The boos rained down on Saturday and title race pressure is cranking up on Brendan Rodgers and Celtic.
A 1-1 draw with Kilmarnock at the weekend handed Rangers a golden opportunity to go top. They did so with a 3-0 win at St Johnstone as they jumped to first for the first time under Philippe Clement.
Scratch beneath the surface though and the boos heard at the end of Saturday’s game were not just pent up frustrations over one game. This goes back weeks, months, and for some its years.
Celtic and their board have criticisms this season. From European performance to lack of spending in the transfer market, there have been few places to hide when it comes to the champions.
Now the pressure is at fever pitch, there are some fears stronger than others. Glasgow World runs through nine problems running deep for fans and how they could impact who wins the league come May.
1. Recruitment strategy
Rodgers made the plea for quality in the build-up to January and he got two players. One is a loan striker with a point to prove, the other working his stock back up after time in big academies like Bayern Munich. Fans wanted experienced guys for the here and now but over the course of January and the summer, didn’t seem to get it.
2. Injury woes
Cameron Carter-Vickers is the rock of this team and has never really been fit for a lengthy run of games. Reo Hatate has been another main man toiling, with absences for Greg Taylor and Daizen Maeda also proving costly this term. Getting the strongest XI available to Rodgers ready for action would go a long way.
3. The Abada situation
Celtic and the Israeli winger look set to go their separate ways, as Rodgers admits Abada isn’t in the right frame of mind to play for the club as things stand. MLS clubs are keen but if a deal can’t be struck, they are left managing a star not wanting to be there, as reports claim he is ‘keen’ to move. Photo: Craig Williamson – SNS Group
4. The cull club
Improvements will need to be made to this Celtic squad in the summer, but they might have a challenge in getting rid of some of those already on the books. Sead Haksabanovic will return from Stoke City this summer, and takes a wage slot alongside the likes of Yuki Kobayashi, Gustaf Lagerbielke, James McCarthy, Mikey Johnston and Marco Tilio, who can’t get a look-in.
5. The uncomfortable striker truth
Kyogo’s form has been a talking point. He scored 34 times last term but the goals have dried up, on 13 for this season. Rodgers’ traditional 4-3-3 didn’t get the best of him but the move to two up top has got more. It has resulted in St Mirren and Kilmarnock midfields overrunning Callum McGregor and Matt O’Riley in the last two matches. An uncomfortable truth in that Kyogo’s top form and what’s best for the team under Rodgers don’t seem to match appears to be lurking.
6. PAISLEY, SCOTLAND – JANUARY 02: Celtic’s Greg Taylor in action during a cinch Premiership match between St Mirren and Celtic at the SMiSA Stadium, on January 02, 2024, in Paisley, Scotland. (Photo by Craig Williamson / SNS Group)
We touched on Taylor earlier but his small time out with injury was enough to uncover yet another gaping hole in Rodgers’ squad. Alexandro Bernabei has not proven himself to be a reliable back-up, but there’s nobody else who can naturally fill in this role. It’s an area of the squad that looks weak. Photo: Craig Williamson – SNS Group
7. Home form
Champions usually build their title charges off strong home form. They have drawn with bottom half sides Motherwell and St Johnstone. Kilmarnock took points off them at the weekend and Hearts have beat them. Tough away games at Tynecastle and Ibrox lurk before the split alongside a visit to Livingston that hasn’t been the happiest hunting ground since their top flight return. Taking care of business at home is a must. Photo: Alan Harvey – SNS Group
8. Rangers in control
Rangers are now above Celtic in the Premiership standings with 12 matches remaining. The Light Blues have gained significant ground on their rivals under Philippe Clement and the mood music there is one of confidence. At the Hoops, fans are growing anxious and now Rangers currently hold the title destiny.
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