OPINION
Things have not been easy for the Celtic squad over the last month or two but on the surface you would think that they were getting on with their jobs and doing all they can to live up to expectation.
From the whole Dedryck Boyata farce to their bitterly disappointing exit from the Champions League and losing Moussa Dembele last on in the transfer window, everyone at Parkhead will be wanting to put their troubles behind them and push on for what could be another treble winning campaign.
They took another step towards the first of what they will be hoping is three trophy wins once again on Wednesday, defeating St Johnstone in the Scottish League Cup courtesy of a Leigh Griffiths goal.
Fans might think that victory in the cup might settle a few nerves and get things back on track, but quite clearly tensions have been rising behind the scenes at Celtic Park after the goalscorer himself delivered a fascinating revelation about his choice of celebration.
Speaking to the Daily Record, he said: “Running to the manager was a show of unity. There has been a lot of talk this week about a divide in the camp but we wanted to show everyone we’re still united, we’re still fighting for the same cause and we are together as one.”
Pre-planning a celebration to demonstrate a show of unity? It sounds an awful lot like a PR stunt, and even if that is not the case, Griffiths should have been celebrating because he just netted a late winner in a knock out clash, not because he wants to demonstrate a togetherness.
A better way to show the fans and the world they are together is by putting in the performances expected on the pitch, for things have been too disjointed as of late.
It certainly appears as though Griffiths wants to calm tensions, either by bringing a harmony to the squad or by silencing the critics who have been on their backs recently – but really all he has done is accepted that things are not all well under the surface.
Will Celtic’s celebrations have quite as pointed a meaning as they did on Wednesday if they net versus Hearts this weekend? It is something to watch out for.