Simon Donnelly fears that there is a lack of belief in the current Celtic side.
On Sunday John Kennedy takes his squad to Ibrox for what will almost certainly be the final derby match for many of the players.
To describe the season about to end as a disappointment would be a massive understatement, almost anything that could go wrong has- often with interest.
Three years ago Celtic rounded off the Double Treble season by smashing, three, then four and five goals past Graeme Murty’s side, those scorelines didn’t flatter.
In four matches this season Celtic have a solitary diving header from Moi Elyounoussi to show for their efforts over four matches, it’s unlikely that the Norwegian will be back again next season.
Reflecting on the recent Scottish Cup defeat at Ibrox Donnelly told The Sun:
I thought there was a real lack of belief. Celtic had a good number of chances, but Odsonne Edouard and Mohamed Elyounoussi were poor with their finishing.
They didn’t look like they believed they would score. For one of the chances Elyounoussi took a heavy touch and that allowed McGregor to dive at his feet and save.
The Celtic players lack belief because of how the season’s gone but Rangers are playing with great confidence. Their Cup defeat to St Johnstone was a shock but now they will expect to bounce back against Celtic.
Their derby record entitles them to have no fear. There wasn’t a lot in the Cup game at Ibrox. The difference is the confidence Gerrard’s side have.
A year or two ago the chances Celtic had would have been in the back of the net but it’s all turned and that’s why we’re now looking at a 20-point gap in the league.
Rangers are more solid than Celtic. I look at the Celtic defence and it appears to me they are just playing on their own, not as a unit.
I felt the Celtic full-backs at Ibrox were playing within themselves, be it through fear or lack of belief. The conviction was with Rangers. Any proper Celtic player will be busting a gut on Sunday, to avoid a full season without a single Old Firm victory.
I remember beating them 3-0 at Hampden in the mid-90s. Rangers were dominating us and were assured of being champions again. We treated it like it was a cup final.
Kennedy’s main selection issue will be whether to include Leigh Griffiths from the start, on his own or alongside Odsonne Edouard. The return of Kris Ajer and James Forrest after missing the 1-1 draw at Aberdeen would strengthen the Celtic side.
