Celtic’s commanding 4-0 victory over St Johnstone, coupled with Rangers’ frustrating 2-2 draw against Motherwell, has dramatically widened the gap at the top of the Scottish Premiership table. Celtic now enjoys a 14-point lead, making them overwhelming favorites to retain their title, especially with the crucial Old Firm derby looming on January 2nd. Rangers’ inconsistent away form continues to plague them, raising serious questions about their ability to mount a title challenge. Their performance against Motherwell, a team they historically dominate at Fir Park, underscores their struggles. Despite a late comeback, salvaged by two goals from Hamza Igamane, the dropped points represent a significant blow to their already dwindling title hopes. This latest setback puts manager Philippe Clement under immense pressure, with his future potentially hinging on the outcome of the upcoming Old Firm clash.
Rangers’ performance at Motherwell was characterized by defensive vulnerabilities and an inability to capitalize on opportunities. Falling behind 2-0 to goals from Apostolos Stamatelopoulos and Tawanda Maswanhise, Rangers’ first-half display was lackluster. While Clement’s half-time substitutions, introducing Igamane and Vaclav Cerny, injected some much-needed energy and attacking impetus, it proved insufficient to secure a victory. Despite Igamane’s brace and two disallowed goals for Motherwell, the damage was done. The two dropped points, following a similar setback against St. Mirren, highlight a recurring pattern of squandered opportunities, leaving Clement lamenting his team’s inability to consistently convert their chances. The pressure mounts as the crucial Old Firm derby approaches, with Clement’s job security hanging in the balance.
In stark contrast to Rangers’ struggles, Celtic displayed their dominance with a comprehensive victory over St Johnstone. Despite making five changes to their starting lineup, likely with the upcoming Old Firm derby in mind, Celtic controlled the game from start to finish. Nicolas Kuhn’s first-half goal set the tone, but the second half saw Celtic truly flex their attacking muscle. Kyogo Furuhashi, ending a mini goal drought, netted a quickfire double to extend Celtic’s lead. His first goal was a simple tap-in after Josh Rae, the St Johnstone goalkeeper, parried Paulo Bernardo’s effort. His second came courtesy of a low cross from Arne Engles, which Furuhashi expertly converted from close range. Substitute Daizen Maeda added the final gloss to the scoreline, capping off a resounding victory for the league leaders.
Celtic’s impressive performance against St Johnstone showcases their depth and consistency, qualities that have propelled them to a commanding lead in the league. Manager Brendan Rodgers expressed his satisfaction with the team’s performance, highlighting their unwavering mentality and commitment throughout the match. The victory reinforces Celtic’s status as title favorites and sends a clear message to their rivals ahead of the crucial Old Firm derby. Their ability to rotate their squad and maintain a high level of performance underscores the strength and depth of their squad, making them a formidable force in the Scottish Premiership. With a comfortable lead at the top of the table and momentum firmly on their side, Celtic appears poised to continue their dominant run.
Elsewhere in the Scottish Premiership, other teams battled for position and crucial points. Aberdeen missed a valuable opportunity to leapfrog Rangers in the standings, suffering a narrow 1-0 defeat to Dundee United thanks to a stoppage-time winner from Kevin Holt. This result leaves Aberdeen winless in their last eight games, a stark contrast to their impressive early-season form. Dundee United’s victory, however, moves them within striking distance of Aberdeen, intensifying the competition for a top-three finish. In a dramatic encounter, Ross County scored two late goals in the 97th and 98th minutes, courtesy of Joshua Nisbet and Jordan White, to snatch a draw against Hearts. This late comeback denied Hearts, who had led through two goals from young striker James Wilson, a much-needed victory and leaves them precariously positioned near the bottom of the table.
The remaining matches of the weekend saw Hibernian secure a valuable 1-0 victory over Kilmarnock, closing the gap on the top six and keeping their hopes of European qualification alive. Dundee ended a three-game losing streak with a 2-1 win against St. Mirren, a result that provides some respite from their recent struggles. The Scottish Premiership continues to deliver exciting and unpredictable results, with the battle for positions throughout the table remaining fiercely contested. As the season progresses, the race for the title, European qualification, and survival promises to be captivating. With Celtic firmly in control at the top, the focus shifts to the other teams vying for position and striving to achieve their respective goals.
