As Celtic took another massive step towards the title with a vital three points at the Tony Macaroni last weekend, it seemed that the team had banished the poor form that had been dogging them since Bodo Glimt with an impressive showing at a ground that is traditionally very difficult for the club to get a result at.
The 3-1 win at Livingston finally banished the sixteen year hoodoo hanging over Celtic and if anyone thought there was going to be points dropped by the Hoops, it would have been against David Martindale’s team.
But a polished performance and clinical finishing turned a potential banana skin into a relatively comfortable day at the office for the Hoops.
And that is just what Celtic required according to journalist Mark Guidi.
The experienced reporter was speaking about the weekends result on Go Radio and claimed that the Parkhead club have thrown down a marker to their rivals, “Looking at Celtic, I think they threw down the gauntlet and the message was clear, ‘If you are going to retain your title, you’re going to have to do something special‘.
“I think Celtic are going to take a bit of stopping. Livingston was, potentially, a really, really tricky tie for them as has proven over the years. Fifteen years there without a victory.
“And I thought Celtic played well too.
“So at the moment, for me, Celtic are looking, in terms of ability and the way they are playing, they’re looking like champions for me.
“But when it gets to this stage, it’s squeaky bum time and mentality comes into it.
“And Celtic look like they have the mentality to go all the way.”
Celtic fans dare not dream. Yet.
At the start of the season, the title looked well beyond them.
But now? With eight games to go? The signs look good and if results go our way, it could be wrapped up before the two Glasgow clubs meet each other at Celtic Park later on in the season.
Rangers will need to win at Ibrox AND Paradise because their goal difference is much worse…On their day they still have a better first 11 but Celtic have a better squad…