To say that weekend could not have gone any worse for Celtic would be an understatement. On Saturday, Hearts battled to a late win over Dundee at Tynecastle before, in the later kick off, Rangers smashed Aberdeen 4-1 at Ibrox. Then, on Sunday, Martin O'Neill's team could not respond, beaten 2-0 at Tannadice by Dundee United. Given that this is the Hoops' eighth league defeat of the campaign, history suggests that is their title chances done.
With seven games to go, Hearts still lead the way on 66 points, with Rangers on 63 while Celtic have only 61. The statistics from Sunday's loss do not make for great reading.
Dundee United vs Celtic statistics
Statistics | Dundee United | Celtic |
|---|---|---|
Goals | 2 | 0 |
Expected goals | 1.51 | 1.09 |
Big chances | 1 | 2 |
Shots | 19 | 13 |
Shots on target | 8 | 3 |
Shots inside the box | 10 | 9 |
Touches in opposition box | 24 | 23 |
It's not just the scoreline, all of the statistics are alarming. The Tangerines racked up more expected goals, more shots, more shots on target, more shots inside the box and one more touch in the opposition's penalty area; Viljami Sinisalo produced six saves to Ashley Maynard-Brewer's three.
This is the Celts' eighth defeat of the campaign, which is not only more than the top two but also a greater number than both Motherwell and Hibernian have suffered. This is the highest number of losses the Hoops have endured in a league season for over a quarter of a century, and history suggests that this is too many to suffer and still be crowned champions
Seasons Celtic have lost 8+ league matches (1979-present)
Season | League defeats | League finish | Points gap between Celtic and first |
|---|---|---|---|
1999/00 | 9 | 2nd | 21 |
1993/94 | 9 | 4th | 15* |
1992/93 | 8 | 3rd | 22* |
1991/92 | 8 | 3rd | 17* |
1990/91 | 12 | 3rd | 21* |
1989/90 | 12 | 5th | 27* |
1988/89 | 11 | 3rd | 15* |
1986/87 | 8 | 2nd | 10 |
Note: *indicates adjusted to 3 points for a win.
Not since 1979 have Celtic managed to win the league title while having eight or more league defeats inflicted upon them. In fact, of the club's record-equalling 55 titles, this has only happened twice, in 1951 and, as mentioned, 47 years ago.
So, where do the Celts go from here? Well, after the international break, they'll travel back to the City of Discover to face Dundee on Easter Sunday, having now lost all three visits this season to either Dens or Tannadice. After that, it's back-to-back encounters with St Mirren, first at Parkhead in the Premiership and then the pair will reconvene at Hampden in the Scottish Cup semi-finals. Given that the Buddies beat the Hoops in December's League Cup Final, they cannot be taken lightly.
After the split, both Hearts and Rangers will visit Paradise, which should offer supporters some hope that a fifth title on the spin is still within their grasp. Nevertheless, if O'Neill's team continue to play as they did at the weekend, Celtic might just miss out on a top two finish for the first time in 31 years.