Celtic and Rangers struggling to strike blow in SPL title race

[ian1964 10,409]

by Darrell King

 

IT is one of the most significant championships in history for a variety of reasons and comes with the quite critical guarantee of a �£10million Champions League bounty for the victors.

 

But, after yet more mishaps over the weekend, this appears to be the title that neither half of Glasgow wants to win.

 

Events at Ibrox and Tannadice more or less encapsulated the entire SPL season, in terms of the major prize anyway, inside one 24-hour period.

 

While Hearts deserved credit for their fightback to earn a 2-2 with Rangers, Dundee United emerged with plaudits for securing a similar scoreline against Celtic, and the 10 other clubs - overall - have done well to nudge away at the big-two, just what is going on with the Old Firm?

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It is as if neither wants to reach out and grasp the prize, and this really is making for a torrid time for those of us who are trying to comment on, and predict, which way this thing will cut next.

 

Inside a few minutes of the boos descending as Rangers capitulated at Ibrox, there were two calls to the Radio Clyde phone-in from disgruntled punters.

 

The first offered congratulations to Celtic on four-in-a-row, the second demanded the head of Walter Smith immediately; and so it went on, with the last calling for a boycott of season ticket renewals to force the issue.

 

Torried times indeed for Smith who had a tone of despondency in his voice as he tried to explain how his side had managed to throw away a two-goal lead and victory from a game they were absolutely coasting.

 

It was incredible. Seldom has the face of a game changed so dramatically - Hearts had been appalling in the first period, Rangers had played some nice stuff and the fans were enjoying the fare.

 

By the end, there was rancour in the air, the cacophony of boos just managing to drown out the gnashing of teeth, slamming of seats and general fury.

 

It did, on the face of it, appear to be one blunder too many for Smith and his players. By his own admission, the manager felt his team had been soft and lacked resilience or, if we step out of manager speak, they had bottled it. A recurring theme for those in blue this term.

 

But we all jumped in too quickly. Again. Celtic failed to win on Tayside and, indeed, needed a superb late leveller from Lee Naylor to prevent a defeat which would have seen Rangers gain a point on them.

 

The gap remains at three points with nine games to go and we now head into a two- week break to reflect.

 

I tipped Celtic at the start and feel it's right to stick with my choice. Gordon Strachan's side, even though they aren't much better than their rivals, for me, have the edge.

 

But look at the stats. In their last 10 SPL matches, Celtic have won just four times, taking 17 points from 30. Rangers? They are just marginally better, winning five and taking 18 points.

 

Who can say with any authority what will happen? What you can say, guaranteed, is this title will be won by one of the poorest Old Firm teams ever, no matter which way it cuts.

 

 

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