Former Celtic manager and Sky Sports pundit Gordon Strachan has issued a warning over the mental strength of his former side after a “huge” win for Rangers on Wednesday.
Both Glasgow sides were in action in midweek, the Hoops playing host to Hibernian while their fierce rivals travelled to Aberdeen, the side sitting just below Steven Gerrard and his men in the table.
The Bhoys secured a comfortable 2-0 win while the Light Blues managed to snatch all three points from the Dons with a 4-2 victory in a game full of drama and controversy – and it was a result which Strachan believes will have Celtic seriously worrying in the hunt for the title.
He told Sky Sports’ The Debate (06/02, 22:30): “They had a sticky spell six, seven weeks ago but they’ve come through that.
“Even six points now, that’s going to affect Celtic seriously. I’ve been there myself when you think: ‘Oh we’re 12 points ahead,’ and it’s back to six, you go ‘woah, am I going to be the player and the manager that loses a 12 point (lead)?’.
“That result (v Aberdeen) is huge for Rangers tonight and that will keep it going, it’ll keep everything going. It’ll give Rangers a spring in their step, cause I think if you’re Celtic you are are thinking: ‘Beat Hibs tonight, Aberdeen and them draw, that’s good,’ but for Rangers to get the win, that actually sets the alarm bells ringing.”
Opinion
Only those in the dressing room at Parkhead know if the pressure is getting to them but that six point lead is by no means an insurmountable one. With Rangers going and beating the other top sides in Scotland, it means that Celtic have to keep picking up victories of their own – but how heavily will the expectation of fans and pundits weigh on their shoulders? There is no doubting the Hoops are the favourites for the title and they have been since the start of the season, leaving Rangers a clear run to simply get as close as possible. Pushing Brendan Rodgers’s men as far as they can will be the aim and if they can stay within touching distance for the rest of the season then that is a huge improvement on the last campaign. For Celtic the aim is simple – win the title. Anything less is a failure, and Strachan may well be right when he speaks about alarm bells ringing at Celtic Park.