If last week’s late drama at Rugby Park was the spark that pulled Celtic together, yesterday’s Premier Sports League Cup quarter-final win over Partick Thistle felt like the moment everything finally came to life…
Kelechi Iheanacho celebrates scoring the winner for Celtic at Rugby Park, Kilmarnock v Celtic, 14 September 2025. Photo Vagelis Georgariou (The Celtic Star)
A 95th-minute winner against Kilmarnock may have reignited belief, but at Firhill, Celtic delivered something far more valuable, four unanswered goals, and a full 90-minute performance that suggested the team is beginning to, at last, find its groove.
This season has offered glimpses of what Celtic can be. The second half at home to Livingston and the previous League Cup round against Falkirk contained periods of quality, but consistency remained elusive. Yesterday was different. From the first whistle to the last, Celtic played with intent, authority and cohesion, providing us with arguably our best display since the 5–1 win at Pittodrie back in May.
Luke McCowan celebrates. Aberdeen 1-5 Celtic. Photo Vagelis Georgariou (The Celtic Star)
Perhaps Kel Iheanacho’s late strike at Rugby Park, on the back of Daizen Maeda’s world-class finish, was the catalyst. The celebrations that day spoke of a squad rediscovering its connection with one another and getting reacquainted with their support.
No one dared call it a turning point at the time, wary of false dawns. Yet the impact of that win was unmistakable as Celtic took the field against Partick. Against the backdrop of a passionate protest, fans, players and team alike looked united, confident, and determined.
Rugby Park also felt like the moment the players realised the protests from the support were not also aimed at them. The frustration in the stands may have been loud, but it carried no malice toward the squad, who have been let down as much as the support.
Yesterday at Firhill, it seemed they were now absolutely certain the fans were behind them, the ire directed elsewhere entirely, and the performance reflected a team relaxing into that reality.
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Don’t believe that we have looked like a CL team for some time now imo.
Yet that doesn’t mean that we can’t become a CL team in the making, for next season either.
That will possibly involve a new core of players getting formed, with enough seeds within the squad now, that will hopefully grow over the course of this season.
Before then, we have to start getting winning matches away from home in European competition, where that hasn’t been happening for way too long for ourselves.
So would class Wednesday as a massive match in order to start pressing the change button.
Followed by a challenge against hibs at home, will be a big test upon our squad, and where we actually are, for going forward.
A massive week awaits, and 2 big results will change the mood within the club, and still believe that it can and will be achieved imo.
It’s refreshing to read a comment from someone who actually thinks before they post, instead of much of the garbage we often read here! Your post is spot on Johnno! Well said! Too many people have been kidding themselves for too long now, and unfortunately, still do!