Jermain Defoe has warned Celtic that an Ibrox title party is ‘only a matter of time’.
The claim brought wry smiles from hoops fans who’ve heard it all before. In 2016 Joey Barton left Burnley with a similar message while Bruno Alves and other big name signings have trotted out similar lines.
Barton lasted one match against Celtic, lost 5-1 and was soon mutually consented on his way back to Burnley.
Two years ago Steven Gerrard brought renewed hope across the city but even with Brendan Rodgers quitting Celtic in mid-season there was no break in the run of success with Neil Lennon lifting all three domestic trophies in 2019 as Defoe looked on.
When football was suspended on March 13 Celtic were 13 points ahead at the top of the Premiership with the SPFL likely to announce a ninth successive title this week.
Despite a mountain of evidence Defoe is in defiant mood and in a feature with Football Fancast warned Celtic that their winning days are coming to a halt:
Do you think Rangers have what it takes to win the SPL title again within the next couple of years?
“I said it when I signed, I believe it’s only a matter of time before it happens. Celtic fans give me a bit of banter about it on social media but I do genuinely believe it’s only a matter of time.
“For one, Rangers fans are special. They travel everywhere. And then when I look at the coaching staff, the manager and his presence, and the whole team, the club has everything it needs to be successful. Everything, even down to the food we’re eating at the training ground.
“The squad is so strong. We do 11v11 in training and we all wonder afterward what team the manager is going to pick at the weekend because he can literally pick two different teams. Having that keeps everyone on their toes, which is good.”
Defoe was part of the strong squad that lost to Hearts and Hamilton shortly before football was suspended.
In the 10 SPFL matches since the winter break Celtic stretched their lead from two points to 13 with any neutrals in the Scottish game expecting the gulf over Steven Gerrard’s squad to be at least maintained whenever the game resumes.
How many times have we heard this crap?
— Kevin Markey (@Nija_Bhoy) May 12, 2020
World beaters, as usual, when no matches are being played.
Check back every summer and winter break, they’re in a class of their own! If only they could play as well as they boast the mess in Scottish football wouldn’t be happening!— Mick McMichaels (@beeeley) May 12, 2020
Lockdown champions 2020
— JFMCD (@JFMCD3) May 12, 2020
