Home > Football > Celtic set to edge Rangers in the race for SPL glory
Celtic set to edge Rangers in the race for SPL glory
The end to the 2008 title battle in Scotland is made all the more exciting by a tight race for the coveted third-place spot. And Motherwell look the best bet to clinch it.
by Seb Gevers on 01 May 2008
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I cant remember a time in recent history when the finish to the SPL has been this exciting. With Celtic currently leading their Old Firm rivals by five points, hopes of winning three titles in a row for the first time since the last of their nine back-to-back Championships in 1974 must be high in the East End of Glasgow. Rangers, though, have a game in hand, but like Celtic face a few difficult games in the coming three weeks.
Usually at this stage of the season, the Old Firm are far ahead of the pack, and the race for third place is generally sewn up as well. But this year, three teams - Motherwell, Dundee United and Hibernian and, as an outside chance, possibly Aberdeen - are within two points of each other and need the points to secure that valuable third place and the UEFA Cup spot that comes with it.
Both Celtic and Rangers will be travelling to play these sides over the coming weeks, with every game and every result worth fighting for. Motherwell and Dundee United won't meet again this season, so both teams will have to rely on results elsewhere to give them the advantage.
United's record against Rangers has not been bad this season: two high-scoring draws, a win and a loss. Against Celtic, however, the Tannadice club have not fared so well, losing twice and drawing once. In fact, Dundee United have not beaten Celtic since 1999 when goals by Billy Dodds and Craig Easton secured a 2-1 win.
Comments (23)
by TRUEBLUE on May 01, 2008
think youll find its 3 games in hand rangers have i believe celtic will drop some points yet they cant have any more games won with offside goals and dodgey penalties surely
by Frank T on May 01, 2008
...or is the author 3 years old? ' I cant remember a time in recent history when the finish to the SPL has been this exciting.'. Really? Rangers last two championship wins have gone to the final minutes of the season, or is your mind blocking out a painful memory. ;)
by jim lad on May 01, 2008
"Rangers trail Celtic by 5 points, but Rangers have a game in hand". Get it right, Rangers have 3 games in hand over Celtic. So how can you claim Celtic will win the league?
by pedantic pete on May 01, 2008
but you're right, the momentum is with celtic and they will win the league. 3 in a row!! 3 in a row!!
by jmd on May 01, 2008
stopped reading after first paragraph. how someone writing an article on scottish football can't know how many games rankgers have in hand is beyond belief. forza la viola!!
on May 01, 2008 on May 01, 2008
The researcher for this should be shot. A UEFA cup semi-final = a distraction. FFS! Plus Rangers have THREE games in hand. Useless dribble
by WATP on May 01, 2008
bobby viola = you are the offence. Sticks and stones etc. No breeding. You are the one in the frenzy. Go away and hate someone or something else!
by Torbett on May 01, 2008
LOL, This is the second Sellick minded story I have read on this site in the last couple of days, the first was written by a clueless clown called Gerry something a Sellick mhan no doubt, now today another Sellick minded report, The small sausage smugglers will not win the league this season, Rangers will, Rangers have the luxury of being able to lose a game in hand and still overtake Septic, ´ra Sellick must win all the remianing games and hope Rangers will lose two, it just won´t happen. Rangers have only lost too ´ra Sellick in the last ........ while. They will step upto the plate and pick up where they left off. Rangers to win the SPL by 4 points.
by Seb Gevers on May 01, 2008
Sorry,you're right, it's 3 games. I did try to correct it, but Sportingo beat me to it. Not that I need to defend my credentials, but I'm not a Tim, but a frustrated Aberdeen (and Scottish football) supporter, have been for the last 23 odd years, the amount of time I've lived in Scotland. Having said all that, I still think Celtic will win the league because I think they're on form. I hope Rangers will win tonight because the more Scottish teams perform in Europe, the better it will be for the domestic game. If only AFC could get to third ...
by trueblue on May 01, 2008
bobby viola boruc wears those t shirts cause hes a tosser plain as that do you remember the gazza incident playing the imaginary flute or is that something else u block out your mind and the uproar that caused from you lot
the guy writes an article...
bobby viola another thing before i go im not religious in any way but think youll find that it says in the bible somewhere ..and jesus said go preach to your god in your own home and let no man know your religion so what borat did was wrong even to his corrupt catholic teachings
by trublue on May 01, 2008
Seb Gevers thanks m8 for wishing rangers well nice to know just like us not all aberdeen supporters are stupid :)
by New on May 01, 2008
I like how you say 'in the bible somewhere'. It's like saying, 'I heard from a friend of a friend'. It makes your argument weak. I am from the US and it makes me sick that Boruc's tshirt could offend anyone. Rangers supporters are allowed to offend him with banners, but he is not allowed to be proud of who he is? Double standard and quite pathetic. If you want to read pro-rangers articles, just pick up any scottish newspaper. Everytime I read any of them online it pampers to you. Get over your racist rants and let people be and focus on football.
by john watterson on May 01, 2008
i think the huns are crapping theirselves. They will need to get some help from the orange lodge to sort out this mess they are in. Negative football rely in fat overweight darchville to bail them out in a lucky break
by leo Bhoy on May 01, 2008
O-OH artur boruc, the holy goalie, he hates the buns he blessed himself at ibrox... O-Oh Artur Boruc!
by John Mac on May 01, 2008
As for the article, the guy clearly knows nothing about Scottish football. Closest season in years??? Think back to the years Rangers won the league under Eck. Rangers have a game in hand???? Whit are you smoking? You must be on crack! Poor website and article writers are just the worst.
by dob on May 01, 2008
Dirty Orange Bastards
by Seb Gevers on May 02, 2008
Well, I did confess to getting the number of games wrong, but Sportingo published it before I had a chance to correct. Jeez, apologies to all offended by my mistake, I wont do it again. In the meantime, who does everyone think will finish third?
by Bobby Viola on May 02, 2008
well done, let's hope you can behave yourself in manchester.
by Artur Boruc on May 02, 2008
Lets face it, its TFOD's to lose, and ive said that if they can win all the remaining games then they deserve the league - saying that, after last nights incredible fluke (a fluke, that id undoubtedly take if it meant reaching a uefa cup final!!) the SFA will now aid TFOD's challenge by cheating and extending the league......even tho every other team in the league is opposing it......didnt seem so long ago De Boer was telling Celtic to "get on with it"! Im quietly optimisitc Celtic will win the league, whoever wins it, it will be an incredible feat cos i hope and pray Celtic wont drop anymore points and i believe they wont!
by chris n on May 09, 2008
the bhoys will win the leauge basically coz rangers are total crap. sorry but thats the truth oh by the way come on zenit
by Seb Gevers on June 03, 2008
but I guess I was right after all then. :-)
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