Celtic’s season has been anything but steady. Brendan Rodgers resigned. Wilfried Nancy arrived and then was gone. The Green Brigade issue carried on in the background. The Champions League run ended early. Off the pitch, there has been more noise than anyone wanted.
Things have felt shaky on the field too. January was heavy on loan deals rather than permanent signings. Injuries have disrupted the midfield. Late goals have saved points that looked lost. It hasn’t been simple.
Even so, Celtic are still firmly in the title race. They sit three points behind with a game in hand. That’s the clear picture as the schedule tightens. For all the doubts and criticism, they are right there.
Ryan Stevenson thinks that, in truth, fans are enjoying the battle. Not the drama off the park. Not the uncertainty. But the edge that comes with a proper fight for the league.
He said: (RecordSport), “Rangers and Celtic fans will probably look at it and say if Russell (Martin) wasn’t in and if Wilfried (Nancy) wasn’t in there it would be totally different. But it is what it is.
“I understand to an extent that entitlement because it’s always just been Rangers and Celtic for the last 40 years but we are where we are and it’s great.
“I think if you asked any Rangers and Celtic fans, they’re enjoying this as well. You can’t not enjoy it. If you’re an actual football fan, you can’t not enjoy this.
“You’re hoping that your team comes out on top, absolutely. But the most fascinating thing about this is that these three managers have now got to do everything bang on the money.”
A tight title race can be exciting. No one denies that. Close gaps keep people watching and every weekend feels bigger. But there is another side to it.
Sometimes a race is close because the standard at the top has dipped.
In Celtic’s case, a lot of this season’s tension has come from poor recruitment. Too many short-term fixes. Too few players brought in to clearly raise the level. When you rely on loans and stop-gaps, you live week to week. You leave yourself open to swings in form.
Look at the games themselves. Celtic have needed late winners against teams near the bottom. They have struggled to control matches for 90 minutes. That is not just drama. That points to gaps in balance, especially in midfield and at centre-back depth.
A stronger transfer window can dramatically improve the team. One dominant midfielder who dictates tempo. One defender who owns the box at set pieces. Those signings do not just add bodies. They settle games earlier.
Hearts have overachieved through organisation and belief. Rangers have rebuilt mid-season. Celtic, meanwhile, have patched rather than upgraded. That shows when games turn scrappy and there is no one to take control.
So yes, a competitive title race has its appeal. It tests nerve. But when the champions are clinging on through last-minute goals and momentum swings, it is fair to ask why they are in that position.
Entertainment and quality are not the same thing. A close table can mask flaws as much as it highlights strength.
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