"Celtic exited the Europa League in Stuttgart but the scale of spirit and togetherness visible during their 1-0, second-leg victory emphasised that tales of their demise may be overstated. Celtic's key attribute during a critical week, which begins at Ibrox on Sunday, is course and distance specialism."
"It is, though, immediately striking how a 73-year-old can achieve such buy-in from players. Faith in O'Neill within Celtic is absolute. This Celtic season, typified by managerial upheaval and protesting supporters, retains a pulse. Stuttgart felt significant because Celtic, in makeshift form, displayed character."
"Rangers' home form is strong but Danny Rohl's team are yet to remove the sense of a soft underbelly, demonstrated by draws at Hibernian, Motherwell and Livingston. The most recent of those, last Sunday, was a horrendous result; Livingston had not won in 25 league matches."
Celtic's 1-0 second-leg victory over Stuttgart in the Europa League showcased the team's character and togetherness despite their squad's obvious shortcomings. Manager Martin O'Neill, in his second interim stint, has achieved strong player buy-in and galvanized the team through a rocky period. Rather than limping out of Europe, Celtic displayed an unwillingness to concede, reflecting positively on O'Neill's leadership. The club's dominance in Scottish football over more than a decade provides foundation for their current resilience. Facing Rangers at Ibrox on Sunday presents a critical test, with Rangers under pressure to prove consistency after recent draws against weaker opponents.
Read at www.theguardian.com
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