Where we stand

By: Matt | March 30th, 2008

Wee Ginger Bassad
Another derby, another disappointment this year. The first half Celtic had chances and a couple close calls, most memorable Scott Brown bouncing a header of the post. However, as expected Rangers packed in the back and after one Celtic attack, had a quick counter and the ball was in the net. If they packed in the defense before that, then I’m not sure how to describe after the goal. Either way, it meant that Celtic didn’t really have any good chances after that and the final score came to 1-0. This one stung. The same problems that have plagued the team recently continued to rear their ugly head in this game. Before getting to that, the defense had a solid performance again. It is easy to play when Rangers have 9 behind the ball, but when we are going all out on attack but lose the ball at midfield, we can expect the defense to be left vulnerable on the counter attack. But onto the bad…

I really want Scott Brown to do well. He showed some talent early in the year. I keep sighting the first St Mirren away game as proof. I thought that he, a nose in the dirt type of guy, would respond well to the probable physical play he saw on Saturday. Once again, he disappointed. MVP commenter Ryan made some really good points in the last post. His tackling is atrocious at best, and downright clumsy at worst. He doesn’t seem to have the pace to outrun people. I really am trying to stay with him because for some reason I think that every game will be the game he comes out of it, but I don’t think he sees the Starting XI for awhile.

The loss leaves us 6 points behind with Rangers having a game in hand. When Rangers catch up in games, they will be anywhere from 6-9 points behind. This certainly does not bode well for Celtic’s league hopes. Although the situation is not impossible. Celtic will obviously have to take the two games left vs Rangers, both at Celtic park so there is some hope. But that probably will not be enough. The Bhoys will need a run of epic proportions, most likely needing to win most if not all of the remaining leagues. I never thought I’d say this, but the split might help Celtic as it might give Rangers a chance to drop points as they will be playing the stronger teams of the league this year, but then again so will we. Things are not looking good this year in Green and White.

The thing that frustrates me is that it is not is if this team does not have talent. I honestly think that Celtic is leaps and bounds more talented than Rangers, however when this is the case there is usually a problem in the coaching position. Strachan is 0-4 against Walter Smith, and that can’t sit well with the board. Baring a miraculous run here at the end of the season, I think most Celtic fans get their wish and the Gordon Strachan era will end.