Five Games, Five Players — These are the players who will define Celtic’s season

The Run-In — No More Excuses

Five games left.
That is where we are.

Trips to Hibernian and Motherwell.
Them lot at Celtic Park.
Hearts at home.
And a Scottish Cup Final to finish it.

I don’t think there is any hiding now.
This is where we find out what this Celtic team is really about.

For me, this title will come down to individuals

Daizen Maeda — One Last Surge

Daizen Maeda has not been the same player this season.
Not even close to what we saw last year.

But recently, something has changed.

Back to his best against Falkirk.
Three goals and two assists in the past week and a half tells it’s own story.

Before that?
He had not scored since January.

That inconsistency is why I think he is probably leaving in the summer.

But here is the thing.

He is a striker heading into a World Cup.
He needs form. He needs momentum.

And if that means finishing his Celtic career strongly, then it benefits everyone.

He has scored plenty against sevco before.
A few more would not hurt.

If we get that version of Maeda in these final games, it could be massive.

Callum McGregor — Time to Show It Again

Callum McGregor has been here before.
He knows what this stage of the season looks like.

But his leadership has been questioned this year, especially in the aftermath of Nancy.

Now is the time to answer it.

On his day, I still believe he is the best midfielder in Scotland.
But this is about more than ability now.

This is about dragging the team over the line.

“For us, we’ve been here before and we know how to win.”
That is what he said.

Now he has to prove it.

His presence will be crucial against Hearts in particular.
That midfield battle could decide everything.

I need to see him lead by example.
Not just talk about it.

Celtic Need Goals — Kelechi Iheanacho Must Deliver

If I am looking at this squad right now, Iheanacho is the best finisher we have.

I have already discussed how he should be one of our striking options next season.

Six goals and one assist in just 18 appearances.
In a team that has struggled for goals all season.

That tells you everything.

Injuries have disrupted him.
The hamstring issues have been frustrating.

But when he plays, you can see it.

He wants to score.
He has that quality.

And in these crucial games, where chances will be limited, that matters.

For me, he is the one I trust in front of goal.

Nygren Has Carried Us

Nygren has been the one constant.

Twenty goals from midfield in his first season.
For £1.2 million, that is unbelievable value.

He has carried this team at times.

There are rumours he could leave in the summer.
That would not surprise me.

But right now, we still have him.

He has delivered in big moments before.

When Celtic have struggled, he has been the one stepping up.
Goals against Hearts, Motherwell, Hibernian.

For Nygren to cement himself, he needs a goal against them; this has eluded him all season.

Celtic Defensive Stability — Johnston Returns at the Right Time

Alistair Johnston coming back in is huge.

This is a backline that has been leaking goals.
Too many. Far too many.

He brings leadership.
He brings aggression.
And most importantly, he brings reliability.

“We’re almost at the finish line… if we take care of our business, we give ourselves a great chance.”

That mentality matters.

I also think it will be interesting to see him play on the otherside of Tierney.
That balance on both sides could change how we play.

In big games, we need defenders we can trust.

He is one of them.

This Is Where It’s Won or Lost

This is it.

Hibernian away sets the tone.
Sevco, Motherwell and Hearts cannot be slip-ups.

I have seen this before.
We all have.

It comes down to players stepping up when it matters most.

Not tactics.
Not talk.

Moments.

And right now, I am looking at these five.

Because if Celtic are going to win this title,
It will be about what players want to step up.

As Jock Stein said – “The Celtic jersey does not shrink to fit inferior players”.

These next 5 games will show who is fit to wear the shirt.