THERAPY FOR CELTIC COMES IN THE FORM OF GOALS

THE distance between casting, and dispelling, doubt over football teams is measured in the time it takes them to deliver tangible triumph by way of a direct response to rumour.

- BY HUGH KEEVINS

Celtic yesterday assumed what has become their now accustomed position as league champions by winning an away match.

The kind of fixture which had created conjecture concerning Brendan Rodgers' side since the beginning of 2025.

When Celtic lost at Ibrox in January it was understandable.

These things happen, even when the team across the road on the other side of the city are in the midst of chaos.

When Hibs won at Easter Road in February it was controversial. VAR intervened, incorrectly, and disallowed what should have been an equaliser from Daizen Maeda.

Willie Collum made his customary apology for officialdom's error and everyone moved on.

But when St Johnstone beat Celtic in Perth three weeks ago it was inexplicable, unfathomable and ultimately therapeutic.

The proof of that assessment came yesterday when the scale of Celtic's achievement was as high as the ticket prices their fans had to pay.

A 55th title to equal Rangers' tally and a step closer towards a world record-breaking ninth Treble.

Therapy comes in the form of goals for Celtic.

They have now scored 15 of them since the loss in Perth, and they've been shared by eight players and a ninth in the involuntary form of Dundee United's Ryan Strain with an own goal to begin yesterday's procession.

There is now a school of thought that Celtic's domination of Scottish football has highlighted the poverty of their alleged challengers and the reputation of the game here has diminished as a result.

But, regardless of whether or not you believe that is the case, Celtic have to be true to themselves and their support and exhibit, as opposed to apologize for, their capabilities.

Their goals at Tannadice were team efforts with high-quality finishes.