It’s Jackanory with a tale of two city rivals
THERE have been so many tales told by both Old Firm bosses this season the title race has felt more like a new series of Jackanory.
Philippe Clement has spoken a lot about his Rangers story. Brendan Rodgers says his side are writing their own while constantly mentioning the outside narrative.
The pair of them could start most press conferences with, ‘Are you sitting comfortably…’
A lot of it is just manager speak, a plot device to convince fans and players of their message.
Clement had to do it when he arrived because it was epitaphs being penned at Ibrox then.
The season was written off by some fans following Michael Beale’s wonky start. But now it could be a bestseller.
But what about this Celtic story?
Rodgers has done his best to create some kind of siege mentality inside Lennoxtown.
Truth is he didn’t need to. Celtic have been under siege this season. Stephen King couldn’t write some of the twists in this tale.
Some of the cliff hangers have been self inflicted by the club – like the two tragic transfer windows – but there’s no doubt the Hoops gaffer has been forced to deal with stuff that doesn’t get covered in any coaching manuals.
Treble winners Jota and Carl Starfelt shot the craw after veteran Aaron Mooy closed the book on his career.
The Green Brigade student union didn’t exactly welcome him back with open arms, booed him after a draw with St Johnstone then got themselves banned.
Liel Abada wanted to leave in the summer, decided to stay then was desperate to depart amid the nightmare unfolding in his Israeli homeland.
Cameron CarterVickers was crocked when he arrived, came back and got injured again. Reo Hatate started the season unsettled then got injured, came back and got injured again while with Japan.
Daizen Maeda was out for a chunk of time and even Callum McGregor, who has been made of granite for years, was forced into Ward 10.
Joe Hart took some flak early on, brushed it off to return to top form and then decided he was calling it a day at the end of term.
Rodgers seems slightly miffed that there’s a sheet of paper between the sides, yet the perception is Celts are struggling and Rangers are flying.
He might have a point. A lot of it has come from his own support rather than the media, mind you.
At the same time, there have been awkward questions that had to be asked.
During his first spell it
Despite all the troubles Rodgers is still here with a fire in his belly
was such a skoosh, Rodgers’ press conferences ended up with him being asked what he had for dinner or what he read on his holidays.
There must have been times this term when he was left wondering if coming back was worth it.
He hasn’t sat comfortably all season.
Yet he is here now and there’s a fire in his belly.
He has come out swinging in recent weeks and it’s clear he gets a kick from days like today.
Rodgers says it’s not a must-win but today’s derby is a must-not-lose.
His place in Celtic history is already secured.
But if he can get a result this lunchtime and then go on to win the title, given all the nonsense that has gone on, it would end up a fairytale ending.