Celtic can continue letting their performances do the talking after a dramatic and eventful week.
Much has been made of their penalty shootout triumph over Rangers in the League Cup final, particularly surrounding Rangers’ penalty appeals.
While discussions about the referee’s decisions have dominated the headlines, what should not be overlooked is that Brendan Rodgers’ side secured the club’s 119th trophy, further cementing their place in Scottish football’s history.
Equally significant is Celtic’s dominance in the Premiership, where they sit comfortably at the top of the table.
Despite suggestions from some quarters that the gap between Celtic and Rangers might be narrowing, one man who remains pragmatic is former Rangers striker Kris Boyd.
Reflecting on the state of play, Boyd gave his assessment after Rangers’ 1-0 win over Dundee at Ibrox on Saturday. Speaking on Sky Sports News (21/12/24 at 5:50 pm), he did not shy away from acknowledging Celtic’s superiority.
“I think Celtic will win the league,” Boyd admitted.
“They are, by far the best team in Scotland, at this moment.
“You look at Rangers, they just have to keep winning games and see where it takes them. They were a long way behind Aberdeen a few weeks ago. Aberdeen are on a poor run. No win on five or six, but Rangers have managed to turn the last few weeks a little bit.
“But today, you will be a little bit worried, because it’s like the Rangers of before, albeit, they found a way to win a game of football. But you would have been looking for a far more straightforward victory, that’s for sure.”
Celtic’s immediate focus will be on Sunday’s clash with Dundee United, where they can extend their lead at the top to 11 points.
With European football returning in January, Rodgers will be keen to create even more breathing space in the Premiership, allowing his team to focus fully on the Champions League knockout stages.
Celtic’s last post-Christmas European campaign feels like a distant memory, and Rodgers will undoubtedly want to change that narrative.
With the team’s momentum both domestically and in Europe, the Bhoys are well-placed to make a statement in both arenas as the season progresses.
