As the Scottish Premiership season hurtles towards an anxiety-inducing climax, former Celtic hero and Welsh international, Joe Ledley, has shared his insights on the nail-biting title race between his old club and The Rangers.
With Celtic currently nudging ahead by the slimmest of margins – a mere point separating them from Rangers, albeit having played a game more – the stage is set for a grandstand finish. The fixture list throws up two potentially seismic derbies; one at Ibrox before the SPFL split and another at Celtic Park afterwards. In a season that has twisted and turned, Ledley’s observations offer a glimpse into the mindset of a man who has been through it all.
“It is very tight and, of course, the games between the two teams look as if they are going to be deciding games that dictate who comes out on top,” Ledley told RecordSport.
However, in a season dotted with unexpected stumbles from both teams, Ledley cautions against presuming the title race is a straightforward duel. “But I have seen a few times this season that Celtic and Rangers have slipped up in games where you felt they would have won and they didn’t. So it is going to be tight. Getting that win against your rivals in the last two games in the league is vital.”
Celtic’s James Forrest (L) celebrates scoring their second goal with Joe Ledley
Mandatory Credit: Action Images / Graham Stuart
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“But, as I said, we’ve seen it numerous times this season that there have been slips just when you do not expect it. So if Celtic get that win against Rangers, you can’t think that’s it and the game is over. It’s not. Far from it.”
The spectre of a draw or an unexpected defeat looms large around every corner, with Ledley highlighting the razor-thin margins that could determine the destination of the title. “A draw somewhere and that is two points of the three points gained gone and it is all back on again. Goal difference is tight, points are tight, it is going to be one of the tightest finishes in a long time.”
In the words of Joe Ledley, then, lies the essence of this title race: unpredictable, unforgiving, and undeniably exciting. As the final chapters of the season await, the sage advice of a Celtic hero could go a long way.
