2020 was a strange year for us all. None more so than for the Celtic faithful, who for the past 6 months have had to sit back and watch as their dominance of Scottish football dwindled away into the abyss.
The pressure on the shoulders of each individual involved with the club to perform to the best of their abilities has never been higher. Even for the regulars who have “been there, done that”, the small margins for error, are there for all to see.
As we enter a new year, we see old goals await us on the horizon. Ten in a row could be clinch in just a matter of 19 weeks from now. Right now we may seem like Tyson Fury down on the canvas, sparked out in a daze. You don’t need to be a boxing fan to know how that one ended. It’s never over till you throw in the towel. Step 2 of the revival commences on Saturday.
The Hoops lie 16 points adrift of their Glasgow neighbours, but with 3 games in hand. Despite the turbulence surrounding Paradise, a 100% win rate from the 18 games Celtic have played this season would still mean they’d be 5 points off the top. The hysteria has been more than warranted but either way we’d still be going into this game on the back foot.
Alongside this game, there remains a further 2 Glasgow derbies, meaning 9 points is on offer. 3 wins leaves us 7 points off. Every football fan knows that sort of gap is easily reduced. The other half of Glasgow have had a near flawless season so far. One slip up opens the opportunity once more.
Step 1 of the revival was completed with great success. Turnbull and Soro spearheading the Celtic revival of December 2020. The club reacting well to recent fan criticism, all started by superb victory over Lille at Parkhead. Their involvement and creativity at times has been flawless. On Wednesday evening, Ismaila Soro completed 96% of his passes. Very few midfielders can match that level of consistency.
Fans should be confident going into the game. Celtic have solved their Achilles heel of old. For almost two years now, we’ve had to watch Celtic time and time again become like Rabbits caught in the headlights at times when up against the team in blue. Our midfield has produced the same woeful, spineless displays you wouldn’t be expecting from a passion filled Lennon team. In the present day, the Turnbull and Soro partnership, should on paper, cure all issues.
The high pressure game Gerrard’s men like to play in the midfield, may be frightening to play against, just like that of a Rodgers’ team. Having said this, once conquered over, they are there for the taking. If both young men can play as they have done, and do so with a swagger about them, there’s no stopping the men in green and white putting out a dominant display.
Scott Brown once said, “We like to do our talking on the pitch”. Celtic now have an opportunity to do just that. They’ve been under the cosh for a while now. They can blow away the cobwebs of a turbulent 2020 and cement their claim in 2021 as a dominant force once more by becoming immortal. It all starts here.
Likely Starting XI:
Barkas
Frimpong Ajer Jullien* Laxalt
Soro
Christie Elyounoussi
Griffiths Edouard
*Jullien picked up a knock on Wednesday. Lennon still unsure if he will play. Bitton, would be likely replacement.
