Celtic’s Relentless Dominance Should Be Celebrated, Not Feared — Why Phil Goodlad’s Question Reflects the Real Issue in Scottish Football
Celtic are on the verge of another historic milestone in their proud and decorated history — a 43rd Scottish Cup title. The Parkhead giants are now officially Scotland’s most successful football club, having amassed an astonishing 119 domestic honours. That figure may soon rise to 121, with the Scottish Premiership title all but secured and a domestic treble within touching distance.
And yet, as the Hoops continue to steamroll their way through another glittering campaign, the conversation around their success has taken a strange and somewhat uncomfortable turn — not from rival fans, which would be expected, but from corners of the national media that are supposed to be impartial.
During a recent episode of The Scottish Football Podcast, BBC Scotland presenter Phil Goodlad raised eyebrows with a bizarre and controversial suggestion. Discussing Celtic’s upcoming Scottish Cup semi-final against relegation-threatened St Johnstone, Goodlad asked:
“Do we need Celtic to lose this weekend for the benefit of Scottish football?”
He even acknowledged the strange nature of the question himself, calling it a “problem question” as someone who is supposed to remain neutral. But let’s call it what it is — a blatant example of the double standards and underlying bias that too often surface when Celtic are in the ascendency.
When Did Winning Become a Problem?
Goodlad’s comments reflect a wider narrative that has begun to creep into Scottish football discourse — the idea that Celtic winning too much is somehow bad for the game. That their dominance creates an imbalance. That their presence in finals and their continued success is boring, predictable, or even damaging.
It’s an absurd and lazy take.
Let’s wind the clock back a few decades. Where were these “concerns” when Rangers dominated Scottish football in the 1990s, winning nine league titles in a row and routinely sweeping up domestic trophies? Where were the soul-searching debates about whether it was “bad for the game” that Rangers were dominant? They didn’t exist. In fact, much of the media celebrated their success and elevated them as a European force.
The truth is this: winning is only a problem when Celtic are the ones doing it.
And it’s a problem not because of any actual harm to the game — but because it challenges certain expectations. Celtic’s modern dominance shatters the notion that Scottish football can only thrive when “the Old Firm” are on equal footing. But the reality in recent years is clear: Celtic have been operating on a completely different level, both on and off the pitch.
The Brendan Rodgers Effect
Much of this current success can be credited to Brendan Rodgers, a manager who has carved out his own place in Celtic history. Since returning to the club in 2023 for a second spell, Rodgers has been nothing short of transformational.
He’s already won 10 major domestic honours with Celtic, and is on course to lift his 11th with the Premiership title now all but mathematically secured. Under his leadership, Celtic have been ruthlessly efficient, tactically superior, and mentally resilient. His unbeaten record at Hampden Park is remarkable — and should be a source of national pride, not something that prompts questions about whether it would be “better” if he lost.
Rodgers embodies the professionalism and ambition that every Scottish club should aspire to emulate. He demands the highest standards, both from his players and the club’s hierarchy, and his impact on Celtic’s mentality has been profound.
Celtic in the Scottish Cup — A History of Excellence
Celtic’s Scottish Cup pedigree is unrivalled. With 42 victories, they are the competition’s record-holders, having etched their name into the trophy more times than any other club. The opportunity to make it 43 this season — and possibly clinch a treble — is yet another chapter in a glittering legacy.
Their dominance over Rangers in this competition in recent decades is particularly satisfying for the Hoops faithful. Since 1980, Celtic have played Rangers 19 times in the Scottish Cup and have won 10 of those matches, scoring 29 goals. These include iconic moments like the 4–0 demolition in the 2018 semi-final and the 1–0 victory in the 2024 final, a game that showcased Celtic’s composure and class under pressure.
These are not just wins — they are statements. They are proof that when it comes to big games, Celtic rise to the occasion. And they do it in front of packed stadiums, with a global audience watching. When Celtic play at Hampden, tickets are gone in minutes, and the stadium is a sea of green and white. The atmosphere is electric. The occasion feels worthy.
Contrast that with what happens when Celtic don’t make a final. Anyone who has watched a cup final at Hampden with two non-Glasgow teams knows the sad truth — empty seats, muted crowds, and a lack of spectacle. That’s not to disrespect smaller clubs or their fanbases, but it’s a reality that Celtic elevate these occasions. The national game benefits — commercially, visually, and reputationally — from Celtic being involved.
A Narrative Built on Insecurity
So why do figures like Phil Goodlad ask whether it’s good for Celtic to keep winning?
It’s not about the health of the game — it’s about discomfort with dominance. It’s the fear that Celtic’s success exposes the failings of others. That rather than pushing other clubs to improve, to invest, to strategize, and to innovate, it’s easier to hope that the leaders simply fall back to the pack.
But that’s not how competition works. That’s not how football works. And it’s not how success is built.
Celtic have raised the bar, and it is up to other clubs to catch up. Look at clubs like Hearts, who are slowly building something sustainable. Or Aberdeen, who have had their moments but need consistency. Or Hibernian, who remain a sleeping giant. These clubs should be inspired by Celtic’s dominance, not embittered by it.
Celtic: Standard-Bearers of Scottish Football
The truth is, Celtic are not holding Scottish football back — they’re dragging it forward. Their performances in Europe, their transfer strategy, their youth development, their commercial reach — all of it helps raise Scotland’s football profile.
They’re the reason Scotland regularly gets a second Champions League place. They’re the reason broadcasters are willing to pay for Scottish football rights. They’re the reason stadiums like Hampden still feel special during domestic cup finals.
As we head into the closing weeks of the season, with silverware on the line, the story shouldn’t be “can someone stop Celtic for the good of the game?” It should be: how does Scottish football grow from here? What can we learn from Celtic’s success?
If all goes according to plan, Celtic will have their 43rd Scottish Cup, their 121st domestic honour, and their ninth domestic treble by the end of May. Brendan Rodgers will lift another trophy. Hampden will be packed. The Celtic fans will sing. And Phil Goodlad will likely be preparing to ask the same question next year — hopefully with a little more reflection on what true dominance actually means for the game.
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