How the tables have turned in the Scottish game recently.

Many last Saturday afternoon were understanding of the position that Celtic were in after their 3-0 win over St Mirren, which left them four points clear, having played two games more than Rangers. The onus was on Philippe Clement’s side to claw that gap back, with games against Ross County and Dundee – both away from home – taking place in between.

We all know by now how they both went, as the Ibrox side picked up one point out of a possible six, drawing 0-0 last night against Dundee at Dens Park following a 3-2 Dingwall defeat at the hands of the Staggies. At present, Celtic and Rangers have both played 33 games, with Brendan Rodgers’ side sitting three points clear at the league’s summit, with a superior goal difference to boot. Quite the turnaround, considering the position Celtic found themselves in just a few weeks prior – both in points and overall mood surrounding the club.

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However, talk of any league title being secured is far too premature, given the up-and-down nature of this league campaign. The term ‘false dawn’ has been an overused phrase this season, though it has not been without reason, due to how sketchy Celtic’s form has been since Rodgers’ return last summer. For every good win versus Rangers, Aberdeen and St Mirren, there have been shockers versus Hearts, St Johnstone and Hibernian that have thrown a spanner in the works of any potential success. In truth, tunnel vision is required from now until the season’s conclusion.

It has to be said, though, that this feels somewhat different than before. Rangers’ failure to fully capitalise on uncompleted fixtures has seen a bit of a sea change in momentum, which plays directly into the hands of the current champions, who are now in the driving seat to hold onto that title. Of course, the league campaign takes a bit of a backseat this weekend due to Celtic’s Scottish Cup tie versus Aberdeen at Hampden on Saturday, though the impact of recent results will linger in the psyche of both Glasgow sides. The prospect of a Glasgow Derby final is very possible if the respective sides can better Aberdeen and Hearts on Saturday and Sunday. What a clash that would be to round off the Scottish season for all concerned.

The need for calm heads in this pressure point of the season is necessary, though Celtic are in capable hands with their incumbent manager. Indeed, Rodgers has been possibly the calmest man in Scotland over the last few weeks, as the temperature has cranked up on everyone involved in this exciting title race, both on and off the pitch. Every game has felt like a big deal since the sides returned from the international break in March, with Celtic negotiating wins against Livingston and St Mirren, the only blot in their copybook being that 3-3 draw at Ibrox. As for Rangers, one win, two draws and a defeat suggest inconsistencies in their game, with them inevitably losing ground to their rivals in the process. It must be said that this sort of form looked unlikely earlier on under Clement’s leadership, maybe the pressure has gotten to them as the temperature has risen and the stakes have heightened.

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Perhaps the big difference between those ‘false dawns’ in the past and now is the significant lack of injuries at present (Daizen Maeda aside). Celtic have indeed gone through prolonged periods this season without key members of their squad, and their presence has been missed.

The gravity surrounding the absence of Reo Hatate has only been fully realised due to his return to the team in recent times, whilst the proof was in the pudding with the colossal Cameron Carter-Vickers. Quite simply put: Celtic were leaking goals due to him being out of the team, with the side now looking cohesive at the back thanks to his triumphant comeback. The recent injury to captain Callum McGregor has been a painful one for both morale and result too, though it looks as if his reintegration back into the team will be a slow but beneficial one in the long run. With these major players either back or close to a return, you sense that the tide is turning positively in the direction of Celtic Park.

Harking back to the ‘tunnel vision’ phrase, Celtic must take one game at a time, starting at the weekend at the national stadium – Rodgers’ first visit there since late 2018. They cannot allow or afford themselves to take their eye off the ball for one moment from now until – hopefully – May 25, the date of the Scottish Cup Final. An apt day for potential silverware if you know your history, of course.

Aberdeen will fancy their chances, too, perhaps buoyed by the appointment of former IF Elsborg manager Jimmy Thelin, who will take up his new role in June following the conclusion of the current season. The dual threat of Bojan Miovski and Duk will no doubt loom large over Hampden for Celtic and Rodgers, though the Dons in general have not been firing on all cylinders as of late, including the mentioned pair. Respectfully, Celtic should be beating the ninth-best team in Scotland at the moment, regardless of who plays for their opponents and recent results against the opposition (A draw at Pittodrie in February).

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Rodgers and his side have the chance to grasp success from the jaws of defeat and failure this season, which looked likely at several points this campaign. Amazingly, Celtic are potentially just seven games from double glory if they can negotiate Saturday’s Hampden showdown and their remaining Premiership games in the split, with May 25’s Scottish Cup final potentially being a big day in both Celtic’s season and recent history for the club as a whole.

No doubt about it, the climax to this season has the potential to be one of the sweetest in living memory, considering the low points that Celtic have faced in various competitions this season.

For now, though, that tunnel vision must remain, until domestic glory is directly in front of Celtic to grasp a hold of. Under Rodgers’ leadership, you know that message will be relayed to his squad of players in the coming days and weeks.