How crucial could Sunday prove to be in the Scottish Premiership title race? In the day's early kick off, the Hoops fought back from 2-0 down to, against the odds, beat Kilmarnock 3-2 at Rugby Park. Sebastian Tounekti and then Benjamin Nygren on target in Ayrshire before, in the 97th minute, Tomáš Čvančara's ball across the box was fired home by Julián Araujo, sparking wild celebrations.
Straight after, despite falling behind twice, Rangers managed to beat leaders Hearts 4-2 at Ibrox, thanks to Youssef Chermiti's hat-trick. Despite defeat in Govan, the Jambos still lead the way on 57 points, just two above Rangers and three clear of Celtic, albeit the Hoops have a game in hand on both, taking on Aberdeen at Pittodrie on 4 March.
This is the tightest Scottish title race in a generation, perhaps multiple generations, likely to go to the wire. We could have another Helicopter Sunday on our hands in May. Even though Celtic are chasing a 14th title in 15 seasons, their record against the other contenders is a major cause for concern.
Celtic's concering record in big matches
The next 32 days, during which time Celtic will play eight matches, could be season-defining.
Celtic's next 8 fixtures
- Thursday 19 February. Stuttgart (H). UEFA Europa League. Kick off 20:00.
- Sunday 22 February. Hibernian (H). Scottish Premiership. Kick off 15:00.
- Thursday 26 February. Stuttgart (A). UEFA Europa League. Kick off 17:45.
- Sunday 1 March. Rangers (A). Scottish Premiership. Kick off 12:00.
- Wednesday 4 March. Aberdeen (A). Scottish Premiership. Kick off 20:00.
- Sunday 8 March. Rangers (A). Scottish Cup quarter-final. Kick off 13:00.
- Saturday 14 March. Motherwell (H). Scottish Premiership. Kick off 15:00.
- Sunday 22 March. Dundee United (A). Scottish Premiership. Kick off 12:30.
Celtic face back-to-back trips to Ibrox, first in the league and then in the Scottish Cup quarter-finals, as well as juggling European commitments, taking on Stuttgart, the side fourth in the Bundesliga, over two legs.
They'll also welcome both Hibs and Motherwell to Parkhead, as well as traveling to Pittodrie and Tannadice, in high-pressure, must win Premiership matches. But, ahead of this crucial period that could decide their fate in three competitions, the Celts' big game record has to be a worry.
Scottish Premiership top 4 mini-table
Teams | Played | Wins | Draws | Loses | GD | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Hearts | 8 | 4 | 3 | 1 | +4 | 15 |
Rangers | 8 | 3 | 3 | 2 | +2 | 12 |
Motherwell | 7 | 1 | 4 | 2 | 0 | 7 |
Celtic | 7 | 1 | 2 | 4 | -6 | 5 |
When looking at results between the Premiership's top four this season, Celtic are actually bottom of the mini-table. The Hoops have lost four of seven such fixtures, their sole victory a last-gasp 3-2 win over Motherwell at home in October, in which Daizen Maeda stooped to head home in stoppage time, thereby pinching the points.
In total, the Hoops have taken just one point against Hearts, one point against Rangers and those three against the Well. With back-to-back trips to Ibrox, as well as a visit from Jens Berthel Askou's Steelmen to come, this simply has to improve if they're going to retain the title.
After the spilt, Celtic will welcome both Hearts and Rangers to Parkhead, but both have departed Glasgow's East End victorious already during this campaign, meaning those rematches in April and May will be key. One way or another, O'Neill's side will need to defeat their direct rivals if they're going to have any silverware to celebrate in a few months time.