The Scottish Premier Football League is underway and everyone is wondering the same thing: Can Celtic hold onto their title? The 2022-2023 season finished with a solid win from Celtic and an eruption as they lifted the SPFL trophy. That might be enough for fans and team members to think they can relax and simply stroll to the finish line. Is that the case? We explore.
Top of the table
Celtic fans might be sitting pretty right now. It’s easy to look at the SPFL table and decide Celtic have nothing to worry about. They have a seven point lead on the table and the reception around manager Brendan Rodgers has been mostly glowing. Having returned from his stint at managing Leicester City, Rodgers has overseen three Scottish Cup titles in his original run as the Hoops manager and fans are hoping that it may continue. After all, 2023 saw Celtic FC’s 11th Scottish Premier League title in as many years, and it would be easy to make a bet on 32Red sports betting that the winning run would continue into 2024.
Celtic v Rangers
However, Celtic really have to worry about Rangers, as they always do. If there was ever a shadow lurking over the shoulder of a Hoops shirt, it would be Rangers. They finished second behind Celtic in the 2022-2023 season and titles have consistently come down to the two leads over decades.
But Rangers is on shaky ground right now, with it being confirmed on October 1st that the manager Michael Beale would be parting ways with the club after less than a year in the job.
Any dark horses?
Aside from the obvious and close rivalry coming from Rangers, Celtic has a few other options that might give them problems. Namely, Aberdeen, Hibs and Hearts.
But the closest contender would be Hearts, who made it all the way to fourth on the table before stumbling in a draw four points behind Rangers and St Mirren but a whopping 11 points behind Celtic in the 2022-2023 Scottish Premiership. Meanwhile, Hibs and Aberdeen were seen trailing in 7th and 8th respectively with nine points each. It’s easy to see that Rangers are still going to be the most likely suspects to take down Celtic.
What is the winning strategy?
“Strolling” might exactly be the word to describe the winning strategy for Celtic. They should make steady and calm progress with consistency at the centre of their strategy. In order to retain their current title as SPFL champions and reach the Champions League, they will have to maintain their current strategy. They cannot afford any slip-ups.
This is where Rangers come in again. They are the biggest threat to the Celtic SPFL title and Celtic will have to focus their efforts on keeping them at bay, as Rangers v Celtic matches are always pivotal.
It’s important that Celtic doesn’t let their current place at the top of the table go to their head. There won’t be any room for arrogance or complacency in the coming months.
However, there are also other competitions to think about. Celtic will have to balance SPL games with cup competitions including the Scottish Cup and the League Cup. It’s vital that squad rotation is at the forefront of their strategy to keep players fresh for all competitions.
Conclusion
If Celtic can maintain their current form with consistency and without arrogance, keeping their focus week-in and week-out, the SPFL title will be waiting for them at the end of this season. However, the bitter rivalry between them and Rangers is bitter and ongoing for a reason. The result of the 2023-2024 Scottish Premier League might simply come down to the same two teams that always butt heads in the same competition. If anyone is to stop Celtic, it’ll be Rangers.