‘Legitimate’ questions now asked after what Rangers are finally doing

Keith Jackson has questioned the resilience of the Celtic side after Rangers have been offering up a “decent fight” in the Scottish Premiership title race.

Writing on the Daily Record website on Monday (12 February), the journalist said the performances from the Hoops have been anything but consistent after Brendan Rodgers spoke with a “sense of bewilderment” following his side’s 2-0 Scottish Cup victory over St Mirren on Sunday (11 February).

Jackson added that the Northern Irishman now needs his players to “take a breath” and prepare themselves for things becoming a “great deal more tense” heading into the final few months of the season.

“Rodgers spoke afterwards with a sense of bewilderment, as if way too much is being made of his side’s slump in form having notched up eight wins and a draw from the last nine games,” said Jackson. “But deep down he will know that, even though the results have been consistent, the performance levels have been anything but.

“That’s why legitimate questions are being asked of Celtic’s resilience now Rangers are offering up a decent fight from the other side of the city.

“What Rodgers needs now is for his players to take a breath and prepare themselves for things becoming a great deal more tense than they already are, as the season picks up pace towards the finish line.”

Rangers hot on the heels of Celtic in the SPL title race

It was another victory for Celtic over St Mirren on Sunday, but that is a game they should be winning every single time so it won’t give them much of a confidence boost.

While the Hoops do still sit at the top of the SPL table, there is no doubt that their performances have been nowhere near up to the level their fans would expect.

It’s the two Old Firm victories over Rangers that are currently keeping them at the top of the table, with Philippe Clement’s side in sensational form since he arrived at Ibrox.

The only blip on the Belgian’s record is the defeat to the Parkhead club on 30 December, but he will be delighted with the way his side have responded to that setback over the past few weeks.

The Gers will continue putting pressure on their Glasgow rivals until the final ball is kicked as the title race is set to heat up even more heading into the final few months of the campaign.