Unpicking the negativity that surrounds double-chasing Celtic

[BBC]

It has all felt a bit negative since the win over St Mirren on Saturday, a bit heavy, which is a strange place to be when we're effectively seven games from a double.

I think the reasons for it are two-fold. The first is the style of football we're witnessing.

And though it's great to get the win - undoubtedly the most important thing at this stage - even Martin O'Neill himself would concede Celtic haven't been a particular great watch in recent times.

But does that really matter? I'm not convinced it does.

And while we'd naturally rather be witnessing the free-flowing football of the Ange Postecoglou era for example - and definitely the goal tally that came with it - three points are three points.

Were we earlier in the campaign I could see the appetite - and the justification - for demanding better football, something I'd probably be behind too. But right now, with the finish line in sight, I think this is just how it's going to be.

Since his return (over both spells this season) O'Neill has shown a level of pragmatism that has perhaps flown directly in the face of good football.

If we can get a win playing attractive stuff then that's a bonus, but getting those wins above all else has been his undoubted priority. Unapologetically so.

And it's hard to argue too strongly against the numbers. O'Neill's league record in total this season now stands at 14 wins, two draws and just two defeats in 18 games. A win rate of 77.8%.

The second reason for the unease is more psychological.

For many of us this is unchartered territory. Yes, we've won many titles before - 13 of the past 14 no less - but when were we last in a genuine title race this close? Least of all one that has three runners.

We perhaps need to go back to O'Neill's first spell at the helm to recall the joy - and the pain - of a race that goes right down to the wire.

Because while this stage of the season is thrilling, it's also nerve shredding. Anxiety inducing. And properly stressful.

That tension - for us and others - has likely fed into the reaction after Saturday's win.

But if given the choice, I'd take this every time. I'd far rather experience the tension of being right in the fight than the ambivalence of being out it altogether.

So yes, it's tense. Yes, it's uncomfortable. But we'll take it and strap ourselves in while hoping that just over a month from now it has all been worth it.

Tino can be found at The Celtic Exchange