Stubbs: We’d beat the Invincibles

BRENDAN RODGERS’ Celtic side are beating all-comers in the domestic competition – but would be no match for the club’s 2001 Treble winners.

That’s the view of Alan Stubbs, the former Hibs boss who played alongside Henrik Larsson, Lubomir Moravick, Paul Lambert, Neil Lennon and Chris Sutton in Martin O’Neill’s all-conquering side.

“They are a good team, a very good team. Brendan has done a very good job, and brought some real quality to Celtic,” said Stubbs.

“You can’t devalue anyone winning the Treble and going unbeaten. It would be a fantastic achievement.

“But I’d definitely fancy us to beat them. Quite a few people would, if we are being honest.

“It was much harder when we won the Treble. Rangers were in a better place, and when you look at all the teams, it was more competitive back then.

“You can only beat what is in front of you, and Celtic have set a parameter that no one can touch right now.”

Stubbs also believes the Hoops are using their success as a foundation to get even stronger.

He said: “I think maybe we are starting to see the players now that you would link with a club of Celtic’s stature starting to come through the doors.

“That is a good thing because in the past few years that has maybe not been the case.

“So the challenge now for Scotland’s other teams is who is going to be the first one to beat them.

“Staying unbeaten all season domestically is a huge ask. But when you look at how dominant they are right now, it is possible.

“They have just gone past halfway in the season and they have already won one trophy – two, realistically – and they only have the Scottish Cup to go.

“So they are not a million miles away from the Treble. But even though they are the most dominant force right now it is still not a walk in the park for them. Far from it.

“There are a lot of things to contend with. They will have a dip, not just physically but mentally.

“That is why it is so hard to do what Arsenal did. You have seen that over the years.

“Injuries, illnesses, suspensions – they will all kick in at some point.”