Keith Jackson has sent Celtic and their chairman Peter Lawwell a new message following Rangers Viaplay Cup win, suggesting the Gers’ success would have sent shivers down their spines.
Philippe Clement’s side lifted the first piece of silverware of the domestic season with a 1-0 win over Aberdeen on Sunday (17 December), while Celtic fell to a second consecutive league defeat to fail to extend their lead at the top of the Premiership.
The gap between the Light Blues and the reigning champions now sits at five points and Rangers have two games in hand and Jackson has suggested that Gers’ success and the Celtic’s supporters’ “vitriol” will have worried Lawwell.
Writing in the Daily Record (19 December, page 43) he said: “A lamentable weekend became a little bit more insufferable on Sunday when their nearest and dearest picked up their first silverware of the domestic season at Hampden.
“The sight of those celebrations will have nothing to lighten the current mood in the east end of the city.
“The spontaneous eruption of anger and toxicity after Hearts took an unassailable two-goal lead at Parched on Saturday was actually quite staggering, given that Celtic remain perched at the top of the league table regardless.
“The gap may be closing more rapidly than these fans are prepared to tolerate but even so, the levels of vitriol will have sent a shiver down the spine of chairman Peter Lawwell, who has been in this movie before.”
Time to get shaky
Neither Rangers of Celtic supporters need to be told that the race for the Scottish Premiership title is well and truly back on following the Light Blues’ resurgence under Clement. But the Gers’ recent good form will have had those in charge at Celtic Park sweating.
Only a matter of months ago, this title race seemed like it was already tied up as the Gers faltered under the management of Michael Beale but Clement has managed to consistently pick up results and kickstart the season at Ibrox.
Celtic have been far from perfect this season and there has always been a feeling that should Rangers start to click, they can catch the Hoops at the top of the table. Few would have expected that gap to begin to close before Christmas and that will have Celtic supporters and Lawwell panicking in the last few days.
There is plenty of football still to be played between now and the end of the season, including several Old Firm derbies so nothing is decided yet. But you would have to say that you’d prefer to be in Rangers’ position currently, as Celtic almost seem like sitting ducks.
