Celtic FC Lose the 'Old-Firm' Title Chase: The First Time in Nine Years

Celtic FC Lose the 'Old-Firm' Title Chase: The First Time in Nine Years



It is entirely understandable for Celtic fans to become emotional after missing their 10th straight consecutive SPL league title. But disappointment cannot linger at Celtic because the football clubs accomplishments are nothing to be ashamed about.

Nine is the Magic Number

The history of Scottish football is one of the more superficial European divisions to break down - Celtic and Rangers have (more or less) dominated the Scottish Premier League since its birth in 1891.

Celtic FC entered the 2021 title chase with a historical record in mind, dating back to 1966. The history began with a consecutive run of nine title victories for The Bhoys, later replicated by Rangers from 1989 to 1997.

Fast-forward sixteen years to 2012, unbeknown to Celtic and their fans, and the streak begins again. Celtic has claimed the Scottish Premier League championship for the previous nine years, leaving Rangers in their rear-view mirror.

The coronavirus, Steven Gerrard and 2021 have been a nightmare for Celtic to break the nine-year record held by Celtic & Rangers - and in modern-day football, accomplishing the same task seems near-impossible.

A rivalry that runs deep across one hundred years plus, the old firm derby will continue for another thousand.


2021, the Dreaded Draw & All-Around Disappointment

Rangers put their final nail in the coffin this past weekend with seven scheduled fixtures remaining 4until it's on record. A drawn fixture Celtic at Tannadice assisted the newly crowned champions in claiming the title early. Still, even a win for Celtic would have required extraordinary circumstances to occur before they could reclaim the top position.



Twenty-eight victories with four draws could see Rangers end the season undefeated, reminiscent of a 2016/2017 Celtic squad which won 34 of their 38 games and, of course, the four drawn games.

Following their draw against Dundee United, it has been evident the Celtic squad are feeling the disappointment.

Celtic striker Ryan Christie said: "It is not how we wanted the season to go. We started the season looking to defend our title, and so we are all gutted."

"But we can only look forward now; for us, we do not see it as it being over, it's just a blip, and we want to come back even more robust and go again.

"We're always critical of ourselves, and we'll be the first people to admit when performances haven't been good enough. We did not get the three points on Sunday, but it was not down to a lousy account; it was just down to not taking chances.

"We look to bounce back and come back stronger. John Kennedy (interim boss) touched on that, trying to get that mindset back. That is what champions do. When you face a blip, you face adversity, you bounce back from it and try to get back on top again."

"That is the mentality we need, no doubt about that. Everyone is ready to bounce back."

Celtic’s Future and Consolation

Online bookmakers have Steven Gerrard and his squad to remain undefeated at 6/4, but with such a dominant season and just seven games remaining, why are the odds so generous? Put, 'The Old Firm Derby' still has one reverse fixture on the schedule.

On the final day of the season, Rangers will travel to Celtic, and their undefeated streak (If still in-tact) could be the perfect middle finger from Celtic FC.

The morale is undefeated - Celtic are not, and unless the issues at hand are admitted, the same result will be repeated next season. Mr Christie insisted the Hoops will reclaim their title from the Govan next season, but interim boss John Kennedy picking up Neil Lennon's pieces is unfair.

The future for Celtic will not live in Ranger's shadow for the next nine years, and I can guarantee you that. If Steven Gerrard claims consecutive titles (If they haven't already), I would expect Celtic to hire a manager capable of competing with Gerrard's aspirations.

And let us be honest, winning is great, but if Celtic had zero competition for the following fifty years, the league would become irrelevant.