The Courier & Advertiser (Perth and Perthshire Edition)
Dundee fans must get behind Paul Hartley’s side, says Rab Douglas
Celtic exited the Champions League after Tuesday night’s draw at Manchester City, but they did so with their heads held high. Their manager Brendan Rodgers has been a breath of fresh air since he came in and I can only see the Hoops getting better once he brings his own players in.
He seems to have got his methods across to the players already at the club and while they may have been leathered by Barcelona at the start of the campaign, they have restored a lot of pride on the European stage.
The Celtic fans also deserve enormous credit for proving once again that they can generate the best atmosphere in the whole continent at Parkhead.
The important thing now is their team keep on qualifying for the group stages of the Champions League.
Celtic have sold a few top players in recent years such as Victor Wanyama, Virgil van Dijk and Fraser Forster but if they can regularly qualify, then hopefully they will start being able to hold on to their stars.
Incredibly, it looks like the Hoops will rake in around £34 million from this year’s competition and chief executive Peter Lawwell also deserves a pat on the back. Hopefully, he will give Brendan Rodgers a big chunk of change from that income to strengthen again.
I seem to remember when I was at Celtic we made £10 million from the Champions League one season, so it is incredible to see them now bringing in more than three times that amount.
It would be good to see Celtic give the manager £10-14 million of that for recruitment. He really has made a huge difference already and it is great that he is getting the best out of the likes of Stuart Armstrong.
The midfielder is really flourishing under Rodgers which is testament to his man management.
I remember he was once recommended to Leicester by Chelsea’s John Terry but here and now he really seems to be enjoying himself.
Celtic fans will certainly be hoping Rodgers is here for the long haul.
Fans must get behind Dark Blues
Dundee boss Paul Hartley and his players admitted themselves that last Saturday’s display in defeat against Kilmarnock was not the best.
It looks like it was a bad day at the office all round and they have to put that behind them when Ross County come calling at Dens this weekend.
It is important the home fans get right behind the team and it is also vital the Dark Blues score that first goal.
I honestly cannot remember when the league was so tight, as shown by the fact that Dundee moved up to sixth before a ball was kicked at Rugby Park on goal difference after Motherwell lost 4-3 to Celtic.
Yet after the Killie loss and results elsewhere, they finished the day back in 10th.
It goes without saying that victories are absolutely vital this season – Dundee shot up the table after winning three out of four – and three points are crucial against the Staggies.
Celtic will be runaway winners of the title, but I can see it going right down to the last day of the campaign at the other end of the table. For once, the crazy top six/bottom six split may actually work and it should be an incredibly exciting, if nerve-racking, end to the season.
Give Cathro a chance at Tynecastle
Everyone in Scottish football seems to have had their say on new Hearts head coach Ian Cathro so it’s time I had mine!
I have to confess that I have never met the man and do not know him at all but like any boss he will be judged on results, not whether he has played or managed before.
He has been involved at Dundee United, Valencia and most recently Newcastle – these clubs aren’t exactly the Dog And Duck XI so he must have something about him.
I wish him all the best in the job.