Alistair Johnston believes Celtic are still the team to catch in the title race, even with Hearts sitting top on goal difference and having played a game less.
Celtic’s win at Easter Road kept them right in the mix. It moved them level on points, but the table still leaves little margin for error with only a few games remaining.
The fixture schedule adds another layer. Hearts face Rangers tonight, while Celtic know they must keep winning to apply pressure before that result even comes into play.
From inside the dressing room, the focus is not on the table. It is on performances and finding ways to get through tight matches like the one in Leith.
Johnston has been part of that run and has seen how the squad has handled setbacks.
He said: (TCW), “We know how good our squad is. Even with a couple injuries, we still fancy ourselves to be the favourites to go and win the league.
“So there’s been that added pressure from within our own group. Like, no, we can find a way. We need to go and find a way to win this league.
“But there’s been tonnes, just tonnes of things that have happened. Tonnes of change behind the scenes. Tonnes of obstacles. But the lads have passed them. Not always with flying colours, but they’ve passed them.
“We’ve continued to chip away and stay in this league. And now we have a chance here with a month left to go up there and ideally do a double. So that’s kind of still our mindset.
“There’s definitely an excitement in the group because you know that it’s all still there to play for. And that’s all you can really ask for when you get to this time of the season.”
Celtic’s position reflects the kind of season they have had. There have been spells where performances dipped, but they have stayed close enough to give themselves a chance.
Games like Easter Road show why. Even without full control, they found a goal late on and took the points.
Johnston’s point about belief ties into that. The squad still trusts its depth and quality, even with injuries affecting selection.
The next step is turning that belief into results. The table is tight, but Celtic know exactly what is required from here.
