Sir Kenny Dalglish: Celtic’s unity is why they will end up as champions

Internationals have grabbed our attention in recent days, and that will continue when Spain visit Hampden Park on Tuesday night.

But at club level, we’re about to enter the business end of the season.

When the players return to their day jobs after being away with their countries, they will be going head long into a period that will be intense, nervy, enjoyable, agonising and, for some, rewarding.

There are so many different emotions involved, and it’s unfortunate that not everyone can feel on top of the world.

But that’s what makes football the game it is, and why we love it.

There has to be winners and losers. There has to be people holding silverware aloft and others trudging off the pitch, having just been relegated.

Right now, the most likely outcome is that Celtic will retain the Premiership. Ange Postecoglou’s team have a nine-point lead over Rangers, as well as a far-superior goal difference.

There are two Old Firm league games still to play, and Michael Beale and his players won’t be giving up on anything. However, if we are all being realistic, their main chance of success is retaining the Scottish Cup.

To do that, they will need to overcome the Hoops at Hampden next month in the semi-final.

Michael has been good for Rangers since he took over. They are unbeaten in the league, and have improved since the World Cup break.

The hurdle he and his players need to get over is defeating Celtic. That is the next step for them – but that will not be easy.

However, they need to find a way. Their supporters are demanding that from them, and rightly so.

Right now, there is a bit of unrest, and the likes of sporting director, Ross Wilson, and one or two of the hierarchy are in the firing line.

But it’s hard to know who to apportion blame to when the inner-workings of the club aren’t known.

Going back to Giovanni van Bronckhorst’s time, the same questions were swirling around.

Fans wanted to know who was responsible for the signings. Is it Ross and the recruitment department, or is it the manager?

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During the week, Michael stated he had been in discussions with Ross, and had given him a list of at least five players he would like him to pursue for next season.

Every club operates differently, and there are no hard-and-fast rules. It will be based on the staff you have, and the different skill sets each individual possesses.

What might work for some clubs might not work for others, and that is totally understandable.

As long as the manager is given clear guidelines as to what his working conditions are, and what his exact remit is, then all should be fine.

You have accepted the job under that particular set of circumstances, and you get on with it.

As long as the goalposts don’t move while you are in the job, you can have no complaints.

I’ve no idea what the inner-workings are at Ibrox, but the fans want some answers and there is nothing wrong with clarity.

It was all working fine last season when Rangers got to the Europa League Final and also won the Scottish Cup. They also got into the Champions League in August to boost the finances.

But change at any level doesn’t guarantee success. There is no point in making changes for the sake of it just to appease the fans.

You need to make changes for the right reasons, whether that’s the manager, chief executive, chairman or director of football for the benefit of the club as a whole.

It’s important everyone sticks together, and having unity is always going to improve your chances of being successful.

There appears to be a strong togetherness at Celtic, and they have been solid all season. That’s part of the reason why they will be champions again.

At the other end of the table, Dundee United, Ross County and Kilmarnock appear to be in a relegation dogfight.

No side wants to be relegated, and it’s important to stay calm, focused and show a strong mentality.

It’s not a nice situation to be in, but all three clubs will give it their very best to stay up.

The title may be decided early, but I think who goes down will go to the last day of the season.