Priority now to stop things getting worse

There is usually a fair amount of hysteria after a Celtic defeat, sometimes after a draw, but the reaction since Saturday has largely been grounded in measured concern.  Even in the darkest days of the 90s, when Oldco Rangers were at their peak, we could always lay a glove on them.  It was bad.

The question is, what now?  We won eight out of nine domestic games going into the weekend but the manner tightness of several of those wins did not inspire, were it not for late goals against St Johnstone and Dundee United, your worries would be significantly greater today.

Priority when you suffer a bad defeat is to stop things from getting worse.  That means going to Aberdeen on Sunday and winning.  It is not self-flagellation to say we need this game at Pittodrie.  We need to go to one of the best teams in the league and get a win.

We endured many bad results in the 90s, but, if you are old enough, you will remember how there would usually be a backlash to a Celtic defeat.  Whoever we played next saw the consequences of all that pain.  We need to get in touch with that sentiment on Sunday.  Use the pain.