With the belief t they will be think Hat’s now inside Celtic Park, king about winning the Treble
Stiliyan Petrov knows only too well it’s not over until it’s over.
The Premiership returns this week, with Celtic nine points clear of Rangers at the top of the table, and heavy odds-on to retain their title come May.
The former Hoops midfielder is delighted about that.
And, as the second half of the season gets set to resume, he has every confidence his old club will still be there come the end of May.
Indeed, Petrov reckons Ange Postecoglou and his men will stretch their lead over the next six months.
However, back in 2005, the Bulgarian scored for the Hoops in a 2-1 win at Ibrox that put his side five points clear of the Light Blues with just four games remaining.
They ended up famously missing out on the league crown on Helicopter Sunday.
Petrov told The Sunday Post:
“Even now, almost 17
We should have won the title that season. 17 years on, it still hurts
years on, it’s still a little bit uneasy to talk about that game.
“We should have won the title that season. It still hurts.
“We had a nice lead at the top and were in control after beating Rangers at Ibrox in the post-split fixtures.
“All we had to do was beat Motherwell.
“It was in our hands, but we lost and Rangers took full advantage against Hibs at Easter Road.
“However, I don’t see there being any last-day drama this season.
“When I assess the league table right now, I think Celtic are worth their lead.
“They had an unexpected defeat at St Mirren in September, and that was a warning to them.
“They switched off and paid the price.
“I can’t see that happening too often in the second part of the campaign. They are going to be very tough to take points from.
“In fact, they are going to take some stopping.
“I wouldn’t be surprised in the slightest if they increased their lead in the coming months.
“Ange Postecoglou has such high standards, and he puts demands on his players. They know the score.
“They have it in them to cope with the schedule over the next few months. I think they will be looking forward to the fixture list.
“They have a League Cup
semi-final against Kilmarnock on the horizon, and the Scottish Cup gets under way next month.
“It will be on their minds to win the Treble. That’s the kind of belief inside Celtic Park.
“Callum Mcgregor is also back after two months out. What a boost to have the captain and leader back in the team.
“He will be desperate to get that jersey on again, and back playing in front of 60,000 supporters.
“The first game is away to Aberdeen on Saturday, and they will look to put a marker down from the off.
“They will want a victory to show they remain relentless.
“So I believe Celtic will have the title won with a few points to spare.”
That said, Petrov does expect a bounce from Rangers under new boss Michael Beale.
He replaced Giovanni van Bronckhorst during this World Cup break after the Ibrox men had dropped points to Livingston, St Johnstone and St Mirren to leave them trailing well behind their greatest rival.
They also lost 4-0 at Parkhead in September.
Petrov expects Rangers to be more consistent under Beale, but he believes a lot also depends on what happens in next month’s transfer window. The Hoops legend said: “When a new manager is appointed, you tend to see an extra buzz on the training field day-to-day.
“Certain players will see it as a fresh start, and a chance to impress.
“But it’s about what you do on a match day. It starts for them this midweek at home to Hibs.
“The players need to show it right then that they are worthy of wearing the jersey on a regular basis.
“Michael has an excellent reputation as a coach, and it will be interesting to see how he copes with the constant pressure of being Rangers manager.
“From his previous time at the club alongside Steven Gerrard, he will be well aware there is no hiding place, and that you have to win every game.
“He needs the players to step up and do it for him.
“Like all managers, he’ll want to bring in new players next month. He’ll have a few in mind, and the club will try to deliver for him.
“Last season, Celtic had an excellent January window, and never looked back.
“Matt O’riley and Reo Hatate were outstanding signings.
“And the ball is already rolling at Celtic with the new additions of Alistair Johnston and Yuki Kobayashi.
“Both are sound defenders, with a very good pedigree.
“Maybe one or two others will be added, and one or two may leave. That’s what happens.
“You just try to stay strong and be alert to any potential situation.
“That’s where Ange is very, very good. They seem to have a plan for all of the different scenarios.
“He has the whole football club very well organised.
“All in all, I think we have a good Premiership in Scotland. I’m at many of the games and the standard is good.
“There will be many things for different clubs to fight for, and that’s what adds to the drama. There is always a story unfolding.
“Whether it’s fighting to finish third, get into the top six, or avoid the bottom-two places, we are all in for a brilliant next six months.
“I think we are all looking forward to domestic football returning.
“Despite the World Cup raging in Qatar, we’ve all missed it.”