Celtic made it five wins from five after the international break with a competent 1-0 win over Hamilton. Neil Lennon’s men sit atop of the Scottish Premiership already and look good value for a ninth consecutive title.
According to football tips, pundits and several experts the Bhoys also look good value to progress well in the Europa League. With the season still in an embryonic stage, join us as we take a look at Celtic’s prospects for the rest of the campaign.
(It was a case of men against boys as Celtic held Rangers at arm’s length in their previous clash to win 2-0 and go clear at the top of the Premiership table.)
Scottish Premiership – Number Nine?
Celtic’s early season victory at Ibrox was an early indicator of the gulf in class between Celtic and Rangers. Despite huffing and puffing for large periods of the game, Steven Gerrard’s team looked vastly inferior to Celtic.
Rangers key man Alfredo Morelos was introduced midway through the second period to the cheers of the home faithful. Rangers fans place high hopes on the shoulders of Morelos, which speaks volumes to the quality of their squad.
The 23-year-old Colombian has scored 34 goals in 67 games for Rangers, developing a reputation as a flat-track bully. If Rangers fans were to be honest with themselves, they would recognise that Morelos is nothing more than a lower-end Championship player.
YOUTUBE LINK: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rr0An73icgk
(Ladies and Gentlemen, please welcome Rangers’ best player…)
If Celtic’s biggest rivals for the Premiership are placing all their hopes on a player that would struggle to get in Luton Town’s team, then a ninth consecutive title is surely on its way to Celtic Park.
To put Celtic’s dominance into perspective, Morelos would walk into any other Scottish Premiership side.
Barring catastrophe, Celtic will win the title once again this season and they will do so at a canter.
Domestic Cups
Celtic are the best team in Scotland by some distance, so on the basis of that fact, they should win every domestic competition that they enter. Cup football, however, can be a lottery at times with inferior teams leveling the playing field by performing above expectations.
Domestic cup dominance will not be a walk in the park, nor will it be a foregone conclusion for Celtic. They will require luck and key performances at pivotal times, but again, Celtic should be confident of raising yet more silverware.
Europa League
Celtic should have been playing in the Champions League this season and they would have ample opportunity to do so if they hadn’t capitulated at home to Cluj in the qualifying campaign.
In an odd twist of fate, Celtic have found themselves drawn in a Europa League group with Cluj as well as Italian giants Lazio and French side Rennes. On paper, Neil Lennon should be confident in his side’s ability to qualify from this group.
However, as we have seen in recent years, quality on paper can be no guarantee of success on the pitch when it comes to European competition. One negative of Rangers’ liquidation is the lack of competition that Celtic have had domestically.
With Celtic’s only real tests coming in Europe, it has been hard to find a level of consistency that is conducive to continental success. Home form will be key in the Europa League as Celtic battle it out for a top two spot.
