Laughing stock of football world

My friends in Celtic, we are the laughing stock of the football world.  This status has been achieved by becoming the soft touches of Scottish football.  Dundee United can only win one game in 11?  Not to worry, we’ve Celtic next.  St Mirren only won two games in 10?  Chill, it’s Celtic at Hampden.  United are so poor, that win of theirs came against an even-poorer St Mirren.

Three weeks ago we were hot favourites for the league, with a nine-point advantage over Newco.  We still have an advantage, but a third place finish is now as likely as any other outcome.  Maybe you always fancied a crack at the Conference League?

Last night’s game at Tannadice encapsulated so much of the story.  Celtic were scintillating for much of the first half and could have had the game won.  It is not Wilfried Nancy’s fault that the squad is short of an experienced striker who would have made that a reality.

However, Dundee United manager Jim Goodwin, figured out what Celtic were doing at halftime and turned the tables.  Celtic were completely nullified from the start of second period.  The equaliser on 58 minutes was more than merited, as Celtic were unable to clear their lines until then.  Both United goals came from pressure after a corner kick.  That’s five goals in four games from corners Celtic have conceded.  Maybe playing with only one central defender for the first time this century is a bit too radical?

Goodwin in not alone.  Derek McInnes figured out the same thing for Hearts earlier this month.  His side were battered for the opening 30 minutes, changed to suit the Celtic formation and had their easiest game at Celtic Park for a long time.  St Mirren’s Stephen Robinson had seen enough to know what to do before he arrived at Hampden on Sunday.  Celtic’s formation made it easy for all three.

This period has encouraged our opponents.  Newco and Hearts were broken at the beginning of this month.  Today they are invigorated and they will approach each game, as well as the January transfer window, with renewed appetite.  Celtic are there for the taking and everyone knows it.  I am getting “What is going on?” messages from across the world; we are world news.  This scale of capitulation is that exceptional.

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