Celtic’s winning train just can’t be stopped.
Domestic football returned this weekend after the final international break of 2024 concluded and Celtic re-introduced themselves with a bang.
The first-half showing lacked, but Celtic took Hearts apart in the second half at Tynecastle, not long after their rivals had played.
Title rivals Aberdeen lost at St Mirren, which means that the Bhoys are now three points clear at the top, whilst Rangers dropped more points in the Premiership.
Philippe Clement’s side are now 11 points behind Celtic and, forget about the champions across Glasgow, their focus should be on trying to catch Aberdeen because eight points separate the two.
Wherever you look at Celtic, the manager, the striker, the bench or the goalkeeper, everything is oozing with class and quality.
That’s why Allan Preston had some interesting things to say about what life holds for Scottish football in the future.
Rangers and Aberdeen told Celtic have already won the Premiership title
Only three points between the top two would normally signify a title challenge and one the neutrals would enjoy.
But given that it’s Aberdeen behind Brendan Rodgers’ side, then Preston feels ‘we do not have a league title challenge’ and he thinks the trophy is already Celtic’s, as he told The Scottish Football Podcast.
The former Hearts player highlighted how Celtic haven’t lost a game domestically this season and their squad is purring with quality.
Aberdeen won’t catch Celtic now,” insisted Preston. “That will be that. We do not have a league title challenge. It’s as simple as that.
“Rangers are miles away. They are 11 points behind. That’s four games Celtic need to lose from now until the end of the season. They haven’t lost one. Their last domestic defeat was in March. The league is done. It’s as simple as that.
“Brendan Rodgers won’t say that, of course he won’t. But when you have got that squad, you have these players, you have finishers, you have people who create and midfield players like Callum McGregor, who has given up international football, so he will benefit from that. I just think all over the park, Celtic are miles and miles ahead.
Rangers told they need ‘big’ investment or Celtic’s dominance won’t stop
Even last season when Celtic weren’t at their best upon Rodgers’ return to the dugout, they still managed to, not only win the title, but the Scottish Cup too.
But now, as proven by Celtic’s performances in the Champions League, Preston thinks the domination in Scotland will continue.
He explained that it ‘may sound crazy’, but unless ‘big’ investment is plunged into Rangers, then those in green and white are going to continue to dominate ‘for the foreseeable future’.
“This may sound crazy, but if somebody doesn’t come in and invest big in Rangers probably, it would have to be, then this is going to be the norm in Scottish football,” added Preston.
“Celtic have got that much wealth and if they can keep Brendan Rodgers because I think he is a brilliant manager. Someone might win the odd cup and that would be fine.
“But as far as league titles are concerned, this is going to roll on and roll on until someone comes in with a lot of money. Celtic have got close to £100 million in the bank now with the Champions League money that’s coming this year. No-one is going to touch Celtic in Scottish football for the foreseeable future.
