With Celtic in the thick of a gruelling title race, Shaun Maloney knows that every performance carries scrutiny. The interim assistant offers an insight into the focus and demands that this long season has required.
Many had written Celtic off after Wilfried Nancy’s disastrous tenure, but they have clawed their way back to give themselves a real chance of retaining the title.
Maloney hasn’t taken great pleasure in how demanding a schedule it’s been, but has given credit to the players for their work. He said (TCW):
“I don’t know if I would say I am enjoying the title race. I am not sure that is the word I would use.
“It has been a really busy and intense period since we came back in. We had a game every three or four days for a couple of months. That is also what the club is used to. But it has been really intense in terms of the number of matches.
“With everything that has gone on, it has been difficult. But we have been focused. The players have been brilliant, really good. We have had quite a lot of injuries to contend with. But the players who have stepped in have been great.”
Maloney is well aware of the task ahead. The margin for error is slim, with the league split just weeks away.
He knows that performances haven’t been up to scratch on a consistent basis, and Celtic can’t keep chasing games.
The Hoops face Dundee United on Sunday. Another tough venue where they have tasted defeat once already this season. Maloney continued:
“Every game from now on will get bigger and bigger. There are fewer matches left, and the stakes are higher. The performances as well as the results will be important. We have had games where we have performed really well in parts and other parts where we haven’t. But the results so far have been pretty positive.
“We have got a chance of winning this league. I’m not sure anyone would have given us a chance a couple of months ago. Over the course of our time, we had to make up eight points first time and six points this time. That has been some challenge. But the players have been great. We will need it to continue.”
They endured a recent run of four away games on the bounce, during which they lost none. It was a run of form that deserves huge credit, given many supporters looked on in dread beforehand.
They returned to Celtic Park at the weekend, coming from a goal down to beat Motherwell, to which the Celtic crowd gave them their full backing.
It’s back-to-back away games up next, both in Dundee. No game can be taken for granted, particularly with how tight it is at the bottom of the table too.
Dundee salvaged a dramatic draw against their city rivals last week. Both sides will be well in the hunt to get back to winning ways.
For Celtic, they must pick up where they left off.
