Chris Sutton Skeptical of Celtic’s Title Hopes Despite Old Firm Fightback
While Celtic managed a spirited comeback against Rangers this past Sunday, former Hoops striker Chris Sutton remains unconvinced that Martin O’Neill’s squad has what it takes to clinch the league title. According to the pundit, the mountain left to climb is simply too steep for the Parkhead side.
The Scottish Premiership has undeniably transformed into a four-way battle for the crown. Motherwell continues to be the division’s surprise package, maintaining their incredible momentum with another victory and a clean sheet this past Saturday. This surge in form led to a heated debate on BBC Radio’s 606 between Sutton and his co-host, Robbie Savage.
The Motherwell Factor: Can the Steelmen Pull Off a Miracle?
During the broadcast, a Motherwell supporter named Wilson called in to express his conviction that the Fir Park side could actually win the league. Surprisingly, Sutton didn’t dismiss the idea entirely, noting that Motherwell trails Hearts by only ten points with a game in hand and has already “played Celtic off the park” earlier this season.
However, when pressed by Savage to predict the final standings, Sutton’s forecast was a blow to his former club. He predicted a third-place finish for Celtic, behind Rangers in second and Hearts as the eventual champions. Despite his praise for Motherwell, he placed them fourth, leading to a comedic clash with Savage, who questioned Sutton’s logic for calling them title contenders only to rank them last among the top four.
The Jens Berthel Askou Connection
A significant part of the discussion centered on Motherwell’s manager, Jens Berthel Askou. Sutton admitted that keeping hold of the tactician will be Motherwell’s biggest hurdle, as rumors continue to swirl linking him to the Celtic job.
Askou has received glowing endorsements from several Scottish football figures:
- Charlie Mulgrew: Stated that Askou’s style of play would be “perfect” for the champions.
- Frank McAvennie: Urged Celtic to make the move, believing the manager could elevate the club to the next level.
- Tom English: Described the potential appointment as a “no-brainer” and labeled Askou the favorite for the role.
While Sutton is notoriously difficult to impress, his high praise for the Fir Park boss suggests he believes Askou is the real deal—even if he doesn’t think Celtic’s current trajectory is enough to save their season.
