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“They never had a chance of catching Celtic, but now if Aberdeen remember how to win games, they could be in trouble, that first half performance is what’s killed Rangers”- Ex-Hearts man in blunt assessment of Rangers and Aberdeen’s title bids as Celtic star’s form is questioned
The latest developments in the Premiership have added more twists to the title race in recent days.
Rangers and Aberdeen have been told they ‘never had a chance’ of catching Premiership leaders Celtic after Boxing Day results swung the title race firmly in favor of the reigning champions.
Brendan Rodgers’ side did their part with a dominant 4-0 win over Motherwell at home, with goals from Arne Engels, Daizen Maeda, Nicolas Kuhn, and Reo Hatate.
The Hoops received two late Christmas gifts as both Rangers and Aberdeen suffered defeats, leaving Celtic with a commanding 12-point lead at the top of the table ahead of Sunday’s home match against St Johnstone.
Aberdeen, who had a strong start to the season, suffered a 4-0 defeat at Kilmarnock, with goals from Kyle Vassell, David Watson, Innes Cameron, and Bruce Anderson securing all three points for the hosts.
Rangers had a disappointing Boxing Day as they squandered a chance to take a point, with Danilo’s equalizer to Oisin Smyth’s penalty being undone by a late Caolan Boyd-Munce winner in a 2-1 defeat at St Mirren.
Philippe Clement’s side looked set to share the spoils, but Boyd-Munce’s injury-time goal sealed the win for the Buddies.
Former Hibs and Hearts midfielder Stewart offered a candid assessment of Aberdeen and Rangers’ title hopes following Boxing Day’s results.
Speaking to BBC Sportsround, as reported by the Daily Record, he said: “They never had a chance of catching Celtic, but if Aberdeen can remember how to win games, they could be in trouble. Rangers’ first-half performance was what cost them. They lost this game because of that poor first half.”
Meanwhile, former Celtic goalkeeper Pat Bonner shared his thoughts on Adam Idah’s performance in Celtic’s 4-0 win against Motherwell.
Idah, who made a strong impact after joining Celtic on loan from Norwich City and later secured a permanent move, has scored eight goals in 24 appearances this season. However, Bonner felt his performance against Motherwell fell short. Speaking to BBC Sport, Bonner said: “I don’t think Brendan Rodgers was impressed with Adam Idah.
He gave the ball away on the edge of the Motherwell defense. When you can bring on three players who are usually starters, it shows the level of competition in the squad. Brendan has given these players valuable game time and the opportunity to assess them.
Adam Idah, along with Yang and Bernardo, was substituted off. The intensity certainly didn’t drop with those changes; it may have even increased.”
