Tom English compares Aberdeen to Leicester’s title winners but Celtic’s in an outstanding position

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The Celtic Star

·31 ottobre 2024

Tom English compares Aberdeen to Leicester’s title winners but Celtic’s in an outstanding position

Both Celtic and Aberdeen last night increased their gap between themselves and theRangers to nine points after only 10 matches played…

Alastair Johnston of Celtic celebrates after scoring the opening goal during the Scottish Premiership match between Celtic FC and Dundee FC at Celtic Park on October 30, 2024 (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

Aberdeen’s messiah Jimmy Thelin has guided his Dons side to a quite remarkable start to the season and have managed to keep tabs with Celtic at the top of the table. with the BBC’s Tom English last night comparing them to the Leicester City side that won the Premier League. Wishful thinking on his part – anyone but Celtic eh Tom?

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Following Aberdeen’s 2-1 victory over theRangers at Pittodrie yesterday evening, Philippe Clement’s strugglers are now closer to ninth than they are second. Don’t laugh.

Admittedly, Celtic’s 2-0 win versus a lacklustre Dundee was not Brendan Rodgers’ most vintage performance, but the Hoops result was a routine one, and despite not being memorable, it is an important three points considering the ramifications of proceedings in the Granite City.

Arne Engels of Celtic scores the second goal from the penalty spot during the Scottish Premiership match between Celtic FC and Dundee FC at Celtic Park on October 30, 2024. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

Notably, Clement has lost the plot over at Ibrox. Blaming toenails, saying that it was one of theRangers better performances of the season. The beginning of the month had marked one year of the Belgian in the job, and in that time, he has not got close to Celtic. For a period last season, theRangers put the pressure on, but Brendan Rodgers excelled between March to May and exemplified who is boss in Glasgow.

Brendan Rodgers and Philippe Clement on th touchline at the 2024 Scottish Cup Final. Photo Vagelis Georgariou for The Celtic Star

Who do Scotland’s current third best team turn to if they were to sack their fourth manager in three years? John Bennett rewarded Clement, who although overseen a sloppy Celtic win a double last campaign, with a new contract until 2028 on the eve of the season. The Ibrox hierarchy have also previously stated that they do not want to continue the rinse and repeat model of sacking managers in October and November which result in their seasons almost becoming write-offs.

It does not matter who the manager is on the other side of the city. Financially Celtic are miles ahead of theRangers off the park, and superior in every aspect on it. And in another universe when it comes to level of quality in the dugouts.

On a plus note for Ibrox supporters, at least you have a structured model and a sound regime that will duly assess the on field issues…

Celtic v theRangers – Celtic Park Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers reacts on the touchline during the Scottish Premiership match at Celtic Park, Sunday September 1, 2024. Photo Steve Welsh

Clement has carte blanche, as there is no CEO, an interim chairman in John Gilligan which Is coupled with a leaderless boardroom. Therefore, it is not unreasonable to suggest that the former Club Brugge and Monaco manager is absent from any scrutiny.

All the while, according to recent financial reports, theRangers are spending £61 million on staff costs and £96 million in all round total costs. All to be what? Scotland’s third best side? Hey ho, at least they are free of litigation for the first time in a decade.

Celtic v Aberdeen – Aberdeen manager Jimmy Thelin centre right shake hands with Gavin Molloy right after the final whistle in the Scottish l Premiership match at Celtic Park on Saturday October 19, 2024. Photo Jane Barlow

Long may Aberdeen’s magnificent run in the league continue. Although hopefully Thelin’s admirable domestic unbeaten run ends on Saturday at Hampden, but for Scottish football to have the Dons neck and neck with Celtic after the first round of fixtures is exciting. And in a two horse race with Celtic just about everyone will want Aberdeen to prevail.

Will it be sustained for the remainder of the season? Highly unlikely. No European football means the astute Swedish manager can work week to week with his squad of players. Their aim should be second place, and with runners-up for this season’s league campaign guaranteeing themselves Champions League QR2, the financial differentials between second and third place are huge.

Arne Engels of Celtic before the Scottish Premiership match between Celtic FC and Dundee FC at Celtic Park on October 30, 2024 . (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

For Celtic, four in a row already looks likely after only 10 games played. Confidence is flowing, and Brendan showed that he has the ability to utilise the squad last night. Qualification for the knockout play-off round in the Champions League looks like a distinct possibility, and with the Scottish League Cup semi-final encounter with their fellow league leaders on Saturday evening at the national stadium, Celtic too are in an outstanding position.

Conor Spence