As the title race hots up, Celtic’s dropped points at Tynecastle keep the Parkhead club tucked behind Rangers in second place.
The controversy surrounding the refereeing performance will continue to hit the headlines this week but it was what Jeff Stelling said about Celtic that had Paul Lambert defending the club.The former Seville hero was asked what he thought about the current Celtic squad when Stelling seemed to suggest that the quality of players are poorer than when Lambert played for the club.Speaking on talkSPORT, Stelling said, “Look as an Englishman, Paul, I’m gonna come in and rain on both [Ally McCoist] your parades. The fact that it’s so close and such a fantastic title race, that’s great.
“But between them Rangers and Celtic, they’ve lost eight games in the league this season.“Does that just tell you that the quality of these current Rangers and Celtic sides is notL up to what it’s been in the past?”ambert was having none of it as he replied, “Listen, Jeff, I hate comparing eras because I don’t think you can. I think it’s a different game with certain aspects of it.“The game’s still the same, the box is still the same shape, the goals are the same size, but the rules have become a little bit different.“But to get back to your point, the current era is it as strong? With my hat on I would say no but other guys would beg to differ.“But you can only beat what’s in front of you and you can only play what’s in front of you. They are two tough clubs to play for and if you do well there then you’ll be alright.”To me, this is just another pundit taking a dig at Celtic for no apparent reason. They continually moan about Scotland having just one team picking up all the trophies and when there is competition it’s because Celtic are poor.
Stelling declared, “Look, Paul, as an Englishman, I’m going to come in and rain on both [Ally McCoist] your parades,” during a talkSPORT interview. It’s nice that the competition for the title is so close and exciting.
“But they’ve lost eight league games this season between them, Rangers and Celtic.”Does that only indicate that the current Celtic and Rangers teams are not as good as they were in the past?Jeff said, “Listen, Lambert, I hate comparing eras because I don’t think you can.” Lambert was having none of it. There are parts of the game that I believe make it different.
“The objectives and the box remain the same, and the game remains the same, but the rules have changed slightly.”To return to your original point, however, is the modern era still as strong? I would say no while wearing my hat, but other males might beg to differ.”However, you are limited to playing and beating what is in front of you. These are two challenging teams to play for, but if you perform well there, everything will work out.This strikes me as simply another commentator making a gratuitous jab at Celtic. They always complain about how Scotland only has one team that wins all the championships and that when there is rivalry, it’s because Celtic is bad.
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