Two key factors that could give 'unified' Celtic title race edge over Hearts and Rangers after latest twist
A former Celtic defender has suggested the return of the Green Brigade could be the ‘difference-maker’ in the Premiership title race
Celtic have been installed as favourites to retain the Scottish Premiership title by a former player who insists there are a number of contributing factors that have put Martin O’Neill’s side in the driving seat.
A 3-1 victory over Falkirk on Saturday afternoon briefly moved the defending champions level on points with leaders Hearts, who reclaimed top spot on Sunday after coming from behind to beat Edinburgh Derby rivals Hibs at Easter Road.
With fellow title challengers Rangers losing 3-2 at home to Motherwell, ex-Celtic defender Darren O'Dea is of the opinion that his former club are gathering momentum at a perfect stage of the season.
The Irishman believes the renewed role of the Green Brigade at Parkhead could be crucial over the remaining four games with “unity” clear to see after several months of feuding with the club’s hierarchy.
O’Dea reckons the atmosphere inside Celtic Park has improved dramatically as a result after observing an energy he hasn’t seen this season in the wake of Saturday’s result.
“I think Celtic now will be favourites, and there is a multitude of reasons,” he stated. “This place is now unified. This place has not been unified all year for different reasons. That seems to have been put to one side.
“What I've seen from the atmosphere (on Saturday), I've seen nothing like that all season. And I know there are different reasons for that so that's not a criticism aimed at anyone.
“But this place is special when it's rocking and it was rocking. And this was Falkirk. So you can imagine the next game, and the next game. Ultimately, Celtic have their biggest games at home and I think that could be the difference-maker.”
Martin O’Neill hails ‘terrific’ home support
Celtic have now won four games on the bounce in all competitions for only the second time this season, having previously managed five on the spin during Martin O’Neill’s first caretaker spell in charge prior to the disastrous appointment of Wilfried Nancy.
And O’Neill was full of praise for the “terrific” home support for sticking by his team against the Bairns, with the recently-reinstated ultras group contributing to a raucous stadium.
“I think the support we got was terrific,” O’Neill stated. “They stayed with the team when there were moments of anxiety which I thought we showed for a little period of time and which could have spilled over into the crowd. They stayed with us, which was fantastic.”
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