Celtic must rediscover the spirit of 2008 to win Scottish Premiership title

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The Celtic Star

·25 mars 2026

Celtic must rediscover the spirit of 2008 to win Scottish Premiership title

We need the spirit of 2008, but does this current Celtic team have that ability, determination and desire? We’ll find out over the remaining seven matches…

Gordon Strachan, manager of Celtic, and Walter Smith, manager of Rangers, look on during the Scottish Premier League match between Celtic and Rangers at Parkhead on April 27, 2008. (Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images)

Sunday’s defeat at Tannadice felt very much like a watershed moment in our title defence, with the way we whimpered to defeat suggesting that we don’t have the stomach required for a title fight.

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Some supporters have written our chances completely off, myself included, but some more optimistic supporters still truly believe that we can defy the odds and be crowned Champions come May.

Barry Robson of Celtic scores the winning goal from the penalty spot during the Scottish Premier League match between Celtic and Rangers at Parkhead on April 27, 2008. (Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images)

It’s happened plenty of times in the past, most notably 1986, and more recently in 2008. So we can never say never I suppose.

I’d love for it to happen believe me, but I just can’t see it, especially with this current crop of players. They appear to lack the desire and the hunger needed, and possibly more importantly they lack the ability required to be Champions.

2008 was a year I can recall well, with a topsy turvy campaign ending in a dramatic conclusion as we won the title at Tannadice on the very last game of the season.

Celtic captain Stephen McManus celebrates after Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink of Celtic scored the first goal during the Premier League match between Dundee United and Celtic at Tannadice Stadium on May 22, 2008 (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)

At one point in that season we looked down and out, and our chances of securing a third title in a row, slim at best. Those of you who can remember will recall a game in early April when we lost at home to Motherwell, making the overwhelming majority of the supporters throw in the proverbial towel.

However, the manager and players had other ideas and they went on a winning run, which included two back to back wins over title rivals Rangers FC, which contributed to a memorable last day title win.

It wasn’t pretty, and some results were ground out, but we got over the line thanks to the grit and determination of the squad.

Scott McDonald of Celtic celebrates after scoring the first goal during the Scottish Premier League match between Celtic and Rangers at Parkhead on April 27, 2008. (Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images)

We need to show that same spirit, that same grit and determination this year if we want to overcome the odds and clinch yet another title.

Sadly, we don’t seem to have those traits or ability, that the squad of 2008 possessed. We can dream, but the reality tells us otherwise.

I am however, open to being proved wrong, and I sincerely hope I am. Our only hope is that Martin O’Neill can squeeze enough out of this squad to get us over the line.

Celtic fans celebrate after Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink of Celtic scored during the Premier League match between Dundee United and Celtic at Tannadice Stadium on May 22, 2008. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)

Our win over Motherwell at Celtic Park gives us some encouragement that we can take maximum points from our four remaining home games against St Mirren, then post split Hearts, the Rangers and possibly Falkirk. The bigger challenges could come on the road at Dens Park, Easter Road and Fir Park. Can Celtic beat Dundee, Hibs and Motherwell on their own patches? We are going to have to.

Celtic 2 Rangers 1, 16 April 2008. Photo The Celtic Wiki

There is clearly still a chance and I hope that I am wrong but being realistic it is a huge ask from this team that has been letting us down all season long. Time to prove me and many others wrong Celtic. You are seven games from glory.

Just an Ordinary Bhoy

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