Fixing the Dam

 

Fixing the Dam

In the spring of 1993 Celtic were in the midst of one of those seasons where false dawns and raised hopes were the norm for their long suffering fans. They could go from the heights of beating Rangers and ending their 45 match unbeaten run to losing at Fir Park a fortnight later. At that point Celtic were 5 years into a spell in the wilderness which would last until 1998. Celtic’s record in derby matches that season in the SPL was 1-1, 0-1, 0-1 & 2-1. In every one of those games Celtic had the lion’s share of chances and only poor finishing saw them lose two of the games. Celtic’s problem wasn’t so much dealing with Rangers that year as dropping points to the lesser sides in the league. A dozen draws and 8 defeats in a 44 game campaign would see them finish third in the league that season a distant 13 points behind Rangers.

Contrasting the Celtic side of the early 1990s with the side steamrolling their way to nine successive titles today is probably unfair but the side containing the likes of Collins, McStay, Boyd, Galloway, Payton and Grant gave their all in derby matches because they knew their importance to the fans. Today’s performance from Celtic was probably the weakest display I have seen from a Celtic side in a derby for 30 years or more. There were mitigating circumstances in that Celtic were missing talisman Odsonne Edouard as well as Forrest, Biton, Jullien and Christie, a major loss to any side. However most of these players played in the League Cup Final in December 2019 and the League match at Celtic Park that December. Celtic won the league cup despite playing poorly on the day and lost the league match against highly motivated opponents. Add that to today’s display and it’s clear to see that Rangers currently have the upper hand in derby games. They are far from brilliant but remain a competent, organised side, which operates well as a unit. Celtic in contrast, look a little disjointed and too reliant on individuals to make something happen. The damage done today is far from fatal to Celtic’s title hopes but the Hoops will need to find a pattern of play which suits their players and show a bit more guile and fight than they did today.

It is an old cliché that you are never more than two games from a crisis at a club like Celtic but a look at Celtic’s upcoming fixture list suggests this will be a very tough spell in the season for them. Between now and the first week in December Celtic will play: AC Milan (H) Aberdeen (A) Lille (A) Aberdeen (N) Sparta Prague (H) Motherwell (A) Hibs (A) Sparta Prague (A) & AC Milan (A). That is a hugely tough schedule and Celtic will need to improve to keep within striking distance at the top of the league. Most fans would probably forgo a decent European run if they could keep the dream of a tenth straight title alive into the New Year.

The recriminations began online even before the game was over. Many blamed Neil Lennon although in fairness his injury list was a lengthy one and some on the bench today looked less than 100% fit. Some more strident voices argued the players looked disorganised and disinterested and that this lies at the Managers door. Rangers dropping into a narrow, compact formation when Celtic had the ball made it difficult to go through their midfield and Celtic were forced out wide. Unfortunately young Frimpong and new boy Laxalt had mediocre games and failed to supply much ammunition for the strikers to work with. Frimpong is still only 19 and Laxalt playing in his first game so perhaps are due some slack. Other more experienced players failed to turn up and that is more concerning. Celtic also misses their fans. Few sets of supporters drive the side on the way the Hoops legions do in those big games.

John F Kennedy once said, ‘Victory has a thousand fathers while defeat is an orphan.’ Well this defeat needs to be owned by us all and we need to learn the lessons it teaches us. Today was a warning: the dam didn’t break but the first crack appeared. Action is required now to motivate and organise this group of players. Celtic has no divine right to win and every match needs to be won on graft, fight and effort. Celtic hasn’t been firing on all cylinders so far this season and only some late winners and narrow wins have glossed over this. They need to get the players who were grumbling about leaving in the transfer window to shut up, knuckle down and do what they are paid to do. They need to get the injury list down and key men back in the squad. They need to find a cohesive game plan and players willing to bust a gut for the team.

The basis of success in football is to be found in organisation, fighting spirit, effort and adaptability. Rangers didn’t have to be brilliant to win today but they got those basics right. Celtic need to match that before they can win the right to play the football we all know they are capable of. I still think the Hoops have a better squad overall but they aren’t yet playing to their potential. It is now up to everyone at the club to rally round and refocus on the job at hand. There is no time to feel sorry for yourself in professional football; the next game is always just a few days away. Today is gone-learn from it and move on. The season is still young and those who celebrate tonight should bear in mind that Jeremie Frimpong was nine years old when Rangers last won the league. It remains a marathon, not a sprint.

Pick yourselves up, Celtic, dust yourselves down and start playing like the champions you are. There is much still to fight for!