Billy Dodds claims that the fan revolt at Celtic Park stems from the fact they can see Rangers “coming”.
The doomsday sounds around the Parkhead club are in stark contrast to the positive ones surrounding Rangers, with Celtic’s weekend draw at Pittodrie blowing open the title battle.
Rather than roll up their sleeves and get dug into what has the potential to be the tightest title race in 13 years, the Celtic groans are being aimed at everyone from Brendan Rodgers to the much-maligned Parkhead board.
As the frustration threatens to boil over, Billy Dodds has said what we all know and that they will never admit.
They are absolutely terrified at what they see coming from Rangers and are starting to realise they won’t be having it all their own way anymore.
Billy Dodds: Celtic fans can see Rangers coming
Speaking with BBC Sport following a weekend of Scottish Premiership drama, Billy Dodds was reacting to nervous calls from within the Parkhead support.
With some having already conceded the title to the Ibrox side – despite the two teams being neck-and-neck as things stand – there’s an apocalyptic feel to things at Parkhead right now.
As fans blame tactics, Brendan Rodgers, Peter Lawwell, and everything in between, we reckon Doddsy firmly hits the nail on the head by suggesting it’s the proximity of Rangers which really has their fans nervous.
“Looking at that game (v Aberdeen) first half it was slow and pedestrian at times,” said Dodds. “If teams sit off you, you have got to be quick to try and break them down.
“But they will always be judged on Ange (Postecoglou) and that’s as simple as that and where Celtic can get to.
“And that’s why the fans are a wee bit frustrated just now because they see Rangers coming.
“This has been an ongoing thing for a wee while now. The gap is closing, Rangers are getting better under Philippe Clement.
“You would’ve thought there was maybe plans in place to get that left-back in, to do that business in the January window.
“And that’s been the key, and that’s why the Celtic fans are frustrated.”
Scottish Premiership title race wide open
Whilst the Celtic support has been split on the return of Brendan Rodgers, the resurgence of Rangers has heaped pressure on their squad.
It’s also shone the spotlight on their recent recruitment with the nerves evidence of one thing and one thing only; they fear Rangers this season.
Whilst we continue to hear this lamenting about Ange Postecoglou, the work done by Philippe Clement in turning this Rangers team around has been remarkable.
Rangers are now firmly in the hunt for a treble this season but – as the nerves of Celtic fans crumble – the focus will be solely on taking care of business within Ibrox.
There’s no-one getting carried away at Ibrox, either inside or outside the building, but at Celtic Park they’re a couple of bad results away from a proper implosion.
They can claim it’s Peter Lawwell, they can claim it’s Brendan Rodgers, heck they can claim it’s a lack of transfer business, but like Billy Dodds we all know it’s the progress of Rangers which is the ultimate source of their frustration.
It’s little wonder their manager has already started changing his tune from December.
