Ever since the suspension of various leagues across Europe, fans, pundits and clubs are talking about the what-if situation. What if there are no more games this season? Will the league be considered null and void or will the current standing be regarded as the final one? Nobody knows the correct answer as everyone is in unchartered territory. The officials have taken a wait and hope for the best approach, and things could become more evident by the next month.
As things stand, Celtic are currently 13 points ahead in the table over second-placed Rangers. The Bears have a game in hand (yeah that game in hand which is getting out of hand now), and with two Old Firm derbies to play, that lead could be cut down to just four points if Rangers win those. To drop four points, all you need is a loss and a draw.
Yeah, it might be wishful thinking from Rangers’ viewpoint, but Celtic are not walking away with the title here. There is still enough to play for in the Premiership and a few results here, and there could bring Rangers back in the title race. Celtic are the favourites, but they are certainly not there yet.
Lennon’s recent comment
Neil Lennon has already claimed that they should be awarded the title in case of the worst-case scenario. The Celtic boss had said (Daily Record), “Certainly, if you are talking about the Armageddon of the league being cancelled or stopped, it should go on the average points total which would make us clear champions and rightly so.”
“We are over 30 games into the season; they are not going to take that away from us. Are they going to do that to Liverpool? I would doubt it very much.”
Lennon tries to compare Celtic’s situation with Liverpool, but the Reds are currently miles away in the title race and with not too many games to go against their nearest rivals.
Lennon’s earlier comment at the beginning of the month
Moreover, this was Lennon’s comment (Daily Record) when they went 13 points ahead of Rangers in the first week of March, “We’ve extended our lead which just shows you sometimes get what you deserve. That’s all it is a fantastic position and we march on. I want them to get better; I want more from some of the players as we go along. The league’s not done yet, we’ve got St Mirren on Saturday who are no pushovers, and we can’t take anything for granted.”
Lennon’s tune certainly changed from then to now and with two Old Firm derby still to be played, a 13 point gap could evaporate. Yes, Rangers will need to go on a near-perfect run from here onwards to topple Celtic. But with Lennon also claiming that the league isn’t done yet surely the decision-makers cannot award the title with so much still to play for.
