Celtic’s dominance in the Scottish Premiership has once again been affirmed with their title win and unbeaten record against Rangers, solidifying their status as the country’s premier team.
Amid the preseason buzz surrounding Michael Beale’s arrival and the subsequent hype around Philippe Clement, Celtic has successfully fended off their rivals for the third consecutive year.
For Chris Sutton, the key to Celtic’s success lies in their leadership. The team boasts a core group of individuals in the dressing room who exude a winning mentality, blocking out distractions and denying their opponents any advantage.
It’s widely recognized that these players let their performance on the field do the talking, contrasting with the social media noise often seen from others in the league.
Sutton highlights figures like Todd Cantwell at Rangers, illustrating the notable contrast between the two sides.
Reflecting on the gap between Celtic and Rangers, Sutton mentioned: “Rodgers understands the challenge of finding leaders like Hart. Celtic is fortunate to have several of them – and that’s what sets them apart as champions. Players like McGregor, Forrest, and Hart remained composed and delivered when the pressure was at its peak.
“In contrast, Rangers seemed to crumble under the pressure and ultimately fell short. Cantwell’s celebratory actions after a recent game at Ibrox did not reflect well on him, especially after his team’s underwhelming performance. McGregor and Forrest let their performance on the field speak for themselves – not through gestures like the ’56’ on a shorts referencing the title.
“For me, this has been the crucial difference throughout the season. While it hasn’t been a flawless campaign for Celtic, they have overcome obstacles when it truly mattered, especially in significant matches, justifying their title triumph.”
As Celtic gears up for a crucial Scottish Cup final against Rangers, they have an opportunity to cap off the season with another resounding victory in the derby.
Looking ahead to the summer, Celtic can leverage their resources to assemble a team that can drive the club’s progress for years to come, leaving Rangers trailing behind in their wake.
Brendan Rodgers has expressed optimism after positive discussions with the board regarding recruitment plans. The focus should be on aligning ambitions and forging a clear vision for the first team. This summer presents an opportunity to strengthen from a position of dominance.
While similar sentiments echoed last year, this time around, with more stability, Rodgers can exert more pressure in the rivalry and further extend Celtic’s supremacy.