMER Celtic defender Mark Wilson has urged Hoops fans to look on the bright side.
The one-time Scotland international right-back acknowledged the followers of the eight-in-a-row champions will be feeling crestfallen following the 2-1 reverse against Steven Gerrard’s Ibrox side at the weekend.
It was an encounter where Neil Lennon’s men could have gone eight points clear at the Premiership pinnacle to bring down the curtain on a highly-successful and memorable decade for the club.
However, they rarely looked anything like their real self as they stumbled to a loss and are now just two points ahead with the Govan outfit having a game in hand.
It was an afternoon where very little went to plan for the home team, but Wilson, who was signed by Gordon Strachan from Dundee United for £400,000 in January 2006 and spent six years at Parkhead, insisted the supporters should view the bigger picture.
The 35-year-old ex-back four operator, now manager at Brechin City, told the Daily Record: “It was a hugely disappointing result for Celtic, but they need to remember how good a year this has been until this point for them.
“They have won the first trophy of the season, they have Europe to look forward to and are sitting top of the table.
“It’s not a bad position to be in going into 2020.
“I understand the hurt that comes along with losing these games at home. But there has to be an understanding, Celtic went 19 months unbeaten at Celtic Park.
“They have had a fantastic season so far – it’s not the end of the world.”
Wilson can see a few more twists and turns in the title race before the crown is handed over at the completion of what promises to be an absorbing campaign.
He added: “The week after an Old Firm game, there’s always a reaction on both sides. If you win, it’s great and you’re going to win the league. If you lose, it’s a disaster.
“At this stage of the season, it’s usually neither, though.
“I remember losing at Ibrox in March one season and we went six points behind. Everyone was saying the title was in the bag for Rangers, but it didn’t turn out that way.
“It works both ways. In another season, we won at Ibrox at New Year and we were six clear at that stage and had apparently wrapped up the title – but it was Rangers who ended up winning it in May.
“You can’t take anything for granted.
“There’s no doubt winning an Old Firm game does give you a psychological boost and it’s a special feeling to be involved in those victories.
“But it really is just another three points at stake.
“The league looks close this season and Rangers do look like they are more than capable of going the distance.
“They both don’t look like dropping too many points elsewhere, but there are always slip-ups when you don’t expect them. And there’s still two more derbies to look forward to, so it’s all to play for.”
