Respected Glasgow Evening Times journalist Chris Jack today penned an article for that title in which he heralded a power shift in Glasgow with an emphatic message to fans of the Parkhead club.
Jack alluded to the ominous ‘house of cards’ quote from Dave King which what ridiculed by some at the time, but doesn’t seem so peculiar now.
He stated it was very pertinent and ‘had stood the test of time’ with all that is happening with the Old Firm clubs now.
The piece relayed that message from Dave King back in May 2018.
“We appoint a manager who can win games, with more resources, and we take one league title way from Celtic,” King said two-and-a-half years ago. “We only need one league title, we don’t need two or three.”
“We need one. Once we take one away, it’s like a pack of cards. Celtic’s cost structure is more like we were ten years ago. We needed Champions League football, and if we went into the Europa League we were in trouble because the cost structure was so high.”
“Take that away for one season and it will change the numbers on the Celtic side very quickly. Celtic have the comfort levels we once had of knowing we were going to get Champions League money.”
“We have to take that away from them and hopefully we have started that process last Friday with the appointment of Steven Gerrard.”
That process is well underway by now.
Jack went on to provide some home truths on how the sliding doors moment has came about as well as underlining the delusion in some quarters.
“There seems to be a state of shock amongst the Celtic support these days. Having had it all their own way for so long, they cannot handle the fact that ‘the ten’ won’t be won.”
“The sense of entitlement has been remarkable in recent times but that is what happens when titles are delivered via an email from Hampden. Even in recent days, there has been a stench of arrogance in the aftermath of the Covid failures that threaten Scottish football.”
“For years they trumpeted ten-in-a-row as if it was a right, a fait accompli. But they failed to recognise that a challenge would arrive from the other side of the city.”
Sevco and the undoing of Celtic
“Some fans will console themselves with the cries of ‘Sevco’ and insist that the league flag that will fly above Ibrox next season is the first that Rangers have won. If that helps you sleep at night, then you go ahead, Bhoys.”
“But they should really look closer to home for the reasons why their dreams of ten have turned into a nightmare.”
“The failure to recognise Rangers as a credible force has been Celtic’s undoing. They saw the Gers toil in the lower leagues and burn millions on dud managers and duff players and assumed that was the new normal in Scottish football.”
“In reality, it has taken Rangers two seasons of getting their act together to go from potential challengers to likely champions as Gerrard has restored pride and standards.”
“It has never been about stopping Celtic. The title means everything to Rangers for their own sake and winning number 55 is more important than denying ten-in-a-row.”
“It was easy for Celtic to take the mickey when putting five by teams managed by Mark Warburton, Pedro Caixinha or Graeme Murty. The days of wrapping scarves round the posts at Ibrox and acting the idiot with a police hat are gone.”
That last quote cannot be emphasised enough, Rangers are a serious club with a proper team once again.
It is finally starting to sink in.