CREDIT DUE TO CELTIC

IDON’T think it has ever been in dispute that this season we have seen a pretty poor Rangers side. But what I would say is that despite that, it has not resulted in any dilution of Celtic’s ambitions this campaign – and that is the right way to go about things.

In days gone by it might well have been a fair accusation to say that Celtic were guilty of standing still when they were in a position of strength.

Whatever criticisms you might have of the club, that cannot be one of them this season.

Not only did they push the boat out to go and get Brendan Rodgers who, in a short space of time has already shown that he was worth every penny it took to get him here, but they also tweaked the wage to bring in guys like Moussa Demeble and Scott Sinclair.

It is no coincidence that these have been the two big performers for Celtic so far this season.

The latest chapter of the club’s development is the plans we say this week to build a hotel with a museum and some restaurants at Celtic Park and it is an indication of how successful the club have been in marrying events off the park with what goes on it.

Celtic have been a club that has been expertly run in the boardroom. Dermot Desmond, from underwriting share issues, to getting Rodgers into the club has overseen the stability while I think in Peter Lawwell you could not get a better chief executive in Britain at any other football club.

Between those two and Rodgers, Celtic have laid the foundations for the next chapter at Celtic and it is right that they should enjoy it.

Yes, when Martin O’Neill says that the current Rangers side is the poorest in living memory, I don’t think too many people would quibble with it. However, all you can say is that as a club Celtic have concentrated on doing the very best that they could do despite that.

They have not allowed themselves to be distracted by anything elsewhere. I understand that Scottish football is not as strong as it could be and I have said often that a strong Rangers is the best thing for the league.

But you also have to be willing to give credit to the way that Celtic have gone about their business. They have the right infrastructure at the back of them to get it right on the pitch as we have seen this season.

It is not easy to grind out win

Between Dermot, Peter & Brendan, they have laid the foundations at Celtic

after win – 20 successive league wins takes some doing no matter what level you are playing at – and I think what has pleased the Celtic support is that this is not a club who have been seen to stand still.

THERE are clear ambitions to lead the club forward and into a new era off the pitch with the things that are set to be put in place around the club.

Then you have a team on the park, crucially, who look as though they are setting the foundations for a success spell on it.

It really isn’t Celtic’s problem what goes on elsewhere. All they can do is look after themselves and I think they have done that and done it well.

The money generated from the Champions League will be re-invested and the hope is that