Sky line up Celtic’s title party

Sky announced three consecutive Celtic games will be broadcast live across March and April, one of which is almost certain to be a league-winning occasion. Although Aberdeen could go second by a point if they win their game in hand over Newco, I’m not convinced they have the staying power. McInnes has struggled to replicate the form of last season, perhaps as a consequence of so many of his first team squad out of contract in the summer and looking around for deals.

The first Sky game on the schedule released this morning is the visit of Newco to Celtic Park on Sunday 12 March. Newco have 10 games after this, so should Aberdeen’s challenge drop off, Celtic’s lead would need to be 28 points heading into that game to setup a title decider (loose sense of the word).

We currently have a 19 point lead with a game in hand (against St Johnstone later this month). Win all seven of our league games before 12 March, and we would need Newco to drop six points to allow two Glasgow teams to come together to celebrate the champions on what would be a memorable day for everyone in the city.

Newco have visits to Motherwell, Hearts, Dundee and Inverness before then, as well as home games against Ross County, Hamilton and St Johnstone. Earlier this season they won at Dundee and Inverness, lost at Hearts and drew each of their homes games against Ross County, Hamilton and St Johnstone. They have yet to visit Fir Park on league duty this season.

Although they capitulated last time out against Celtic, Newco played better in December than earlier in the season, so there’s a chance they’ll pick up more at home to Accies, Inverness and County. Their cup and league double-header against Motherwell this month will either take some pressure off, or set them up for a Celtic Park party.

If we don’t win the title that day the roadshow rolls onto Dens Park and then Tynecastle. Newco play a day before us on both occasions, so there’s a chance the title will be won/lost at Ibrox before Celtic play.