SPFL: Game Week 25 Round up
As the winter break is now firmly in the rear-view mirror, teams throughout the premiership are gearing up for an enthralling business end of the season. With a tight title race emerging for the first time in almost a decade and a neck and neck relegation scrap the stakes could not be higher. As always in the Scottish Premiership there is rarely a dull moment, and this past week has been no exception.
Celtic Blow Away Motherwell to Stay Top
After Celtic’s emphatic midweek demolition of Rangers it was up to Ange Postecoglou’s men to replicate this form on their travels to Motherwell on Sunday. To which they did not disappoint, dismantling Graham Alexander’s Steelemen with ease in a 4-0 win.
Celtic have been biting at the heels of Rangers all season and Celtic seized their opportunity to go top and will have to continue to work hard to stay there. With a tough list of fixtures in the run into the split. The most notable thing from Celtic’s rampant win was their utilisation of squad depth which allowed them to keep up the same energy levels throughout the entire game. A criticism of Celtic this season has been their inability to keep the same intensity for 90 minutes but with January acquisitions and players returning to full fitness, they now possess a squad that is able to properly compete in what will be a thrilling title race. Star players such as Liel Abada and Tom Rogic were in scintillating form at Fir Park and looked a class above the opposition as the Hoops strolled to victory to cement themselves as leaders of the pack. With some tough ties coming in the next few weeks, it is vital that Celtic can keep the same level of performance to come through unscathed and ready to fight tooth and nail for the title.
Rangers Bounce Back with Emphatic Win
After suffering an embarrassing defeat at Celtic Park just days before the pressure was piling onto Rangers who before the winter break sat six points clear at the top of the table but went into this weekend’s tie with Hearts needing a win to make sure they only trailed by a single point. Performance levels of usually consistent players let down the Ibrox side massively against their city rivals and they were on the receiving end of their first derby defeat in over two years.
After being knocked off their perch it was imperative that the Rangers team didn’t let this result spiral out of control and their 5-0 win over Hearts on Sunday was the best response fans could have asked for. A poor result had the potential to pile on further unwanted pressure and a solid Rangers performance ensured that they would not be slipping further behind. Alfredo Morelos has looked rejuvenated since the arrival of Giovanni Van Bronckhorst and proved to be a big miss for Rangers whilst away on international duty with Colombia. He chipped in with two goals and was a nuisance for defenders which Rangers were sorely missing in their clash with Celtic. Sunday’s win sent out a message that Rangers would not be laying down after being knocked off top spot and ensures that we are set for an exciting title race.
Hibs Struggles Continue Under Maloney
This season has been a transitional period for Hibs with the departure of Jack Ross in December and star player Martin Boyle departing in the January transfer window to Qatar. Shaun Maloney has come into the club having served under Roberto Martinez in Belgium for three years having earned himself rave reviews. Results have been hard to come by since the return from the winter break after a bright start to life in Leith.
Most fans understand the position they are in and Maloney will require time to build the team he needs to return Hibs to former glories but there is an element of the support already losing patience. After a draw to bitter rivals Hearts, they were looking to kick on against St.Mirren and make up some ground on their city rivals but a Conor Ronan goal for the visitors meant another defeat for Maloney’s side. With only one transfer window behind him and limited time with the squad, it may be too early for fans to be voicing discontent, but football is a fickle business and results are everything. Patience will be key for Hibs and a coach such as Maloney was an outside the box appointment. Appointments such as this come as no quick fix and fans may have to bide their time and buy into a rebuild with Maloney at the helm.