Gareth McAuley joined the long list of Ibrox related pundits trying to tarnish Celtic’s title win.
Ally McCoist and Alex Rae have been regular detractors over the last few months with neither particularly keen to go into the reasons why the 2019/20 Premiership title was awarded to Celtic.
It was the same formula that confirmed Dundee United, Raith Rovers and Cove Rangers as champions in the three lower divisions of the SPFL. If the EFL can’t get their three divisions restarted they will also use average points per game to determine final league places.
Neil Lennon’s side dropped just 10 points over 30 matches to win the title. It is a fantastic achievement. Whether it’s 26 wins from 30 matches or 28 points from 30 in the 10 matches of 2020 it is a fantastic achievement.
Fixture wise the champions made two trips to Aberdeen, Motherwell and Livingston in the 30 matches, Steven Gerrard’s side visited those grounds just one.
Rather than detract from Celtic’s achievements those of an Ibrox persuasion might be better off examining how their own side collapsed after the winter break.
Alfredo Morelos failed to scored a single goal in the SPFL, defeats from Kilmarnock, Hamilton and Hearts proved very costly, winning those three matches would have made the closing margin just four points with a game less played.
Had that been the difference between the sides when football was suspended the SPFL wouldn’t have dreamed of deciding the title on average points per game.
Celtic fans are used to their successes being tarnished, after 11 successive trophy wins it is water of a ducks’ back as Neil Lennon’s squad gear up for that tilt at a record breaking 10th successive SPFL title win.
Gareth McAuley blasts Celtic’s ‘tainted and hollow’ title as former Rangers defender rips into Hoops Nine In A Row starshttps://t.co/kDpgaFMRio pic.twitter.com/U3i5VnuoNN
— Daily Record Sport (@Record_Sport) May 25, 2020
This guys really hurting and no doubt trying to impress his pals in norn ireland ?
— finnan67 (@Finnan67) May 25, 2020
Are these guys on a rota? Can you do the “Rangers will win the league” story for next week? No? Ok, we’re get Alex again but you’re fine for the dig at 9IAR this week. Yeah? Great. Usual fee? Magic. Talk soon.
— Andrew Mackay (@mackayac) May 25, 2020
Oh dear, the pain is real. pic.twitter.com/oIkIIG5Ntd
— WE EARNED OUR NINE IN A ROW ?????1967 (@JGlasgowCelticK) May 25, 2020
You beat me to the question ?
— Anthony Steedman ? (@AnthonySteedman) May 25, 2020
Who’s Gareth Macaulay?
— patmcgroin (@dmac4x4yahooco1) May 25, 2020
???7 appearances and the daily rag calls him a star. Fake news from the bottom if the barrel. There’s only one asterisk https://t.co/JBf7FGKoS8
— Glasgow4me (@glasgow4me) May 26, 2020
And to be honest most of us would never of heard of @G23mcauley if it hadn’t been for @chris_sutton73 calling him Robocop in the 2019 collapse at Rugby Park ???
— Cautious Dave (@cautiousdave) May 26, 2020
One plays 20 games and is a flop, the other one plays 7 and is branded a star.. ?
— mike ????? (@mikehoops67) May 25, 2020
I also dont get this. Rangers actually voted for this, as in “raise your hands if you agree Celtic should be champions?”. The decision was unanimous.
— Henry Duluth (@HenryDuluth) May 25, 2020
Ace ?!?!
A reminder @G23mcauley moved to Rangers after being freed by WBA.
He made 7 appearances for the team that couldn’t stop Celtic winning 8IAR.
He was behind Goldson, Katic and Worrall in the pecking order.
Not like he’d know what a great side was, is it ? https://t.co/yvJMwdKsIO
— stephen r (@cardiffbhoy) May 25, 2020