Monday 27 April 2015 17:35, UK
Former Celtic striker Andy Walker says the Hoops deserve to win their fourth Scottish title in a row.
Ronny Deila’s side will seal the Premiership crown if they beat Dundee on Friday night and Aberdeen fail to win at Dundee United the following day.
While the Sky Sports pundit praised the Dons for their relentless pursuit of the Glasgow side, Walker thinks it would be a deserved success for Celtic, pointing to their quality all over the park.
“I think there will be a big crowd at Celtic Park,” Walker said. “The Celtic supporters have that expectation and their team is now just on the verge of getting their fourth title in succession. They always want to celebrate; ideally they want to win it in front of their own supporters.
Aberdeen are forcing them to win games and it’s a credit to them with just four games to go that it’s still not absolutely certain for Celtic
“Celtic have been the best side, they have been pushed all the way by Aberdeen. Aberdeen are forcing them to win games and it’s a credit to them with just four games to go, it’s still not absolutely certain for Celtic.
“I think when you look at the Celtic team they have got some star performers all over the pitch.
"Craig Gordon in goals has been terrific. Virgil van Dijk and Jason Denayer have been tremendous, scoring a lot of goals between them this season. In midfield you have Stefan Johansen, Kris Commons, James Forrest, Gary Mackay-Steven and Stuart Armstrong.
'Difficult'
“Maybe the one thing they require is an out-and-out number one striker. It’s the one thing that’s missing from their assault on the Champions League qualifiers. I know Leigh Griffiths has been in recent goal-scoring form but it’s surprising at this stage in the season when you don’t see a Celtic player at the top of the scoring charts.”
Dundee haven’t won against Celtic since 2001 but Walker has warned the champions against complacency following on from their recent Scottish Cup semi-final defeat to Inverness and a 1-0 loss at home to St Johnstone in March.
He added: “It’s going to be difficult. Celtic went up to Dens just last week where they bounced back from the big disappointment at Hampden losing to Inverness Caley Thistle in the Scottish Cup semi-final. It was a terrific response and, at home, having been at a number of Celtic home games, they absolutely dominate possession.
“But they’ve got to be wary because St Johnstone came to Celtic Park recently, played very well, got a lift by the surroundings and environment, and got a very unlikely 1-0 victory. So Celtic need to be up for it and given what’s at stake they will of course be up for it.
Maybe the one thing Celtic require is an out-and-out number one striker. It’s the one thing that’s missing from their assault on the Champions League qualifiers.
“I think there’ll be a bigger crowd than usual. Just one or two steps from the title tends to bring out the supporters who want to celebrate and have a party.”
With the title on the brink of being secured, boss Ronny Deila will soon have to start preparing for next season and a more successful tilt at Champions League football after having missed out this year.
Walker thinks the Norwegian will need to secure reinforcements as rumours persist about the future of key players such as van Dijk, while it is still not known where Manchester City loanees Denayer and John Guidetti will be playing next season.
He said: “I think it’s a worry when you take someone like Denayer, who, by all accounts, wants to go back to Manchester City, and who can blame him. But I sometimes worry about Celtic developing a 19-year-old defender for Manchester City. They’re not developing that player for themselves. He seems quite adamant he wants to go back down south.
“I’m sure Celtic could have won the title developing one of their own. I know that Eoghan O’Connell has been given a two-year contract at Celtic. I think he has played once, maybe twice for the club this season.
“It’s going to be a worry for the Celtic supporters until the Champions League qualifiers come around to know what the intentions of van Dijk and Denayer are. The two of them have been terrific and the likelihood is that someone will come in and offer decent money for Virgil van Dijk. I don’t know what the timing of Denayer going back is.
'Developing'
“Celtic will have to be wary of that and I’d like them to get their act together quickly because I think of them as a Champions League club and not settling for second best in the Europa League.”
Griffiths bagged his second hat-trick in 11 days against Dundee United at the weekend, but Walker thinks Celtic would benefit from securing a striker who could fire them to the group stages of the Champions League next season.
He said: “Celtic cast their net far and wide for any striking options. It hasn’t really worked out in recent years with the likes of Teemu Pukki, Amido Balde and Lassad Nouioui to name a few. There’s been a whole host of strikers that have come and gone in the very recent past. Leigh Griffiths from Hibs is very good domestically.
“Guidetti is another player who could be developing for Man City or some other club. I don’t think Celtic would like to shell out the sort of fee that he would currently demand.
“Going down south a lot to cover games I know Scottish football is lacking a bit of credibility at the moment with no Rangers, no Hibs and no Hearts. So it’s difficult to sell Scottish football where really Celtic with their resources should be winning the title. I think they will, and win it next season as well.
“I think if they can get a recognised number one striker who can come up with goals on the big occasions then that would be a big boost for them.”
