Examples of an enigma are Stonehenge, The Pyramids of Giza and currently Celtic Football Club.
The expected drubbing by Europa League favourites Benfica came to pass on Thursday leaving fans feeling fearful of the upcoming match against Heart of Midlothian who were finally showing the form that very nearly won them the title last season.
Yet once again the team transformed from pub outfit to peak Barcelona and put in a performance that surprised even the most optimistic of fans.
Absolutely no one saw this coming, fingers crossed perhaps a one or two nil victory, perhaps a tight 2-1 but Celtic were imperious, ruthless to the point you almost wished for the final whistle to blow to put Hearts on the bus home and save them further embarrassment.
A 7-1 victory doesn’t flatter the home team, it could have, perhaps should have been more.
Doubles for Nygren & Osmand, goals from Tierney and Duran and an own goal from Hearts' McCart. Celtic have won the title 14 of the last 15 years and it would take a brave man on that performance to suggest they aren’t good enough to make it 15 from 16.
Of course the Scottish Premiership isn’t just Celtic. Eleven other teams start the season hopeful of taking the crown and this year the challenge looks like Rangers again. The only domestic outfit to have put this Celtic squad to the sword.
With a Saturday evening fixture (for TV purposes) Rangers had the chance to take top spot, if only briefly. However, as it transpired Dundee weren’t there simply for the gate money but instead to play football. A strange match as the script was binned in the first half when Dundee's Fink put the home side ahead.
Rangers, of course, are playing with a never say die attitude and managed to equalise through Bouanani just before half time. The second half and it looked like normal service had been resumed as Raskin fired home spectacularly for the Gers and it looked for all intents and purposes an away win was on the cards only for Dan Neil, the hero of the League Cup win over Celtic, to be robbed of the ball and for Jones to restore parity. Both sides huffed and puffed desperately seeking a winner that wasn’t to come and a point apiece seemed right on the night. Rangers fans undoubtedly disappointed having snatched a draw from the teeth of victory were left to rue what might have been. How much of a bearing this has on the season remains to be seen but currently Celtic are riding high with a four point gap to Rangers with Hearts a further four points behind.
Kilmarnock helped continue Motherwell's miserable run of form, inflicting the Steelmen's fifth defeat in a row coming out on top of a five goal thriller at Rugby Park. A 3-2 victory and a pleasing Saturday afternoon for Neil McCann and his men. Motherwell on the other hand are a shadow of the team they were last season and the future of Alfred Johansson must be in doubt. How long the Fir Park board give him is a yet unanswered question but I suspect we might not need to wait long for the answer.
Hibs hit rock bottom with a sixth home defeat of the season, giving Falkirk their first win at Easter road in 20 years. A fine 2-1 victory for the away side and much soul searching for under fire Hibernian manager Reedijk.
Elsewhere Aberdeen managed to miss a penalty from the boot of the usually ultra reliable Nesbit but it mattered not as the striker redeemed himself in the 59th minute with a contribution to the Dons 3-1 victory.
St Johnstone and Dundee United ended with a share of the points, a 1-1 draw keeping them 5th and 6th separated only by goal difference.
In the Championship Stenhousemuir continue to lead the charge after a 1-1 draw with Raith Rovers. Partick Thistle now third after a Friday night victory by a solitary goal over Ayr United at Somerset Park.
League One, and the fight already looks to be between free scoring Ross County and Hamilton. It’s hard even at this early stage to see the title not going to one or the other. Ross are scoring for fun and after demolishing hapless Queen of the South at Palmerston also by 7 goals to 1 find themselves with a plus 32 goal difference.
Second placed Hamilton with a mere plus 20 after a hard fought 2-1 victory away at Airdries Albert Bartlett Stadium.
Cove Rangers are rooted firmly to the bottom of the league on 6 points having suffered yet another defeat this time at Peterhead where the home side ran out comfortable 2-0 winners. It takes a special breed of person to run around in shorts and T-shirts even in the middle of summer in Peterhead but in winter, with the cold winds blowing from the North Sea, no thanks. I always thought Pittodrie in Aberdeen was the coldest stadium in Scotland but nothing prepared me for Peterhead. Never felt cold like it. Once and once was enough. If you’re ever tempted to watch them at home make sure you’re well wrapped up. A trip to a psychiatrist first might be a good idea too.
League Two and Stranraer top the table on goal difference over Clyde. Stranraer taking care of Spartans by 2 -0 and Clyde overcoming bottom side Annan by 4 goals to one.
It’s been a fascinating weekend for sure and right now let’s enjoy the Celtic victory without worrying too much about Thursday coming and Celta Vigo. That said it’s at Paradise so who knows. Perhaps I’m foolish to be confident but I expect a better performance at home from O’Neills men and we might finally get points on the board.
That’s for the future though and we might have to brush over this like we did the Benfica score line. Masterfully avoided going into great detail, if I say so myself, I mean let’s start the week on a positive note right?
So that’s Scottish football for another week no rants, no feet stamping and no cushions thrown at the tv it’s been a most satisfactory forty eight hours.
Can Celtic make the 15th title, their 15th in 16 years? Time will tell but outwith Rangers I can’t see where the challenge will come from. Last seasons three horse race that gripped Scottish football fans doesn’t look like materialising and we’re back to the shoot out between the Glasgow giants.
Enjoy your week, whatever you’re doing do it well, do it safely and have fun
Til next time …… 🐼
🐼 Gary Robertson is the TPQ Scottish football correspondent.
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