When Ange Postecoglou’s Celtic title mantra loses its…

When Ange Postecoglou’s Celtic title mantra loses its power as history shows November is crucial

“I see no reason why you’d be declaring somebody a champion in September,” was Ange Postecoglou’s response as Celtic’s title credentials were questioned.

One month after that the Australian responded: “Do you get something for that in October?,” when asked about the prospect of Celtic going top of the league at the weekend.

In the end, the Hoops missed that opportunity – even if it was only for 24 hours – after they were held to a goalless draw at home to Livingston.

Postecoglou right refuses to accept anything is won or lost in the first few months of the Scottish Premiership.

But there comes a time when that mantra is no longer valid and history shows November IS a crucial month when it comes to who is ultimately crowned champions in May.

And it doesn’t make great reading for Postecoglou and his challengers unless they can overturn that current four-point deficit to leaders Rangers.

For only four times in the past 20 years has the team sitting at the summit at the end of November failed to go on and win the title.

And on one of those occasions the team sitting second – Rangers in 2009/10 – were trailing by only two points but had a game in hand before going on to lift the league trophy.

That strengthens the statistic in Rangers’ favour this season as they look to make it two-in-a-row under Steven Gerrard.

The three times the team trailing in the table at the end of November, with the same amount of games played, who have gone on to win the league are Rangers in 2002/03 and 2008/09 and Celtic in 2011/12.

The Hoops have just two Scottish Premiership games this month with a trip to Dundee on Sunday and the visit of Aberdeen at the end of the month.

Rangers are the same with Ross County heading to Ibrox on Sunday and a trip to Livingston on November 28.

The fact the two rivals are in Premier Sports Cup semi-final action means they have each had to reschedule a league fixture.

Celtic would need Rangers to drop points in both of their November league fixtures while winning both of their games to finish the month on top.

If not, then they will have to pull off something of a rarity in the top flight title race in Scotland by coming from behind at the end of November to take the league flag.