Blogs

Celtic still in pole position to win Scottish Premiership title

|
Image for Celtic still in pole position to win Scottish Premiership title

The Scottish Premiership tends to come under some flack from supporters of other major divisions around Europe, mainly down to the fact that Celtic have dominated it for quite some time now, with competition for the title relatively poor in recent times. Even the most hardened Celtic and Scottish football fans will admit that was the case, particularly when Rangers were having their ‘sabbatical’ away from top level football.

Now, though, Rangers are back in the division and putting in a serious challenge for the title once again – just like old times – and the likes of Kilmarnock and Aberdeen are, quite admirably given the size of the clubs and budgets they’re operating under, breathing down Celtic and Rangers’ necks also. Put bluntly, the one-sided league tag that has perhaps unfairly blighted Scottish football’s top flight for a while, now well and truly appears to be invalid judging by the events currently unfolding in the division.

Celtic, after a summer of uncertainty around the future of manager Brendan Rodgers – who was linked with the Arsenal job, and silly reported bust-ups in the camp from the likes of Dedryck Boyata – who essentially tried to force a move away from the club, left the side heading into unfamiliar uncertainty weeks before the new season was kicking off. Those issues, alongside more recent incidents such as striker Leigh Griffiths’ sad demise and his subsequent leave of absence from the club, have made this season a fairly tough one to enjoy for Celtic fans at times.

After losing 1-0 to Steven Gerrard’s improving Rangers side recently, the title race is certainly shaping up, but with a game in hand and the know-how and experience of winning the division in recent times, Brendan Rodgers will undoubtedly be confident that his side can reign supreme and secure the title come the end of the season. Odds on Celtic doing just that are priced at 1/5 (bet365), essentially backing up the view that they’re still firmly in the driving seat despite losing the Old Firm derby.

Throw in a huge round of fixtures in the next game week in the SPFL and Celtic could start to build up a lead on Gerrard’s Gers, especially as they face a tricky game away to surprise package Kilmarnock, while Celtic have a home encounter with strugglers St.Mirren to look forward to – an opportunity to not only put pressure on Rangers but also make up for the defeat at Ibrox.

Killie are currently priced at 4/1 (skybet) to beat Rangers, which is certainly likely given their impressive season to date. They’re also priced at 11/1 to beat Rangers to second place in the table come the end of the season, once again representing brilliant value considering the season they’re having. Scottish Premiership betting is certainly interesting this campaign, with a whole host of offers and odds available.

Essentially Kilmarnock, currently priced at 50/1 (bet365) to win the SPFL, appear to be Celtic’s main challengers for the title alongside Rangers. Killie could overtake Rangers in the coming weeks though and cement themselves as serious challengers and, in the process, help soften the blow of losing the derby at Ibrox for Celtic fans after they could end up seeing the Gers sitting in third place and some way off the pace when the next round of games are over.

The mood might be low after the derby defeat but a look at the bigger picture will tell you that Celtic are still very much in with a strong chance of lifting the SPFL trophy once again come the end of the season.

Share this article