With Aberdeen dropping points along with us at the weekend, they look incapable of taking the challenge to the last few games. As a result, Celtic fans can begin thinking ahead to the title party which will inevitably be coming in a few short weeks.
The question everyone always wants an answer to is when it’s going to be.
Pencil in April. That’s looking like the month for it.
Whilst our lead is pretty solid, and although mathematically possible, I doubt we’ll be popping the champagne corks in March. But nor do I think it’s going to go to the last three games in the split.
We’d need a ten point advantage coming out of the 30 April weekend, but we’re six points to the good right now and I definitely think that’s an achievable goal.
If we win tonight and Aberdeen drop anything against Dundee Utd then I think it’s all over as far as the competition goes, but to officially celebrate five in a row it’s going to take us putting it beyond the reach of our rivals in terms of hard numbers.
I think Aberdeen can keep us at bay through March. I’ll be honest; I expect both of our teams to drop points between now and the finish. Celtic are just not good enough this season and we’re almost certain to give some away before things wrap up.
But Aberdeen, like Hibs, are afflicted by a bad case of stage fright. You can see a scenario where they’ve pegged us back some, drop points in the following game and then simply collapse. They already look rocky, and capable of folding at any moment.
I don’t think they will, not until near the end. April will be the month when they run out of gas, and that’s when I expect us to take full advantage and capitalise on their every mistake.
It will be particularly interesting if we get Aberdeen in the first couple of games after the split; that would allow us to put the lead in the bank and could give us the title even earlier in the month. Derek McInnes can cast around for who to blame as we get ourselves in a celebratory mood.
It will be a relief to put this league race in the rear view mirror, but it’s more than that; if we can wrap it up in a bow in April we can let the kids have a proper run out in the final games.
Surely even Ronny wouldn’t play the same old players for what would essentially be end of season friendly matches. When so many of our fringe players would benefit from games it would be a very decent way to close the show.
For now, as with the weekend, we have a game tonight and only one thing matters; three points in the bag. Aberdeen have that potentially deadly game against Dundee Utd, who are fighting for every single win they can get. This could be a defining night.
Everyone will be watching the manager’s team selection, of course. The midfield area is where we will stand or fall; Griffiths tends to perform more weeks than not. It is rare for him to have two bad games in a row and I expect he’ll want to put his penalty miss behind him this evening.
Let’s see what kind of team Ronny sends out.
Will Scott Allan play? Will Tom Rogic return to the team? Will we finally see Patrick Roberts begin a game? Will we see Stefan Johansen, and if so which version of him will turn up?
We’ll find out in a few hours time.