Celtic can learn lessons of 2008 to beat Rangers to title says Paul Hartley, we were booed off and written off then too

FURIOUS fans calling for the Celtic manager’s head after a bad home result.

A faltering title bid hanging in the balance as Rangers gather momentum.

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And a tricky trip to face Motherwell at Fir Park up next, with no margin for error.

Paul Hartley looks at the Hoops’ current situation, and can’t help but cast his mind back to April 2008.

Gordon Strachan’s Celts found themselves seven points behind Gers with seven games to go, but still won the league.

With Hartley a driving force in midfield, they beat Well 4-1, and then roared back to claim the title on the final day.

Some 14 years on, Celtic are in a better position with 12 games to play, but Zico reckons the need for a win-at-all-costs mentality is the same.

He said: “I remember the build-up to that Fir Park game clearly because the supporters were really unhappy.

“We had lost to Motherwell at Celtic Park the previous  weekend, and some fans were calling for Gordon to be sacked.

“I remember we were booed off, and most people on the outside thought Rangers were going to win the title.

“By the time we arrived at Fir Park, we were seven points behind them, and we had also played a game more.

“There was no way we could drop any more points. It was a must-win game.

“Pretty football wasn’t on the agenda. The pitch was really bad and we just had to get three points. There are parallels to the situation Celtic are currently in as they head back to Fir Park this weekend.

“They could be five points behind Rangers by Sunday, and while there is still a lot of football to be played, they can’t really afford to drop more points.

“We had to win at Fir Park  in 2008 and it will be the same for Celtic this weekend.

“That was our mentality back then. Forget nice football, just get the win.

“Every team and manager would love both, but getting a result is all that matters for Brendan Rodgers.

“I never thought our title hopes were over in 2008 and I certainly don’t think it’s over this season.

“Rangers have momentum and are playing well, but nobody should write this Celtic team off.

“Their performances have taken a bit of a dip, but things can change so quickly at the top of the table.

“All it takes is one goal, one victory or defeat and suddenly the momentum changes.

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“Celtic also have a strong record against Rangers and they still have to play each other twice.

“There will be twists and turns to come, but they do need to leave Fir Park with three points on Sunday — even just to change the mood a bit.”

Hartley insists Strachan never panicked in that 2007/08 title race, even when they were being written off.

Before that vital  Fir Park win, back-to-back defeats to Gers and Well led to fans  calling for him to go.

Cove Rangers boss Hartley admired the way Strachan handled the heat and expects Rodgers to react  the same way.

He added: “Brendan won’t panic. He is far too good a manager. He was very honest after the Kilmarnock game last  Saturday, and admitted Celtic didn’t put in the performance he wanted or expected.

“But he has good players and he is the ideal man to settle things down again.

“Brendan has won so much in his career and he will stay calm and clear. Gordon was the same in 2008 — he made things really simple.

“We knew it was a case of fighting and battling to get the wins. Myself and Barry Robson played together in midfield against Motherwell and it worked well.

“We won that game 4-1 and it was a real turning point.

“We had to play Rangers twice soon after,  and we won both of them.

“Suddenly we had the momentum in the title race and we never looked back. Brendan will know that Celtic will need to be better moving forward, but there is a long way to go this season.”

Hartley and Robson made up a formidable  partnership in midfield in the final weeks of the 2007/08 season.

With Scott Brown banned for three games, Strachan paired them together at Fir Park, and they stayed there.

Rodgers will look to the likes of Callum McGregor for leadership in that crucial engine-room  area.

But Zico insists the Hoops  skipper also needs help from his team-mates as the season reaches a crucial point.

He said: “Callum is a leader and he will have to drag players with him.

“He’s been a brilliant captain for Celtic, and there is no chance he will give up the title without a fight. But he also needs help. This is a time when every player needs to stand up and be counted.

“It doesn’t matter if you’re a new signing or an established regular, everyone needs to play their part.

“That was a big reason why we won the league in 2008.

“From Artur Boruc in goal to Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink and Scott McDonald up front, everybody contributed in that run-in.

“Players really stood up and delivered. That’s what Celtic need between now and May.

“Injuries have hampered them this season and any team would miss key players like Cameron Carter-Vickers and Reo Hatate.

“But Celtic still have enough quality in the squad to go on a strong run in the last few months of the season.”

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