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Time for Celtic to play like champions
Saturday, 27 February 2010 18:25
Time for Celtic to play like Champions
By Andrew Southwick
“That's why we're champions.” A chant once sung in the Glasgow-Irish brogue of the Celtic fans. Now though, happily belted out by their Old Firm rivals Rangers.
Why are they champions? Simple, they have that winning mentality pumping through their veins.
That moment when even under the greatest pressure, they can hit you with a sucker punch, ripple the back of the net, and leave you floored.
Mostly unbeatable, solid, and happy to mix it with whoever gets in their way as they march towards Scotland's top prize. They don't always dominate, they aren't a patch on champions of the past, but they are heading towards picking up the same prize as the legends of the past.
We're talking about Rangers obviously. Not just because they are current holders of the trophy, and with a seven point gap look big favourites to be celebrating on the Clydesdale Bank podium again in May.
Its because they ARE playing like champions. Something Celtic have not done all season.
Whether you have been impressed with Walter Smith's side this season or not, one thing no-one can doubt is the mentality, drive and kick-their-granny attitude that has them rightfully at the top of the Scottish Premier League perch.
At Celtic Park, Tony Mowbray may talk a good game. He may be at pains to point out his goal is to build a Celtic side that wins, and wins well.
The Bhoys manager may even possess the most exiting players in the country in Aiden McGeady, Scott Brown and of course Robbie Keane; but birthday presents aren't about the wrapping paper, they're about what's in the box.
It is looking very unlikely that within Tony Mowbray's nicely packaged gift to the Celtic fans there will be any silverware.
They have in truth dominated both Old Firm games so far this season, but have lacked punch in either of them.
Rangers tore through Celtic's defence twice in quick succession early into the first clash at Ibrox, leaving their foes with a deficit they could not claw back no matter how much of the ball they had.
At Parkhead, the home side went one better and pegged their rivals back for long spells, but chance after chance went a begging, parity was restored just a minute after they had finally broken the deadlock, and once again it was the 'Gers fans singing that champions ditty.
Celtic don't just have problems in one area of the park, its in every position, something that must keep Tony Mowbray awake most nights.
Up front they must be jealous of the killer punch Rangers have with Kenny Miller and Kris Boyd's partnership. The fact Miller is an ex-Celt, a failed one too, must grind at supporters used to watching Georgios Samaras baloon chance after chance wide.
Mowbray has been bold though in his January transfer dealings; selling their top scorer of the past few seasons Scott MacDonald, and laying his trust in Robbie Keane and Diomansy Kamara. It is a partnership still in its infancy, but they need to play like they've been together for years, not just on Sunday but from now until May.
In defence, Mowbray never fancied Stephen McManus and Gary Caldwell together. With the Scotland pair now at Middlesbrough, the former West Brom manager can now no longer use the excuse of it being Strachan's defence.
What pains the Parkhead faithful though, is what they have been left with. On Sunday, it looks likely that two teenagers will be Celtic's last line of defence between the on form Miller and Boyd, and goalkeeper Artur Boruc.
Josh Thompson and Thomas Rogne, 18 and 19 years old respectively, are the ones who could be donning the Hoops in the cauldron of Ibrox.
What both players lack – apart from age, experience and some might say the ability Celtic defenders should have - is something they also lack in the engine room; that fiery bite, win-at-all-costs attitude that is desperately hurting Celtic.
There is no Neil Lennon, Peter Grant or Paul Lambert in there anymore to battle for every ball. Instead is an off form Scott Brown, surrounded by pretty footballers who'll happily pass the ball all day when given time on the ball.
Trouble is; Steven Davis, Lee McCulloch and Kevin Thomson will be facing them wearing blue, and they'll be in a hurry to get a hold of that ball and keep the clock ticking on Celtic's slim title hopes.
However, in a city where first is everything and second is no-where, Celtic fans will be happy for the cracks to be papered over with if their side take all three points from Ibrox.
Rangers are still in a mess financially, desperately clinging on to the hope that a Champions League spot will save them from having to hold a fire sale in the summer of their stars.
You won't find a Rangers fan fretting about that though. To them, they have a seven point lead over Celtic in the title race. You tell them their club is in trouble.
Lose on Sunday though, and that conversation on Monday morning suddenly becomes different. And that's what Celtic have to do; test Walter Smith's side resolve, test their mental strength and see if they can find the cracks.
Test them and see if they really are championship material. First though, they have to look each other in the eyes and find out within themselves if they are the real deal.
In truth, for all the weaknesses Tony Mowbray's side has, he has a clear goal and a few ball winners in there would boost the side no end. Given time and funds to do it there is no doubt in a few years Celtic will be a much better, and entertaining, side to watch.
But Mowbray doesn't have years. He has days.
Defeat for Rangers is a sore one, but defeat for Celtic would be a knock-out blow.
Related Articles:
Harold Brattback: Celtic can still catch Rangers
Old Firm showdown could be Tony Mowbray's last
