Celtic kept themselves alive in the title race on this weekend. The reality felt very different.

A narrow 1-0 win over St Mirren did little to lift the mood around the club. With just five games remaining, the table says Celtic are still firmly in contention, sitting two points behind Rangers and three behind Hearts.

But watching that performance, it is hard to shake the feeling that something is slipping away.

This was not a side building momentum. It was a team dragging itself through another 90 minutes, short on ideas, short on energy, and increasingly short on belief. Against a disciplined St Mirren side, Celtic laboured badly. There was no real fluency and no cutting edge. There was very little to suggest they are about to click into gear at the most important stage of the season.

Elsewhere, both rivals showed something Celtic currently lack.

Hearts came from behind to beat Motherwell. Rangers went even further, recovering from two goals down to dismantle Falkirk 6-3. Whatever the opposition, those results send a message. There is resilience there, and more importantly, there is firepower.

Celtic look like they are running on fumes in comparison.

Speaking after Rangers’ comeback, Chris Sutton delivered a verdict that will resonate with a large section of the support.

Speaking on the Sky Sports panel he said: “I don’t think Celtic can win it, I think it’s out of Hearts and Rangers.”

It is blunt, but it is difficult to argue against based on current form.

This Celtic side does not look like one capable of putting together a relentless run of wins. The goals are not flowing. Chances are not being created with any consistency. Even when they get ahead, there is little sense of control or authority.

That is a dangerous place to be heading into fixtures against Falkirk, Rangers, Hearts, Motherwell and Hibs.

There is still time. The points gap remains small. One swing result can change everything in a title race this tight.

But right now, Celtic do not look like a team ready to take advantage of those moments. They look like one hoping something falls their way.

Sutton has said out loud what many are already thinking.