The fallacy of a ‘premier’ top 12

There was always an outside chance Celtic would go back to the top of the Premiership this weekend, but with a two-point and six-goal swing required, it was a longshot.  When it happened, by the slenderest of margins, I repeatedly heard the lead will vacillate throughout the season.  Maybe.

The champions have Pittodrie on Sunday, 62 hours after leaving the field to Lazio.  Aberdeen always have a go, but Celtic have won all six leagues games there during our Treble Treble years, scoring 16 and conceding just four (three of which came in a 3-4 away win).  If we come through this one with a win, the signs are ominous for any would-be challengers.

The most pleasing aspect of Saturday’s comfortable win over Ross County is that the result was achieved without serious levels of exertion.  The players were granted the freedom of Celtic Park to throw passes around and get some shooting practice in.  County are the worst team we have seen for a long time, worse even than bottom side St Johnstone, who shipped seven on the opening game of the season.

You have to wonder what proponents of a bigger top flight would want us to sit through when side with such limited resources are already filling the calendar.  There are not 12 ‘premier’ clubs in Scotland and Celtic winning without breaking sweat does our opponents no good.