After spoiling the huns' title parties last Sunday, the belief through the week was that Celtic could still win the title. With the gap down to 5 points, there were many questions towards Rangers' bottle, do they have what it takes to win this league?
More pressure was piled on them when Celtic defeated Dunfermline 4-1 at East End Park, in emphatic style. Two goals from Man of the Match Stan Petrov were added to by Henrik Larsson, and an Alan Thompson penalty. A downside to the game was that Celtic only scored 4 goals. Being 3-0 up at half time, and with the possibility of the league being decided on goal difference, it was rather dissapointing to lose a goal and only score one more in the second half.
Our injury worries are also mounting up. Joos Valagaeren was taken off injured after 10 minutes on Saturday, and with Johan Mjallby also injured, it is quite a worry. Chris Sutton, John Hartson, Steve Guppy and Rab Douglas are still sidelined through injury.
With the 3 points in the bag on Saturday, the gap at the top was down to 2 points, and they who 'shall not be moved' appeared to be losing the plot at Dens Park yesterday. BBC cameras showed 'Big Eck' (as they love to call him) smiling and whistling before the game, as well as the players giving each other high fives and handshakes. It appeared that Rangers seem to be showing no signs of cracking under the pressure, but the phoney smiles before the game were soon wiped off their faces.
Dundee defender Lee Wilkie must have had money on Rangers to win yesterday. After turning what looked to be a goalkeeper's ball into his own net in the first minute, he threatened to blow Dundee's 2-1 lead approaching half time by stupidly wrestling Mols to the ground in his own area. Dundee were in luck, however, when 'Captain Barry' blasted his penalty off the crossbar.
Amazingly, with ten minutes of the game remaining, Wilkie lost his head again and gave away a second penalty. Ferguson stepped up and missed again, but with a little help from the SFA, Rangers remained top of the league after being awarded a third penalty, which was scored by Arteta.
The pressure is clearly getting to the huns, and as usual they are riding their luck. Three penalties and an own goal in the one game? It can only be Rangers.
The gap is now down to 3 points, and the huns are 3 goals ahead of us. The SFA announced today that in the scenario of equal points and goal difference, the league would be decided by who has scored the most goals. If this too is similar, a one off game at Hampden between the sides would be the decider.
The ballot has been made for the UEFA Cup Final ticket allocation. I am led to believe that there are just over 15,000 tickets available to Celtic supporters, and with 18,000 supporters on the European Away Ticket Scheme, there are bound to be many dissapointed fans. The tickets will be distributed to those who have followed Celtic on European away trips this season.
Celtic play Motherwell at Fir Park on Wednesday, in a match which should have been played in February. We know that if we score 4 goals, we will be top of the league on Wednesday night. With Hearts at home on Saturday, we could be 3 points ahead of Rangers, who play on Sunday. It's now all about us putting the pressure on them.
Well done to Bobo Balde, Henrik Larsson, Shaun Maloney and John Hartson who all scooped an award in the Celtic Annual awards. Bobo was named Player of the Year, Henrik Larsson was Player's Player of the Year, while Shaun Maloney picked up Young Player of the Year. John Hartson's goal against Liverpool at Anfield was voted as Goal of the Season.
So it is another important week beginning, hopefully by the end of it we will see ourselves top of the SPL.
Goal of the Week: Stan Petrov's second v Dunfermline.
Player of the Week: Stan Petrov