“Celtic really have no right to still be in the conversation,” Chris Sutton

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The Celtic Star

·14 March 2026

“Celtic really have no right to still be in the conversation,” Chris Sutton

Chris Sutton has continued his on-going praise for Motherwell under the guidance of Jens Berthel Askou and believes that the Fir Park side will provide Celtic will a significant challenge this afternoon at Celtic Park...

Writing in his weekly newspaper column the former Celtic title winner looks ahead to today’s Scottish Premiership encounter and notes the long-running problems that Celtic have had to cope with this season with problems in the middle of the park and in the forward areas not being solved, instead the team has relied on individual moments of quality and strong defending to get themselves through matches.

“I’ve said before I think Jens Berthel Askou’s team are one of the best to watch in Britain – and he is a manager Celtic should be looking at for the summer,” Sutton stated in today’s Daily Record.

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“It was a shock to see them slip up against Dundee last weekend, but that was a rare off day and I don’t think it will mean the wheels will come off. The challenge for Celtic is how they are going to attempt to control the game.

“They haven’t managed to do that in enough matches this season – especially against Motherwell. And it will be even tougher with no McGregor in the midfield,” the former Celtic goalscorer noted.

Callum McGregor celebrates. Aberdeen v Celtic, Scottish Premiership. Wednesday 4th March 2026. Photograph by Vagelis Georgariou

Looking at Celtic’s midfield options he continued: “We all know Celtic have a problem up front with strikers who are not scoring goals. But the midfield has been as much a problem this season too. There’s been a lack of balance and cohesion in there. Benjamin Nygren remains an enigma as when he plays there are too many gaps, but you need him for his goal threat.

Benjamin Nygren celebrates. Aberdeen v Celtic, Scottish Premiership. Wednesday 4th March 2026. Photograph by Vagelis Georgariou

“You wonder who will replace McGregor this weekend. Luke McCowan had a tough time in there at Ibrox as he struggled to take the ball on the turn in his own half.

Reo Hatate scores at Ibrox in the penalty shoot-out. Scottish Cup quarter final on Sunday 8 March 2026. Photograph by Vagelis Georgariou

“Reo Hatate has come back into form but it’s a big risk playing him deep when he has a tendency to give the ball away. Then there is Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain. He has the quality to dominate in there. It’s just a question of fitness.

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain at Ibrox. Scottish Cup quarter final on Sunday 8 March 2026. Photograph by Vagelis Georgariou

After four tough away fixtures, two at Ibrox against the Rangers, Sutton reckons that there will be precious little home comforts this afternoon at Parkhead for the Champions.

“It won’t quite be derby level of mayhem but it won’t be easy today given the way Motherwell’s midfield has worked a treat this term. That’s why I’ve been saying for weeks this game is far more worrying than the Rangers encounters. Would is surprise anyone to see Celtic slip up?

“I doubt it. I just think they can’t keep performing at this level and expecting to keep getting results,” Sutton said.

He believes that Celtic are only in contention for the title due to the winning mentality of Martin O’Neill but points out that his former gaffer is not a miracle worker. Perhaps that assessment will have to be revised come the end of May of the 74 year-old Irish walks off into the sunset as a double winner.

“Eventually the displays catch up with you and at some point Celtic are going to have to find something if they are to get over the line. Hearts are still the team that is most likely to win the title this year. There are questions over Rangers’ mentality and creativity while Celtic really have no right to still be in the conversation. They are part of it because O’Neill is a born winner and he’s getting every ouch out of this current group.

“He’s not a miracle worker though. At some stage there will need to some combination play, patterns of build up and more joined up pressing when they don’t have the ball.

“At the moment it’s not there. Celtic are relying on centre backs defending the box and forward thinking players producing individual moments of magic. That can only get you so far. Opposition teams know if they press Celtic all over the pitch they will give the ball away.

“It’s going be fascinating to see how O’Neill approaches this,” Sutton said.

Our Dear Green Place tifo by the Green Brigade, September 2024. Photo IMAGO

The fact that Celtic have failed to facilitate the return of the Green Brigade, which Martin O’Neill was once again calling for yesterday afternoon, is a disgrace. It’s also a mistake that could prove very costly.

A full Celtic Park today, with the Green Brigade back would have given the team every chance against a Motherwell side who will have their own game-plan and will play on the perceived weaknesses in the Celtic team.

All the rest of us can do this afternoon at the game is to give the team as much backing as we possibly can, get the three points then watch on as Hearts this evening then the Rangers tomorrow try to match our result away to Kilmarnock and St Mirren respectively.

Celtic in the Thirties by Matt Corr. Click on image to order